Reading other peoples memories of old Cardiff has taken me back to my early years living in Planet Street.

Born just before the end of the Second World War, I remember the likes of the salt and vinegar man, rag and bone man, the drays delivering beer to The Splottlands pub, and the rush to collect the manure for the rhubarb.

There was also Sammy and his brother delivering the milk, twice a day, on their tricycles - firstly in churns, then milk bottles.

There was also the coalman, with his horse and cart, emptying the sacks on the pavement above our coal-chute and then the scrubbing of the step, with required 'D' shape on the pavement.

Days were spent playing games in the street, keeping an eye out for the police, after complaints from a shopkeeper about the ball going near her shop.

Little System Street was a great place to play as it was a dead-end, but care had to be taken in case the local resident Sourpuss caught you.

The old pop factory was also good for playing and retrieving of marbles from the old bottles - don't let my Dad know!

Social events were organised through St Garman's Church and Metal Street school, with beetle drives, dances, horticultural shows, Whitsun treats and of course the Boys Scouts.

Happy days!

Peter Palmer - Seaton, Devon - December 2006