1920's - All aboard for the Kelseys!



These two lovely old photos from the 1920's have been kindly loaned to us by Maurice Higham of Middle Rasen. The first shows the omnibus run by brothers Ed and Harry Balderson parked at Four Cross Roads, South Kelsey. It travelled to Lincoln on a Friday, Market Rasen on Tuesday and Saturday and Brigg on Thursday and Saturday. The second picture is a snapshot of tranquil village life in North Kelsey – with little kids making sure they get in the photo!

The omnibus run by brothers Ed and Harry Balderson parked at Four Cross Roads.

Tranquil village life in North Kelsey

_______________________

1920's - Advice from the experts



In the Mail of yesteryear there were many advice columns from experts on all aspects of daily living – handy hints for young ladies, advice for mothers, tips for the sick room and many more. Here we represent some of those pearls of wisdom from the 1920's – do they still hold true today I wonder?


Children and motoring

DO not take children motoring. It is far better for them to run about. They easily get cold; their little limbs are cramped. The wind hurts their eyes, and the wild rush through the streets does them no good. Oh, yes, I know I am old fashioned. One day you will send your children up in an aeroplane with their nurse instead of letting them run in the park. Again I shall protest, and again I shall be ignored. And there are still submarines left. You might try a nice trip in a submarine to bring back the roses to the child's cheek. But in the long run you will find the simple plan of sending the child to run about in the recreation ground will be best.
The way to beauty

EVERYBODY, so it is said, wishes to be beautiful, but everybody does not go the right way about it. The would-be beautiful woman has to be careful of her actions. She must guard against bad habits of wrinkling the eyes, of making little grimaces, of ugly ways of moving, of sitting or standing, of little tricks of her hands, and also she must guard against bad temper and worrying thoughts, for all leave their marks on her face. The woman who follows these rules will certainly be good to look at, and she will deserve admiration too, for she will have won her beauty by the exercise of self-control, patience and perseverance.
Home exercises

After a spell in hospital you must back up your exercises there by your efforts at home. If you have a little ingenuity perhaps you could rig up some simple apparatus which will enable you to carry on the exercises at home. Mother would be delighted if you could help her with the mangle, and it would do your shoulder good. You can take hold of the door handle and turn it round a few dozen times to loosen the stiffness of your wrist. Too many of you think that when the pretty nurse has finished her ten minutes' massage that you have done your duty. You will not get well quickly unless you do a bit for yourself.

_______________________

1920's - Where Woman Rules...

Fashion of the week 80 odd years ago: A lovely evening frock - suitable for dancing.

Or how about this charming tea frock - ideal for a smart tea party. Women described it as the most useful garment in their wardrobe.

In years gone by your Mail featured a page for ladies, Where Woman Rules, which looked at the latest fashions and gave handy hints for the home.
Here we reproduce some of those pearls of wisdom for modern ladies to enjoy!


Don't marry a man who is reckless and who spends every penny he earns upon enjoyment. He may be a pleasant enough companion, but he will never prosper or save toward a rainy day.
Don't marry a woman who looks down with contempt on all matters connected with housekeeping, condemning them as dull and uninteresting.
Remember a home is never comfortable or well managed without a good mistress.
Don't marry a man whose only idea in life is having a good time himself, and who never troubles to think of sharing his pleasures with his mother and sisters.
In conversation never talk about yourself, and if you find the talk drifting that way get it out of a personal rut at once.
Do not lead willingly into the subject of politics or religion unless you know the creed or the party of your partner.
Never make gestures in society. Never point, and never let your eye wander over the room while your friend is talking to you.
A clothes peg, if cut in half and inserted between the sash of a rattling window, will prove a wonderful soother to nerves racked by constant banging at night.
There is a superstition in regard to the ill-luck sure to follow those who marry when the moon is on the wane.
People who seriously regard this superstition set their bridal day between the periods of the new and full moon.
Some have a strong aversion to wedding in May, for an ancient couplet reads 'Marry in May, And rue the day.'
Here is the ancient rhyme regarding the favourable and unfavourable months for marriage:

Marry when the year is new,
Always loving, kind and true;
When February birds do mate
You may wed, nor dread your fate.
If you wed when March winds blow,
Joy and sorrow both you'll know.
Marry in April when you can,
Joy for maiden and for man;
Marry in the month of May,
You will surely rue the day;
Marry when June roses blow,
Over land and sea you'll go.
They who in July do wed
Must labour always for their bread;
Whoever wed in August be,
Many a change are sure to see.
Marry in September's shine,
Your living will be rich and fine.
If in October you do marry,
Love will come, but riches tarry;
If you wed in bleak November,
Only joy will come, remember;
When December's snows fall fast,
Marry, and true love will last.

Woman's world: Young ladies looked to the Mail for advice on men, marriage and more.

_________________________

1920's - Fond memories of town during the early 1900s

This week we dip into the Mail archives to bring you a snapshot of the town as it was in the early 1900s – thanks to the memories of former Rasen man Mr H L Kirk.


"I WAS born in 1913 at No 6 Linwood Road, later residing in Chapman Street, Kilnwell Road and also at No. 11 Union Street next door to my great uncle, William Elvins drapery shop, now Starbuck's bakers shop.
Starting my reminiscences at the bottom end of Oxford Street I well remember the old malt kilns and in my mind can still recall the warm, soggy odour of the fermenting barley.
Being of good Methodist stock we were told to hold our breath when passing the malt kilns lest the aroma should give us a taste for the demon drink.
On the opposite corner was the old Railway Hotel and I remember in particular one old character there by the name of 'Zott' Cook.
Whether he lived there or whether he was a good customer I do not know, but he owned a couple of horses which had the task of pulling the fire engine.
The snag was these horses were usually out to graze either at Linwood or Wold View or Gallamore Lane, thus giving the fire a chance to get a good hold before the fire engine became mobile.
At the top end of Oxford Street was Stricklands Barber shop and nearby was Mainprizes Fish & Chip Shop where you could get a good blowout of fish and chips for four pence – whilst at Wards, opposite the station gates, you could get fish and chips and a glass of Mason's Botanic Beer for six pence.
On the opposite corner of Oxford Street was Footits Bakery and nextdoor was Hall's greengrocery. The proprietor, Charles Hall, was the local bandmaster and his son, Walt Hill, was an up and coming cornet player.
Further down Jameson Bridge Street was Scuphams Monumental Masonry and nearby was the Primative Methodist Chapel.
My parents were members of that chapel and the names of Islip, Horsefield and Neal come to mind.
Going further down Queen Street was the original of the Kings' Head pub. In those days it was an old fashioned spit and sawdust establishment and the reek of stale beer met you long before you reached the door.
In remembering Rasen at that time several characters come to mind – notably James (Jimmy) Nettleship, Mrs Smith of the White Hart Hotel, a frail little lady with a mind of her own, Ted Limon the seedsman, Mr Beetlestone headmaster at the Wesleyan Day School down Mill Lane, Joseph (Gassy) Green, Job Cox the horse dealer, and the Staves family of whom Harold and Bill were local celebrities by their motorcycle racing exploits.
I do not recall many who made a huge fortune in Rasen but neither did I hear of any who starved.
It was always a place of good neighbours and a pleasant place to return to.

______________________

1922 – A curious incident

As the weather on Sunday last was so fine, the Osgodby garage proprietor decided he would go for a spin on his trusty Triumph.
On nearing Caistor he had occasion to look down at his engine to see if it was still in the frame, when to his amazement he discovered he had lost one of his legs.
He immediately turned round and proceeded on the same track, but unfortunately his leg was not to be seen anywhere, and on arriving home had to manage with his remaining leg until another one could be found. Needless to say the lost limb was a wooden one.

____________________________

Click on >> button for next page!