Demobilising after World War 2 Written by Pam Preedy. On the 8th May 1945, a ceasefire was called, and soldiers of all sides in Europe laid down their arms. Effectively World War 2 in Europe was over. Three months later on August 14th, 1945 VJ Day was announced: Japan surrendered. War was over. Figures vary, but roughly five million British servicemen and women waited to be demobilised and returned to civilian life; my father among them. Demobilisation took about 18 months to complete (June 1945 to December 1946). It was…
Year: 2025
Door to Door: The Laundry
Door to Door: THe Laundry Written by Pam Preedy. From time immemorial, it was merely left to women to organise and carry out the laundry. It was a time-consuming process, as this folk song tells us. Dashing Away With the Smoothing Iron “Twas on a [Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday] morningWhen I beheld my darling:She looked so neat and charmingIn every high degree;She looked so neat and nimble, O, [A-washing | A-hanging | A-starching | A-ironing | A-folding | A-airing | A-wearing]of…
Door to Door: History of Delivery Service
Door to Door: History Written by Pam Preedy. As I sit in my front bedroom study, looking for inspiration for my next article, I watch a variety of vans and cars driving up our little close, drivers checking for the address for their next delivery. Oddly enough, it hadn’t occurred to me that families are still taking delivery of a variety of items. Deliveries in the 21st century are different from those in previous centuries. When we look back over time and delve a bit deeper, we realise that these changes…
Norman Park (Bromley)
Norman Park (Bromley) Written by Pam Preedy. Take a lift to the top floor of the Bromley Central Library and look out over Bromley – you will see how green our town is.As we all know, the Bromley Borough is a good place to live, with lots of places to meet friends. I like to go to Norman Park but I had always wondered whether the park was named after one of the Norman family because in a moment of public-spirited generosity, he had given the 65 acres of park…
The History of Tea
The History of Tea Written by Pam Preedy. “A nice cup of tea” was the panacea for all ills. For women, at a time when they were expected to remain in the home, it opened the way for a good gossip; a chance to mull over their problems with a friend(s). According to legend, the story of tea began in 2737 BC when Shen Numg, the Chinese emperor and herbalist was sitting under a tree while his servant boiled driving water. Some leaves fell into the water, he tasted it,…