THE1950s

0066 My Family and Christmas

Aunty Ethel (Adamson), Nana & Grandad Lane, Me & Ma

There were two sides to my family, each of which operated very differently from the other.  The one we were most involved with was my mother's family. This originally revolved around my grandfather and my grandmother, and my bachelor - Uncle Sid - who lived with them.  We used to go and see them, typically for lunch, every Sunday.  My grandmother, Nana Lane, came from Yorkshire. She cooked wonderful beef, with Yorkshire pudding which, in true Yorkshire style, was always served first – instead of soup - with lovely, tasty gravy.

When she died in the 1950s, my grandfather and Sid bought a bungalow, lower down in Bebington. It was a nice little two-bedroom bungalow, which suited them down to the ground. It had a nice, secluded garden; surrounded by nine foot high bay hedging.  Though it was located in a 1930s estate area, it was a new bungalow. It was just by a little road which ran down, through what was almost a mini-gorge, to the centre of Bebington.  With 18th century houses on the cliffs above it was almost like a throwback to earlier times.  But, as I said, it suited them down the ground and they were very happy there.

As a result, my grandfather used to come down to have lunch with us at least once a week; and we used to go back to them -- though not for a meal -- also about once a week.  In any case, Sid continued to come up to us, from Prices, every lunchtime. He was an important part of my upbringing -- not least during the school holidays - as I the debated with him every day!  These were not bitter arguments, however, but intellectual tests.

With Ethel & Bob in the living room of the cottage 

Also on that side of my family were my Aunt Ethel and Uncle Bob and their son – my cousin Ian - who was five years younger than me.  We saw them every couple of weeks or so and as a result were also quite close to them. Uncle Bob was very ambitious, he was the buyer at Prices, and was determined to better himself.  On the other hand, my aunt suffered from Parkinson's disease all the time I knew her. She was one of the first guinea pigs for the El Dopa drug. My mother always said that the Parkinsons had come about because she had been badly injured in the 1930s while riding on the back of Bob's motorcycle.

South View, where Nana Mercer lived

On the other side of family there was, in terms of regular contact, just my grandmother. My grandfather Mercer died when I was just one year old.  Nana Mercer lived in one of the company houses on Bromborough Pool village and my father looked after her.  Not merely did he do the garden and cut the massive hedges, but earlier on, when her pension was very low, he gave her money every week.  He was disgusted to find out later that his brother Joe -- who had not given her anything even though he earned more than my father – had put on his tax return that he was supporting her!  Much in the manner of the times, I used to go in and see Nana Mercer several times a week, on the way home from school.

Nana Mercer, Cousin Barrie, Aunty Hilda, Pa & Me, in 1945

We rarely saw these other relatives; perhaps only once or twice a year.  My father's older brother was an administrator for the Liverpool Water Board - though he had once also played in the reserve team for Liverpool Football Club. He had eventually given this up – even though they wanted him to join the first team - because it only paid 25 shillings a week!

The rumours were that Aunt Hilda had entertained almost the whole American forces by herself in the war. She was all powder and perfume – and to me smelt like death!

After the war, when he was invalided out of the RAF, Uncle Barry was the manager in charge of the shops and bars at Butlins, Pwllheli, as I describe elsewhere. We only be the saw him when he came home for Christmas.  My enduring memory was of the Christmas presents he received from his suppliers -- including, every year, a bundle of a hundred £5 notes. This was a great deal - something like three years average wage - in those days!

 Uncle Barry

Finally there was my Uncle Bill and his wife Phyllis, who was my father's only sister.  They had two boys. One, Graeme, was my age - and I did occasionally play with him. The other, Pippy, was five years younger.  We saw them more than the rest of the Mercer family, but not as much as my mother's family. Bill was a travelling salesman, with the emphasis on ‘travelling’. He was very much the salesman, with the gift of the gab and morals to match. He also had a band, he was very good saxophonist, which was the resident band at the Grosvenor hotel in Chester. Occasionally we heard the band on the radio -- in those days a real honour - even if it was only on 'Music While You Work'. 

 Bill & Phyllis, on their wedding day

As with many families all this came together, or should I say to a head, at Christmas.  The celebration with my mother's side of family took place in the morning and lunchtime. We used to go to my grandparent’s house, where my grandmother cooked a beautiful Christmas lunch. I suppose it was a quiet family lunch - which is still what I like best.  There were no games, even though I and my cousin Ian were present.  The only time anything like that happened was when my 'Uncle Herbert' (actually a cousin twice removed) came across from Leeds; and I hated him, for he was vicious with children!

Then in evening we went to Nana Mercers There the Mercer clan was gathered. That was a riotous time, with Hilda – who always wanted to be the life of the party - competing for that honour with Bill, and everyone playing games or singing round the piano. I hated it and have hated such parties ever since -- though Pat loves them!

[back]     [home]

hits