Memories of the 1950s

I met my future wife in 1952 through Scouts and Guides and then we both joined Ecclesall Youth Club. We played tennis as a mixed double at Bingham Park. We were engaged in 1955, married in 1956 and our son was born in 1958.

The King's Death

In 1952, aged 21, I qualified as one of the youngest Mining Surveyors, although I was not allowed to practice until I was 22. I worked for the Coal Board on St Andrew's Road, off Psalter Lane. While I was working news of the King's death was brought by the Chief Surveyor.

The Coronation

I remember ten of us crowded round a black and white television to watch the Coronation. We were living on Onslow Road and it was Mother and Father who had the TV.

Holidays

We went to Cleethorpes, Bournemouth and Torquay. In the 50s, if you stayed in a Bed and Breakfast you brought your own food and the Landlady cooked it for you. A holiday on a boat on the Norfolk Broads developed a life-long interest in boating. I remember George Formby had a specially built motor cruiser on the Broads, it was called 'Lady Beryl'

We saw Ken Dodd and Anita Harris in the Pier Show at Great Yarmouth.

Transport

I enjoyed being a member of the Sheffield and Hallamshire Motorcycle Club. In the 1950s they held bike scrambling competitions in the Mayfield Valley. The club met once a month in the Berni Inn at Norton. One photo shows Dave Tye, who was a Works rider for BSA at one of the competitions.

My first bike was a 2-stroke Coventry Climax and after that I had new Imperial which is not a well known bike. While we were living at Onslow Road I had a 350cc Royal Enfield. I wore a cap and goggles and a big coat, like a trench coat. My leather gauntlets were a 21st birthday present from my Grandma.

My last bike was a BSA 350cc. When I started going out with Muriel I go a lecture from her mother about motor-bike safety so eventually bought a car.

My first car cost £110, it was a 1937 Jowett which was always breaking down. I got spares from Gilders on Cambridge Street. However, it didn't let me down when we went to Penzance on honeymoon in 1956.

Pat Pryor - a well-known figure in the village - married Janet Gilder, a close friend of Muriels.

My next car cost £75 and was a sports car - a kit car which was also always breaking down! In 1957 I bought a second hand Austin A40 Somerset in beige for £500. After our son was born in 1958 I decided it was time to get a decent, reliable car.

Robert Eastwood