Happy to look back at good old bad days

It was interesting to read the recent letter from Mr Nash recalling the past and how different things are today from bygone days.

I am also a pensioner, and often think back about my childhood days, when we were happy, yet didn't have the pleasure that they have today with TV video games and mobile telephones.

No-one is starving and desperate, as anyone who needs help today gets it.

We went for walks to the park and played safely in the streets, even in the black-out, with no-one mugging people and stealing and breaking into other people's property, as they do today.

Neighbours were there for you when you needed help.

I was brought up on the "poor law", and times were hard. In fact, everything that I possessed was given to me, but to me they were something new.

We lived in back-to-back houses where you shared the wash house and lavatories with your neighbours.

I remember going home at dinnertimes and had to run errands, even fetch coal in a wheelbarrow from the local coal-merchants and take the barrow back when emptied, as someone was always waiting for it to be returned.

You never said no to your parents in those days. I used to go with my mom to the pawnshop regularly each week and keep a lookout in case anyone from your street saw you.

They were good old, bad old, days, and I thank God every day for my good fortune, as I now see these times as good times, and I am now blessed with a caring and loving family.

Mrs F Taylor, Lord Street, Wolverhampton.