Bonfires and Playing Out

The bonfires at Woodcroft were legendary and the whole community seemed to be involved in one way or another.
The wood etc was duly collected and fiercely guarded just in case "Reedsholmers" came on a raiding party. I remember that we hollowed out the structure and would put an old chair inside it and then take turns at sitting inside it!
Mums made all manner of bonfire food: bonfire (treacle) toffee, cinder toffee, jacket potatoes and potato pies that were made in mixing bowls. These were laid out on long tables and served up by the light of storm lamps.
Taylor's chippy would supply 3d worth of sweets in a triangular bag after we had made money for this by doing "Penny for the Guy" at the factory.

Apart from the memories of Little Blackpool and the above, we used to play out in the back streets and put on variety shows for friends and families.
We would peg out cutains on the washing lines to create a stage effect. After many rehearsals we would summon our friends, families and neighbours to treat them to our concert.

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