Good morning. This 1960's picture of Burton on Trent outdoor market brings back happy memories. We lived in Stretton and the highlight of every week was to get the Blue Bus on a Saturday morning to town. We didn't get pocket money from our parents, because there was never any left over from the household budget. I saved up my Birthday and Christmas money to spend mostly at the market.
Moving on I applied for a job at Woolworths, and was instantly told yes, when can you start. I fondly remember those days when you could walk out of a job and immediately find another one. Working at Woolys was ten times better. The store was buzzing with customers and I worked on the sweetie counter. It was great fun. Wrapped and unwrapped sweets had to be weighed up. I was put in charge of stock checking upstairs in the stockroom, and ordering from the suppliers.
Now I had a regular wage coming in, albeit very small, I could start to budget my money. Half was given to mum for my board and lodgings. I moaned a bit but it felt right that I should help her out. Mum and dad had separated and she got an allowance. He paid in part of his wages, and mum had to go to the Police Station every week to collect it. She was doing a part time job in a factory canteen to make ends meet. And as you might know if you have been reading my blog for sometime, the money saving tips she taught me have stayed with me for life.
Life as a teenager in the sixties was exciting and fun. Going to the market on a Saturday was part of it. I was getting into dressmaking at that time. I bought the fashion magazines, saw a picture of a dress that I liked, and made my own version of it. The market was the cheapest place to buy the fabric. I made mini skirts with one yard of material. They just about covered my bum. My friends asked if I could make one for them, so I took orders.
Those were the carefree days of the sixties. Now all memories. Life carries on, we have to make the most of it. Have a good weekend.
Thanks for popping in. Toodle pip. ilona
Yes, Burton market was a good place to shop in those days. You could buy most things there and of good quality, anything from silver jewellery to fabric, china, fruit and household items. There was the indoor market with even more things too, and do you remember the little cafe in there too? I used to go to Burton as a young girl with my mum and sometimes meet up with two great aunts. We used the Midland Red and Vicki bus, whilst one aunt arrived from Hilton on a yellow bus. There was a cafe in the bus park too, with those metal signs for Cadbury etc, much sought- after now.
ReplyDeleteIn the 1970's I used to go with my fiancé, Burton was a good place to shop for your " bottom drawer". Burton cinema, the shops in town. Wonderful times and memories. Sadly Burton or the market are not a patch on what they used to be.
Thanks for triggering such lovely memories.
J.
Now you're talking. What great memories you have. My friend was collecting for her 'bottom drawer'. She was courting and by the time she got married she had enough to set up a home. I remember the cafe in New Street bus park, though I never went in. Part of the Market Hall housed the Fish Market. I remember that smell. The Market was like a meeting place for friends. Sadly not the same now. They are struggling to keep it going, and they can't decide what should happen to it.
DeleteHi Ilona, not sure we are talking about the same bus park and cafe. I mean the one behind the Queens' public house and hotel, near what was Bargates. It's called The Three Queens now. Perhaps it was then but I don't think so. The bus park was behind that in those days. The café was there not just for the drivers to take their break, but for passengers who were waiting between buses. The bus park and café closed years ago and houses have been built on most of it, just leaving the road through. The Victorian toilet block still stands there, near the old bridge, but is clearly closed.
DeleteAre you thinking of where the buses load now, further up town?
J.
There were two bus parks as I remember. The one in New Street had mainly Midland Red Buses passing through there, to Lichfield and Birmingham. There was a cafe there. The other one you mentioned I think was mainly for the Blue Buses to and from Derby. I remember the public toilets there, and the cafe.
DeleteI really enjoyed the outdoor market in Derby when I used to stay with my grandparents as a teenager. My Mum used to talk about the days when you could leave one job and be in a different job the next day. I wish it was like that now.
ReplyDeleteThe Blue Bus went between Burton and Derby, through Stretton, so we could go either way. Derby seemed like a million miles away, though in truth it was just down the A38. Derby Market was bigger and better. It took ages to get round it all.
DeleteIlona I do so love your story's of your different jobs and your mam and dad.you gave me a real laugh when you said the first job put you off dusting for life the Woolworth job sounded great I remember the piles of shiny wrapper sweets when I was small.good memorysxx
ReplyDeleteDon't tell anyone, but I used to duck down below the counter pretending to look for something. A sneaky sweetie managed to find it's way into my mouth.
DeleteWoolies was a great place to work, I went there at 16 which was 39 years ago. I too worked on the sweets. I absolutely loved it there. Nick
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was a lot of fun. I did a spell on the jewellery counter. That was a bit boring, not many customers. I also worked on the bread counter. That was better. Regulars would come in every day for their baps and bloomers.
DeleteI loved being a Woolies girl! My two counters were Haberdashery and Gardening. Perfect especially as I enjoy all my crafts and anything to do with plants! So many happy memories!
ReplyDeleteThat was good training for you. We had yellow overalls when working on the food counters, and horrible green ones to wear elsewhere in the store. I had a crush on Howard, a Floor Walker, a bit like a department manager. I fluttered my eyelashes and smiled sweetly every time I saw him, hoping he would notice me. Alas it didn't happen.
DeleteI got. my first Sat job at a toy store in Wolverhampton in 1960, I got 15 shillings a day and used to spend 5 s on a three course Indian lunch nearby. JanF
ReplyDeleteMy best friend had a Saturday job, but I never did. I didn't want to give up my Saturday visits to the market. I felt rich when I got my first pay packet, and eagerly worked out how I was going to spend it.
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