'The rent on our little palace was seven shillings and sixpence a week; not a lot of money these days, but there were times when mom struggled to find the money to pay it. One day, when the rent man called, our mom hid on the stairs and said, "Tell him I'm not in". So when he knocked on the door I said, "Mom said she is not in". "OK," was the reply, "tell her when she gets back off the stairs I'll call next week".'
A BIRMINGHAM BACKSTREET BOYHOOD is a fascinating, funny and poignant recollection of the experience of growing up in the slums of Nechells and Aston.
All the harshness of daily life is remembered here by local author Graham Twist. Despite hard living condition and a distinct lack of money, a strong community spirit prevailed and families and neighbourhoods were close-knit. The womenfolk on particular took great pride in their homes, however humble, and scrubbed their front steps and swept the areas in front of their houses religiously.
In these tough times you hoped nobody noticed you going to the 'pop shop' to pawn precious valuables to get enough money to pay the rent or buy food for the family....
A BIRMINGHAM BACKSTREET BOYHOOD is a fascinating, funny and poignant recollection of the experience of growing up in the slums of Nechells and Aston.
All the harshness of daily life is remembered here by local author Graham Twist. Despite hard living condition and a distinct lack of money, a strong community spirit prevailed and families and neighbourhoods were close-knit. The womenfolk on particular took great pride in their homes, however humble, and scrubbed their front steps and swept the areas in front of their houses religiously.
In these tough times you hoped nobody noticed you going to the 'pop shop' to pawn precious valuables to get enough money to pay the rent or buy food for the family....
