norbold Posted July 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 9, 2015 (edited) I spotted 'Pie 'n Mash and Prefabs in my local Sainsburys - I didn't buy it because I live in the North East - not really relevant up here. Perhaps Norbold will enlighten me, unless, of course, he is in his 'Hole'.My most "helpful" review on Amazon says, "This book is written with a London emphasis, rightly so. It also extends to other parts of Britain. My experiences as a 50's child in Birmingham take me to similar environments. My Nan had been allocated a two-bedroom pre-fab when WW2 broke out: temporary but permanent as it happened to many. Her Welsh roots were given to her many grandchildren. A cwtch ,(cuddle), came with a story and pie 'n' mash. I never had the chance to ask her the where's and why's it came from. It fitted in with her tales: 11 children and two world wars probably was enough. Her daughter, my 92 year old mother, recollects old tales of London before the Black Country and Birmingham. This book is a marvellous account of those times. Misery and mastery of the culinary arts using whatever was available. The prefab fascinated me. Corrugated iron and plaster, I thought, but within was a home and a welcome. This book captures the times to perfection. Absolutely love it." So, as you can see, it is relevant to everywhere. If I were you I'd buy a copy, TWK, you'll love it! Edited July 9, 2015 by norbold 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 So, as you can see, it is relevant to everywhere. If I were you I'd buy a copy, TWK, you'll love it! Quite honestly, "relevance" is totally irrelevant!. As long as it makes good reading, that's all that matters. Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 No mention of speedway in that review norbold. Are you SURE the book contains speedway references? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 I may well give it a go norbold. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted July 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 I'll do a deal with you, TWK. You buy a copy and I'll explain the mystery of the hole to you. Can't say fairer than that! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted July 10, 2015 Report Share Posted July 10, 2015 I'll do a deal with you, TWK. You buy a copy and I'll explain the mystery of the hole to you. Can't say fairer than that! :party: You've sold it to me norbold. I will get myself a copy - that's a promise. You will have to fulfill your part of the deal. Don't do anything until I let you know that I have the book. You are on. I will get it sometime this weekend. :party: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerblade Posted August 14, 2015 Report Share Posted August 14, 2015 I read your book over the Cardiff GP weekend, Norbold, have finally got around to writing a review of sorts on my Goodreads account. I can never find the dividing line in being too brief or sounding too pretentious! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23398323-pie-n-mash-and-prefabs Mine was on Kindle, but I have seen it in WH Smith in the shopping centre at the other end of my village (post code S20 7PN) - I reckon that's a lot off the beaten track! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted August 14, 2015 Report Share Posted August 14, 2015 Last year a Pie 'n' Mash shop opened in York. It shut after 6 months. Nowt as queer as Yorkshire folk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted August 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 Thank you for your review, Tigerblade, much appreciated. Glad you liked the book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 (edited) I have finally read this excellent Book. It really took me back to a far better place. I was worried that living in the 'North' the Book would not be relevant to me. I need not have worried, this is a wonderful account of how things were in my youth and childhood it evokes so many memories.. I recall my first day at School and it was not dissimilar to the events described here. I too can remember the frosted up windows in the Winter. Coal Fires, Marbles, Conkers, Chuck Stones (they are not called that in the Book), Howzat (Cricket Game) all get a mention bringing back memories of happier times. Radiogrammes, Record Players, the Wireless - Archie Andrews, Round the Horne, What's my Line etc.. Speedway too gets a mention. All of these and lots of other things too have helped to make this Book a real pleasure to read. I got my copy from Amazon and I am glad I did. I can strongly recommend this Book - I have gone through several emotions reading it. To sum up - a thoroughly enjoyable read. EDIT: I nearly forgot norbold - time for me to discover the 'Hole'. Edited August 16, 2015 by The White Knight 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted August 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 Thank you, TWK. I am so glad you liked it and that it brought back so many happy memories. Now to keep my side of the bargain....... It all began innocuously enough when our Internet at home went down and I could only get on to the Speedway Forum (and every other site of course) by using my work computer. This was some time early in 2002. I reported the fault to BT who sent someone round to investigate. The engineer at first couldn't find out where the fault lay other than it obviously wasn't working. After several days, BT finally discovered that Tendring Hundred Waterworks Company (my then water supplier) had cut through a cable in front of a house five doors away from mine when doing some work there and it was this that was causing the problem, so they said it should be easy to fix. BT then dug a hole in the road to get at the cable. This was the famous norbold's hole. However, before they could start work, the local Council came round to investigate a hole in their road and demanded that BT put up safety notices round the hole and fence it off. So another day passed while they did this. We were then told by BT that as it was the Water Company's fault they had asked them for a compensation payment before they would start the work. More time while the Water Company arranged a visit. When they did, they denied it was their fault and wouldn't pay. I can't remember the exact sequence of events after that but, apart from the hole being there, nothing was getting done in spite of further numerous visits from BT, The Water Company and the Council, who all peered into norbold's hole, tutted and went away. During the course of all this, I gave a daily update on the Speedway Forum from work, which, as you can imagine, brought forth many comments, serious, humorous, lewd and any type you care to mention. It was this and the length of time it went on for that made it easily the longest thread seen on the Forum at that time and, I guess, ever since, until the Darcy Ward thread and became quite a cause celebre. Sadly, the thread got lost when the Forum was revamped some years later. I did screen shot and keep some of it, but I've lost that now as well. The outcome of all this was that it eventually got done something like a month after the hole was first dug. At the time - I don't know if it is still the case - BT paid huge compensation for every day over three days that a customer couldn't receive their Internet services. It was so much that it paid for a four week family holiday to Australia and New Zealand, where, incidentally, I had a great day out with Bob Andrews, who showed me the sites of Auckland, including the speedway track and speedway museum, finishing with dinner with him and Tommy Sweetman. That, as far as I can remember, is the story of norbold's hole. I don't know if any Forum old timers would care to add anything to the story or their memories of it. Oh, I do still have a photo of the hole. Incidentally, TWK, as you bought the book on Amazon, is there any chance you could review it on there, pretty please? It does help and would be most appreciated. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
van wolfswinkel Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 (edited) Last year a Pie 'n' Mash shop opened in York. It shut after 6 months. Nowt as queer as Yorkshire folk. There have been a couple of attempts in Swindon with a sizeable London population from the 50s/60s/70s. Thing is they were in the town centre and not where most of the Londoners lived on the council estates mainly in the east of the town, and soon closed. Get mine delivered from my old local Manzes of Peckham..luvverly jubbly! Edited August 16, 2015 by haydon hat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 (edited) Thank you, TWK. I am so glad you liked it and that it brought back so many happy memories. Now to keep my side of the bargain....... It all began innocuously enough when our Internet at home went down and I could only get on to the Speedway Forum (and every other site of course) by using my work computer. This was some time early in 2002. I reported the fault to BT who sent someone round to investigate. The engineer at first couldn't find out where the fault lay other than it obviously wasn't working. After several days, BT finally discovered that Tendring Hundred Waterworks Company (my then water supplier) had cut through a cable in front of a house five doors away from mine when doing some work there and it was this that was causing the problem, so they said it should be easy to fix. BT then dug a hole in the road to get at the cable. This was the famous norbold's hole. However, before they could start work, the local Council came round to investigate a hole in their road and demanded that BT put up safety notices round the hole and fence it off. So another day passed while they did this. We were then told by BT that as it was the Water Company's fault they had asked them for a compensation payment before they would start the work. More time while the Water Company arranged a visit. When they did, they denied it was their fault and wouldn't pay. I can't remember the exact sequence of events after that but, apart from the hole being there, nothing was getting done in spite of further numerous visits from BT, The Water Company and the Council, who all peered into norbold's hole, tutted and went away. During the course of all this, I gave a daily update on the Speedway Forum from work, which, as you can imagine, brought forth many comments, serious, humorous, lewd and any type you care to mention. It was this and the length of time it went on for that made it easily the longest thread seen on the Forum at that time and, I guess, ever since, until the Darcy Ward thread and became quite a cause celebre. Sadly, the thread got lost when the Forum was revamped some years later. I did screen shot and keep some of it, but I've lost that now as well. The outcome of all this was that it eventually got done something like a month after the hole was first dug. At the time - I don't know if it is still the case - BT paid huge compensation for every day over three days that a customer couldn't receive their Internet services. It was so much that it paid for a four week family holiday to Australia and New Zealand, where, incidentally, I had a great day out with Bob Andrews, who showed me the sites of Auckland, including the speedway track and speedway museum, finishing with dinner with him and Tommy Sweetman. That, as far as I can remember, is the story of norbold's hole. I don't know if any Forum old timers would care to add anything to the story or their memories of it. Oh, I do still have a photo of the hole. Incidentally, TWK, as you bought the book on Amazon, is there any chance you could review it on there, pretty please? It does help and would be most appreciated. You are a Gentleman an a man of your word norbold. Thank you for the explanation - it did make me smile. They are never happy unless they are digging holes in Sunderland - the Road at the end of my Street always seems to be dug up somewhere. They can't fix the potholes though.......................... :mad: Of course I will put the Review on Amazon - no problem. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- norbold - I have Posted the Review on Amazon. I hope it is OK for you. Cheers. Ian. Edited August 16, 2015 by The White Knight 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
van wolfswinkel Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 My earliest school memory is half day on Empire Day May 24 1937 with celebration games in the school playground. I knew nothing about speedway then - my nearest track was New Cross but is was football's Millwall and Charton Athletic who held the sports limelight. As a nipper from nearby Peckham we used to walk to the dogs and speedway at New Cross, occasional visits to the Lions Den, we mainly went to The Valley, then when the Addicks were away it was Dulwich Amlet or any of the other Div 1 teams in the capital, Arsenal, Chelsea, West Am, Spurs, or nearby Palace. Speedway at Wimbledon, West Am, Ackney when New Cross closed. Horse racing at Sandown, Kempton, and the local cricket team Surrey at The Oval. Local rivals Kent sometimes played at Blackheath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted August 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 Thank you, Ian. The review is up on Amazon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 Norbold...how about a follow-up...My Life as A Speedway Fan, reminiscing about all the wonderful meetings you attended. I'm sure all speedway fans will buy it...I can pre-order my copy now 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted August 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 You know, chr, I never thought of that. Hmmm....could be good, though maybe a bit of a limited market? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 p.s. Norbold...I have just bought a copy of your Tom Farndon book. Looking forward to a good read. You know, chr, I never thought of that. Hmmm....could be good, though maybe a bit of a limited market? Advertise it on the forum and in Speedway Star...soon be on The Times best seller list 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 Norbold...how about a follow-up...My Life as A Speedway Fan, reminiscing about all the wonderful meetings you attended. I'm sure all speedway fans will buy it...I can pre-order my copy now After Pie 'n' Mash and Prefabs - I would buy it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratton Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 There have been a couple of attempts in Swindon with a sizeable London population from the 50s/60s/70s. Thing is they were in the town centre and not where most of the Londoners lived on the council estates mainly in the east of the town, and soon closed. Get mine delivered from my old local Manzes of Peckham..luvverly jubbly! Jellied eels Haydon do you like em?i had them once with a bloke i worked with i thought they were bloody horrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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