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My gggg grandfather was found guilty of robbery on the highway near Kirton Lindsey…(they stole about 30 bobs worth of promissory notes from a grain dealer…without violence)Sentenced to hang at Lincoln Assizes ,this was commuted to transportation to Oz for life on account of there being no violence. He left a heavily pregnant wife who had no chance of remarriage until her husband died. He did so , of influenza, aged 65 in Sydney workhouse. She never remarried. His wife became a midwife and was helped , presumably financially,by a Mr Foster . In gratitude her son was christened… Foster …and to this day the eldest son still carries that name.

The Vickers building - absolutely beautiful

Sheffield in 1884, apologies, author unknown. https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;w02073&pos=4&action=zoom&id=47277

At a Victorian event several years ago, my friend & I were invited to 'Ride the Stagecoach'. We happily agreed! We had to have help though getting on and up to the top front seats in our Victorian Dresses, & were perched above the driver. I can honestly say 'IT WAS SCAREY' Bouncing & lurching about when it stopped or went round a corner. We clung onto the seat sides & back in readiness after a while of getting used to it. Lord knows! how the passengers went on with the state of the highways back in the old days. It was 'an experience'. Even more hilarious! was us, trying to get off, we practically fell down into the Coachmans waiting arms, causing a bit of a chuckle!

In the late 1950s it was something of a family tradition that my grandmother took her grandsons to see Father Christmas in the S & E Co-op. I have a vague memory of going in a Viking Ship to the North Pole. (At least that was what they told me and at that age I didn't know better.) In 1960 my mother took me and the "ride" was on a little train. That was the only time my mother took me, as she wasn't impressed by the canvas scenery and the toy clown which blew bobbles. Simple times. I don't know if they still have such Christmas novelties. I suppose today there would be a grotto offering three Santas to cut out waiting times.

Santa's Forest, 1971