THE FLATLEY DRYER

[Stanley]

Here's what Wikipedia says about Meals on Wheels.
Meals on Wheels originated in the United Kingdom during the Blitz, when many people lost their homes and therefore the ability to cook their own food. The Women's Volunteer Service for Civil Defence (WVS, later WRVS) provided food for these people. The name "Meals on Wheels" derived from the WVS's related activity of bringing meals to servicemen. The concept of delivering meals to those unable to prepare their own evolved into the modern programmes that deliver mostly to the housebound elderly, sometimes free, or at a small charge.
The first home delivery of a meal on wheels following World War II was made by the WVS in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, England in 1943. Many early services used old prams to transport the meals, using straw bales, and even old felt hats, to keep the meals warm in transit. This type of service requires many volunteers with an adequate knowledge of basic cooking to prepare the meals by a set time each day. The majority of local authorities in the United Kingdom have now moved away from freshly cooked food delivery, and towards the supply of frozen pre-cooked re-heatable meals.
This came to mind as it depended on the WRVS which, like the CDC doesn't exist in its original form but is now the Royal Voluntary Service. (LINK) As far as I can see there is no local branch but there may be one in Clitheroe.

[Stanley]

Always known as a Green Goddess, this is a Bedford fire engine as used by the Civil Defence. They were built around the 1950s and when CD was disbanded they were put into storage and for decades were the go-to emergency vehicle for the army to use if there was a strike in the Fire Service. They were disposed of by auction starting in 2004.
The reason why they were used for so long is that they had a bigger pump than many modern engines and had the added advantage that they were 4WD.
I've tried to find why they were called Green Goddesses but have drawn a blank.

[Stanley]

Until quite recent times this detachable 50ft wooden extension ladder was the standard equipment for all major fire brigades. I can remember them in Stockport. Then they progressed to longer metal ladders mounted on the appliances and now have specialised high reach hydraulic platforms like the one deployed in Barlick the other day and for the rescue of David's pigeon.
The old ones were wonders of the carpenter's art. I wonder how many were cut up and burned.....

[Stanley]

A horse drawn sledge being used on the moor in 1969. It was about this time that Joe Jagger of Cunning Corner near Halifax solved a problem for the surveyors working on the line of the M62. None of their all terrain vehicles worked on the moor and they were having to use helicopters which cost a fortune. Joe supplied them with Galloways and sledges which solved their problem. Flatley Drier to the rescue!

[Tizer]

That brought this to mind... Mud horse fisherman

[MickBrett]

..and it also brought this old image of mine to mind.

Freeman Foster delivering milk in Earby

[Stanley]

Lovely images. Mr Foster demonstrates another thing that is Flatley Dryer country today. He is wearing a three piece single breasted suit, Almost certainly 'Sunday Best' but relegated to working attire complete with clogs. Our clothes used to be like that, they started as 'Best' and gradually sank in status until they were worn out. I don't think this happens now....

[Wendyf]

It does in my house!

[Big Kev]

It does in my house!

Same here

[Stanley]

Yes but you have to admit there aren't many milkmen going round wearing the full Monty!

[MickBrett]

Here's Freeman's son, Donald haymaking at Batty House Farm I believe.
Freeman's other son, Clive, ran the joinery business in Earby and his son Martin took over the business from him.

[Stanley]

And a genuine double horse mower without an engine.



This was Abel Taylor at Greenbank in the late 1950s with his Bamford 'Double Horse' Mower but in this case the cutter bar was driven by the engine saving one horse.

[Tripps]

In found this photo whilst wandering around the Interweb yesterday. It brought back a few memories, and must surely be a Flatley Dryer candidate.

kitchenunit.png

[MickBrett]

The old kitchenette. I remember having one of those.

[Wendyf]

Is that a mincer in the cupboard underneath? All very familiar.....

[Tripps]

Is that a mincer in the cupboard underneath?

I think it is.
We had one, and hand minced shoulder steak, to make 'rissoles'. for tea. They'd have been called burgers but they hadn't been invented yet.

I think it shows Ration Books, and perhaps the pull down shelf has a week's meat and fat ration for one person on it? I can't get it to blow up enough to be sure. There is a historical inaccuracy though - I can't see the obligatory tin of Tate and Lyles Golden Syrup languishing on the top shelf.

[Wendyf]

A powdered milk can up there though. How did I know that? Way before my time!!

[PanBiker]

My dad used to sit me on the drop down on ours when I was a little lad to have my knees scrubbed before going to Sunday School at Bethesda.

[Stanley]

It certainly is David and Mick has the right name, the kitchenette.
I can make out bacon, butter, cheese and an egg, that was rations for one. And yes, I think that's a ration book.
My mother had one at Norris Avenue and I remember the drop down working shelf was covered with a piece of porcelain enamelled sheet steel made to look like green and white tiles.
I still use those enamelled pie dishes in the bottom cupboard......

[Tripps]

I've been on Youtube quite a lot recently. I stumbled across this reminder of how processions used to be in Oldham. From 1958. Definitely Flatley Dryer country. Oldham 1958

Then over a long time things changed - religion declined, and immigration altered the the demographic- however this is from Manchester not too long ago and is still clearly in the same tradition. Manchester Whit procession

The latest I find in the genre of religious processions from Oldham throws up Jaloos

[Stanley]

"I've been on Youtube quite a lot recently. "
Same here David, I only go to Terrestrial TV if there is a compelling reason, Like HIGNFY!

[Stanley]

The red K2 telephone kiosk is Flatley Drier country now and with the growth of the use of cell phones the modern kiosk is held to be redundant also but recent research has shown that a large proportion of emergency calls are made form telephone kiosks and there are still members of the public who do not have or do not carry mobile phones.
So kiosks might be with us for some time yet!

[Stanley]

Anybody remember Mary Quant socks?

[Wendyf]

Very uncomfortable!

[PanBiker]

Gloves are for hands not feet! The best development in sock technology has got to be 1000 mile double layer jobs, as Lily the Pink would say, "most efficacious in every way".