It was 61 years ago today that the one way trip from Liverpool to Montreal began; June 2, 1964. (I had planned on doing a proper Diamond Anniversary post last year, but 2024 was not a good year...). For previous posts on this subject, just click the label below!
In amongst the photos, tickets, and other trip related paraphernalia already posted, I also found a few postcards which had been mailed by Mum's parents between the years of 1967 and 1968. Sent while they were taking sea side trips around the UK, I was surprised by the subject matter. Here is the first one for your perusal....
This is just one example of hundreds of innuendo-style postcards which circulated through the post for at least a few decades. Tame by today's standards, but would you be able to send these 5.5" x 3.5" cards through the post these days? Very "Carry On" style slogans and images; I saw my share of those films back in the 60's and 70's on family drive-in nights! (If you want to know more about this subject, see the PS at the end of this post).
No. 2373 of the "COMIC" series published in England by Bamforth & Co. LTD., Holmfirth, Yorkshire. (I'm not going to go into a history of the company; you can Google that if you are interested). But basically they printed these 'saucy' postcards from the1950s to the 1970s, and were primarily sold at seaside resorts. Hence why my Grandparents were sending them during their travels. The second card is No. 2252.
Someone is getting an unpleasant draft up the jacksie! Unfortunately there is not a print date on any of the postcards, so I have no idea of the cards age. But they are in very good condition. Still readable despite the fading of the ink, with the subject line being "Dear Jean and Mac. Having a good time at Weston. Love Mom & Dad". The other cards all had the same lines, except the towns were different! Knowing my Grandparents, I am quite surprised they sent these. Thought they were a little more reserved and proper, but guess I was wrong!
The third card, No. 2255 is self explanatory. Just more good ole knicker humour!
The fourth and last card from Bamforth, No. 2417, might be a bit confusing for some of you younger types. This poor chap obviously has to wee, but where is his chamber pot? This refers to the days of outside toilets prevalent in the UK at the time. I know my Grandparents had an outside loo back in the 60's. The pot was to avoid the trek to the outhouse, and its the UK and most likely raining.
The final card, No. 6018, is from a different source. D. Constance Limited, Littlehampton, Sussex. Printing only postcards, this company only lasted about 50 years or so. But of course got into the Saucy Seaside variety as they must have been quite popular.
I could only find five cards; I suspect there may have been more but so much gets lost over the years of cleaning house and moving several times. If you want to find more, there are quite a lot of sites and references out there in the ether, even a real book or two.
Hope you enjoyed this little post from the past. Sure beats those landscapes and aerials of Niagara Falls! Have a better one!
PS - Family Drive-In Adventures
Saturday evenings were movie nights at the drive-in, perhaps once or twice in a month. It all depended on what was playing, parents work schedule, the budget, etc. There was a drive-in just five minutes up the road, so that was the usual destination. Back in the 60's Dad had a bloody great 1959 Pontiac StratoCruiser. A land battleship you could live in! And yes, it had fins! Mum and Dad in the front and the three kids in the back. Also packed in the back were pillows, blankets, and extra clothing, depending on the weather. The good thing was the parents would pay admission but the kiddies got in free, all being under twelve for a few years anyway. For treats Mum had control. No trips to the confection stand, unless a washroom break was needed. Instead we had rationed Pop Shoppe in Dixie cups and a small bag of crisps each.
The scenario was usually the same. It was a double feature with related films and would begin with a few cartoons, usually Warner Brothers or Pink Panther. Would have to get there early as to get a choice spot, so while waiting for darkness, we kiddies went to the playground until the magic moment. Suddenly the screen would come alive with the Canadian flag and the speakers all around the park playing "O Canada". We'd all scurry off to the car, snuggle in the back and eagerly await our first ration of pop and chips; one serving per film.
It was here over several years I saw such films as the "Carry On" series, "James Bond", assorted disaster and sci fi films, "A Hard Days Night", other British comedies, and many more. The last film would usually end close to midnight, so by then us kiddie winkies were all fast asleep in the back under pillows and blankets. Just can't do things like that anymore.
