Tanners and Bobs

Back in the days
of tanners and bobs—

when pockets were light
but life felt full.

Work was steady.
Mothers were patient.
Families grew up
in hand-me-down shoes.

And the whole country
ran on two TV channels.

That was enough.

Threepenny bits
rattling in small hands.

School nurses
checking heads for nits.

Snowballs flying,
ice on the pavement
turned every street
into a playground.

Boys chasing girls,
girls chasing boys—

every scrape
a story.

Jumpers
knitted by someone’s mum.

Hot ginger beer
on summer afternoons.

And children—

just children.

Not rushing
to grow up.

You listened
when older folks spoke.

Respect wasn’t taught—
it was expected.

A chamber pot
hidden under the bed.

And in the evening
the wireless whispered—

Listen with Mother.

Neighbours knew your name.
Doors were rarely locked.
Tea was always brewing.

Cars were rare.

Then the streets
belonged to us.

Doctors came to the house.
Police walked the beat.

You recognised their faces.

Safety
was something you could see.

Laughter from
Milligan’s Goons.

Butter thick on bread.

Songs on the radio
everyone somehow knew.

Dumplings for dinner.
Trifle for tea.

And once a year—
the seaside.

Wind.
Sand.
And freedom.

Evenings meant television.

Dixon of Dock Green.

Crackerjack prizes.
Lyons ice cream
melting too fast.

NHS glasses
on half the kids in school.

Teachers
with chalk in one hand
and a duster in the other.

Pottery. Metalwork, Woodwork.
The smell of sawdust.

Dreams of winning the pools.
Dreams bigger
than our small streets.

And when I think back—

I see hopscotch
drawn in chalk.

Roller skates
on rough pavement.

Snowballs flying
through winter air.

Simple days.
Loud laughter.

Back in the days
of tanners and bobs—

when we had very little,

and somehow
everything.

By Paul Baldry (LongJohn)

Back in the Days of Tanners and Bobs is a nostalgic reflection on the Britain I grew up in during the 1960s and 70s. Drawn from the memories I lived through, it recalls a time when streets were playgrounds, neighbours were friends, and life felt simpler. From two TV channels to seaside trips and schoolyard games, these verses honour the small moments that shaped a generation.

#DaysOfTannersAndBobs #1960sBritain #1970sMemories #BritishChildhood #NostalgicBritain #PoetryOfMemory