大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Stoke-on-Trent Libraries on behalf of Min Podmore and has been added to the site with her permission. The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

I was Burslem born and bred, went to Hilltop School then Moorland Road School. I went on to the Underwood School of Commerce in 1944 and qualified after 10 months and worked at Sadlers.

The shop in Burslem that is now Mark One was the Co-op Emporium - sold clothes and drapery goods. Next door was the Co-op grocery and the Co-op butchers. If news got out that there were cigarettes, tins of salmon, you name it, people would queue.

We used to go down to Sandy Wardle's butchers and take a basin and ask for a 'duck with a veil'. This was a savoury duck with gravy. The gravy was really lovely, very rich!

I wonder if anyone else remembers some of the streets with quaint names. I remember Ticklebelly Entry that was by the baths on Moorland Road. There were also some local characters like Vincent Riley, the 'meth-elated spirit' man, and Rabbit Jack.

I used to go to the Clowes Memorial Chapel in Church Street (now William Clowes Street). I'd sing in the choir with my mother, Min.

Mum and Dad ran a tea bar in Burslem Market. Mother would bake all day on Thursdays. Dad invented his own version of a vanilla slice - two cream crackers with custard inside and icing on top! They were a huge hit with the football fans from Port Vale.

The Potteries is a fantastic place to live.

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