[pendy]

I can remember, twice a week, my auntie Nellie wrapping her copy of the Observer tightly into a brown wrapper, and then me taking it to the postbox in the wall of the Stag to send off to my auntie Agnes in Manchester. Sometimes, strictly illegally, she would fold a letter inside the Observer before wrapping it - illegal because the wrappers were "Printed Paper Rate". I seem to remember that if I posted it Wednesday morning, it would arrive in Manchester by Wednesday evening's post - and we think communications have improved!

I can remember, as well, putting a sheet of the Observer over the blower to get the fire going, and the lovely roaring sound it made. Had to be careful it didn't catch, though. Anyone remember making "paper sticks" out of the Observer? And there was a lot more in it in those days.