Well qualified

“Being a nonagenerian,” writes Mary Smith of Blairadam, “I feel I am qualified to say I consider life in the old days was so much more simple than it is today. Men went out to work, using their brain power or brawn. Ladies worked in the house using their ingenuity and imagination to create a happy home atmosphere.

“First she had to get the children to school, if of school age. There were no school buses, breakfasts, lunches or suppers. Children even came home for their lunch. If the distance was too great, then they took sandwiches to school.

“The lady then had to do all the shopping (no cars) and prepare and cook all the meals (no microwaves), after which came the washing up (no dishwashers). She coped with the washing without washing machines, spin dryers or tumble dryers. The washing was either hung up in the garden, weather permitting, or indoors. Then there was the cleaning of the whole house.

“At tea-time the children would return from school, alone if old enough, no doubt hoping for a piece of home-made cake and a drink.

“Then it was their school homework time before being able to relax and perhaps to play. However, there was often a piano lesson, dancing lessons etc, not to mention Brownies, Cubs, Guides and Scouts. And how about sports clubs?

“It was dinner time when the man of the house returned. There was no TV, telephone, let alone mobiles or the internet.

“In those days there were no married lady teachers. They had to retire on marriage. Perhaps it was when was broke out in 1939 that things began to change.

“I left school and college in 1944 and worked until I married in 1954.”

Regular contributor Reg Mulheron of Tayport celebrated his 89th birthday recently. He is pictured with his great grandaughter Isla.