Life is sweet for historical society

IPSTONES Historical Society met in the Memorial Hall extension last month for a talk given by Kath Reynolds on the subject of Sweet Memories.

During the Second World War, rationing and shortages made for some very disappointed children.

Our speakers’ first image was of an advertising board offering carrots on a stick. If you could get sweets this was rationed to just 3ozs a week.

As time progresses the sales developed into 10p mixtures, maybe containing fruit salads, fried eggs, blackjacks and candy cigarettes.

In 1948, Spangles appeared, the first individually wrapped sweets in a packet.

Inevitably adverts began to appear on television and Mrs Reynolds had the society singing and saying the jingles.

Many of our most recognisable confectionery began in the Victorian era.

Fruit Pastilles appeared in 1881. Jelly Tots, Candy Tots, and Tiger Tots were targeted at children and Smarties were created in the 1880s.

A burgeoning of confectionery was a result of the 1960s abundance after years of rationing.

There were some brands made locally, such as Walker’s Toffee Blocks, which started in Longton. Old Betty Plant was based in Stoke.

The Historical Society contributed their own memories of obscure confectionery from their childhood and we thanked our speaker for her fascinating talk on a mouth-watering subject.

The next meeting of the Historical Society will be on February 24 for another talk by Kath Walton on the subject of Leek Changes. Entrance is £3 for members and £3.50 for non-members on the door.