Bitter weather and a roaring fire
HERE in our regular nostalgia feature we look back at stories in the Rochdale Observer from years gone by. Following on from our previous 100 years ago feature, this year we are turning back the clock to see what was being reported on 80 years ago.
●●NEW YEAR STARTS WITH BITTER WEATHER
THE New Year has opened with a week of bitterly cold weather, and since the blizzard on Wednesday, the moorland roads round Rochdale have seen some deep drifts.
The picture on the right shows the snow on the Edenfield Road near Owd Betts.
●●SNOW AND OUR UNSWEPT STREETS
generation.
But for us, who have the misfortune to tramp the streets of Rochdale, it is neither delightful nor thrilling.
How is it that we are not allowed the luxury of having our streets swept clear of snow with all possible speed like other towns in this South Lancashire district (I speak only of what I know).
If we can’t afford to have it done, or if it is not thought necessary, will somebody please say so?
But let us make up our minds that, in this matter, at any rate, Rochdale is not a ‘top notcher.’
‘Crede Signo’! Yes, and after a snowstorm, there is always somebody in authority who has the faith to believe that a quick thaw or early fall of rain will come and the snow will vanish before one can say ‘brush.’
Meanwhile, we don our overshoes and wellington boots, if we have them (and put up with wet and cold feet, if we haven’t!) and do our best to be cheerful and to think with magnanimity of the particular committee responsible for the cleansing of our streets!
But, Mr. Editor, it is hard work (being magnanimous, I mean!).
Yours ‘Sno(w) Use.
●●YESTERDAY’S FIRES
DAMAGE amounting to £20, was caused to the grocer’s shop 5, Cheetham Street, occupied by Mr. Frederick Law, when a fire broke out there yesterday morning.
Flames came through the ceiling into the shop on the ground floor and until the brigade arrived, Mr. Law controlled them with buckets of water.
The brigade removed part of the ceiling and found that wood beams underneath a fireplace had caught fire.
The outbreak was quickly extinguished.
●●FOR THE HOUSEWIFE
WHY cook vegetables? Writing in The Countryman, Eleanor Sinclair Rohde declares that: “Raw vegetables (properly prepared, of course) are more digestible, more appetising and far more health-giving than dead stuff deprived of nearly all its best qualities.
Green vegetables are still usually boiled in large quantities of water in spite of the fact that the salts of all green vegetables are soluble.
Further, boiled greens are extremely indigestible, and their taste, unless well disguised, is just horrid and sloppy.
Thousands of people eat boiled cabbage – or similar horrors – from a sense of duty.
They cannot possibly like such stuff.
Eat root vegetables and greens raw and you will wonder why you ever tolerated the nonsense of cooking them.”
●●A COLUMN FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
WE are actually in 1939!
Since our last column of games and diversions appeared, we have stepped right into a brand new year, and after the round of Yuletide interests, we could not do better than celebrate the occasion with a competition task on quite new lines.
It is probable that during the festivities, riddleguessing was one of the forms of entertainment, and doubtless boys and girls alike will have new teasers they will be anxious to try out on their friends.
Well, here is an opportunity to do so:
Question: What has hands without arms? Answer: A clock. I want young readers to work out a riddle of their own. To the child – under sixteen years – who sends the entry adjudged the best a prize will be awarded.
Send your name, age, address, riddle and answer to ‘Children’s Editor, Rochdale Observer.’