As things were
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As things were

Barwicker No. 37
March 1995


The late Kenneth Chippindale, (see 'The Barwicker' Nos. 27 and 33) farmed at Whinmoor Nook and built many houses in the area. With his wife Freda and son Nigel, he retired to British Columbia in Canada but over-wintered in the warmer climes of Yuma, Arizona. He was a keen reader of 'The Barwicker' and in his cheery letters he often drew comparisons between modern times and 'as things were'. Here are a few snippets from his letters.

"I built those houses - about a dozen - down The Boyle in 1937. I was working on them on Saturday morning, 1 Hay, when I had to rush off to be at the Leeds Registry Office for noon for my wedding. A policeman stopped me for 'speeding' opposite the Shaftesbury picture house. When I explained my need to hurry he let me off with a smile. Good old days then!

My car was a Morris Minor (OHV model). It cost me £125 in March 1931 and I owned it. Now when I come to England for a trip it costs about £800 to hire a car. Times change.

Those houses down The Boyle I tried to sell for £425 or £450 depending on the position. There were no buyers as there was no insurance against bombing, so I had to rent them. The down payment was £55 and I have known builders who lent the buyer that sum to make a sale. Now people spend that much on a dinner out.

One Saturday just after the war had started I had to go to Crass Gates shopping. Petrol was not available for that trip so I took my bicycle and set off down the York-Leeds road towards Cross Gates. Then I saw the Leeds bus coming behind me so I flung my bicycle into Silversides' field and went the rest of the way by bus. The following week I went around to the fields and collected my bicycle. I wonder if it would be still where I had left it today.

I get the 'Skyrack' and the 'Saturday Evening Post' so news does keep coming. I noticed that a detached house I built in Nook Road in about 1930 and sold to a retired Scottish policeman for £575 is now listed for close to £120 ,000. It seems to be right out of this world; crazy in fact. However can anyone afford such inflation? What is a £5 note worth today; a shilling or less?"

I did not dare remind him that the shilling had disappeared from the currency. (Ed.)


KENNETH CHIPPINDALE


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