RECENTLY Keith and I, Keith’s Mum Edna, who was staying with us, and our good friends Nigel and Sue had lunch together at Farfield Mill.

During the meal we chatted our way through the meaning of life, how we felt we could better govern the country, also, as Edna had lived through the war years, we asked her questions concerning this period.

That brought us to the subject of what we received in pocket money as children.

Edna didn’t get any, Sue, got nine pence, I usually got a threepenny bit when I shopped for my Nan, Keith got five bob (25p) from his paper round and Nigel got £3...we all whistled.

He couldn’t remember but thought it might have been his allowance while he was away at school.

My daughters only got pocket money if they worked for it.

I had a chart of household jobs pinned on the kitchen door, if they did the jobs, they got paid.

What a hard task master I was, something I think I picked up from my Dad.

Joanne, my eldest, got very little, she wasn’t keen on housework.

Paula, my youngest was always out, so she got nothing. Katharine did everything and was quite well off.

From the age of 12, I earned my own pocket money working in a guest house close to my home. After school, I would wait on tables, serve the evening meal and clear up after the guests.

Mmm, sounds familiar.

I was paid 24 shillings a week which in 1960 was heaps.

I mean a girl could buy a dress at C&A, (remember them) for 19 shillings and 11 pence, (about 99p) or get a shampoo and set for seven shillings and six pence (35p).

Compared to my friends, who like Keith had paper rounds, I was rolling in money.

However, when saving up for what I wanted took too long I would borrow money from my Dad.

The loan came with a written contract and interest was a shilling in the pound.

It may seen harsh but it taught me the value of money.

Had my Dad been chancellor I’m sure we wouldn’t be this mess.