Last updated 08:00, Friday, 14 November 2008

JACK and Vi Blench had a farm in Walton. They took up occupation in 1950. After 1953 it was, at least for many young wireless listeners, probably the best known farm in the country.

It was the farm chosen by BBC’s Northern Children’s Hour to feature in a series of monthly programmes intended to tell young city dwellers what farm life was like and, more especially, where their food came from.

They did this by having two Newcastle youngsters, who presumably knew nothing about farming, accompany radio presenter Gwen Pain on her visits to the farm.

They were there, speaking for all of the nation’s townies, to ask questions of the Blenches about the workings of their farm.

Now, I was an enthusiastic, and then still youthful, wireless listener back in the early 1950s, but I can’t recall ever listening to any of these broadcasts. I’ve gleaned these few historical snippets from an old history of BBC Children’s Hour.

So I’ve got a few questions. Did you ever listen to these programmes? I’ve tried tracing Jack and Vi Blench, unsuccessfully.

Did the BBC use their real names? I’ve tried locating the two Newcastle children; their names were Judith Gibson and Peter McKendrick.

I wonder if they recall being on the programme – wherever they are now.

Another question and a change of media.

Who remembers Romper Room? It was on the telly, put out, as I remember, by Border TV some time in the late 60s and/or early 70s.

As I recall, each programme involved a fresh group of youngsters. Hands up, were you ever one of them?

We can’t escape, however much we’d like to, the consequences of the credit crunch. It’s here and, if you believe that the glass is half empty, it’s going to get worse.

As bad as it was in the 30s? I hope not.

But there must be quite a few people who can remember what it was like to live and to survive those cruel years.

For most of us, all we know is what we have picked up from historians and novelists.

They have tended, quite legitimately, to concentrate on the hardships suffered by the poor and the unemployed.

I can’t recall much being written about the plight of employers, independent shopkeepers and small businessmen – and women.

Times must have been hard for many of them. I suspect that quite a few went to the wall during those years.

Today you can’t pick up a paper or walk down the street without catching sight of tempting deals and special offers.

Businesses have realised they have to do something to survive, especially if what they have to offer can in any way be thought of as a luxury.

When cash is short, luxuries can suddenly be transformed into non-essentials.

How many women, for example, had enough spare cash to get their hair permed during the hungry 30s? And what were the hairdressers of the day doing to drum up trade?

Answer – some of them had special offers. Nothing new under the sun! They had to do something to survive. Perms cost money.

Back in 1931, the Peiles took over at The Doreen in Oxford Street, Workington. Permanent waving was one of their main specialities. A Eugene cost two guineas per head, while the cheaper Steamol perm “for a full shingled head” cost only 25 shillings.

Within a month they were advertising a special offer, the Eugene had been knocked down to 35 shillings.

Perms were even cheaper in 1934.

The Curzon Electric Hairdressing Salon in Maryport was advertising its Eugene permanent wave for 17/d; the Waveall Steam Sachet for 15/– and its popular perm for only 10 shillings – “all fully guaranteed. Full head’s unlimited curlers!”

But the special offer to beat them all was devised by T Hodgson, owner of City Hairdressing Salons in Carlisle. His ad would have customers “Come to Carlisle for perms!” A full head cost 12/6. Not the cheapest around – but he was also throwing in a “part allowance for rail or bus fare; a free tea at the Silver Grill” and “a free seat at the Lonsdale Cinema.” Some special offer!

Just one final query. His hairdressing salon’s address was given as the Town Hall, Carlisle. Why?