What were your favorite toys as a child?

We didn't have a lot of toys. In the post war years things were not available. We lived in Glasgow until I was nearly six. Auntie Sheila is nearly three years older than me and Uncle David was born when I was almost five.

We lived in a small flat and there just was not room for a lot of extras. I do remember a doll that I called Margaret and also remember getting very cross at her for some reason and banging her head against the 'close' ( entranceway to the flats) wall so that it cracked. Granny was cross at me...... Grandpa built us a dolls pram ( Auntie Sheila still has it) and they also made us both doll's cribs with fabric drapes around, pink for Sheila, blue for me.

I had a soft toy that I was very fond of, a lamb called 'lambie'.. no idea of what happened to him. I remember loving my Rupert Bear story albums and had a little book that if you flicked the pages it made the pictures move. I remember playing outside in the street and going to friend's houses ( all flats). When we moved to Whitley Bay in 1952 we moved into a semi detached house with a small garden and I do remember more there, I guess I was older....it was longer since the war and more things were around, plus my Dad was doing well with his job and I remember things being a little easier financially.

I had a desk in my bedroom ( shared with Auntie Sheila) that I loved to keep my things in and I made a nature table with stones and birds eggs and things. I had a tricycle which arrived when we were on holiday in Alyth and I was so excited. Brother David rode that too later on. I don't remember a lot of Christmas gifts but I do remember loving a little cash register that I got one year with plastic money in it.

I also remember a baby doll that I desperately wanted but felt that I was a bit too grown up for dolls. I did get it and Mum knitted a whole selection of clothes for it. Most of our play was outdoors and I remember that more than actual toys. We roamed the neighbourhood and got into all sorts of things that it was probably just as well Mum didn't know about.

I remember playing 'jacks' or 'five stones' and skipping and hopping games. Most of all I loved reading and being able to go to the public library on the bus after school. I would have been maybe 8 years old. I was given 3 pence, a penny for the fare to the library and a penny back, and a penny to spend on sweets at the sweet shop opposite the library.

I remember getting off the bus and sitting on the bench eating my sweets and reading my book(s). I often finished the book before I ever got it home! My most favourite birthday gift ws a Book Token to spend at the book shop. We didn't get a TV until about 1958 or 59 but used to be allowed to go over to a friend's house to watch a serial once a week, I think it was a dramatisation of 'Heidi'.

We used to play card games, Snap & Happy Families, and board games. 'Sorry' was a big favourite and Snakes & ladders. Funny how few memories I have of actual toys, much more of being out and doing things. So how's that for starters??? xxx.....amazing how snippets come back...

I remember loving to play 'Pic-a-stix' and drawing, my favourite being ladies with fashions.... Dad used to bring us stacks of used ( one side) paper from the office). We loved to ride our bikes all over, it seemed like we used to go miles!......... Photos: * The flat we lived in in Glasgow: 14 Dundrennan Road.

Langside. The top flat in the middle, above the green door. You can see my first school on the street immediately behind..... very close! * The entrance to the flats - it was a 'wally close' ie one with tiled walls, which was a bit posher.... didn't help poor Margaret's head tho'...... * A glasgow tram - we didn't have a car so always used to travel on the trams.I loved being upstairs at the front. * Dad had a friend who made model yachts and we used to love to take those to the boating pond and sail them.

This is on the beach at Carnoustie. ( July 1948) * Outside my granny & grandpa's house in Alyth - I always loved getting my hands dirty! ( April 1947) * We always loved going to play at the park. This was in Carnoustie (July 1949) * 21 Ivanhoe, Monkseaton.

Whitley Bay. We moved in January 1952.The family's first 'house' with Dad's first family car outside. OUB 797 - a Vauxhall Velox. Lots of amazing family road trips in that. * Sheila & I with our doll's pram that our Dad made in the snow in Queen's Park, Glasgow close to where we lived. * always loved playing in the dirt - evidence of a muddy jaunt onto the mud flats near Holy Island, Northumberland while on holiday at a caravan we rented on a farm near there.