Call the Midwife

I lived with my grandma from age 13 till I got married at 20, and she had a stone sink in the kitchen, it was quite long, but only about 2 inches deep, so a bowl was an essential, and we only had the one cold tap. She used to keep the sink clean round the edges by donkey stoning it, the same as her front doorstep, so it was important not to lean against it, or your clothes would end up rather messy!

I missed the programme but mean to catch up on i-player. Talking to my neighbour over the fence, I found that she was one of those very midwives in the 1950s and she was very impressed with the authenticity of the production.

Not too sure that the plane and washing basket are ananchronisms. I have photographs of the Bristol Brabazon, taken by my Dad, dated 1952, which look remarkably similar to the plane shown in The Midwives. We were on holiday at Butlin's Ayr and there was great excitement when there was a Tannoy announcment that the plane would fly over the camp en route to Prestwick.

Also, we certainly had a plastic washing up bowl from as far back as I can remember. My mother used our old papier-mache baby bath for laundry, but I have a housekeeping manual from the fifties (I used to keep my scraps in it) which has a section on 'Plastics' and recommends a plastic washing basket as less likely to mark the clothes than a wicker one.

Isn't it great how these period dramas can take us right back to our childhood and rekindle memories?

Oh yes enamel, I'd forgotten that. I can remember my Nana's stone sink with only a cold tap! and the pantry with a thrawl to keep food cool. (I was born in 1957).

green our washing up bowl at home in the mid 50s was white enamel with a blue trim around the edge,mum had pie dishes the same all different size's in fact I still have two small ones that I use for baking now.

Yummygran, laundry baskets were made of wicker. Washing up bowls and buckets were made of enamel.

What were laundry baskets made of in those days then, before plastic? I still have a large (and very useful) washing up type bowl that was my Mum's and that's a hard plastic type, from the late 50s/early 60s.

I have just watched it on replay and really enjoyed it,DH noticed the plane and I noticed the body vests with the poppers underneath hanging on the bannister,they did appear until the mid 60s I think.
Looking forward to seeing Miranda in the next episode looks like this will be a good serie's.

Loved it, I shall be watching it regularly,but on my own, DH started to but was too squeamish during the childbirth bits,and turned a little green

Oh yes, and the aeroplane! My husband picked that up straight away...I think I was still on here ! numberplease, couldn't you pop your earphones in? That should give you a good sound?

Really enjoyed it - despite my DH also spotting the plastic laundry basket!). Absorbing stuff - looking forward to next week.

Much to my annoyance, I was so entranced with Dancing on Ice that I forgot to record it! I just hope that it`ll be repeated sometime. I know there`s I Player, but the sound on my laptop isn`t great, can`t get the volume up very far.

Lovely, despite the aeroplane being the wrong shape! I'm afraid the dreaded Downton has me looking for anomalies these days.
Looking forward to watching more, so good to be reminded of the 50s.

I enjoyed it but according to my DH the aeroplane was the wrong shape, and I'm not sure they had Triumph Doreen bras in the 50's!! Looking forward to next week with Miranda though.

Brilliant - (though don't think plastic washing baskets were invented then)! I noticed that Jennifer Worth died last year. Such a pity she didn't live to see this. It's going to be really good, I'm sure!

Absolutely brilliant, the characters were just how I imagined them when I read the book. Even OH enjoyed it and wants to read the book. Just have to get it back from my sister.

Funnily enough both my grandparents referred to each other as mrs surname all their lives!

Absolutely brilliant, the characters were just how I imagined them when I read the book. Even OH enjoyed it and wants to read the book. Just have to get it back from my sister.

Exactly. Every one knew the doctor in wenesbury, and on occasion have been flagged down by police" hey doc, can you give us a lift to the labour exchange? Theres a fight going on"

That was a wonderful first episode - I'm hooked now! I've read the first book, and will seek out any others. I remember the midwife on her bike coming to deliver my youngest sister at home in 1953. My mum's neighbour and friend stayed with her during labour and my dad went to work. Both women called each other by their married names (Mrs so-and-so), even though they were present at the birth of each other's babies. Can't wait for next week.

I thought it was great, but the prams were all a bit too clean, and they still had hoods? Bit too posh for that level of poverty.

I liked it although I was afraid it might glamourise life in the East End at that time. My great uncle was a youth worker in a similar area and I can remember him telling us how hard life was but what respect people had for people like him and presumably the midwives shown.

Absolutely brilliant. Reminded me of 69- 78 when I did domicillary obstetrics in wenesbury. Some of the social conditions were very similar, although I think this is set slightly earlier. Compulsive watching. It even kept me away from gn. Sranger on paradise! How well I remember it and those social conditions. I have even visited houses with gas lighting and cold water only from one tap.

I shall have to watch it on iplayer as my recorder is set for Borrowers on ITV2 for GCs, and Dancing on Ice. It sounds like my sort of series.

Even if it's rotten, it's bound to be better than the dreadful Downton.