We didn't have a TV until I was about 12, instead my mum would knit and paint and build dens with us. Thinking about it now I completely admire my mum for not needing the TV for a bit of respite from her kids, but at the time I resented not knowing what people were talking about at school. And where some of the other kids at school had fizzy drinks, Wagon Wheels and crisps in their lunch boxes, I begrudgingly munched my way through lentil stews and homemade soups. We drove round in a old Morris Traveller with the wooden framework, much to my embarrassment. I just wanted us to have a 'normal' car without wood on it.
One afternoon, I remember being picked up from school by my friend's mum in their Ford Sierra and going back to their house for tea. We ate potato waffles, mini frozen pizzas and baked beans, while watching Neighbours on the TV. We then had ice-cream with strawberry sauce and it wasn't even anybody's birthday. I was in my element.
When I got home I gave my mum a really hard time about everything; our 'hippie' food, our 'hippie' car and our 'hippie' lifestyle (we were by no means hippies but I was taking a stand). She finally relented and agreed to let my Dad buy us a TV, but said under no circumstances would she give up her Morris Traveller for a Ford Sierra.
My brother and I went to stay with my Dad in London for the weekend, and although we were excited about seeing him, there was one thing dominating our thoughts and conversation - we were going to choose our new TV. I vividly remember the excitement I felt when we stood in that electronics shop on Tottenham Court Road. We picked out our brand new Panasonic colour TV with remote control, and as a child, it was one of the best days of my life.
My Dad travelled on the train with us and the new TV back to my Mum's house. Our new purchase sat in its brown cardboard box in the luggage holdall next to our bags, and I spent the entire journey proudly keeping guard of it.
The TV went on to bring me much joy, and introduced me to many programmes such as Grange Hill, Blue Peter, Jim'll Fix It, Doctor Who, Lassie, Home and Away, The A Team, Dallas, and Eastenders, and my life was enriched as a result. Bobby Ewing became a big part of my life, as did the East End of London, and Summer Bay. I got to learn about different cultures (namely Australian), how to build almost anything out of toilet roll tubes, and thanks to the loveable Lassie I was able to put aside my differences with my own dog.
When I left home, after huge arguments with my brother about who was going to have custody of the TV, it went everywhere with me. It has lived with me in many different flats and houses, in many different parts of the country. And as I sit here and type this out, the same original Panasonic colour TV with remote control, now over 25 years old, sits in front of me, still blaring out Eastenders.
(This was written for Josie's writing workshop. The prompt was: Object stories.)
6 comments:
While I understand what parents are trying to achieve by not having a TV, it is a little hard on the kids when they can't understand any references to modern culture. Surely there's a happy medium?
Hi expat mum, i totally agree with you - i strongly believe that a little bit of television does more good than harm.
Lovely post - we had a similar experience as kids, and only had a radio for most of my childhood - even once we got TV it was very strictly rationed. I remember thinking it was totally unfair at the time, but now I'm quite strict with TV with my own daughter. Weird, huh?
That's amazing that it's lasted 25 years! I always felt my mum rationed TV quite strictly with me, but my sister (3 years younger) was allowed to watch a lot more. By the time we got a VCR, I was away at boarding school and would come back to find her watching films over and over again. I was very jealous.
I agree with you, I learned a lot from TV and while I wouldn't let the boys watch it non-stop (and I do monitor their choice of programmes), I don't think there's anything wrong with it per se.
Lovely post.
Glad to see your reference to Summer Bay - I get it. But once when I lived in Vauxhall, me and my housemates threw a party. We called it the Soap Party, "Come dressed as your favourite soap character". We put the address down as Claylands Road, Summer Bay, London SW8. At Christmas that year, and subsequent Christmases, I laughed a lot when I received a few cards with that address on the envelope. Yup. It was near Oval tube, and really very much like Summer Bay, as you can imagine.
I love the fact you still have that tv.
Love the post! We were a little different, it was considered soft to go inside to watch anything but Top of the Pops or Dukes of Hazard and so the TV habit never really stuck.
BTW really pleased to have found your blog, i look forwrd to popping back!
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