Guest Teas: These were the big thing in the 50’s, organised by ladies of Newry in support of various charities. No alcoholic drink, mind you! Just teas and a plate of sandwiches and sweet things, prepared earlier by the same women. They were great places to exchange all the gossip! The relative popularity of one before another depended on the reputation of the hostesses either for their culinary skills or the breadth of their gossipy connections!
Newry Bachelors Ball: A group of eligible bachelors of the town formed themselves into a Committee for the organising of this popular annual event. It possibly worked too well for these well-placed young men were quickly snapped up and by the late 50’s -early 60’s the Bachelors Ball was in decline.
The Wee Entries: Many of the older streets of the town of
Cooking the
The Big Clock (or Blaney’s Watch): Fondly remembered by all the older folk of Newry, The Big Clock got the latter nickname from a former Town Clerk. It stood in the centre of
The Three Golden Balls: These were hung over the pawn-shop of ‘Uncle Joe’ McConville in
Eve and Brunitex: These were sachets of powdered soap which had to be dissolved in warm water before application – for blonds and brunettes respectively! A fore-runner of today’s shampoos they left hair soft and sheeny.
Rinso and Glee: They did the same job for clothes. They were the soap powders of the day.
‘bunny rabbit full of Glee’.
Sunlight Soap: This was a large bar of hard, yellow soap used for everything from baths to laundry. There was a red, carbolic soap too.
Robin Starch: It was used for shirts and bed linen.
… Nan Rice? …