General Chat

If we, our lips would keep from slips, Five things observe with care. Of whom we speak, to whom we speak, And how, and when, and where. JSP Northbeck 26 November 1933.

Another from Mum's collection.... Make new friends, but keep the old. Those are silver, these are gold. Friendships that have stood the test, Of time and change are surely best. Brow may wrinkle, hair turn grey, Friendships never owns decay. For midst old friends, kind and true, We once more our youth renew. But, alas, old friends must die, New friends must their place supply. Then cherish friendship in your breast, New is good, but old is best. Make new friends, but keep the old, Those are silver, these are gold. Ida Wright 28 June 1925. (My Mum and "Auntie Ida" were friends for 70 years.)

Smile smile smile, It's well worth while, For while you smile, another smiles And smiles come quick in piles and piles And soon there are miles and miles of smiles So life's worthwhile, if you smile smile smile. C.Mary Boughey 24.12.48 Every best wish. Wendy, have you dug your mum's autograph book out of the loft yet? Norah in Hampshire

nudge !!

An alternative to the wedding cake theme... When far away by love you're carried, And to a little fellow married, Remember me for old times sake, And send me a piece of wedding cake. A. Speight 20 June 1922

A few words of wisdom from my grandmother:- This is a good world to live in, To give, and to lend, and to spend in, But to beg, or to borrow, or to get a mans own; Its the very worst world that ever was known. 26/12/48 Gran

Hi All, Things must have changed from years ago as the only thing I have in my autograph book is autographs, including Mohammid Ali and Captain Pugwash! What a combination. When I left secondary school in 1990 we got our shirts signed. Don't have it anymore though. However I do have my Mum's scrapbooks with all her 18th birthday cards from 1950 in, her 21st and wedding cards. Also her diaries from when she found out she was pregnant with my brother and the day she told my Dad she was pregnant with me! (March 17th - the entry just reads "Told Peter the News") Naomi

Thank you all those that have entered some of your autographs in this thread. Gwen I like the one you entered from your Aunty Lil, very apt too for GC I think! and to Elisabeth M - Love the one you entered from your Dad. and yes I know Netherfield. Strange that isn't it? (no not that I know Netherfield but that your Aunt Beatrice came from there and that I was heading up there). I have just dug my autograph book out and on the first page is what I added:- To all my friends I here invite A portion in this book to write; Poetic thoughts or merry jest, All will be a welcome guest. And when the years have passed away And evening shadows fall, Then may this book of love and truth Recall the memory of my youth. I think I receive the book as a Christmas gift in December '48 Norah in Hampshire

Norah, Thank you for starting this thread. It prompted me to ask my brother if I could look at my mother's book. He has now given it to me - full of wonderful inscriptions. Not only the funny poems but names! It has lead me down new branches - vague names recalled - discovering Auntie Beatrice's married name, where Great Uncle Bert went to live in Canada etc. It has, of course, posed more questions but has given a few answers. Thank you! Elisabeth I have just noticed you were going to Nottingham - the book was given to my mother 19 June 1922 by Aunt Beatrice, in Netherfield, near Nottingham!

For when the great scorer comes to write against your name He writes not if you won or lost but how you played the game. From Uncle Ted 28/8/1956

Mary Rose sat on a pin Mary ROSE. When you get married and have twins don't come to my house for safety pins. 11 was a race horse 111 was 12 11 won 1 race 111112 Just a few from my book from many years ago. Lynne

Take a little bit of England Only just a little bit Mix it well with Scottish muscle And a little Irish grit Then of Welsh one tablespoonful Mix it well and its complete And they call the mixture Britain And its darned hard stuff to beat. From Aunt Lil 25.8.1956

Sylvia, You have just jogged my memory. Patience in a virtue. Virtue is a Grace. Grace is the little girl That does not wash her face. Lindy:-))

I've remembered another one. Patience is a virtue, Possess it if you can, Always in a woman, Never in a man. Sylvia

A ring is round and has no end and so is my love for you my dearest friend. I wish you luck, I wish you joy, I wish you first a baby boy, and when his hair begins to curl, I wish you then a baby girl. Lindy:-) P.S. The book is long gone I must have lost it in one of our many moves.

A Canadian relly wrote this in my book when she visited us in England in the 1950s when I was about 8. Remember me on the ocean, Remember me on the lake, Remember me on your Wedding Day And send me a piece of cake! (I did!) On the last page:- By hook or by crook I'll be last in this book. Then someone wrote on the back cover:- By pen or by quill, I'll be blowed if you will! Sue

One i've seen in many an autograph book 2 Y's U R 2 Y's U B I C U R 2 Y's 4 me and that was in the days be4 SMS texting!! Val

Another one, You turn the book upside down first Upon this page you look, Upon this page you frown, And think of one who spoilt your book By writing upside down. Sylvia

First page in my book... Remember this, and bear in mind That faithful friends are hard to find, And when you find one firm and true, Don't leave the old one for the new. From Dad, 28 August 1960 Elisabeth xx

I remember my old autograph book. I got Chris Tarrant in mine, unfortunately not on a Millionaire cheque though! My Nanna wrote: A kiss of the sun for pardon, The song of the birds for mirth, One is nearer God's heart in a garden, Than anywhere else on earth. Fairly brings a lump to my throat reading that. Sob.