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This is the ‘Cob a coaling’’ song referred to in the post. My mum used to sing it.

https://youtu.be/DpoUbeOdM9M?si=fcMfVRwhY5rSRTap

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founding

I can proper imagine George Formby strumming away to this and managing to innocently make it sound like a sexual practice.

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Indeed!

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Thanks Julie - enjoyed the trip in your time machine :)

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Good :)

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"His name is never ‘Guy’ but changed to fit that of our most hated adversary."

Wow, I did not know that! Was that just your neighborhood*?

*I know, I know, neighbOUrhood.

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I honestly don’t know. I only know what my ‘gang’ did. I mean officially he was ‘Guy’ but they’d start to transpose a different persona on him.

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Absolutely loved reading this Julie! So many similar memories and such happy times! Thank you! 🥰

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Glad you enjoyed it. Happy days eh? :)

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The best! But I remember how cold I used to get. Numb toes!

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Yes similar memories in the 70s for me too we called it choggin to collect wood xx

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Oh I’ve never heard of that but I’m sure the different regions had there different ways of referring to it.

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Love this story, Julie, I have never known much about Guy Fawkes night and I also wasn't aware that you change the clocks across the pond!

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Thank you Pamela. Yes we do indeed change the clocks. Every year people grumble about it and have debates as to whether the practise should stop ……and it never does!😂

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We do the same thing here. Clocks go back tonight. I am in favor of not changing them. I'd prefer standard time.

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founding

That was exquisite. From the mention of the red cap gun reel I had that smoky metallic feel in my nostrils and I was sensually hooked in - smelling the Parkin and sparklers just as vividly. My own memory threw in some burnt potatoes wrapped in bacofoil for good measure.

Love the image of boys on sentry duty like golden eagles too.

It is weird to remember when Trick or Treat wasn’t a thing here. I remember an episode of Nationwide reporting on it as an American phenomena that may soon hit our shores. They made it sound like the KKK.

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Happy times. I vividly remember seeing ‘Trick or Treat’ on ET and being so intrigued.

My generation ‘did’ Halloween but it was lower key and more parties.

It’s sad that traditions like ‘Penny for the Guy’ have died out, although that’s what culture is destined to do…move on, evolve, mutate.

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Your memory is phenomenal. Also I want to try Black Peas!

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They’re quite hard to find these days. The local garden centre on the Lancashire border was the last place I bought some.

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I have now updated this to include my photo of me with a swede at the back door😂😂

I don’t sadly have any of Bonfire Night itself.

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