Saturday 9 June 2012

Tea Time

An entry to Sepia Saturday. "Using old images to prompt new reflections"

Who could resist a spread like this. Little Bobby Roe looks as though he is eating a fairy cake while eyeing up the table to see which plate he will attack next before the grown ups arrive.   The photo was taken in 1954, the buffet today would be very different with changing, and broader tastes, although sausage rolls and open sandwiches could still be on the table there would also probably be samosa and quiche, to mention two things not dreamed about at this post war date. Rationing after the war had just ended in 1954 with things gradually being taken off the list,  the year before in February 1953 sweets had come off the ration so I imagine Bobby was one happy boy. If you had wanted "lashings of tea" during rationing then you may have had to save up, the weekly allowance was 2 ounces (57g),  No such thing as tea bags.  Tea pots ruled.

Bobby was the mascot of the football team Preston North End from 1951-57 and the occasion on the postcard is a buffet held  following their defeat in the 1954 cup final against West Bromwich Albion (3-2).  Preston are a club with a long history as they were one of the founding members of the Football Association in 1888.   In that first season they were undefeated in both cup matches and league gaining the nickname "The Invincibles".  Today those halcyon days are behind them as they are way down in  League 1 but still have mascots and in 2007 the grandson of Bobby Roe, William (aged 9), in his role as mascot lead the team out onto the Deepdale pitch. He will never compete with the more than 170 games that his grandfather took the pitch.

Wondering about those paintings on the wall?  The buffet was set up in the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, perhaps feeding both the body and the soul.  Today there is also a painting of Preston's most famous player, Sir Tom Finney (who celebrated his 90th birthday this year) in the gallery although it has proved illusive on my last couple of visits, perhaps it has been loaned out. 
 
 

10 comments:

Postcardy said...

Your customs and foods sound very British and foreign to an American.

North County Film Club said...

I wouldn't mind sitting through a futbol game if I got to visit that lovely tea table with all those goodies!
Nancy

Wendy said...

A very interesting post combining sports and silver and war time rationing. I'm reminded of an older lady friend who told me that during the Depression, her mother used to reuse coffee grounds by drying them in the oven. She could get about 3 uses from the same grounds.

Alan Burnett said...

How fascinating. The first thing I noticed in the picture was the football shirt Bobby was wearing. All sorts of questions formed in my mind and your description answered all of them. As I say, fascinating.

Kristin said...

When I first saw this photo I thought it was going to be a story about a picture you found. How nice to start reading and get the real story. I think I better go eat because seeing all these goodies has mad me realize how hungry I am!

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Wow! You sure did a great job providing us with so many details about one fancy tea.

Thanks for all the info, and the picture is delightful.

Kathy M.

Little Nell said...

An interesting post, with a real history to share. The picture is full of movement.

viridian said...

Is Bobby wearing some sort of guard or protection under his socks? the ladies behind him look pretty invincible. I did not know rationing went on for so long in Britain after the war.

North County Film Club said...

That's quite a story--that Bobby Roe's grandson inherited the job from him. Is that sort of like the Monarchy?
Barbara

Bob Scotney said...

It was the football shirt that caught my eye too. Bobby looks extremely smart. Viridian - it was common for footballers to wear shin guards under their socks as protection; they are not so bulky today.
Hope they put Sir Tom back where you can see him Joy.