Who remembers the Rag & Bone Men - Page 2

Wattsy · 12-07-2006, 14:09

The one I remember was at Shiregreen when i staye at my Nans, shed send me out with a carrier bags of rags. People would also go round collecting the horse manure for their gardens after.

Grim Reaper · 12-07-2006, 14:14

There was one that used to come round randomly when i was a nipper in Rotherham, (Brecks area), I also seem to recall one around Siregreen a few years back

mikeG · 12-07-2006, 15:51

I remember them coming round Crosspool in the '50s. A friend of mine claimed that some 'bone men shouted 'Donkeystone for old rags.' Donkeystone, I think being white stuff used to whiten front door steps.

deelightful3 · 12-07-2006, 17:03

yeah used to give the kids balloons when you gave him something and back then i was happy to get one,now kids would just look at him gone out.

haystack · 12-07-2006, 18:33

i remember the rag and bone man. he used to come up hillsborough. he would give out balloons. i gave him my tiny tears doll cos I wanted a balloon, but when i just was going to put the balloon in my mouth and give it a good blow my grandma snatched it out of my mouth and threw it in the bin telling me it was 'dirty' Does anyone know what happened to my tiny tears?

coyleys · 13-07-2006, 00:36

We have had this topic before, and here we have a photo ---

http://www.ronsandersoncollection.co...=142&gallery=3

Don_Kiddick · 13-07-2006, 06:02

There used to be on came down East St in Dinnington.

Me n my cousin would trawl the streets for old metal stuff just for a balloon!

Wattsy · 13-07-2006, 08:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyleys

We have had this topic before, and here we have a photo ---

http://www.ronsandersoncollection.co...=142&gallery=3

Lovely to see that photo, Proper Steptoe and Son.

atlex48 · 13-07-2006, 19:39

There was one known as "chippie" who used to come round our aea in Attercliffe. His "yard" used to be on Alfred Road and we,as kids would take stuff like rags and scrap metal down there in prams. The actual name of the "business" was "Collins Scrap"

billsaville · 29-08-2006, 17:05

I was once given a day old chick for some rags by the ragman on parson cross. It lived and thrived and became house trained. My mother called it Helliwell because it followed her around ( A chap called Helliwell used to write a column in the "People" called "follow me around"). Unfortunately it chased the rent man pecking at him. The council gave us notice to quit if we didn't get rid of it. It was discussed at length and we decided to have him for Sunday dinner (We never normally had Chicken, couldn't afford it). I came home from school one day and went to get some coal for the fire and hanging on the back of the door was Helliwell with some newspaper round his head. The milkman had killed him for us. My stepfather plucked him and he was served up for Sunday dinner. It was however a very sparse and vegetarian dinner as no one could bring themselves to eat him. This would be in the late forties.

mini b · 29-08-2006, 18:01

you could get a gold fish or a ballon, wooden pegs off our rag man but we were from the north side of Sheffield.
I also remember the gas lamp lighter.

PhilipB · 29-08-2006, 19:38

Every Thursday in Park District.
Same bloke every week, always wore a red scarf round his neck as I recall (funny details you remember as a kid).
Used to get a balloon for virtually everything my mum gave him.

syrup · 29-08-2006, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by mini b

you could get a gold fish or a ballon, wooden pegs off our rag man but we were from the north side of Sheffield.
I also remember the gas lamp lighter.

Yes you are right they did give goldfish and then started giving ballons which upset a lot of kid who preferred the goldfish

ronty · 14-09-2006, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by syrup

Yes you are right they did give goldfish and then started giving ballons which upset a lot of kid who preferred the goldfish

My brother in law had a new pair of trousers made for him by his elder sister, He was about five years old, and they chaffed his legs. He saw the Rag and Bone man and got a bargain of a goldfish in a jamjar for them. (no plastic bags then) Came home bare bottomed. He's been reminded 0of it ever since He's 75 and his sister is 89.

ronty · 14-09-2006, 10:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by syrup

Yes you are right they did give goldfish and then started giving ballons which upset a lot of kid who preferred the goldfish

My brother in law had a new pair of trousers made for him by his elder sister, He was about five years old, and they chaffed his legs. He saw the Rag and Bone man and got a bargain of a goldfish in a jamjar for them. (no plastic bags then) Came home bare bottomed. He's been reminded of it ever since He's 75 and his sister is 89.

okka north · 17-09-2006, 09:20

Didn't grow up here, hence my questions.

Why weren't they just called the rag man? Did they collect bone too?

Did you just give them the clothes/rags for nothing? apart from a balloon or goldfish?

Did they re-sell the stuff they collected?

nicky5842 · 17-09-2006, 10:44

I remember the rag n bone man out way "raaaaaaa boooooooo" was the cry to the delight of all the local kids chasing him like the pied piper ...lol
Often straying a distance from home only to be clouted when returning ....
Although a friend had a mother with a bellowing voice it could be heard several streets away .... poor him never out of earshot never mind sight.

Jabberwocky · 17-09-2006, 11:10

I was told that most of the rags they collected went into making postage stamps.
Anyone know if thats true?

nicky5842 · 17-09-2006, 11:52

I wouldnt have thought the rags wouldnt have been turned to the usage of postage stamps Jabberwocky ........... i used to collect stamps extensivley and never heard of it.
Although during the war on Jersey & Guernsey tomato boxes were used to produce stamps these being a sought after item now
Smaller countries produce whats known as "jampot labels" for revenue,
essentially a full sheet of stamps are laid out the rubber inked stamp is placed carefully to cover 4 corners of 4 stamps hence a perfect cancellation .... the give away is the glue on the reverse still being present.
A friend living abroad had to use talcum powder between sheets of stamp to prevent the humid climate bonding the sheets together.

okka north · 17-09-2006, 17:45

Yes but did they collect bones? If not why were they not just called rag man?