Betterwear products in the 1950s

[GOLDEN OLDIE 15]

Apparently Betterwear has celebrated its 80th birthday. Still going strong! Who remembers the things their mums would buy in the 1950s? I can remember tops to put on the top of milk bottles so that the birds wouldn't get the milk!!!!!

[francypants 441]

I can remember the small tins of lavender polish which were given out free to children.

[helbco 10]

Yes - I had a few of those small tins as well - used to love polishing anything in sight!

[francypants 441]

Yes - I had a few of those small tins as well - used to love polishing anything in sight!

 

What even the cat ?

[mikebatty 10]

I can remember the small tins of lavender polish which were given out free to children.

 

yes !

They used to give out freeby's of allsorts of their products ' which incidentally ' the salesman had to buy .

I havn't seen anything of betterware in years .

[Jim Hardie 527]

yes !

They used to give out freeby's of allsorts of their products ' which incidentally ' the salesman had to buy .

I havn't seen anything of betterware in years .

 

Still going. They don't come with a brown suitcase these days though, they leave a catalogue which you order from and then leave on your doorstep on the collection day.

[Downsunder 10]

When we were kids, dad used to go from door to door selling brushes and other things from a suitcase. This would have been in the early 1950's. I have no doubt they were Betterwear products. After that he had many jobs but I often wonder why my dad would do that - sell brushes door to door from a suitcase? it seems like the pits but it was post war Britain, rationing was still a reality, social security was in its infancy, dad had four kids to feed and a crushed hand from a previous job as a steel erector. He did what was right at the time and now I have nothing but admiration for him. I'm amazed to hear that Betterwear is still around after 80 years, wonder if their merchandise is British made??

[handypandy 14]

When we were kids, dad used to go from door to door selling brushes and other things from a suitcase. This would have been in the early 1950's. I have no doubt they were Betterwear products. After that he had many jobs but I often wonder why my dad would do that - sell brushes door to door from a suitcase? it seems like the pits but it was post war Britain, rationing was still a reality, social security was in its infancy, dad had four kids to feed and a crushed hand from a previous job as a steel erector. He did what was right at the time and now I have nothing but admiration for him. I'm amazed to hear that Betterwear is still around after 80 years, wonder if their merchandise is British made??

 

Oh my goodness me !! When I first saw this thread yesterday, I was tempted to comment but didn't. I was going to mention this chap that would call at my grandmothers house in the 50's when I was a nipper. I always remember him in his gaberdine mac and him having something wrong with his hand and he always wore brown leather gloves. He would stop for a cup of tea and show the contents of the brown case. I remember such classic freebies as the rubber T towel holder that you stuck your finger in or the hard boiled egg slicer. He was always a welcome visitor at my nans.

[janlizzy 10]

When we were kids, dad used to go from door to door selling brushes and other things from a suitcase. This would have been in the early 1950's. I have no doubt they were Betterwear products. After that he had many jobs but I often wonder why my dad would do that - sell brushes door to door from a suitcase? it seems like the pits but it was post war Britain, rationing was still a reality, social security was in its infancy, dad had four kids to feed and a crushed hand from a previous job as a steel erector. He did what was right at the time and now I have nothing but admiration for him. I'm amazed to hear that Betterwear is still around after 80 years, wonder if their merchandise is British made??

 

I can remember your dad,he used to come to our house and have a cuppa,we used to be given the small samples,Ican smell the little tins of polish now.He was the betterware man for sure.

[JOHN HABS 10]

I remember when a man use to come around with a little brown suitcase showing what he had for sale and giving you the small tin of blue lavender furniture polish.

 

Remember also when the coalman use to come around and put two or three bags down my nan's grate.

 

As we went towards the 60's, we use to have a gypsy visit the area trying to sell sprigs of heather, it was said that if you didn't buy one from her she use to put a curse on you - my nan always sent the gypsy woman packing.

 

Also in the 60's, where we lived there use to be a lorry come around every Friday selling various flavours of pop, we use to buy a crate - and put it on the 'Stone Table' in the cellar,

when the weather got too cold sometimes the bottles would explode.

 

Sorry if I've gone of topic a little.

[Downsunder 10]

Oh my goodness me !! When I first saw this thread yesterday, I was tempted to comment but didn't. I was going to mention this chap that would call at my grandmothers house in the 50's when I was a nipper. I always remember him in his gaberdine mac and him having something wrong with his hand and he always wore brown leather gloves. He would stop for a cup of tea and show the contents of the brown case. I remember such classic freebies as the rubber T towel holder that you stuck your finger in or the hard boiled egg slicer. He was always a welcome visitor at my nans.

 

I can remember your dad,he used to come to our house and have a cuppa,we used to be given the small samples,Ican smell the little tins of polish now.He was the betterware man for sure.

 

Oh wow! Thanks for your replies, to think that someone remembers dad after all this time is just amazing. I had a lump in my throat when I read your posts. Was it dad? I do remember the brown leather gloves and as for stopping for a cup of tea, dad loved his tea, he would stop at every house for a cuppa if he could and still have one when he got home. Thanks again, your comments are most welcome.

[escort1 10]

I remember a guy who used to wear a turban that came round with a suitcase of items for sale. If the gypsy came we used to hide and pretend that there was no one in.