Cultureshock

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Video transcript

A day at the Bantlin which is known as East Castle. My day at the Bantlin starts from a walk to Pont-o-pag with my Mother and then over the fields to the Bantlin to visit my Aunt Aida. The Bantlin consisted of two rows of houses, a cobbled street, a pub and a sweetie shop. There was also an old wooden bungalow occupied by an old lady called Polly. Aunt Aida's house had only one cold tap situated in the pantry, a white enamel pail sat on a stool underneath to catch the drips. My favourite place was the outside netty, to me it was like a throne room. It had a built- in wooden seat housing a beautiful blue porcelain or boudie pan. I had to use a step to climb onto it, behind the closed door, of course, was the toilet paper, squares of newspaper strung together and hung on a nail. The netty was an ash midden which was shovelled out weekly by the midden men, also in the backyard my Uncle cobbled shoes for the street. Aunt Aida's house I believe was the Coleman's family home where my grandmother lived of course, probably in the 1890s. Now came the highlight of my visit, Sunday tea a grand spread of food, rhubarb pies, iced buns, jelly and custard all home made by my Aunt Aida. First bread and butter had to be eaten before the goodies. After tea Mother and Aunt would retire to the front parlour for a natter, children not allowed. Then it was a goodbye, time for home, I had my bag of sweets and cake from my lovely Aunt Aida. Memories of an eight year old.