Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past History Information Request Coin-in-the slot leccy and gas meters

Time Savings Clocks were common in the '60's and '70's. You were "given" a clock by an Insurance company. You had to put in a florin (two bob) every week otherwise it would stop. That was your premium payment. Once a quarter(?) Mr Insurance man came to the house to empty it and credit your account. The back of the clock was then re-sealed. Crap quality clocks I seem to remember.

Sorry - it was TWO florins a week! Just seen this on fleabay....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Antique-Time-savings-clock-/291614208504?hash=item43e58fb1f8:g:kFsAAOSwo0JWQ4Hx

We did our own Health & Safety in those days! We somehow survived, and without a hi-viz vest on!

Very true bri. I think then maybe we used that stuff called "commonsense". Virtually unobtainable now AND if you do use it, you are on a hiding to nothing !!

Pinz. In the 1940s I doubt there where many houses of us mere workers had the Luxury of a gas fire, Coal or Coke on the fire in the kitchen and the fire pace in the parlour was only used for wedding and funerals. When I say us workers I am referring to my parents as I was a war baby born in 1940 unlike the village elder who is a 1930s child

Yes, but people are brought up with a more academic and computer bias these days, we used to have a lot more practical knowledge either instilled in us or just out of curiosity.

Some things never change though, I still find nails, thick wire and silver foil used in place of fuses.

Also, in those times of slot meters, it was normal to be paid in cash (usually weekly) and to pay for goods and services in cash. Bank accounts for the average person were uncommon and standing orders and direct debits were unheard of.

In the 60s I was working in Bristol, stayed in digs, the TV room had a coin meter, there were about 8 people watching the TV with me, the set went off, i put 6 pence in to resume the viewing no problem, about an hour later the set went off again so i looked round to see if anybody was about to offer to donate but was amazed to see everybody was asleep, as i wanted to see the film i donated again, i must have disturbed my fellow viewers as they suddenly awoke.

our meter was gas / when we had no 50 ps we made cardboard cutouts and put them in when the gas man came to empty it my mum would say it was the kids who where messing about and put them in. then when we got the rebate we went to the shop for sweets and sherbet

We used to find paper money in the (locked!) collection box on coin-TVs, very rare was the money short, they didn't want to lose their TV.

I was told stories when the Gas man came around to collect the money it would be short, he would say i will give you a few days to get the money back in it, and call again. Some how there was bung in it for him if he did not report the problem

When i was a child i remember over hearing stories of steeling gas/electric meters from businesses, or there contents.
Easy pickings in to days terms.

If the gas /electric man was walking around collecting this much cash how come he was never mugged ??
Crazy to think back like the Health and Safety side of things.

Love it lol