Rag 'n' Bone men

Nor were we. Quite often some of our neighbours in Cannon Park had the same problem, after they had put out plastic sacks: the following day, the sacks were ripped open, and the contents strewn everywhere. I used to blame stray dogs, or foxes. One morning I was up very early and caught the culprits: there were about a dozen birds, crows and magpies, on the lawn, taking turns at pecking the sack open!

We still get the modern version of the rag 'n' bone man about twice a week but they want everything for free, no chance of a balloon or goldfish! When we lived in Dover Street we had the same problem with bin sacks but it was rats from the Lady Mayoresses Club. We ended up in an "Alice's Restaurant " situation with the council. They found an envelope with my name on it and decided we were dumping litter in the back entry and threatened to take me to court. In the end I had to produce photographs of the rats ripping the bags apart before they agreed to drop the case, it took about six months to resolve it

I have a theory that nowadays, the metal thieves have put the rag'n bone men out of business. Dover Street - cor blimey, that takes me back. My parents had an account with Coventry Factors, and I often accompanied them there, when very young. I vaguely remember their old building, and a church type building with a spire next door. Part of Dover St, and the spire, are still there. I parked there recently for a breakfast morning.