Oh yes - the whale meat! I remember buying that from a butcher on Bond Street. It was horrible but it fed our dog sometimes (no pet foods back in those days). And rabbit meat, which we ate. And the confectioner shop on Duke Street would take sugar ration coupons for sweets which were also rationed.

In the 40s My Nan and Grandad used to give their grandchildren their sweet coupons, the sweet shop was across the road from the Drapers in the middle of Southover Street ,which was near Mr Pannents on the corner of Islingwood Street. That was where you got your grocerys or at Mr and Mrs Tuppins opposite Ewart Street. Sugar came in blue bags somethings were wrapped in newspaper from under the counter and it wasn't fish and chips. You got them from Mr and Mrs Pikes they had the right name and the right price. Whatever you bought they gave you scraps on top from out of the tray at the side of the fryer, you got a lot more if you took newspapers too . I loved going to the shops. Micheal Cheeseman's mum and dad had the Butchers on the corner of Holland Street. There was Mr and Mrs Fynn who had the Chemist just a few roads down on the left and one at the top of Southover Street, and then there was the lovely smell of bread from the bakers I think it was called Towners. The rolls were big and crusty and the little cakes were a treat. and we can't forget Mr and Mrs Measer who had the vegetable shop. He used to cook beetroot and put it on a plate outside. Ig you bought it that too went in newspaper can't forget the flavour. He would sell you one cabbage leaf if that is all you could afford bless him . Hard days for some but we young uns knew no different did we?

During the war I would go shopping with my Grandmother to Harpers the butchers in Islington Road. Meat and sausages hung from hooks inside the window. Thick sawdust on the floor and those huge wooden blocks they chopped the meat on. We bought most of our shopping from the Co-Op in London Road as the Divvy Coupons were saved up for our Christmas. If I remember I think coal cost 30 shillings a ton in the late 1940s. There used to be a married couple who had a sweet shop in Jubilee Street (I think off Church Street). It was a small shop that sold sweets etc., Remember going there during the war. Crawfords Bakery was up from the old Markets opposite the Level. 1/2d (halfpence) of bread pudding slice was a real treat. (I hate to think what was in it) Did a morning paper round (up at 6.30am) at Bacons the papershop at the top of Preston Drove/Ditchling Road. Took about 1 1/4 hours 6 mornings a week for 4shillings and sixpence a week. Evening round ( the Argus ) 4.15 to about 5.30 for 3 shillings and sixpence. I often wonder how I managed as I was a skinny little girl in those days. When your hands got cold putting them in the bag with the papers warmed them. Funny how you remember those things.

With reference to whale meat. If my memory serves me right, I think this used to be known as snooks and it was horrible. As for rabbit, it is now regarded as first class meal. I have two wild rabbits in my freezer.