Getting by back in the 50s and 60s, on the low income our parents were paid, often necessitated the taking out of a Provident cheque to spread the cost of buying school uniforms or other clothing – and also the cost of Christmas, even though we only had the one present each.
A £1 cheques would be paid back at one shilling a week, plus an extra one shilling. So twenty-one sillings for a £1 loan. It was manageable – and the man from the Prov called each week to collect the shilling. I remember Wades used to accept them, and Horn Brothers, plus a lot of small outlets.
