I think it was Nanny F who said...

[colinb]

Sorry but I can't remember the thread but I think it was Nanny who made the comment about today's youngsters may not know what coal is (or something along those lines).

And I thought well I know what I can take a quick picture of... then forgot!

 

So if a little late....

 

here is a picture of a lump of coal that has been in my family from the 1950's, it was given to my late Mother & Father as a wedding present and for many years just sat at the back of a shed. For now it sits at the side of our fire (gas not coal) but it really is one of those 'what do we do with it' items.

 

the 50 pence piece is just to give you some idea of the size, top picture can be viewed larger.

 

 

but it does have its uses - sorry but the cat is not real, bit of a story behind that too.

 

[NannyFerret]

Wow! Yes it was me, and you have certainly rekindled some memories by posting this picture.

It's lovely that you have kept it for all these years.
When we go to Barmouth, there is a certain shop that sells ornaments carved out of coal. You could have something done like that, but I would imagine it would be pretty pricey. Otherwise, it looks as if the decision has been made for you. 

The cat looks perfect on it.

[colinb]

nice idea nanny but unless I get it broken down I'll still end up with a large chunk of 'ornamented' coal 

[NannyFerret]

There is another option. You could always have it turned into a man made diamond. lol

[colinb]

There is another option. You could always have it turned into a man made diamond. lol

 

 

now there's a better idea 

[NannyFerret]

Sounds like a plan, doesn't it? 

[Kobione]

I think that is a lovely ornamental object to have, Colin, in both the sentimetal and decorative sense, and the cat does look perfect on it too!

[FUJI]

Colin, with this you have rekindled memories of (as a kid) being sent into the........Coal Hole.....( A very dark coal store) ...with a bucket to fetch coal.

Inside, once your eyes got used to the dark, you felt around for a large, heavy hammer, with which to break up large lumps like the one you feature here. Thinking back it could be a dangerous exercise, because very often splinters of coal would fly up into your face, very close to your eyes, there are times when Im glad that I wear specs.

What modern folk may not realise is that coal when stored like that has a very distinctive smell......also....quite often we might discover the fossilised impression of a fern a few million years old, we used to take these to school.

I bet too that none of you know what....SLACK ....is?

It is the tiny bits of coal including the dust left after lumps of coal have been broken up.......my mum used to make newspaper parcels of slack and damp tea leaves up, to help keep the range burning overnight.

There Now!......See what you've done?........Got me all nostalgic. ;-)

Thanks for the memories.

FUJI

[Terry]

I bet too that none of you know what....SLACK ....is? It is the tiny bits of coal including the dust left after lumps of coal have been broken up.......my mum used to make newspaper parcels of slack and damp tea leaves up, to help keep the range burning overnight.

 

My Gran used to do the same. She had a black lead great in the living room with an oven on one side.  She would bank up the fire as you say and put a stew in the oven to cook overnight. I had the job as a lad to black lead the grate on a Saturday with Zebrite Black Lead paste. I can still recall the smell now

[NannyFerret]

I bet too that none of you know what....SLACK ....is?

FUJI

I remember stack, and coke, and we used to follow the coalman with a bucket and pick up the bits that were left. For all we have now and all we didn't have before, they were happy times, weren't they?