If anyone thought I had mined my two day visit to the Tour de France in Yorkshire last year for various ABC Wednesday letters to the maximum here is my last hurrah, possibly. I had this in mind for the letter A and then forgot, but it is now making a belated appearance for the start of Round 17 and playing a happy tune - on the Accordion. I would never have the coordination to play this instrument but here it is being played on the move and sat in a British registered 1939 Citroen 15 Roadster. The French theme completed by the flag and both driver and passenger wearing berets. The accordion is an instrument loved by radio and film sound editors for indicating "hey folks we are in Paris" the only other sound I can think of so overused is the kookaburra's 'laugh' for signposting the Australian outback; unless you can think of some more.
From the joy of music to the drudge of housework
which today with labour saving devices is a breeze compared to when this Victress Vowel Washing Machine was in use. As can be seen on the side this is - The Vowel "A" model used in the late 19th and early 20th century and manufactured by Thomas Bradford of Salford.. (They went up in size with different vowel indicators) The company started out as makers of butter churns and dairy appliances so I suppose the agitation of water to wash clothes would have been a natural development from butter churns. The Vowel "A" machine was one of the cheapest they produced and their advertising said "equal to 12 shirts". I'm not sure if that means you could get 12 shirts into it or if the cost was equal to buying 12 shirts, whatever, its price was £3 10s 0d. The auctioneers Christies were selling what is now an antique a few years ago with an estimated price of £400 to £600 and at auction it actually sold for £1,315. You could buy about five modern ones for that price, but would they last as long?
If I turn down the colour and the wear marks it could be new! Its location is the backyard of a recreated Victorian workman's house, in particular a foreman's house who would be earning enough to be able to afford it. Unfortunately I omitted to take a photo of the turning handle on the other side because my butterfly mind was distracted by this
adorable little dog which was scampering in and out of the house.
An entry to ABC Wednesday, a journey through the alphabet this week starting anew again
here
