Workmen's tents

[Donkmeister]

I was just watching a video showing London in the 60s on Youtube, and it struck me just how many red-and-white striped tents were in shot over dug-up roads. I was born in 1980 so am not massively old, but I remember seeing these tents frequently as a child.

Why don't we see them anymore? I can think of various reasons but none make sense!

 

[conny]

Because now you see centrally heated porta cabins with all mod cons in them so when it gets cold the shirkers, sorry, workers go in there and have a brew and a butty instead of working to keep warm.

 

[roughcaster]

I was born in 1980 so am not massively old,

Your into your 4th decade now mucka,,,, creeping up to middle age. You're only as old as you feel really though Donk' I do remember the red and white striped tents,,, i was there when they first used them.

 

[^woody^]

Because the fashion now is to sit in the van while it is raining and cold, instead of getting the work done

Or could it bee that there is not much faffing about to be done at the junction boxes nowadays?

Or are they now considered a H&S risk to work inside?

 

[Donkmeister]

I was born in 1980 so am not massively old,

Your into your 4th decade now mucka,,,, creeping up to middle age.

Good lord I'd never thought of it like that...

I'm still surprised when they let me vote or buy alcohol...

 

[conny]

I get a thrill when the girl on the checkout says,
"Have you any proof of your age?"
Then she deflates me by saying,
"Its 10% off for senior citizens today."

 

[kirkgas]

Because the fashion now is to sit in the van while it is raining and cold, instead of getting the work done

Or could it bee that there is not much faffing about to be done at the junction boxes nowadays?

Or are they now considered a H&S risk to work inside?

they didnt all have vans in those days so they needed howff to sit in

 

[Nige F]

I was just watching a video showing London in the 60s on Youtube, and it struck me just how many red-and-white striped tents were in shot over dug-up roads.

What - colour footage They were used by the Post Office Telephones repairmen - in the days when STD was Subscriber Trunk Dialling

 

[Whitespirit66]

Do GPO/BT engineers still brew-up on a gas ring in the back of their vans?

Why don't workmen whistle any more?

Does anyone on here still sport a donkey jacket? Are they still available, and will they come back into fashion?

Remember well seeing GPO engineers hard at it in the red and white mini-marquees. Their trusty yellow Commer PA van, complete with 'Buzby' signage, would be next to them and a large ali. teapot would be steaming away on the gas ring in the back. Happy days!

View media item 29127

 

[wreckedit]

I get a thrill when the girl on the checkout says,
"Have you any proof of your age?"
Then she deflates me by saying,
"Its 10% off for senior citizens today."

How do prove I prove I am pensioner, all I can do is give my very best wrinkly grin but what if that doesn't work.