One hot day in the mid-sixties,when we were all young children,we headed off to our usual haunt of Hayling Island but on this occasion my Gran and Grandad were with us.
We were in my Dad's Ford Consul and the Grandparents in their Ford Popular.As normal we stopped half-way to let the cars cool and for a toilet break in the woods.My Grandad who was dressed in a suit,collar and tie also went off to "spend a penny" but when he came back to his car he proceeded to take his boot cleaning kit from the motor and we had to wait while he polished his shoes before we set off again for the coast!
This incident seemed to sum up that "old school" generation who couldn't even go to the sea-side without wearing formal clothes and playing at "keeping up appearances".
This same generation would have a best-room that was never used,just in case someone more important than them came to visit and there were lots of "important" people around (according to them) which included the Vicar,Colonel Verey,about whom my Gran had told my Dad when he was younger,that on meeting him in the street he should remove his hat (if wearing) step off the path to let him by and say "Hello Sir!",the School Headmaster or anyone else that they perceived to be "better" than them.They also had their posh voices",especially my Gran,used on those occasions they happened to meet these oh so "important" people or in their latter years when they got and answered the 'phone.
They were also very conformist,concerned at what the neighbours thought and seemed to truly believe they were a lower class of people compared to the "upper class" they appeared to hold in high esteem!.
I can still "see" my Grandad sat on the beach at Hayling in his suit and tie in the sweltering heat clearly too afraid too strip off a tad in case he bumped into the Vicar......

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