Marlene Tolley – Day trippers

Simon: Talking of the windows, did you notice the way the windows were dressed at all?

Marlene: Oh, they were beautiful. Yeah, they were always beautiful. Of course that’s what attracted the customers in. But on a Saturday, trips used to come over from the Mainland, day trips, the men and that and of course they used to go to the Pubs and get drunk and then they used to come in about half past two, 2 o’clock, but they always wanted the Underwear Department, these men did (laughs).

The things they used to buy to take to their wives home ‘cos of course it was … they had colours in those days in Packs, coloured underwear and that, and they used to take ever such a lot of money on a Saturday ‘cos these men were pie eyed (laughs). Or else they wanted something for a new baby. They were astounded but they paid it because they had the money for their day out.

But we had to be prepared for that, and if they made advances to you, oh, be careful my dear (laughs). But it was fun.

Used to be day trips, you know like I suppose Sportsmen and that. I don’t know who they were, but there used to be loads of Day Trippers come to Ryde on a Saturday. Of course they came over on the Ferry. It was like a holiday.

They went in the King Lud and used trees (laughs). That was how it was. People did go out for the day, and the Island, coming on the Ferry that you sat up on the top and thoroughly enjoyed yourself. That was quite good fun.