General Chat

Having been reading the Threads about life in the 40s and 50s, and remembering for myself what it was like I came to the following conclusion. Our children and grandchildren would not be able to survive if the electricity supplies failed. I bet not one in a thousand knows how to make bread, or catch, kill, skin, clean and cook a rabbit. Or how to purify water before drinking it. The list of skills which are being lost in modern society is endless.

I think they might be able to survive Grampa. Survival is a very strong instinct, and they could always learn from books. ( I have to confess that I cannot skin a rabbit!). XX BC

hiya jim they would not have a cats in hell chance x

Hello Grampa Jim, I'm with you on that. I'm only 40 but even I think that the young of today would be useless in a crisis. I'm from a farming background so I'd have no problems skinning rabbits or cleaning freshly killed fowl. Do you remember the old Jack Hargreaves programmes? Don't you think that they would just be sneered at by the youth of today who think a sign of being clever is being a footballer nowadays? Louise

I agree with u grandpa, i'm 20 and the only thing i would be able to do on your list is make the bread. i get upset when i see rabbits run over i certainly couldn't kill one or anything for that matter. i blame disney for this and childrens programmes such as 'Animals of Farthingwood' which was popular abot ten years ago. The animals had feelings they weren't portrayed as food. lol Victoria

I was born in 1975 (so pushing thirty) and grew up in the middle of nowhere. We would regulary lose electric, sometimes for up to two weeks,might not be like the 40s, but had no gas and our central heating was a fire plece in the middle of the house. Spent many years following country activities, which some people may not like, however I know that I would be able to support my family and children without any of the services that we rely on now Oh and I can skin and cook any animal that we eat now, I'm not one that will eat the food, but wont deal with it ! Jamie

I agree with you Tracy. My daughter in law sterilised everything all the time and my two grandchildren are always catching something. Wendy.

I know how to do some of the stuff because I'm a member of Girlguiding Uk and we learn a lot of survival techniques when we're out camping. Never killed an animal before, I don't think I would if I could... Lucia :-)

you could just tape loads of Ray Mears lol :-)

I'm only 41 and yet it amazes me how many people can't even cook a meal from scratch, i.e. fresh meat, peel a potato, prepare a vegetable. If you can't boil it in a bag or microwave it they aren't interested and phone the takeaway rather than try. They would have no chance at actually providing the food prior to cooking it.

I taught my son to cook at a very young age. I am happy to think he would be able to survive no matter what. BC

I met Jack in the late 60s when an Ospray came to Alresford pond, As it was my MuM who first reported it (Useing one off My bird books to ID it) she was arsked all sorts of Questions and intradused to Jack Hargrives ECT. Did she apper on the show NO not even a mention.