Reminiscence
Shopping

These objects have been chosen to help you talk about shopping and products from the past.

They include brands you may recognise. Brand leaders, once established, tend to retain that position – many names from the 1920s and 30s are still known today, including Bisto and OXO.

Following Bisto’s initial success, the artist Will Owens was commissioned to create the Bisto Kids in 1919 – with their flat caps, ragged clothes and the slogan ‘Ah! Bisto’.

OXO also had two successful long-running advertising campaign which featured families, first from 1958 to the early 70s, and again throughout the 1980s, this time with Lynda Bellingham as the mother. 

The golden syrup cans were collected by Sid Woodhams. Sid spent over 60 years collecting objects from the Malton and Norton area, particularly relating to local businesses and trades. His collection is now cared for by the Woodhams Stone Collection. These specific tins mark the 125th anniversary of Lyle’s Golden Syrup – they were designed to be collectors’ items.

Lyle was a religious man and chose the image of a dead lion with bees for the can which is based on the Biblical story of Samson’s Riddle (in chapter 14 of the Book of Judges). 

Inside Beck Isle Museum

Click on images to enlarge them

Talk About

As you look at the photos in our photo gallery, you could talk about:

Do you recognise the packaging?

Do you remember your first shopping trip?

Are there any products that are no longer commonly available?

How has shopping changed?

Watch The Video : The Adventures of Clementine

This short film was created at Ryedale Folk Museum. Perhaps it will spark some memories of shopping in the past.

Find Out More

You can visit historic shops at Ryedale Folk Museum in Hutton-le-Hole in the North York Moors, and at Beck Isle Museum in Pickering.

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