I'm sorry, I miss read your original comment; I thought you said things were BETTER NOW. I thought you were a 'youngster' but by the way you write you must be an old fogey like myself.
My pals and I could go out on our bikes all day and never felt threatened by people or traffic.People spoke to each other (not by mobile phone) We played in the street and knew all the locals, We were a lot more contented.
Yes, I remember it all well! Growing up in Coventry, I always looked forward to the comic publications "Beano" and "Dandy" which came out on a Tuesday and Thursday. Our family got by without any frills, just bare bone things to keep you going. When I left school I could get an engineering apprenticeship just about anywhere. What now for the young people? Serving in fast food joints and the like? What happened. Christ, what happened?
I wasn't a child but I couldn't agree with you more, though the grandchildren frequently ask how I survived without a mobile phone.(I still don't have one!)
