"The Mangle"

...Back today for some nostalgia...

...I'm sure most of you would have had one of these in the laundry... you didn't? ..
neither did I actually, but I do remember the modern wringer we had in our laundry which was set on top of the fantastic washing machine..

...This strong-looking old mangle sits near the historic old home around the corner, which we are fortunate to investigate at any time..I don't know how old it is, but it looks very old..one day I'll take another shot of the side of it which is beautiful..
Printed on the top of it is - W & S Summerscales & Sons Parkside Works Keightley, England..I wonder if they still make mangles, etc..

...Remembering back -Monday was the day when the copper was set alight with wood chips, and the water within it was boiled to add to the fantastic washing machine we had in 1947...and then the washing began Rinso powder soapsuds everywhere, and after a short while, it was completed and then fed through the small mangle (or wringer) on top of the washing machine, very modern it was..directly into a double trough of nice fresh rainwater.

That's just part of the wash day routine ofcourse, it then had to go through another wringer set on top between the double trough, then into the wicker basket and out on the line..with the wooden dolly pegs -.you see...I remember all that...

It was then up to the elements to dry the washing, hoping for a nice day, and also hoping that Dad hadn't let the calves into the small paddock where the clothes-line was, on that day...

...But imagine if you had one of these? .. A mangle is described as: 'a machine with rollers for squeezing water from and pressing washing', but I think this one must have squeezed more than washing, coming from a grape growing district...

...I'm pleased Mum didn't have one of these big mangles - when she caught her arm threading the washing through - and she didn't know where the release bar was..

I had to find Dad who was at the top of the windmill..Mum survived.. but her gold bangle was bent badly and I think she must have found the release bar eventually, but she had a very bruised arm, I do remember that... brings back memories for you too?