Monday 1 July 2013

THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE VANISHING HA'PENNY...



When we lived in a neighbourhood called WESTWOOD in the 1960s, the bridge over the main road across from our house had a 1939 ha'penny (pronounced 'hayp'nie' - in my neck of the woods anyway) embedded in the concrete of the far-side ramp.  Whenever we crossed the bridge en route to the bus stop, I would gaze at that ha'penny and wonder who'd 'planted' it.  One of the workies who built the bridge, perhaps, or some kid who'd managed to set foot on the ramp before the concrete bed from which the railings protruded was completely set?

Later, when crossing the bridge on my way to secondary school on the other side of the road, I couldn't pass that ha'penny without looking at it and sometimes even touching it for luck.  Believe it or not, that coin was a well-known local icon for 30-plus years, and I don't think there's anyone I know from the area at that time who wasn't aware of it.  Even today, I hear folk reminiscing about "the ha'penny on the bridge".

Then, around 17 years ago, the ha'penny suddenly vanished from its accustomed spot.  The indentation where it had once been remained visible for years afterwards until fairly recently, when a cosmetic repair job was done on the bridge due to having fallen into a state of disrepair over time.  In fact, I'm not entirely sure that the circular impression isn't still visible - I'll have to check the next time I'm in the area.

I should add, in case I've given you the wrong idea, that the bridge wasn't anywhere near as old as the coin.  (It had either been completed just shortly before we moved to the area in '65, or was erected not long after.)  Old currency was still in circulation up until Decimalisation in 1971, and even then, a few coins were in use alongside their decimal equivalents for many years afterwards.

So what happened to that 1939 ha'penny?  (Just think - SUPERMAN had not long made his debut when the coin was minted, and BATMAN was just about to take his first bow.)  Well, as it happens, I'm in a position to tell you.  Here, for the first time anywhere, is the scoop on the fate of that renowned coin, whose disappearance has puzzled and disappointed old-time local worthies in equal measure for close to two decades.

NOW IT CAN BE TOLD!


Exposure to the elements for over 30 years had left the coin - and the concrete setting which housed it - in a sorry state.  I knew at some stage the bridge would have to be patched up in places, and it occurred to me that the coin would then probably disappear under a new concrete skin, never to be seen again.  And there was also the risk that, with the ongoing erosion of its concrete surround, it may well become detached from its moorings and cast into oblivion by the winds and rain.

So, on June 5th, 1996 (for the historians amongst you), at half-past midnight, I was driven to the bridge, whereupon I liberated the captive ha'penny by careful application of hammer and chisel - with a single blow - and took it home with me, where it yet resides to this day.

So, there you have it!  Any long-term locals reading this who may have wondered what had happened to that iconic ha'penny need wonder no more.  It's safe and sound in a secret hideaway, where I can take it out every now and again and remember it in its heyday as a neighbourhood landmark - whose presence everybody and their granny acknowledged whenever they passed it in its home on the Westwood bridge.

However, in the spirit of unselfish generosity for which I'm justly famous, I herewith share some pictures of it with you now.  Not just the side which countless locals observed in their daily perambulations across the bridge, but also the face which kissed concrete for more than three decades before I rescued it from an impending and inglorious fate.

Don't you just love a happy ending?    

18 comments:

DeadSpiderEye said...

Didn't they used to have a ship on them? I

Kid said...

Yup. If you click on the left-hand photo of the coin to enlarge it, you can just about make the ship out. (It helps if you've got a good memory of it 'though)

Anonymous said...

That's actually a pretty cool story. I enjoyed it. Best wishes, Kid. M.P.

Kid said...

And I emjoyed the fact that you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

DeadSpiderEye said...

I had a good gander at the pic but no joy finding the ship, maybe a hint of the back remains. Yes this was interesting post, an insight local trivia. You might have a problem retrieving the coin today, there's a chance you'd get clocked by the CCTV. btw any other nocturnal escapades you'd to confess, you're not caped crime fighter bounding over the roof tops at night are you?

Kid said...

If you Google a pic of a ha'penny and remind yourself of what one looks like, you should then (just) be able to discern a hint of the ship on my coin.

As for bounding over rooftops at night, I actually did quite a bit of that as a youth. (Seriously.)

Anonymous said...

Westwood where?

Westwood, Devon EX5, UK
Westwood, Wiltshire BA15, UK
Westwood, Coventry, CV4, UK
Westwood, Northumberland NE47, UK
Westwood, Margate, Kent CT9, UK
Westwood, Peterborough PE3, UK
Westwood, East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire G75, UK

Great story!

DeadSpiderEye said...

That's interesting, what context did this nocturnal rooftop activity occure? Was it the product of ribaldry and daring between mates or more a more solitary challenge, a personal test of will and and fortitude mingled with the desire to glimpse the world from a rare vista. I used to think the later was just me till I spotted someone I knew but only barely, staring wistfully into the distance, I turned to see what captured his attention and I noticed the unkempt wall that offered convenient footholds for access to a low level roof, from which access to to higher level was a mere shimmy up a soil pipe.

Kid said...

Anon, you're obviously out to steal my ha'penny, so I ain't saying.

******

DSE, see my post 'The Mighty World of Yesterday' for the details. True, there may have been more crawling than bounding, but there was a fair bit of the latter from time to time.

Anonymous said...

I think it may well be the Westwood that Aztec Camera sang about in the 80's ("..from Westwood to Hollywood...") would I be correct or EeeeK would I be wrong? McScotty

Kid said...

The clues are scattered throughout my blog, McScotty, but I'm not saying directly. Nobody's getting their hands on my ha'penny. Where you been hiding - or are you PM?

Anonymous said...

Hard to believe that we (well I did at any rate) used the h'penny - i recall it getting a few sweets from the penny tray (well the h'penny tray) a small McGowans toffee in a blue wrapper rings a bell. Ive been hiding away from most things for the last 6-7 weeks Kid as my mum sadly passed away last week after a long illness and mostly just feeling lost and numb as even at my age as she was still my "wee mum" = McScotty (PM?)

Kid said...

That's a shame about your mum, McScotty. Wish I could say something helpful, but words never seem quite adequate somehow, however well-intentioned they are.

(PM comments from time to time - wondered if it might be you when you can't be bothered typing out your name.)

Anonymous said...

Thanks Kid - sadly Ive noticed/read that there folk recently in our 50s experiencing this type of loss, but the nice memories help - Actually my initials are "PM" but cant recall using that. McScotty

Kid said...

Oops! It was MP, not PM - and I think it might possibly be Comicsfan. Regardless, great blog - you should check it out. (The Peerless Power of Comics - in my blog list.)

baab said...

great story
i will be asking my EK relations if they also remember that one.

Scott Caldwell said...

Great story which I was unaware of, being of a slightly younger generation *ahem. Always good to learn some popular local tales!

Kid said...

You mean your poppa never told you? Wow! Talk about neglect. (I'll be having a word with the social workers, even 'though it's a bit late now.)

Got your message, Scott - glad you enjoyed the comic.



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