Readers have their say on wartime memories, Farage and grass cutting

PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Spitting Image puppet of Eric Cantona goes under the hammer in local auction: Davina York from auctioneers Mullock Madeley carefully adjusts the collar on the iconic Spitting Image puppet of French football star Eric Cantona in Cosford in 2001. Complete with his signature turned-up collar, the satirical latex figure was one of many standout items put up for sale during a major football memorabilia auction in the area. The quirky display brought a touch of 1990s television nostalgia and sporting history to local collectors. Did you ever tune in to watch Spitting Image poke fun at football's biggest stars back in the '90s? | ©PA

placeholder image — PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Spitting Image puppet of Eric Cantona goes under the hammer in local auction: Davina York from auctioneers Mullock Madeley carefully adjusts the collar on the iconic Spitting Image puppet of French football star Eric Cantona in Cosford in 2001. Complete with his signature turned-up collar, the satirical latex figure was one of many standout items put up for sale during a major football memorabilia auction in the area. The quirky display brought a touch of 1990s television nostalgia and sporting history to local collectors. Did you ever tune in to watch Spitting Image poke fun at football's biggest stars back in the '90s? | ©PA

A reader shares memories prompted by a recent Picture from the Past image on a wartime POW camp, while others offer a different view on Nigel Farage and celebrate the simple satisfaction of cutting the grass

Role of POW camps in region

A recent Picture from the Past (September 5) I found of interest. The POW camp at Teddesley had been converted after the departure of US troops in 1944. Prisoners were transferred in from other Camps. A trainload came in from Sheffield area as late as Easter 1945. At Teddesley, officially known as “194 Working Camp – Teddesley” the German and Italian prisoners had to be kept segregated, with much verbal abuse being exchanged. It is possible that those shown at St Mary’s RC Church would have been Italian, and predominantly Catholic.

After VE Day, the camp was not liberated, though some were allowed out on working parties. Many worked on local farms and in local industries. Security would have been eased, enabling visits to locations in Stafford and Cannock. I learnt of one Italian POW who was a skilled pattern-maker, and was taken on at the Foundry at English Electric Works. One reminder I saw was a representation of the Last Supper, cast in aluminium. I hope one of the castings has survived in Stafford.

Once the camp was emptying in 1947, most of the ‘residents’ returned home across Europe. However a small number stayed on to make a life in Staffordshire, avoiding any conversation about events in Europe, leading to their internment. The St Mary’s Catholic Church was located in Hallcourt Crescent, just off the Walsall Road. Father Hickson was still in charge at St Mary’s into the 1950s.

Phil W Jones, Wolverhampton

Different view on Farage

Christopher Gill clearly believes that Nigel Farage should be the next leader of our country. However, I watched the same TV programme as Mr Gill and came away with a totally different opinion, because there are a lot of questions that need answering:

Why did he accept money from a convicted criminal who has spent time in prison? Why, when questioned about his £5 million "gift", has he given several different versions as to what it was for? Why will he not explain why his bank closed his account without warning? Why did he show his support for Putin in the war against Ukraine? I would respectfully suggest to Mr Gill that he reflects on what Rupert Lowe said about Mr Farage when they fell out: "It is not about what he can do for the country, but more about what the country can do for him."

Name and address supplied

Grass cut treat

Uncle Norbert is as chipper as a song bird in spring. Walking around the house whistling his favourite song, The Colonel Bogey March, what else?

But why the high spirits? Uncle Norbert has just cut the grass, nearly three months since it was last cut. Grass cutting is in a British person’s blood, it is a great tradition and should be taught in all schools as it leads to discipline and satisfaction of a job well done. In fact all Government Ministers before spending more of our money should be made to cut grass for an hour and that of course includes the geezeresses.

Peter Steggles, Rushbury

You can enjoy other pictures from the past and more with our weekly FREE Nostalgia Newsletter - with scores of archive pictures and exclusive features on the history of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire and the Black Country - all sent to your inbox every week. Sign up here.

Have an opinion? We want to hear from you.

Share your views by writing to Readers’ Letters at [email protected].

Letters to the editor must include the writer’s name and address. Letters will only be published anonymously in exceptional circumstances. The editor reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity or style.

Do you have a picture from the past to share?

We would love to hear from you. Whether you have an old photograph, need help identifying a street or recognise a familiar face, send your images to [email protected].

Please include your name, where you are from and as much information as possible about the photograph. We will publish as many as we can online and in print.