The Friendship Book Of Francis Gay

[Bookridden]

Does anyone else remember these? Was your nan even your nan if she didn't read these? (Might be ageing myself a bit here). I wonder who Francis Gay was, and if all those old annuals are worth anything.

I remember those from my childhood, but it was my godmother who read them.

In my case my mother! (I'm old). I saw your title and thought who the fuck is talking about that on mumsnet?
They were such rubbish OP. Purple covers if I remember rightly!

I temember those, they were purple weren't they?

Oh my goodness, the memories! Someone always gave my mum one for Christmas. She was not impressed!

Yes. You still get them. “Francis” also writes a column in the Weekly News, Sunday Post & People’s Friend magazines.

Here you go - loads of images to be found of the awful purple covers.

I remember being given two or three of these books when I was about ten. One or two of the little stories have stayed with me, but most were very sentimental! Some of the photo illustrations were rather nice, shots of the countryside with a little quote from a poem underneath.

I just Wikipediaed him. He died in 1977.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Leslie_Gee

According to Wikipedia Francis Gay was a pseudonym and his name was Herbert Leslie Gee. He was an ardent Methodist and died in 1977.

I think my nanna still has all hers! Plus was there a similar set that had Fireside in the title?

I remember those from my childhood. What was even the point?

Crossed posts FelicityPike
I don't think they were any more awful than other writings of that era. Remember The People's Friend?

Oh yes, The Fireside Book.

It was obligatory for Scottish grannies, along with My Weekly and the People's Friend.

I remember his column in the Sunday Post aaaand and the way he always referred to the “lady of the house” .... always some twee little story with Scottish sensibilities of frugality and warmth being well catered for 😂

I can’t believe he wasnae Scottish!

Aaah, loved these

And the Fireside Book of David Hope (was this the same David Hope who was Archbishop of York? - google suspects not)

@Gladimnotcampinginthisweather

Crossed posts FelicityPike I don't think they were any more awful than other writings of that era. Remember The People's Friend?

Very fond memories!

@FrozenVag

I remember his column in the Sunday Post aaaand and the way he always referred to the “lady of the house” .... always some twee little story with Scottish sensibilities of frugality and warmth being well catered for 😂

I can’t believe he wasnae Scottish!

Or alive after 1977! Lol

Oh The Fireside Book. Bloody hell. I wonder what kids today would make of this stuff. Makes me laugh and feel a bit melancholy at the same time

I had one of these! I think it was the first thing I ever bought myself as a child and got it at a charity fete. I bought it - and treasured it - simply because of the photos.

To this day, I have no idea what it was about or for...

My late granny loved them. She was also a Methodist and a very gentle soul. These books bring back nice memories of her 🙂

She also bought The People's Friend ☺️

I loved these books! I still have one

My nanna still has a People's Friend every week, I bought her the annual for Christmas a few years back and she was made up with it

Oh yes, Francis Gay had (has?) a column in the Sunday Post too.