The 1950 Midland Tribune newspaper cost 3d has its largest advertisement on the front page, where in a 12 x 6 Inch announcement Murphy Radio tells us that there are about 800 Radio Dealers in the country. But only 80 are permitted to sell Murphy sets. The heading is ONE MAN IN TEN…. With a detective like man in hat and lower down a picture drawing of the Murphy A170 Table Model. Price £27.10.0 No tax.
Other eye catching advertisements are for VP Wine, selling at 6 / - a bottle.
Angier's Emulsion for stomach chills, Poultrine a cure for poultry liver disease, blackheads, drooping, not-picking, and diarrhoea which was made by Bells of Waterford.
Nugget shoe polish in tins costing 4.5 d and 8d.
Beechams Pills worth a "guinea a box" but selling at 1/1.5d and 2/9d
Lucas Car Batteries with 2 years insured life.
Fynnon Salts which was anti-rheumatic laxative salt good for Sciatica, Lumbago, Neuritis, Fibrositis and Gout. Costing 1/6 for a large tin.
Rodine for rats and mice cost 11d, 1/10, 3/8 and was made by Harley, Perth, Scotland.
Zube cough mixture - If you shout yourself hoarse - go suck a zube cost 6d an ounce loose , 7.5d tins.
Barry & Sons, Castle Street ,Birr had an advert seeking Poultry, Eggs, Butter, Rabbits. They specified Cockerels, standard quality 2 / 3 per lb., Hens 1/ - per lb. Turkeys 4 / - per lb, Horse hair 3 / - per lb. Rabbits (trapped and snared) 2 / 3 each. All birds must have straight breasts, adequately fleshed out and fasted for 24 hours.
The Library is open tonight 7 to 9. Promised Jack Quinn's poem titled Childhood 1 and here goes -
Childhood 1 …. Jack Quinn

The cawing crows
in croaky chorus
scattering twigs
on the first of March
rebuilding
in the tall trees
of the Protestant Church

Lying in bed
on a Winter's night
protected by the red
of the little lamp
listening
for the shop to close
the tinkle of the supper cups
comforting

Footsteps on the stairs
and the voices in the next room
lamenting
the non-payment
of a promised bill

Mashed potato
laced with onion
crowned with a diadem
of country butter
gleaming like untainted gold

Sunday night in the parlour
in the green light of the Aladdin
the roaring fire
and the special treat