Ex-Servicemen used to do the same outside the Gt. Western Arcade (opposite Snow Hill station Birmingham) and down by the Queens Hotel at New Street (I think that Clark Gable stayed there for a time before being stationed at RAF Cosford) amongst many other places, within living memory. "Box of vestas mate?" I will always remember that they usually wore their medals, and more often than not, had a limb or two missing. Anyone remember the hot chestnut/potato sellers back then? They used coal/coke, gave a much better taste than the gas things that they use these days. Dave 8-)) -----Original Message----- From: Jillybrenin@aol.com [mailto:Jillybrenin@aol.com] Sent: 01 June 2006 18:43 To: ENG-BLACK-COUNTRY-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [B.C.] Selling Matches Hello .........there is a fairy tale called "The little Match Girl"...she used to walk round the streets with a tray of matches round her neck ( like the old cinema usherettes)... trying to sell them...a sad little waif. Jilly