The Hymers - Lyn and Michael actually live in a Victorian terraced house in Yorkshire - England. With their daughter Kirstie and her two sons Ben and Tom who live nearby. Their lounge/sitting room is Victorian Styled, their dining room in 1940s, the kitchen is a 50s diner and their bathroom is Edwardian.
The family all come from a small market town of Otley, which is near Leeds. The family - (Lyn, Kirstie, Thomas and Ben) thought that Micheal had a very clear view of what the 1940s period was like, so they then decided that they would like to live in "The 1940s House". So then they could experience it first hand what it was really like.
Profiles!
Michael Hymers. He's 52, and is a Executive in Charge of Production at a nearby small engineering firm that manufactures aeroplane parts. Michael had a desire to live in the 1940s, and likes to spend his time in their 1940s dining room.
Lyn Hymers. She's 50, and is a retired Tax Inspector. She wanted to prove to her family that she could "do it". That she could be a good mother, and cook. Then she would look good in her familys eyes. She's a strong willed lady and she wanted to show that she could survive the troubles that the typical 1940s family would of faced.
Kirstie Hymers. She's 28, and a single-parent mother. Kirstie wanted to back in time so that she could prove her Dad wrong. She wanted to find out the whole story of what it was really like.
Ben & Thomas (Tom) Ben is 10 and Tom is 7. They were both really excited about going to live in a real life 1940s house. Also by moving to a new town and attending a new school. Thomas said "He'd miss dancing to his S Club 7!" But Ben wanted to try out using a real leatherfootball instead of his usual plastic one - out came the eager football side of him!
When the Hymers were selected to take part in The 1940s House, they were given a very strict list of rules - they had to obey these - They were drawn up by the "cabinet" to ensure that they had historical accuracy.
Throughout the experiment the family had to live within the strict budget that was given to them. Michael Hymers was the "head of the household" and was in charge of the budget. He was responsible for the mortgage, rates, gas, coal, electricity, travel tax, water rates and wireless licence. All these outgoings were deductable from his "salary". It was his decision as to what he gave his wive Lyn for the housekeeping. Then the remainder would be his cash for the week.
Taking into consideration that myself and many of my friends and family do 1940s re-enactments, i no myself how difficult it is to re-live the past! Espeically when you are living on Spam, Spam, and erm... what was the other thing? Humm... SPAM! Not that it don't get boring but that was the main food source!
Other tasks such as building The Anderson Shelter was a real difficulty in getting right. If you haven't had previous experience and you are faced with something totally new to you, then it takes time in getting right. We live today with way to many privliages try taking them away from us, and the majority of us would simply not cope. Now would we?!
The 1940s house was a great experience for all that took part, and all that viewed from home. I have to say though that even if i do 1940s weekends, it still wouldnt beat living in the typical house. I would love to do that. Hey, i really think that Ben and Tom did well. - a'ha im 15 they are younger than me! -
I met The Hymers at West Yorkshire - Haworth - at a 1940s weekend, where we had the chance to speak to them face-2-face. They told me if thay have the oppertunity then they would deffinatly do it again.!
Cheers people! See you around *Muppet*
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Advantages: Well there were some good moments.. Disadvantages: But the whole point of showing PITP is for the performances, cutting them out is like showing a football match without the goals.
brianjarvis 11.07.2000 ·
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