I made comment on Gareth’s ‘Abergele in Shorts’ story entitled ‘Hywel the Barber’ that my sister-in-law would sometimes buy me a Matchbox car as a gift. The small fire engine (middle bottom of the photo) is that first item, dating to the early 1950’s. The larger ones, to either side, were produced in later years. All were bought at Parr’s Toy Shop which used to be next door to the town’s Post Office. I also came across some other old toys which have somehow survived to the present day. The streamlined locomotive (Mallard perhaps), wagon and rail sections at the top of the photo were manufactured by Lone Star. The train in the middle has no manufacturers marks but was probably a hand-me-down from one of my older brothers and possibly dates to the late 1940’s or very early 1950’s. The 6 inch (15 Cms) ruler gives some indication of their small sizes.