Russethouse Posted August 13, 2007 Share Posted August 13, 2007 Has any one got any memories of the Johnny Onions who used to come over to the UK from Brittany and cycle around selling strings of onions ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blanche Neige Posted August 13, 2007 Share Posted August 13, 2007 Yes I remember the French onion sellers however it was long time ago! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana (ex tag) Posted August 13, 2007 Share Posted August 13, 2007 I think I was too young[Www] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hagar Posted August 13, 2007 Share Posted August 13, 2007 They are still doing it in Cardiff.However they are not the romantic figures cycling all the way from Brittany that some people imagine ( were they ever). The whole thing is run by a major french business who import the onions from Brittany in bulk and store them in South wales. The business then hires local french students to distribute them round the houses and sell them in the streets. Bicycles are supplied by the firm - believe they bought a whole bunch from the Post Office.The onions were bloody good though - if somewhat dearer than Tesco.rgdsHagar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blanche Neige Posted August 13, 2007 Share Posted August 13, 2007 woolybanana (ex tag) said"I think I was too young" ah well Wb, some of us are older and wiser [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEO Posted August 13, 2007 Share Posted August 13, 2007 [quote user="Russethouse"]Has any one got any memories of the Johnny Onions who used to come over to the UK from Brittany and cycle around selling strings of onions ? [/quote]In Glasgow in the fifties we called them Onion Johnny and as an inquisitive 5 year old I wondered if it was worth their while cycling all the way from France with two bags of onions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony F Dordogne Posted August 13, 2007 Share Posted August 13, 2007 Blimey Russethouse, I do.And Brumus the Bear, Coco the Clown ............. Officially old now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastines Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 Untill a couple of years ago an "Onion Johnny" used to have a load delivered to a store by a pub in Poole. He then used to cycle around the wealthier areas of Sandbanks/Canford Cliffs/Lilliput complete with the striped jumper and berret. Before you ask I lived at the rough end.No money=no onions.I did actually suggest to my good lady that as we knew the farmer at Cherruiex who grows onions and garlic,it might be an interesting summer job.It was on a par with her idea about starting the Rag and Bone business. Funny what thoughts occur on dull winters evenings!!Regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Animal Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 That's an interesting subject you brought up Gay. Have you seen there is a book about it.Goodbye, Johnny Onions and why were there so many in Cardiff ? http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/blowup1/30313 http://www.gtj.org.uk/en/blowup1/22717 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted August 14, 2007 Share Posted August 14, 2007 [quote user="Christine Animal"]and why were there so many in Cardiff ? [/quote]Perhaps leeks were in short supply? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted August 14, 2007 Author Share Posted August 14, 2007 The book I have is 'The Last of the Onion Men' same author.I think the reason there were so many Onion Men in Wales was that the Welsh language was in more common use when they started selling in the Uk and the Breton speakers recognised the common aspects of and felt at home there. I'll let you know when I have read more...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushkin Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 I have got the book 'Goodbye Johnny Onions'. The story is a bit haphazard and doesn't flow very well but, as I was born in Penarth, just outside Cardiff, it was of particular interest to me. I do remember the onion men coming round on their bikes wearing their berets and my mother thought the onions were superb. I didn't realise just how hard a life they led until I read the book.Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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