Crisp packets
During clearance work on the plot, we have found many items that were once seen as rubbish, but now 40 years later have started to become collectable. Decimalisation in the UK - On 15 February 1971, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland decimalised their currencies. Before this we had currency refer to as Pounds, shillings and pence. In dating crisp packets, we can easily see the packet before decimalisation, usually with the price 5d (pence). Below is a small selection of crisp packets I have found in the allotment.
Golden Wonder Roast Chicken & New Baked Bean crisps
In 1962 GW started making flavoured crisps rather than just ready salted, the Roast chicken flavour crisp packet is from 1968-69. It has a cutlery offer with a closing date of April 1969. The new Baked Bean crisps 7d/3p, crisp packet is from around Spring/Summer 1971 with a new baked bean flavour.
Smiths - Horror bags
This Horror bag Fangs packet is from 1977 and has an offer for a hand-puppet. The Horror bag Claws is from 1976.
Smiths Chipitos & Chipsticks
There is little more quintessentially English than a "Carry on" film, and Sid James epitomised that film series. On this crisp packet from 1974 you could win a Caravan with a Morris Marina or a Raleigh Chopper. You could even win tickets to see “Carry on Dick”. Chipsticks - 1977
The main attraction for me with this packet would be the chance to win some practical jokes, I used to love “itching powder” and other practical jokes that you could buy in shops in the 1970s. Chipsticks had a series of cartoon designed packets. This packet is from 1977.
Golden Wonder Rock Rollers & Smiths Horror bags – Bones -1975
Rock'n Rollers were shell shaped crisps made by Golden Wonder in the UK. They were named after the rock and roll revival in the mid 1970s and boosted by bands like Showaddywaddy and Mud. They were available in Salt & Vinegar and Cheese & Onion flavours. This packet is from around 1976 there was a theme tune for these crisps called “Bet you’re going to like them”. Though the original packets sported the man in a jumpsuit, in 1978 the packet design was changed to a teddy boy.
The classic Horror bag bones, these corn snacks started production around 1974 and included Fangs (cheese and onion) Bones (salt and vinegar) Claws (bacon) Bats (bat burger). This packet advertises “New” Horror bags, so it is likely to be from around 1974-1975.
KP Rancheros - These crisp are still available in 2024, this packet come from 1977. Chipitos from mid 1970s. Smiths Quavers another product that is still around in 2024 but now owned by Walkers, this packet is from the mid 1970s.
For those of you who like crisp packets, here is a load of unsorted packets I have found on the allotment.
CRISP VIDEO - I have created a video with most of the crisp packets I have found.
