Spuds (From The Northern Echo)

Spuds

4:53pm Monday 13th February 2012 in Letters

CHRISTOPHER WARDELL asks for things to do with a potato (HAS, Feb 7). I remember as a boy having hours of fun using them as ammunition for my spud-gun.

This was a spring loaded toy gun, which after being pressed into the spud would fire a small potato pellet. Basically a more sophisticated means of firing projectiles around the classroom than using elastic bands.

Having not seen one for decades I assumed that they had become victims of the health and safety brigade, along with conkers and other hazardous childhood pastimes, but I see they are still for sale on the internet (£6 for a metal one on Amazon).A word of warning, however, apparently there are spud guns that fire rather larger potato pellets pneumatically and can cause quite serious injuries.

VJ Connor, Bishop Auckland.