A "Birmingham Backstreet Boyhood" is a fascinating recollection of the experience of growing up in the slums of Nechells and Aston. All the harshness of daily life is remembered here by local author Graham Twist. Despite hard living conditions and a distinct lack of money, a strong community spirit prevailed and families and neighbourhoods were close-knit. The womenfolk in particular took great pride in their homes, however humble, and scrubbed their front steps and swept the areas in front of their houses religiously. In these tough times you hoped nobody noticed you going to the 'pop shop' to pawn precious valuables to get enough money to pay the rent or buy food for the family.