Thank you natives for your helpful input.

Ian - thanks for the insight into the Black Country people and their livestock. (It reminds me of my school biology teacher on the tapeworm, saying it was common in developing countries because they kept pigs in the houses like members of the family. Probably frowned on to say that now!). I knew I'd find out about fodes eventually.

Dave - I did ponder over brews's when I was writing it out, but wasn't sure. Thanks also for the clarification of the game names. (Back home in Middlesbrough I don't think we had a proper name for Jack rap the door. It went more along the lines of: "Let's knock on X's door and run", and then we did. How we'd laugh at you posh Southerners with your names for everything).

Mick