The attic yielded many finds last week. This was one of the best. I really wanted to find this article two years ago, for the 70th jubilee of the coronation (Queen Elizabeth’s, of course), as I was born in 1953. My father must have bought these reins that year, ready for me when I eventually started walking. I believe he and my mother had a very long wait, as I was practically inert until I was about 18 months old. ( I can hear some of you thinking how little has changed…)

Anyway, the point is I can remember wearing these before I was confident enough to go walks just holding someone’s hand. Do people still use reins nowadays? Are they a deprivation of liberty? Or a sensible way to go for walks with a curious child? Have they come back into fashion? I don’t think I used them with my own children – certainly not beautifully embossed leather ones.