‘With the exception of asking for a “penny for the guy” in November, the most widespread custom in the London child’s year was formerly the building of a “grotto”… The basic building material for a grotto, at least in the nineteenth century, was oyster shells’
          (Steve Roud, The English Year)

‘Today the usual request of the grotto builders is, “Please sir, remember the grotter”’
          (Iona and Peter Opie, The Lore and Language of Schoolchildren)

Long days in the summer, making oyster shell grottos with the kids from our street. We make them carefully. By the side of the road, all along the curb, little domed structures begin to appear. We shape them, stacking shells on top of one another, making dumpy bell-shaped buildings with a door at the front. One by one, piece by piece, empty shells become walls and lintels and roofs – making rounded structures that look like beehives. We decorate them, pushing pieces of coloured china into the cracks in the walls to catch the light. We make little gardens out in front. Patterns of flowers and moss and glass and feather and bone laid out carefully on the pavement. When they are ready, we display them. People passing by stop and look and we ask them for money.

‘Remember the grotto, sir’…

That’s the phrase, isn’t it? That’s what makes people stop and turn and put their hand in their pocket? It’s a bit like penny for the Guy. A way for street kids ...