Ice Cream Van Memoir Tip

The sound of an ice cream van is like a time machine to childhood summers. When did you last hear that cheerful jingle? They don’t seem to be around as much as they were.

The easiest way to guarantee we got an ice cream was to get my younger brother to ask for it.

Did you have a favourite ice cream treat? Mine was and still is a plain Mr Whippy – no cone. When I was younger it was smothered in strawberry syrup but nowadays just the plain ice cream is enough.

Memory prompt: Write about a time you ran out to catch the ice cream van. What did you buy? Who were you with? Did you ever miss it?

Journal exercise:

• List your top five childhood ice cream van treats.

• Describe the sound and feeling of hearing the van approach.

• Write about an ice cream-related memory that still makes you smile.

I know this isn’t really ice cream weather, what with it being mid-February, but it can at least transport you into summertime and bring back some lovely summer memories.