In my life in Bedlington, humour was used as a way of diffusing arguments.

I wonder if that is still the case.

Gallows humour.

I think I lay my neck on the line quite regularly Maggie, many a wife would not have been as long suffering as mine, thats for sure. I would rather an argument be defused by a joke, gallows humor or not, than for it to fester. Ah what the hell, life on the edge can be exhilerating sometimes.

My Gran had a parrot they taught to swear.

Not sure what they did when the vicar come to tea.

I was brought up to accept that humour was essential in life.

Not to take offence.

When answering questions about my family.

I asked how the other person was, she simply said I am still walking.

I believe another answer is I am still breathing.

Brilliant!

Humour and Music - the great bridging of gaps.

And when us blokes were kids it was football. Stick a bunch of kids in the middle of a field with a caser and you were all happy as Larry. They reckon my football playing was a cross between Moore and Charlton - Sir Patrick Moore and Eddie Charlton!!!!! (Naw, I was quite good actually.)

I hate to do this but swearing has a part to play in our town.

Haddaway and sh---!

Sounds like a firm of solicitors my better half suggests!

Or the worst one 'Bu---- Off.

Discussed years ago at the History Society it was suggested it was from Beggar Off! The beggar was a strain on the parish resources.

The guy at Barrington who murdered his wife and buried her in the garden is alleged to have sung, only a Rose in a Garden of Weeds.

Gallows humour

i can remember my mother talking about the tale of a man singing just a rose in a garden of weeds at barrington . that is some years ago .

I thought it was just a joke, until I read about the murder!