Bookies Runners

[Maggie/915]

Prior to May 1961 most pubs it seems had bookies runners because there was no legal gambling.

Bill Kerr's book about Ashington and the Portland is interesting about this topic.

I remember my Dad putting bets on in Bedlington.

Sometimes the language was a little over the top.

'Up and down shift a double'

No idea maybe it was just a wind up!

Now gambling is everywhere!

I wonder how much is manipulated by the people involved.

Basically this topic is past present and future.

Will our kids and grandkids gamble.

[keith lockey]

Maggie, the Bedlington Terrier pub had many bookie's runners, i knew them well through drinking there, though didn't bet myself. But yes, they were a feature of pubs.

[Tonyp]

Yeah Kieth,

You were spot on there with that one they even had the betting slips on the dartboard in the main bar Vic used to let them use the terrier

phone no mobiles then I think josh Myers had the first one it was like a house brick lol,anyway the locals in the terrier couldn't be bothered to go to bedlington or the station to put the bets on so they had the runners from the betting shops in the pub for them. I think

They got about 5% of the stake for receiving the bet,you have to remember the pub was chocker from 11 to 3 in them days..Will not

Mention the runners names incase it causes offence but they basically did it for a few pints & a bit of socialising,I think you knew there names Kieth good old friendly days.....

[keith lockey]

Yeah, Tony, remember them well. Alas they are all gone now.

[Ovalteeny]

My Dad used to put all his bets on, in the Terrier, always signing his betting slip with SKID.

[paul mann]

Great topic, real bit of colour, wish I knew something about it. Remember my mam saying there was a bookie's runner came door to door at West Lea. He usually gave our house a miss because it was the polis's house. Didn't stop my mam having the occasional couple of bob on though. That and the football pools. do they still do the pools?

[Maggie/915]

Bill Kell's (not Kerr) book gives details of the illegal bookies runners in Ashington.

Obviously in Bedlington names must stay secret but I do believe a lot became legitimate after 1961.

Being against the law would rule you out Paul , as the Polis' son.

Bets were collected from the door but could be 'put on ' in the Club.

I personally have never been tempted to gamble.

Maybe if I knew more about the horses it could be exciting.

I suppose now we can gamble on anything.

Even National Lottery, can we accept that the money collected goes to good causes.

Some people can become addicted.

Do they live in the hope or dream that the win will change their lives.

[Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)]

The Grapes always had one in the 60s & 70s - source of income for some - ex miner from Dr Pit, hurt in detonator blast - income was UB + selling veg from multiple gardens + bookies running (including half's from punters). So it's Online bookies accounts that have crippled the benefits system and forced entrepreneurs to claim extra. I blame Thatcher.     

[Ovalteeny]

Closing down loop-holes in the "black economy" always has it's negative side. I blame Thatcher too.

[Symptoms]

I blame Thatcher for everything that's cruel and unfair in Blighty.  Oh, and I blame her for the rise of that war crime thug Blair. 

[Tonyp]

Hi Sym I do believe thatcher actually liked Blair maybe the son she wish she had

[Tonyp]

Maggie I was in Australia in the summer & the only place you could get a bet on was in the pub maybe Brian Cross could tell us the rules on that one.

[Maggie/915]

In 1961 who changed the rules on gambling!

I wonder if it was just a money making exercise for the government.

I have very mixed feelings on gambling.

My Dad enjoyed following the 'horses'

I enjoyed the old card games prior to TV.

Playing for Matchsticks or Two and a half pence.

Newmarket , Dark Horse.

Anyone remember Stop the Bus card game.

[Tonyp]

As long as u didn't shove a penny at the fairground

[Maggie/915]

Hidden meaning Tonyp?

Or is it stating what you did in the past!

[Tonyp]

Sorry Maggie meant drop a penny to try & get more like that game on tv with Ben what's his name,mind you I never won on that one

[Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)]

Late 1960's - Saturday afternoon and most of the lads would be in the bookies on Palace Road. Raymie Tyrie used to buy a Daily Mirror and would often follow 'Spot_Form ' as he once managed 5 (or 6) winners in a row winning about 6 weeks wages (BUDC) in one afternoon. But that only ever happened the once in the years they were betting.

Me - I went home whilst they gambled and watched the Telly Goons - don't even bet on the Grand National.

[HIGH PIT WILMA]

Heh heh!...a little bit late on catch-up Community chat,as usual,but saw this and HAD  ti gie me tuppence - worth!

Aa was brought up by a smaal-time hobby gambler Father,who never in his married life,ever went two doors alang ti thi Bookie's runner.

[before a was born..he used ti  gamble he's pay away every week,at his Family's houses,amang themselves.]

But when we moved ti Hollymount square,he used ti send one the bairns ti thi runner,who,in the early 1950's ,had the phone in..I heard that the racecourse paid for it to be installed,but not sure aboot that!..[he was thi only one apart from the doctor and Aad pit Engineers who had the phone in,that we knew of!]

Anyway,fast forward till aa was aboot 10 years aad,and it became MY duty ti tek me Faatha's bets alang,and collect he's winnings.

10 YEARS AAD!!...thi runner used ti aalwis try it on wi me faatha,and a bet a lot of others as weel.

My Faatha's Faatha,was a bookies runner hese'l,and my Faatha knew ivery trick of thi trade.

When thi runner gave me thi winnings ,me Faatha was AALWIS short...sometimes even just a ha'penny.

Me Faatha used ti gaan leet wi me..."Hadaway back n' tell thi bugga,a had a three-cross-double on shifting the double,and aam a haapinny

short....."...[this is grained inti my brain..cos it was nearly every night]

So a wad gaan back ti see Mr S......and he wud reckon up on a bit of paper in front of me,explaining hoo the bet worked,and said me Faatha was wrang!.

Me Faatha wud send me back wi it written doon,and the runner aalwis gave in and paid me Faatha..who used ti brag ti me  that "thon bugga canna tell me owt aboot gammlin.."

Noo,looking back on aal that scenario,which was nightmarish for a bairn ti be thrown between two grown men arguing owa a haapenny,seeing as his Daughter was one of my friends at school and at home,and a luvly family,aa often wonder if he just gave in ti me Faatha,cos he cud see the anguish aa was gaan through,and didn't want ti prolonge thi agony for me.

Also,aam thinkin',if he was being accused of robbing me Faatha,why didn't he gaan alang and sort it oot man ti man?...a knaa aa wad o' dun!!

So aa grew up totally against gambling of any sort..even raffle tickets...lotteries...owt!!

A also grew up ti totally against alcohol,and smoking,cos a lived amang it!

Me marra's at thi pit used ti say ...."What DAE yi dae Wilma?...dae ye BREATHE!!!"...Heh heh!

[Vic Patterson]

Tanner each way on Piggott! (whatever he was on)