Vic Patterson

I think if you look at the old Miner's Picnics and you'd see that the mining community was a very close family that moved freely around the area, just look at the different pits that HPW worked in! and the names from all over the area that had Bedlington connections. I'm sure if there was an death underground you would find a Bedlington miner in the rescue or recovery team!

Caad tetties, chips, crisps or owt left on the dinner plate! there wasn't much of a loaf left after my brother and I had egg'n chips! Hmm!I think I know why I had that heart attack! O.T. Anyone hear from Canny Lass?

Great photos Fourgee, love the Lancaster, Hurricane, Swordfish and the "modern†Vulcan and Hunter

Happy birthday Tony, I hope your having a good one

My guess would be Wild Cherry! not from my limited knowledge but using the attached guide. (there are several out there) To use most guides you really need to be near the plant as it asks several questions, shape and type of leaf, opposite or staggered etc. (I'd bet my mom would have known!) http://www2.bgfl.org...ts2/tree_id.htm http://www.british-trees.com/treeguide/cherries/nbnsys0000003417

Driving around the Newcastle area is just like being in the U.K. The towns were often named after coal mining towns in England, Scotland and Wales, my relies were in Kurri Kurri. I'm sure our down-under friend Brian can shed some light on it!

A bit off topic, A few years ago while visiting Canberra I was lucky to visit the Australian War Memorial and saw the "Man with a Donkey†or "Simpson and a Donkey†statue, I hadn't heard of it before, but I was impressed. It was of John Simpson Kirkpatrick (from South Shields) leading a donkey with war injured men in Gallipoli in 1914. The sculptor had hoped that the donkey's nose would become shiny from children rubbing it, it did! Yes a bit more ambitious than this project, but the idea that people are encouraged to touch and "connect†with it (I did!) Yes it's still early days Malcolm but good for getting some ideas out there, I also like the"safety lamp" idea. http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/ART40993/

Just wondering, what do you think would represent the coal mines and lost souls? depending on the size and location I see the winding gear, (did it have a pit-yacker name?) tubs (betty's) and pit pony, pick,n shovels. Draeger gear. Our memorial is a miner setting a prop (so I'm told!) his cap lamp is illuminated. On April 28th there is a very well attended service for "Workers memorial Day†which is internationally recognised.

I would definitely suggest the Market Place, for me it is the heart of Bedlington, it has room for it without causing a hazard or disruption. FWIW our small park also has our Cenotaph, a Inukshuk and Town Insignia "Rocky the Ramâ€

A relative of mine Kilgour Reavley worked at the Isabella Pit at the age of 9 years! (1861)

Hope this works!!!

This is ours in Grande Cache, built by a welder at the mine. Grande Cache was only built in 1969 so there are 29 names on it, not a lot, still way to many.

Happy birthday Foxy, hope you have a good one.

From my own experience with this type of e-mail just opening the e-mail shouldn't cause your computer to be infected but opening a link in it will, just as your friend and family member did! The open link will go to your contacts list and spread the same e-mail.

Mona Taylor was a maternity home, my wife and first born were born there and Thomas Taylor's an old folks home, the grandfather-in-law past away there.

Red gravel used for walkways etc is often a by-product of a brickyard! (bin there and bought it)

I enjoy reading the very varied topics, I often feel like responding with my thoughts or opinions but I usually put it off until later, then I re-think it and don't post! (think twice, post once!) as I don't want to appear confrontational or argumentative! As I'm from B%$th I don't have a of Bedlington local knowledge to add, but certainly enjoy the input from others, keep on posting and others will follow, this Forum has certainly stabilized from a few years ago!

Nice shine on the boots, spurs on and his tunic buttons up the wrong way! or did they fasten that in those days?

Great to see it come home! and very thoughtful of the people to return it, I don't think it would be very difficult to back track it's journey from the fire!

Tarry Toot! Tar or pitch, used to seal leaky roofs etc, or the tar running down the side of the road (used to hold the chipping on the road) could be collected on the end of a stick or arrows! (used mom's best butter to get off hands knees) Monkey's blood, red raspberry flavour on your ice cream (if you didn't have a 99) Frogs spit! Frothy stuff that used to be on some plants, never found out why!

Happy birthday Adam, hope it's a good one!

Wellesley Nautical School, Our mom worked there!

Keith, Sorry to hear about Vicky, yes it was Micky ("Leedsâ€) Hurst as we called him. We travelled and built Woolco stores! he was a bit of a character!!

A work buddy of mine married a Vicky Buckham of Bolam, in the early 70's

Ah! the good old days..... (pre Union) Almost reads like like clothing industry in India! and many other third word countries!