Richie13

I totally agree with you there, I'd never seen anything of the like before.

I can remember watching the news when I got in from work with the constant replays of the crashing planes, and I can remember having this feeling of vulnerability. Not that it was going to happen to me, but thinking that if these nutters could do such a thing then what next? Was anyone safe anymore?

I was working for the CSA in Gateshead, although I was too embarrassed to tell me mam & dad, so I used to tell them i was a drug dealer instead. Anyway, we were on the 8th floor and one of the lasses' husbands rang in and told her and she told everyone else. Loads of the lasses were panicking in case we were next. Dozy buggers.

Haha, nah, you've not taaked me to sleep, but if me boss catches me clarting aboot on me ipad at work I'll be wearing me nuts as ear rings. I haven't seen your youngin' for a long time, they used to be regulars at our house every weekend. I don't think my dad's seen him for a while either, although he does cycle up to Bedlington now & then and I'm always telling him to pop in. I'm sure Jimmy'll have summit to say, I've never known him be short for words My dad has seen your photo stream on Flickr cos I was the one that showed him it. Being into photography I'm always on there and I somehow stumbled upon it, I sent the link to me dad and he replied saying it was yours. I'm currently pestering him to register on this site, so you may get to talk to him as well. I don't know if you have any contact with Foxy at all but I'm sure he's visiting me dad in the near future, you could cadge a lift off him, I know me dad will be pleased to see you. Aye he still sees Joe & Sue regular, normally at least once a week, and Joe's still mad crackers about motorbikes, he has a Blackbird now, and a smaller one that he built/repaired, maybe summit like a Hornet? About the Capri, Betty took some convincing to let us in amongst it like. All the other cars were never a problem, but she was very reluctant with that one. Two young, teenage lads dicking about in a brand new car, what could possibly go wrong?

I'm a bit late to this thread, but anyway.... I was living in Plymouth at the time, in a big house with 6 others. I'd been out on the Saturday night with the mrs and had spent the night at her place, so at about 9am on the Sunday morning I'd just got back in and was wedging open the kitchen door when the landlord came in and said, "Shame about Diana isn't it?" Then he told me. Like others have said, I've no particular connection to the royals but i was shocked none the less. In true Brit style I put the kettle on, sparked up, kept calm and carried on

Aye, I knew both Betty & Ridley well and I agree with your assessment of Ridley, he was quite a character. He was never one to hold his tongue, a spade was a spade, and a great sense of humour. I remember when I got a CB in the 80's and was talking to him about it, how you had to have a 'handle' ect. I asked him what his handle would be, he thought for a second then said, "Borstid cooch, because I look like one." When Betty was at Elliot's me and David (her grandson - the one I'm trying to trace) used to go along and she'd let us sit in the cars and 'play' inside them. We were probably between the ages of 9 to 13 or 14-ish at the time, so this was great fun to us. I remember they had a big, white flashy Capri with all the body kit on ect, when she let us loose on that we were chuffed (I was informed it was a 2.8 fuel injected turbo from Tickford). Guitar-wise I play owt really. In the past I've normally had black & white strats but for a change I bought an Ibanez electric guitar a couple of years ago, I'll maybe post some pics on here if that's allowed? I really don't play as much as I should nowadays, there's always something else needs doing, as you'll know. But....I know you and Foxy through my dad really. I have been to your house, although it was probably knocking on 30 years ago now. I know Jimmy & Joan and I was at Julie & Alan's wedding back in the 80's. I know you'll probably never guess so I'll just tell you. My dad is Billy Lewis (of Millfield) and he used to work down the pit as well. His parents (Nellie & Tommy) used to live next door to Betty & Ridley. It's all become clear now hasn't it?

Been registered on here a couple of years and I've just realised I haven't posted any kind of introduction. Basically, spent my childhood growing up in Bedlington (Millfield & Beatty Road) and although I still live in the north east it's not Bedlington. Although I *will* return one day. My parents are both from Bedlington and my dad, at least, is known to a couple of people on here (foxy & high pit wilma), although I don't think he's registered on here. Yet. I haven't posted on here much, but I'm a quiet lad. More of a reader than a poster mostly.

Welcome! You're the third person I know on here (we worked together at Fergie's in the early 90s). Long time no see.