Canny lass

It's the same Word Maggie. (Scandinavian origins: Old Norse  hald which became Modern English hold by way of Old English heald). Compare 'The fire's taken a hold' and 'hold on' - both implying that a grip is taken.

Bill Stafford had an Royal Navy background as well, so he and Mr Johnson certainly had lots to talk about over their pints in the Cherry- Tree. Is that pub still around?

A Little late but sincerely wished - Happy Birthday Adam.

Happy birthday Smudgeinthebudge.

Happy birthday Micky. Never mind how many Candles there are on your cake. There are things called fire extinguishers available these days.

Where at the Top End was that Paul?

Well done Keith! Now you've got the job leave the fishnet stockings at home and go for a 15 denier light tan stocking. Stockings, I reiterate, stockings NEVER tights!

Very good, Tonyg!

It played a great part as far as women go, Adam. Employing a married woman meant possibly having an employee who would be asking for maternity leave as soon as she was employed - or worse, taking time off to look after poorly Children who had to stay away from school for the day. One of the oddest questions I ever had in an interview was "what does your father do for a living?" RVI, Newcastle 1965. I never could work out how his job could affect my ability to study nursing. 

That's the one Vic! That brought back a few memories. I nearly got my skippy ropes out but settled for a spot of tap dancing instead.

I remember that from the 1950's HPW! We used to sing it and skip (with a skipping rope) to the tune. I can't remember the name of the tune, if indeed I ever knew it, but I often Heard it played by the brass bands at the Picnic. Some kind of march I Think.

Where ever it is it can't be standing too steady. Wouldn't it have been easier to undo the nuts and bolts? I Think it say's something about the mentality.

The people on this site are an absolute mine of information!  I've learned loads about computers, cameras, astronomy, local politics, leek-growing and now quail breeding. I'm impressed!

Happy Birthday Brett!

I Think you are confusing dialect with county, Adam. You are a Northumbrian but so is a Geordie. You both come from Northumberland. Nowadays you both speak Geordie. There are very few, if any,  who speak Northumbrian. It's an archaic dialect.

Not often you're wrong HPW but you're right again! The ranch was on the left as was the "set-pot" for boiling the pigs food. I Think I even remember a sign above the gate which sait "the ranch".

Only 7/10 for me! I'll have to get home more often!

A question: Did you all get the Word "kets". I've never Heard this in the plural form. I've only ever Heard "ket" and then not only with the meaning sweets. My parents used the Word "ket" to describe anything that was rubbish. That could be anything from sweets to furniture to TV programmes.  

1958

Oh Wilf! Where have you been? I've missed you.

David must be very proud of himself! He's even made a note of his mental age.

That's him HPW!

Black pitch! Throughout my first pregnancy HPW. It was hard to find though.

You mean your cat has a mobile phone Merc! Impressive!

I beleive the Francis pit shaft was bricked up and covered with girders/Railway lines in the early 50's after Granny Watson's son (20 third street) fell in and died there.

We Always called it Choppington Lonnen, to distinguish it from the 'other' lonnen that went past the club and on towards Short's Farm and Hepscott. That was sometimes called the Black Lonnen but more often than not it was simply called the Lonnen.

I can certainly remember Writing letters to get information on industry, Maggie, but I never got any trips out to see any pop stars. However, I did get enough Fairy Household Soap to keep my mother happy for over a year.