Canny lass

They are indeed Maggie. Thanks Bedlingtonian and welcome to the forum. My vote also goes to the Market Cross with Trotter's monument a Close second.

I'll bet they thought they were superstars on such a nice stage.

Thanks Brett! It's looking Lovely. It's a place with a lot of possibilities. I particularly like the 'mural'. A few of Malcolms park benches would look great alongside.

While on the subject of Front Street, I noticed some "Heritage Trail" signs on the walls of some Buildings (Excellent initiative!! We should be proud of our heritage and Bedlington's got a great deal to offer). However, I only came across these 'by accident' as it were. Where do I find more information next time I'm in Bedlington - hoping to get in a longer visit next year when I finally shut up shop and become an OAP. Is there a brochure of some kind that outlines the trail, and if so where would I get one?

Pleased to hear it! I was well impressed with how Front Street looked during my "flying" visit in December. It had a nice homogenous feel to it with so many shop-fronts in the same style, matching lamp- and signposts and even matching plant containers! I'd love to see it now when Malcolm's got his hanging baskets up so get some photos up here please.

Nice pics Foxy. Thanks for thinking of us. Is that a new bandstand at Atlee Park?

... and from me too!

Hi Bedlingtonian. Welcome to the forum. Sorry i don't know any of these people.' I'm not old enough' - well that's my story and I'm sticking to it! There's many an old codger here who'll probably be able to help you identify some of them.

I wonder where they've hidden the en-suite? Pot under the bed perhaps?

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".