Maggie/915

I agree about the demise of the hedgerows. So many are disappearing to be replaced by a fence or nothing at all. Hedge laying seems just not to happen these days.

Were Woodbines called 'Coffin Nails'. Then there was a joke about saving up for an 'Iron Lung' Green Shield Stamps maybe?

My guess is that Invalid Stout would be a little like Guinness but sweeter. To be taken for medicinal purposes only. That is until you got the taste for it and then who knows. Perhaps to chill at the end of a long day. Wonder what the alternative would be now in The Red Lion. I simply cannot think of it as 'Spoons'

Aye HPW it all brings back memories of a life well lived.

It could well be that the Inspectors are failed teachers. I have never understood how schools have got to do better year on year. How soon until there is nowhere higher to go and the only way is down. There are so many factors that seem irrelevant.

So exited at the new car I forgot to say Mini Car. Sorry for the confusion foxy.. The days of the mini skirt and car are good to remember. The older we get the more we remember the past. Fashion in the Carnaby Street days was something else. I remember everyone being well dressed in London. These days it all seems a little boring by comparison. mercuryg you have great memory for details. I simply remember the old car number plates. This new Mini is very quick away at the traffic lights even though it cuts the engine to save fuel.

I have just bought a new mini. First one I bought in the late 60s. So many memories. Then there is that film 'The Italian Job'. Not to mention jokes about 'Mini Me'.

Careful Symptoms . May have to start imagining you. Mind nowt wrong with the Deep South , however the Red Lion could now be said to be 'gentrified'.

Is there anyway to sign without giving an e mail address. I wonder if this will put people off signing Adam. There are still people with no internet access. Remember to give details of how the petition is going. ie how many people have signed to date. I wonder what publicity the cause could achieve. It makes one hell of a story. Injustice and maybe corruption. Perhaps merely self interest, money going to other towns. Bedlington from important to irrelevant. Only in the eyes of the people with the power. Arguments about all main roads not bringing people to our town apply equally to Blyth , Ashington and Morpeth. Even Cramlington! Morpeth may get a Northern bypass. Less traffic going through has never affected Morpeth. I believe things will change. They must ! Bedlington must become a priority to our elected leaders.

Good pictures HPW and a good looking garden. The balance of nature and wildlife. Harmony. Something achieved by our very own Bedlington in Bloom heros.

Hope the results of the fire are not too problematic pilgrim. Aga's always seem like a good idea but cooking takes on 'a work of art ' significance. Then there is a mental image of you typing while the house burns down. Symptoms humour again . Sorry.

The 'Dog Leap Stairs' are just up from Dene Street HPW under the railway bridge or down from near the Black Gate. All near the High Level Bridge. There is even a section of the Roman Wall to discover. Dire Straits sing about Down to the Waterline on there first LP. Circa 1976. I do not think you need to apologise for how you feel HPW . You have very valid reasons for being Tee Total. Your comments are educational. We, perhaps, all know people who turn unpleasant when drunk. The effects on peoples lives can be considerable. Sadly when addiction becomes a reality it is too late.

I have to admit to never even trying to smoke. Seems 'goody two shoes' but my Dad was a smoker and I hated the smell. He had a serious op in his early life and was told not to smoke. He continued and all the coughing etc alarmed me. He did stop but the damage was done. Emphysema cut short his life. We do learn some lessons the hard way. Another reason for me was cost, it always seemed crazy to burn money. I think that just one day potato picking meant a different attitude to money. Still applies to this day. Really hard to spend money, my children do not have the same problem. Bring back child labour. Obviously joking. The Symptoms effect!

I did not think it would take long for politics to emerge. Less than an hour. What was Malcolm saying ' it's all about politics'

It is good to hear your stories HPW. I grew up with the folks rearing pigs and chickens. Our pets were a dog and a cat. I can still remember the day the dog died. He had a long life and is still remembered by me. Animals and birds can bring out the best in people.

I am not keen on smoking but it is good to have a subject that is not political.. Well done Paul. Who will be the first to make it political? Yawn.

It certainly needs investigating. The why and wherefore /s. Even the sign posts on the A1 and A189 tell a story ! Bedlington with all its history has been edited out. One information post in Gallagher Park even misses Bedlington off. That is on an overview map detailing major towns ie Blyth Morpeth but not Bedlington. I have posted the picture elsewhere on the site . I will try to post it again. Well done Adam for trying to change things . Who know maybe someone somewhere will listen and do something. Just maybe the people with any influence will feel ashamed they have not acted before now.

It seems UKIP were out in force outside a Pub Landlord Gig, trying to persuade the audience. Maybe there really is no bad publicity . Turning a negative to a positive or could it be a positive to a negative.

Now now pilgrim that is an interesting thought. I don't think even you could keep up with the old 'Hells Grannies generation ' Handbags at ten paces and all.

Still have not found the picture. Sorry Maybe I could 'fake' a picture.

Anyone know where to buy the book? Bet it will be Ashington.

Thanks for that pilgrim. My mother tended to be the font of all knowledge for me . Sometimes I did not pay attention. Things to do kids to look after and that is not even mentioning work. Retirement allows a different view on life and parents. Where is that time machine when you need it!

Aye bluff and double bluff! Fact and fiction! Pencils and rubbers who says life is dull! I am not even mentioning politics! Maybe I am not keeping to the point! What or who will be erased in the months to come!

Not a problem mercuryg. You all looked to be having fun. Living in Bedlington there are always things to do, people to see.

I think Keswick has a pencil museum. Writing a book on how to sharpen the pencil is quite a task. It even 'makes a point'. You must have had a good birthday.