Maggie/915

Your Dad was a kindly sort. I can't believe he ever clipped anyone around the lugs. Not unless they needed a little help to behave. Today they would be seen as having 'Attention Deficit Disorder' or in need of help for 'Hyperactivity' Drugs or therapy?

Tynemouth World War 1 commemoration project is worth a look. Their information is set to go live on June 28th this year. The date is an anniversary of note! Their information on the First World War and the associated events are worth a look. Today there have been several talks at North Shields library. Excellent

Now Symptoms :- What's wrong with heavy?

I think people on both sides of the Border have a shared history and outlook on life. I feel,often, I have more in common with attitudes and ideas of people in Scotland than in other parts of England. However we all move around so much these days, no one can make rash generalisations. I have to declare an interest as four grandchildren were born North of the Border. I do not like the prejudiced thoughts of either side.

Happy Days

I think this guy used to cycle from Pegswood to Bedlington each day. The film Ken Russell made in the 60s features him and then he is in the follow up film that was made in the oo's. If I am correct, he was in a brass band, and talks to Ken Russell in the bottom club.

Today on Radio 4 at 3:45 there was a new series of essays on the topic of the Anglo /Scottish Border Crossings. Katrina Porteous was first exploring the history of the Northumbrian Hills. Worth a listen and worth recording our own thoughts. My early thoughts are linked up to the poem Lochinvar. Chivalry , bravery and a touch of history.

Symptoms , have you seen 'Purely Belter' the film or read the book 'The Season Ticket' Sometimes what you think you hate can change to maybe not love but respect. Pushing my luck! Sting's The Last Ship' is very very good. The imagery he creates is second to none. Even 'Balthazar's Feast' makes an appearance.

There was Merrydown Cider sold in the South which later had to be classified as a wine. Mandy s are immortalised by Ian Dury!

Yep

Stagey Bank Fair! In the Northumbrian this month an article on the old Drover Roads informs me that there was a huge fair at Stagshaw Bank. It is the junction of the Roman Roads that followed the Hadrian's Wall and Dere Street. Evidently, at their peak, the fairs held here on Whitsun Eve, July, August and October were reckoned to have been the second largest livestock markets after Smithfield. Maybe that is where we got the statement about an untidy house being 'Stagey Bank Fair'

This months Northumbrian Magazine has an article by Gordon Wilkinson How a Pub Makes a Name for Itself. In the article he explains that during the Second World War sometimes beer was in short supply. The Barrington Arms took action! When beer was available a monkey was placed in the window to let locals know to call in for refreshments.

The meetings are held in the Bedlington Christian Fellowship Church on the last Monday of the Month Sept To May (except Dec) at 7:30! Our forum Meetings seem to clash 28th Oct 24th March These meetings start at 6:30 Slight conflict of interest, maybe no one would want to go to both.

24th February 2014 at 7:30 The life and times of Canon Whitley a talk by Reverend Ian Hennebry Bedlington History Society Coffin Chapel

No Symptoms, get a ticket! Michael Chapman, and Kathryn Tickell involved. You might even get to like Sting's music.

'Tyne' a production first performed at the 'Live theatre' and featuring some of Sting's songs is on for best part of a week at the Theatre Royal starting on the 4th March 2014. There is a post show talk after the performance on the 4th.

I am informed some individuals drank 'Cherry-bee and cider'. I think that must have been lethal !

Happy Birthday from me too!

Agreed Symptoms. Cuthbert then Bede, not to sure about dates though!

Maybe that is significant Canny Lass. The meaning 'Pray' Saint Cuthbert's body here in Bedlington , maybe led to 'praying' and an early church (wooden) Then maybe Bede took his name from the word or from our own little town. Either way experts can only guess at life so long ago. The names of places are often the only evidence.

Interesting how far our ancestors strayed from the NE. I have found some on a website in America but you have to join the clan to catch up with them. Then there is information I could give to some on a Sand Dancers website but again it is give us all your details before we can include you. Sometimes things are harder with the internet.

Eggy sometimes the so called experts get it wrong. They form opinions based on limited knowledge. Remember not a lot was written down and they can make guesses that become fact!

The cd is now a firm favourite with our Grandkids. The Jimmy Nail track is the first to catch on , with everyone shouting 'what have we got' The next to catch on is Dead Mans Boots. The Ballard of the Great Western is great story telling. Basically you need to have bought this one yesterday. Even you Symptoms!

Thanks Eggy. Seems a shame we all have grass and paving stones instead of those wonderful veg plots. Soon we will all be going back to growing our food with pigs and chickens in the wash house. My mother used to feed the birds and my Dad reckoned the birds had lettuce sandwiches. Eating peas in the garden, far better than any sweets. Scallions, beetroot, carrots , new potatoes dug up before hey got too big. Nostalgia pure and simple!

Who is the 'Workie Ticket'? This is the question. Has anyone read Sting's Autobiograpy. That would give you lots of anecdotes!