Maggie/915

I have the folk tale, but I am going to have to scan etc to put it on the web site. The book was given to me in 1955 for good attendance at the Glebe Road Sunday School! Apologies if I do not succeed! It is the thought that counts! Some might say!

Hope the school hall is still there! I think these recollections could be turned into a great situation comedy. Gritty real life in the true North, names changed to protect the innocent.

Remember we are North of the wall! Lots of our names indicate we were Border Reivers, with our own laws. Blacklaw, Greenlaw, the names are still there. Surnames and place names!

Wonder if the older generation can still go for lunch at the old school. My mother used to go along in the 90s before she died. Would be good to have a look at the old place, vestibule and all. Do not get wound up HPW, not good for the heart.

Obviously, I know little when it comes to computers. How do Twitter and Facebook make money? Can people who blog make money? If money, or lack of it, is an issue, maybe we should all pay an annual fee. The papers, films etc are all full of web piracy. The banks and governments appear to worry! How do lesser mortals, enjoy the benefits of a World connected whilst fearing the whole damned thing. Our children and grandchildren can be at risk. Can we make it safe! This is the wrong forum but it is current!

Radio 4 today at 11.30. Soul Music. All about the track Shipbuilding, Elvis Costello, Robert Wyatt.

I personally have not been involved in any war but I appreciate the people who have! They have allowed us to live a peaceful life. We have food shelter and a life is safe! If we are ill we can get help. I do not think Bedlington is a war zone.

Your doing fine HPW, our memories are all subjective and personal. In Bedlington sharing those memories is important. Your are second to none, brilliant

The site is fine and a credit to all who use it! I have really enjoyed the postings, there are so many going back years.

Maybe later 70/71! I think Ken Russell did his film round about then.

The website has very valuable historical and general interest subject information, gathered over a number of years. Bedlington is the reason we all come together, however the Internet, I think, makes us insecure for very valid reasons. The reason I am concerned is simple. People on sites have sold information for commercial gain. I am not assuming this is the case, but we all need reassurance that our ramblings are not subject to benefit any company or individual unless it is for the benefit of Bedlington and our Community. My concerns are not aimed at the management of the site, you all do a great job. Some things on the Internet are beyond our control. The reason for Avatar names is proving the point and no matter how many times you tell me Brett, I will always have concerns. I can only say sorry, I do not think you are 'Reptilian Overlords'.

Kathryn Tickell is touring again with her Northumbrian Voices. Warwick Arts Centre is too far but beg or borrow and get to Rothbury to see her and her crew. I believe she plays Rothbury on the 17th March

Saturday night and no room at the Inn. Actually the restaurant! They are doing well, Dun Cow or not.

Our stories are all here on the site already. We need ownership to be established. Do we own the site and contents or do the owners of the site benefit in total from our stories.

Someone send a search party out Foxy has gone missing. We forgive you for not having the photo in full. Wind ups are ok. Maybe the landmark is a pub, and Foxy is not missing.

Good idea and under members only.

For the people by the people! Shared ownership or else! Curtains.

Thanks Brett

Tonight on Countryfile, Northumbrian dialect.

The Wharton Arms had leaflets on Synergy being the largest independent rehabilitation centre. I had no idea!

Clay pipes, amazing if illegal memories. One of my kids did a radio show and asked the question:- In what period of history would you have liked to live?' His answer was to claim he would have liked to have been a teenager in the 60s 70s. We did just fine, long hair, music etc Ian Dury describes our lives in a song. Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll. And Clay Pipes! Look what you started Paul Mann

My Uncle George died in Burma on the 17th March 1944. His church magazine ran an article on him in June 1944 price two pence. In the article they quote Rudyard Kipling:- 'When you're wounded and dying on Afghanistan plains And the women come out to cut up what remains, Just crawl to your carbine and blow out your brains, And go to your God like a soldier. Different times, different ideas. We have never been involved in a war like this in our life times. People used to talk about suicide pills if you were caught in a war. We need to remember we have lived in a golden age and thanks to others sacrifice,(including Emily Wilding Davis who died 100 years ago in June) we live vote and have freedom.

Right here goes:-

Sure Malcolm, use the picture. Pity it came out the wrong way. ' plans of Mice and Men' I have other Bedlington bottles if you want more pictures. May take me time to find them. Invalid stout was I think sweet Guinness type ale. Ginger Ale is to aid the digestion as far as I recollect.

I joined the clan at Westridge from Nedderton at a later date than you, so I was not there those first days. Your memories sure stir up some ghosts for me HPW. You have an amazing memory. Mr Abrahart, his history lessons were inspirational. Cannot imagine being so involved with local history without his input. With his style of dress and ties he made History trendy, I suppose he was a Dan Snow before Dan Snow. I remember all the other teachers but stayed under the radar, so was never in trouble. Quiet revolutionary. My kids and grandchildren do not believe me. However our opinions were nurtured at Westridge and I think we all became rounded individuals thanks to their guidance. I know of characters who did not take up Grammer School placements in order to go to Westridge. One girl turned up from another secondary and had to return to her original school. We felt no need to take the 13 plus. We did Northern Counties and in only one year we did the syllabus for O levels. Now one argument for getting rid of Middle Schools is that they need extra time for exam preparation. They could well examine what worked so well for us at Westridge. Music has a special place in my life. One son says if you say you do not like Mum's music she plays it until you do. I now find I like strange music that they make me listen to. My Gran in Bedlington had a wind up gramophone which was brilliant when it wound down playing MacNamaras Band. And you tell the kids these days and they don't believe you. To quote Monty Python!