Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)
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Posts posted by Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)
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Dear Symptoms
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.
Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
Always remember you're unique. Just like everyone else.
No one is listening until you fart.
So we will see you back here in 2018.
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Les Dawson was funny but definitely did not watch - 'An audience with............. - a dead person'. How sick was that and to have Lional Blaire on!
Anyway here are some Paraprosdokian sentances:-
Ø Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Ø Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
Ø The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it's still on the list.
Ø Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Ø If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong.
Ø We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.
Ø War does not determine who is right, only who is left.
Ø Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Ø The early bird might get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Ø Evening news is where they begin with "Good evening" and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.
Ø To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.
Ø A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.
Ø How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
Ø Some people are like Slinkies ~ not really good for anything, but you can't help smiling when you see one tumble down the stairs.
Ø Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.
Ø I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just wanted pay cheques.
Ø A bank is a place that will lend you money, if you can prove that you don't need it.
Ø Whenever I fill out an application, in the part that says "If an emergency, notify:" I put "DOCTOR".
Ø I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
Ø I saw a woman wearing a sweat shirt with "Guess" on it, so I said "Implants?"
Ø Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?
Ø Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.
Ø Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?
Ø Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.
Ø A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
Ø You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
Ø The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!
Ø Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won't expect it back.
Ø A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to hell in such a way you look forward to the trip.
Ø Hospitality: making your guests feel like they're at home, even if you wish they were.
Ø Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.
Ø I discovered I scream the same way whether I'm about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot.
Ø Some cause happiness wherever they go, others whenever they go.
Ø There's a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can't get away.
Ø I used to be indecisive, now I'm not sure.
Ø I always take life with a grain of salt, plus a slice of lemon, and a shot of tequila.
Ø When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.
Ø You're never too old to learn something stupid.
Ø To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.
Ø Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
Ø Some people hear voices, some see invisible people, others have no imagination whatsoever.
Ø A bus is a vehicle that travels twice as fast when you run after it as it does when you are in it.
Ø If you are supposed to learn from your mistakes, why do some people have more than one child?
Ø Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
Ø Where there's a will, I want to be in it.
Ø Buses stop in bus stations. Trains stop in train stations. On my desk is a work station.
This one makes sense.
I'm supposed to respect my elders, but its getting harder and harder for me to find one now.
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Wilma should definitely open a new topic on Pit Stories/Tales. The flattening of pennies on the track reminds me of when they showed us school kids how to make a knife, to play Split The Kipper, by placing a six inch nail on the rail track and it would be flattened like a knife blade when the next train went over it.HPW's tale of blokes being shifted when pits closed reminded me of my Uncle.
When he was four (1916 I think) he had his arm chopped-off when a coal train went over it. Him and his mates were trying to flatten pennies on the track (penny on rail, train wheel squashes it) when it slipped off and he attempted to retrieve it from below the sleeper but the weight of the approaching loco pressed the sleeper into the ballast trapping his hand, off came his arm above the elbow. Anyway, when he left school he got a job down the Algernon pit at West Allotment as a 'pumpman' ... a job he had his entire working life. When the Algernon closed he was shifted to Backworth, when that closed he went to High Pit, then onto Wheatslade. I remember him saying that most of his workmates went with him, although some of the younger ones moved down to the Midlands to work in some of their new 'superpits'. He was an amazing bloke who could do just about anything one-handed; roll a snout, open a box of matches and strike the match all in one movement, fasten shoelaces, knot a tie, peel tatties, etc. He had a false arm in a drawer but never used it preferring 'an empty sleeve'.
Oh, and he always gave me 'half a dollar' pocket money each week.
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Your dad will be Alan Lockey's hero if that old pic has a date on the back? Alan still trying to work out when it was built, and demolished.Part of my Dad's collection is this picture of the start of the 'Free Woods'.
You can see the bandstand over the grassed area.
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The old picture of the Co-op must be a good age I notice there is no bus stop sign on the telephone (telegraph) post. Spent many a time in the door ways after getting fixed up in the Rae Hall! But also spent many hours sheltering in the door ways whilst waiting for the Morpeth bus.Couple of shots of South Row (colour one was taken in 2004).
Also 2 pics of the CO-OP on the opposite side of the road.
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Now just listen here Wilma, just keeping getting wound up. There are loads, like 'tonyg' and me, that were turned away from the pits by parents that enjoy the stories. You should move off this Puddlers Raw topic and start a Pit Story page. I have one uncle left alive, born 1937, that worked at the pits, ended up at Bates, but has always lived in Choppington since getting married. Must be loads of good reading. I had a mate at the 'A' pit that they us to say - who's that little lad lad on the end of that cxxk?Anybody noticed hoo once a get wound up,a tek sum stopping!!
A write like a taak.....!Sorry if aav hogged the channel....[C.B.-speak...circa 1981!]
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As I will have passed that canteen every school day for six years on the way to Barrington CP you would think I could not forget where it was, but there is that very small doubut. I believe it was just to the left of this picture, a single story sandy coloured brick building. I am 99% sure. Doubt if we will ever find a picture, unless the canteen staff had an xmas party and invited The Management!Thanks John for clearing up my confusion aboot "Piss-pot raa",so it wasn't the slang name for Puddler's raa!
Eggy,the street to thi right of this picture ,sloping doon a slight gradient,was called "South row",or,as we used ti say,in the old days...."Sooth raa".
I worked with all the Hills family at different times,and different pits,as thi years rolled by.
Bobby Hills,and his Brother Billy were Coalcuttermen at thi "Aad pit",in this picture,and Norman,[cousin..i think...],worked at Bates Pit..as well as thi Aad pit.
They were all good workers,and nice blokes to work with.
For all i have vivid memories of my pit experiences,i'm snookered trying ti think where the Aad pit canteen was!!...a just canna picture it in me mind.
A can mind loads of blokes who worked there,when aa was transferred there in 1965,after Choppington high pit closed,aal the way doon from the bath's attendants,time office,lamp cabin,heapstead,shaft bottom,and aal the way inbye,and onto the faces!
And that's a lot of names in me heed!
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Chubby Brown on stage singing and 'pogoing' (if that's a word) -'You fat bastard, you fat ..........................................."I went to a seafood disco last week and pulled a muscle."
spat my tea out reading that one, brilliant.
"Two fat blokes in a pub, one says to the other 'Your round.' The other one says 'So are you, you fat bastard!'"
I have actually used this retort, to mixed effect.
The wife nearly wet herself.
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Read the previous Tommy Cooper one liners and thought I have some of them, and probably 80% not on this site, so:-
Due to considerable reader demand here are some more Tommy Cooper one liners.
Yes, he was brilliant!!
1 ... Two blondes walk into a building..........you'd think at least one of them would have seen it.
2. Phone answering machine message - '...If you want to buy marijuana, press the hash key...'
3. A guy walks into the psychiatrist wearing only Clingfilm for shorts. The shrink says, 'Well, I can clearly see you're nuts.'
4. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find any.
5. I went to the butchers the other day and I bet him 50 quid that he couldn't reach the meat off the top shelf. He said,
'No, the steaks are too high.'
6. My friend drowned in a bowl of muesli. A strong currant pulled him in.
7 ... A man came round in hospital after a serious accident. He shouted, 'Doctor, doctor, I can't feel my legs!'
The doctor replied, 'I know you can't, I've cut your arms off'.
8. I went to a seafood disco last week and pulled a muscle.
9. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly. They lit a fire in the craft, it sank, proving once and for all that you can't have your kayak and heat it.
10. Our ice cream man was found lying on the floor of his van covered with hundreds and thousands. Police say that he topped himself.
11. Man goes to the doctor, with a strawberry growing out of his head.
Doc says 'I'll give you some cream to put on it.'
12. 'Doc I can't stop singing 'The Green, Green Grass of Home'
'That sounds like Tom Jones syndrome. '
'Is it common?'
'It's not unusual.'
13. A man takes his Rotteweiller to the vet. 'My dog is cross-eyed, is there anything you can do for him?'
'Well,' said the vet, 'let's have a look at him'
So he picks the dog up and examines his eyes, then he checks his teeth. Finally, he says, 'I'm going to have to put him down.' 'What? Because he's cross-eyed?'
'No, because he's really heavy'
14. Guy goes into the doctor's. 'Doc, I've got a cricket ball stuck up my bottom.'
'How's that?'
'Don't you start'
15. Two elephants walk off a cliff...boom, boom!
16. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.
17. So I was getting into my car, and this bloke says to me 'Can you give me a lift?'
I said 'Sure you look great, the world's your oyster, go for it'
18. Apparently, 1 in 5 people in the world are Chinese. There are 5 people in my family, so it must be one of them. It's either my mum or my Dad, or my older brother Colin, or my younger brother Ho-Cha-Chu. But I think it's Colin.
19. Two fat blokes in a pub, one says to the other 'Your round.' The other one says 'So are you, you fat bastard!'
20. Police arrested two kids yesterday, one was drinking battery acid, and the other was eating fireworks. They charged one and let the other one off.
21. 'You know, somebody actually complimented me on my driving today. They left a little note on the windscreen. It said, 'Parking Fine.' So that was nice.'
22. A man walked into the doctors, he said, 'I've hurt my arm in several places'
The doctor said, 'Well don't go there anymore'
23.. Ireland's worst air disaster occurred early this morning when a small two-seater Cessna plane crashed into a cemetery. Irish search and rescue workers have recovered 2826 bodies so far and expect that number to climb as digging continues into the night.
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Alan - thought this would be rather easy for me, with a couple of relatives having lived around the Bank Top and the Oval for years, and still do. As kids, say 8 to 14 years, we lived down there. As yet no trace of anyone having a photo. Meeting older relatives in a couple of weeks and the subject will be discussed. So still only the picture from [http://www.bedlingto...y3/37/index.htm attachment=2855:Bandstand_Free_side.jpg]Just wondering if anyone out there has any pictures of the Bandstand that used to be on the grassed area near the furnace bridge....opposite the Halfpenny woods. Ive hunted hi and lo for shots of this, but cant find any anywhere. It used to be quite popular in the 60's, mainly with the salvation army playing, but i do remember a group playing there once, and it was very busy, and very noisy.
ALSO, can anyone tell me when the bandstand was demolished ?
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Friday - Three Horse Shoes my mate, who used to play cricket for Cramlington in the 60s thru to the -80s jumped straight in when I said 'Marley' and he said - Bill; Teacher; lived down Humford; played for Bedlington CC, smashing bloke. So looks like the links are there at the reformed Bedlington CC.My condolences to the family.
I did not know of the older generations, the teachers, but when you get back to researching the family I would give Bedlington Cricket Club a call. I see they have reformed and have a web site http://bedlingtoncc.co.uk/ . My memories of them is that I used to go out with a Hemsted in the late 60's and I recall the Hemsted's; Marley's; Straker's & Pearson's were all either related or extremely good friends. The current reformation of the club shows these names are still involved :-
President – Bill Marley
Chairman – Malcolm Straker
Committee – Elected officials plus Malcolm Humble, Malcolm Hemsted, Colin Campbell, Ian Campbell, Nick Carr, Lindsey Douglas.
p.s. and he still has a dustbin lid that he used in the back street at East Cramlington.
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Frog Spit - as described by Symptoms =
We used to chew 'tarry-toot'. Pick it up from where the roads were being laid or repaired. It tasted a bit like liquorice.
One lad used to eat it, he turned into a right cyclepath!
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The playing facilities are located….
Hirst Head, Bedlington, Northumberland, NE22 5QH ….this is not a postal address
http://bedlington.play-cricket.com/home/home.asp Play Cricket
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bedlington-Cricket-Club/14878136250 Facebook
https://twitter.com/Bedlingtoncc Twitter
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My condolences to the family.
I did not know of the older generations, the teachers, but when you get back to researching the family I would give Bedlington Cricket Club a call. I see they have reformed and have a web site http://bedlingtoncc.co.uk/ . My memories of them is that I used to go out with a Hemsted in the late 60's and I recall the Hemsted's; Marley's; Straker's & Pearson's were all either related or extremely good friends. The current reformation of the club shows these names are still involved :-
President – Bill Marley
Chairman – Malcolm Straker
Committee – Elected officials plus Malcolm Humble, Malcolm Hemsted, Colin Campbell, Ian Campbell, Nick Carr, Lindsey Douglas.
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Hope my 'grey matter' is still working in 20 years time. Tell him thank you and well remembered from me.I have been reliably informed that the streets which were located around the 'Bank Top' area were as follows -
Starting at what used to be Joe Jennings farm and shop including Mansion House now possibly 'Smiles' was Glassey Terrace. The first 7 houses were originally named Howard Terrace but the name was changed to Glassey Terrace as a result of misdirected mail as another Howard Terrace existed in Netherton.
Families living in Glassey Tce in the 1940s/1950s were -
1 - Storey
2 - Jobson
3 - Storey
4 - Watson
5 - Tait
6 -
7 - Hedley
8 - Moscrop
9 - Proudlock
10 - Hedley
11 - Andrews
12 - Brown
13 - Gregg
14 - Morton
15 - Gibson
16 - Wonford
Next came the Bank Top Hotel(opened in 1903) Landlord J McKenna.
To the left of the Bank Top pub was a row of about 4 cottages occupied by families McSparron, Cole and Thompson. These cottages were next to the Puddlers Arms which contained flats occupied by Bell, McGregor, Miller , Rooney. These were also known as Craggs Buildings. This collection of homes including the Puddlers Arms were eventually cleared to make way for what is now River View Close.
Continuing away from the Bank Top was River View -
1 - Turnbull
2 - Scoular
3 - Patterson
4 - Dodds
5 -
6 -
7 -
8 -
9 - Stanners
10 - Metcalfe
11 - Tipple
12 - Dawson
13 - Mood
14 - Hall
15 - Short
16 - Fenwick
17 -
18 -
19 - Douglas
20 - Coe
Staying on the right hand side of the road next came 'Puddlers Row'. These houses ran as far as number 2 Stead Lane across the area at the top of what is now Tomlea Avenue where the cottages are.
Families in Puddlers Row approx mid 1950s (some show numerous or duplicate names as families moved or swapped houses)-
1 - McGarry/McAndrews
2 - Donohoe
3 - McCafferty
4 - Conomy
5 - Noon/Odonnell/Tellum
6 - Thain/Furness
7 - Neary
8 - Mullarkey/Smallman
9 - Bellerby
10 -Carey
11 - Murphy/Bolam
12 - Nicholson
13 - Weatheritt
14 - Kelly/Snowdon
15 - Kinghorn/McCafferty
16 - Oliver
17 - Birch/Mulholland/Mole
18 - Easton/Craze
19 - Smallman/Walker/McCafferty
20 - Mullarkey/Earl
These houses led onto Stead Lane with the even numbers on the right as you headed towards Bedlington and the odd numbers (Doyles Shop side)on the left.
I also have an almost complete list of families for Stead Lane if anyone wants them posted.
Please note the information was compiled by my Father (who is now 84 years old and has lived at the Bank Top all his life)and a few old family friends whose names appear in the lists of families. I cannot comment on their accuracy or the exact dates as no records were used only 'grey matter' and memories.
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TO ALL THOSE WHO LOVE THE PHILOSOPHY OF AMBIGUITY
1. ONE TEQUILA, TWO TEQUILA, THREE TEQUILA, FLOOR.
2. ATHEISM IS A NON-PROPHET ORGANIZATION.
3. IF MAN EVOLVED FROM MONKEYS AND APES, WHY DO WE STILL HAVE MONKEYS AND APES?
4. THE MAIN REASON THAT SANTA IS SO JOLLY IS BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHERE ALL
THE BAD GIRLS LIVE.
5. I WENT TO A BOOKSTORE AND ASKED THE SALESWOMAN, 'WHERE'S THE SELF-HELP SECTION?' SHE SAID 'IF I TOLD YOU, IT WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE.'
6. WHAT IF THERE WERE NO HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS?
7. IF A DEAF PERSON SIGNS SWEAR WORDS, DOES HIS MOTHER WASH HIS HAND WITH SOAP?
8. IF SOMEONE WITH MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES THREATENS TO KILL HIMSELF, IS IT CONSIDERED A HOSTAGE SITUATION?
9. IS THERE ANOTHER WORD FOR SYNONYM?
10. WHERE DO FOREST RANGERS GO TO 'GET AWAY FROM IT ALL?'
11. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU SEE AN ENDANGERED ANIMAL EATING AN ENDANGERED PLANT?
12. IF A PARSLEY FARMER IS SUED, CAN THEY GARNISH HIS WAGES?
13. WOULD A FLY WITHOUT WINGS BE CALLED A WALK?
14. WHY DO THEY LOCK GAS STATION BATHROOMS? ARE THEY AFRAID SOMEONE WILL CLEAN THEM?
15. IF A TURTLE DOESN'T HAVE A SHELL, IS HE HOMELESS OR NAKED?
16. CAN VEGETARIANS EAT ANIMAL CRACKERS?
17. IF THE POLICE ARREST A MIME, DO THEY TELL HIM HE HAS THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT?
18. WHAT WAS THE BEST THING BEFORE SLICED BREAD?
19. ONE NICE THING ABOUT EGOTISTS: THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE.
20. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A CIVIL WAR?
21. IF ONE SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER DROWNS, DO THE REST DROWN TOO?
22. IF YOU ATE BOTH PASTA AND ANTIPASTO, WOULD YOU STILL BE HUNGRY?
23. IF YOU TRY TO FAIL, AND SUCCEED, WHICH HAVE YOU DONE?
24. WHOSE CRUEL IDEA WAS IT FOR THE WORD 'LISP' TO HAVE 'S' IN IT?
25. WHY ARE HEMORRHOIDS CALLED 'HEMORRHOIDS' INSTEAD OF 'ASSTEROIDS'?
26. WHY IS IT CALLED TOURIST SEASON IF WE CAN'T SHOOT AT THEM?
27. WHY IS THERE AN EXPIRATION DATE ON SOUR CREAM?
28. CAN AN ATHEIST GET INSURANCE AGAINST ACTS OF GOD?
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A fat girl served me in McDonald's at lunch time today.
She said: "Sorry about the wait.†I said: "Don't worry dear, you might lose it eventually.â€
Japanese scientists have created a camera with such an immensely fast shutter speed that it is now possible to take a photograph of a woman with her mouth shut.
2009 TOP SMART ANSWERS
6th Place
It was mealtime during a flight on a British Airways plane:
Would you like dinner?' the flight attendant asked the man seated in the front row.
'What are my choices?' the man asked.
'Yes or no,' she replied.
5th Place
A flight attendant was stationed at the departure gate to check tickets.
As a man approached, she extended her hand for the ticket and he opened his trench coat and flashed her.
Without blinking an eyelid she said,
'Sir, I need to see your ticket - not your stub.'
4th Place
A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at a branch of Sainsbury's but she couldn't find one big enough for her family.
She asked a passing assistant, 'Do these turkeys get any bigger?'
The assistant replied, 'I'm afraid not, they're dead.'
3rd Place
The policeman got out of his car and approached the boy racer he stopped for speeding.
'I've been waiting for you all day,' the bobby said.
The kid replied, 'Yes, well I got here as fast as I could.'
When the policeman finally stopped laughing, he sent the kid on his way without a ticket.
2nd Place
A lorry driver was driving along on a country road.
A sign came up that read ' Low Bridge Ahead.'
Before he realised it, the bridge was directly ahead and he got stuck under it.
Cars are backed up for miles.
Finally, a police car comes up.
The policeman got out of his car and walked to the lorry's cab and said to the driver, 'Got stuck, eh?'
The lorry driver said, 'No, I was delivering this bridge and ran out of petrol!'
SMART AxxE ANSWER OF THE YEAR 2009
A teacher at a polytechnic college reminded her pupils of tomorrow's final exam.
'Now listen to me, I won't tolerate any excuses for you not being here tomorrow.
I might consider a nuclear attack or a serious personal injury, illness, or a death in your immediate family, but that's it, no other excuses whatsoever!'
A smart-arsed guy at the back of the room raised his hand and asked,
'What would happen if I came in tomorrow suffering from complete and utter sexual exhaustion?'
The entire class was reduced to laughter and sniggering.
When silence was restored, the teacher smiled knowingly at the student, shook her head and sweetly said,
'Well, I suppose you'd have to write with your other hand'.
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Can anyone remember the miner's gala at the park, down Palace Rd, (where the station club used to play it's home football matches) and into the gates at Tanglewood Cottage?
I have now caught up within History Hollow, I have read all topics, and updated my on-line picture folder with some amazing pictures and memories, thank you all for that. In the topic 'What Do You Miss?' miners galas get a mention, but not for Bedlington Station. I can't find any photos in my old family albums, so I assume our box brownie was too expensive to get bout for the day. As I type this a thought has just popped into the old grey matter! As we did not have a miner in the immediate family was the only time we got tickets for this when neighbours were away on holiday? And that would be why there are no pictures to be found. Illegal entry. I remember getting a white bag with food, and I am sure a couple of bob, me mam would not have slept for a week.
So, Ian, even wearing the sleek white hot-pants to reduce wind resistance I assume our family I could never have entered any race, three legged, wheel barrow or sack, in fear of being spotted as illegals.
Have we any legitimates, or other illegals, that have evidence of this 'A' pit event?
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I have said this before - thanks for the memories. This topic brings a lot back and also adds a name to one of my stories. Ship 395 was the last ship, that without my intervention would probably have missed the boat. I left Blyth ship yard in May 1966, still the same age as when I started there, 16, and I never knew (or could remember) what name it was launched under. The Rogate will now be added to the story, I have told in many a pub, of how I ensured that ship got launched before the yard closed.
Left school expecting to get an apprenticeship, electrical, at the 'A' pit. No chance said me mam a pitman's daughter and 4 brothers in the pits, she had seen enough dust and coughing to last her. My first job from school, I remember ships 393/4 & 395. Conned by management to work in the General Stores until a vacancy came up in the Drawing Office. They knew it would never happen as the yard was on it's last legs. But I am glad that it happened, even though I escaped in May 1966 before the final closure. At 16 I had no idea what was going on but the pleasure that place gave me, then, and looking back is priceless. No wonder the Japanese could build ships cheaper than us. They did not have to paint the whole town whatever colour the latest ship was being done in. Almost every house in Blyth had a door/shed the same colour as the latest ship. The guy in the paint store, can't member his name just that he only had one leg, sold paint, ciggs, booze as well as pandering to the latest ships requirements. The Japanese blacksmiths did not have to make wrought iron gates for the foremen's drive ways, or basketball hoops, and fittings, for every gable end in Blyth. During the winter months the labourers could not be found to move flanges from the blacksmiths yard to the ship so welders and riveters stood idle. The labourers were busy keeping the foremen's stoves stoked up in the foremen's cabins. The general stores labourers would get one of the large wooden blocks, that were used in the dry docks around the ships keel, and bring it back to the store to be sawed up on the electric saw and made into bundles of sticks, for each foreman. Known locally as 'fxxxy' wood for the foremen to take home for the wives to light the fire and keep him warm at night! No idea how many blocks were used each month but they were always charged to the cost of the ship.
Can't remember which store had the copper pipe but I do know it came in 21ft lengths. Labourers would come in with a chitty for ship 395 for 3 x 5ft lengths. They would be cut but the whole 21ft was charged to the ship and the 'scrap' 6ft was cut into bait-box size pieces and distributed, on a daily basis, to all the store lads, including me, to be sold to your local scrap man.
I never saw what the carpenters were producing for the home. Saw what they did on the ships and it was fantastic. First encounter with a carpenter was when the store's manager was off at a meeting, I, at 16, was in charge and had to ensure the relevant team were informed when the GPO man delivered 395's ships bell from the foundry. The ship could not sail without it's identifying bell fitted. Bell delivered and GPO man left saying – 'see you tomorrow at 13:00 to collect the bell'. Can't remember who checked the bell was Ok but after checking the carpenter had to be told so he could build a crate for the bell. The bell had just arrived in a crate but a new crate had to be made! It would go off for engraving with the ship's name and where and when it was built. Carpenter came early the following morning, built the crate, and left. At 13:00 GPO man arrives –'where's the crate?, 'in the corner' my reply. 'Lids not fixed on, can't take that and got to be away in 5 minutes'. 'Hold on, I'll get a hammer and nails out of this massive store I work in'. Did that and lid nailed on and GPO man went away happy. I was beaming, quick thinking and the bell was off to be engraved and would be back in time to be fitted before the ship went off to sea on it's trials. Hero. Then I heard a union meeting. An unqualified person had been seen nailing a lid to a box and this could lead to a walk out! I had been seen putting the lid on the box by the person allocated to do the job. Two hours later the yard was back to normal. There would not be a walk out on this my first offence. I was to be reprimanded and it would never happen again. The union guy, 18 stone plus Terry Coppin, forman riveter pinned me to the wall with one hand and warned me – 'never do a skilled man's work again'. 'But Terry' I whimpered, 'the carpenter had left the lid off'. 'Yes' said Terry 'he had done the skilled job of making the crate. The putting on of the lid is unskilled work and that was to be done by the joiner, that saw you nailing it on'!
Not half pleased ship 395 completed it's ships trial and made it into service.
Thank you Foxy – I too owe you a pint, as long as you are a fully fledged skilled drinker.
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How could anyone forget Mr. Hunt, especially the rest of the teaching staff, all female. Not that I am saying he harassed females, he just liked getting close. But the main things I remember about Mr Hunt's class were:- 1/4" graphite pencils for italic writing AND THEN HIS ARRAY OF PUNISHMENT TOOLS = bamboo canes; walking stick; 4ft blackboard ruler etc. and that enormous grin he made to the rest of the class whilst one of us bent over a desk and he took aim. It never did us any harm, that I am aware of.I remember Mr Hunt.. He used to run the football team as well. I left this school in 1953 though. My brother Alvin may have been there in 1959
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Once again this new member dragging old topics back. Just to confirm the exact position of Barrington County Primary using Google Street View:-
Coming from Bedlington Station, through the pit and onto the Barrington Road the school was just before the house/shop (that I think I have read about in History Hollow but can't recall, the name) where R Watson's Haulage & Storage site was when Google Street view passed in 2009. I have not been able to find a photo of the school, other than class photos, just this painting:-
If you went straight past the school gates the track took you to 'The Clay Hole Pond' where the Class 6 pupils, under the guidance of Mr. Hunt, conducted Nature Studies once a week. Collecting into jam jars, for study in the Classs 6 large fish tank, were frog's spawn, frogs, newts (plain and crested), water boatmen etc. etc. If you did well in this class outing and recording back in class you got to attend Humford Baths for the weekly swimming lesson. I must be wrong but I can't remember ever getting a bus to Humford, Probably because we always walked from Coquetdale Place, with our 3d for 8 hours entrance money, to the baths.
Any way, if you carried on past the clay hole you came to Red Row, where one of the lads from class 6 lived, can't remember his name. Just that when we went to his house, on a weekend, to use the fibre glass boat that had been dumped in the pond, this lad's mam always made us chips and put them in a news paper cone so we could go straight back out and clart about.
As far as I can remember the Brick Works was approximately where there is a roundabout now, going back towards Bedlington Station, before Charlton's Removals (now closed). We were told the Brickworks used to get their clay from the area next to the school, hence the clay hole. I see the road off the roundabout is called 'Red Row Drive'.
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Do not know if they would give up info but The Journal was contacted by some Bedlington pensioners, that may have some info. There was an article in The Journal in January about the campaign to save the library so it's also possible that's all they know about, the library:-
Pensioners rally to save Bedlington Station library
Posted by The Journal on Jan 6, 10 11:20 AM in News
We'd like to hear from you.
Send your stories, pics and videos to northumberland@ncjmedia.co.uk
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You forgot to Roger the cabin boy! I These name lived with me for years until :-Captain Pugwash was great for the little we'ens was't it?....as weel!
Aye,great characters they had in them days,not like it is nooadays...wi aal this obscene stuff gaan on...aye,gud aad-fashioned characters like
Master Bates,and Seaman Staines..........wor kids loved it...it was SO INNOCENT... wasn't it?
Mind,it was my Son,in later life,who wisened me up,cos i was an old-fashioned "green" pitman............
Then there was the gud aad Cornflakes box,recently,giving tickets in a contest to see the new blockbuster film...starring the main character.....................
.........Owan Kinobi.......
Libel case regarding double entendres
There is a persistent urban legend, repeated by the now defunct UK newspaper the Sunday Correspondent, that ascribes sexually suggestive names – such as Master Bates, Seaman Staines, and Roger (meaning "have sex with") the Cabin Boy – to Captain Pugwash's characters, and indicating that the captain's name was a slang Australian term for oral sex.[2] John Ryan successfully sued both the Sunday Correspondent and The Guardian newspapers in 1991 for printing this legend as fact.[3] The origin of this myth is likely due to student rag mags from the 1970s.[4]
That's Wikipedia for you, telling it as it really is and ruining are memories.
Still a long way to go to bring me up-to-date with this site. Enjoying reading this topic but do not want to keep dragging you back to the topics you have already commented on :- Clayton Ballroom from 1965 - Roller Skating - Friday night dance, visits from Guidepost and Blyth lads wanting some of the action! Did they once try Wrestling at the Clayton?
Raisbecks bus - Melrose Terrace, Bank Top, Terrier route to Top End and as stated avoiding all the United bus stops, but picking up anybody anywhere and exceeding the number of passengers allowed to stand (squash to gether)., on a Friday
Fish & Chips - Wales and Patties - used them both, not on the same day. School days in 1960-65, kept me 5 bob dinner money so Monday to Thursday Moscadinies for half hour snooker & two bags of Tudor crisps with bag of salt. Fridays, sit in and have Fish, chips, bread & butter + glass of Tizer depending on how much money you had left by Friday.
Men standing at A pit (entry by Barton Rafie) - I think that's where the pit bus picked up the workers, next to the corrugated roof structure that would be shelter or push bike stand? ved it to be the first in the county.
Craigies disco - we always believed it to be the first discoteque in the county. Double Maxim looked like a point of engine oil. The landlady, can't remember her name absolutely loved it when a fight kicked off.
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A thought just popped in as I was about to 'Friday night' pop out - South Row?Brilliant, thanks for that, picture download and labelled - 'A Pit Entrance off Station Road'. I think I'm right in remembering the pit canteen was on the left and we used to go there f rom the secondary school and get a full dinner for 1 shilling. But that picture makes me ask the question (cos I can't remember) - What was the name of the street to the right of this picture. You can just see the road sloping down on the right. Hills, Caruthers, my age, and the younger Marshall twins all lived in this row. The row that was opposite Station Road and is now Blagdon Court.
Westridge Class Pictures From The 60,s
in Chat Central
Posted
Number 1 on westr1ithnames
Westridge 1
Number 1 Martin Henderson
2 Barbara Ridge
3 Susan Lindsay
4 Michael Routledge
5 Paul Hewish
6 Melvyn Jamieson.
directly behind Melvyn is Carole Johnstone
to left of numbers 4 & 5 is Brian Corner
to right of Susan (3) is Marjorie Mayes
Westridge3:-
Front Row. reading left to right
Carole Johnstone, Irene Ellison, Martin Henderson, Paul Hewish, Barbara Ridge, Michael Routledge, Melvyn Jamieson.
Middle row
Judith Oliver, Susan Lindsay, Yvonne Thompson, Marjorie Mayes.
Top row
Shirley Andrews, Alan Temple, Ann Graham, Brian Corner, Helen Hurst.