Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)

Only from my own little world Tony. Fortunately wherever I worked the break times were good. Shipyard & Civil Service 1960's & 70s - pre Thatcher - 1979. Normal day shift in the Civil Service was 45mins. Before Thatcher got in and shift work started in the Civil Service the management staff going onto the shifts (October 1961) were allowed to define the shift patterns. They had a choice when two shifts first started - 08:00 - 16:00 & 16:00 to 24:00 for 12 1/2% shift allowance or 09:00 - 17:00 & 17:00 -01:00 for 20% shift allowance. They chose the latter and no complaints + 1 hour lunch break! Even when we went to 3 shifts in 1980 we were allowed to keep the same times for the existing shift and the first shift started at midnight, one hour overlap with the other shift, and at the end we worked an hours overtime 08:00 to 09:00. Once that precedent had been set, in our little world, it was never changed. Always told the staff if they ever went into 'the real world' they would realize how well off they had been.

1) So everybody, politicians and Joe Public, are looking after themselves. Is it not the only way? No matter what the subject there are many points of view, if there were not David Cameron and Alex Salmon would never say anything but the truth and we would back them all the way! 2) Agreed 3) Owen Jones - picks out the bits he agrees with winds you up with the bits he doesn't. Take your pick - make your choice - enjoy the rest of your life. Some things in life are bad They can really make you mad Other things just make you swear and curse When you're chewing on life's gristle Don't grumble, give a whistle And this'll help things turn out for the best... And... ...always look on the bright side of life... (Whistle) Always look on the light side of life... (Whistle)

How about a pub and we can watch the weight, go on! More house, more people. Unless you can get a business that can compete with Sky, Virgin etc. etc. then the people will stay in their own homes, with their cheap supermarket booze watching the TV on a surround sound 3D massive TV. A YMCA, that should attract some interesting groups. Fortunately the land is not big enough for a Nursing Home. Mcdonalds drive through.

1965 - 2011 Shipyard = 1 hour = Union rules, Ok. Civil Service 1966 to the start of FLEXI time (introduced in the UK 1971!) was always 45mins - DHSS Longbenton - start of day 08:15, Lunch 12:00 to 12:45 (not sure on exact start and finish times), end of day 16:24 - and that was all contrived to fit in with 37hr week. 8 hr shifts - 1 hr lunch Contracting - as long as you like and stay late to make up the time (money). 12 hr continental shifts - 1hr 30mins - to balance out to 37hr week over a 4 week period working 14 x 12 hr shifts Day shift FLEXI = max 2 hrs - min 30mins. So only had the 1 hour lunch for the 13 years I worked 8 hr shifts (First shift, Back shift and Night Shift). So my answer to your question Keith would be - Unions controlled most industries, Civil Service stuck to the rules, Contractors did what they liked, and charged for it.

Tony - I just remember there was a pipe discharging hot water, can't really remember if there were two pipes, or just the one that I believe is still there and comes from the pit site. These are the Google satellite views from 2009;-

If I could, I would sir. Long before the 'hot-pipe' was at Cambois we spent loads of time in that cold water. I can remember those cold waves going over my head - Family and neighbour's Cambois beach - 1954-55 :-

Are we talking 'STOP SHOP with POP'?

I Failed :- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQlvW0aFnKo

I nominate - Keith Lockey, Malcolm Robinson, Foxy, threegee, Canny lass, Maggie, Mercury, Tonyp, High Pit Wilma, Wonky, Adam Hogg & Symtoms. https://mtc.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/E8D18A0B781109214875680645120_2b41b8e429c.2.0.13420879194056863034.mp4?versionId=4ajh07glZMYcjQ_Di.ZlOL3FBRvNMITw

Maggie & Canny Lass - posted today on the Sixtownships History Group site were 2 old pictures of the Market Place Cross. With the permission of the originators of the posts here are the photos, side by side. You can see the church tower + clock in both photos but the phoot on the right shows no buildings to the right of the cross. Is the one on the right, genuine, and the oldest you have seen?

Thank you. Response already on it's way.

Foxy - do you still have the photo(s) of the 'A' pit heap been cleared away? I've been looking through the sixtownships site under the 'Bedlington remembered' leg and when anyone has asked a question and I know there are references on this site I have referred them to this site for the full info, and to try and boost the access and members. In this case I can't find a specific topic about the clearing of the pit heaps just this reference. Are your photos available for sharing on the sixtownships site?

Vic - think they are talking about the Bedlington Station High School at Palace Road (old grammar and modern schools combined) - the former West Ridge is now St. Benet Biscop Catholic High School.

Tonyp - don't know if this will have any relevance but there there is a bit about Salmon Place, The Neuk on the sixtownships site :- https://www.facebook.com/groups/1473242359580083/search/?query=neuk

Now if anyone is prepared to pay the post & package I can send them approx 27 Rington's items - tea pots, plates, tea caddys etc etc. BUT don't tell the misses! I'm sure she once made me take a photo of most of them, that were displayed on a couple of shelves, in case we got burgled and I could give it to the police.

Found it :- http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/aerial-photographs-northumberland-castles-1920s-7390657

and shared every item.

Tonyp - have you still got the link address in your 'History-browsing data'?

Search for 'Bouncers' and you should get a bit about the Clayton Ballroom in the Topic Bedlington Miners Picnic 1960Started by highpitter, Dec 28 2013 12:00 P

Bayardm - somebody must have tidied up. In the Journal article the country park is listed, under the NCC group as getting an award:- http://www.thejourna...r-north-7515218 NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL Astley Park Carlisle Park Doctor Pit Park Hexham Parks Hirst Park

Your right Symptons on the Martin Henderson. It just happened, as normal in a pub, that his sister was showing some old photos and this was the only one I borrowed for posting on this site. He is not related to Mickey. Ken Pearson is the only other one I put a name to. I never went to Whitley. Knew Ken through the senior school and his parents as I went to their flat every Sunday morning in the early 1960s to collect the newspapers for delivery around the Station, Steadlane and Terrier.

Certainly can, but no family photos of the park. Remember all the rides. Was there also one called the 'Lollipop'? Pictures of similar rides found on the www:- Am I right in saying that in the 50s-60s there was also a Bowling Green, that we, as kids, weren't allowed to use.

For those of you saving old Whitley Memorial junior football team photos - managed to obtain this one from 1961-62 season. Ken Pearson holding the ball.

Old sayings still ring true :-

https://www.facebook.com/bedlingtoninbloom?fref=ts