Keith Scantlebury

My Dad also worked at Netherton pit, he would only ever take jam sandwiches to work for his bait

Nowt wrong with that, There was a kid at college who always put jam on his bacon sarnie

Thanks to you all, even to the deeply confused Keith L. As for a pint Foxy, I need to keep off the sauce as a trip to Carlisle may be on the agenda (apart from that, I'm skint). How's this for coincidence. Had my dad still been with us , yesterday would have been his Birthday, 17 / 12 / 1923 --- my Dad 18 / 12 / 1955 --- me 18 / 12 / 1976 --- I got married 18 / 12 / 2000 --- youngest son born 18 / 12 / 2012 --- a grandchild is in the process of being born as I type this

You sure it wasn't something else putting a sparkle in your eyes Keith

None of ours are working

That's funny (not) Keith, my sides are aching, you really should be on the stage ................ there's one leaving in 20 mins

Senior moment........ till the next time

Aye and Johnny Barnes' behind it Pioneer boot factory is where Andersons motors is now, on Pioneer Tce at the top of Waverley Drive. Blyth store used to order my dads pipe baccy in specially for him Scots Cake it was called. If you remember, Keith, Alan Miller was killed on his motor bike outside Blyth store, in the early 70's.

Does that mean you are sitting on the fence Adam ? ARGREE , is that a hybrid of argue / agree. (only joking) Probably see you tonight as well

Can't argue with that Malcolm.... see you tonight likely .

Aye Pete, it was the switch on last Tuesday and a mega cock u it was too. Apart from anything else, they switched them on and nothing happened, Apparently no-one from the council turned up with the proper fuse. They're still not on .

Good greif old bean , it looks like it has eaten you Alan !!

I knew it was around beyond the '60's because I left school in '71 and it was still around for a year or two after that. I think that the 1972 statement is a bit of an exaggeration. We know the place succumed to some vandalism ( the scourge of the '70's), but I dont think it was as extreme as that statement suggests. I know that there was some issue with rubbish being tipped over from the houses etc above the free side, that was addressed. The river suffered a bit with junk thrown in from the bridges, (not just the furnace bridge) as did the Wansbeck and the Coquet. I have always been very proud of Bedlingtons "rural" retreats from Plessey to Humford to Atlee Park and all the way down to the Kitty Brewster bridge and Granary Point. Yes, they did suffer spells of Pollution (from the factories) and vandalism. The latter continues with the wrecking of the picnic tables AND NCC's refusal to gut the grass, claiming that it is their "grow wild" conservation area. (at the Bank top)

Let me think, where is there a forgotten community ? ..... eerrrm............... Oh Aye........BEDLINGTON STATION !!!!!!

Anyone seen the lights in the station ? no? thought so, neither has anyone else, What a bloody joke, at least they save on erection and dismantling costs 'cos they have been up for 3 years solid. We must be the laughing stock of South East Northumberland.

AHHHHH shucks I missed it but happy umpteenth birthday anyway !!!

I knew that, wheres me prize ?

I'll have you know that I am the chairman of the South East Northumberland Temperance Society (SENTS) I was there in my capacity as the alcohol reclamation service exectutive ( ARSE). All alcohol is brought to my home and disposed of hic %^%r% responsibly. I am just about to go to the Railway and dispose of their illicit drink hic &^%%$ Oh aye, itsnot bad in there

Gonna feed mine with nowt else as from next year. The way we are hit by wage freezes and cut backs over here Brian, it will be all we can afford

I watched some of the filming of Vera outside the Creswell Arms and on the bay at Newbiggin . Get Carter was also filmed on the Staithes at North Blyth. They filmed the Jungle Book at Plessey woods. Baghera and Sher Khan spent their spare time on the golf course, where they were also filming Watership down. It seemed they got barred from the area for eating Watership Down cast members. The Savanna scenes of the Lion King were filmed at Atlee park. Dumbo, the Muppet show and Pinochio were all fimed at County Hall

possibly

We've not done too badly in that department lately Adam. - Vera was filmed in the area. They took over the Welwyn for a day or two the last time, made it look like an Army barracks. They spent a lot of time in Cambois, West Sleekburn, East Sleekburn and North Blyth, as well as fiming in Newbiggin and Blyth (the old farmhouse at the south beach)

I whent to that school... happy memories. Pity it couldn't be put to use as a place that would benefit the youth of the town, or even some form of learning centre for adults

Absolutely right Brettly