Archive Interview: PVC07

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Speaker 1:

interviewerPVC07

Speaker 2:

informantPVC07a

Age Group:

51-60

Gender:

Female

Residence:

Tyneside - Newcastle

Education:

Left school at 16; subsequent Commercial College

Occupation:

Secretary

Speaker 3:

informantPVC07b

Age Group:

51-60

Gender:

Female

Residence:

Tyneside - Newcastle

Education:

Left school at 16; subsequent Commercial College

Occupation:

Banking (retired)

Themes

Click a theme in the menu below to highlight related keywords in the transcript.

  Interview Transcript

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

(unclear) you know for five years of the war but you remember more about the war in Newcastle (interruption) really

Speaker 2:

in Newcastle yes because because I was born (pause) in Heaton actually and at that time I lived with my grandparents because my parents had been living down in Manchester they were from Newcastle originally

Speaker 3:

mm-hm

Speaker 2:

and they moved down to Manchester because of work at the time (pause) but they came back up here in nineteen thirty nine

Speaker 3:

uh-huh probably

Speaker 2:

because war was looming

Speaker 3:

it was (interruption) imminent yes yes

Speaker 2:

there was all this talk of Hitler and families thought they had to be together and what have you you know so we came back well no I wasn't here then but my parents came back up here to Newcastle (interruption) and lived with my mother's parents across at Heaton and I was born in that house over there (interruption)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) mm-hm (pause) mm-hm (interruption) yes

Speaker 2:

and so for the first three years (pause) of the war that was where I was and the bombs of course were dropping

Speaker 3:

wey Heaton was a big it was a big (interruption) industrial place actually

Speaker 2:

quite a lot (pause) round then yes

Speaker 3:

there was factories wasn't there

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

near sw they'd be trying to hit Swan Hunter's at Wallsend

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

the big shipyards

Speaker 2:

yes and of course they did hit the goods yard

Speaker 3:

the goods yard

Speaker 3:

at what was then Manors wasn't it

Speaker 3:

yes well you (interruption) remember that don't you

Speaker 2:

it's now Warner Warner Brothers yes yes

Speaker 3:

now my father was eh (pause) in the fire brigade and he you know all I can remember him saying about that was that he could remember (pause) just pounds and pounds of melted margarine pouring down the street

Speaker 2:

it must have been

Speaker 3:

out of the goods yard

Speaker 2:

in the in one of the trains or something

Speaker 3:

well it would just be in the stock

Speaker 2:

stocked in the goods yard (interruption) yes

Speaker 3:

yes you know that national marge we used to get you know

Speaker 2:

oh right right

Speaker 3:

and it was just pouring down the street like a river of boiling margarine you know

Speaker 2:

eeh how weird yes yes

Speaker 3:

yes and of course you could your brother could remember going into the air raid shelter (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 2:

that's right uh-huh our (NAME)'s three years older than me and he can remember quite clearly in the house at Heaton we used to have a big cellar

Speaker 3:

mm-hm mm-hm mm-hm

Speaker 2:

the doorway was in the hall

Speaker 3:

mm-hm

Speaker 2:

and you went down these I can remember it th (interruption) down the steep steps

Speaker 3:

mm-hm mm-hm yes

Speaker 2:

and it was a very big basement cellar and of course they went down there creepy when you think (interruption) wasn't it

Speaker 3:

eeh your poor mother when you think

Speaker 2:

I know and he can remember us going down there (pause) eh when the air raids were on you know

Speaker 3:

uh-huh yes

Speaker 2:

and of course a bomb dropped at that time (pause) eh along on the Heaton cinema

Speaker 3:

oh yes (interruption) yes yes

Speaker 2:

which was just at the end of the street actually

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

very near us and the whole house shook and all the white dust came floating down you know

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

from the house

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

he can remember that quite clearly and I was a baby at the time and on my mam's knee

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and he said he can remember looking at my mam he would be about three or well (interruption) four then

Speaker 3:

poor soul

Speaker 2:

and her knees were actually knocking together you know with fright

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

really

Speaker 3:

eeh I should think (interruption) they would

Speaker 2:

ho horrible time for parents I mean with babies and things when you think

Speaker 3:

I know well I think this is why we (pause) I thi I'm not sure how they got this I mean it was an old cottage up near Wark

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

you know I don't really know how they got it or anything like that but we

Speaker 2:

but they did get it for you to sort of shelter (interruption) from the war

Speaker 3:

oh yes yes oh yes that's why and I was only six months old when we went there

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you know and ehm (pause) with my sister who was a year and a half older (pause) and we went up with my grandmother up there and my parents stayed in Newcastle because you know they worked there

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

well my mother didn't work but my dad did you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and ehm (pause) they just used to come up (pause) at weekends you know

Speaker 2:

to see you yes

Speaker 3:

this cottage I can remember seeing the searchlights over (interruption) Newcastle

Speaker 2:

yes yes

Speaker 3:

you know just looking out and if ever a plane went over we were hurried into the house in case (interruption) he was throwing out bombs because sometimes they just threw them out over the moors you know

Speaker 2:

yes (pause) jettisoned them (interruption) yes yes yeah

Speaker 3:

yes yes and they had a (pause) I mean they would come up by car at the beginning of the war because they had a car before the war started you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

but as soon as perhaps after about a year or odd I think it it was laid up

Speaker 2:

couldn't get the petrol

Speaker 3:

you couldn't get any petrol

Speaker 2:

no no

Speaker 3:

and it sat in the garage until it I can remember they got it out in nineteen forty six

Speaker 2:

uh-huh

Speaker 3:

because it was just before my brother was born (pause) and

Speaker 2:

you wouldn't remember it then much w you had you ever seen it

Speaker 3:

no

Speaker 2:

no

Speaker 3:

used to see it in the garage it was in (interruption) Self's garage on the West Road you know where Self's is my dad was friendly with Mr Self you know

Speaker 2:

(interruption) yes (pause) oh yes (pause) oh yes (interruption) yes yes

Speaker 3:

and it was just laid up there and I can remember seeing it and they got it out and I can remember my mother was expecting (NAME)

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

and when they we went for a run in the country and the brakes failed (laughter)

Speaker 2:

(laughter) God

Speaker 3:

and so that was it they just sold it you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

we were never I think I was only (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 2:

not think about getting it mended or anything

Speaker 3:

well I don't suppose they could afford to really

Speaker 2:

no no

Speaker 3:

that was it you know once it was out and that was it it was things (interruption) were different

Speaker 2:

you mam said if that car's brakes are going to fail it goes (laughter)

Speaker 3:

I know I know so that was it like that was the end of the car

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

nobody ever I think there was one person in our street had a car he was the ehm (pause) police pathologist Doctor (NAME)

Speaker 2:

oh right yes yes

Speaker 3:

and he had a big car

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

black car and we used to draw all over it in the dust

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

(unclear) all cars were black weren't they

Speaker 2:

yes they were

Speaker 3:

and there was hardly (interruption) anybody

Speaker 2:

that's what they used to say didn't they

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

you can have any colour you like

Speaker 3:

oh they were all black

Speaker 2:

as long as it's black

Speaker 3:

there weren't any other colours then

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

this is sort of just when we were little isn't it

Speaker 2:

yes (pause) we didn't have a car I don't

Speaker 3:

well (interruption) that was

Speaker 2:

I don't think anybody we knew had a car

Speaker 3:

well that was only my dad that had it before the war you know

Speaker 2:

yes yes

Speaker 3:

little Austin Seven

Speaker 2:

so really you had quite an idyllic time out in the country there for the (pause) first

Speaker 3:

well there was no electricity

Speaker 2:

when did you come back then (unclear)

Speaker 3:

eh (pause) when I was five

Speaker 2:

you came back to go to school (interruption) then presumably

Speaker 3:

to go to school probably four and a half or something

Speaker 2:

yes yes

Speaker 3:

but came back to go to school

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

but and I can remember coming back and I'd never seen a bus or traffic I'd never been in Newcastle ever

Speaker 2:

a real country hick (laughter)

Speaker 3:

definitely (pause) absolute hick (pause) I'd never seen anything you know I remember being (pause) tu going up (pause) going up stairs in this house and turning the taps on with the running water and the (pause) you know and I just screamed when it all disappeared down the plughole (laughter)

Speaker 2:

(laughter) where did you used to get it in the country from a pump or something

Speaker 3:

must have done

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

must have done

Speaker 2:

I don't really (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 3:

oh there was a well there was a well we used to have to get buckets of water I remember

Speaker 2:

oh yes

Speaker 3:

I don't remember doing it but I can remember being told (interruption) about it

Speaker 2:

you mustn't have had a sink then if you if you screamed when it disappeared right down the sink

Speaker 3:

no no I don't think we did (pause) still

Speaker 2:

I thought you would have screamed when it came out the tap (interruption) (pause) when it disappeared

Speaker 3:

there was no toilet or anything you know we just used to go up on the fells behind the garage it was all on its own

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

when we first came to Newcastle we used to go out in the garden (unclear)

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

I think I'd better stop this (laughter)

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

hey (pause) let's get back to civilisation we went to school didn't we

Speaker 2:

yes we came back to go to school

Speaker 3:

eeh (interruption) yes yes

Speaker 2:

that'll be when we all started together

Speaker 3:

yes yes

Speaker 2:

you see our (NAME) had already started school

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

across at Heaton

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and he can remember that when the air raids were on I mean I suppose when you think it would be the parents

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

who who would have all the worry the kids

Speaker 3:

oh

Speaker 2:

as kids do take everything in their stride

Speaker 3:

they don't worry about anything do they

Speaker 2:

and he used to be quite chuffed in a way he said when there was an air raid because the next day they were allowed to have a half a day off

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

and you just went into school at lunchtime

Speaker 3:

yes yes

Speaker 2:

you know you were allowed the morning off if (interruption) you had an air raid (pause) eh on your area that night (interruption)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) oh right yes yes (interruption) yes yes

Speaker 2:

which is a bit of a (laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter) eeh well of course they'd be up half the night wouldn't they you see

Speaker 2:

yes that's right and he used to reckon if they'd lost their sleep

Speaker 3:

yes well it's only sense (interruption) that isn't it really yes

Speaker 2:

yes (pause) but even when we started school can you remember the ehm (pause) the air raid drills

Speaker 3:

oh yes

Speaker 2:

yes and we used to have a little gas mask didn't we

Speaker 3:

yes we did

Speaker 2:

yes yes

Speaker 3:

they were very big classes there were about fifty or sixty (interruption) children in the classes

Speaker 2:

yes a lot a lot in the classes

Speaker 3:

because a lot of the schools had been bombed and a lot of children like me were coming back into the town after the war

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and so course a lot of people sent you know were away at relatives or cottages

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

or anywhere out the town you know

Speaker 2:

yes mm

Speaker 3:

and they all just flocked back you know when the war finished although it hadn't finished then it was still on

Speaker 2:

no it was

Speaker 3:

it was still on because it was forty four when we came back but I mean I don't think there were any more bombing raids then

Speaker 2:

no

Speaker 3:

but there were (unclear) with hindsight you know there weren't but you wouldn't know then

Speaker 2:

you would n't know then no

Speaker 3:

no

Speaker 2:

you wouldn't know then no

Speaker 3:

so we did have the air raid drill didn't we

Speaker 2:

we did I can remember (interruption) going down eh (pause) it was in the bottom of the yard wasn't it

Speaker 3:

yes (pause) yes and there were shelters weren't there

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

air raid shelters

Speaker 2:

we had to go away in there

Speaker 3:

I don't actually remember going in them but I suppose we must have done

Speaker 2:

do you mean for the drill

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

I can remember going (interruption) in them

Speaker 3:

oh now I can't

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

I can remember being outside them but I can't remember (interruption) going in them

Speaker 2:

yes I can remember going in them

Speaker 3:

yes and of course they were all over the place the air raid shelters they were like big concrete things and there was one just outside the gates of the hospital

Speaker 2:

the General Hospital (interruption) on West Road

Speaker 3:

the General Hospital that's right

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and it was like a it wasn't a zebra crossing a belisha beacon we used to call it didn't we

Speaker 2:

yes (interruption) yes

Speaker 3:

yes to cross the road and you had to sort of look round this great air raid shelter entrance to get out into the road and of course once I didn't a there was a car coming and I was knocked down (pause) and I can remember it was a

Speaker 2:

that was a good bit of planning wasn't it to stick it there

Speaker 3:

eeh I know

Speaker 2:

so that people had to step out (interruption) into the road to look round

Speaker 3:

I know yes (pause) and my sister pulled me back and I fell over and the car went on my foot I wasn't badly hurt or anything but (pause) the poor man wanted to give me a lift he asked where I lived you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

(unclear) said it wasn't all that far but

Speaker 2:

no you weren't you

Speaker 3:

quarter of

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

quarter of a mile that was it (pause) and ehm (pause) eeh I remember I wouldn't get in the car and I always remember saying 'oh my grandmother says I haven't got to get into strange men's cars' I was only about five you know

Speaker 2:

(laughter) eeh well that was good

Speaker 3:

and my sister carried me (interruption) well piggybacked me home she was only seven you know

Speaker 2:

yes yes (pause) yes yes

Speaker 3:

there was there was a few kids like they'd all be like hauling me home we got down to the street they were all waiting you know the man had gone round to the house God my poor mother what a shock she would have got

Speaker 2:

yes terrible yes eeh

Speaker 3:

but (unclear) of course

Speaker 2:

so that was one shelter yes yes

Speaker 3:

there was all those air raid and then they took them all away didn't they

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

there was those ones at the Wingrove depot that we used to play in mind

Speaker 2:

yes what (pause) was that a shelter or what because it was more like

Speaker 3:

I think it was an air raid I think was it an air was it a big air raid shelter that

Speaker 2:

because it was more like a big tunnel wasn't it

Speaker 3:

it was but I think it was for that I mean it must have been an air what else would it be

Speaker 2:

because there was an entrance

Speaker 3:

yes it was an air raid shelter

Speaker 2:

where the tram depot used to be

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

it was a tram depot then and later (interruption) a bus depot wasn't it and it's now a garage isn't it it was Murray and Charlton's (interruption)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yes yes yes (pause) yes yes it's sort of (interruption) and then it was Dutton Foreshaw but I c don't (interruption) whose now

Speaker 2:

I don't know who it is now on the West Road but at that time it was the tram depots

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and there was a big piece of waste ground and the entrance to that thing

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

was on that waste ground and we used to go down (interruption) it to play

Speaker 3:

it was an air raid shelter yes

Speaker 2:

and we went right the way down

Speaker 3:

eeh it was about quarter of a mile

Speaker 2:

well it was a whole bl like the length of a whole block of houses (interruption) we used to (unclear)

Speaker 3:

and we used to play down there

Speaker 2:

horrible when you think

Speaker 3:

I know it was all

Speaker 2:

we mustn't have had what ever it is (pause) claustrophobia or anything must we (laughter)

Speaker 3:

no

Speaker 2:

playing away down there

Speaker 3:

I know

Speaker 2:

awful I mean I would have been aghast if I thought (NAME) was playing any where like that now you know (pause) awful

Speaker 3:

eeh I know well we used to across from where our back lane was there was some garages well they're still there I think (pause) and you could go up (pause) if you were they were like people's garages you know for the houses at the other side

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

but nobody use to I mean there was no cars so there wasn't any cars in actually they'd been stables

Speaker 2:

oh right

Speaker 3:

you know behind like those where the police oh (pause) it's where the police station (interruption) is now you know

Speaker 2:

yes yes it was the old police station then (interruption) wasn't it

Speaker 3:

yes it was no it was the fire there was a little police station at the top just a (interruption) little thing

Speaker 2:

and the fire station

Speaker 3:

but it was the fire station (interruption) that was the main thing but like halfway in that lane there were all these what had been stables and you could go up and at the top of those and you could go through the whole lot along the top (interruption)

Speaker 2:

(interruption) yes (interruption) yes

Speaker 3:

just go through these like loft things and I can remember we used to do that as well you know

Speaker 2:

yes yes

Speaker 3:

and it was really dangerous because the floorboards were all

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

sprung and everything (laughter) that must have been when we were about eight to ten (interruption) you know

Speaker 2:

yes yes later on yes

Speaker 3:

yes we were doing that playing out like that you know

Speaker 2:

yes yes

Speaker 3:

we used to play out in the street all the time really didn't we

Speaker 2:

we did yes (interruption) oh that was where we played

Speaker 3:

(unclear) and I mean I played more probably before (pause) you know like from five say I'd play down our end with the ones down there

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and you would play up with your lot

Speaker 2:

and some our end yes

Speaker 3:

because I used to play with the ones there's a lot of people lived in the fire station you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

course they lived there

Speaker 2:

uh-huh

Speaker 3:

the firemen

Speaker 2:

on the premises

Speaker 3:

oh yes they all lived there

Speaker 2:

oh right (interruption) yes

Speaker 3:

so they all had they all had like a flat

Speaker 2:

uh-huh

Speaker 3:

in the fire station

Speaker 2:

oh

Speaker 3:

you know

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

and there was loads of kids there was the (NAME) (NAME) and (NAME) (NAME)

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

I think you'll remember them

Speaker 2:

yes I remember the name

Speaker 3:

yes we used to play with them

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and there was another little girl didn't have any hair I don't know why she always used to wear a little woollen bonnet

Speaker 2:

oh

Speaker 3:

you know

Speaker 2:

wonder why that was

Speaker 3:

eeh I don't know

Speaker 2:

unless she'd had some kind of

Speaker 3:

was thinking of her the other day

Speaker 2:

treatment or something

Speaker 3:

yes she might have done of course

Speaker 2:

uh-huh

Speaker 3:

and there was a lot of kids played there there you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

it used to be all we just used to play in the fire station we used to slide down the pole and everything you know

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

nobody stopped us they didn't seem to mind

Speaker 2:

I don't think they would do that now (interruption) would they

Speaker 3:

no and (NAME) did of course of (NAME)'s friends (NAME) I mean they did yes

Speaker 2:

they wouldn't let you now

Speaker 3:

it was a bit dangerous really

Speaker 2:

you wouldn't expect them to would you

Speaker 3:

no no

Speaker 2:

you'd be aghast if you saw (pause) kids playing

Speaker 3:

I mean they all lived there you see

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

so I mean it was just quite

Speaker 2:

that was their playground

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and we just used to play hide and seek in it and everything you know it was good

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you know

Speaker 2:

we played more up our end we used to go down to the park

Speaker 3:

yes well we did as (interruption) well mind

Speaker 2:

we played a lot in Nunsmoor Park

Speaker 3:

well we used to go to both Nunsmoor and Elswick you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

I don't know what yes we used to go to

Speaker 2:

yes you were slightly nearer Elswick (interruption) weren't you

Speaker 3:

yes we were yes

Speaker 2:

yes oh nuns Nunsmoor was just (pause) eh

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

down eh at the bottom of our street

Speaker 3:

that's right we used to go there I used to take (NAME) there my brother was you know seven years younger you know

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

used to take him in the pushchair

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

down to Nunsmoor because it was a nicer walk

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

down Brighton we used to go down Brighton Grove

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

and then you could walk right through

Speaker 2:

that's right

Speaker 3:

you know and I remember taking him to the swings down there

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and everything you know

Speaker 2:

yes it was a nice park

Speaker 3:

yes yes

Speaker 2:

I can remember people taking their carpets down to eh (pause) the park you know

Speaker 3:

really

Speaker 2:

and hanging them on a line and beating them

Speaker 3:

eeh in the park

Speaker 2:

with carpet beaters

Speaker 3:

eeh well

Speaker 2:

I don't know why they didn't do it in the back yard or anything or whatever

Speaker 3:

maybes they didn't think there was enough room you know

Speaker 2:

I know

Speaker 3:

those little back yards were very small

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and if you're in one of those little flats you know there probably wasn't a lot of room

Speaker 2:

yes (pause) just used to whack them with those big cane (interruption) (pause) beaters

Speaker 3:

they would get maybes they thought they got more air to eeh I don't remember that now

Speaker 2:

I can remember that quite clearly

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

mm-hm not a we didn't take it ours down there

Speaker 3:

no no no

Speaker 2:

but we had a very large back yard

Speaker 3:

mm-hm

Speaker 2:

but eh I can remember other people doing that

Speaker 3:

yes (unclear)

Speaker 2:

funny the things you can remember

Speaker 3:

I know

Speaker 2:

mm we used to play quite a lot on that waste ground that we're talking about

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

where next to the tram shed

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and I remember when the when th I can't really remember the trams (pause) our (NAME) can he can remember them

Speaker 3:

mm-hm mm-hm

Speaker 2:

up and down the eh

Speaker 3:

mm-hm

Speaker 2:

West Road but ehm (pause) I remember when they took the tram lines up

Speaker 3:

mm-hm

Speaker 2:

and they must have laid all the steel girders

Speaker 3:

mm-hm (interruption) I remember those

Speaker 2:

I suppose they're steel things

Speaker 3:

they were like red weren't they like a dark red colour weren't they

Speaker 2:

I can't remember the colour

Speaker 3:

I do

Speaker 2:

but I know I know they were all laid out on that (interruption) waste ground

Speaker 3:

yes yes

Speaker 2:

we used to play on them and I can remember trip (pause) I fell off one day and cut you know gashed the top of my foot nearly knocked my you know severed my foot

Speaker 3:

you should have had a course I don't know whether they had tetanus injections then probably not you know but I mean you would think nowadays you would have to have a tetanus wouldn't you

Speaker 2:

just had to have it just got it bandaged up you know

Speaker 3:

eeh mind if you were ill I mean I had whooping cough when I was (pause) about got everything you see after being out there in the country and never meeting anybody

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

soon as we came into Newcastle

Speaker 2:

oh yes you'd be eh

Speaker 3:

you caught everything under the sun

Speaker 2:

yes (interruption) you wouldn't be used to the dirt

Speaker 3:

I mean in the first year of school I was hardly there

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and I know I remember when I got whooping cough well I don't remember this but I remember being told I was off school nine months

Speaker 2:

gosh

Speaker 3:

you know I was just you know

Speaker 2:

uh-huh (pause) oh is that where you were I wondered where you'd gone (laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter) you wouldn't remember though would you

Speaker 2:

no no I can't really

Speaker 3:

at that age you don't know people disappear

Speaker 2:

no

Speaker 3:

and I was always used to I got like a cold every year I used to get these colds on my chest and I was always off five to six weeks

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

because there was no antibiotics you could just you were ill I don't remember being ill mind I can't remember feeling ill

Speaker 2:

no no

Speaker 3:

I think kids just don't remember

Speaker 2:

no

Speaker 3:

I think once they're better they've just forgotten

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

I certainly don't remember but I know I was you know

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

I missed a lot of school when I was in the

Speaker 2:

the first few years (interruption) sort of five six year old type of thing

Speaker 3:

aye (unclear) (pause) yes about up to about eight I think I missed loads of school (interruption) you know

Speaker 2:

yes yes

Speaker 3:

and after that I was I didn't you know but

Speaker 2:

once you get immune (interruption) to all the town bugs

Speaker 3:

(unclear) as well I know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

so it didn't do you that much good really

Speaker 2:

mm I know well I I can't remember any illness but ehm (pause) I did have an operation (pause) at the Fleming Memorial Hospital

Speaker 3:

oh yes

Speaker 2:

and this was when I was a toddler

Speaker 3:

that's the one that just closed down

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

it's a shame you know there was a big outcry about that

Speaker 2:

and it was for tonsils and adenoids (interruption) you know

Speaker 3:

yes (NAME) had that

Speaker 2:

and eh they took me away up there

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

I'm too I can't really remember it you know

Speaker 3:

no no but you mother yes

Speaker 2:

but when you think th they used to take you up there and you were left and I think

Speaker 3:

eeh I know

Speaker 2:

they were just told that they could come in for half an hour

Speaker 3:

I know

Speaker 2:

and see you

Speaker 3:

I know

Speaker 2:

say six o'clock until half six

Speaker 3:

I know

Speaker 2:

and they reckon you were just left with all these big people with big huge white (pause) uniforms and what have you and when I think of the difference now of eh

Speaker 3:

I know parents can (interruption) stay

Speaker 2:

you know like when (NAME) had that

Speaker 3:

eeh (interruption) yes

Speaker 2:

he's only had one night in hospital when he fell and he had that

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

well he had a bang on the head and they we

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

they took him in for

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

eh in case he got concussion but I was allowed (interruption) to stay in there the whole night

Speaker 3:

you were allowed to stay all night weren't you

Speaker 2:

and I could

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

you know sat in the chair at his bedside

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and I was just there with him the whole time whereas

Speaker 3:

well well my sister she was five or six you know and she had her tonsils out

Speaker 2:

yes (interruption) she couldn't

Speaker 3:

course she lost she missed a lot of school as well

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and she had ehm (pause) and she's always said she could remember (pause) the feeling of her mother (interruption) going

Speaker 2:

being abandoned

Speaker 3:

and being abandoned you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

she just felt she wouldn't eat anything she wouldn't (interruption) course she was a contrary person anyway

Speaker 2:

I think there was a lot of that

Speaker 3:

but she wouldn't you know she just wouldn't do a thing you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and she said she can always remember one of the nurses bringing her some ice cream you know for her sore (interruption) her throat was so sore you know (interruption)

Speaker 2:

(interruption) yes that's what they used to bring you (interruption) afterwards

Speaker 3:

and she wouldn't eat it you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

because she because she was so annoyed that my mother wasn't there

Speaker 2:

yes well I suppose they would think that they'd (interruption) just been abandoned really

Speaker 3:

eeh I know she thought she'd been abandoned she thought that it was terrible

Speaker 2:

I mean I probably screamed blue murder I would think

Speaker 3:

you would yes

Speaker 2:

I was only about two you know

Speaker 3:

eeh I know

Speaker 2:

I mean you can't explain it

Speaker 3:

course you w you won't be able to remember but she with being about five or six she could

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you know she says she could always remember it you know

Speaker 2:

yes I should think the hospital was full of screaming (pause) kids (laughter)

Speaker 3:

I know well i it's a lo it was a long time I can remember you know when we were in America

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and I remember reading a magazine article and that was in the sixties and it was about the British experiment and it was about how in England they decided that you know parents could stay with their children in hospital

Speaker 2:

oh uh-huh

Speaker 3:

and I remember reading that and thinking oh that's you know fancy it's

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

apparently actually started in this country

Speaker 2:

so that was in the sixties

Speaker 3:

and it was just in the sixties you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

well most things like that started in the (interruption) sixties didn't they you know

Speaker 2:

yes (pause) yes (pause) uh-huh

Speaker 3:

and that was it you know and that was just a little experiment then so I think it would probably be the seventies before it really took off

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you know

Speaker 2:

yes yes and now you c you know

Speaker 3:

it's good (interruption) you know

Speaker 2:

it's the accepted thing isn't it

Speaker 3:

yes yes

Speaker 2:

much more reassuring isn't it

Speaker 3:

oh I think it's awful you know there's a lot of things like that

Speaker 2:

I know you just had to get on with it didn't you

Speaker 3:

I know I know listen to him (laughter) eeh and of course we started I mean the main (pause) social thing was the pictures wasn't it

Speaker 2:

oh yes

Speaker 3:

eeh we went mad (interruption) on the films

Speaker 2:

yes everybody went to the pictures didn't they

Speaker 3:

oh yes (laughter) because we were in well where we lived it was ehm (pause) a nice area wasn't it you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

because we had to

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

it still is really because I was just thinking you often read nowadays how there's no small shops left and all that you know but I mean the West Road is still as good a shopping centre as it was when we were young isn't it

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

the top end

Speaker 2:

yes yes

Speaker 3:

the bottom end where we were is not as good

Speaker 2:

yes where I was yes I think it's a bit of a rougher area now though isn't it

Speaker 3:

well it is yes

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

but it's it's rougher but it's still it hasn't

Speaker 2:

oh the amenities (interruption) yes

Speaker 3:

what I mean is it hasn't disappeared altogether

Speaker 2:

yes yes

Speaker 3:

you know I mean a lot of places now I mean there's just nothing really

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

you know it's still quite good

Speaker 2:

well when we moved (pause) shortly after we moved into Wingrove Avenue eh there was an ar eh they must have been (pause) eh doing a series of articles in The Chronicle

Speaker 3:

mm-hm

Speaker 2:

about streets of Newcastle and our street was in it and it was this quiet little street in a quiet suburb well it it's not like that now you know

Speaker 3:

no it isn't well it's the inner city things (interruption) (unclear) you know

Speaker 2:

yes it is really

Speaker 3:

I mean it is nearer the city (interruption) so it's more

Speaker 2:

that's changed quite a bit

Speaker 3:

it has

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

oh yes it has

Speaker 2:

but where we were I mean

Speaker 3:

there was (unclear) though

Speaker 2:

w we weren't far from you and we were between the two cinemas weren't we

Speaker 3:

yes we were

Speaker 2:

eh (pause) the Plaza

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

up at this end of the West Road

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and the Brighton

Speaker 3:

yes so I mean you could go to either really we were just round the corner from the Brighton

Speaker 2:

yes yes you were nearer there weren't you

Speaker 3:

because actually th it was quite good because on a hot night (pause) they used to have the back door of the Brighton open you know the big

Speaker 2:

the big double doors yes

Speaker 3:

double doors when it was very very hot you know they used to have those open and we used to sneak in sometimes and see half a film you know I think I've seen loads of half films

Speaker 2:

criminal past (laughter)

Speaker 3:

I know used to like to nip in you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

they probably knew you know when you think about it

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

we'd just be little kids like you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

Carpet Express (NAME) (pause) they'll be coming here

Speaker 2:

delivery

Speaker 3:

(unclear)

Speaker 2:

yes yes

Speaker 3:

because I know originally my grandmother used to take us

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

(NAME) and I

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

she used to love the pictures my grandmother she couldn't read very well I mean she could read a little bit if she could read out loud but you know she'd never been to school or anything you know so she could just (pause) read a little bit

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and so naturally she thought the pictures were marvellous

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

she used to like sh she could read the paper mother had taught her apparently you know

Speaker 2:

uh-huh

Speaker 3:

but ehm (pause) but she couldn't read to herself she had to read out loud you know

Speaker 2:

oh right yes

Speaker 3:

you know she couldn't like a child you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

when they first start to learn to read but I mean she could get the sense you know

Speaker 2:

uh-huh

Speaker 3:

and she used to read magazines later

Speaker 2:

uh-huh

Speaker 3:

as she got older she read more really (pause) but (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 2:

is this your mam's mam or your

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

your mam's mam

Speaker 3:

yes the Irish one

Speaker 2:

yes I'm with you

Speaker 3:

but she (pause) you know she loved the pictures so she used to take us every week every Saturday when we were just little

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you know and then you started going

Speaker 2:

we started to go when we were very little (interruption) didn't we

Speaker 3:

oh yes you did I mean

Speaker 2:

I think the first picture our (NAME) saw he was just about three or was it (pause) what was it again Bambi or something you know when they first came out

Speaker 3:

yes I don't think it would be Bambi Bambi was later

Speaker 2:

was it

Speaker 3:

I think so

Speaker 2:

or was it Snow White or something

Speaker 3:

it might have been Snow White

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

yes I feel as though Bambi was one of the later Disney ones I might be wrong mind

Speaker 2:

I think it was quite early

Speaker 3:

was it

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

oh right maybes it wasn't I don't really know

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

I can't remember the first picture I saw

Speaker 2:

I can't

Speaker 3:

I can just remember going you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

just took you and you just went

Speaker 2:

it was just part of life we went twice a week didn't we

Speaker 3:

oh easily

Speaker 2:

because it used to be Monday Tuesday Wednesday then changed

Speaker 3:

changed Thursday Friday

Speaker 2:

and the second one was Thursday

Speaker 3:

and you didn't look (interruption) to see what was on anyway did you you just went

Speaker 2:

Friday (pause) no we just went regardless (interruption) didn't we

Speaker 3:

I know know (pause) (unclear) my friend (NAME) was saying she when I was talking about the pictures you know she said she can always remember going to see Gone With The Wind

Speaker 2:

oh right

Speaker 3:

you know and she said she was about twelve and she had all these kids with her she says all the young ones out the street you know (pause) and she said she was in a terrible state she said she was bawling her eyes out and everything you know

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

this drama in this picture

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

and she says I came out in a terrible state and these kids were all just oh that was a good film you know (laughter)

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

oh dear but you did used to get really into it didn't you really

Speaker 2:

oh yes oh you (interruption) did

Speaker 3:

much more so than you

Speaker 2:

you came out you walked along the street and lived it didn't you (laughter)

Speaker 3:

I'm sure the children nowadays don't I don't think (interruption) they get I don't think they can appreciate

Speaker 2:

oh it's not quite the same

Speaker 3:

I don't even mean the pictures I mean anything

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

I don't think they really course it's mostly (interruption) the television

Speaker 2:

well they so used to th seeing this you see aren't they

Speaker 3:

and if television y it's not the same even now I mean because you've got all your house round you haven't you

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you're not away it's like another world it's like a dream

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

wasn't it the pictures

Speaker 2:

it was

Speaker 3:

when you went you know you were in another world weren't you

Speaker 2:

it was and I mean we used to see ones with murders and things in didn't we

Speaker 3:

oh yes it didn't bother us

Speaker 2:

I mean they wouldn't be very dramatic

Speaker 3:

no

Speaker 2:

but (interruption) to us then they were

Speaker 3:

mind I can remember having awful nightmares about some I remember one being really really frightened

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

it was a one called Doctor Renault's Secret I've no idea who was in it

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

but it was about this man and he had trained this ape you know and it was like a man I mean it must be as corny as anything

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

if you ever saw it but I remember going home and being terrified

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

I couldn't sleep for nights

Speaker 2:

(laughter) did you think there was apes going to jump out at you

Speaker 3:

well I was just so frightened

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you know I mean I can remember because he was a (pause) you didn't know he was an ape he was just like a man and then at the end you realized he was a he was going round murdering people you see

Speaker 2:

yes yes

Speaker 3:

as if apes would anyway

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

but I mean it was a (unclear) but if I could remember the name of the film even you know

Speaker 2:

yes it's

Speaker 3:

I've no idea who was in it or anything

Speaker 2:

stuck in your mind

Speaker 3:

it would just be one of those B Movies I should imagine

Speaker 2:

probably was probably was you know

Speaker 3:

I know but oh we just loved the films didn't we really

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

we used to get all these magazines and

Speaker 2:

oh yes

Speaker 3:

and for Christmas you got

Speaker 2:

Picture Goer we used to get The Picture Goer and The Picture Show

Speaker 3:

mm-hm

Speaker 2:

every week they were a magazine

Speaker 3:

yes we did and we used to get

Speaker 2:

you got the annuals at (interruption) Christmas

Speaker 3:

at Christmas you got all the annuals

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

didn't you you know and

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you know we really did and just

Speaker 2:

do you remember (pause) do you remember eh Great Expectations when that came to the Brighton

Speaker 3:

oh I remember seeing it

Speaker 2:

and at the beginning when he's in the churchyard and eh the convict jumps out on him eeh well I the whole cinema (interruption) just screamed

Speaker 3:

I don't remember no

Speaker 2:

I can remember that

Speaker 3:

aye yes

Speaker 2:

we all just screamed

Speaker 3:

yes yes

Speaker 2:

Magwitch in the in the churchyard

Speaker 3:

yes yes

Speaker 2:

and he just leaped you know

Speaker 3:

(unclear) coloured pictures came out

Speaker 2:

oh yes

Speaker 3:

we thought that was marvellous didn't we

Speaker 2:

yes yes

Speaker 3:

yes and then Cinemascope of course

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

that was later but you know we did

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you know there was always something different coming up (interruption) wasn't there

Speaker 2:

yes (pause) we used to know all about the stars

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

who'd married who and all

Speaker 3:

oh you knew more about it than I did I used to like the story more you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

I always liked the pictures better

Speaker 2:

well we probably got more of the magazines (interruption) you know

Speaker 3:

yes maybes you did like yes I don't know (interruption) we did get some like you know

Speaker 2:

took it all in (pause) yes

Speaker 3:

I don't think I was ever knew I remember when I first when I when I went to the college of commerce and we sort of got on again together

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you used to tell me all these tales about them and I didn't know you know I can remember that (pause) but I mean I was interested like you know but

Speaker 2:

all the gossip yes yes

Speaker 3:

but we did used to get (NAME) used to get one of the picture things I remember magazines

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

every week we used to get one every week like maybes I used to read it and not take it in

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

but we you know the

Speaker 2:

I know (NAME) used to get the Film Fun annual

Speaker 3:

oh yes

Speaker 2:

every year with all the

Speaker 3:

course they were all their comics well there was the Film Fun you see wasn't there

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

we used to love the comics

Speaker 2:

oh yes they were good

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

the ehm

Speaker 3:

well we used to

Speaker 2:

what was that one again

Speaker 3:

there was the Dandy and the Beano and the Radio Fun

Speaker 2:

what was that other one with ehm (pause) the knock

Speaker 3:

the Knockout

Speaker 2:

the Knockout

Speaker 3:

the Knockout yes

Speaker 2:

yes yes I remember that (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 3:

then you used to get the Eagle you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

eventually you know

Speaker 2:

oh and we started to get when we were at Rutherford

Speaker 3:

the School (interruption) Friend and the Girls Crystal

Speaker 2:

we got the School Friend came out didn't it

Speaker 3:

yes oh we loved those

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

oh I was (pause) we used to get ehm (pause) I used to read the comics I used to go to that music to music you know that Mr (NAME) down in (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 2:

oh yes he lived in our street yes

Speaker 3:

yes not for very long mind I think I only went for about six months or something

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

he used to get all the comics and (pause) and I used to go and

Speaker 2:

he got the comics did he

Speaker 3:

uh-huh he used to have all these comics it was great

Speaker 2:

uh-huh

Speaker 3:

because I used to go and I used to wait for (NAME) because I used to get there first

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

and she used to come down

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

while I was waiting for her I used to read all these comics it was great

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

I remember reading them all there I used to love to get the lesson out of the way first so's I could read the comics

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you know but that didn't last very long I don't think

Speaker 2:

no

Speaker 3:

I don't think I was very musical

Speaker 2:

well I remember when we played out in a gang and when we passed his window (interruption) we used to laugh in at you

Speaker 3:

eeh (pause) you did I remember

Speaker 2:

you and (NAME) having the lessons

Speaker 3:

I know he used to

Speaker 2:

he used to have a ruler out and be

Speaker 3:

oh he was awful when I think (interruption) he used to rap you

Speaker 2:

rapping you across the knuckles didn't he

Speaker 3:

when you think nowadays he'd be up for assault (interruption) or something

Speaker 2:

and we used to be standing giggling at him and (laughter) look at them (interruption) you know

Speaker 3:

oh he was horrible actually when I think if you made a mistake (interruption) on a note he used to rattle you

Speaker 2:

yes (pause) he was quite strict wasn't he

Speaker 3:

oh he was horrible

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

he was a horrible person and he used to just rattle you right across the knuckles really hard with this ruler

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

well nowadays man they'd have them up for assault wouldn't they

Speaker 2:

not the best way to make a good pianist is it

Speaker 3:

well no

Speaker 2:

crack

Speaker 3:

I just used to ooh it used to really hurt you know

Speaker 2:

yes so that didn't last too long

Speaker 3:

I know I mean can you imagine if s done that with (NAME) when he was going to his music lessons

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

I don't think you'd have been very amused

Speaker 2:

no (pause) I would not (laughter)

Speaker 3:

and I wasn't very old I was only at Wingrove you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

so

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and that was the end of the music lessons

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

I didn't take to them I'm afraid

Speaker 2:

no

Speaker 3:

(NAME) went a bit longer than me I think she was slightly better than me you know (laughter)

Speaker 2:

do you want a drink

Speaker 3:

yes (laughter) shall I rattle on while you're doing it

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

oh what'll I talk about

Speaker 2:

(laughter) of water

Speaker 3:

(laughter) mm-hm

Speaker 3:

(unclear) Lilliput was it or something

Speaker 2:

oh (pause) oh it's ringing a bell I don't think they were called that regularly but I I do know which one you mean

Speaker 3:

yes (pause) and we used to get newspapers we used to get the (pause) The People actually I remember

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and The News Of The World we used to get the (interruption) news

Speaker 2:

did you yes

Speaker 3:

eeh we always got The News Of The

Speaker 2:

we got The People

Speaker 3:

my grandmother liked The News Of The World you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

this one that couldn't read very well but she liked The News Of The World

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and eh (pause) I remember getting those and then l lately later my mam got The Woman

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

I remember when The Woman I mean I think we're going into the fifties now aren't we

Speaker 2:

yes yes

Speaker 3:

you know sort of things are getting a bit more

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

I remember I used to love to read that as well

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

we used to like course I was always at the library

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you know I used to go to Elswick Library and there was a little le lending library down the West Road can you remember Loffrin's?

Speaker 2:

yes I can down ehm (pause) past the Co op

Speaker 3:

that's right

Speaker 2:

on the left I do

Speaker 3:

yes now it was a bookshop really (interruption) but it used to lend books out and they always had brown paper covers on with Loffrin's Library and it was only something like (interruption)

Speaker 2:

(interruption) yes (interruption) twopence or something

Speaker 3:

threepence it was

Speaker 2:

yes (interruption) can remember

Speaker 3:

for a week you know and eh (pause) my mam used to get all her murder books there you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and I used to read all (pause) (NAME) and I all Enid Blighton's and all the Just William all those sort you know

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

we used to love those

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

I just remembered about those this morning when I was listening

Speaker 2:

yes I'd forgotten about that

Speaker 3:

Just William on the

Speaker 2:

on the radio yes

Speaker 3:

I know we used to be always at the library you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

used to read loads of books all (pause) I used to love s all Enid all the school stories I used to love those I used to love all

Speaker 2:

picnics in the dorm and all that kind of thing

Speaker 3:

oh I know I used to love s them I think I read every one

Speaker 2:

we used to go to ehm (pause) Fenham (interruption) Fenham Library as well

Speaker 3:

you would go to Fenham now I didn't

Speaker 2:

m in fact we I c

Speaker 3:

oh you would only be in one

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

so you wouldn't go any more

Speaker 2:

I was going to say I can't remember going to Elswick (interruption) Library

Speaker 3:

oh you wouldn't it was too far for you

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

I mean don't forget we were (pause) (interruption) you were much nearer

Speaker 2:

you were that much nearer (pause) Elswick

Speaker 3:

you see it was the West Road I mean obviously they wouldn't like I mean I know there wasn't as much traffic but I mean I was knocked down having said that

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

but you know you know when you were reasonably little they wouldn't let you cross the West Road

Speaker 2:

no no

Speaker 3:

and it would be the same for me so Elswick (interruption) was the nearest

Speaker 2:

so you'd go to Elswick and we'd go down to Fenham

Speaker 3:

it was no distance to Elswick for us really

Speaker 2:

mm yes

Speaker 3:

we used to go there every week really

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

get all the books out

Speaker 2:

and we used to go to the ehm (pause) the Empire a lot in fact my grandma used to first start to take us to the g the Grand Theatre was on the go in those days

Speaker 3:

mm-hm

Speaker 2:

at Heaton across the end of Byker bridge

Speaker 3:

oh yes

Speaker 2:

it was all variety and things

Speaker 3:

mm-hm mm-hm

Speaker 2:

and then later on we used to go to the Empire and the Palace (pause) quite regularly really and our (NAME)'s got a

Speaker 3:

mm-hm

Speaker 2:

an autograph book with all the Laurel and Hardy and all these

Speaker 3:

eeh good

Speaker 2:

you know really well known people used to come and do

Speaker 3:

yes yes

Speaker 2:

v variety acts

Speaker 3:

yes I remember we went there sometimes but not all that much you know I did go you know

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

but just an odd time

Speaker 2:

we used to like to watch the shows

Speaker 3:

eeh yes it would be good I don't know (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 2:

of course in those days people had an act you see

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and they used to take it round for years

Speaker 3:

yes they did

Speaker 2:

where as now they're once on television and that's (pause) they've got to think of new stuff all the time (interruption) haven't they

Speaker 3:

yes yes it would be

Speaker 2:

well some of those old comedians

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

they went on for years

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

with the same material you know

Speaker 3:

yes I don't know why we didn't go very much we just didn't somehow you know

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

whether my parents weren't that keen although I would have thought my mother would have quite liked it

Speaker 2:

mm-hm I wonder

Speaker 3:

you know she certainly she certainly liked that kind of thing when it came on television

Speaker 2:

yes yes

Speaker 3:

so perhaps just didn't bother we used remember going a lot to ehm (pause) oh you know (NAME) my friend you know she knew a lot of people that were in sort of amateur dramatics (interruption) and thing s like that

Speaker 2:

her mother was wasn't she

Speaker 3:

yes her mother

Speaker 2:

her fa was it her mother

Speaker 3:

no it was her mother

Speaker 2:

I can remember going seen a show with her mother in it

Speaker 3:

her mother and her mother's sister

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

her mother's sister used to live at Whitley Bay and she was she had these four girls you know and the husband had walked out on her you know

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

years ago never knew him and eeh they were all you know they were all great really they were all very arty crafty up there I used to go down there a lot

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

with (NAME) that was when I was at Rutherford you know

Speaker 2:

yes yes

Speaker 3:

you know when I would be about what thirteen fourteen fifteen year old you know

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

we used to go down a lot to Whitley Bay

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

you know we used to go walking with them right way along the cliffs and everything you know it was good really just lark around in the Spanish City (laughter)

Speaker 2:

eeh yes (laughter) big treat

Speaker 3:

that was a big f big fairground at Whitley Bay wasn't it

Speaker 2:

our (NAME) remembers going down to the coast it must have been during the war when all the eh barbed wire was along there

Speaker 3:

eeh does he

Speaker 2:

along the beach and what have you

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

you know and the

Speaker 3:

yes he'll be like three years older (interruption) you see

Speaker 2:

yes just that bit different

Speaker 3:

I don't remember anything like that

Speaker 2:

he remembers quite a few things about the war like that I can't remember

Speaker 3:

no you won't

Speaker 2:

barbed wire on the beach and things

Speaker 3:

no no

Speaker 2:

it was just (interruption) ordinary seaside

Speaker 3:

I used to like I remember going to the I remember going to the coast when you went to the coast on a summer Sunday and you had to queue for the train

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

outside the Central Station

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

the queue used to be right outside and you didn't get on the first train

Speaker 2:

yes oh I can remember that

Speaker 3:

it was absolutely packed solid wasn't it

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

but you used to go you know

Speaker 2:

oh yes

Speaker 3:

and oh we loved it didn't we

Speaker 2:

it was a big treat wasn't it

Speaker 3:

oh yes I mean both when we were little being taken and later you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

when you went on your own I mean we went a lot

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

because they had a beach hut thing one of those you know those things along the (pause) prom they're still there those little hut things do you know what I mean

Speaker 2:

where are you at now Tynemouth (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 3:

Tynemouth yes no they were at Whitley Bay theirs

Speaker 2:

Whitley Bay

Speaker 3:

aye and you could they just kept all their stuff in there you know

Speaker 2:

yes uh-huh

Speaker 3:

and you could just bring it all down course with living down there you know we just used to bring it all down on to the beach

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

but (pause) eeh yes there was queues then when you got there you can't you couldn't if it was a hot day (pause) because I've got some photographs of Tynemouth beach and honestly you can't put a pin between the people you know it's just absolutely jam packed solid

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

people just sitting there in the sun

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

I can remember going with my parents and they used to run me down and play in the sea and then you came out the sea and looked and you couldn't see them could you

Speaker 2:

(laughter) you didn't know where they were yes

Speaker 3:

you know if you'd just gone along a little bit further (interruption) you know

Speaker 2:

yes panic

Speaker 3:

you seemed a bit lost like you know

Speaker 2:

just see this sea of faces

Speaker 3:

eeh we once went for a fortnight's holiday down to Whitley Bay

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

we stayed in one of the boarding houses

Speaker 2:

(laughter) did you

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

uh-huh

Speaker 3:

I remember it

Speaker 2:

a fortnight as well

Speaker 3:

a fortnight

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

my mam and my dad didn't go because he must have been at work

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

with having his own business he never got a holiday

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you know I don't remember him having a holiday

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and he just used to he was a chiropodist and he just used to you know come down maybes at night and things like that you know

Speaker 2:

yes (laughter)

Speaker 3:

go back home again on the train but you know we were there two weeks

Speaker 2:

two weeks yes I can remember going to the country

Speaker 3:

uh-huh

Speaker 2:

when we were just quite small and you know I I thought we were miles away it was just up beside Allenheads

Speaker 3:

that was quite a long way really for those days

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you know people would think that was quite a long way

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

you know because it's (pause) I remember going to like boarding houses you know seaside boarding houses

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

for holidays

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and you did I mean the farthest this'll be when I was fourteen I remember we went to Scarborough

Speaker 2:

we did

Speaker 3:

near near to it was a place called Cayton Bay

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and it was like a little I mean they called it a holiday camp but it wasn't really but it there was a chalets it was nice and there was a big community place where you could they had like dances and games for the children and everything I thought it was fabulous

Speaker 2:

(laughter) yes (laughter)

Speaker 3:

you know I really did you know

Speaker 2:

yes yes

Speaker 3:

I can remember thinking it was marvellous then we went into Scarborough and (pause) to the swimming pool there and little railway you've been to Scarborough (interruption) as well didn't you

Speaker 2:

yes oh yes we went around about that time I would say

Speaker 3:

I think it would be about the same time

Speaker 2:

definitely at Rutherford

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

you know that age about fourteen fifteen

Speaker 3:

it must have been like further afield mustn't it

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and going on the train I thought we were going miles

Speaker 2:

yes well that was about yes we went there and we went to Edinburgh one year again a boarding house

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and we went to Harrogate

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

you know again (interruption) like a boarding house you know

Speaker 3:

yes (pause) yes

Speaker 2:

but eh that was really far afield

Speaker 3:

eeh yes it would be well we went to Scarborough was the f (pause) but when I was very little we used I remember going to Redcar (laughter)

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

I mean it sounds ridiculous but we went there and somewhere else but I don't know where it was I remember going to some seaside place

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

I'm going back a long way because it was before (NAME) was born

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

but of course they bought the cottage you know Allenheads

Speaker 2:

oh yes yes

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and did your mam buy that

Speaker 3:

well my dad (interruption) really my dad bought

Speaker 2:

because your grandma lived in it didn't she

Speaker 3:

not at not at first (interruption) no no

Speaker 2:

not at first

Speaker 3:

it was just half a house at first it was just can you remember it was two bits there was like a front and a back

Speaker 2:

yes I do

Speaker 3:

well originally we just had the back

Speaker 2:

oh right

Speaker 3:

you know the

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

whether they rented it or they bought it I'm sure my dad bought it I remember him saying it cost ninety pounds you know you know and he got a little mortgage out

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and bought it just it was just like two one room (pause) downstairs

Speaker 2:

wh one bedroom and one

Speaker 3:

it had two bedrooms

Speaker 2:

two (pause) so when the when it was together it had four then you know when you had the back and the front

Speaker 3:

mm-hm

Speaker 2:

when we used to go (pause) did it

Speaker 3:

mm-hm it had two bedrooms I think I'm not sure I can't remember

Speaker 2:

well I thought that was when it was together it had two

Speaker 3:

maybes it did maybes I'm getting mixed up

Speaker 2:

mm-hm I don't think it had four did it

Speaker 3:

I thought they each had like a biggish one well I mean when we all stayed in it where were we sleeping

Speaker 2:

eeh I don't know

Speaker 3:

oh it doesn't matter anyway but

Speaker 2:

probably

Speaker 3:

that was the idea that we went (pause) you know that we wouldn't have to go (interruption) away anywhere for holidays you know (interruption) so

Speaker 2:

(interruption) yes (interruption) yes it was nice though wasn't it

Speaker 3:

oh it was good

Speaker 2:

I mean we used to go when we were in our teens didn't we

Speaker 3:

well when the other one chance of another one came up you see they got that as well you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

so it was good really

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

but (pause) I mean I remember getting sick of it when I was younger like when we were at school

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

because you know I didn't really and my grandmother went and lived when they got the front she went and lived there that was it

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

yes she lived in the front bit and we you could go to stay in the back

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

it was a funny idea really a split house but (pause) and she you know I remember going up and staying with her I used to like because she lived with us until then

Speaker 2:

it had a dry toilet out the back didn't it

Speaker 3:

yes it did it took a few years before they got a toilet

Speaker 2:

mm-hm but it was in a nice place wasn't it

Speaker 3:

oh it was lovely (interruption) it's still nice

Speaker 2:

I mean it's still nice at Allenheads (interruption) isn't it

Speaker 3:

well it's out in the wilds isn't it

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

but we used to go on holidays when she was I think she went to live there when I was about twelve

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

so I used to go and eh (pause) we used to go and stay with her (interruption) in the holidays you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

we used to enjoy it

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

she used to get all these magazines I remember and save them for me and they were all it was called the Red Letter or the Red Star they were all just like (pause) stories you know and then the m My Weekly you know

Speaker 2:

yes that type of thing

Speaker 3:

yes these love stories you know I mean terrible stories you know I mean I couldn't be bothered to read them but I thought they were great I used to put them all in order because there was a serial you see

Speaker 2:

oh ran through them all yes

Speaker 3:

you know well they were going for weeks and just sit and read them all

Speaker 2:

yes yes

Speaker 3:

but that was like holidays you know we didn't do anything (pause) and then when it got that was just when we were at school really

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

wasn't it

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you know you didn't do anything days we used to have school trips didn't we

Speaker 2:

oh we did we went to oh where did we go Holy Island and

Speaker 3:

mm-hm

Speaker 2:

Durham and

Speaker 3:

the Roman Wall

Speaker 2:

Finchale Abbey and what have you

Speaker 3:

the (interruption) Roman Wall yes

Speaker 2:

and the Roman Wall went to the did you go to the school camp you would do

Speaker 3:

oh loads of times

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

yes I used to love that

Speaker 2:

yes that was quite an adventure wasn't it

Speaker 3:

yes that was an old

Speaker 2:

Muggleswick

Speaker 3:

Muggleswick it was an old s eh church that they'd renovated they'd had it from before the war hadn't they

Speaker 2:

we used to take ti great huge tins of beans and

Speaker 3:

we just used to take remember Muggleswick soup everybody took a tin of soup

Speaker 2:

yes and mixed it all in

Speaker 3:

we had to just put it all in it only could take about twelve at a time I think but (pause) I went quite a lot (NAME) and I used to like it because we used to go like to go

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

(unclear) you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

we used to like it you know

Speaker 2:

it was quite exciting wasn't it (interruption) to go there

Speaker 3:

aye it was good you used to get off at the end of the road and it was about a quarter of a mile walk

Speaker 2:

it was oh yes

Speaker 3:

it was a good walk and you had all this gear with you didn't you

Speaker 2:

yes take it all with you yes

Speaker 3:

somebody used to give us a lift up in a lorry or something didn't they

Speaker 2:

I remember coming home in a lorry once because one of the girls (interruption) in our class (pause) her father was a fruit merchant

Speaker 3:

yes (pause) oh right

Speaker 2:

and he had a lorry and he called to pick us up and bring us home we were all sat in the back of the fruit were in these sacks you know

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

potato sacks

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and wave to people going past and thought we were really daring you know this was about thirteen year old

Speaker 3:

used to like Muggleswick

Speaker 2:

yes it was good

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and then of course as we got a bit older we used to go to the dances didn't we

Speaker 3:

oh yes yes

Speaker 2:

all the dances there was one at the Brighton

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

of course the Oxford everybody went to the Oxford (interruption) didn't they

Speaker 3:

yes yes (pause) previous to that I remember (NAME) this was probably when I was a little bit younger we used to go to the socials at the Ven Bede

Speaker 2:

oh yes

Speaker 3:

we used to go there

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

I think that would be just a bit younger you know because I can remember having my white socks on

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you know that would be the time you went to youth club

Speaker 2:

that's right

Speaker 3:

you see that was good that youth club

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

I never joined it but you did a lot of things there didn't you

Speaker 2:

yes well I used to go round with (NAME) then

Speaker 3:

that's right

Speaker 2:

and ehm (pause) we joined it when we were thirteen

Speaker 3:

uh-huh

Speaker 2:

it was the boys club the West End Boys Club

Speaker 3:

well (laughter) what were you doing joining the West End Boys Club

Speaker 2:

(laughter) well they decided they would let a few girls in so

Speaker 3:

you dashed there (laughter)

Speaker 2:

(laughter) well you were supposed to be ehm (pause) I forget what you were supposed to be fourteen or fifteen or something and we said we were

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

which we weren't you know we were thirteen

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

and probably looked it with pigtails and all sorts and we joined and we used eeh we loved it we went every night of the week we used to do different things

Speaker 3:

I know I wish I had I didn't

Speaker 2:

table tennis and there was always a dance on the Saturday

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and other nights there was a there was a one dance through the week as well where you learned to dance

Speaker 3:

eeh it was good that you know

Speaker 2:

yes and then other nights there was archery

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

there was table tennis and games and and we di you did (interruption) one of these ready cut

Speaker 3:

you did sewing didn't you

Speaker 2:

rug things you know and (pause) (interruption) you made toy animals and

Speaker 3:

you were still going yes

Speaker 2:

we did all sorts of recreations and things

Speaker 3:

did you not play hockey for them or something

Speaker 2:

was I th oh yes I think I maybe did

Speaker 3:

(unclear)

Speaker 2:

played hockey for somebody and it wasn't the school

Speaker 3:

it was it was the youth club I remember

Speaker 2:

because I wasn't the least (interruption) bit sporty I hated it

Speaker 3:

do you know how I r that was you know when we went to the college of commerce I remember you then

Speaker 2:

and I still had the hockey stick

Speaker 3:

you were still going to the youth club then

Speaker 2:

oh right I was

Speaker 3:

because I remember you were making a skirt because there was a sewing (pause) (interruption) thing

Speaker 2:

that's right a sewing

Speaker 3:

and I remember thinking it was really good and I was thinking of joining then you left (laughter) you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

when you were

Speaker 2:

been about seventeen or something

Speaker 3:

yes well that'll be about the age we were you see

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and I had I mean I suppose I'd heard of it because one of the other ones at school

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

just where we were we were just that (pause) bit further (interruption) down you know

Speaker 2:

bit further yes yes

Speaker 3:

and there was nothing like that round

Speaker 2:

it was a g it was a marvellous thing (interruption) as I say I was there every night and that's where I learned to do all the dances and everything (interruption)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) eeh it was (pause) eeh I know (interruption) I mean you learned a lot really you did archery didn't you

Speaker 2:

we used to do we had special dances every now and again

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

like Easter time

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and in the winter there was always a tramp's ball and you got all (interruption) dressed up and you had to go as a tramp with all the sooty face and the strawy hair and everything you know and (interruption)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yes (pause) yes (pause) yes (interruption) it's funny that I'll tell you who was talking

Speaker 2:

fancy dress

Speaker 3:

it was (NAME) (NAME) used to go didn't she

Speaker 2:

I can't remember (interruption) her going

Speaker 3:

I think she said

Speaker 2:

she might have done

Speaker 3:

you know when aye when I was at that pensioner's lunch

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

(unclear) she was talking to (NAME) (NAME) and they were talking about the youth club (interruption) you know

Speaker 2:

yes yes (pause) it really was good you know it was for those days it was very good

Speaker 3:

well I think it was probably better than the things they have now you know

Speaker 2:

well probably yes

Speaker 3:

yes I mean we used to go I

Speaker 2:

and of course when we did go to the dances when we got older like

Speaker 3:

you would know how to dance (interruption) properly

Speaker 2:

eighteen yes

Speaker 3:

where as I never did really I mean I used to shuffle round the floor but I was never (pause) very good you know I mean (interruption) (unclear)

Speaker 2:

yes didn't do the right steps

Speaker 3:

I went with (NAME) and we went to some because she used to go to a dancing class when she was younger you know

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

one of those ones they used to go to

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

like ballet and everything you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

she did ballet

Speaker 2:

tap dancing and things

Speaker 3:

well I did tap dancing

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

when I was little

Speaker 2:

(laughter) you didn't did you (laughter)

Speaker 3:

eeh I did

Speaker 2:

I can't imagine you tap (interruption) dancing

Speaker 3:

eeh did I never tell you I must have told you that man I had those red shoes with the bows Stan Emery's Tap Dancing (pause) on our street and they used to have the eh displays at the Plaza

Speaker 2:

were you in them

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

good lord how on earth did you keep the rhythm (laughter)

Speaker 3:

I don't think I and I was only little I didn't go for very long

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

oh yes I used to go to the tap dancing I used to be do tap dancing

Speaker 2:

uh-huh

Speaker 3:

(NAME) didn't go she wouldn't go

Speaker 2:

no

Speaker 3:

but ehm anyway I remember going to ballroom once with (NAME)

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you know just for a few so I must have learned something like you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

because after she'd gave up the ballet you know they started doing ballroom and I went with her a few times you know

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

we used to go to things then we used to go to the Ven Bede's as I say

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

to the socials there I used to love those we used to go on a Saturday night it was good

Speaker 2:

there was a lot of that kind of thing then (interruption) wasn't there

Speaker 3:

oh eh there were a lot of dramatics there's a lot of plays I used to (interruption) go people used to do a lot of (pause) (interruption) plays

Speaker 2:

(interruption) yes (interruption) yes our church did the amateur you remember coming with me

Speaker 3:

oh I remember those yes I do

Speaker 2:

we went for years

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

amateur dramatics

Speaker 3:

yes yes

Speaker 2:

which was a good thing wasn't it

Speaker 3:

eeh I know they use

Speaker 2:

they still do it mind here through at Westerhope (interruption) don't they

Speaker 3:

oh yes there's still quite a few do (unclear) in fact I think it's become more popular again that

Speaker 2:

come back again yes

Speaker 3:

yes but we used to go round all the different ones you know

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

we used to have in some ways you had more freedom in a way didn't you we used to wander all (interruption) over the place

Speaker 2:

you did and I mean you didn't you weren't worried about eh coming home late at night or anything

Speaker 3:

oh no

Speaker 2:

I mean when we went to the Oxford and what was that what do you call that other one that's still on the go you know

Speaker 3:

eh

Speaker 2:

you know beside the Co op

Speaker 3:

oh I know yes

Speaker 2:

it's gone

Speaker 3:

eeh it has with me (NAME) (pause) Majestic no

Speaker 2:

no

Speaker 3:

no that was at the bottom of the Westgate Road wasn't it the Majest

Speaker 2:

that was a f that was a picture house yes

Speaker 3:

yes but it was a ballroom as well

Speaker 2:

oh was it

Speaker 3:

can you not remember it being a dance

Speaker 2:

where're you talking about down at eh

Speaker 3:

it uh-huh they had a ballroom there (unclear) when the picture closed I'm I th getting mixed up

Speaker 2:

I don't know I can't remember going to a dance there

Speaker 3:

eeh I think I can

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

perhaps I'm getting mixed up

Speaker 2:

but I mean we used to come u out of the Oxford

Speaker 3:

Mayfair (laughter)

Speaker 2:

the Mayfair (interruption) that's right yes

Speaker 3:

(laughter) I knew it would come

Speaker 2:

and we used to walk I mean if we'd obviously missed the last bus sometimes

Speaker 3:

oh we just used to walk home up the West Road

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

but I mean if you did that now you'd be murdered before you

Speaker 2:

I w I wouldn't even like to walk down the West Road now

Speaker 3:

no

Speaker 2:

it's such a weird place now

Speaker 3:

it's weird it is

Speaker 2:

that West Road down the bottom

Speaker 3:

I know

Speaker 2:

there's all sorts

Speaker 3:

it's a bit

Speaker 2:

I certainly wouldn't like to walk up it

Speaker 3:

no

Speaker 2:

(unclear) wouldn't

Speaker 3:

especially at midnight (laughter)

Speaker 2:

midnight and one o'clock in the morning

Speaker 3:

mind I can remember my mother complaining about it

Speaker 2:

saying 'you shouldn't be walking (interruption) up there'

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

yes I can't but I suppose they must have done you know

Speaker 3:

yes I remember her saying it was ridiculous you know

Speaker 2:

mm

Speaker 3:

you know but I mean it wasn't half as ridiculous as it would as it would be nowadays

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

but you know she did used to c mind it was probably quite a few people walking about you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

there always is

Speaker 2:

oh yes

Speaker 3:

course you see then this is it

Speaker 2:

that's right

Speaker 3:

everybody's in cars now

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

you know if you went down the West Road you know you could (pause) mind having said that when we used to be in each other's houses we used to be (pause) in fact I mean you were once somebody once tried to lure you in their car didn't they

Speaker 2:

that's right

Speaker 3:

coming past

Speaker 2:

coming back here

Speaker 3:

yes from my house to yours

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

we get on talking

Speaker 2:

yes walking up the West Road

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

that was really late because there wasn't a soul about there wasn't anybody in sight (pause) it was about one o'clock

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

or something you know

Speaker 3:

yes God knows what we were doing at that time of the morning

Speaker 2:

well you know we start talking and (pause) w I came out

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

walked the way round and this car just drew up and (pause) shouted 'come across' you know

Speaker 3:

uh-huh

Speaker 2:

I just remember thinking oh I'm going to run across to the hospital it was opposite

Speaker 3:

mm-hm

Speaker 2:

and there was a man on the gates

Speaker 3:

yes well you see

Speaker 2:

commissionaires

Speaker 3:

this is it you see there were people like that

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

weren't there

Speaker 2:

yes (interruption) I thought I would run across there

Speaker 3:

course there aren't now no

Speaker 2:

but eh

Speaker 3:

nobody looking out for anybody now you see

Speaker 2:

no no

Speaker 3:

can't

Speaker 2:

the different eh

Speaker 3:

(laughter) (pause) you know

Speaker 2:

eeh yes you wouldn't like but you y you know you wouldn't like (pause) seventeen year old daughters or anything (interruption) wondering around now

Speaker 3:

oh no no

Speaker 2:

you would have to know where they were

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and what time they were in and everything wouldn't you

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

different eh

Speaker 3:

oh it was a lot safer I think really well certainly we felt a lot safer you know

Speaker 2:

well we did yes I mean I can remember when s (NAME) and I had bikes and we were about fifteen say and we used to cycle through to eh (pause) Mitford which is (interruption) just outside Morpeth there and we used to cycle through from Wingrove when we both lived in the same street

Speaker 3:

yes (pause) mm-hm mm-hm (pause) mm-hm

Speaker 2:

and we used to take a picnic (interruption) in the saddlebag (interruption)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) it's a long way (interruption) mm-hm

Speaker 2:

I don't know how I was so energetic I can't think that I ever was very energetic but I must have been

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and we used to cycle out there and eh (pause) find a field

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and sit and h completely on our own

Speaker 3:

yes (interruption) yes

Speaker 2:

sit and have a picnic

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and then cycle all the (interruption) way back

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

well I mean you wouldn't

Speaker 3:

no well we used to go for a walk we used I remember once we used what (NAME) and I used to do and her cousin who was called (NAME) we used to go I remember like take a bus out somewhere and walk back

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

I remember going right the way out to Ponteland walking all the way back from Ponteland

Speaker 2:

mm-hm

Speaker 3:

I remember it was a red hot day

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

but sometimes I remember once taking a bus out to ehm we thought it looked nice the name Clara Vale (pause) you know near Ryton

Speaker 2:

where's that

Speaker 3:

it's up near Ryton

Speaker 2:

oh right

Speaker 3:

and it's a right (pause) pit village and I mean it probably doesn't look very nice and I didn't think it was all that marvellous but just (interruption) thought

Speaker 2:

you thought it sounded nice

Speaker 3:

I know so we walked so far back then got a bus we used to do that used t we used to go walking and we used to get the bus up to Denton Square

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and walk round there and down in the (unclear) you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

with those ones from school like (NAME) (NAME) and (unclear)

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

and that you know walks round there

Speaker 2:

we used to walk up to Denton Square there used to be a (pause) (interruption) ducks and geese and things there was a farm up there where yeah

Speaker 3:

a nice walk (pause) there was a nice walk at Denton Square yes you could walk through to Westerhope (interruption) along that lane it was like a country road you know (interruption)

Speaker 2:

(interruption) yes (interruption) yes it was rather nice really

Speaker 3:

and round here we used to walk really you know

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

which it was all country of course

Speaker 2:

before this was all built yes

Speaker 3:

oh yes

Speaker 2:

I remember (interruption) coming out of the ehm (pause) Jingling Gate which is just down here now (interruption)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) I always liked walking (interruption) eeh yes

Speaker 2:

and that was kind of a big trip out (interruption) into the country you know for a drink to come out when we first started to go round with people with cars you know (interruption)

Speaker 3:

(interruption) yes yes yes yes (pause) yes yes (interruption) yes

Speaker 2:

if you went on a date you would come out to The Jingling Gate (laughter)

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

big night out you know

Speaker 3:

eeh I know

Speaker 2:

when you think have a drink out there or The Blackbird at Ponteland

Speaker 3:

yes well I suppose people still go out there mind you know

Speaker 2:

well I suppose so

Speaker 3:

but you wouldn't think it was so far

Speaker 2:

we thought we were going a bit further in those days really

Speaker 3:

oh yes yes

Speaker 2:

yes big excitement you know

Speaker 3:

I know (laughter) I mean

Speaker 2:

I suppose we did think we were safer I mean eh (pause) I I'm trying to think how old our (NAME) would be because I ca remember him going away down to the eh Festival of Britain

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

was that nineteen fifty one

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

well he would only be fifteen

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and he went away down with eh (pause) two pals of his (NAME) and ha you know (NAME)

Speaker 3:

(unclear) yes

Speaker 2:

(unclear) and ehm (pause) I can't rem I suppose he must have stayed overnight they wouldn't go I don't think

Speaker 3:

be a day

Speaker 2:

you couldn't

Speaker 3:

you wouldn't be able to it would take too long the trains (interruption) took ages then

Speaker 2:

so they went away down there he took all photographs I (interruption) think I've still got them you know the (unclear) and things (pause) there was different things like that in that exhibition

Speaker 3:

yes (pause) I wonder where he stayed yes yes (pause) mm-hm

Speaker 3:

oh I remember that (interruption) yes

Speaker 2:

I don't know where they stayed (pause) but I mean he was only fifteen you know

Speaker 3:

yes eeh well we were only nineteen when we went to that you know that was towards the end of eh the fifties

Speaker 2:

when we went to London

Speaker 3:

when we went to London

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

we went and stayed in that boarding house didn't we

Speaker 2:

yes (interruption) we did

Speaker 3:

in Kensington

Speaker 2:

for a week eeh it was lovely (interruption) wasn't it

Speaker 3:

yes eeh wasn't it that was our first holiday away wasn't it

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

on our own

Speaker 2:

except for Allenheads and things

Speaker 3:

oh yes

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

uh-huh we used to go to Allenheads and we'd been to Muggleswick with the (interruption) school and everything oh we'd been to Allenheads a few times hadn't we (interruption)

Speaker 2:

(interruption) yes (pause) yes (pause) yes (interruption) yes yes

Speaker 3:

but that was the first sort of holiday wasn't it you know

Speaker 2:

yes a real holiday away

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

we went somewhere every night didn't we

Speaker 3:

I know we did

Speaker 2:

we went all over saw everything didn't we

Speaker 3:

yes yes

Speaker 2:

went all over the place you know

Speaker 3:

and that was like London little boarding house (unclear) then the next year we we went abroad didn't we

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

would that be we went to s no the first one (interruption) was that one we went

Speaker 2:

no we went pa Paris

Speaker 3:

Paris Brussels and Amsterdam

Speaker 2:

that's right (laughter)

Speaker 3:

and it was called Blue Car Travel and it cost (pause) nineteen fif nineteen pound ten shillings

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

for the holiday

Speaker 2:

and the following year we went to Montreux for a week

Speaker 3:

yes

Speaker 2:

and that was something like twenty three pound

Speaker 3:

yes it was

Speaker 2:

when you think

Speaker 3:

I know

Speaker 2:

twenty three pound

Speaker 3:

I remember it was less than twenty pound that Paris Brussels and Amsterdam trip

Speaker 2:

eeh (pause) honestly

Speaker 3:

and that was the end of the things were you know we started to get more luxury things in the houses then (interruption) didn't we

Speaker 2:

yes that's right

Speaker 3:

you know and right from the beginning there was a big change wasn't there really

Speaker 2:

yes

Speaker 3:

very drab like the early naturally after the war

Speaker 2:

well there wasn't the stuff to get (interruption) was there

Speaker 3:

no I mean you just couldn't get anything

Speaker 2:

food or goods or anything you know

Speaker 3:

I know it's just

Speaker 3:

oh I've got to say it out loud sorry

Speaker 2:

(laughter)

Speaker 3:

I'm just sitting reading it here

Speaker 2:

(laughter) you dope

Speaker 3:

(laughter)

Speaker 2:

well that would tell them an awful lot

Speaker 3:

oh well I thought it was something we had to do after that you see

Speaker 2:

no th she wants to hear you reading them

Speaker 3:

oh right

Speaker 2:

right

Speaker 3:

uh-huh sheet beetle metre I beat it gate paint fatal later I hate it eighty eight bet bent felt fettle better I met him hat ant battle batter drat it cart can't carter pot totter bottle font salt I got it caught daughter chortle haunt I bought it boat total motor I wrote it put footer put it in boot Bootle hooter bite title mitre pint bite it out fount outer pit bitter brittle print I hit it hilt beak wreck back I seek it I wreck it I back it bank lamp leap cap steep it lap it apron matron micro Metro leprosy petrol acrid atlas hopper butter packer topple bottle hackle whisper custard after whisker doctor chapter jumper hunter bunker appear attend occur appearance attendance occurrence alpine alter polka (pause) staircase half past half cut automatic Jupiter epileptic sheet read breeze key gate maid may boat load (pause) go boot brood booze brew out loud cow site side size sigh sighed knife five knives dive dial Friday diary I've got to do it tomorrow I had to put it off he meant what he said he's booking separate tables for supper a simple sentence pick up a packet of firelighters pack it in or beat it he's putting it off he put in a bid jump up on the tractor he won't do that in a hurry put a comma in it

Speaker 2:

beetle metre I beat it gate paint fatal later I hate it eighty eight bet bent felt fettle better I met him hat ant battle batter drat it cart can't carter pot totter bottle font salt I got it caught daughter chortle haunt I bought it boat total motor I wrote it put footer put it in boot Bootle hooter bite title mitre pint (pause) bite it out fount outer pit bitter brittle print I hit it hilt beak wreck back I seek it I wreck it I back it (pause) bank lamp leap cap steep it lap it (pause) apron matron micro Metro leprosy petrol acrid atlas (pause) hopper butter packer topple bottle hackle (pause) whisper custard after whisker doctor chapter jumper hunter bunker (pause) appear attend occur appearance attendance occurrence alpine alter polka (pause) staircase half past half cut (pause) automatic Jupiter epileptic sheet read breeze key gate maid may boat load go (pause) boot brood booze brew out loud cow (pause) site side size sigh sighed knife five knives dive dial Friday diary I've got to do it tomorrow I had to put it off he meant what he said he's booking separate tables for supper a simple sentence pick up a packet of firelighters pack it in or beat it he's putting it off he put in a bid jump up on the tractor he won't do that in a hurry put a comma in it (laughter)

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