yes

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

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

mm-hm

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

uh-huh probably

because war was looming

it was (interruption) imminent yes yes

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)

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

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

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

quite a lot (pause) round then yes

there was factories wasn't there

yes

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

yes

the big shipyards

yes and of course they did hit the goods yard

the goods yard

at what was then Manors wasn't it

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

it's now Warner Warner Brothers yes yes

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

it must have been

out of the goods yard

in the in one of the trains or something

well it would just be in the stock

stocked in the goods yard (interruption) yes

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

oh right right

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

eeh how weird yes yes

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

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

mm-hm mm-hm mm-hm

the doorway was in the hall

mm-hm

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

mm-hm mm-hm yes

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

eeh your poor mother when you think

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

uh-huh yes

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

oh yes (interruption) yes yes

which was just at the end of the street actually

yes

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

yes

from the house

yes

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

yes

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

poor soul

and her knees were actually knocking together you know with fright

yes

really

eeh I should think (interruption) they would

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

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

mm-hm

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

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

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

yes

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

yes

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

yes

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

to see you yes

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

yes yes

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

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

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

yes

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

couldn't get the petrol

you couldn't get any petrol

no no

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

uh-huh

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

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

no

no

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

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

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)

(laughter)

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

(laughter) God

and so that was it they just sold it you know

yes

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

not think about getting it mended or anything

well I don't suppose they could afford to really

no no

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

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

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

yes

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

oh right yes yes

and he had a big car

yes

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

yes

(unclear) all cars were black weren't they

yes they were

and there was hardly (interruption) anybody

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

yes

you can have any colour you like

oh they were all black

as long as it's black

there weren't any other colours then

yes

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

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

well (interruption) that was

I don't think anybody we knew had a car

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

yes yes

little Austin Seven

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

well there was no electricity

when did you come back then (unclear)

eh (pause) when I was five

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

to go to school probably four and a half or something

yes yes

but came back to go to school

yes

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

a real country hick (laughter)

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)

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

must have done

yes

must have done

I don't really (interruption) (unclear)

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

oh yes

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

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

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

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

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

(laughter)

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

(laughter)

I think I'd better stop this (laughter)

(laughter)

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

yes we came back to go to school

eeh (interruption) yes yes

that'll be when we all started together

yes yes

you see our (NAME) had already started school

yes

across at Heaton

yes

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

yes

who who would have all the worry the kids

oh

as kids do take everything in their stride

they don't worry about anything do they

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

(laughter)

and you just went into school at lunchtime

yes yes

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

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

which is a bit of a (laughter)

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

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

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

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

oh yes

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

yes we did

yes yes

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

yes a lot a lot in the classes

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

yes

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

yes

or anywhere out the town you know

yes mm

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

no it was

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

no

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

you would n't know then no

no

you wouldn't know then no

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

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

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

yes

air raid shelters

we had to go away in there

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

do you mean for the drill

yes

I can remember going (interruption) in them

oh now I can't

yes

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

yes I can remember going in them

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

the General Hospital (interruption) on West Road

the General Hospital that's right

yes

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

yes (interruption) yes

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

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

eeh I know

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

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

yes

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

no you weren't you

quarter of

yes

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

(laughter) eeh well that was good

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

yes yes (pause) yes yes

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

yes terrible yes eeh

but (unclear) of course

so that was one shelter yes yes

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

yes

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

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

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

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

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

because there was an entrance

yes it was an air raid shelter

where the tram depot used to be

yes

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)

(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

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

yes

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

yes

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

it was an air raid shelter yes

and we went right the way down

eeh it was about quarter of a mile

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

and we used to play down there

horrible when you think

I know it was all

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

no

playing away down there

I know

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

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

yes

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

oh right

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

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

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

and the fire station

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)

(interruption) yes (interruption) yes

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

yes yes

and it was really dangerous because the floorboards were all

yes

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

yes yes later on yes

yes we were doing that playing out like that you know

yes yes

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

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

(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

yes

and you would play up with your lot

and some our end yes

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

yes

course they lived there

uh-huh

the firemen

on the premises

oh yes they all lived there

oh right (interruption) yes

so they all had they all had like a flat

uh-huh

in the fire station

oh

you know

mm

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

yes

I think you'll remember them

yes I remember the name

yes we used to play with them

yes

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

oh

you know

wonder why that was

eeh I don't know

unless she'd had some kind of

was thinking of her the other day

treatment or something

yes she might have done of course

uh-huh

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

yes

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

(laughter)

nobody stopped us they didn't seem to mind

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

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

they wouldn't let you now

it was a bit dangerous really

you wouldn't expect them to would you

no no

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

I mean they all lived there you see

yes

so I mean it was just quite

that was their playground

yes

yes

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

yes

you know

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

yes well we did as (interruption) well mind

we played a lot in Nunsmoor Park

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

yes

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

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

yes we were yes

yes oh nuns Nunsmoor was just (pause) eh

yes

down eh at the bottom of our street

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

mm-hm

used to take him in the pushchair

mm

down to Nunsmoor because it was a nicer walk

yes

down Brighton we used to go down Brighton Grove

mm

and then you could walk right through

that's right

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

yes

and everything you know

yes it was a nice park

yes yes

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

really

and hanging them on a line and beating them

eeh in the park

with carpet beaters

eeh well

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

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

I know

those little back yards were very small

yes

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

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

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

I can remember that quite clearly

yes

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

no no no

but we had a very large back yard

mm-hm

but eh I can remember other people doing that

yes (unclear)

funny the things you can remember

I know

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

yes

where next to the tram shed

yes

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

mm-hm mm-hm

up and down the eh

mm-hm

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

mm-hm

and they must have laid all the steel girders

mm-hm (interruption) I remember those

I suppose they're steel things

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

I can't remember the colour

I do

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

yes yes

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

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

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

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

mm

soon as we came into Newcastle

oh yes you'd be eh

you caught everything under the sun

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

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

yes

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

gosh

you know I was just you know

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

(laughter) you wouldn't remember though would you

no no I can't really

at that age you don't know people disappear

no

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

yes

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

no no

I think kids just don't remember

no

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

mm-hm

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

mm

I missed a lot of school when I was in the

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

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

yes yes

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

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

(unclear) as well I know

yes

so it didn't do you that much good really

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

oh yes

and this was when I was a toddler

that's the one that just closed down

yes

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

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

yes (NAME) had that

and eh they took me away up there

yes

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

no no but you mother yes

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

eeh I know

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

I know

and see you

I know

say six o'clock until half six

I know

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

I know parents can (interruption) stay

you know like when (NAME) had that

eeh (interruption) yes

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

yes

well he had a bang on the head and they we

yes

they took him in for

yes

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

you were allowed to stay all night weren't you

and I could

yes

you know sat in the chair at his bedside

yes

and I was just there with him the whole time whereas

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

yes (interruption) she couldn't

course she lost she missed a lot of school as well

yes

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

being abandoned

and being abandoned you know

yes

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

I think there was a lot of that

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

yes

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)

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

and she wouldn't eat it you know

yes

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

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

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

I mean I probably screamed blue murder I would think

you would yes

I was only about two you know

eeh I know

I mean you can't explain it

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

yes

you know she says she could always remember it you know

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

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

yes

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

oh uh-huh

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

yes

apparently actually started in this country

so that was in the sixties

and it was just in the sixties you know

yes

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

yes (pause) yes (pause) uh-huh

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

yes

you know

yes yes and now you c you know

it's good (interruption) you know

it's the accepted thing isn't it

yes yes

much more reassuring isn't it

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

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

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

oh yes

eeh we went mad (interruption) on the films

yes everybody went to the pictures didn't they

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

yes

because we had to

yes

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

yes

the top end

yes yes

the bottom end where we were is not as good

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

well it is yes

yes

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

oh the amenities (interruption) yes

what I mean is it hasn't disappeared altogether

yes yes

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

mm

you know it's still quite good

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

mm-hm

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

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

yes it is really

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

that's changed quite a bit

it has

yes

oh yes it has

but where we were I mean

there was (unclear) though

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

yes we were

eh (pause) the Plaza

yes

up at this end of the West Road

yes

and the Brighton

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

yes yes you were nearer there weren't you

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

the big double doors yes

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

criminal past (laughter)

I know used to like to nip in you know

yes

they probably knew you know when you think about it

yes

we'd just be little kids like you know

yes

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

delivery

(unclear)

yes yes

because I know originally my grandmother used to take us

yes

(NAME) and I

yes

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

yes

and so naturally she thought the pictures were marvellous

yes

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

uh-huh

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

oh right yes

you know she couldn't like a child you know

yes

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

uh-huh

and she used to read magazines later

uh-huh

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

is this your mam's mam or your

yes

your mam's mam

yes the Irish one

yes I'm with you

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

yes

you know and then you started going

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

oh yes you did I mean

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

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

was it

I think so

or was it Snow White or something

it might have been Snow White

yes

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

I think it was quite early

was it

yes

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

(laughter)

I can't remember the first picture I saw

I can't

I can just remember going you know

yes

just took you and you just went

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

oh easily

because it used to be Monday Tuesday Wednesday then changed

changed Thursday Friday

and the second one was Thursday

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

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

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

oh right

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

(laughter)

this drama in this picture

(laughter)

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)

(laughter)

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

oh yes oh you (interruption) did

much more so than you

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

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

oh it's not quite the same

I don't even mean the pictures I mean anything

yes

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

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

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

yes

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

yes

wasn't it the pictures

it was

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

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

oh yes it didn't bother us

I mean they wouldn't be very dramatic

no

but (interruption) to us then they were

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

yes

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

(laughter)

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

(laughter)

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

(laughter)

I couldn't sleep for nights

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

well I was just so frightened

yes

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

yes yes

as if apes would anyway

(laughter)

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

yes it's

I've no idea who was in it or anything

stuck in your mind

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

probably was probably was you know

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

yes

we used to get all these magazines and

oh yes

and for Christmas you got

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

mm-hm

every week they were a magazine

yes we did and we used to get

you got the annuals at (interruption) Christmas

at Christmas you got all the annuals

mm

didn't you you know and

yes

you know we really did and just

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

oh I remember seeing it

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

I don't remember no

I can remember that

aye yes

we all just screamed

yes yes

Magwitch in the in the churchyard

yes yes

and he just leaped you know

(unclear) coloured pictures came out

oh yes

we thought that was marvellous didn't we

yes yes

yes and then Cinemascope of course

mm-hm

that was later but you know we did

yes

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

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

yes

who'd married who and all

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

yes

I always liked the pictures better

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

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

took it all in (pause) yes

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

yes

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

all the gossip yes yes

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

yes

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

mm-hm

but we you know the

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

oh yes

every year with all the

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

yes

we used to love the comics

oh yes they were good

yes

the ehm

well we used to

what was that one again

there was the Dandy and the Beano and the Radio Fun

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

the Knockout

the Knockout

the Knockout yes

yes yes I remember that (interruption) (unclear)

then you used to get the Eagle you know

yes

eventually you know

oh and we started to get when we were at Rutherford

the School (interruption) Friend and the Girls Crystal

we got the School Friend came out didn't it

yes oh we loved those

yes

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)

oh yes he lived in our street yes

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

yes

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

he got the comics did he

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

uh-huh

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

mm-hm

and she used to come down

mm

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

mm

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

yes

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

no

I don't think I was very musical

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

eeh (pause) you did I remember

you and (NAME) having the lessons

I know he used to

he used to have a ruler out and be

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

rapping you across the knuckles didn't he

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

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

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

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

oh he was horrible

(laughter)

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

(laughter)

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

not the best way to make a good pianist is it

well no

crack

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

yes so that didn't last too long

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

yes

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

no (pause) I would not (laughter)

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

yes

so

yes

and that was the end of the music lessons

yes

I didn't take to them I'm afraid

no

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

do you want a drink

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

(laughter)

oh what'll I talk about

(laughter) of water

(laughter) mm-hm

(unclear) Lilliput was it or something

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

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

yes

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

did you yes

eeh we always got The News Of The

we got The People

my grandmother liked The News Of The World you know

yes

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

yes

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

yes

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

yes yes

you know sort of things are getting a bit more

mm

I remember I used to love to read that as well

yes

we used to like course I was always at the library

yes

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?

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

that's right

on the left I do

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)

(interruption) yes (interruption) twopence or something

threepence it was

yes (interruption) can remember

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

yes

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

mm

we used to love those

yes

I just remembered about those this morning when I was listening

yes I'd forgotten about that

Just William on the

on the radio yes

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

yes

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

picnics in the dorm and all that kind of thing

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

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

you would go to Fenham now I didn't

m in fact we I c

oh you would only be in one

yes

so you wouldn't go any more

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

oh you wouldn't it was too far for you

yes

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

you were that much nearer (pause) Elswick

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

yes

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

no no

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

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

it was no distance to Elswick for us really

mm yes

we used to go there every week really

mm-hm

get all the books out

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

mm-hm

at Heaton across the end of Byker bridge

oh yes

it was all variety and things

mm-hm mm-hm

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

mm-hm

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

eeh good

you know really well known people used to come and do

yes yes

v variety acts

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

mm

but just an odd time

we used to like to watch the shows

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

of course in those days people had an act you see

yes

and they used to take it round for years

yes they did

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

yes yes it would be

well some of those old comedians

yes

they went on for years

yes

with the same material you know

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

mm

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

mm-hm I wonder

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

yes yes

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

her mother was wasn't she

yes her mother

her fa was it her mother

no it was her mother

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

her mother and her mother's sister

yes

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

mm

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

yes

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

yes yes

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

mm

we used to go down a lot to Whitley Bay

mm-hm

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)

eeh yes (laughter) big treat

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

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

eeh does he

along the beach and what have you

yes

you know and the

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

yes just that bit different

I don't remember anything like that

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

no you won't

barbed wire on the beach and things

no no

it was just (interruption) ordinary seaside

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

yes

outside the Central Station

mm

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

yes oh I can remember that

it was absolutely packed solid wasn't it

yes

but you used to go you know

oh yes

and oh we loved it didn't we

it was a big treat wasn't it

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

yes

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

mm-hm

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

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

Tynemouth yes no they were at Whitley Bay theirs

Whitley Bay

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

yes uh-huh

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

yes

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

mm

people just sitting there in the sun

mm-hm

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

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

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

yes panic

you seemed a bit lost like you know

just see this sea of faces

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

(laughter)

we stayed in one of the boarding houses

(laughter) did you

yes

uh-huh

I remember it

a fortnight as well

a fortnight

(laughter)

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

yes

with having his own business he never got a holiday

yes

you know I don't remember him having a holiday

yes

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

yes (laughter)

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

two weeks yes I can remember going to the country

uh-huh

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

that was quite a long way really for those days

yes

you know people would think that was quite a long way

mm

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

yes

for holidays

yes

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

we did

near near to it was a place called Cayton Bay

yes

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

(laughter) yes (laughter)

you know I really did you know

yes yes

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

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

I think it would be about the same time

definitely at Rutherford

yes

you know that age about fourteen fifteen

it must have been like further afield mustn't it

yes

and going on the train I thought we were going miles

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

yes

and we went to Harrogate

yes

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

yes (pause) yes

but eh that was really far afield

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)

yes

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

yes

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

mm

but of course they bought the cottage you know Allenheads

oh yes yes

yes

and did your mam buy that

well my dad (interruption) really my dad bought

because your grandma lived in it didn't she

not at not at first (interruption) no no

not at first

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

yes I do

well originally we just had the back

oh right

you know the

yes

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

yes

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

wh one bedroom and one

it had two bedrooms

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

mm-hm

when we used to go (pause) did it

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

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

maybes it did maybes I'm getting mixed up

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

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

eeh I don't know

oh it doesn't matter anyway but

probably

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

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

oh it was good

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

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

yes

so it was good really

mm-hm

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

yes

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

yes

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

yes

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

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

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

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

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

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