(unclear) about your childhood (pause) that you enjoyed the most

ehm I couldn't really tell you (NAME) because well probably going to school (laughter)

mine as well we used to go together remember

aye remember Wingrove

oh how could I forget it man

aye you used to beat me up all the time

no I never don't lie

yes you did (laughter) (unclear)

(unclear) I still s like all the teachers have changed now man honestly (interruption) there's not one teacher

do you remember Miss (NAME)

I don't remember Miss (NAME) I remember Miss Miss Mrs (NAME) and Mrs (NAME)

oh I think that was her

yeah

with black pitch black hair

yeah

bob cut

yeah bob cut yeah

God petrified of her she reminded me of a witch

oh

she looked so wicked man

she she must have left don't know what happened to her

mm

they've all changed now even the head teacher's changed

mm I know

mm-hm

I changed school I went to Canning Street

why

because I liked it there better

yous moved didn't yous

no I I lived in Canning Street but I went to Canning Street school as well I liked it there had some good friends

but yous lived in our street for a while remember

yeah I lived in your (interruption) street yeah

that's where you went to Wingrove

yeah (interruption) Canning Street was (unclear)

it was only for a couple of weeks though wasn't it

yeah

mm (interruption) (unclear)

didn't enjoy Wingrove

did you not

no I rather liked it I liked it better in ehm Canning Street had more friends there

when did you move from Canning Street then

when did I move

yeah

you mean when did I move to my new house

yeah

about five years ago I live (unclear) for about (pause) at the Benwell side about (pause) couple of years (pause) eh about we lived there for six years

six years my God we've been living in the same house for (pause) fifteen years (pause) (interruption) same place

no not me (interruption) (unclear)

I wouldn't want to move I swear to God it would (interruption) be dead

I know I know it would be so different if you went to a different town

(unclear) different town

it wouldn't be like

even to a different area

I know it wouldn't be like home it's like my friends are here you're so familiar

I know

you know you like (pause) everything's just so (pause) so homely

I know I know

I'd hate to move somewhere else

I know I mean

suppose you had to go over (unclear) Gosforth or Jesmond

no I wouldn't like that

I wouldn't

I wouldn't like a total change I w I would stay in the Fenham area

mm

I like it here because I know everyone round here

yeah I know

and it's a laugh as well

I know

and plus school friends

(unclear)

and plus I d I don't think I could ever live anywhere else

I don't (interruption) think I could I know

my house is like oh my God I wouldn't never want to (interruption) live anywhere else

I don't think I could move to a area that's so quiet man

I know

(unclear) (unclear) so unbearable (interruption) I hate it when it's quiet

aye it's dead noisy (interruption) round (unclear)

around here's so like so familiar friendly noisy

I know I know

you know it's really nice I like it round here

I enjoy it here

I liked in Canning Street I had some really nice friends there they all left

they've all left haven't they

yeah

I seen what's her name this morning

who

(NAME)

did you

yeah she was in town just managed to say 'hello' to her

(unclear) all my friends right all my friends I have had right my mam's been against all of them

mm

I remember (unclear) (NAME) right she was really nice right and (unclear) she's (unclear) auntie (NAME) the corner of my street she like really fashionable

I don't know

well (unclear) (unclear) (unclear)

oh yeah with the c with the curly hair

yeah

yeah

(unclear) black (unclear)

yeah

yeah her her niece (unclear) really good friend right and she left as well (unclear) every all my friends my mam's been against all of them

all of them

even you

(laughter) (unclear) even me (laughter) no I'd hate to live anywhere else man my dad was thinking of moving down ehm (pause) he was saying 'let's move down south' (pause) because that's where all the Asian people are and I gans 'no way I don't want to move down there' I'd rather stay here

well my parents was thinking of getting a shop right (unclear) they were also thinking of moving in the place

mm

like I got so scared it's like (unclear) oh God I don't want to move nowhere else (unclear) I just wanted to live here

I know

(unclear) all my friends are here and (unclear) school would you (interruption) like to change school

(unclear) I'd hate to change (interruption) school

I'd hate it

honestly it would be so

I know

awkward because like we know everyone like all the (interruption) teachers

you know everybody you know all the teachers and all the students everybody

I know

(unclear) Newcastle's so you know (pause) it's so nice

no I mean honestly right we went to Luton right (pause) and there's loads of Asians down there and you know it just seems like Pakistan because like there's Asians all over the place

(unclear) same in Bradford

and you know at the end of the day it was seven o'clock and I just couldn't wait to get back to Newcastle I swear to God I just wanted to be home

I know even though

I hate it

even though you go to towns like Middlesbrough (unclear) more weddings there aren't there (unclear) then you can stay there for a while like I just hate it I just hate (unclear)

I know

(unclear) oh God I hate living here there's so many you know

aye

so many Pakistanis (unclear) and you think oh God (unclear) I (unclear) want to go back to Newcastle

I'd like to live in a mixed place because this is mixed

aye

I mean there's n there's bit of everything you know what I mean

I know

that's why it's a laugh I love it here I'd never want to move

aye it's nice place man

(unclear) (pause) want my kids to (pause) be brought up here as well

oh I don't know I'll probably move when I grow up probably move to a different town

no I wouldn't move

probably (interruption) I'm not sure

(unclear) (unclear) (pause) (interruption) (unclear)

if you were to move what town would you move to

what town would I move to I wouldn't move I wouldn't move out of the North East I would stay in the North East move to somewhere like (pause) South Shields or North Shields I wouldn't go out I wouldn't go down south or (pause) down to Wales or (unclear)

(unclear)

couldn't bear it

oh I don't know

ay

I'll probably move down to somewhere like

somewhere down south like London why have you got many relatives down there

no I haven't got any relatives (interruption) (unclear)

all my relatives are in Middlesbrough (interruption) most of them

same here

most of them close relatives

same here

you know first cousins

Middlesbrough

are all in Middlesbrough

same here

(unclear)

oh that's one place I wouldn't want to go never ever

why

my life would be hell

(unclear)

Middlesbrough like gossiping all over the place

mm

I'd like to go somewhere where there's like (pause) somewhere like Glasgow Birmingham or Manchester (unclear)

mm

probably if I feel like it but I (unclear)

Manchester's just as bad as (pause) (interruption) Bradford and Luton

but I think you listening I think I'll still stick to Newcastle I don't think I'll be able to move because it's so (pause) familiar

mm

like every everything you know I've lived here all my life

you're right (pause) I would move you know if I got a good job or somewhere or something like that or if I had a good reason then I would probably move but without a good reason I wouldn't move (interruption) I'd stay here

(unclear)

I'd stay here

(unclear)

I like it here

(unclear)

so what about (NAME)

what you mean

what's she doing now

she's doing her YT

would she move do you think

I don't know she doesn't (pause) she's not the type to mix in with people man

honestly

even if she does move I don't think she'll make very friends

true like

(laughter)

(unclear)

you know what she's like

yeah I know (interruption) what she's like

she's done her YT and (pause) she's getting on she's going on quite good

is she

yeah (pause) it's better than nowt isn't it

mm

better than sitting in the house

aye doing nothing

no

(unclear) I want to do my A levels next year

(unclear) I want to do my A levels definitely I wish just wish (unclear)

mm

parents just say yes (unclear) really wish

I would do them anyway I think they'll let us yeah they're all right about that now

do you know what your dad said did he think about it

he said I can he said I can he said I can definitely stay on and do my A levels next year

(unclear)

I don't know he might (pause) decide to take a (unclear) half way but I doubt it and I said to him it's a two year course and I'm not going to drop out if I do it I'm going to do it in the full two years

I would would definitely

definitely what one what A levels are you going to do

want I want to do business but I been talking to I've been talking to Mr (NAME) about it and (unclear) English Language

yeah my sister's doing business and Mrs (NAME) was telling us oh my God she goes 'your sister (pause) she's she's a bit of a motor mouth isn't she' because she met (NAME) (pause) and she didn't know she was my sister you know (pause) and she goes (pause) (NAME) goes when I turned round and looked at her she goes to us ehm (pause) 'talk' and my sister talked and she goes 'you remind me of someone' and my sister goes 'who d who do I remind you of' she goes 'wait a minute you're related to someone in this school aren't you' and she goes 'yeah' she goes 'you're (NAME)'s sister'

(laughter)

she goes 'yeah' and Mrs (NAME) goes 'you know (NAME) she's a bit more quieter and she doesn't use'

hands

(unclear) 'she doesn't use her hands to talk you use your hands' she's just like you know what I mean talks (unclear)

I use my hands as well

(laughter) I know she (pause) she's mad man honestly the only thing she does is just (pause) move the hands she gets it from my mam I swear to God that's what my (interruption) mum does as well

so she's going to do business

she's doing business next year business geography (pause) and I don't know something else

business (interruption) is good subject

she's definitely doing business

business is good subject

I wouldn't want to do that at A level though it's hard

why (interruption) is it

it's really hard really really hard I would do the GNVQ

do you want to do the GNVQ?

well I I wouldn't I don't want to do it but it's easier than ehm business studies A level

yeah I know but (unclear)

it's not high it's not highly recognized now

I know

not at the moment it might be in a few years' time but it's not at the moment (pause) and you know (unclear) saying that it's equivalent to two A levels (pause) to get in at university (pause) I still I'd rather have A levels

I'd rather (interruption) have A levels

because A levels (pause) (interruption) you can keep your options open

that's only equivalent that's only equivalent

I know

(unclear) do English Language because I'm I'm Literature I don't find it really interesting (unclear) I think language is something that is more important than literature

I I'm good at Literature that's why I'm doing it

I want to do Language

I love English man (interruption) it's my favourite subject

use it effectively

I've always loved it

well I like (unclear) I like (unclear)

English and RE I was always English RE (pause) and ehm what was it (pause) geography I was always good at the written subjects (unclear) in all all of my years at school I've always got good grades in English (pause) in the written subjects but when it came to the mathematical subjects like maths and (interruption) science

oh yeah I'm terrible at that

I was terrible I was always at the bottom

same here (interruption) science I got a G

I was good I was good I was good up t you know until junior school

mm

I was good in junior school as soon as they introduced this new SMILE right and the cards and (interruption) everything

aye that's what I was that's what I was thinking

I just went down hill I think it en just encourages people to cheat

cheat

and not to do their work

(unclear)

because you've got the answers in the answer book

and you just (unclear) you just (unclear) oh God what

you just

you know if I don't know it just look in the answer book

just look in the answer book I know (interruption) and what is the point of that

I I think if we had algebra in our school in our school right people (unclear) concentrate more

I know

the it's interesting man

even (NAME) himself you know he persuaded the teacher to let him work from books and look (NAME)'s doing really well I would rather work from a book because I would know

I hate SMILE

I've got to work through this book

I hate SMILE man

and get everything done and that way I think I'd learn better as well but the cards and everything it just makes it seem so babyish

it does it (interruption) it's just like (pause) like silly games

remember when we were younger when we were younger remember remember when we were younger in the junior school (unclear) we used to have like (interruption) books

books and you worked through them

books and worked through them and (interruption) (unclear) used to have like

(unclear) as well

a work book and a text book to work through as well

(unclear)

and I used to always do dead well and I was always ahead of everyone but as as soon as all this (interruption) (unclear)

SMILE came along I was down hill

I was down hill (pause) honestly

it's just I'm like SMILE man it's like (pause) half the things are so babyish like (pause) just like (pause) doing up jigsaws and numbers (interruption) and

I know two add two and

yeah and

I know

you know (interruption) little games

when you could be concentrating on more stuff like (pause) trigonometry and ehm algebra that's what (interruption) that's what all the other

algebra is the most important part

I know that's what all the other kids in the other school are doing

(unclear)

and we're ca we're doing silly cards

I'm I'm

(unclear)

a bit scared about business doing business A levels because you know if it's bit too hard I wouldn't wouldn't talk to Mr (NAME) about it

you well you can you can have your t y you get you do get about two months' trial don't you then if you don't like it you can change or you can drop out (pause) I'm not doing three A levels I couldn't cope with three

oh I'm going to do two A levels and I want to (interruption) do photography

I'm only doing two

I want to do a photography course

(unclear)

I want a photography course at least for the one year

where's that

I think at school Mr (NAME) doing it next year

photography in one year

yeah

I might do that like

I want to do photography

I'm always interested in like (interruption) taking photos (unclear)

it's so it's so good isn't it

(unclear)

I want to do photography (NAME)'s doing it as well

mm (interruption) honestly

(NAME) says it's good because she done it last year

you see our photos the ones that we took (pause) for the fashion show

oh yeah (interruption) they were good

oh they were really good honestly they were (interruption) really really good

I want to do photography next year

mm (pause) so what else

(unclear)

what else are you thinking of doing

eh

what else are you thinking of doing what are you thinking of doing after A levels are you going to get a job or what (interruption) go to university

I wish I could (unclear) I wish I could think (unclear) don't know because sometimes I think that after A levels that'll be the end to it

mm get married

(laughter) (unclear)

(unclear)

so scared man (unclear) (pause) after A levels right I want to go I want I want to get a degree want to get a degree in business

well then if you want to get a degree in business I would go ahead and do the GNVQ three because that isn't specific business and if you want to do a degree in business well that'll get you in (pause) the GNVQ three can get you in

yeah (unclear) it's you're right because it's not recommended as much and it's only equivalent it's not as if it's classed as two A levels it's (unclear) only equivalent

yeah (unclear)

and do you know something I I get the feeling it's just like (pause) it's like (pause) it's like

I don't know

(unclear) much work

honestly

it is a lot of work but

you know just like A levels when someone just says A levels I can just imagine doing loads and loads of work and when they say GNVQ I can just imagine messing (interruption) around

nothing just (interruption) messing around

(unclear) that's why I want to (interruption) do the A levels

I don't want to do a GNVQ

I want to just put my head down and get some work done work hard for two years and get two decent grades honestly and then I'm going to see (pause) what I want after that (unclear)

I don't want GNVQ honestly because y you know just the sound of it makes you think oh God it's just (unclear) messing around like this year

mm

but we didn't mess around we got all our work (unclear) it was a laugh this year it was a laugh

yeah (pause) it was

I remem I'd never forget this year

this year was brilliant honestly

(unclear)

God I wish they would all come back you know it's going to be dead empty without them all next year

already is

me and you are going to be the only ones here

already is empty

me and you and (NAME) that's it we had some right good laughs I swear to God

aye remember when we used to stay in that room and play cards at dinner time

and the town we used to go to the town all the time when we went (interruption) to the job centre (laughter)

oh oh aye I'll never forget that

and his auntie walked in (NAME)'s auntie walked in oh God

oh man I think I'm really going to miss em next year (unclear) leave

I know

(unclear)

have you heard from (NAME)

have I heard I'm going to kill him I'm (unclear) going to murder him

(unclear)

I am I'm really going to kill him when he comes back

I wonder what he's going to do next year

he's going to college

(unclear) have you I thought yous were going to get that shop in Dunston (pause) did you not get it

no

what's (NAME) doing next year

I divn't know I think he's I think he's going to stay on

is he fifth year now or is he fourth year

he's fourth year I think he's going to carry on with education and (NAME) going to ehm college next year I think

is she

(unclear)

what's she going to do at college

nursery nurse nursery course

nursery nursing

(interruption) I don't want to go to college

is that at Rye Hill

yeah I don't want to go to college

why

I don't know why (unclear)

mm (pause) I just don't want to leave (unclear) we're dead lucky you know we've got sixth form in school in other cities they don't

I know

and like in Middlesbrough you've got to go to a sixth form college and most of the parents don't even let the girls go

(unclear)

because like it's different from school you're going to a college

(unclear)

but here we've got like sixth form in the school (pause) (interruption) so

yeah (unclear) I think it's better here (unclear)

it's better I know

(NAME)'s coming back next year

is he

yeah (NAME) was here yesterday oh yesterday was so boring (unclear) sitting all day right and he was sitting there going 'oh why do you always criticize me' I goes 'what did I say to you' he goes 'you're always sitting there you know like (unclear) swearing to me' I says 'okay then I won't swear to you' he says 'well w why do you bother (unclear) I'm not going to swear to you and I'm not going to talk to you' like sat there silently for ten minutes right like after ten minutes he goes 'oh here man test me with this I've got a driving lesson coming up' (laughter)

oh

I felt like saying 'oh I thought you said don't talk to me' he goes 'oh forget it man just test me will you'

my dad has been learning how to drive for (pause) one (pause) one and a half years and he still hasn't give his test I mean (interruption) he came

one and a half years

he came to this country in nineteen seventy six and he still hasn't learned how to drive even

that's (unclear)

he learns how to drive now I goes to my dad I goes 'well why didn't you learn then' you know 'you should have learnt then when it was the time when you were young and this year you could have had a car and you could have been having a good time' and you know what he said he goes (unclear) 'in them days nobody used to have cars nobody used to drive' you know what I mean

they did

they've just started buying cars now well cars have (interruption) gone really popular

is he going for his test

no he's going to Pakistan in two weeks time so he's give up his lessons as well when he comes back he says he going to (pause) start taking lessons again and then give a test

when's he come back

he's going for about seven weeks

so that means he's going (unclear) back until we go back come back to school

yeah through the holidays he'll be back (pause) it'll be holidays when he comes back but isn't he mad I mean he's been in this country for twenty years and he learns how to drive now (pause) (interruption) he's mad

thought you said he came in seventy six

well (pause) no man he's been here (pause) right he first of all he came when he was about eleven with his dad my granddad he brought my dad and (unclear) my uncle that was when they were y very young and then m (unclear) stayed because he was married and he stayed here with his wife and his kids and my dad and my granddad went back to Pakistan and then my dad he came back and then he s used to stay with his brother in Leeds and they used to work there and then he went over and got married to my mum and then he came back over here and I was born then he got my mum's and my visa then we came here as well and we used to live in Sidney Grove (pause) I remember all three all three families there was me our family my dad and my mum and me and there was my dad's sister her husband and her two kids you know (unclear)

yeah (unclear)

(unclear) yeah and there was you know ehm r (NAME) and them their family was (pause) in them days there was only (NAME) (NAME) (pause) and the mam and dad and we used to all live in one big house I swear to God (unclear)

big house was it really big

on Sidney Grove yeah well it wasn't that big had about four bedrooms and we used to live there and honestly they were so horrible to us I used to hate it they used to lock me and my mum in the top bedrooms and like we weren't allowed to (interruption) come down or anything

I hate relatives

we used to get everything upstairs

I hate relatives (interruption) (unclear)

and then my dad he wanted to separate so we bought our own place and then we moved out and then the the whole families both families came and asked my mam and dad for forgiveness you know that they were really sorry about everything that happened

aye they should

and we we still get we still didn't get a share of the house either because my dad he was the one that paid for it as well all three of them paid for the house they had the mortgage (pause) all three names (pause) and that house now is occupied by my dad's sister and her husband that's w you know the house they're living in (unclear) Sidney Grove that is our house (pause) it was bought by all three of us and they

that's your house (unclear) your relatives (unclear) evicted you

in the end they're the ones that kept it and then we moved out and (interruption) moved there

telling you man relatives are dead you know that's so (pause) they like they will use you

I know

just for silly reasons

and then we moved out yeah and then we've been living in Wingrove Avenue (pause) ever since (pause) (interruption) since (unclear)

(unclear) ever thought of moving out

no as I said I love it I would hate to move out

no I mean no I mean getting another house in Fenham

(unclear) I d I doubt it I'd rather just stay where we are

what happened to Fenham Hall Drive I mean (unclear)

Wingrove Road you mean

no what happened to ehm Milvain Avenue house

we didn't buy it I told you there was something wrong with it (interruption) it was like

(unclear) nicest house

it was a beautiful house but there was an old woman who'd actually died in the house

that's what spoils (unclear)

that's what spoilt it my mam and dad really freaked out when they found out that the woman had actually died in the house and my mam goes 'no we won't buy it'

(unclear)

and plus the other thing about it was (pause) right there was two rooms there was a living room and there was a front room

(unclear) (interruption) both into one

but (pause) there wasn't a door there wasn't a door which led straight

two rooms into one

you like had to walk through the living room to go into the front room and that's a disadvantage because like (pause) if you've got a separate door in the passage way which leads into the front room that is a lot better so that lost the value of the house as well and plus it was forty five thousand (pause) mam and dad said (pause) (unclear) the people who who owned the house said they wouldn't drop the price and like it would've cost us a lot if we were going to get a door put in and everything and plus the woman that had died in the house so my mum and dad didn't buy it

mm that's what that's what spoils it (interruption) man

then we just forgot about it honestly (interruption) we're just happy where we are man

so many nice house (unclear)

I don't know we've got the flat upstairs and we rent it to the ol w we rent it out and that is really beautiful honestly four bedrooms upstairs because it's got an attic as well and the woman's been living there for forty years and we can't get her out

(laughter)

she's been a tenant for forty years my dad's only o owned the property for about fifteen years (interruption) fifteen fourteen years

so she's been living there before five years

she she ay

she been living there for five years before yous moved in

yeah before even we moved in when it was owned by (interruption) (unclear)

God how old is she

she's here man she had to k right her her husband and her mother in law used to h own the well rent the flat before her then sh when she got married (pause) (interruption) to her husband

(unclear)

they b they both stayed in the house she had both her kids there her husband has died in that flat (pause) you know (pause) and her kids (unclear) her daughter's married and she's gone away and her and her son are still living there and we can't get her out (pause) you know sh like (interruption) she's just

(unclear) terrible

she's like a f she (interruption) just won't move out

(unclear) about sixty (interruption) she's about sixty

sh she's a pensioner yeah and she's got a son (unclear) that lives with her as well and she just won't move out she's been living there for forty years and we can't get her out

no she's a permanent (unclear) (unclear)

I know (unclear) never going to get her out and that loses the value of the whole property because if we sell the flat we've got to sell them both together

and she (interruption) if she won't (unclear)

and no one's going to buy it and plus she doesn't pay that much rent either because she's an old tenant

charming

so that's that that's that makes things even worse (pause) so my mam my mam and dad were thinking of moving (pause) but like out of Fenham and I don't want to move out of Fenham (pause) because like school's here and plus I want to finish my education and then then when I finish my education then they can think of moving elsewhere (interruption) (unclear)

(unclear) moved to a different school now

you can't you can't if you start your A levels you've got to stay here and plus I like it here I don't want to move

mm this bit's nice

I know

even though it's getting change (unclear) next year

I know I showed her the mug yesterday (pause) she goes 'it's really really nice'

(unclear) 'Westgate Hill Community College' (unclear) sick

'Westgate Community County College'

sounds sick

sounds it (interruption) (unclear)

why can't they (unclear) like (pause) 'West High School' or something

I know

rather than 'Westgate'

community college

Westgate is (interruption) probably the most

the Westgate spoils it it's Westgate is the worst area in

aye

Newcastle like Elswick and that (unclear)

it's counted as the most (interruption) (unclear)

I know and then Westgate County College that makes Rutherford like makes our school bad as well because people'll arrive and oh we don't want to go there

it's a bit stupid as well calling it college when you've got first years up to sixth formers here

I know

college is where you only have like (pause) from sixteen to (pause) upper ages

I know (pause) higher ages I divn't know it's all right they've got ac (NAME) and them got an activity day on Friday

have they

yeah

oh I remember when we used (interruption) to have that

they're doing Asian dancing

are they

Asian dancing honestly

oh that must be good fancy joining them

we can't

oh God

we can't we're not allowed

do you think we'll have a leaving leaving party sometime

I doubt it

I know

I really doubt it

remember the Christmas disco

how could I forget

oh it was cool

did (NAME) bring the photos in

did she hell she hasn't even been in neither has (NAME)

honestly

honestly I phoned her right and she goes to me 'I bet you I'll be in on Wednesday' right and I goes 'okay bet you a tenner' right and she didn't come in I going to kill her honestly I'm going to murder that girl

mm yeah

(unclear) birthday (unclear) kill her

whose

(NAME)'s on Tuesday

is it

yeah I goes to (NAME) 'I'll get her perfume' she goes 'don't get perfume because she buys them all the time'

oh

(unclear) you know (unclear) jewellery shop

aye

I might come down with you and see if they've got any nice (interruption) necklaces or chains

I'm going down (pause) straight after yeah

aye might go down jewellery shop and get her something nice

mm

on Tuesday

mm

so (pause) (unclear) two days left

mm how old's your younger sister

whose

yours

mine she's five

when's it her birthday

her birthday's been hers was twenty fourth February

(unclear)

yours is Christmas Day (laughter)

eh

(interruption) yours is Christmas Day

and mine's on Christmas Day oh people say I'm dead lucky no most people say I'm dead unlucky

why

for having my birthday on Christmas Day they say you get less presents (laughter)

oh God (laughter)

mm

but we don't get presents anyway do we

I know do you want to know something I think my date of birth has been muddled up you know I'm sure I wasn't born on that date (pause) I couldn't have been man my mum goes because I was born in Pakistan

yeah that that is what (interruption) happens

I think they muddled it up you know honestly (pause) it's i it it can't be the twenty fifth my mum goes 'I definitely remember that you were born on either the sixteenth or the eighteenth (pause) of December' that's what my mum remembered but you know on my birth certificate (pause) they've got written down ehm the (interruption) twenty fifth

twenty fifth

so that is that is what's been (pause) going wrong ever since and my name as well the amount of times that my name's changed in Newcastle my God (pause) it was

your real name's (NAME) (unclear)

my na r my name that I get called in the house right is (NAME) (NAME) that is my proper name (pause) and (pause) then at school I get called (NAME) (pause) and when I was in infants it was (NAME) B when I moved to the juniors it was (NAME) (NAME) now it's (NAME) (NAME) but still I get letters from like you know (pause) from child benefit and that who pay us money (pause) you know

yeah

child benefit and they've got me down as (NAME) (pause) and they don't know who I am you know who the hell (NAME) is (interruption) so

that (unclear) changed your name even when you done your passport didn't you

yeah and on my passport

same happened to (NAME)

that was the worst thing that happened on the passport I s applied f because my date had ran out and I applied again and (pause) well I use I always use my name as (NAME) (NAME) I never use B (NAME) B

I think that's stupid

and ehm (pause) when I applied again I on the form I wrote (NAME) (NAME) and then then a letter came through the door saying (pause) 'oh have you changed your name by deed poll or what' you know there was just they were going on in the letter (pause) and I goes 'well this this is (interruption) my name'

they probably thought (unclear) illegal immigrant

this is I know that's what they they probably thought but then I got like documents I got a letter from school and I got a letter from the doctor's and all that and sent it away and then I got my passport they caused me so much hassle honestly I didn't get my passport for about four months

stupid (unclear)

they took ages (pause) honestly

God I'm telling you the school's dead

dead empty

(unclear)

everyone's gone

everyone's gone

miss them next year I'm really going to miss them next year

mm (unclear) (interruption) (unclear)

it's not going to be it's not going to be like (pause) this year next year's going to be totally different can (interruption) just imagine it

mm-hm (pause) (unclear) (pause) what was the best thing that you did when you were young

what was the best thing I did when I was young (unclear) (interruption) probably going (unclear) moors

I think when I was a child it was much better (interruption) (unclear)

probably going down the town moor

oh aye to the Hoppings

aye (interruption) (unclear)

with your mam and dad

aye

eeh my mum and dad never ever used to let me go on the high rides you know my dad used to always put us on the round about when I was (interruption) about ten

(unclear) (unclear)

he used to say 'go on the round about' and wave at us you know he used to

aye and the horses (interruption) the merry go round

and p and and ring the bells

they're stupid

oh honestly I my mam and dad just treated me like (pause) a baby

(unclear)

until I was about nine ten I was still classed as a baby at the age of nine or ten they used to

it's horrible when you're the age of sixteen and especially when you're Asian as well

(unclear) I'd rather be young again

I'd rather be (unclear) a little kid

honestly my brother has got it so different my brother you know he's only (pause) he's ten now and ehm his life is so different compared to mine when I was ten

I know my little sister she gets treated like a (pause) princess she gets everything she wants even at her age I didn't get the things that she she's got now

I know

like you know I always wanted a ring right and I was small right I never got one (unclear) and my little sister you know (pause) the five year old right (unclear) got her a ring and she's only she was only four when she got a bloody ring she gets everything she wants she's so lucky

honestly I know my us as well I think out of all of us my brother has got to be the luckiest when I was younger it was like (pause) I don't know I did get what I wanted but like (pause) I never asked for the kind of things that my sister and my brother asked for

same here I never asked for like (pause) toys or nothing because

I know

only I can remember right only toy I had when I was small was this doll that talked

just one (interruption) doll

one one doll only

(unclear)

that was the only toy I got (interruption) (unclear)

my favourite toy when I was young right had got to be there's this this massive big right (pause) pink teddy bear (interruption) it was abso

you used to have a koala bear didn't you

do you remember that

yeah (interruption) (unclear)

oh my God I've still got it (interruption) (unclear)

(laughter) (unclear)

and when you when you shake it

(laughter) yeah

it rings oh I've still got that bear honestly I wouldn't I would never throw that bear away I used

I remember that bear

I just love them two bears they're my favourite bears do you know when I feel sad (pause) I just go and cuddle them I swear to God (interruption) I've still got

I remember the koala

the koala when you shake it

yeah (laughter)

he rings I know I've still got that honestly I got that when I was about three or four

I've still got the doll I've g I I got that when I was about (pause) I don't know I was about six

I know but now honestly kids aren't interested in dolls and that

(unclear)

but all they're interested in now is like (pause) computer games and all this it's totally (interruption) different

I don't find them that (pause) interesting

I hate them (unclear)

I hate them

I d I d I don't even understand them (interruption) I don't even know what to do on them

when I was small (pause) when I was small I liked like Barbie dolls and (interruption) Cindy dolls

Barbie dolls and (interruption) Cindy dolls

but I never got them

and me neither (interruption) I never got them

I never got them

and you know at the fair ground you know them beautiful dolls

aye

that they used to have with the lovely dresses

my sister my s little sister got them when I was I was small I didn't get them

I didn't get them I (interruption) (unclear)

my little sister got one

I never got one (interruption) honestly

I know it's a it's a it's a dress that it's up (interruption) (unclear)

the dress I mean there's I don't even think that doll that doll has got legs underneath you know it's just like that dress

it's just a (interruption) dress

and with the head of a doll

I know

but it was just beautiful just looking at them I still remember I used to always say 'I want one of them' but I never (interruption) got one

never got one (interruption) same here

and my brother well he doesn't ask for dolls you know what I mean but he gets what he wants (interruption) (unclear)

same with my little sister she gets all she even gets things that she doesn't even like doesn't even

need

yeah

I know and when we were younger it was always you know you only got a pair of shoes when you needed one you never got like a (interruption) spare pair

no I got I got spare pairs but (pause) I don't know

I divn't know I just

I wish I (unclear) kid again

so do I

I'm telling you

I wish I was a kid now though

(laughter) oh I know (laughter)

I think it's better now I'd get everything I wanted

(unclear) fancied when we were when we were kids I fancied (unclear)

oh it was good

(unclear) because it was the middle ages you know (laughter)

honestly you should see some of my photos when I was younger and you know that flares are back in fashion now

yeah

you know flares and (interruption) bell bottoms

I had I had one of them as well

and I had bell bottoms on and when I was little (unclear) there's a photograph of me my mum and you know (NAME) mum right she's picking me up on the photo right and I've got orange flares on and honestly (pause) it just bring back old memories I wish I was young again honestly

I know

and my mum always my mum's always telling us that 'oh you used to have so many clothes you know that I just didn't know' (pause) (interruption) (unclear)

have you got any photos of your childhood like

(unclear)

when you were (unclear) baby

I've got one photo of me when I was a baby

I haven't even got any

it's beautiful it's black and white me and my step sister

(unclear) (unclear)

it is absolutely gorgeous it was taken in Pakistan but it is absolutely gorgeous

(unclear)

and I'm about that high right and I've got a baldy head

baldy

no hair on my head honestly nothing (laughter)

God

and you know if you look at that photo you think it's a boy

oh my God

but I was I was a beautiful baby

the photo I've got of me the I'm the youngest it's got to be about (pause) I must have been about four

four

I wish I had a ph I wish I had a photo when I was a baby I want to look at myself when I'm about (interruption) one or two

(unclear) I know my mum and dad have no I have the photo that I've got of of me's was when I was about one (pause) and you know the other thing about me when I was younger right and I came back from Pakistan you never guess I had orange hair

aye

(unclear) pale skin and blue eyes I couldn't believe it

blue eyes

blue eyes (unclear) you know like greeny blue and my mum goes that you know (NAME)'s mum (NAME) mum she used to always they used to do markets and she used to always take me down with her right and you know all the English people used to come up and say 'that kid is not Asian that is an English kid what is she doing with yous' you know

(unclear)

and she used to say 'no no (interruption) she's Asian she's Asian'

the sun (unclear) your hair (unclear)

because the sun there it had just bleached my hair but gradually as I grew older my hair turned black my eyes turned brown and my skin (interruption) just went normal

(unclear) blue eyes so beautiful man

but I honestly I despise my mum you know I goes 'why did you used to' you know because she used to she goes that you know everybody like make takes the mickey out of Asian (pause) Asian kids that've got blue eyes

true that is true

and they call them billi billi so my mum goes she started putting surma in my eyes so that the colour of my eyes t you know pupils would change and it did it changed to brown but still if you look it's like a light brown

yeah it is

it's really light

it's really light

and before my eyes were like a greeny blue (interruption) honestly

oh

beautiful and I and I and I goes to her (unclear) 'why did you do it I'd rather have blue eyes'

I know so would I

'and be and be different to everyone else' but honestly that's what my mum said that I had (pause) (unclear) you know brown hair light light brown hair (unclear) pale skin and blue eyes and she used to go 'no one used to believe that you were (pause) an Asian child' you w they were all saying you know 'she's not Asian'

my little sister

what's she doing with you (interruption) 'she's not Asian'

my little sister when she was born right she like (unclear) about a few months right she like (pause) big fat chubby cheeks right and she had dark blue eyes like you could tell the colour of her eyes they were dark blue

mm

but the colour gradually changes doesn't it when you're small

my brother's dead light as well f for an Asian he's dead light like look have you seen the photo he's out of all of us he's the lightest (pause) (interruption) out of all of us

(unclear) the lightest in my family

all I I'm dark dark like dark skinned my sister's she's all right

she's fair

she's all right she's not that dark but my little brother he's really fair he's really like got really light skin but me the sun comes out for five minutes and (interruption) honestly

(unclear)

I I go dead dead dark

aye

I feel as if I

it's just the way you feel it as well

I know I can feel the oh God

mm

I'm getting dark you just go red you (interruption) I've always noticed that with you

oh I go bright red me (interruption) honestly

even when you were little you I remember w we used to all take the mick out of you because you used to go bright red

(laughter)

you and ehm what's her name as well (pause) you know sh (NAME)

yeah

(NAME) and (NAME) she used to go red

I go red I (unclear) go red (unclear) stupid things

did you see me when I went red yesterday I just went bright red

(unclear)

as red as my apple remember (laughter) bright red

(unclear)

I had a red apple and honestly my the red apple and my (interruption) face just looked (pause) identical (laughter)

(unclear) I hate it when you go red

(unclear) it's dead embarrassing

but some people right th you know when they go red you can like spot it on their face you go you think 'oh my God'

(NAME) (NAME)'s one of them (interruption) (NAME)

he's he's he's (interruption) he's just natural he's naturally red he's got red cheeks

I think he just naturally red he's got red cheeks honestly oh (unclear) where is (NAME) today

he's n he hasn't been in for

none of them have been in

I know since his birthday I can remember on his birthday right few weeks back I says to him 'where where's all your friends' (unclear) 'oh they're not here' (unclear) I felt dead sorry for him because none of his friends were here

(unclear)

he was like he was like by himself

oh

(NAME)'s sweet man

(NAME)'s always been sweet man I remember when we were (interruption) in first year

I remember him last year

in the first year right when we started this school right (pause) (NAME) (NAME) (NAME) (NAME) (NAME) I think they must have been the nicest boys in the whole of the first year they were (interruption) so nice

tell you who were the most immature boys in my class it had to be (NAME) (NAME) (interruption) and look at him now

and now he's changed so much

he's he's like he's just like (unclear) couldn't believe it

(unclear) he's a totally (interruption) different (NAME)

the other day the other day we were coming from we were coming from English right and there was me (NAME) and him right he puts his a arm round me he goes 'oh me and (NAME) are from me me and (NAME) are best pals from last year' I felt like saying 'my God is that the same (NAME) I used to know'

he's changed so much honestly and chubby (NAME) remember he was so fat

(unclear)

and now he's just like he

he's lost weight

he he's just gone thinner and taller

(unclear)

he's just like he's (pause) well I (interruption) don't know what's happened to him

do you remember the twins (NAME) and (NAME)

what happened to them

I don't know

I don't know I never see them now (interruption) I've never seen them for ages

(unclear)

I know and me the the only people who I remember from my childhood (pause) now (pause) (NAME) (NAME) (NAME) that's just had the interview him I used to go to infant school with him and nursery with him

I used to go to I used to go to infant school (unclear) (NAME) (NAME)

honestly

yeah (unclear) (NAME) bow we used to I'll tell you (unclear) (NAME) (NAME) (NAME) (NAME) (pause) (NAME) (NAME)

mm

(NAME) (pause) and (NAME) (pause) that's it I think

there's loads of (pause) us it was

(NAME) (interruption) do you remember (NAME)

(NAME) yeah oh she was nice (interruption) I liked (NAME)

she was sweet her

out of us right it was me there was (NAME) there was (NAME) (NAME) (pause) there was (NAME) and (NAME) the twins (NAME) (NAME) (NAME) (NAME) (pause) (interruption) (unclear)

(unclear) all of yous were just like

all of us were like in the same class we've been we we were together since (pause) since nursery I remember since nursery we were together then we went to the same infant school same junior school and then we all came to Rutherford

well us lot right we were we were (pause) from infants from first year infants to Rutherford (pause) like you know like

yeah

been in contact

yeah

(NAME) (NAME) (NAME) (NAME) (NAME) and (NAME) (NAME) (interruption) he (unclear) cried all the time

honestly I I still remember you know when we were little right and we used to there was this nursery it was like a church (pause) but like I don't know the it was either play school or something for half day or something from morning till twelve and there used to be me and (NAME) (NAME) I still remember (NAME) (NAME) and me we used to always play together right you know with the with the s with the s (interruption) you know that thing

(unclear)

(unclear) you know like it's like a flower but you can make it into all different kind of little things and we used to play with that but honestly I used to you know when the t when my mum used to take right I didn't used to want to leave her right I used to say 'well don't go' you know 'stay here'

oh

because I used to think she's going to leave me and (interruption) never ever come back

my first experience when I came to scho when I went to school first day it was horrible (unclear) embarrassing (unclear) well now I remember it's embarrassing right but I was small (unclear) five right and she dropped me off (unclear) school right and (unclear) my first day and my mum goes 'okay you stay here and I'm going' and I can remember I was screaming like (interruption) anything

me as well you know the church right (interruption) it was like on the corner of the road

(unclear) yeah

right the church was on the corner of the road and where we used to play right there was a big window and when my mum used to cross the road to go home (interruption) you could see

you could see it

and my mum goes 'well I'm just going round the corner to get you a like (pause) a bike'

aye

'so you can climb on it' and she'd gone home and I was playing with (NAME) (NAME) and I seen my mam crossing the road and

you started screaming

(unclear) going home and I started screaming I goes 'my mum's gone home I want to go home with her' and I remember the women were so nice honestly they used to pick you up and you know just comfort you all the time and that woman who was my nursery teacher I still see her

do you

and she doesn't know who I am but I can still remember her she was quite a big woman right (pause) quite chubby and she wears round spectacles she's even got a dau daughter who comes to school called (NAME) I know that and honestly she doesn't know but I can remember her picking me up when I was younger I just you know

if I get if I get reminded about that get so embarrassed (unclear) I can just (pause) I can remember it man when I was like screaming I was 'no I'm not staying here I want to go home with my mam'

I know I know it was just like

(unclear) embarrassing

she's going to leave me and never ever come back again and my brother and my sister (pause) (interruption) they

my sister didn't even (unclear)

they didn't even care my mum could leave them anywhere and they just wouldn't cry

I know

but me I think it's because I'm the first child

(unclear)

that's what my mum says 'because you're the first and that's why you're' (pause) I don't know if my mum and dad (interruption) are feeling pain

I didn't go to nursery

I know I'm I'm just dead close to them more close to them (pause) than my brother and my sister and my mum honestly when she left me that day (pause) I I thought I was going to die honestly

did you go to nursery

yeah I did I went (interruption) to nursery

I didn't I went to school straight to school

I went to nursery

(unclear)

and then I went and and oh the other thing that I remember most was on the first Christmas party that we had at the nursery school right

Santa Claus

and Santa Claus came and I still remember what he gave me right it was a great big box right and it was like a l you know little ehm (pause) tea cups and saucers and he gave me a great big set of those and it had everything and I just loved it honestly

(unclear) Christmas time (interruption) (unclear)

I've still got odd things you know from that set (unclear) you know

aye

that if I just find them lying about and (pause) I can't believe it I've still got them

I remember years back when san when Santa Claus used to come right and like y (pause) you know the the season (unclear) changed didn't it

yeah

it'd be dark at night right

(unclear)

and when he used to when he used to come (unclear) give me this doll right (unclear) press (unclear) the tummy (unclear) used to squeak

right

it was so sweet man

(unclear)

oh I really liked it when Santa Claus used to come used to be (interruption) really nice

(unclear)

but (unclear) Santa c y you couldn't go and see Santa Claus when you were about (pause) in the (pause) (interruption) third year

they (unclear) the infants that was it (unclear) once you were in the juniors that was it

that was it you couldn't

(unclear) you know as we got older right we used to know and we used to always tell the younger kids 'it's not really Santa Claus it's just the caretaker who's dressed up as Santa Claus'

I used to really think it was (interruption) Santa Claus I used to believe in it

(unclear) me as well when I was younger when I was younger I used to always think yeah that is that (interruption) really is Santa Claus

what about the Tooth Fairy business

m you know my mum and dad right (pause) they're Asian right and they don't understand and all the kids used to say 'well you know when your tooth comes out'

aye (interruption) put it under your pillow

'put it under your pillow and y you get some money' so I when my tooth (unclear)

(unclear)

I put it under the pillow I waited three nights I didn't get no money and (pause) I told my mam and dad (pause) and then as I got older I found out that it's your mam and dad that put the (interruption) money there

(unclear)

honestly (unclear) and I used to really think that that was the Tooth Fairy was going to come (pause) and ehm (laughter) (interruption) (unclear)

I think all kids believe that when they're small I think everybody believes that

everybody believes that

even Santa Claus I really because when I was small right I used to really think oh there's Santa Claus there is there is Santa Claus

but you (unclear)

but when you when you grow old (pause) you know you gradually find out oh that is just you know it's a pack of

it's just (pause) make believe

fairy tales

but honestly I still remember the our the Christmas parties (pause) and when (interruption) Santa Claus used to come

(unclear) nice time juniors (interruption) the Christmas party

I know I used to love it

(unclear)

I wonder what I wonder what happened to some of the people (pause) honestly

do you still see much of your teachers

no as I said (unclear) most of the they've all changed there's not one sing even the head teachers have changed now

no head teacher hasn't changed at Canning Street he's still there what's he called Mr (pause) oh God (pause) (NAME) (interruption) Mr (NAME)

mm

pitch black hair (pause) and he was like (pause) God (pause) (laughter)

they've all changed there's not one single teacher from when I was there now at either (pause) ehm

secretary's still there

infants or the juniors

the Canning Street secretary's (interruption) still there

just changed honestly it's just totally different it's totally different school now when you go in it's not the same

Canning Street been changed last last two or three years ago (unclear) they'd knocked the old one down because (unclear) was really old man (unclear) nineteen oh one and they knocked it down in the nineteen eighty eight or something

(unclear) and they made a new school

they made a new school

oh aye (unclear)

it was really old man it was really tall building as well now the new one's just a flat building one floor

it's like a bungalow isn't it yeah with one storey

one floor yeah

yeah walked past it I've seen it

but the old one it was dead tall man it was like (interruption) dead big building it was

scary ours (pause) was dead old and we used to always say there's a (interruption) Blue Lady upstairs

school toilets (interruption) remember the school toilets

school toilets (laughter)

the ghosts

oh

oh my God

I know (unclear) we used no one like you know when it was we're after we'd been using the paints the other day right and (unclear) we used to have paint monitors right I was going to go and wash the trays today right and I remember it was me and my friend right and I for this this week it was our turn (pause) and honestly we were just so scared to go in the girls' toilets (pause) because everyone was just saying 'oh there's a Blue Lady and she (unclear) the girls' toilets'

(unclear)

I used to actually think when I'm going to go I never used to go in the toilets (unclear) never used to go to the school toilets

(laughter) same here

I used to always think I'm going to open the door and there'll be a Blue Lady standing there (laughter)

I used to be so scared man (unclear) they used to they used to tell us that 'oh God there's a ghost'

(laughter)

(unclear) once it come running the ghost oh there's footprints on the ceiling

(laughter)

blood footprints on the sk ceiling and I was so scared I did not go in the toilet even to have a look (unclear) I just believed them

I know (interruption) (unclear)

(unclear) believed what they said

i in the junior school right there were these stairs that (pause) the pupils were forbidden to go up like I think it was just teachers because they had stock up there and (pause) they were only allowed to go up there and we used to think that upstairs that's where all the Blue Ladies were honestly and

what is a Blue Lady

I don't know

(laughter)

if you asked me now I I just wouldn't know I just couldn't tell you I (pause) it's just like a Blue Lady (interruption) (unclear) Blue Lady

oh we were told (unclear) ghosts in the girls' toilets (interruption) (unclear)

(laughter)

was a ghost once I went right (pause) I just needed the toilet desperately I had to go right otherwise I didn't ever went to the toilet right I went right and you know the door the way the door creaks

yeah

a door started creaking (unclear) I just ran I goes 'no way I'm not going to the toilet no way'

I never went I never ever used to go (interruption) never ever

plus it used to be quiet like (unclear) quiet you know and just silent and when the door creaks you'd really think oh my God (interruption) oh my God oh my God there's something there's something there

there's a ghost there's a ghost there's a ghost there's something there there's something there I know

and plus it used to be it used to be dark around the girls' toilets because it used to be like like a corner thing

in a corner yeah so was ours

used to be so dark

like w where where the lessons took place the classrooms were in like a different place

aye

and to go to the toilet you had to walk through

yeah

a little corridor and then go to the toilets they were like separate

yeah (interruption) some were really dark

and oh it was so scary but now I think back and I just laugh (pause) honestly

honestly you think that you're so stupid

you're so stupid but (pause) all the kids go through that I mean (pause) I think that probably the my little brother goes on about it now there's Blue Ladies and all this

they (unclear) still say it

and (unclear) they still say it that there's Blue Ladies and ghosts and well I think to myself (unclear) that that's what I used that's what they used to say when I was there as well but I never saw a Blue Lady

oh God I was so scared about this ghost business man

honestly

really (interruption) scared

I remember we went for the parents' evening on ehm Tuesday to get his report and I actually went past the girls' toilets and I went in to ha like you know just to get a tissue and that and the toilets are so small you know (pause) when you look at them you just think oh God you know (pause) I used to b I used to be that small and

(unclear) first years in our school

I know

see how small they are (interruption) when you look back

I I wasn't that small

oh aye (laughter)

I know for a fact I wasn't that small when I (interruption) came here

you you were taller (interruption) than anybody

I was always tall I was always tall

(interruption) but now (unclear)

I've always been tall right but now (pause) all the rest of them are taller than me

I know (laughter)

I think I'm I've I've been (interruption) left the smallest (unclear)

me and you were the same height me and you were the same height when we came but gradually right the the first years are coming they're (unclear) smaller and (interruption) smaller and smaller and smaller

and smaller and smaller they're getting they look younger and younger I wasn't that I wasn't that small I was really tall but when I came to fourth and fifth year all the other kids (pause) like all other students

they grew

they just grew and they just went past me I was just left there

(laughter)

(unclear) just left and now honestly (interruption) just some of the kids

I wish I was a bit taller

like (NAME) (NAME) you were talking about he's one typical example of someone who's changed so much before (unclear) when I used to talk to him I used to either look down at him or he used to look up at me now when I see talk to I go 'hello (NAME)' you know I've got to look up to him

I know (unclear)

and I feel dead small

I know man

it's dead weird honestly

and (NAME) (unclear) he's very he was very tall when he came

he was dead small

he was a pure midget and when when you talk to him now you've got to look up to him

I know

he looks so tall

I know

it's mostly the men who grow taller can't think many girls are very tall (interruption) (NAME) was

(NAME) was

(laughter)

(NAME) was (laughter) (NAME) was tall (laughter)