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Editorial
Hi Folks
I did think that I would get out of writing an editorial this month as a couple of days ago there wasn’t enough room left in the newsletter but then wham wham wham came some late letters and other stuff people wanted publishing this month, this necessitated adding two more sides and as I have a wee bit space left thought I’d just say hello.
Being the May issue I had a SCOOP of a true story about one former Haydonian’s war-time involvement in a war-time top secret mission which can only now be revealed, however the large number of letters received this month meant I had to give priority to them. I’ll try to publish the story next month. I think I can guarantee that this tale will get you all talking in the pubs, club and village restaurants. I did consider offering The Hexham Courant or Evening Chronicle the details but instead folks I’ve saved it all for you to read first.
Hope you have enjoy reading your newsletter this month - I’ve certainly enjoyed bolting it together.
See you next Month - Mitch
The meeting was held at Langley Village Hall where all Parish Council members, County Councillor Purdue, the Courant reporter, 7 members of the public were present.
Public Participation
Other Business
Planning
Highway Matters
Street Lightening
Other Matters
PAT
The April meeting was a week late because of the Bank Holiday but well worth waiting for. Sarah Maple talked about “Theatre Royal” she was new to the job but such a nice clear speaker it was a pleasure to listen to history of past theatre and told present theatre was built in six months in 1837. The foundations are proving unstable now!
We were told of superstitions in the theatre and of the “Grey Lady ghost in the gallery” she explained how she works with all ages in drama workshops.
Competition for Limerick on entertainment was won by Mrs. Stewart, Mrs Sparke and Mrs Ohlson.
Entertainment was words from THEATRE ROYAL in limited time and 44 were produced by a visitor !
A very good night
B. Clark
Millbrook
Acomb
Members of Langley W.I. were moved by a talk given by Mrs. Christine Barker on the work done by the Rainbow Trust Charity.
This Charity was founded by Jacqueline Cleary to give practical and emotional support to families with a terminally ill child.
The first house was located in Surrey but eventually as so many families were travelling down from Scotland and the North, it was decided to open Fernstone House at Lowgate. Here families have the chance for a much needed break and receive support from well trained staff.
Mary Nagel
12 April 1998
Dear Editor
Amongst the birds gathering round our bird table and nut containers this week during the Easter snow flurries, we recognised the siskin for the first time. I wondered whether other readers have this finch as a regular visitor. The male is quite bright yellow, wings barred with black and a black cap on its head.
Looking it up in an elderly reference book, I discovered it has been extending its breeding range from northern Scotland and Ireland down into Northumberland, wherever there are coniferous woods - so presumably it is well known by now in Kielder Forest.
It is certainly a very attractive and agile addition to the other small birds that gather in Heugh House Lane gardens, including the bluetit and great tit, robin, wren, dunnock, chaffinch, greenfinch and sparrow, and during the winter the goldfinch, brambling, linnet and yellowhammer. The latter nests in the gorse in spring and entertains us all summer with its “Little bit of bread and no cheese” refrain. The very handsome rose and slate coloured bullfinch, with its black cap, seems to restrict its appearances to lower down North Bank - he occasionally performs for my mum.
An article in the The Times Weekend on Saturday, promoting the charity Flora for Fauna which seeks to encourage gardeners to plant native plants to help support birds and butterflies, gave an Internet URL for The Postcode Plants Database. This is a joint venture with the Natural History Museum and the Royal Mail. The website is at http://fff.nhm.ac.uk/fff/ it allows you to key in your postcode to get a list of the flora and fauna in the Hexham district. They say the database is not complete as yet, and ask you for suggestions. It seems to be quite a good way of checking that your garden is user-friendly!
June Henriksen
Highshield, Heugh House Lane
8 April 1998
Meals on wheels have been provided in Haydon Bridge since 1968, largely due to the efforts of a dedicated band of volunteers, some of whom have been delivering meals for more than 10 years. Meals are cooked at Shaftoe Trust School and delivered on Tuesday and Thursday. During school holidays meals are cooked privately, so that there is no time of the year when meals are not available.
The scheme was inaugurated by the community association and because I was secretary at the time the lot fell to me to start it off. That was 30 years ago and I am still organising meals on wheels. A change is long overdue and I am appealing for someone to take over the job. This involves:-
(1) Preparing a roster of delivery dates and helpers. This coincides with the school term.
(2) Provide helpers with a list of recipients.
(3) Collect and bank money.
(4) Submit a return every three months of meals, income and expenditure.
Any typing will be done by Age Concern if so wished.
I have to say that if no one comes forward there will be no meals on wheels from September. But I am sure that this will not be allowed to happen.
C. Coombes
Tel: 684416
22 April 1998
I wonder what kind of society we live in, to allow this hideous monstrosity to be erected in the centre of an historic village?
It has been badly planned and seen to be a waste of public money. The Environment Department admit that it will cause increased flooding at the end of Temple Houses Lane. They also refuse to raise the existing floodbank for Temple Lane.
In view of this they will be held responsible for increased flooding. Furthermore there is evidence that floods occured over a period of three to four years and as a point of interest I would mention that in 1974 I received a letter from the River Board stating they would erect a flood wall at the end of Temple Houses Lane.
It has not been carried out !
The lovely display of flowers at ‘The Railway Hotel’ is a credit to the village compared to the unsightly mound of earth we are expected to live with.
D. Thompson (Mrs)
Temple Houses
While recovering from a recent illness I received a lovely ‘Get Well’ card from all the following members of the above team voted by supporters. Lifelong fan and former groundsman, David Kirsopp had tracked them all down to write me a personal note on the card. In fact both Kirsopp families have been a tower of strength to me of late.
I am also pleased to see the current side doing well and all this has inspired me to issue a run down on the great 70’s side which apart from League and Haltwhistle Cup wins we had the record of being the first team to win the prestigious Clayton Cup 3 seasons in the trot. In the finals, very well supported by the villagers of Haydon Bridge, we beat Rochester, Shire and Corbridge respectively (all at Wark) 6-2, 6-2 and 2-0 in the 72/3, 73/4 and 74/5 seasons. Our last win topped off a great week on the Friday night as we had also won the League Cup at Barrasford pipping the Shire 1-0 on the Monday night.
Basically the following side voted was:
Alan Donnelly - A big athletic, a great shot stopper. John (Spot) Dixon - Big hearted, terrier like and paired at full back with the classy Reg Dover - a long range free-kick artist. At right half the pugnacious, never say die Freddie White. The tower of strength, always 100% Joe (Bass) Worthington and the rangy, ball playing incomparable captain Ernie Edwards.
Wing wizard Davy Alder, free scoring menace partnered inside by Anth Atkinson a great defence opening inside forward. The leader of the line, the magnificent, defenders nightmare No. 9 Maurice Frankland, my next door neighbour when we were bairns at Chesterwood. Myself at No. 10 and the flying, clever outside left Simon Scudamore.
I must add a few more of my own choice:
Derek (Brocky) Armstrong, Shaun Elliot, David Edwards, Dent Oliver and the rock-like Dick Robley.
Apologies to anyone left out. All basically locals wo played their hearts out for their village. Behind the scenes in those halcyon days the team supporters had Donkey Derbys, sponsored walks and the very popular pantomimes written by Christine Oliver, packing out the Community Centre every performance.
My regards to all of the above from those great days.
Alan White
Inside left No. 10
22 April 1998
Former Heugh House Lane resident William Veitch, now living in Darwen, Lancs., wrote to me on 12th March and said:
“In the March issue of Haydon News it was suggested that Haydon meant an hay valley. This may well be the origination of the name, but an alternative which has also been put forward is that it derives from - dried grass or an enclosure (old english haeg) and dun (old english for a hill or tract of hilly country). This latter description would fit ‘Old Haydon’.” Mr. Veitch goes on to say:
“Additionally if anyone has genealogical queries relative to Haydon Bridge then I would be happy to try and answer them from my copy of the Parish Register and other data in my posession - for a stamped, addressed envelope.”
His address is:
‘Haydon’ 39, Ivinson Road, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0EN
23 April 1998
Dear Editor
As an ex-Haydonian I look forward each month to the village news on the Web, usually there is some mention of people I remember from the past.
Your April edition was a particularly enjoyable trip down memory lane as I read the account of Mrs. Snowball’s pantomime. I can’t remember how I missed appearing as a fairy in the production, but did manage to be in one of her concerts for the Welcome Home Fund. No doubt some in the village still have the enclosed photographs but thought they may be of interest.
In searching for these I came across photographs of:
HB Cricket Team - 1922 and more recent (1950?)
HB Male Voice Choir - 1924
HB Women’s Institute - 1922
HB Flower Show Committees - Ladies & Men
HB Church Street in Flood - date unknown
If these are of interest to anyone perhaps they could contact me.
Looking forward to the next edition.
Yours sincerely
Eileen Wren (nee Moffatt)
42, Earnsdale Avenue, Darwen, Lancs, BB3 1IR
Page 11 of the paper edition of this edition of Haydon News includes one of the photographs sent in by Eileen. At the moment I do not publish the Crossword, Cartoon or photographs on the Internet Edition of the newsletter however if I do find there is a demand from Web readers this situation can easily be rectified. Would these readers e-mail me direct on haynews@haydonbridge.demon.co.uk with their views.
Mitch
24th April 1998
Dear Mitch
I was very interested to see your suggestion about the new Community Centre being in Church Street, next to the new Methodist Church. It seems to me an excellent idea.
- The Centre would be away from the heavy traffic on Ratcliffe Road;
- The Methodist Church are offering their facilities to the community, and provide small and medium-sized rooms; A large Community Centre next door would complement those rooms, and provide something larger for bowls, line-dancing, etc.
- It would give another focus for the village on Church Street;
- It would remove the eye-sore of the old foundry, and be a good use for that site so near the centre of
the village.
Your suggestion should be taken seriously.
Best wishes
Vincent Ashwin
Yes!!!!! What a great idea. Centralise village facilities; plan them in relation to each other. This village has a health centre on the North Bank (difficult to climb for old people); a sports centre even further away, and a community centre at the far end of Ratcliffe Road.
I think next to the new church will be an excellent site for a community centre; easier and less dangerous to unload and pick up children, handy to ‘pop-in’ when shopping, very central so a suitable place for a tourist information centre to be included in the layout, the library (just opposite) could use it for exhibitions. Also, there is potential for future development of this area as a village centre whereas it is unlikely that village facilities will grow up around the present community centre. The United Reform Church is vacant and is close enough to this area to be considered in an overall plan.
There is a growing movement to celebrate the millenium by pulling down ugly buildings. I would like to nominate the factories in Church Street and Kattan Disposables for demolition and relocation. Not only are they an eyesore in the middle of a Northumbrian village where other prominent buildings are of stone but it is inappropriate and wasteful to have industrial buildings on prime sites which could be developed for the community.
If there is the slightest possibility that these sites could be available in the future for car-parks, toilets,
village green etc. it would be sensible to give serious consideration to relocation of the new community
centre to Church Street.
Name and Address supplied
24th April 1998
Dear Sir
Anyone disappointed by the Shaftoe Trust’s response to some appeal they have made to the charity is free
to seek a reconsideration - perhaps supported by fresh information. With due respect they would be better
served by so doing than by tea and sympathy with the media.
In no way will “The Shaftoe” be conducting its business or explaining its decisions through the medium of
the Haydon News. It would be highly improper for the private business of a charity to be debated in the
gossip columns, especially as a charity is privy to confidential information which can be a factor in some
of its awards.
I am satisfied that the “Shaftoe” is generous in its interpretation of the founder’s intentions. More
publicity for its work coming from beneficiaries, especially the schools, might stimulate other worthy
causes into seeking guidance and help from the Reverend Shaftoe’s generous benefaction to the parish.
Yours sincerely
Thomas Bates
Vice Chairman. The Shaftoe Trust
Index
________________________________
I agree with the sentiments expressed in your letter, however -
the relevant section of my editorial from the April Haydon News is show below
"I well understand that the Shaftoe Trust must adhere to strict regulations as defined by the Charities Commission. Perhaps there may be room for some flexibility in the interpretation of the rules that allow the Governors of The Trust to consider applications using the spirit of the rules rather than the strict letter of them. I would welcome an open letter from the Trustees explaining their interpretation of grey area between education and recreation and give us some guidance as to which applications are likely to succeed and conversely those which won’t."
from which you will
note that I was not asking for for specific cases to be discussed but I simply asked for:
‘interpretation of grey area between education and recreation and give us some guidance as to which
applications are likely to succeed and conversely those which won’t.’
Really Mr. Bates I do not see any harm in making available, through these ‘gossip columns’, general
guidelines for would-be applicants. For very many people in the parish little is known of the work of the
Shaftoe Trust - is it not more usual nowadays for a charitable organisation to advertise its activies in some
way rather than ask the beneficiaries to do so on its behalf ?
Mitch
Letters to the Haydon News are always welcome
A service on the Web for exiled Haydonians and other interested parties is provided jointly by:
BrianHarrison: http://www.badrise.u-net.com/haydon.htm
Mitch : http://www.haydonbridge.demon.co.uk
If you have links with Haydon Bridge please send us a note and let us know who and where you are. On a best efforts basis we will also try and answer genealogical queries about the local area.
PRIZE BINGO
Why not join us for a couple of hours on the last Saturday of the month.
SATURDAY 30TH MAY
7pm - 9pm
Community Centre
Book of tickets only 50p for a half session of 5 games and the whole evening for £1 per book.
-
Free Tea & Coffee at half time
-
RAFFLE
-
All age groups are most
welcome to attend
The evening will be hosted by
Joyce - Pauline - Sylvia
Chris is the caller
-
This month the evenings proceeds will be shared between the
HB Dance Club
&
The Friends of Haydon Bridge
_________________________
Johnny Leyton
Singer/Comedian/DISCO
MAY 23rd at 8.00pm
WORKING MEN’S CLUB
Tickets only £3.50
Available from Shirley Phillips
Index
HAYDON BRIDGE NATURE CLUB
The summer walks for the month of May are:
THURSDAY 14TH MAY - Goatstones and Ravenhaugh Craggs. Meet at Simonburn Car Park at 6:45pm. Walk
is 3 miles long.
THURSDAY 28TH MAY - Back of Vindolanda. Meet Vindoland East Car Park at 6:45pm. Walk 2.5 miles
long.
Alternatively you can meet Club members at 6:30pm in Church Street Haydon Bridge
THANK YOU - £96 was raised at the Haydon Hotel for for the Haydon Bridge under 12’s football team.
Thank you to all that bought tickets - Jeanette Burrows
THANK YOU - The Haydon Bridge over 60’s Club thank the
Friends of Haydon Bridge
for arranging the Prize Bingo
in April which raised £110
THOMAS - ELLIOT - LAUREN -Would like to say a big THANK YOU
To everyone who came to their
3rd Birthday Party
in the Church Hall on
Sunday 19th April.
Thank you for all the
lovely cards and presents.
We hope you enjoyed yourself
as much as we did.
THANK YOU - Thanking you all for your kindness during my stay in hospital. - Edna Rumney
The marriage on 3rd February 1656 between Henry Dobinson and Mary Hutchinson of Whinnetly.
The burial on 19th March 1654 of Elizabeth the daughter of James Magge of Haydon Bridge.
The baptism on 18th May 1654 of Jane the daughter of Ingram Maughan.
There are some interesting observations from the Archdeacon’s visitation on 12th September 1723:-
This day the Chappel of Haydon was visited by the Archdeacon and upon a view of the defects the
following directions were given to him by the Church Wardens.
1. To provide a Paten and a
Flagon for ye Communion.
2. A Bason for ye Offertory.
3. A new large linnen cloth and a
lesser cloth or napkin to cover
the elements.
4. A carpet or cloth for the
Communion Table.
5. A cover to ye Font.
6. A Book of Homilies.
7. A Table of Marriages.
8. A Book of Common Prayer for
ye Clerk.
9. The Stone Pulpit to be new
cleaned and painted or white
washed and a new desk of wood
fitted to it and a little block of
wood to kneel upon and a new
door fixed to it.
10. The Font also to be cleaned and
painted or whitened. A door
made to ye reading desk.
11. The Reading desk to be repaired
and strengthened. Ye great
stones about it removed and
decent regular stone steps or
wooden stairs to be made into ye
Reading desk and into ye
Pulpit.
All these things to be done before Easter next and a certificate thereof signed by ye Minister and
Churchwardens to be delivered into ye Archdeacons Court ye Visitation immediately following.
The condition of the Church would, apparently from this, have left a great deal to be desired as is the following years
they were instructed to carry out further work.
W. Veitch
Can you say YES to any of these questions?
- Are you homeless and destitute ?
- Do you live in a welfare hostel ?
- Do you get Income Support ?
- Do you get Family Credit ?
- Do you get Disability Working Allowance ?
- Do you get Job Seekers Allowance ?
(Income based only)
If you can ......... you may be able to get canned stewed steak FREE or for a nominal charge of 5p max. per can. But you MUST bring proof that you are eligible to receive it.
If you cannot answer YES to any of the questions above, the Intervention Board cannot let you have any surplus food.
Produce will be distributed by: LANGLEY W.I.
Covering area: LANGLEY & DISTRICT
Distribution Site: LANGLEY VILLAGE HALL
On the date of: 21st MAY 1998
Between the times of: 10 - 12am and 2.00 - 4:30 pm
Those who wish to have their allocation delivered please contact: Mrs. Brown on 684 237
Index
Programme of events to celebrate the opening of the new Methodist Church building.
Saturday 6th June
7.30pm Concert by Salvation Army Band
Thursday 11th June
7.30pm Al fresco evening at Ridley Hall.
A Shakespearean collage with
Newcastle College
Sat - Sun 5-6 September
A weekend of celebration and thanksgiving
at the beginning of the Methodist Year for
God’s New House
Saturday 5th September
Celebration by invitation with contributions from
Rev. Richard Firth, Rev. David Perkins
and Stephen Crichton - Architect.
Sunday 6th September
A Covenant Service at 10am led by our
District Chairman, Rev. Robin Hutt.
For further information please contact:
M. Rowarth 684207 - T. North 684757 -
J. Wardle 684294 - M. Hindle 684275
Last month was recorded as the wettest April this century which was beneficial for most plants, especially
those encouraged into early growth in a mild January and February and then knocked back by hard frosts
in March and April. The immature growth on my hydrangeas and paeony trees was killed off with the
frost. These plants have to produce new foliage and a good rainfall will help. Sometimes a young shrub or
plant doesn't recover. Japanese maples, for example, are vulnerable to death by frost if they come into leaf
too early.
Flowers have also been spoilt by frost. Some flowers, like the snowdrop, can be locked in ice and imerge
undamaged because their petals have a kind of anti-freeze in their tissue. Perhaps genetic engineering will
introduce some of that anti-freeze into my early rhododendrons and magnolias. To be fair, my magnolias
are not often hit by the frosts because I favour later-flowering varieties, but every thing was flowering
earlier this year. The easiest magnolia to grow is M. stellata, with white, star-shaped flowers. This
small-growing magnolia will flower each year from a young age. The loveliest is M. x soulangiana with
large goblet-shaped flowers, white, stained rose-purple at the base. This one took 5 years to produce its
first flower for me but it's worth waiting for. There is a superb specimen at the old vicarage in the village.
Eight clones of M. liliiflora x stellata parentage were raised in ‘96 and are superior in colour, fragrance
and abundance of flower. They also flower later and usually avoid frosts so they are worth seeking out.
They are mostly dark pink outside and white or pale pink within. These magnolias flower from a young
age, thrive in my garden and grow to about 2 mtrs. Their names are Ann, Betty, Jane, Judy, Pinkie, Randy,
Ricki and Susan - and most garden centres stock at least one. All magnolias like a moist, rich, deep soil and
a reasonably sheltered, sunny site. Add leaf-mould and a little bonemeal at planting and a generous surface
mulch to keep moisture in the soil. They are not difficult to grow if given these conditions
This month - conifers can be safely pruned now that the weather has improved. Trim topiary and
hedges. (The village topiary on the bridge is looking good.)
Lawns are growing quickly now so start regular weekly mowing. Rake to remove moss and apply a spring
feed.
Continue deadheading spring flowering bulbs but leave the foliage to die down naturally.
Weeding is the main job. They are already growing strongly so now is the time to get on top of any weed problems in paths, lawns and borders. Chemical weed controls based on glyphosate work best when weeds are in active growth so use now. Hoe bare soil to prevent weed seedlings getting established. After all this rain small weeds can be easily pulled out.
James Thin
This was held on 17th March 1998 and the following officers elected.
President - Rev. V. Ashwin
Chairman - J. Tulip
Secretary - J. Oliver
Treasurer - J. Oliver
Committee
G. Henderson, W. Golightly,
E. Rumney, M. Rumney,
R. Wallace, S. Taylor,
J. Tucker
Haydon Bridge v Hexhamshire
On Thursday 12th April 1998 Haydon Bridge played their last match of the season at home to Hexhamshire but
unfortunately they were heavily beaten.
The home team got off to a very good start when the ‘B’ team won their first game 8-2. Although this was Haydon
Bridge’s worst night of the season there was plenty of exciting bowls and Hexhamshire had a rather happy Skip on
their team.
The ‘B’ team was the most consistent with two wins out of four. Against a good opposition, the ‘A’ team got a good
4-4 draw in their third game. Unfortunately teams ‘C’ and ‘D’ did not do so well.
| A | B | C | D |
| Peter Tweddle | Michael Rumney | Rene Wallace | Joseph Tulip |
| Audrey Phillips | Jean Oliver | Mary Lockhart | Lily Pickering |
| Gladys Henderson | Susan Taylor | Doreen Taylor | Edith Benson |
| Winnie Golightly | Doreen Spark |
PS - Haydon Bridge will be a major force next season !
PPS - The new Chairman, unlike a more famous Chairman thinks the North-East ladies are fantastic.
White Jack
It was a fine summer’s morning as I turned into Church Street having completed a gentle walk around by
the river. A light shower of rain had settled the dust and everywhere smelt fresh and clean as the warmth
of the early morning sun jewelled rain drops clinging to the newly opened leaf on tree and hedgerow.
A Tyne Valley coach opposite the paper shop caught my attention, and as I approached I spotted Old Jerry
Attric amongst a mixed company of men, women and a few younger ones waiting to board the bus.
“Where’s thuw gannin tiv the day hinnie”, said I to Jerry as he nervously fumbled with a large box of Cooks
matches trying to light a Woodbine dump.
“Wey-eer wor gannin for a days ootin tiv Edinburgh”, said he, giving a shifty glance towards a heavily built well rounded lady immaculately dressed in a faded tweed jacket and brown brogue shoes to complete the picture. Her grey hair was gathered back into a bun and held in place by old-fashioned hairpins. On seeing me weighing up the situation she gave me a shy little girl smile of guilt knowing that I remembered her face from 49 years ago. “The Crafty owd Divil”, thought I as I watched him board the bus dressed in a faded jacket of county check, donkey brown trousers, brown brogues, and Tatersall shirt with the collar slightly frayed and a real smart country check cap on his head just the right angle to look important with straggly wisps of ginger hair sticking out at all angles. “The Stylish Owld Weasel” thought I as I remembered he liked women of breading, quality and well heeled, and this one certainty was just that, for old Jerry had attempted spreading his charms over her many times in the distant past but he was way out of his class. But now having being a widow woman for the past 20 years with the dykes rushed and everywhere sagging she couldn’t afford to be too fussy in her choice of men for her salad days were long gone.
As I stood by the church gates and watched the bus depart my memory was stirred to bus trips of yester-year. I remember it was shortly after the end of the Hitler War when young Jerry Attric and myself stood reading the notices in Harding’s paper shop window when one caught our eye - a bus trip to Whitley Bay the following Saturday, it was being organised by Mrs. Peggy Hudson, and if any one would like to go then put your name on the list in the shop and pay your 6/-. The bus would leave Church Street 9am PROMPT.
A slight mist hung above the river as Jerry and I turned into Church Street with a slight chill in the morning air, for the summer was well along and the Autumn days fast approaching with this trip being one of the last before the nights began to draw in. Two buses belonging to Charltons of Newbrough stood in Church Street and the first one was already full as we drew along-side, so popular were the day trips that it seemed everyone wanted to go to Whitley Bay before the long dark nights of Winter crept in (remember few people, if any, owned a car in those days). So as Jerry and I boarded the second bus we found a seat just behind the driver at the front, no sooner had we got sat down when Matt Smith the postman stood up at the front and checked the names on his list, gave the O K to Dave Noble the driver then off we went.
The young Jerry Attric shuffled for a few moments in his seat to get comfortable before looking around to see who was on board, suddenly he reached for his comb, gave a few upward flicks to his brilliantined ginger hair, returning the comb to his breast pocket. He then reached to the inside pocket of his blazer and produced a flat gilt engraved cigarette case from which he extracted a Virginia Gold Flake cigarette, and with much showmanship tapped each end firmly on the case before proceeding to light it from the corner of his mouth with a lighter made from a 303 cartridge case by the Italian Prisoners of war. I wondered what all that was about, and as I looked around I saw the reason for Jerry’s charm strutting, there she sat with her mother----“But niy way, niy chance” she was entirely out of his class I thought as the bus rumbled on towards the coast.
As both buses pulled into Whitley Bay the sea looked a brilliant azure with the air bracing as everyone alighted and given instructions as to the time the coaches would depart in the evening for Haydon Bridge and if not there would be left behind. Jerry gave a final flick to his hair as he said with a wry smile looking in the direction of mother and daughter. “See thuw later son”, before setting off in the direction of the Spanish City. With bags of edge and style in his blue summer blazer with shirt collar out and over the blazer collar as was the fashion in the 1940s, his grey flannels pressed to a razor edge with 21 inch bottoms and brilliant white canvas sand-shoes with rubber soles he was set to charm anything that gave him the glad-eye.
It was nice to be at Whitley Bay again I thought as I watched children enjoying a Punch and Judy show on the sands, rides on donkeys, others rowing boats in the bay and many of the older folk relaxing in deck chairs in the warmth of the late summer sun. After I had had my dinner of bread, butter and fish and chips with a pot of tea for 1/6 in a café along the prom I wandered into the Spanish City, bowled a few pennies, laughed in the hall of mirrors, had a ride on the ghost train but didn’t dare chance the big dipper from where I heard shrieks of delight, glee and down right fear. As I looked up at the speeding rail cars I saw two pretty young maidens with hair blowing in all directions fear in their eyes, desperately clinging on for dear life with one hand and struggling to protect their modesty with the other. Who should be sitting in between them with arms around their shoulders ? - None other that bold Jerry Attric himself with his blown ginger hair glowing in the late afternoon sun and all eyes for the maidens as they sat huddled tight in the rail car that screamed into another big dip.
The first bus moved off as daylight began to fade and as Matt Smith checked his list and said “We will give him another 5 min and if he is not here by that time, then he’s left”, at that moment the young Jerry Attric came tearing along the Prom towards the bus with the engine ticking over ready for the off, and as he leapt onto the bus said breathlessly that old Geordie Laverick was limping along towards the bus park as drunk as a skunk, he couldn’t hurry as he’d been shot in the foot during the Kaiser War.
Now Geordie Laverick and his wife ran a small green grocers shop in Radcliffe road, opposite the Havelock and old Geordie being a member of the Royal Ancient Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes loved his beer, and a trip out anywhere presented the opportunity for just that. So a voice from the rear of the bus chirped up and said, “He wasn’t on Wor bus! He must uv been on the fust yen and its geen wiv oot um”. Well it was decided upon that he couldn’t be left and that Jerry go back and fetch him which he did and sat him down in his seat next to me where he immediately sank into a deep drunken sleep while young Jerry stood at the front of the bus occasionally talking to Dave Noble the driver.
The return journey to Haydon Bridge was very pleasantly passed with Old Geordie Laverick snoring away and Jimmy Birnie who was a fine tenor held every one in awe and admiration with his beautiful rendering of “MY LOVE IS LIKE A RED RED ROSE”.
Within no time at all the bus was back in Church Street a little later than thought. The first bus had
already arrived and gone, with its passengers no doubt back home, some sitting down to supper and others
tucked up in bed after a wonderful day out.
As everyone stepped of the bus into the darkness of Church Street old Geordie Laverick still snored on in
his drunken stupor so it was agreed upon the young Jerry Attric be given charge to see him safely home.
After negotiating the post office corner with a little difficulty and past Bell and Riddles Chemist Jerry
arrived puffing and panting outside Mrs. Lavericks Shop and as there was no light on in any of the
windows began knocking on the door with one hand and doing his best to steady Geordie with the other.
Still no answer! In his frustration his knocking grew louder until a light came on in a window two doors up the streets at no 18 Radcliffe Road and the face of little Mrs. Humble appeared at the open window and said:
“Your wasting your time, you will not get an answer there tonight, Mr. and Mrs. Laverick left Haydon
Bridge this morning on the 8.30 train for a weeks holiday in Whitley Bay, they will not be back until next
Saturday”.
OWLD TAWNY
PS Iris Waugh how lives in what was Lavericks Shop. All that remains of the original shop front is part of the ornate doorframe above the house door.
A NOSE BY ANY OTHER NAME
What is a nose for - besides sticking into other people's business or cutting off to spite ones face? The official explanation is that it allows the air that is breathed in to be both warmed and moistened - very cold or dry air could be damaging to the lungs. The nose is also a convenient and aesthetically pleasing way of plugging the yawning hole that would otherwise exist between ones eyes.
What about smell you ask? The sense of smell does originate in the upper part of the nose but, notwithstanding the boastful rhetoric of the wine snobs, humans have very degenerate smell sensitivity. Some recent research has shown that, though we are not consciously aware of it, our noses can exert powerful influences upon us. It has been known for centuries that women living together tend to menstruate at the same time. This has now been shown to be a response to pheromones - air borne hormones - that are secreted in the sweat and detected by the nose.
Most of the front of the head, from just above the eyes to the lower jaw and several inches in, is hollow. Looking into a nose with a good light one can gain an impression of just how big the nasal cavity is and how complex is its structure. Alongside the nasal cavity are the sinuses, these are hollow spaces in the skull itself that appear to have some role in voice production as well as simply making the skull lighter. You can get an impression of the contribution made to your voice by your nose by simply pinching your nose closed and speaking - a big difference 1 think you'll agree.
Looking into the mouth with a good light and saying aaaaahhhhhh....... allows one to see the soft palate and uvula - the dangly bit at the back. Using a tiny dentist's mirror it is possible to look behind the uvula and up into the back of the nasal cavity. There is only a thin partition between mouth and nose and in some people it does not form properly - this is cafled a cleft palate and is often associated with a cleft or hare lip. Lots of people have partially or completely twinned uvula, providing the palate is in one piece this does not matter.
For such a small organ the nose causes a disproportionate amount of trouble.
First there are problems with mucus production - or snot, to be technical. The lining of the nose is continuously dampened to allow the air passing through to pick up moisture. When irritated by allergy, infection or irritating substances the volume of watery mucus production can increase dramatically and this will lead to the dreaded Onmning nose' associated with colds, hayfever and tear gas. The glorious dried or sticky Technicolor confections, beloved of dedicated nose miners, am simply dried nasal mucus.
Infections of the nose are common and indeed the virus responsible for the common cold is called a rhinovirus rhino- from the Greek for nose. Staphylococci - the bacteria responsible for impetigo and boils amongst other things live in the noses of approximately fifteen per cent of the population at any one time and only occasionally cause problems. One of the functions of the nose is to filter air but only large particles are removed. Viruses and bacteria may adhere to the nose lining but they will he swiftly attacked by the defence mechanisms present there.
The alien green slime that emerges so exuberantly from the noses of babes and sucklings and adheres to anything within a furlong or more is not of itself evidence of infection with a bacterium and so is not a reason for giving an antibiotic. One can, however, gain a powerful insight into the formative influences upon such renowned painters as Jackson Pollock by observing a small child with vigorous nasal mucus production.
Hayfever - a topical subject - is caused by pollens and spores released by plants. Some plants are more guilty than others. Symptoms that am definitely seasonal may be traceable to a single species, symptoms that last all year are more likely to be due to house dust mite. Treatment with an inhaled steroid spray or antihistamine will usually be enough. Many of the treatments for hayfever are cheaper to buy than to have on prescription.
If irritated for long enough by anything inhaled the nose lining will swell dramatically and form polyps. These fleshy swellings can completely block the nose and may even be visible at the nostril. They are easily removed surgically but have a strong tendency to recur.
Sneezing is no more than a reflex designed to remove unwanted material from the nose. 1 have heard it discussed in all seriousness on the radio that the reason one closes ones eyes automatically when sneezing is to prevent ones eyeballs popping out ...... Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! Its a pig flying - or just possibly a pair of eyeballs!
Buttons, nuts (both vegetable and engineering), beads, peas, beans, peanuts, lego bricks, safety pins, drawing pins, cotton wool, cotton-buds, grass, twigs, leaves - these are a few of my favourite things that I have extracted from noses. If slipped a sufficiently large sum of money I will provide a list of things removed from other places... If you get something stuck up your nose - DONT PANIC - you can still breath through your mouth. Try sneezing - that may be all it takes. Usually we can retrieve objects painlessly at the surgery, even from very small children.
Broken noses can be very painful and bloody. If the deformity is very great then it is probably worth going straight to hospital to have it reset under anaesthetic. If it become obvious after the swelling has gone that there is a unacceptable deformity or breathing is difficult then an out patient appointment can be made to get things put straight.
Nose piercing is becoming very common and tends to cause less trouble than ear piercing. There is the potential for confusion when the central part of the nose is pierced as there are some very serious diseases which can cause perforation too. Excessive cocaine use can also cause nasal perforations. Piercing of the skin over the, bridge of the nose is more likely to result in scarring than piercing in the sides.
Nose bleeds are best dealt with by sitting upright over a bowl or basin and clamping the whole of the lower part of the nose tightly between finger and thumb AND NOT LETTING GO FOR AT LEAST TEN MINUTES. Alternatively, dunking ones whole face in ice cold water for as long a breath lasts may cause the vessels to close too.
Using snuff is not recommended. 1 understand that some users get through ounces every week - so that's where the idea of pebbledashing came from!
Steven Ford