tag:,2008:/92 2008-07-11T17:12:19Z Ray Marshall takes a nostalgic trip down Memory Lane Movable Type Publishing Platform 4.02a tag:www.tyneofourlives.co.uk,2008://92.51621 2008-07-11T07:29:55Z 2008-07-11T17:12:19Z

My feature on singer Ivy Barnes at the Oxford Galleries was followed by many comments about the merits of different big bands. One was said to be too loud, another other too showy - one was better for dancers ....

Ray My feature on singer Ivy Barnes at the Oxford Galleries was followed by many comments about the merits of different big bands. One was said to be too loud, another other too showy - one was better for dancers . . . and so on. It wasn't until I contacted band leader and musician Stan Coates that the nuances of the big band was explained to me. As in today's world a lot of the differences were down to cash. Many a band would be in full swing and on top of their form when, through economics, they would have to lose a trumpeter or two, then a guitarist or pianist might leave and be hard to replace, especially in quality. Obviously there was a difference in the quality of the arranging, with some band leaders, being former band members, mimicking their predecessors. Of course it took a lot of cash to put together a big band and that was alright as long as the dance halls were full. But when they were on the wane the first thing that went was that big sound. But weren't they awesome. tag:www.tyneofourlives.co.uk,2008://92.51492 2008-07-10T06:54:52Z 2008-07-10T07:37:13Z

If you're lucky enough a story will fall into your lap, which happened to me with the Ivy Barnes story just featured in the Evening Chronicle. It happened I had produced a feature in the Remember When magazine on a...

Ray If you're lucky enough a story will fall into your lap, which happened to me with the Ivy Barnes story just featured in the Evening Chronicle. It happened I had produced a feature in the Remember When magazine on a St Trinian's night at the Oxford Galleries in the 1950s. A fortnight later I received a phone call from front reception asking if it was possible for someone to buy one of the photographs. I enquired if that person was in the picture. That person was and it was a Mrs Pace. But she was sitting in a position, on the picture, which made me think she was part of the band playing that night, probably the singer. I obtained her phone number and later gave her a call. It turned out Mrs Pace was, in fact, Ivy Barnes singer with the popular George Evans Band at the Oxford Galleries for a number of years in the 1950s. Ivy was lovely, surprised, and didn't realise people would want to read her very interesting story. She also had a number of pictures of those years as well as a CD of a live BBC broadcast from the galleries. The story was so well liked that, beside being featured in the Remember When magazine it took out a page and a half in the Evening Chronicle and was heavily featured on the website. We always say that everybody has a story to tell and when Mrs Pace came in the front reception to buy a picture featured in our magazine, she didn't realise that within a fortnight she would be our front page picture of Remember When. tag:www.tyneofourlives.co.uk,2008://92.47798 2008-05-25T19:53:49Z 2008-05-26T08:56:50Z

Remember when parking your car on the street was so easy - as long as it didn't cause an obstruction. Remember when putting your rubbish in a bin was simple and not a constant worry that a rubbish policeman will...

Ray Remember when parking your car on the street was so easy - as long as it didn't cause an obstruction. Remember when putting your rubbish in a bin was simple and not a constant worry that a rubbish policeman will pounce on you if you accidentally put in the wrong kind of rubbish. As for parking, first came the meters and yellow lines, traffic wardens and for bins, first the wheelie and then the green bin. Now they are both part of a massive industry, whose tentacles are reaching into all walks of life, in deliberately fining the public for anything they can catch a person doing against some new ruling. Take former TV presenter Joan Bakewell, who managed to escape a fine when she fell foul of the new internet parking rules. Apparently, her particular town has introduced a new parking bays linked to the internet. When you park you just use your mobile phone to text in and bob's your uncle (or quite a few bob is syphoned off your account!). If you have not got a mobile phone you have to go elsewhere. Many elderly (and not so elderly) people have not got a mobile phone and even Joan Bakewell found that she didn't understand the rules. Imagine some elderly person getting flustered trying to text parking details. It's all becoming a nonsense and it is about time councils (and police) went back to the old ways, which meant serving the public and not fleecing them. Finally, a story I read today said that a guy was fined for blowing up and then releasing a balloon. Actually, he then turned away and the balloonn flew and fell and became litter. Under the zero tolerace attitude of the council he was fined £50. Mmmmmm. In the same newspaper school pupils released 205 balloons carrying their address. They flew up into the air and away. But someday, somewhere, they will be litter - and with the school address on will that mean they will get 205 fines of £50 each? It's becoming a mad mad mad world! tag:www.tyneofourlives.co.uk,2008://92.46479 2008-05-12T09:43:16Z 2008-05-12T10:28:39Z

I was talking to Christine the other day - Christine is one of the unsung heroes of the Chronicle library, without whom my job would be impossible - and, somehow, the subject of food came up, which meant we exchanged...

Ray I was talking to Christine the other day - Christine is one of the unsung heroes of the Chronicle library, without whom my job would be impossible - and, somehow, the subject of food came up, which meant we exchanged Remember When fry-up stories. We talked about the delights of dripping and bread. As Christine's grandfather was a shipyard worker during the war, he got all the eggs and bacon, to keep his strength up for the hard day ahead and (by way of a treat), the children were given dripping and bread, amongst other war-time delicacies. Butting in I recalled how much, as a child, I loved dripping and bread. This in turn led to our respective fried bread and eggs recipes. Mine was a straightforward 'hoy the egg in the pan and, after a very short period (seconds infact), throw the bread on top of it - the bread had already been fried on one side. Christine responded by saying they cut a hole in the bread, in which the egg was placed. It was lovely, she added longingly. I then countered with my secret weapon - fried cheese. Grate your cheese (any but cheshire is my favourite), into a frying pan of milk or milk and water, which had already been heating up. The cheese obviously melts into liquid, in a stodgy form. It actually smells like sweaty socks but is so delicious, especially when soaked over bread. Not to be outdone Christine delivered the coup de grace and brought Geordie favourite, tripe, into the discussion. These are old family breakfast favourites. I wonder how many strange meals there are out there? - over to you! tag:www.tyneofourlives.co.uk,2008://92.46082 2008-05-07T07:53:19Z 2008-05-07T15:34:50Z

Through Remember When I have met many elderly people - and I am often amazed by what they have achieved in life, whether it is struggling through being evacuated during the war, serving in the armed forces at any given...

Ray Through Remember When I have met many elderly people - and I am often amazed by what they have achieved in life, whether it is struggling through being evacuated during the war, serving in the armed forces at any given time, or dealing with the general hardships of life. But one person, Danny White, certainly stands out. Danny arrived in the Evening Chronicle offices one day with sheet music from the days of the silent movies. He sang during the silent films - obviously many, many years ago. I interviewed Danny and he related his life story to Remember When, his schooldays, war service, etc. Now Danny was very sharp, definitely left me standing (though that's not too hard) and, later I edited his story for Remember When. But when I typed in his date of birth I believed I had got it wrong, I had misheard him. So when Danny returned to collect something I had borrowed, I enquired how old he was, saying I had misheard his date of birth and had him down as 100. "I am 101 on my next birthday," said Danny. Now we have set preconceptions of the elderly, one is that their faculties begin to wane. Danny was so fit and, all I can say, if his mind was on the wane, he must have been a genius not so many years ago. tag:www.tyneofourlives.co.uk,2008://92.41344 2008-03-14T15:50:15Z 2008-03-15T15:01:39Z

Lately I have beem fascinated by the old adverts painted on walls where shops once stood. If you glance around old buildings you will surely spot one. My first was spotted on Byker High Street, there was an old shop...

Ray Lately I have beem fascinated by the old adverts painted on walls where shops once stood. If you glance around old buildings you will surely spot one. My first was spotted on Byker High Street, there was an old shop advertisement painted on the side of a wall - so old it offered chimney sweeping or tools for use in shipyards. I have found it so fascinating (yesterday I found the ghostly letters of an old pawn shop on a building), that I have decided to record them. So if you come across any old adverts painted on walls, give me a shout! tag:www.tyneofourlives.co.uk,2008://92.40624 2008-03-06T09:15:17Z 2008-03-06T09:27:48Z

I remember the great atmosphere you used to get when going into a pub. The clash of glasses knocking together, the chatter, the smoke, the ambience. What did I say there? The smoke. Of course we've taken that out of...

Ray I remember the great atmosphere you used to get when going into a pub. The clash of glasses knocking together, the chatter, the smoke, the ambience. What did I say there? The smoke. Of course we've taken that out of the equation with the no smoking rule. Now let me say straight away that I don't smoke and never have. But I certainly don't think I have the right to tell others not to. I can always move away if I want to. But what surprises me is the comments of people who previously called for the ban. Over the past few months I have heard many people say that when they go into a pub now they don't get to experience that great atmosphere that they once felt. In fact, they say, because the smoke is missing, all they get now is the horrible smell of BO. Well, BO might not kill you, but it certainly kills the atmosphere. Also, when you see large groups of people standing outside the pub, say on the main street, it can be slightly intimidating for young girls or ladies in general who have to pass by - especially when the group is all men who have had a few pints. Just a thought - but I wonder what spoilers will move onto next? tag:www.tyneofourlives.co.uk,2008://92.40032 2008-02-28T09:26:33Z 2008-03-15T15:03:31Z

Listening to Radio Five Live on my run-in to work the subject of witchcraft came up. Various events from history were discussed and it ended with the presenter saying that the last person to stand trial in Britain for witchcraft...

Ray Listening to Radio Five Live on my run-in to work the subject of witchcraft came up. Various events from history were discussed and it ended with the presenter saying that the last person to stand trial in Britain for witchcraft did so in 1944, meaning how could we have been so daft in 1944 - it seems we were dafter than he thought. At a seance in Portsmouth in late November 1941, Helen Duncan, a spiritualist medium from Callander, Scotland, announced that she had contacted a dead sailor who had told her that his ship, HMS Barham, had recently been sunk (with the loss of 861 lives). The Admiralty were trying to keep this fact quiet from the Germans who hadn't realised they had sunk the battleship and the British, on the grounds of keeping up moral. Relatives were later told of the loss of their loved-one's but also told not to tell anyone else on the grounds of national security. Duncan was not arrested in the aftermath of the Barham incident but later, in 1944, superstitious intelligence officers learned of the event and feared that Duncan might reveal plans for the D-Day landings. To make sure she was kept quiet Duncan was convicted under the British Witchcraft Act of 1735 and sentenced to nine months in prison. tag:www.tyneofourlives.co.uk,2008://92.39807 2008-02-26T13:16:37Z 2008-02-26T13:23:48Z

Are emails destroying the art of letter writing? I ask this because it is obviously easier to send half a dozen emails, practically keeping a diary of events than waiting awhile and writing a letter full of news of events...

Ray Are emails destroying the art of letter writing? I ask this because it is obviously easier to send half a dozen emails, practically keeping a diary of events than waiting awhile and writing a letter full of news of events that have taken place. I have just put a story together for Remember When, concerning a couple in the Second World War. The lady in question, Joyce, was introduced by letter to a pen pal, George, a Royal Navy sailor who was at sea. Without ever physically meeting they corresponded for two years, during which time George eventually propsed to Joyce. She accepted. Their first meeting took place when George, on leave, turned up on Joyce's doorstep in May, 1944. They were married by special licence five days later - proving the power of the letter. They went on to be happily married until Joyce passed away 38 years later. Emails are usually of quick thought whereas letter writing can be more personal, I feel. What do you think? tag:www.tyneofourlives.co.uk,2008://92.38821 2008-02-16T21:31:26Z 2008-02-16T21:52:15Z

We seem to have it really easy these days, shopping that is, if you can afford it, that is. The shops are full of goods, the supermarket shelves are full of food. You just have to make your choice!...

Ray We seem to have it really easy these days, shopping that is, if you can afford it, that is. The shops are full of goods, the supermarket shelves are full of food. You just have to make your choice! But during the Second World War rationing had to be brought in because of shortages. Obviously much of our food and raw materials were imported - but the U-boat menace and priorities, meant everything was in short supply. What was it like going to the shops with your ration coupons, only being allowed certain amounts of certain foods. Petrol and a host of othe things was hard to get, but there was always the black market! I wonder how many people around today remember going to the shops with their ration coupons? I also wonder if they knew how people managed to beat rationing and get tht little bit extra? Is there anybody who can remember rationing both during and after the Second World War? tag:www.tyneofourlives.co.uk,2008://92.38250 2008-02-11T11:25:45Z 2008-02-12T07:26:31Z

We asked for stories on your National Service days and they came thick and fast. Did the endless barrack square drilling, bulling your kit and hut inspections do you any good? Did it make a difference to your life in...

Ray We asked for stories on your National Service days and they came thick and fast. Did the endless barrack square drilling, bulling your kit and hut inspections do you any good? Did it make a difference to your life in civvy street. Where were you posted to and what did you get up to? Keep your National Service stories coming as we propose to put together a National Service special edition of Remember When in the near future. But, in the meantime, here are the full stories of those edited down in Saturday's Evening Chronicle (February 9). Send your National Service stories to me, Ray Marshall, at Remember When, Evening Chronicle, Groat Market, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1ED, email ray.marshall@ncjmedia.co.uk or post your comments below. tag:www.tyneofourlives.co.uk,2008://92.38245 2008-02-11T10:37:00Z 2008-03-06T09:31:19Z

By Doug Ross, Hebburn I did my National Service with the RAF from June 53 to 55. After being kitted out during the first week of entry at RAF Padgate it didn’t seem so bad as expected. Most of our...

Ray By Doug Ross, Hebburn I did my National Service with the RAF from June 53 to 55. After being kitted out during the first week of entry at RAF Padgate it didn’t seem so bad as expected. Most of our time was spent marking every bit of our kit with your service number, and spit and polishing the toe-caps of your new boots, until you could almost see your face in them. However, at the end of the week, our flight intake were to be transported by bus to RAF Hednesford near Walsall, where we were to do our eight weeks square-bashing. (We were the last flight to kitted out at Padgate). No sooner had we arrived at Hednesford, when suddenly all hell was let loose with umpteen Drill Instructors (DI’s) yelling their orders to get off the bus at the double etc. We were then taken to our allocated billet by our corporal DI where he started to lay the law down to us, unfortunately a young lad standing next to me fainted and fell to the floor. Two of us went to pick him up, and as we did so, we heard the DI say in snarling way, “ It’s a good job he didn’t split his head and dirty my clean floor”.( Charming, welcome to the RAF)! Yes, we did all those clever things like, scraping the brush handles clean with a razor blade etc, polishing the floor till it shone and keeping it shining by sliding on felt pads, NEVER walking on the floor in your boots!! Whilst in your locker, shirts and vests were arranged BLUE:WHITE:BLUE:WHITE etc. However, I can honestly say that, after a delayed completion to my training due to having my Appendix removed, (Brought on by the that particular mornings' Physical Exercises) courtesy of the RAF, I actually enjoyed my time in the Service, especially after completion of my Technical Training as an Electrical Fitter with the rank of Junior Technician, and the eventual posting to RAF Ouston ( now Albemarle Barracks) outside Newcastle. This being due to a compassionate posting as my father was very ill at that time. Ouston was home to the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, 607 Fighter Squadron at the time I was there (1954/55), and was equipped with 15 Vampire Jets, 2 Meteor Jets, a Spitfire and Tiger Moth. Being an Auxiliary Squadron , all servicing to the aircraft was done during the week, so they were ready for when the Auxiliary Pilots came in to do their weekend Flying Training. One of the highlights I was fortunate to enjoy was when I got the chance to fly in one of the Meteor Jets during one weekend when the Auxiliary Pilots were doing their target firing practices at the Target Drogue which was towed by the Meteor. After a steep climb on take-off so as to eliminate dragging the Drogue too long across the ground we headed to the Farne Islands where the target practices were to take place. As I turned to look back, there was this Vampire Jet baring down into the attack firing at the target when in range. I was glad that the target was being towed 800 feet behind us, but you could just imagine what it must have been like if this had been the real thing and the target was you.!! Another highlight of my time with 607 Squadron, was when Ouston held the BATTLE of BRITAIN at home to the Public celebration in 1954. I was a member of the Duty Crew that weekend which involved looking after all of the visiting aircraft as well as our own, which were there to entertain the Public. It was a hectic time but great fun. The camaraderie at RAF Ouston was great even when we had to do the odd bit of bull from time to time, especially when competing with the Officers in the squadron sports. On the occasion when Ouston had the AOC’s Inspection Day, afterwards a camp dance would be held in the NAFFI with busloads of girls brought in from Newcastle. Maybe I was lucky, but I did enjoy my National Service in the RAF. tag:www.tyneofourlives.co.uk,2008://92.37825 2008-02-06T08:59:15Z 2008-02-06T10:26:58Z

Driving with the safety of pedestrians in mind is an obvious priority and there are many instances of gung-ho drivers charging up and down streets at great speeds as to bring fears to parents of the safety of their young...

Ray Driving with the safety of pedestrians in mind is an obvious priority and there are many instances of gung-ho drivers charging up and down streets at great speeds as to bring fears to parents of the safety of their young children - but can you Remember When driving was a simple task and not a dangerous obstacle course. I'm referring to the ever changing roads we drive - I can remember those far off days when we only had to look for pedestrians appearing between parked cars or emerging from behind an ice cream van or bus, apart from that there was only junctions, traffic lights and zebra crossings - enough I thought to keep our attention. But now add to that the speed bumps (either straddling the road or placed in lanes), various incursions built out into the road to hamper traffic, lane markings and bus lanes forcing you into some strange road positions and small unlit crossing islands in the middle of roads. I'm sure that when you are driving around on today's roads your attention is that intent in seeking out these obstacles that pedestrians are in even greater danger and it seems to me that garages must be cock-a-hoop at every new 'sleeping policeman' that is laid down - for the damage that it causes. And as for slowing cars down to a crawl and making them spend more time negotiating the roads - is that not a Green issue. Because council road planners seem to deliberately cause traffic congestion with their strange decisions - and I believe this, in turn, is causing a greater use of petrol, which in turn is not only using up the planet's natural resourse of oil quicker, but also creating more greenhouse gases than it otherwise would. tag:www.tyneofourlives.co.uk,2007://92.33524 2007-12-17T14:10:13Z 2007-12-17T14:38:27Z

Remember when our pavements were safe to walk, I do. We go on about the sinking paving stones and tripping over kerbs but I am now observing a new phenomenon when I go walking around the town. With temperatures just...

Ray Remember when our pavements were safe to walk, I do. We go on about the sinking paving stones and tripping over kerbs but I am now observing a new phenomenon when I go walking around the town. With temperatures just hovering above freezing during the day the ground becomes very greasy and with the new paving stones, which were laid over the last couple of years, I have observed a great number of pedestrians slipping - in fact going flat on their backs. The other day I observed three different ladies, two young, one elderly falling and becoming quite shaken in the process, all in the space of 10 minutes. I know myself, despite rubber-soled shoes, being very careful and feeling my feet going at different intervals. What is the answer? Obviously the council have spent a small fortune and putting down these nice-looking paving stones, but were they checked first for skidd-a-bility. I remember when walking around the town was safe (from slipping). tag:www.tyneofourlives.co.uk,2007://92.30023 2007-11-11T10:15:46Z 2007-11-11T10:30:47Z

I guess that most bikers (bicycles) are law abiding and very aware of their own safety on the road. But there are many who just seem to think because it isn't a motorised vehicle that they can flout all the...

Ray I guess that most bikers (bicycles) are law abiding and very aware of their own safety on the road. But there are many who just seem to think because it isn't a motorised vehicle that they can flout all the rules. How often at night, driving a long a road, you come upon a biker pedalling along with no lights - I know it is impracticable to have bobbies on the beat but in the old days these guys were always pulling you up and making sure you followed the rules. When I was young daren't go out after lighting up time without a light at the front and back of the bike, today people aren't bothered about the rules - but they soon shout loud enough if a car or bus gets too near them. I have often rode a bike to work, so I'm not anti-bike, far from it, I'm pro-bike but another problem is that when you pull up at a red light you find that many bikers take no notice of it. They will judge whether they can get across safely and go for it. Well, I'm afraid rules are rules and although there is many a time when at a red light I could safely drive a car across to the other side - I have to obey the rules and going through a red light is breaking the law. You might thinnk I'm being picky but each biker that flouts the rules encourages another to do the same and I'm worried that youngsters just think it's the norm. What do you think?