So interesting, Pete Loud. Especially , for me , the photos of the coal trimmers.
With a friend we visit an old age home in Newcastle most weeks (I should be there myself if I could afford it).
A few weeks ago I got chatting to an old man there who told me that as a young lad he used to work at Blyth staithes, loading coal onto the boats. I could hardlly believe it, but I think probably his longterm memory was intact.
I'll have to get back to him next week.