Yes, Wilkinson, happy uncomplicated days, back then. I knew Tiny had a son, but could not remember his name. I think their was also a daughter. Was the shop not Ella Simonds ? It was big for the area, and at Christmas time, their were also toys displayed in the window. The crane near the pit heaps - it was our battleship, and the braver ones climbed out along the shute which stretched out inside the bullring. It seemed to stand idle and unused for years. I recall the fire at the Co-op as we were brought from bed and watched it from the top end of Plessey Road. As a result of the fire the new bakery was built. Mother's check no. was 10071.(for the divi.) Can you recall the pitch and toss which took place at the end of the heaps, near the yellow babby? We would be playing football on the cinder pitch at the end of the park, then you would see the Polis ride up on his bike, alongside the rail line, and the blokes would be running off in all directions. It may have been P.C. Ballance, as he was the local about that time. The doctors you mention were our doctors. New Delaval pit manager- Mr. Myers (?) who lived in that big house near the pit, and it was rumoured that he had a big black dog, which had false teeth. We al believed it. I can also recall motor cycle racing in the fields on the Horton side of the managers house. And there was also motor cycle racing on the beach at Blyth. I will leave it at that for now - it feels like I am in a time machine.
