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My dad was Ernie Gurney the butcher next door to The Gardner’s Arms. My Mum and Dad were in business in Bedlington from 1954. My dad went to work as Manager in the meat department in Laws Stores in 1978 until he died suddenly in October 1979. My Mum ran the shop but also had a very successful outside Catering business. She continued to live in the family house until her death in June 1995. I have two brothers and a sister and we were all brought up there. I remember Ned Metcalf and his wife ‘ Ginny’ as he called her very well. They had no children and they were very fond of me. He was a strict old man but he would let me talk to him and his wife but above all, I was always with his dogs. I remember going to The One O’ Clock show with him and meeting Jackie Collins.....well I was told it was her. When something like Pathe News that used to be on at the cinemas came to make a film about the dogs, Ned said he’d only do it if They Baird’ came. I was filmed with the dogs and walked them up and down the path beside the War Memorial. I remember the film crew gave me lots of money for being a good girl and my elder brother Allan who was there watching and myself bought ice cream for the family at Bacci’s on the way home. I was also in The Blyth News when one of the dogs had a particularly good litter of pups.