Pete

That drawing is spot on Alan, but where you have got the question mark I can not remember anything being there but I suppose there must have been. There was also men's shower room next to the gents toilets.

As for no doors in the loos, well there's plenty of room on the grass behind the building😀

The room behind the cafeteria was the table tennis room can't remember if there was three tables or two tables in there. There was a snooker table in the cafeteria.

I remember in them days we used to all meet in the YM then we would go to Moscies and then back to the YM. We went to the YM every night apart from Saturday night when we would go to the Duke of Wellington working men's club at Blyth, many a time we would miss the last bus and have to walk home. Mind you after a few pints it felt like I floating home.

1 hour ago, Alan Edgar (Eggy1948) said:

Cheers @Pete - I still can't place him but someone had to be there and in charge before John Bygate (JB) turned up. 

If i remember correctly the YM leader had the first room on the left corridor as went into the building.

I must have bumped into other leaders before JB turned. My mam's aunty Elsie used to take us to the old building (early 1960's) for the fund raising events for the new building = Beetle Drive with Pea & Pie Suppers. Loads of mature ladies shouting - I just need a leg to get beetle. My mam's cousin, Owen Humble, used to have a dark room, across from the YM leaders office, where he developed his photos.     

Your correct Alan his office was as you have described. Next to his office going up the corridor was the lounge were they often held a late service (epilogue) this was done by the YM leader usually consisted of a Bible reading and a short prayer.

I remember Owen Humble and there was another guy called Bill that did a lot of work behind the counter selling cups of coffee, Pepsi and the likes. The dark room was as you have indicated but it was further up the corridor.

I was a member of the old stone building as well as the new building. It cost two and six pence a year (subs) in the old building but I can't remember what the cost was in the new building. A friend of mine who still lives in Bedlington may still have his original membership card. Next time I speak to him I will ask if he still has it, if he has I will try and get a copy and will post it on here.

Great days, fond memories were did all the time go?

23 hours ago, Alan Edgar (Eggy1948) said:

Mr Ruddy doesn't ring a bell with me. When I started going probably around 1963-64 I can only remember John Bygate but I know he took over from someone when I used to go but I can't remember a name. I'll have a think. 

Derick Ruddy was followed by John Bygate, 63 64 would be about the time he took over from Derick Ruddy.

Derick Ruddy wore glasses and had his hair combed straight back I think he was going a bit thin on top. Both of them were in the new building. 

Happy Birthday Malcolm hope you have a good day.

Happy Birthday Foxy hope you have a great day.

Sorry to hear of your sad news Vic, will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Happy Birthday Vic, hope you have a great day. Have you still got the snow?

On 16/02/2021 at 21:00, Jammy said:

  I occasionally come across Bobby Cowell so will ask when he opened the shop and if he knows anything about the butcher or the COOP across the road. He's older than me so perhaps he knows a bit more.

 

The shop was there before Bobby took it over but I can not remember the name of the owner. Bobby would have taken it over in the early sixties I think it was him and Raffie Davison that owned the shop at that time but I could be wrong.

17 hours ago, Canny lass said:

I think they were still there in the very early sixties. I remmeber attending the funeral of a YMCA member - young lad by the name of Routledge (Pete would probably know better). He lived there.

Your correct CL it was Jimmy Routledge and the family did live in those houses, South Row I think.

My great grand parents on my grandmothers side lived in Shop Row and the gardens were detached from the houses. If you follow Allan's directions to Barrington school (turn right when you get through the Auld pit) you would be walking down Shop Row. The houses were on your left but the road was just a dirt track and the gardens were on your right and they were quite long. That's how I remember it anyway. 

Congratulations a job well done

Happy Australia day to you Brian, will you be having a couple of beers?

On 15/01/2021 at 09:31, HIGH PIT WILMA said:

We dinna gaan up thi Black Path ti thi top..it wud kill me! we gaan ti the second seat ,have a blaa,luk for Squirrels,and come bak  doon..we saw Pete and his Wife one day..we just stopped ti taak ti these two strangers...and it turned oot ti be Pete!Strange co-incidence!

It was a strange co-incident Bill because we had intended to go to Morpeth, but when we got there the main street was close owing to some sort of festival. That's how we ended up down the woods for a walk. Anyhow it was great to meet you and your wife and of course not forgetting Jesse. Perhaps we will have another chance meeting in the future but Corvid is the big sticking point at the moment, I have not been able to visit good old Bedlington for over a year now as Leicester seems to be stuck in a permanent lockdown. Take care and keep safe.  

Happy Birthday CL, hope you have a great day.

Happy New Year to all.

Have a great Christmas all and hopefully we see the end of corvid in 2021

1 hour ago, Alan Edgar (Eggy1948) said:

Thank you

ps. I haven't told anyone when my birthday is 🤭

Well your secrets out, Happy Birthday hope you have a great day

Happy Birthday Andy, Have a great day.

Hi CL, Safe and well but in desperate need of a hair cut as all the Barbour's are closed.

Good to hear every ones ok.  

Happy Birthday CL hope you have a great day. ☺️

Brian,

its good to hear your on the mend, I was wondering were you had got to as you have not been on for some time but that explains it. All the best for Christmas and the New Year. Will you be having a barbaque on Christmas day?

Vic,

it sounds like its mighty cold over there so no barbaque for you unfortunately. All the best for Christmas and the New Year. Have you seen many deer this winter?  

Happy Birthday Andy, hope you have a great day.

Thanks Alan, query solved.

On 09/09/2019 at 19:30, HIGH PIT WILMA said:

Aad forgot aboot them till ye jogged me memory...they called themselves that name,after the budget "Olympic" drum kit that most of the young groups like us had to start out with..they were a cheap but canny sounding kit,better than old oil drums for sure!

The Olympics where originally called the Statesmen and changed their name to the Olympics, but as far as I am aware it was not due to the name of a Drum Kit. Memory fails when it comes to things long ago, I cannot remember why they changed their name, perhaps Alan can help?