Joe Rooney

You know what we need? A website just for the scurrilous, and intellectually stunted among us! That would make their dirty minds and mouths delirious with verbal garbage. Just think of it: No more trying to spell words in excess of four letters. Their poor brains would think that they had died and gone somewhere: anywhere! Joe

I remember, once telling someone that I had enough trouble just being who I was, without trying to be someone else. That hasn't changed. I was Joe Rooney then, and I am Joe Rooney now. At my age, that is much simpler! Joe

True! And what is left is getting whiter by the day! Joe

"What's the point"! That sad hopeless cry of defeat is beginning to sound like Bedlington's epitaph! If that is all that you have to say in the face of any and all difficulty, then you may as well quit living and go on permanent welfare. Like Australia, all across Canada, there are annual cleanup campaigns where social groups, children's groups, and just plain concerned citizens, get together and clean up the parks, rivers, and other public areas. "What's the point" is that if that is all that you have to say. Then you are a major part of the problem. So why don't you just stand aside, and let the more energetic citizens get at the job! Joe

Monsta, Do you have a mirror? Is it clean? Use it, and try civility! Joe

Ms Hair, I must warn you that I have five daughters, any one of whom would thump you, if they heard that plaintive "But I am just a girl"! Enjoy your posts anyway, But thought I should warn you, just in case they ever turn up in Bedlington! Regards, Joe.

If any members of this board visit Canada, ask to be taken to one of our many Farmers Markets. After stuffing yourself on the huge array of free samples at any market. You will think that you have died and gone to culinary heaven. ( And succulent Polish kolbassa, is just the start!) Joe

Good to hear! Thanks, Joe

When I lived there,(prior to 1943) the housing from the Bank Top, going down Furnace road to the Furnace bridge, ran approximately as follows. At the Top of the Bank, on the North or right side looking down, stood the Bank Top hotel. (Still there). Next to the hotel, and up river, stood Craggs Buildings. These were a series of stone cottages, with a couple of two story buildings in the middle. Each two story building contained four apartments, two up, two down. We lived in one of them until they were burned down in 1943. We lived upstairs with the MacSparrens across the landing from us, old Mrs Cole lived downstairs from us, and I forget who lived across from her. Across from Craggs buildings, and on the Left, looking down the Furnace Bank were a series of two storied houses. The first house was also the local sweet shop run by two sisters. Next down from them was the house where the Winters family lived, and then there were probably another five or six similar houses running down the bank from there. There were no more houses on the Furnace Bank until after you passed the old Oxcart road that ran into the Furnace bank from River View. I was told that it was built to ease the burden of horses and oxen which hauled supplies up and down to the Bedlington Iron Company works. Just past the Oxcart road, on the right going down, stood the old Woods (at least I think it was "Woods") pop factory. It was a fairly large wooden building which had been built there to take advantage of a locally famous fresh water spring which ran out of the bankside at that spot. I don't know why, but Woods went out of business just before the war. The Building itself was used by the Home Guard for drills and other training until the end of the war. Not far down after the Woods factory, there were several large buildings which had been converted from Bedlington Iron offices. They curved South around the bottom of the bank almost to the bank of the river. Further up river, and on the road which used to be known as the "Free Woods", was another large house. This was known as "Dene House", and we were often told that this was where the factory owners used to live. On the other side of the Furnace Bridge, both up and downstream from the bridge itself were about another six or so houses. These also appeared to have been converted from various Bedlington Iron Company uses. All of these houses, from the Bank Top down to, and across the bridge itself appear to have been demolished in the late fifties, or early sixties. I know that they were still in existence in late 1952, which was the last chance I had to visit the Bank Top! Hope that helps a little. But bear in mind that the Bedlington Iron Company had ceased operation in the 1870's. And over the next seventy years or so, sporadic demolition continued. I have a picture somewhere, possibly in an Evan Martins book, showing one of the plant chimneys being brought down in the early 1900's or possibly 1910 era! Regards, Joe

Earning your own money, (And self respect.) I salways the better way. Good luck, Joe

Powell's only function was to attract the racist minority out from under the rocks, convince them that their's was the majority view, and thus ride them to his grasp of power.! Just the latest of a long line of power hungry bigots. Joe

I would just remind you what is said about luck. That is when preparation meets opportunity! Good luck in your search, I know that it is a frustrating period, but with application and perserverance you will find the job you desire and deserve. Happy Easter, Joe

Oh God! Ad Nauseum rights! Joe

When I lived there, (Next to the Bank Top Hotel.) we never thought of the Bank Top as the Station. That was a couple of miles away, where the trains stopped. And where you could stand on the pedestrian bridge, and enjoy yhe steam and smoke when the trains passed underneath! Nice to see it again. Thanks, Joe

Long overdue, Threegee! I was beginning to think that I was the only one who saw the similarity in several of the more scurrillous messages. But since you appear to quite aware of the use of of multiple identities by some of our more undesirable members, I shall regain my belief in the value of the system, and it's ability to cleanse or self regulate itself for the benefit of all members. Thank you again Threegee. I really did not want to drop out of this forum. But Iwas thinking of letting it go after one of my daughters read some of it while visitng, and was appalled that I would tolerate such empty headed garbage. Yours, Joe

That has to make you a very busy person. Don't run your legs off! Joe

I have always enjoyed Paris. It has been over 10 years since we were there last. I am sure that you had a great time, and brought back many happy memories. Besides, you can always use a vacation, and room service! regards, Joe

You will have to forgive we older Geordies for expecting the best from our sports heroes! I grew up in the heyday of Jackie Milburn, and he never forgot where he came from, or how he got there. A good, talented player. He was a quiet man who played his game as well as he could, Then went home to Ashington, and met his pals in the pub! Joe.

I think that a few years in the Army would work wonders for Wayne Rooney and too many others like him. This is a kid with a certain amount of talent, but who has not lived enough to aquire modesty, self control, or perspective. His overweening ego, will destroy any chance he may have of being admired for his achievements. Rather, he is a spolied, arrogant foulmouth, who clearly believes the propaganda of his hangers on. He rose fast, but he will plummet even faster, if he is left to own self destuctive devices. Pity, he could have been so much more than he prefers to be! Joe Rooney

I first read Brave New World over fifty years ago, and I too found it very depressing. Perhaps I was foolish in thinking that time would mellow the message. The only thing worse, was Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" To quote the NY Times reviewer at the time, "And so did I" Oh well, there's got to be something to read! Joe

Good for both of you! Joe

Come on now Malcolm.! Do you really expect even a respectable minority of the population to forgo the pleasures of complaining about things, for the irksome task of actually helping fix the problem. To quote a prior post: "Whats the point"! Joe.

It looks like a remnant of the old houses, formerly Bedlington Iron Company offices which stood on the North side of the Furnace Bridge until they were demolished in the 1960's or so! Joe

Nah!!! He is much better looking than I am! Joe (The elder.)

Monsta dear Monsta, I need a little clarification here! Are you really asking God, the same god to whom you vociferously object in other posts, for "help". Just thought I would ask! Joe