Office Xmas party
Alistair Townsend, Mavis Donkin, Bob Dobson, ??, Alan Dale and Eddie Weightman. Duncan Bedlington and Lorraine ?? dancing).

The Neptune Pub was just at the top of the bank on the main road and the Commercial was just opposite, right next to Readheads Docks.
The Neptune (The Nep) and Commercial Pubs were used regularly by Readheads workers. They were always very busy on a Friday lunchtime. A lot of the Readheads employees went in the 'Nep' to play darts, dominoes or listen to the juke box.
In the ninteen sixties the social scene in South Shields really took off with the opening of the Latino nightclub and the Chelsea Cat. These became regular haunts for a lot of Readheads employees.
Office Xmas parties usually ended up in South Shields centre and then on to one of these very popular clubs.
Ashley House was Readheads own social club. It was well used by many of the employees and their family and friends.
Woodies shop was situated very conveniently across the road to the Shipyard entrances and was well used for Cigarettes, sweets and Sandwiches.
Apprentices were sent across every break for egg, sausage, bacon and burgher sandwiches.

The Commercial Pub as it is in 2006

This photo of Readhead's Rugby Football Club was sent in by Kevin Bannon.
He says it was held at Westoe Rugby Club on 22nd April 2006 though how many worked there I do not know.
Can anyone put names to the faces please and let me know if they worked at Readhead's and in which department - Ed.

From Westoe Rugby Club website
http://www.westoerfc.com/index.php ;-
There was shock and sadness in local rugby circles and beyond when Don Mellish died of a heart attack, aged 61.
He was a winger for the Readhead Shipyard side until a badly broken leg brought his playing career to an abrupt halt shortly before the South Shields team disbanded in the early 1970s.
Don switched his allegiance to Westoe where his son Paul rose through the junior sections to become an accomplished First XV flanker and who last season captained the Thirds to a triumphant league and cup double.
It was with great pride that he saw two of Paul’s sons become fine sporting prospects, rugby-playing Matthew, 14, being invited into Newcastle Falcons’ junior academy and footballer Jon, eight, being recruited by Sunderland’s youth academy.
Although a staunch supporter at Wood Terrace, Don fondly remembered his playing days and often talked of arranging a reunion of his old teammates.
Now a nostalgic get together will be held in his memory in the Westoe clubhouse on April 22 after the First team’s last North One league game against visitors Whitchurch.
It is being organized by John Graham, a prop in the former shipyard team, with the aid of two other ex-Readhead men who are now Westoe stalwarts, vice-chairman John Tighe and ex-club captain Dick Elliott, 62, who still plays an occasional game.
John said: “Don was a terrific person with many friends and this will be our tribute to him. It will be the reunion he always wanted and I like to think he’ll be there in spirit.”
He added: “It isn’t just for old Readhead RFC players but all of Don’s pals. We would like them to come along to watch the game and then have a social evening with their families in the clubhouse afterwards.”
There will be a buffet meal, entertainment and a raffle - and doubtless many memories revived. Tickets, costing £5, are available from John (telephone: 4569023) or the clubhouse. All proceeds will go the Heart Foundation.
Crane driver Don, of Harton, South Shields, collapsed and died in October just a week after he and his wife Vicky had returned from Greece where their younger son Steven was married.
Vicky said: “I think the reunion is a brilliant idea and I’m very moved by it. Don loved rugby and I can remember many happy times after games in the old Readhead’s Club.
“I never realized how popular he was until his funeral when I was overwhelmed by how many mourners there were.”
Said John: “I imagine everyone at the reunion will quietly and privately raise a glass in memory of an absent and very special friend.”

Standing
Clark Sanderson Turnbull Smith (N) Taylor Johnson
Sitting
Lovel Jones Philpot Prime
Kneeling
Smith (D) Stephenson (capt) Miller Spiller Chapman
Thanks to Bill Stephenson for photo.