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1. The Travels of Marlene
 | "It was that big! As big as this table!"
Marlene Dales (nee Tranter) the main organiser of our yearly reunions, enjoys her holidays and when telling a tale she is very expressive with her hands. Consequently, photographs of her usually invite captions such as those above! Sorry Marlene - I couldn't resist! |
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More Captions For Marlene
 | L: "Actually it was that big!" R: "Ugh!!"
I told Marlene I'd included the photo of her wearing a mask but she said it wasn't a mask. It belonged to a bloke!!! |
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Rick Wilkinson Now
 | Rick Wilkinson and his wife Pat
Ex Upper Princess Street, Rick married a Boro girl and moved "up the town" although I'm sure they didn't get those suntans in Albert Park!
Rick's story can be found on the Achievers page (until I get the Entertainers page sorted out) under a "Nearly Famous" caption, and also on the Princess Street School page. Rick tells me that even now he still ventures through Slaggy Island occasionally for a twinge of nostalgia.
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"When I'm Sixty Five!"
 | Marlene joins her brothers
Marlene (Tranter) Dales hit the big six five on the 6th of December and threw a shindig at the Whale Hill Social Club on Saturday the 7th. The club was packed and everyone had a great night. At one point Marlene took over the microphone and announced that she was going to read a poem dedicated to her deceased mother. This could have been a definite downer but the poem was humorous and, put over by Marlene, it was a winner. She's going to lend me it to put on here so keep looking in!
I knew Marlene had lots of friends but I didn't know she had so many relatives. Marion and me sat with some of the friends and it was like "Grab a Granny Night!" (I expect some flak for that!)
Marlene's Ode To Her Mother
Mag met Sam just after the war,
They seemed right together on the dance floor,
After a whirlwind romance they decided to wed
And Mag was so shy when they went up to bed.
In those days ‘family planning’ didn’t exist
But Mam knew what to expect when Sam came home
----------- and they kissed!
The outcome of these wild and wonderful nights
Was quite a large bump and a helluva fright.
And so began the family of Mag and Sam Tranter
(They’d planned them at a trot...
But they arrived in full canter!)
Sam backed Harry Rag first
But their favourite went down
And when Flossie arrived; he lost half-a-crown.
As a dancer Flossie was light on her feet
And people who met her thought she was sweet;
At the age of only eight she was in a pantomime
‘Eee she was great, (ooh that doesn’t rhyme).
Very soon after this, Sam backed a good’n
And then Mag announced she’d a bun in the oven!
Sam said “Ee lass, you’ve learned a lot since we wed”
(He must’ve thought she was talking about bread).
Harry arrived ‘round Grand National Day
And Sam was determined to have his own way.
He didn’t want girls, who played Netball and Hockey
And so he name Harry after his favourite jockey.
A couple of years later Mag and Sam had a flutter
Then along came the stork, cos it sure wasn’t butter.
It turned out to be Madge, with her hair the right shade,
Another girl to their credit; Eee they thought they were made.
In the month of September 1933, Mam was again a mother-to-be.
Lil’ was the fourth child, to brighten Mam’s day
And so they christened her, Lilian-May.
Three years later in ’36, the racing season was over the sticks.
Sam was sure this time he was backing a winner
And he noticed that Mam wasn’t getting any thinner.
Gordon Richards romped on home and Dad like the name
And when the next son was born - they called him the same!
Gordon’s like Dad, he’ll gamble on all
From Miss World to World-Cup or two flies on a wall.
Early December in ’37, another bundle was sent from Heaven
Marlene grew up to be quite a dish
She takes after her Dad - ‘cos she drinks like a fish!
Mam worked like a trooper, it must’ve been hard
There was always a line full of washing in the yard.
Do you remember the time Mam, you heard such a din
And when you looked, the ceiling had fell in!
Along came Ronnie in ’39, another load of nappies on the washing line
He was a shy little fella, but oh so willing
To help someone out, he’d give his last shilling.
The last of the line, came their way
One year later on Boxing-day.
Oh what a present it turned out to be
When they bounced little Sammy up on their knee.
The baby era had now come to an end
No more children would God send.
You gave us life, then helped us grow
And taught us all the things we know.
You’re a friend, a companion, a person for sharing
And a heart filled with love, that it will never stop caring.
So here’s to you Mam, you’ve done us proud
From all of the family, and the rest of the crowd.
We raise our glasses to you on this day
And hope that you have the best of birthdays.
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The Tranter Lads
 | Sammy, Gordon, Ronnie and Harry
I was taking this pic of the brothers when Marlene joined in for the (previous) photo. |
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George Tranter of Oz
 | George dealing with a chicken leg
I was fortunate to catch Harry's son George who was on a visit from Melbourne, Australia.
Did you know that if you say "George" while chewing on a chicken leg it sounds like "Mark"! Not a lot of people know that!! |
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"Grab A Granny!"
 | Plenty to pick from
I'm taking my life in my hands! |
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John and Joan Fox
 | John and his wife Joan (nee McGee)
I was pleased to see these old friends at Marlene's "do" and they qualify for these Slaggy Island pages because, although John Fox's family were mainly from Grangetown, when John married South Banker Joan McGee they lived for a while in Uvedale Road. |
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Bob Affleck
 | | Bob Affleck came over to say hello and got snapped with John Fox |
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Jean Kent
 | | One of the "Glamorous Grannies" on show! |
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League of Nations
 | Marlene's Hubby, circulating, meets a motley crew
Here we have John Fox, ex South Banker "John The Fish" who has the chip shop at Normanby, Jimmy Flint of Grangetown, and Marlene's better half Brian Dales originally from Brambles Farm!
The title was a bit out. When I was talking to Brian Dales at Pam Gatenby's do he corrected me on his history. He was born in Branch Street, moved to just off Cannon Street, then to Grove Hill, then to Brambles Farm, then Grangetown and finally Normanby! In fact HE was a one-man League of Nations!
I didn't get a photo of him at the Miners because as soon as Marlene turned her back he was off to the Cleveland!! |
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Dave McCoy
 | Dave "Kid" McCoy
When I went to the bar to phone for a taxi I spotted a South Bank face I hadn't seen for a long time. I always thought of Dave as "Kid" McCoy from the Frankie Laine song "The Ballad of Kid McCoy. |
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Another one hits 65!
 | Pam Murthar (nee Gatenby) was 65 on the 18th of December 2002
Following Marlene, Pam had a do at the Miners in Eston and there was a sprinkling of Slaggy Islanders among the Cardboard City crowd! |
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The Wykes
 | Marion and Ged Wyke were there!
Nice to see old friends Ged and his wife Marion (nee Smith) who said they were sorry to have missed the reunion in October because Ged had Gout! I told Ged it was always called the Rich Man's Disease but he denied it. Mind you, he promised to be at the next reunion so lets hold him to that. (Also he's going to lend me a photo of himself in Teddy Boy gear!) |
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Marion and Jean
 | My wife Marion and Jean Kent were there...
But all the others were from Cardboard City.
PS. Look at all the empties... and the Miners is not cheap!! |
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Audrey Shaw and Hubby
 | Audrey and her husband Derek Mescus
I had a walk around South Bank market and spotted familiar faces for the site. When she saw the camera Audrey whipped off her glasses! Just like a woman!! |
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John Seed in the market
 | | There was no way John's wife Pat (Stokes) would have her photo taken! |
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Ian Rutherford
 | Ian Rutherford with the United Club in the far background left
I spotted Ian in what used to be Jackson Street and got the snap but I'm sure he hadn't a clue who I was!! |
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Norman Pinchbeck
 | Norman in festive mood
Back in my local The Cleveland, Redcar I caught Norman phoning for a taxi. |
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Cheering Up Allan
 | The Lads.
As I've said elsewhere a few of us go to see Allan Thompson to have a crack and a few cans. Allan suffered a stroke seven years ago and decided his time was up so sat in his chair in front of the telly rolling his fags and growing his hair. We've tried to get him to do things and give up the fags but to no avail so we've both accepted the way things are and enjoy each others company talking mainly about the old days - which makes us forget the way we look now!!
l-r: Allan Thompson, Derek Tye, Colin Townsend, Dan Pluck and Phil Tranter. |
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Still at Allan's
 | Egg Heads Derek Tye and Phil Tranter
I remember when they had hair - now they'd make a hen go broody! |
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Phil Tranter
 | | Phil can't get over Allan's hair - jealous! |
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Meeting up with Ray Dales
 | Jack Sowerby and Ray Dales in The Blue Bell
I found out that Ray Dales and His Band were playing at The Blue Bell so we nipped up to see him. Lovely sound. He's on there every second sunday of the month. |
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Congratulations Ron and Kath!
 | Ronnie Bullock in 2003 takes a beer.
Ron and Kathy Bullock were married on Easter Monday in 1945 and their wedding photo is on the 1940's page. They lived in Cross Street then Harcourt Road for thirty years before taking a bungalow in Simpson's Close and then finally settling in Redcar just seven years ago. They are still together and this year they will be celebrating their 58th Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations to the happy couple.
Photo from Denyse McLeod (nee Bullock). |
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Barry Thurston
 | Barry relaxing with his lovely wife in Amsterdam!
Barry Thurston was born and raised in 33 Lower Graham Street and then moved to Eston. His wife Norma was a "Dormo" girl and they have lived in their Church Lane house ever since it was built. I worked with Barry "down Dorman's" over thirty years ago and only the waistline and hair colour have changed!
The photo was taken in Amsterdam on our Redcar Camera Club trip last year. |
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Vin Garbutt
 | Vin tells it like it is - but that was before!
Vin was in fine form at The Regency in Redcar in January and gave this site a plug. Cheers Vin. |
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The Dent (Rowden) Brothers
 | | Kenny and Don bring sunshine to South Bank Market! |
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The Townsends
 | | Colin and Dennis Townsend enjoy a stroll around the market. |
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Barry Richards
 | Barry Richards in The Cleveland, Redcar.
Last Friday (21/3/03) I was enjoying the music in The Cleveland, Redcar, when I spotted a familiar face. Barry Richards, ex Jones Road, had heard the group from about a mile away and called to see the action! Actually I had seen Barry in The Cleveland before when I didn't have my camera and he was there to see his brother Dave who provides the Bandbox on a Monday Night. Incidentally Barry's mother was a Townsend before she married boxer Kid Rich!
Coincidentally, the newly bearded youth next to Barry is Mark Mitchell who comes from a musical background himself. His grandfather was the bandleader Danny Mitchell whose music lit up Redcar's Pier for many years. Also his father Don was a great drummer who played at the South Bank St.Peter's Club on Normanby Road for some years and also kept the jazz throbbing in the Hope and Grope on Redcar High Street. |
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Terry O'Dwyer
 | Terry O'Dwyer and his wife Margaret (nee Aukstinaitis) in Redcar.
Terry is mentioned somewhere on the site and he used to live on Middlesbrough Road between Princess Street and the old Food Office. I suppose you could call it "Middlesbrough Road West". I mention this in view of his wife Margaret hailing from Middlesbrough Road East - although she was born in Napier Street.
A neighbour and friend of Terry's way back then was Farrell McPartland who left the area to live in London but has now passed on. |
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Slaggies in the Smoke
 | Jean Cook (nee Thomas) with the Jones Road twins!
Photo from Lynn Craddy (nee Piercy)
Jean Cook lived in Grangetown but was always in South Bank visiting her sister Rose Craddy. When their brother died (after Rose) in 1997 Jean travelled down to Earls Court in London with her nephew Keith Craddy for the funeral. Afterwards they called in a pub for a much-needed drink and Keith thought he recognised two faces. He told his Aunt who confirmed that they were the Larkin twins from Jones Road in good old Slaggy Island! They were the sons of Harry and Agnes (nee Lennighan) Larkin who used to be licensees of The Commercial Hotel. |
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Sally and Rose
 | Sally Goldswain and Rose Craddy in the 80's.
Photo from Lynn Craddy (nee Piercy)
Sally and Rose both lived in Passfield Crescent and were close friends. |
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John Kelly
 | John Kelly pictured along Redcar Highstreet
When I caught John I said that as he was mentioned on the site by Marion Wyke I would put his photo near her (next story) - and he shuddered!!!
By the way, a warning to John... When you get your photo taken be aware of the background. I took two pics of John and the first one could have been embarrassing (I'll send it to Terry!). |
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Marion Wyke (nee Smith)
 | Marion at South Bank market
I said she looked like a farm yacker as she climbed into her Freelander and she laughed, saying she had been told that many times. Then she said that she had seen John kelly with his dog on a lead and he said to his dog:
"Don't look at her - she'll turn you into a toad!"
She howled with laughter and explained that it was because her dog had "beat his dog up"! |
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Ged Wyke
 | Ged with Anthony and Thomas
Unfortunately I didn't catch Ged and Marion together. She was out walking the dogs while Ged was with his son-in-law Anthony Mann and grandson Thomas waiting for his pigeons to come in from a race. |
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Nigel Graham Daniels
 | Nigel out walking his dog in Whale Hill
When I spotted Nigel I got a shock as he is the spitting image of his father, my old friend Kevin Daniels who is no longer with us. |
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Tony Kelly
 | Tony at South Bank market Friday 30th May 2003
After years of clutching a cold pint of beer in his left (drinking) hand, the abuse caught up with Tony who discovered he could no longer let go of the empty as his fingers were permanently curled. This led to an operation to remove the empty glass hence the bandage. So if any of you see Tony in the Albion, United or Peter's - help him out by getting him a straw!
Cheers!
Incidentally, I had thought that Tony hadn't changed much over the past thirty or forty years but looking at the photo I can see his dad! |
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The New South Bankers
 | Taken at South Bank market Friday 30th May 2003
While I was talking to Tony Kelly I grabbed this shot of present day South Bankers. Of course they've never seen a slag tip so can't be called Slaggy Islanders but I wonder if in years to come they'll develop the same sense of humour and dry outlook on life? |
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Tony McElvaney
 | Tony pictured in front of the Dutch houses 20/6/03.
"This one stayed at home."
We've been mates ever since I worked with Tony for five years (about '68-'73) at Dorman's Cleveland works where we were crane drivers. At one time I had a car and when Tony happened to say he'd never been to Great Ayton we arranged a day out.
We drove up to Gribdale Gate and walked up to Captain Cook's Monument then I led the way on a path through the woods. Eventually we found that we were very thirsty (probably as a result of all the beer off the night before) and looked around for water. There was none. However we were high up on the side of a valley and looking down we could see trees along the bottom indicating, we reasoned, flowing water.
We decided to go directly down to it although there was no footpath. The ferns were high over our heads and we took turns to beat our way through them.
Eventually, when I was leading I walked into a fence. We couldn't understand why a fence would be stretched across the hillside in the middle of nowhere but Tony said "Look out," and went to vault over it.
"No. Hang on" I said because the fence looked rotten to me and I kicked the lower bar which immediately fell to pieces. Tony then scrambled through the hole with me on his tail but he suddenly fell back onto me.
"Bloody Hell" he said. "There's a bloody big hole here!"
I went to push past him through the ferns but was confronted by a huge square shaft. I reached back and got a piece of the broken fence and threw in down the shaft. We waited an eternity before hearing a booming splash. It must have been a couple of hundred feet - at least!
We looked at each other in horror as the full implication of what could have happened sank in.
"Bloody Hell!" said Tony. "You saved my life!"
We realised then that the fence was just around the shaft but we were so unnerved that we retraced our steps back to the car and hurried back to the safety of Slaggy Island!
Incidentally, Tony was telling me that last Christmas some low life had broken into his house and burgled it. However with typical humour he passed it off with a laugh saying "Fancy a McElvaney being burgled!" |
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Kenny & Josie Waites
 | Kenny Waites and his wife Josie at South Bank Market
Kenny's wife (ex Grangetown) is the younger sister of Isolde (Zolly) O'Neill who lives in Australia and has sent photos to this site. |
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Melvyn Frankland
 | Mel lived in Upper Millbank Street but is now a Redcar man
What is it with Councils? They strangled the life out of South Bank and now they're doing the same with Redcar. Nor does it make any difference which party is in power. They push through their half-baked ideas and WE pay in the long run. They built a new shopping street off the High Street in Redcar, ignoring residents warnings that it would kill off the main High Street. Now there are loads of shops empty at the East end of the town. (I wouldn't have cared so much if they had thought it through just a bit more and covered it in to protect shoppers from the bad weather of our winters.)
However, now that they've got new shops they're discouraging motorists from coming to the town to spend their money by applying over-zealous parking restrictions and fines. This also affects residents as Mel Frankland will testify:
Mel drove downtown and parked up near the Royal Hotel with a proper parking disk in his windscreen. When he returned he had been issued with a parking fine - because an advertising leaflet had been stuck under his wiper covering his disk.
As it happened a Traffic Warden was nearby (a different one, he said!) and he pointed out what had happened. The Warden intervened for him at the office and he was let off - but they said if it happened again he would have to pay the fine regardless! Mel was incensed and marched round to the shop (Saatchi) whose leaflet had caused him the grief and critised the policy of putting their leaflets on cars and obscuring parking disks. He got no joy so suggested that the only use their bills were was to put a little hole in one corner, thread them on a bit of string, and hang them in the smallest room! Spoken like a true Slaggy Islander! |
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Bernie Hugill
 | | Big Bernie with Fred and Rosa Pyne's market stall in the background |
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Vince Kirkbright
 | Vince waits for a bus near the old Co-op on Normanby Road
Vince was a boyhood friend and neighbour many years and I hadn't seen him for many years until I spotted him waiting for a bus near what used to be the Co-op "Stores". The Co-op closed years ago and the various shops split up. The green fronted shop is Reggie Boyles betting shop. |
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Mrs. Pat(?) McGeehan
 | | Also waiting for the bus was this lady whose face I thought I recognised |
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John Norman
 | John Norman in South Bank market
I knew John when we were kids and our families had allotments up Skippers Lane. They only had hens (and pigeons) while we had the same but also had pigs and rabbits. Having pigs meant I had to go around collecting peelings (pig swill) in a barrow and take them to our allotment where I transfered them to a copper boiler and boiled them up. Funny thing was, no matter how "off" it smelled when "raw" the finished swill smelled very appetising! Added meal made a bucket of swill fit for kings - well, pigs! |
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Three Binns!
 | Ann and Les Binns with daughter Angela
The Binns's's arrived on holiday from New Zealand and Les visited old workmate Jack Collins, now residing in Lodge Farm House at Eston. I took the opportunity to get a shot of the threesome with the Nab in the background. (I should have said I nabbed them! Yeah, I know. They don't get any better!) |
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Two Binns!
 | | Les and Ann in Redcar with The Clock in the background |
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Angela Glows
 | | "All dolled up in glad-rags..." Angela is too young to remember Johnnie Ray! |
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Ronnie Cholmondley
 | | Ronnie used to live on Normanby Road and was a nephew of "Chumley" The Joiner |
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50. Dave and Jane Robinson
 | | Dave Robinson and his wife Jane pictured with Ray Ward in Redcar |
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51. "Fayley" Hughes
 | | Felix Hughes with Ray Ward and Jack Sowerby in Redcar |
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52. Arthur Knight
 | I always knew him as "Cocky" Knight but Arthur doesn't like that now!
As a kid, Arthur Knight was small but made up for it with his mouth - but always with a ready smile and a laugh. Everybody liked this cocky kid and as a Smith's Docks apprentice he was always getting into scrapes and was looked on as a mascot. I think he must have worn his laughing muscles out when he was young because he always seems a bit morose when I see him now... unless he can't remember me and doesn't know who the hell I am!! |
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53. The Wilsons
 | | The lovely Wilson girls, Val and Barbara with Jack Sowerby in Redcar |
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54. Foot Featherstone
 | Foot Featherstone's Retirement Award
Photo and e-mail from Terry (Young Foot) Featherstone
"...my father and two work colleagues receiving their retiring awards at British Steel.
Left to right: John Arthur (Senior Manager), Ernie Patterson (a South Bank man), Eric Coulson, Albert (Foot) Featherstone and Jimmy Light (Manager). They had over 125 years service between them."
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55. Young Foot!
 | Terry Featherstone, known to his father's mates as "Young Foot"
When Terry answered my request for a photo of his father he included this one of himself.
Also see "Foot" on "The Characters" page. |
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56. Peter Nixon
 | Peter leaning on his mother's gate in Redcar in the 1980's
Peter died in 1994 after cracking his head in a fall. |
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57. Terry Organ
 | Terry with a mate in the Lobster, Redcar about 1984
Terry Organ lived in Upper Princess Street when I worked with him down Smith's Docks and we both finished up living in Redcar. A jolly fellow who is no longer with us.
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58. Terry Organ 2
 | Terry liked a drink and a good tale
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59. Samantha Osborne
 | Samantha - a model granddaughter!
Photo from Lol Osborne
"Hello Dick,
Could you do me a favour and cast a vote for my Granddaughter in the Miss Limo competition. It is on the following web-site www.misslimo.co.uk She is Samantha O. She is trying to get a modelling contract and hopefully this could be a step towards it. She was in Miss England Finals last weekend but was unsuccessful. I've included a photo of her and would be grateful if you could E-mail a vote for her. Thanks a lot.
Lol Lol Osborne
P.S. As you can see she does not take after me!!!!!!"
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60. South Bank Stock
 | I'm always happy to put photos on the site!
I later got another email from Lol...
"Dick, Just a line to to say my granddaughter got through to the Miss Limo Finals. There were 40 chosen from over 600 so she has done quite well. She would like to say thanks for everyone who voted for her on Slaggy. She has managed to get a couple of contracts for photographic modelling. I've sent you a couple of shots she had taken.
Cheers Lol Osborne."
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61. South Bank Beauty
 | Another photo of Lol Osborne's granddaughter Samantha
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