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1. Your Hosts
 | Barbara Wilson, Marlene Tranter and Pam Gatenby
Marlene (Tranter) Dales is our energetic main organiser assisted by Pam (Gatenby) Murtha while Barbara Wilson helps at the table on the night and puts the name tabs on everyone. Actually, on Tuesday night, I helped her for a while with the labels and never realised what a fulfilling job it was! Thanks, Girls!
It turned out to be a terrific night with a lot of people turning up for the first time and looking forward to next year when the date will be Tuesday 2nd October. So make a note in your diaries - or write it large on your kitchen wall!
It's going to take me a while to get all the photos in place so I'm going to jump the gun here...
As you know, we have a charge on the door to cover costs (Room, Bar Staff and Disco with 50's and 60's music) and we also run a raffle. Any money left over is donated to a Charity which in the past has included Scorton Hospital, Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Air Ambulance, etc.
This time Marlene announced that she was asking me to name a Charity which gave me quite a shock as I am strictly a background figure helping with publicity. However, for the past 2 or 3 weeks I have been helping my club (Royal Air Forces Association, Redcar which is a registered charity) to collect for Wings Appeal, which we do every September/October.
(This appeal helps maintain Recuperation Homes and Welfare for ex Forces personel from, not only World War II but also the Korean and Falklands wars and the up-to-date conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, who might need our assistance.)
This being the case I had no hesitation in naming Wings Appeal and Marlene turned over the sum of £222.00 which stunned and delighted our Chairman Dennis Eeles. He thanks everyone who attended the Slaggy Island Reunion and now knows first hand how generous South Bankers are and always have been.
If you have a favourite charity, let Marlene know and they may benefit next year.
Thanks, Folks. |
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2. John, Alan and Ian
 | John Chard, Alan Purvis and Ian Wilde
I've finally got the photos ready which entails reducing resolution and size and transferring them to another file which all takes time. So...
I'm going to put them all in place and add the words later. |
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3. Arthur and Tommy
 | Arthur Knight and Tommy (Tucker) Morris
When Arthur was a (Cocky) kid he was always laughing and larking about but whenever I see him nowadays he always looks as if he's carrying the woes of the world on his back - unless its for seeing me!
As to Tommy, I didn't know him but took his name from the label which reads Steve Morris but Penny Reed has corrected me in the Guestbook Thanks Penny. |
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4. Brian Turner
 | Brian was another cocky kid but he's still cheerful!
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5. Reg Ward
 | Reg and his wife Pam (Hutchins)
As I approached Reg with my camera he pulled a face and I got him! I said his clock would now be seen around the world but he didn't care. Unfortunately I hadn't noticed that his wife had blinked (sorry Pam) and although I intended to get back to them I didn't make it. I was also going to have a chat with them because the last time I saw them was in the RAFA Club at Redcar when they were with Reg's dad, war hero Alf Ward, but I got distracted and, later, well it was a busy night! Maybe next time Reg will smile!!
Anyway, what happened was that I noticed a label on a bloke in the corner which read "Peter Martin". So I said "I remember you when you had curly hair."
He said "I've never had curly hair!"
I was puzzled but turned around when someone said something to see another bloke with a label reading Peter Martin. I immediately introduced them to each other. "Peter Martin, meet Peter Martin!" and left them shaking hands.
It turned out that the second one was the one I had known when I was about seventeen (yes with curly hair) but I must admit I wouldn't have known him. While I got back to him later I didn't see the first one again to get a photo so I'm left with a mystery.
Anyhow, thanks Reg for the scowl and my apologies for getting sidetracked. There's always next year!
PS. Having thought about it I realised that this Peter Martin was the brother of Malcolm Martin - who wasn't there!
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6. Jen and Ann O'Neil
 | The O'Neil blonds
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7. The Breckon Corner
 | Part of the Breckon party
l-r: Lisa (daughter of the late Denny), Shirley (Lisa's mother nee Carter and my cousin), Jean, two names missing, Ann (Sleights) Breckon in the foreground.
Ann said she was the number one fan of this website. I can reciprocate by joining her fan club!
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8. Ann and John Breckon
 | Ann and John enjoying the Slaggy Island atmosphere
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9. John, Eddie and Ray
 | John Breckon with cousin Eddie McManus and Ray Ward
Eddie McManus (also known as Teddy and Mack) lived in Lower Branch Street. He passed the Eleven Plus Exam and attended Sir William Turner's Grammar School (Coatham) in Redcar as I did a year after and where I know him from.
When he started his working life he moved down south to Chichester where he has lived over forty years. He is John Breckon's cousin and arranged to come up to coincide with the reunion. He enjoyed it so much that he intends to attend next year which will be on Tuesday 2nd October.
Incidentally, he has hardly changed over the years (must have been an old looking kid!) and I recognised him immediately. Actually John is the same - hardly changed. It must be in the genes!
However, you will get the chance to see what I mean on a later photograph...
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10. Eddie McManus
 | I should have had this photo first to say "Meet Eddie McManus"!
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11. Eddie , Ray and Norma
 | Still in the Breckon Corner
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12. Tom Conway
 | Norma's husband Tom
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13. Andrew Breckon
 | Andrew and his family
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14. Paul Boden
 | Paul came looking for his family tree
Paul was born in Lower Branch Street and talked to Eddie McManus who lived in number 35. Paul sent a long email as follows...
"Hello Dick,
I was born in 49, Lower Branch Street on the 26/07/1963. My mother Caroline Short was born in 5, North Street on the 13/10/1926. My Grandmother Sarah Jane Sidgwick was born in 22, Clay Lane Row in February 1888.
I would just like to say I enjoyed the reunion and all the nice people I met. I wish I could go back to the South Bank of the sixties I can honestly say they were really happy times for me. I first went to Princess Street school when I was 3 or 4, I can't remember the names of the nursery teachers. I had a picture of a bucket and spade above where I used to hang my coat. All the children had a nap in the afternoon. We all laid on the floor of what might have been the dinner hall I may be wrong there was about 30 children. In the nursery we had a climbing frame and a go cart which I loved to ride. Isn't it funny I can remember things from 40 years ago but sometimes I can't remember what I did yesterday. Is that a sign of old age?
The next teacher I had I believe was called Mrs Wilkinson but again I may be wrong. I remember once me and my friends played marbles on the classroom carpet using the pattern of the carpet. The next teacher I had was my favourite teacher Miss Harvey. She had a motorbike and wore leathers. I would really like to meet Miss Harvey again. In her class we used to read Ladybird books and because I was the best in the class at reading she would ask me to read to about half a dozen of the children in the class who were not so good at reading. We used to go hiking with Miss Harvey and once went to Roseberry Topping. While Miss Harvey was cooking our meal (we had chicken noodle soup) the children would walk up the hill. When she shouted us for dinner we would all run down the hill except when I ran down I tripped on a log and rolled down the hill and nearly ended up on the fire.
Once she took me and a few school friends camping for a few days I don't remember where it was. There was a farm nearby where we use to get our milk. One man that was with us had a model aeroplane but it didn't last long as he was trying to land it one of the children didn't get out of the way quick enough and it hit his leg and broke the wing. On the last day it had been raining overnight and the tent was leaking. So all my clothes and me were wet so I had to go home with a blanket wrapped round me. Another teacher at the school was Mr Frais I believe thats how his name is spelt. He was my brothers last teacher at the school. Mr Frais was in the TA and the last i heard he was a Major in the Middlesbrough unit on Stockton Road.
When i was about 4 my Dad got me a blue three wheeler bicycle with a compartment at the back. If my Mam was going to Robinsons fish shop on Middlesbrough Road I would follow her and she would put the fish and chips in the compartment and I would follow her back home. Once I went with my Mam to Woods newsagents she told me to stay outside but I got fed up with waiting so I left my bike outside and went into the shop. My mam said I told you to wait outside so we went back outside just in time to see a boy take my bike into a house nearby. My Mam went to the house and a man answered the door then he went inside and brought out my bike.
I went with my Dad to Elsie Hinds scrap yard, when I was a kid I thought it was called Elsie Irons, he sold my bike for 5 shillings. I was really upset when he sold my bike.
When I was 5 I went to Redcar with The Mission. My mother went to a cafe and my brother and I and a friend of my brothers went to the Regent cinema. When we went inside we saw a cleaner who shouted at us and chased us out. My brothers friend ran out first then my brother held the door for me but because he was only 7 he wasn't strong enough to hold the door and he let go. I went straight through it. I was taken to Stead hospital and then to Middlesbrough General where I had 6 stitches put in my left knee. I loved going to Sunday School. There was a Mr Lightfoot if I remember right he had a full beard. Also there was a Mrs Cole I saw her recently on The Century in Stone video by Craig Hornby.
My brother and I joined the Boys Brigade which was in the Baptist church in Miles Street. I don't remember any of the leaders. We used to make various things and for one thing I made, can't remember what now, I won a plastic boat which I kept for years after.
Once we went to watch a ship being launched at Smiths Dock in about 1968. We use to go down to the river to watch the ships and boats. We would also go to the railway station and watch the the trains. We would sometimes be out all day and only come home when it started to get dark and our mam and dad wouldn't be worried where we were.
I remember the Trolley buses, I saw one that had Eston as its destination a few years ago in Beamish Museum. So I probably rode on the one I saw.
My father was a member of the Albion club and Mr Martin Dent who lived at 51, Lower Branch Street is my godfather.
I am writing this down as much for myself so I can look back on my youth before I forget it all. I will leave it up to you Dick as to how much of what I have written you put on your website.
Best wishes Dick,
Paul Andrew Boden. |
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15. Peter and John
 | Peter Hargreaves and John Pluck
For the background see the next picture.
Incidentally, this is the last time we'll be seeing John here as he's sold up and is moving to Essex - unless he can't keep away! |
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16. Tess Dales and ?
 | Tess, ? and ?.
These are the three girls from the background of the last photo. The one in the middle is Brian Dales' sister or cousin. I hope someone will help me out with the names and info.
As soon as I appeared in front of the girls with my camera the one on the right whipped off her glasses. I made a joke of it but as soon as she replaced them I got her again! See the next photo. |
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17. Girls in Glasses
 | | Why be vain? Better to see about you. |
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18. At the bar
 | I like to see women getting a round in!
When putting this photo on I noticed a stranger at the bar and I can't say I saw him during the evening. Can someone put me right? |
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19. Ray and Don; Peter and Neil
 | Ray Dales with Don Mutor and Peter Martin with Neil Clennigan
Ray is still in his world of music after fifty years and is based in Billingham.
I last saw Peter Martin when I was seventeen or eighteen and he had a motorbike (a Panther) as had Neil Clennigan (Douglas twin). Most of us aspired to owning a motorbike in those days but they were the only two who could afford one - the rest of us made do with our pushbikes and went tracking up the hills.
It seems that Peter went to the Dominican Republic on a job when in his early twenties and stayed over forty years, marrying four times in the process. When I was on about some people never changing facially this didn't apply to Peter who I would never have recognised in 100 years! |
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20. Harry, Brian and Jack
 | Harry Layne, Brian McTurk and Jack Sowerby
Harry Layne was first there, coming out of the room as I arrived (2nd). He told me that he regularly attended Labour Meetings there but that it must have been cancelled and he hadn't been told. When I said it was the Slaggy Island Reunion he said he might as well stay - he had lived in South Bank and attended the Central, leaving in 1935!
Mack is an old friend as is Jack and while they have both had health scares over the past two years both are looking fine now. |
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21. Two Bobs, an Alan and a John
 | Bobby Hodgson, Alan Winton, Bobby Affleck and John Carroll
All looking forward to next year. |
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22. Jack, Richie and Ray
 | | Jack Sowerby and Richie Sharples visit Ray Ward's Corner |
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23. Plus Alan
 | | Alan Palmer returns to the corner |
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24. Old Mates
 | | Jeff Blakeman and Keith Brudenall |
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25. John Carroll
 | | John Carroll |
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26. Allison and Vini
 | | Allison and Vini Copeland |
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27. The Copelands
 | | Allison, Vini and Barney |
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28. Marion and Maureen
 | | Marion Kirsop and a surprised Maureen McMillan |
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29. The Cox's
 | Roy and Lorna Cox, Bruce ?, Marion Kirsop and Maureen
Roy Cox and his wife Lorna travelled up from Portsmouth for the reunion while Marion's friend Bruce ? came even further as he lives in Canada which could be why Roy's sister Marion (Kirsop) spends a lot of her holidays in over there! However, her friend Maureen is strictly a stay-at-home bird.
PS. I thought you only got Bruce's in Australia?! |
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30. Mary and Olwyn
 | Mary Phillips and Olwyn Yendall
The girls were with their partners who are on the next photo. |
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31. The Boys
 | | Mary and Olwyn's blokes (without labels) |
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32. Val, Joan and Jean
 | Sisters Valerie and Jean Jordon with childhood friend Joan Robson
I don't know Valerie's married name but Jean is married to Ian Stebulitis who wasn't feeling too good on the night and Joan is married to James Averre who has yet to make an appearance at the reunionions.
How about next year, Jim? |
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33. The Glasses Syndrome
 | Val, Joan and Jean
When I had appeared with the camera Val whipped off her glasses - but not quick enough! This photo is without.
I don't know why some girls don't like to be seen wearing glasses. Better than a white stick. |
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34. Hereami!
 | Jean claims centre stage as a bemused Judith Spence looks on
Clever Clogs Note: "HEREAMI" (here am I) is Maori for "Welcome". |
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35. Judith and Alan
 | | Judith Spence chats to Alan Lewis |
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36. Michael Spence
 | Michael Spence looks gloomy
Michael has been doing his family tree and discovered that we may be related from way back which could account for his gloomy countenance!
Only joking, Michael but I'll make sure I get you smiling next year (on Tuesday 2nd October!). |
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37. Albert Mead
 | | Albert was with two young lads - his sons? |
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38. John, Val and Ged
 | | John Pluck, Val Wilson and Ged Murray |
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39. Olive, ? and Lillian
 | | Olive Barrows, ? and Lillian Tranter |
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40. Sisters
 | | Lillian and Flossy Tranter |
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41. Allison
 | Allison Copeland was sitting above Lillian and Flossy
Allison was sitting above and behind the Tranters in the previous picture and was therefore included in the snap so I got two photos for one! |
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42. Two Musicians
 | Martin Nesbitt and Ray Dales
Martin and Ray were both from South Bank and are both entertainers but they had never met although they were both at the funeral of Jim Wright, the legendary Redcar Jazz Guitarist, in June.
Ray is a legend in his own time and has been playing his sax for over fifty years while Martin has carved a reputation of his own as a singer/songwriter of unbelievably funny songs. In fact, click on the link below and have a listen...
But a word of warning - In "The Mechanical Man" you must imagine that he's a woman!! |
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43. Lads Group
 | Jack, Bobby, Alan, Peter and Neil
That is... Jack Sowerby, Bobby Hodgson, Alan winton, Peter Martin and Neil Clennigan. |
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44. Plus One
 | Jack, Bobby, Me, Peter and Neil
Photo by Alan Winton
Alan Winton took over my camera for this one.
Jack Sowerby, Bobby Hodgson, Dick Fawcett, Peter Martin and Neil Clennigan. |
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45. Tom and Sheila
 | | Regulars Tom Crouchley and his wife Sheila (Ryan) |
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46. Keith Brudenall
 | | keith Brudenall |
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47. Dales Corner
 | | Kevin, Tess, Brian and Ray Dales with Robbie Iceton and his wife at the back |
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48. Mack and Betty
 | Brian McTurk and wife Betty with Marion and Maureen at the back
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49. Photographer
 | | Ann Duckrin gets a shot while Pat Murtha watches |
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50. Ann Duckrin
 | | Ann checks her camera |
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51. Pat, Ann and ?
 | Pat Murtha, Ann Duckrin and
Did I mention a bad hair day? |
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52. Maureen Dodds
 | | Maureen sporting a Winnie The Witch wig! |
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53.Enid and Ralph
 | Enid Swan with husband Ralph Hagen
First time there but they're looking forward to the next reunion! |
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54. Honeypot
 | | Barbara Wilson and Don Mutor take to the floor |
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55. The Wigs
 | | Under the wigs were Maureen (Dodds) and Marlene (Tranter) |
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56. Barbara Dances On
 | Barbara and Don soldier on as another two wigs get up
I had got this far with the photos and left it for the next day (today - Saturday 7th October) and switched on to find an email from Michael McLoughlin in Brisbane, Australia to say...
"...Logged onto the site and viewed the Reunion 2006 - looks and sounds like the same has been yet again a success. Good looking at those happy photographs.
Cheers,
Michael."
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57. Plus Lillian
 | | Lillian (Tranter) joins the bewigged ones |
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58. A Closer View
 | | Marlene suits that colour! |
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59. Keep At It Girls
 | | Jean (Kent), Lillian, Marlene and Maureen |
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60. Three M's
 | | Marion Fawcett, Marion Kirsop and Maureen Sowerby chinwagging |
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61. Corner Group
 | This is generally known as Ray's corner as he sits there every year
This time: Richie Sharples, Bobby Affleck, Don Mutor, Ray Ward, Jeff Blakeman, Alan Palmer and Bobby Hodgson. |
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62. Same Corner
 | | Slightly smaller group |
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63. Jeff, Cliffy and Richie
 | Jeff Blakeman, Cliffy Wray and Richie Sharples
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64. Jeff and Cliff
 | "OOh, that feels nice!" "Get off me hair!"
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65. Keith Brudenall
 | "Wanna buy any balloons?"
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66. The Raffle
 | Marlene and Joyce (Duncan) shout 'em out
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67. Elaine and Dave
 | Elaine (Megason) and her hubby Dave Welsh at Marlene's Do!
At this stage of the reunion the drink started to kick in and although I took two photos of Pam's daughter Elaine with her husband both were blurred. Because I didn't have a decent shot of them I've put this one in which I took at Marlene and Brian's 50th Wedding Anniversary Party at the Whale Hill Social Club and, yes - it's a bit blurred as well! It must be me!! |
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68. Joyce and
 | Joyce Duncan and
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69. On the dance floor
 | The dancers do their stuff
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70. More dance
 | You do the walk...
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71. Making a point!
 | Barbara makes a point(?)
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72. And a laugh
 | It must have been funny!
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73. John and Martin
 | John Carroll and Martin Nesbitt catch up on life
John and Martin were pals in their youth and had plenty to talk about.
They were probably talking about Martin being born in Keir-Hardie Crescent where his baby sitter was Marion (Smith) Wyke!
To catch up with my favourite entertainer click below on the link to Martin's website. |
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74. Brian Dales
 | Marlene's husband Brian with his cousin ?
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75. Brian, ? and ?
 | Brian Dales with
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76. This is more like it!
 | Olwyn Yendall and her partner revive memories of REAL dancing!
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77. Grab your partners
 | It's catching!
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78. Keep it up
 | There was as much pleasure watching as taking part
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79. Cutting a rug
 | Well done, Folks!
Personally, I only used to dance when I was drunk but now when I'm drunk I just fall down!
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80. Such energy
 | They'll be knackered tomorrow!
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81. Jean and Marion
 | Jean (Kent) and my wife Marion (Nixon) conserving their energy
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82. The Conways
 | As the pace slows down Tom gets his wife Norma (Breckon) up dancing
Also on the floor are Andrew Breckon and wife, Valerie Jordon and husband and Barbara Wilson with Ged Murray. |
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83. Dancing the night away
 | Tom puts the squeeze on Norma
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84. Joan and Jean
 | Joan Robson and Jean Jordon waltz past the camera
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85. The Breckon Corner
 | The dancers take a break
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86. Reconstruction
 | Richie Sharples, Eddie McManus, Ray Ward and Alan Palmer
The lads tried to recontruct a photo taken of them many years ago but Richie was actually on another photo - not the one they had in mind and three were missing. The original photo follows this one... |
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87. The way they were!
 | "When we were kids on the corner of the street..."
Back l-r: Eddie McManus, Eddie Lister, Ray Ward and Alan Palmer.
Front: Alan Shell and Barry Rutherford. |
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88. Vini and Keith
 | I said get closer - but not that close!
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89. Keith and Allison
 | It's different when a beautiful woman is involved
No need to say get closer! |
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90. Brian and Me
 | Brian Dales and Dicky Fawcett at the end of a great night
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91. Say Goodnight Everybody
 | Write in with your comments and corrections...
And tell those that missed it what a great night we had. Next year's reunion will be on Tuesday 2nd of October 2007. |
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