More Happy Memories Of My Dad...

A Memory of South Kirkby.

I have chosen 1958 as, being born in 1954, my memories start from around then. Angie, my sister in crime, who was 18 months older than me, was a big influence, always game for adventure. Nothing phased her!
We, along with our other siblings, spent a lot of time outside. None of that sitting in front of computers, or televisions then...We were hardy Yorkie gals, and rain or shine we always out playing. One of our favourite playing spots was on top of the colliery tips, or mountains, as we saw them! I can remember dodging the big buckets as they swung along in line across the top...danger?...not a problem. I also remember the large, dark reservoir at the bottom of the mountain which my sister threatened to throw me in if I told mum where we'd been!
We walked for miles and miles, stopping off at Granny and Grandad Fox's house around the corner for ginger biccies before heading home.
We were surrounded by pits, Frickley, where Dad worked, and I believe Grandad, he may have worked at Kirkby pit too I think...I'm sure there was another one, but can't remember.
Growing up in Kirkby was great. We all went to Common Road junior mixed school, where Mrs Stuart was the Headmistress, and one of my favourite teachers was Mrs Smeaton, who despaired of me ever being able to knit! Many a time her black laced-up shoe came flying across the classroom at me, as I tried to knit a dishcloth! To this day I can't knit! Looking back, and having been through the same hormonal disruptions myself, I now realise her possible state of mind. Bless her...
Unfortunately our time in Kirkby was cut short, as we moved as a family to Newport, S Wales, where I was known from then on throughout my last years of schooling as....Taffy!