A One Off

A Memory of Wallsend.

Just opposite the Buddle School,
There stands paper shop,
Throughout my youth I as a rule,
Would almost daily stop.
From Nineteen seventy seven,
Until the Eighties took their bow.
This shop was ran by Tommy,
Sadly no longer with us now.
He looked like a young James Coburn,
With his smile and year round tan.
We all thought the world of Tommy,
Such a charismatic man!
The heart of our community,
Is where all locals spent their cash.
Nobody else before or since,
Served folk with such panache!
I'm minded of his swagger,
Of his patience and his smile,
Tommy was a "one off",
And had a certain kind of style.
He would never rush us children,
Whilst we were making up our minds.
For Tommy serving "his community",
Would never ever be a bind!
Black jack chews, fruit salad,
Penny Dainties,Teddy bears.
Bazooka Joe's and Beano's
Along with all his other wares.
Tom loved supping with his Muckers,
At the Comrades down the hill,
We'd chat to him on Station Road,
After he had drank his fill.
He'd stand with hands in pockets,
And often grin from ear to ear.
When he heard of our adventures,
A proper people man,no fear!
All these memories,plus more besides,
Will stay with me for years.
So thank you Tommy for those memories,
And of course those "teddy bears"

RIP TOMMY
James Bridgewood.
4-2-13


Added 30 August 2013

#242493

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