Fond Memories of Whitley Bay

Fond memories of Whitley Bay: Taking the 17 bus from South Wellfield to the bus station, Whitley Bay, with John Taylor. Dressed in our best (and only) Mod gear we would go to the Spanish City to seek out lasses and avoid attention of any Rockers! With only a tanner each in our pockets we could get two rides on the dodgems and walk home. On summer weekends the place was always packed, I remember mooching arround Sad Sacks slot machines or sugarcones at the Venitian, collecting bottles from the beach, The GO GO CLUB to see The JUNCO PARTNERS. Watching NEWCASTLE train on the snow covered beach. And the summer holiday I once got a job on the shuggy boats on the beach opposite the Spanna! I got the sack for letting little kids go on free! Football on the beach with mates Jimmy Buckham, Alan Love, Jimmy Green, John Taylor. Jimmy Buckham and I nearly got into trouble once on St Mary's Island as we stayed too long playing on the rocks when the tide came in and we were waist deep, we had to hurry over the causeway to safety, we dried our clothes off on the beach before we went home! Dodging the waves cascading over the lower prom in winter! Very stupid! Taking the 17 bus to St James's Park to see my beloved Newcastle play. Sands Club over the bus station or even earlier The 45 Club which was later turned into a bowling alley. Fish and chip after in the shop opposite! Spanish City. I loved the last ride on a Saturday night as it was made to go twice as fast, or so it seemed, I also remember the Laughing Sailor machine and waiting until someone put a 3d in, it always made me laugh and the memory still does! On bank holidays the place was packed and vibrant, Rockers met outside the Berkeley pub with their bikes and girlfriends. Mods were in the Spanner wearing hush puppies, tight jeans and T shirts with a large letter ironed on the front, red socks were obligitory! Often the two groups would meet and fights broke out. Normally for some reason on or around The Grand National (The Nash) ride in the Spanna. Great times...happy memories.