Childhood Memories

A Memory of Gateshead.

John Kinniburgh - my memories of Gateshead are all good ones. I lived in Gateshead from 1946 -1958 then moved to Essex. I was born in a house at 3 Ashgrove Terrace, near Saltwell Park and then moved to 11 St Cuthberts Terrace. I enjoyed those years very much as I have enjoyed all my life. Dad worked hard in the ship yards and provided well for me and my sister Ann. I remember the Coronation street party, Coatsworth Road, Shipcoat swimming baths, 1 penny dips and hot cordials. Tommy Braunds bike shop, my mam's Co-op number, the quay side tram cars and Trolley buses over the town, the seaside and lots more, but mostly my friends. We would play outside Batties shop - I loved the Batties and still keep in touch with Mavis. Know one thing for sure, they proved hard times, but we knew no other because that was our childhood. The world was a small place and by the way, as you can tell, I hated school!