John Parkin 1965 1969

A Memory of Whitley Bay.

I lived at Links Avenue, West Monkseaton between 1965 and 69. Went to Park Road Junior school next to what was then the cinema, and Spanish City. Ended up at Valley Gardens Secondary Modern. Names I remember from those days are, Donald Gibson, Colin Williamson (lives at Lytham St Annes now), David Addison, Clive Morton, Andrew Morton, Malcolm Telfer, Ian Thompson (fellow Sunderland supporter),Willie Weatheritt, Woggy, Freddy Elkin, Paul Turnbull, Michael Brown, Jean Pilmore (crush on), Marilyn Vanner, Carol Middleton (had a crush on me), Hillary Kenyon, David Hall, Seymour Howe, Pat Forster (massive crush on), Alan Cruickshank (I heard he died in a RTA, God bless the lad), Graham Legg, Mark Coates.
I often wonder what became of you all ?
Been back a few times, Whitley Bay hasn't changed that much except up around Valley Gardens school. The once rural landscape round the school is now blighted by development. Such a pity. You used to be able to see for miles over the fields. It's sad when places you remember fondly change for the worse.
Best memories ; long sunny days on the beach and cycling all round the area, exploring the local collieries and other places. Football on the links. It seems a million years ago now.
Anyway, anybody who knew me, you could let me know how you're doing ; jvparkin@aol.co.uk
Cheers.

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