That brings back memories, most of them bad!! Dealing with the general public was an eye opener. Up at 3.30am to catch the staff bus for the early start. not much sleep if it was overtime and you had finished on the last bus the previous evening! And match days was hectic if you were finishing your shift at the Wheatsheaf at about 2.00pm. A full load passengers boarded at the town and you had to issue all of them tickets before the Wheat sheaf.
Apologise for bad memories ... I gather you was employed as a bus driver then? I quite enjoyed the film especially the vocal narration, the footage of the families at the beach was an eye opener the only time I've seen so many people in that area is when the airshow is on
I was what was referred to as a 'Duck' on the job! A conductor, no one was called a clippie LoL! I was in the bus school when I left, I had completed about 6 weeks of Driver training. I enjoyed the film and i'm pleased you posted it - Thanks I can relate to most of the views and sights.
uWhat cultural memories - all make you proud to be a mackem - only we have these - memories of warm no nonsense friendly solid people - I ll stop now in case my post goes silly
I remember the bus conductor in the 1970's who used to say "I thank you" like Arthur askey. Also the Scottish (busways) bus driver who would give a guided tour of Sunderland areas whatever route you were on, anybody else seen him ? he became a vicar !, and about the old days you would go upstairs on the double decker and nearly choke on *** smoke, and health and safety did not exist on the roads. Me old school mate Mickey butler is a bus driver.
Yes you could smoke upstairs, but if you spit you risked a 40 shilling fine! Don't know who would have enforced that by - law though. My regular driver was a lad called Alan Brown, but there were others not so friendly towards the younger 'ducks' who you were likely to come across on overtime (Grabbing) But it wasn't as jolly as portrayed, You were responsible for cashing up yourself at the end of the shift and any shortages were deducted from you wages, and theft and deception weren't unknown. The special bus for the ladies of the Ropery at the end of their shift was an experience not for the timid or easily embarrassed.
Great footage, specially of Seaburn and Roker I remember vividly as a kid getting the ferry over the river from Hendon to go to Roker, whole families carrying everything but the kitchen sink down Dame Dorothy street, spending all day long playing on the rocks and the beach , blue with the cold , then chips and red hot tea or pop, the kids these days don't know what they missed, I wouldn't change it for the world.
Every weekend get bus to Seaburn Camp from Springwell Road or Grindon fire station right through Grangetown to passing The Alex , Barnes through town across Wearmouth Bridge onto Seaburn - football game at Cat & Dog steps when tide out or on grass over promenade - lots of folk in the town & down the beach -- toppa memories
Aye, Sunderland and Gateshead trams and Newcastle trolley buses, all got rid of to make way for an improved bus service and of course the car - leading to a brighter future.
Brought back some memories about the conductors issued the tickets from a wooden board, I think they all had the price on them as I would ask for a threepenny " return". Then they went all posh with the ones that issued one after having had the fare written on by pencil and a handle turned on the front. For some reason all tickets went into top jacket pocket where they would be safest. Eeh, I'm filling up.
I like this post as i used to do the same but in reverae. Get on a bus either at sea rd or fulwell rd and see where we end up. All these strange parts of town.
The beaches bit took me back to when my mother would "get a bus up" and organise a trip to somewhere seaside from Che-le-St. Mainly Seaburn or Shields on a Sunday when it never rained (I think). Egg, tomato and sand sandwiches, pop bottles filled with water but had loads of floaters by time it had been passed around. We were dirty litgtle buggers though because I can never remember any of us wiping the bottle top befor having a drink. Ailed for now though. Not surprised there would be at least 50,00 for a game against Blackpool as it would be probably early 50s when they were among the top glamour draws in football with a team of internationals.
What memories - but honestly saw the new development plans for Keel Sq area - omg - Coventry was modernised after being flattened I. war - our council flatten our heritage to build plastic looking embarrassing objects against historic architecture aka Londonderry,Gill Bridge frontage etc (deliberately omitted the Vaux demolition z- only our council could do that mess) - wonder what memories our kids will have ??
Its interesting reading these posts for people to get to the beach and the distances they had to travel. As a kid i probably thought everyone at the beach were from the local area. It was just something i took for granted. As back then i didnt know any different. I like threads like these.
Memories but Sunderland is an expansive city - covers a wide area of communities &local history culture - I would not be s uprising if City of Culture follows the Tall Ships - only opposition. is Leeds - part of Northen Powerhouse - NE is not included here - so it makes political sense to give to Leeds - but we'll see
this short clip goes way back to the early 1900's - with a humorous dance scene clip outside the Roker Hotel - one for the 'ancients' on here
