A cracking thread this, some great stories, and really enjoyed reading them. Thought long and hard about posting, but gonna give it a shot. Born 1965 in Sunderland GH, and lived in Penshaw in a 2 bed house with Mam, Dad and Grandad. 1972. Still all living in same 2 bedroom house, but now with the addition of two younger brothers. Mam worked at Washington engineering, though not sure what as. My Dad worked at RCA in Washington, where B&Q is now. He eventually got finished from there for taking his work home . He told me he used to get driving lessons for 3 lp's an hour. 1979. Now living in Sulgrave, Washinton, in a three bedroom house, but minus my Grandad, R.I.P. "Foxy". For the first time I had my own bedroom, at the age of 14. Went to Usworth comp, and absolutely hated it. I hated school full stop. I wasn't academic at all, and some of the teachers weren't shy in letting me know I was a waste of space. 79 was a big year for me in one respect, I really got into music. Up until then I only had 3 albums, The Boomtown Rats first three albums. A mate lend me some of his albums...sex pistols, clash, stranglers. Loved them, but there was one that really stood out....The Undertones. Went to see them in 79 at the City Hall, £1.75 a ticket, they were brilliant. Another album borrowed, Motorhead, Overkill, and this really blew me away. At school I rebelled, grew my hair, and just thought "**** it". This was the start of collecting albums and going to gigs, the next few years were bloody brilliant. After leaving school I went to Monkwearmouth College and done catering. In 84/85, i worked at the Old Ship Hotel in Brighton for a year as a commis chef. This was on the sea front, just along from the Grand. In the October the Grand got blew up by the IRA, very surreal being that close to something like that and seeing the aftermath. 1986, I'm now back home, and working at International Paints in Felling as a chef in the staff canteen. This was a good time for following safc, went to every home game, and as many aways as I could. Had a few short term relationships, but nothing serious, was still more interested in football and music. 1993. A lot has happened in the past 7 years. I'm now married (1993) and a Dad to 2 sons....one in 88, and one in 92, and we bought a house in Ayton, Washington. I'm now working offshore as a chef. Got the job as a fluke really, I got took on with no offshore experience or survival tickets, but at the time (1988) they were a bit more relaxed, and would put you through the training once you had started, though things were about to change. My first day offshore....got the train down to Gt Yarmouth the day before and had a night in digs, my check in at the heliport was 6.00am. Following morning got up to the news that the Piper Alpha had gone up. To say I was ****ting it would be an understatement. 2000. Still working offshore, and still living in Ayton. My Dad was diagnosed with mesothelioma and it hit me like a ton of bricks. About the same time, possibly within the same week, I was told I'm gonna be a Dad again. Talk about mixed emotions. My daughter was born in April 01, and my Dad passed in May 01. At least he got to see her, and hold her. I was really mixed up during this time, emotions at either end of the scale. 2007. Now living in Oxclose, only moved as we needed a 4 bedroom house. Ever seen the film The Money Pit, starring Tom Hanks? This house was like that. If it could go wrong, it did. Packed in working offshore in 2002, it just wasn't right leaving the Mrs at home with 3 kids. I got myself put onto a platform that was being decommissioned, which meant I could get redundancy. When it came, and was offered, I jumped at the chance. When my Dad was nearing the end, he was in St. Benedicts Hospice in Sunderland...the old one near the Wheatsheaf. I seen the care he got, and I thought at the time I would love to work somewhere like this. Well, in Oct, 02, I started at the Marie Curie Hospice in newcastle as a chef. Absolutely loved it, knew on day one I had made the right decision. 2014. Still in the money pit, and still at Marie Curie, though i was now catering manager. No more weekends...get in. The Mrs Dad died this year. A really sad, and hard loss. He died the same week as Bob Crowe and Tony Benn, and was mentioned in in Parliament, a copy of the Hansard was sent to us by Ian Lavery, which I thought was a nice touch. Also in this year, the Mrs rang me at work saying she had been to the docs, and she had to go straight to hospital as he thought she was in renal failure. Went home, took her to the hospital, and sure enough, renal failure. She was in a week, and her kidney function was 20%. They said she may go 10 years or so, then looking at dialysis/transplant. The good news just kept rolling in eh. 2021. Still at Marie Curie. Good news...we sold the money pit! Sold it in 15, and left Washington. Moved to a bungalow in Crookhall, on the outskirts of Consett. Love it up here, look out the window and I see greenery. And it's not a twatting money pit. Not good news, my Mam passed away in Jan 15 through COPD. That's both my parents now, still miss them both, they both gave me so much, when they didn't have a lot to give. R.I.P. Mam & Dad, Love you both. The Mrs is still doing OK with around 18/19% kidney function. Now. Still in Consett, and still love it up here. Still at the Marie Curie, nearly 22 years, bloody hell....and still love it. The Mrs lost her Mam in 22, so that's both her parents gone now. Me eldest son went to Thailand in 17, and stayed there for 5 years. Met a lass over there, and they are now living about 2 miles from us, it's good to have him nearby again. My other son lives with his girlfriend, and is getting married in August. Good job, nice house...hes done well. He's suffered from ulcerative colitis for years and has recently had a full colonectomy, so he now has a colostomy bag. He's been through a lot, but he's very positive, always looks on the bright side of things. My daughter lives with her boyfriend and their two dogs. She went through a really, really bad time around 2016/20. Crisis teams, CAMHS, all heavily involved, self harm. Really hard to deal with as a Dad, but she turned a corner and is doing really well now. She's my little princess. The Mrs...well her kidneys finally gave up on new years day, 2023. Had a siezure, and was blue lighted to UHND hospital, where she works!. Had a few days in there, then transferred to Freeman so they could start dialysis. I started dialysis training in July last year with the view to doing it at home, rather than going into the Freeman 3 times a week. Trainng went well, and we had one of the spare rooms adapted and all the equipment installed. She now does it at home, still 3 times a week, but much easier now. We've had a few scary moments, but the training kicks in, and its been sorted. Getting used to it now, and most of it is done without fuss. Im on a kidney sharing scheme, so looking to donate a kidney to someone im a match for, and their partner is a match for the Mrs. Next matching process is July 31st, so fingers crossed we get a match this time. The Mrs, and all 3 kids have all been through a lot, and I don't think they fully get how proud I am of them all. Me, I'm just kind of like the glue that tries to hold everything together. I'm 58, got white hair...not grey, pure bloody white. My Mam used to say that everything happens for a reason. I still don't understand what reason I need hairs growing out me lugs though. Just read this post back....bloody hell it's long!! I thought about taking bits out, but you know what, I've found it quite therapeutic so I'll just leave it as is. If you get this far, we'll done, and sorry for the rambling.
TJF made me smile, forgotten that, watch these interceptor programmes now and cringe. Chasing stolen cars was an art now they just stop them any old how. If we damaged our patrol car the paperwork was horrendous so that was a no no. Never been as proud the day I passed my class one advanced driving test. As for horrific incidents, they all stay with you to some degree, no such thing as counselling in my day, but they were great times.
Snaggey, My brother David who I lost in February worked all his working years at International Paints, I think it was export office, he met his wife Anne there. He was there in 86 wonder if you knew him? Our youngest daughter has ulcerated colitis, it's a right bastard.
TJF made me smile also quite often used in messages with friends who were also in the job. Agree about the class one and then my instructors qualification done at the met. We had a lot of escort duties due to Blair being pm. Brilliant time that meeting lots of very nice people. Sunday morning was patrol car cleaning day and an inspection from the boss. Door trims sills whell arches. Look at them now unbelievable. Aye crew room banter was the counselling we all received. Happy times.
I was just based in the staff canteen, so never really got to know anyone other than the catering staff. Come to think of it, I was there just over 2 years, and I don't think I knew anyone else.
Pleased you left it as it is. A lovely read and I agree quite therapeutic. You've had some difficult times and I hope everything continues to be settled for you. Agree about nose and ear hair. WTF. Take care.
What a life mate, it’s clear on both this forum and RTg that piper alpha was a massive event and still resonates after all this time! nothing but best wishes for your misses and that kidney, what a life and what a great family you’ve brought up. !
When I wrote mine I was stressed to f@fk, there’s a lot of change at work and I’m both out of my comfort zone and felt helpless at some of the stuff that’s going on. writing mine lifted me so much, I can’t describe it
