Mary

One of a large family, childhood memories. Memories of brothers and sisters who died young, their births. Mother had hard life. Uncle friends with a rower. Father and uncle bought fruit at auction at the Bigg Market. Woolworths full of reject stock so cheap and good. Bigg Market was packed, different diversions there, stalls. Uncle Henry might get into fights. Mother died in 1922, she had done all the washing, clothes making, baking etc. Brother Eddie always eating things he shouldn’t including mealworms. Father bred songbirds, details of looking after them. Everything had to stop while father using cut throat razor. Christmases, usually no toys apart from one from the Mission, but brother did once get a toy engine. Mother made "mistletoe" from butter barrel hoops. Sister Hilda died as a baby, memories of her. Shallow grave meant coffin shape was visible. Children's funerals, girl bearers, white coffin. Mother died soon after, then father's mother. Father had an early crystal radio set. Had to cook but didn’t know how, told by father and his friend. Going to the cinema. Sister went to work in a house in London, enjoyed her return visits - went by boat, took 24 hours. Going to town moor for race week, hoppings, muddy, sideshows. Great North Run. Games as a child, "put and take". Rocking the babies cradle really hard. Cattle being driven through Gateshead, frightened and frightening.

Location: Gateshead
County: Tyne and Wear
AUD2006-6

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