Bill Dixon
Father a shepherd, went to feasts at certain times. Father asked to drive cattle to Carlisle. Sow that ate lambs. Country bumpkins. Saw Halley's comet. Staying on farm in Birkenside, largely self sufficient, sent wool to Otterburn Mill, so tried to gather more. Watching the slag tipping at night at Consett ironworks - done in the day in world war one. Moving house. Father bad tempered, beat the children - large family. Grandfather died while on a horse trap on the moors. Uncle Tommy died eating "maxi mutton" - i.e. from sheep found dead. Aunts died eating berries as children. Lived at Bluehous...

Marie Tunnicliffe
Education, childhood during world war two. Army life as a p.t. instructor. Married life in Berlin. Work in the mariner's arms, North Shields. A race and work riot at North Shields. The Coach and Horses, Leadgate. The Braes of Derwent, Consett. Life as a publican