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Messages - croftpark

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Northumberland / Re: Air Raid Siren, Blyth Fire Station
« on: Tuesday 14 October 14 20:31 BST (UK)  »
The sirens mentioned are two different ones.
The fire station one was used to alert off duty fireman that they were needed to man the second appliance, should they be out of the homes, after an initial call out for the on duty crew.  A bell was installed in the homes of all firemen who were available for a call out.  The bell arrangement was used at night of course so as not to awaken the whole town, but it was known for mistakes to be made, much to the annoyance of local residents.
The fire brigade use of the siren ceased when a pager system was introduced however it was still maintained as part of the civil defence system and I think is still in place.
The shipyard had a "hooter" that sounded at 7.25 and 7.30 each morning, and 12.55 and 1.00 in the afternoon as a warning that shifts were about to start.  If you failed to be in the gate by the time of the second warning you were locked out and lost time.  The time keeper was Mr Farley who enjoyed closing the gate on the stragglers.

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Northumberland / Re: Blyth Building, what was it?
« on: Monday 20 May 13 11:20 BST (UK)  »
I believe the chip shop next to Cooknells was owned by the Martin family. 
In the early 1900s Cooknells had their own factory behind the shop in Beaumont Street, making all the shirts, underware, babies clothes etc. 
The two Bullen brothers who ran the cobblers were long time members of the Salvation Army and in their spare time taught music in their homes.
In the 1950's Seghini's had an ice cream palour in Bridge Street next door to what was until recently a travel agents, Kelly's baby wear shop before that.  It had high stools or so they seemed to me at the time, and dark wood.  Their eskimo pies, wafer biscuit cup filled with ice cream and a chocolate top, were lovely.
Cheers
G

3
Northumberland / Re: Blyth Bus Station
« on: Saturday 26 January 13 10:56 GMT (UK)  »
Thanks for the help, great pictures Alisdair, I have just been told that the present structures were there in 1962, seems early but there you go.
G

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Northumberland / Re: Blyth Bus Station
« on: Friday 25 January 13 10:11 GMT (UK)  »
Thanks for the welcome. As an office boy in the shipyard 1959/60 I used to take parcels to the little hut at the  bus station to to be delivered to Newcastle etc by bus.  I believe the last revamp was done by a firm called Muckle? from Rothbury, possibly early/mid 60's. I will check out other postings, cheers.
G

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Northumberland / Blyth Bus Station
« on: Thursday 24 January 13 18:59 GMT (UK)  »
First time on here but been an observer for a long time.
Blyth bus station is being revamped, not before time.  Anybody know when the last change was made and the little wooden office in the middle disappeared.  The place was a mini Trafalgar Square full of pigeons and criss cross paths.  We will have something pleasing on the eye I hope at the end of the day.
G

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