大象传媒

My husband worked at the tyneside Foundry, I stayed at home and looked after my two girls, although both my husband and I were night time ARP Wardens, looking out for bombers, making sure that everyone observed the 'blackout' rules and directing people to shelters if the sirens sounded. I lived in Shumack Street off Scotswood Road and most people around the doors were employed by Richardson's Leather works at the bottom of the street.
On V.E. Day Richardson's were really good to us,they helped to provide for the planned party. They got red, white and blue bunting for us. I can still remember wrapping it over the brush and standing on a chair to pass it to the upstairs windows, while others leaned out to grab hold of it, before tying it to the bedstead.Once secured the loose bunting was thrown back out again, so we could run it across the street, and repeat the same process.
Everyone seemed so happy, and laughed and giggled like they'd never done in such a long time. The tables were set with what to us then seemed like delicacies (most provided by Richardson's). We had spam sandwiches, sardines, corned beef and a few sandwiches made with real boiled eggs!There was custard and jelly, little cream cakes and biscuits all set out on the tables stretched right up the street.
Mr Thompson had his accordian, and we danced and sung. There was a few bottles of beer and once they had been drunk someone managed to get their piano out into the street aswell! What a knees up we all had. As the day wore on the biarns became tireds, some lay on seats and fell asleep, others were taken indoors, put to bed, and the party carried on. We sat on our doorstep singing, laughing and talking. It was a grand day! I will remember it forever

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