We all know that the main function of a bus is to get from A to B but there can be several very upsetting subplots; thanks to Paul's big red picture of a shiny United bus it is all coming back to me. For a start how is it that the National Lottery has never come up with 43 44 47? There has been plenty of 42 45, or even the comic's favourite 44 45. Could today be the big day for 43 44 47? Are you tempted and will you be grateful to me in Ushaw Moor Cricket Club on 17/7 when you roll up in a posh car? The trouble with numbers is that most of them have some significance and the big win is so elusive. Keep the faith in 43 44 47 but don't tell the church.
There can be snobbery associated with bus transport. I know one potential father in law who rejected his daughter's suitor because he was 'only' a joiner. That snobby man was a bus inspector! I have to say that I respect bus inspectors but not if they are so snobby and delusional about their walk of life. A bus driver has far more responsibility than a bus inspector and as for a colliery joiner - any joiner for that matter -he/she is far more skilful that a bus inspector; the latter has little more to do than know how to catch a bus and do a simple check on tickets. Tell me I am wrong. The joiner joins things, usually in a workshop and with all the pomp of a trade. I hope that Michael Gove can dismiss Victorian snobbery, will all its associated faeces, and give full recognition to skills worthy of pride.
There is something about Northern folk that often pleases the eyes and ears. Back in the 50s they often chatted away on the 47 in anticipation of a good film at the Palladium or Essoldo, with a packet of fags to [admittedly] foul the air; brylcreamed hair often recognised the occasion just as it did at other venues such as cricket matches. Brylcream is associated with Denis Compton's adverts and they were big on buses in the 50s but that is another story.
WB
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This article by Wilf brings back many memories of the United Bus Service.Felix Mooney the Dad of Jim and Robert Mooney who lived in Flass Avenue was a bus driver as was Fred Plews who lived in Oakridge Road. In those days buses were double crewed with a conductor. The conductor shouted out the stops on the journey and rang the bell to request the bus to stop or move off. One bell to stop and two to move off. There was one lass employed as a conductor who was on the stout side and you really had to draw your breath in to let her past. Most buses at rush hours were packed with people standing. The old Bus Station on North Road was used by buses from the United, Northern and Sunderlnd and District Omnibus Co. Ltd. and ran as far afield as Middleborough, Darlington, Crook, Newcastle and Sunderland. Buses in those days that were fitted with heaters were cold in the Winter but when they introduced double deckers without doors it was like travelling in a fridge if you were unlucky enough to be near the door at the rear. How the conductors stuck working on those buses in the winter I don't know. he No. 52 bus ran every two hours to Cornsay Colliery.The No. 44 ran every twenty minutes to Esh Winning or East Hedley Hope and the Nos 43 and 47 ran to New Brancepeth. I have stood on that Bus Station on North Road freezing and soaking over five or six winters waiting for a bus whilst I was serving my time as a joiner. It has many happy memories also. The Bus Station on an evening was always full of bonny young lasses who worked in the City who were on their way home. The winters gloom was always lightened by theses young lasses but especially one young lass from Bearpark.
ReplyDeleteBrian Mc.
Brian Mc.
So Brian - which girl was that?
ReplyDeleteCorrection to the article - the comic's favourite is ofcourse 40 45? not 44 45? There will be those that understand what I am saying but the remainder will be bafffled.
ReplyDelete