Times Change

I would like to add a few words to make people who read this entry to add their own thoughts, I hope to challenge them to do so Last Monday night my wife Helen and I went for a ride out back through my childhood areas, New Brancepeth, Ushaw Moor and later in my young life Waterhouses and Esh WInning . The drive through the mainstay of my childhoood, the village of Ushaw Moor was most distressing. Coming down Whitehouse Lane and over the crossroads in the direction of New Brancepeth really opened my eyes to how much life must have changed since I left the village in 1957. The open areas that we passed where the Empire Cinema and the Big Club once stood made me realise the great changes that have taken place in the village of Ushaw Moor. These open areas once contained buildings where much of the social life of the village took place. I must also include the Club Hall cinema which was included the open space where the Big Club stood. I must also include in the open spaces in the village the areas where the Memorial Hall stood on the Esh Winning Road and also the site of the Council School where I understand housing is to be built. I, incidentally would love a house on that site if I could afford one and if I could get a townie like Helen to move. The village of Ushaw Moor when I was young was a compact unit. All the neccesities of life was available in the village. I must state here that life must move wit6h the times so that the village socially that I knew has disappeared and will never re-appear again.

To emphasise the closeness of the village in those days I would like to quote an example of the closeness of the people. On a Thursday afternoon my late brother Kevein (God Rest his Soul) would go to Hoppers Fish Shop In High View to get fisha nd chips for the tea. Without fail as we passed the double gates at the back of the Fl;ass Inn, (better known as the Flass) the Landlord< Jack Mc Dermott would be waiting for Kevin and I and passed his order for fish and chips and the moner on to us. Incidentally the fish and chips from this establishment were mouthwatering even tonight as I think back over the years. Jack Mc Dermott would always at the back gates waiting for his order and he always gave us a shilling between us. A few years later in April 1957 our mother passed away and her Requiem Mass was held on a Saturday morning. Kevin and I stood in Crook Store doorway opposite the Flass whillst all the males who had attended the funeral were in the Flass having a drink. I foolishly left Kevin who was under age at 16 on his own and went into theFlass to join the company. On standing at the bar I was faced with Jack Mc Dermott. He did not ask for my order but asked what I was thinking about leaving my youngest brother on his own in on such a day like this when he needed my company most. "Get to the front door andf shout to him to come in for a drink. I said he was under age and Jack just withered me with a look that was scornful and yet understanding of our circumstances.