Memories From Lavinia Forster (Left 1957)

Hi Lance, Thanks for getting the contact details for Jessie (Holmes), honestly she doesn't seem to have aged and looks very much like her mother.

I lived in James St in Jarrow from 1942 - 1952 then moved to Edinburgh Road in Primrose.

Both my Dad and my brother Alan were quite well known for their banjo playing, Alan had a group called the North Stars (I believe - it was after I left UK). 

My first school was Jarrow St. Peter's.

I started at JCS in 1953 in form 1A and hated it from day one, probably because I had enjoyed St Peters so much. We couldn't afford the complete uniform and consequently I was always in trouble for not having the correct gear, especially from Miss Pattie. I liked Mr Casey who took us for History - when I was in 2D. Obviously things weren't working for me.

I was very surprised to see the party photo of 1955 and me virtually in the front row with the ringlets... haven't things changed when you look at the clothes etc? 

I left JCS in 1957 and got a job in the CO-OP offices getting 3pound 5shillings a week which was a lot of money in those days.  Anyway I'd also been for an interview with Baker Perkins and got that job as well working on punch cards.  Although the wages were fifteen bob a week less I opted for Baker Perkins, and loved the job. I was there for 5½ years.

I went to NZ in 1965.

We were transferred from NZ to London for 2yrs in 1975 and ended up staying for 10yrs, mainly in High Wycombe in Bucks. We returned to NZ in 1985 and I am now divorced, but have had a good lifestyle and, at my age, couldn't contemplate returning to the UK long term.

Getting back to Jarrow, remember the pub on the corner of Ellison St.? I think it was the Ellison Arms. Well one dark night (about 4.30) my sister Edna was running up to Shepherds to buy Mum some thread.  She ran around the corner and the men who had been delivering barrels of beer left the trap door open and Edna fell down the hole.  She wasn't too good for a while, ended up with flat feet, and missed her 11+ exam, she became head girl of St Peters.  Edna is 66 now.

My brother Alan is now 68/69 and still lives in Jarrow.

Maybe some of this rings some bells.

Lavinia McAdam (nee Forster)

June 2004