The grand days of The Angel

LC - 14 February 2006

Dear Ed,

I was born at no 1 Paradise place Brigg,1939. Over the road was Whites Mineral factory. Mr Bill Green worked there and my brother Bernard. Across the road from there was Jimmy Parrots scrap and rag yard. I played many a Sunday morning there and looking for something we hadn't got most of the time!

Elwes Street

A lane ran down before Jimmy's yard which lead to Laynes repair yard, and down to the back of the river side. There were the war tanks and we would jump on all - playing happily away.

Next to Jimmy Parrot's scrap yard was Jack Sumpter's little farm. This farmer saved my life in the River Ancholme: I couldn't swim!

Another of our favourite hide out places was the Corn Exchange. This was a huge dark place, but we found our way around and up the stairs - very scary and with 12ft cobwebbs for us the Hollywood curtains on the stage! The old piano there would echo right through the roof right up to the high heavens!

We loved the corn exchange: I wanted it all to myself and make a dancehall. We had Edna Lusby coming from Scunthorpe to give tap lessons at the old parish hall,come canteen (!!!) for the local schools.

Our Christmas party was held each year in the old Parish hall. The hall was used for the Saturday night dancing, with Eileen Bennett on the piano. I would be given the strictest permission to sit on the floor near her feet whilst she played - my ear glued to the woodwork of that piano - and loved every note that rang out. The prisoners of the Pingley Camp were the most regular customers! When I wasn't allowed to sit near Eileens feet, then I'd be sat across the road sat on the curb facing the door! So many people knew who I was! Even today some remember me.

The Angel

There was the soup room in the Angel Hotel's back yard. We were often round there and were never refused a dish of soup or such to take home. The chef was polish and was very free with his offerings! The soup kitchen was my favourite corner.

I did so love the weddings on the back lawns of the Angel. The elegant ladies in such beautiful dresses. The gentlemen in their tops and tails! Again we were offered samples of dreamy cakes etc and given things to take home! All this happened on the other side of the fence - us being spectators with grubby dresses and grubby faces. They were our Stars of Hollywood. We gave a happy helping hand to help clean up and were given the very large sum on one shilling.

That's my very young days, I loved it all! There are always more stories to tell, but who reads? ... Hope this will awaken some memories somewhere? I'd love to hear from anyone of that epoch...

Thank you for reading - L.C

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