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Angela’s Life Story

On 6th February 1953 my mum Angela was born to Albert & Elizabeth, up until 3 weeks ago we didn’t know where, we now know at home, 1 forth Avenue, Stobhill.

We don’t know a lot about our mum growing up but would welcome any stories you’d like to share with us and I’m sure there’s quite a few.

Mum and dad married 26th February 1972 at St James’s Church in Morpeth, mum 19 and dad 20 at the time, Mum met my dad Whilst he was in the Army, from stories we have heard he must have been on leave when they met, he was stationed in Germany, they then moved to live on the barracks there, mum used to have so many stories from time they spent together, the friends they made but sadly lost touch with and the things they used to get up to. Mum used to tell us about “Princess Anne’s Ball” where today you’d wear a ball gown but back then it was like something from Austin Powers, all psychedelic patterns and mini skirts, I think there’s a picture you could look at later. My dad was on exercise in Germany when he got a message on the 10th April 1974 that my mum had given birth to a beautiful baby girl, weighing in at 5lb 2oz… that beautiful baby girl is standing talking to you now, they then when I was 2 months old we moved back to Morpeth when dad came out the army, we lived in Baysland, some of you may remember it? As time went by, mum must have thought we make perfect babies, let’s have another, well 28th December 1977 mum gave birth to another boy Brett, not quite as perfect as the first but mum would love him in a way only a mother could, then 2nd October 1979 she was given a third challenge, yes you’ve guessed it… another boy! Grant! Trio complete, they say life is a rollercoaster, mum hated rollercoasters and the rollercoaster ride with this trio wasn’t going to be an easy one.

We didn’t have a lot growing up from a young age but we always made the most of what we did have, As 3 brothers growing up together there was the usual erm… brotherly love we’ll call it for today, we Challenged my mum in every way imaginable and we knew every button that could be pushed because we pushed every button probably more than once. But mum would still tell us she loved us. Her love was unconditional… well, as long as she received a card for the relevant occasion, if she didn’t receive a card you were in for the high jump and would never hear the end of it. I’m sure a few people sitting here today know exactly what I’m talking about.

She was so proud of “Her Boys”. She would always jump at the chance to get a picture of all 3 of us together, she’d always talk to people she knew about her sons, grand children & great grand children, she was very proud of her family.

Mum loved surprises, this doesn’t mean cards and chocolates, not from us! this means Snails on every step leading up to where we lived in Baysland, and I thought she loved snails. A phone call I made to her whilst in the army that lasted all of 10 seconds then she put the phone down on me, I’ll tell you about that later.

But we weren’t always there to tease her, I remember a time on her 40th birthday she’d arranged a night out with friends I called her to apologise and say I couldn’t make her party as I was on guard and she started to cry saying she wished I was there, I told her to have a great night and I’d see her soon… sooner than she realised, after about 10 minutes I was stood outside the chute in Hadston in my uniform, I walked into the bar and I could see my mum standing there, she was smiling, chatting and looked really happy, as I walked up to her she had no idea, I tapped her on the shoulder and asked if I could help, she turned round and it was the most magical moment, she flung her arms around my neck and burst into tears, she wouldn’t let me go, I was like come on mum people are looking at us… she didn’t care… she was happy… we had a fantastic night that night and I’ll never forget the look on my mums face. There’s a picture you can look at from that night.

“She was a Strong Woman” that is how her brother Brian described her, but not just mentally there was also a physical strength and determination, when we lost my dad she was devastated, but she was also determined to show everyone she could cope on her own, she wouldn’t let us help at all unless she knew it was something she couldn’t do, she never wanted to put anyone out. she used to push Grant up and down Curley Kews when he was in his wheelchair, a walk on a sunny day would involve putting Me in a buggy and walking to newbiggin and back to Morpeth.

Brian also told us “She loved to dance”, she used to dance on the hearth at home , she’d just start dancing and didn’t want to stop, dancing made her happy, it was her happy place, later she used to dance with a friend John at Morpeth social club, she’d go every Saturday with my dad and other members of the family, she even taught my dad to dance, sounds a bit girly… dancing… but watching them both on the dance floor brought a sense of pride, watching them move around the floor was unbelievable and I suppose it was their chance in that moment to remember the reasons they fell in love.

Mum also had a mischievous and funny side, as many of you will remember, years ago women weren’t allowed in the bar of the conservative club, However on a New Year’s Day Angela and her Sister in law Julie would sneak into the main bar, strip the Christmas tree of tinsel and baubles which they’d then wear and see how long they could remain in the bar before being asked to leave, it was a scream to them and it became a bit of a family tradition, but for some members in the bar… how dare they!

Mum loved Blackpool where she went frequently with Grant, Kelly and her grand children Nikki & Ethan, we used to think it was for the lights, nope it was for the prize bingo! She was a pro, anyone that knew mum will remember her passion for bingo & the slots, at Morpeth Rafa club on a Saturday night when the bingo caller would call two little ducks you’d hear from the corner “Quack Quack” dying of embarrassment I’d say “mum” she didn’t care she was having fun!

More recently Mum went to a funeral in Blyth, for a close friend, This lady had just recently turned 100, mum was so proud of her and had her picture taken with her, for mum to get to that funeral she had to get 2 busses and she did this in I’ll health willingly refusing to ask anyone for a lift. She loved a funeral… “it’s a sad occasion she’d say but it brings us all together, well, Today unfortunately is her funeral but I can see her now telling my dad how she had a great turnout and didn’t realise she had so many friends!!

We’ve mentioned a lot of important things but sometimes it’s the little things that conjure up fond memories, so here are a few things mum enjoyed,

Cliff Richard, it’s a good job my dad got there first. Nobles amusements, just for her free coffee though. The bingo, we’ll miss that ‘Quack Quack’ from the side lines. Dancing, and she was quite good.

Sugar, I can’t tell you how many maybe between 5 and 7, you could stand the spoon upright in the cup it was like treacle.
Chocolate eclairs were her favourite cream cake. Vodka, black currant & lemonade or half a woodpecker cider were her favourite drink.

Milk tray were her favourite chocolate, it got to the point there were too many hard centres, so we helped her out as often as we could. She later switched to Turkish Delight. Chocolate peanuts, until the peanut got too hard to chew so she’d suck all the chocolate off then spit out the peanut. It still tastes like a chocolate peanut she’d say.

She loved cats. She loved jigsaws, we always tried to pick a difficult one but she always managed to complete them. She loved sending and receiving cards.

She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends that she loved dearly, she could walk into a room and instantly make friends, there was no aires or graces with mum, she was a genuine person and what you saw is what you got.