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Post by marwood on Jul 22, 2020 12:58:43 GMT
Anyone else take part in this? Ive no idea how widespread it was or for how long it ran (is it still going) but I had some great times in and around Stoke between 1982 and 1986
It cost something like £5 to join for the summer holidays and for that you got half price/free bus travel (cat remember which) plus free admittance to cinemas, theatres, and sporting events
Fondest memories were of the pictures. Both the ABC and the Odeon showed free films to members in Hanley. I saw some great movies there, some of which i saw on the big screen for the first and only times. Police Academy, Krull, Grease II, Star Trek III, Boys in Blue featuring Suzanne Danielle (Plus Cannon and Ball), Empire Strikes Back (film theatre Stoke for that one).
I say watched, I was present while they were being projected onto a screen, as it was utter carnage in the cinema, like a scene from a 1950s Hollywood movie where all the cool kids run riot
As a child growing up in the north of the city, I had never had the occasion to travel to places like Longton and Fenton before. It got me out and about
I think it was the first and only time I went to watch the Vale when not playing Stoke. Unless my mind is playing tricks on me, I saw Vale vs Zimbabwe in 83 or 84. of course we were shouting for Zimbabwe. No idea how that came about? Grobbelaar?
any other memories welcome
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2020 13:13:11 GMT
Yeah remember it well. Tennis in Tunstall Park, swimming at Tunstall Baths, trips to the cinema in Tunstall/Hanley, football tournaments on Trubshaw Cross.
What a great scheme it was looking back, working parents would kill for something similar in this day and age for such a reasonable price......
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2020 14:10:05 GMT
Yes, it was mint, ABC Cannon cinema for 10p, etc. Loads of daily activities on the local rec for the kids.
I still see the lad who ran ours down the match (Kendall).
Great days to be a kid.
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Post by danceswithclams on Jul 22, 2020 14:21:11 GMT
I recall being cajoled into signing up to it by a Leeds supporting pal who lived a couple of doors up from me (this'd have been around 1993). He was bang into this kind of caper - if there was any kind of club/trip away/camp or whatnot then he was all over it like Eamon Holmes at the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. We all used to joke that he loved getting nonced* but despite this, and whilst eschewing all the other summer holiday/post-school activities/cults he seemingly acted as a pre-teen recruitment officer for, we all signed up to SPACE for a couple of summers running.
I have no specific overriding memories of the scheme as a whole other than all the good activities got snapped up quick-sharp and you were only left with wanky bike rides or ice skating. I do have a vague recollection of going to Old Trafford for a tour of some sort though. It was when they were building that big stand (the Alex Ferguson Stand I think it's called now) and me and my mate came across a yet to be installed plastic seat and set about stamping on it until it snapped due to our hatred of all things 'United'. Fuck knows why we, a Leeds fan and a Stoke fan, signed up to that trip - too many Mr Freeze Icepops and Nerds frazzled our tiny brains I imagine.
*it turned out some years later that one of the teachers/handlers from one of his many extra-curricular outings was an ultra-nonce of Benell proportions and got arrested after his time in Stoke and banged up for quite a stretch. My Leeds pal moved away from the city when I was about 14 and I haven't seen him in the 20+ years since. I hope he didn't get bummed asunder.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2020 14:31:42 GMT
I recall being cajoled into signing up to it by a Leeds supporting pal who lived a couple of doors up from me (this'd have been around 1993). He was bang into this kind of caper - if there was any kind of club/trip away/camp or whatnot then he was all over it like Eamon Holmes at the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. We all used to joke that he loved getting nonced* but despite this, and whilst eschewing all the other summer holiday/post-school activities/cults he seemingly acted as a pre-teen recruitment officer for, we all signed up to SPACE for a couple of summers running. I have no specific overriding memories of the scheme as a whole other than all the good activities got snapped up quick-sharp and you were only left with wanky bike rides or ice skating. I do have a vague recollection of going to Old Trafford for a tour of some sort though. It was when they were building that big stand (the Alex Ferguson Stand I think it's called now) and me and my mate came across a yet to be installed plastic seat and set about stamping on it until it snapped due to our hatred of all things 'United'. Fuck knows why we, a Leeds fan and a Stoke fan, signed up to that trip - too many Mr Freeze Icepops and Nerds frazzled our tiny brains I imagine. *it later turned out some years later that one of the teachers/handlers from one of his many extra-curricular outings was an ultra-nonce of Benell proportions and got arrested after his time in Stoke and was banged up for quite a stretch. My Leeds pal moved away from the city when I was about 14 and I haven't seen him in the 20+ years since. I hope he didn't get bummed asunder. Now you've said it I remember going on that tour also. Would have been around a similar time......
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Post by marwood on Jul 22, 2020 14:56:37 GMT
Places like Tunstall, Goldenhill...they were just words on the map to me pre SPACE schemes. Places you would never dream of going as they were "the other end of the earth" Probably something to do with the mentality of the Five Towns composition.
First and only time in my life ive been in the Queens Theatre Burslem, for some comedy play or other. I remember thinking even as a nipper it was a great architectural space and criminally under used
Glad to hear it was still going in the 90s, hope it was as much fun
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2020 15:04:44 GMT
Places like Tunstall, Goldenhill...they were just words on the map to me pre SPACE schemes. Places you would never dream of going as they were "the other end of the earth" Probably something to do with the mentality of the Five Towns composition. First and only time in my life ive been in the Queens Theatre Burslem, for some comedy play or other. I remember thinking even as a nipper it was a great architectural space and criminally under used Glad to hear it was still going in the 90s, hope it was as much fun I recall going for what seemed like an age, memory is a bit fuzzy but I'm sure I went from the age of about 7 right through to about 15 so between 1984-1992. Good times.....
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Post by flea79 on Jul 22, 2020 15:12:04 GMT
Anyone else take part in this? Ive no idea how widespread it was or for how long it ran (is it still going) but I had some great times in and around Stoke between 1982 and 1986 It cost something like £5 to join for the summer holidays and for that you got half price/free bus travel (cat remember which) plus free admittance to cinemas, theatres, and sporting events Fondest memories were of the pictures. Both the ABC and the Odeon showed free films to members in Hanley. I saw some great movies there, some of which i saw on the big screen for the first and only times. Police Academy, Krull, Grease II, Star Trek III, Boys in Blue featuring Suzanne Danielle (Plus Cannon and Ball), Empire Strikes Back (film theatre Stoke for that one). I say watched, I was present while they were being projected onto a screen, as it was utter carnage in the cinema, like a scene from a 1950s Hollywood movie where all the cool kids run riot As a child growing up in the north of the city, I had never had the occasion to travel to places like Longton and Fenton before. It got me out and about I think it was the first and only time I went to watch the Vale when not playing Stoke. Unless my mind is playing tricks on me, I saw Vale vs Zimbabwe in 83 or 84. of course we were shouting for Zimbabwe. No idea how that came about? Grobbelaar? any other memories welcome im far too young for such a scheme but my old man and his mate told me about the times in the cinemas and the carnage, including once when somebody threw a jubbly over the top tier onto the kids below and the manager came in and stopped the film as somebody had nearly been brained by the falling ice
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Post by sheds1862 on Jul 22, 2020 15:12:59 GMT
Takes me back, along with the paper boys trip to Blackpool and watching Why don't you on the box. Happy days
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Post by noustie on Jul 22, 2020 15:34:34 GMT
I recall being cajoled into signing up to it by a Leeds supporting pal who lived a couple of doors up from me (this'd have been around 1993). He was bang into this kind of caper - if there was any kind of club/trip away/camp or whatnot then he was all over it like Eamon Holmes at the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. We all used to joke that he loved getting nonced* but despite this, and whilst eschewing all the other summer holiday/post-school activities/cults he seemingly acted as a pre-teen recruitment officer for, we all signed up to SPACE for a couple of summers running. I have no specific overriding memories of the scheme as a whole other than all the good activities got snapped up quick-sharp and you were only left with wanky bike rides or ice skating. I do have a vague recollection of going to Old Trafford for a tour of some sort though. It was when they were building that big stand (the Alex Ferguson Stand I think it's called now) and me and my mate came across a yet to be installed plastic seat and set about stamping on it until it snapped due to our hatred of all things 'United'. Fuck knows why we, a Leeds fan and a Stoke fan, signed up to that trip - too many Mr Freeze Icepops and Nerds frazzled our tiny brains I imagine. *it turned out some years later that one of the teachers/handlers from one of his many extra-curricular outings was an ultra-nonce of Benell proportions and got arrested after his time in Stoke and banged up for quite a stretch. My Leeds pal moved away from the city when I was about 14 and I haven't seen him in the 20+ years since. I hope he didn't get bummed asunder. I begged my folks to get on that but they wouldn't let me as my dad was convinced there'd be some noncing involved. Gutted because I was ugly as fuck so they'd have left me alone anyway to play gowf at Goldenhill rather than trying mess with me in the bushes.
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Post by Rednwhitenblue on Jul 22, 2020 15:43:55 GMT
I recall being cajoled into signing up to it by a Leeds supporting pal who lived a couple of doors up from me (this'd have been around 1993). He was bang into this kind of caper - if there was any kind of club/trip away/camp or whatnot then he was all over it like Eamon Holmes at the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. We all used to joke that he loved getting nonced* but despite this, and whilst eschewing all the other summer holiday/post-school activities/cults he seemingly acted as a pre-teen recruitment officer for, we all signed up to SPACE for a couple of summers running. I have no specific overriding memories of the scheme as a whole other than all the good activities got snapped up quick-sharp and you were only left with wanky bike rides or ice skating. I do have a vague recollection of going to Old Trafford for a tour of some sort though. It was when they were building that big stand (the Alex Ferguson Stand I think it's called now) and me and my mate came across a yet to be installed plastic seat and set about stamping on it until it snapped due to our hatred of all things 'United'. Fuck knows why we, a Leeds fan and a Stoke fan, signed up to that trip - too many Mr Freeze Icepops and Nerds frazzled our tiny brains I imagine. *it turned out some years later that one of the teachers/handlers from one of his many extra-curricular outings was an ultra-nonce of Benell proportions and got arrested after his time in Stoke and banged up for quite a stretch. My Leeds pal moved away from the city when I was about 14 and I haven't seen him in the 20+ years since. I hope he didn't get bummed asunder. I do hope your pal isn't Horacegoesbumming, erstwhile of this parish, as that might answer that question... I'd like to hear more about this Spanko character...
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Post by hoffgreen on Jul 22, 2020 16:26:18 GMT
Takes me back, along with the paper boys trip to Blackpool and watching Why don't you on the box. Happy days Yep, went on the paper boys trip to Blackpool 79 & 80 if I remember. Why don't you.... now there's a blast from the past!
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Post by bigjohnritchie on Jul 22, 2020 16:34:07 GMT
Anyone else take part in this? Ive no idea how widespread it was or for how long it ran (is it still going) but I had some great times in and around Stoke between 1982 and 1986 It cost something like £5 to join for the summer holidays and for that you got half price/free bus travel (cat remember which) plus free admittance to cinemas, theatres, and sporting events Fondest memories were of the pictures. Both the ABC and the Odeon showed free films to members in Hanley. I saw some great movies there, some of which i saw on the big screen for the first and only times. Police Academy, Krull, Grease II, Star Trek III, Boys in Blue featuring Suzanne Danielle (Plus Cannon and Ball), Empire Strikes Back (film theatre Stoke for that one). I say watched, I was present while they were being projected onto a screen, as it was utter carnage in the cinema, like a scene from a 1950s Hollywood movie where all the cool kids run riot As a child growing up in the north of the city, I had never had the occasion to travel to places like Longton and Fenton before. It got me out and about I think it was the first and only time I went to watch the Vale when not playing Stoke. Unless my mind is playing tricks on me, I saw Vale vs Zimbabwe in 83 or 84. of course we were shouting for Zimbabwe. No idea how that came about? Grobbelaar? any other memories welcome I joined the Police in 1977, Elvis died during my initial training, and took part/ helped organise the first few. My main memories are playing cricket, which seemed like all day in the sun, suffering from heatstroke, playing football, at Northwood I think, and driving the minibus. I started to become involved in youth work in the Boothen area around the same time......In those days " community policing" still existed and we used to walk the beat or have designated areas in the Pandas.Looking back, I think that we probably did just enough community relations in the right way in my opinion......I think that the " taking part " in Pride Days ( in the way it is done) is unnecessary and taking the knee a political step too far.
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Post by marylandstoke on Jul 22, 2020 16:51:40 GMT
Takes me back, along with the paper boys trip to Blackpool and watching Why don't you on the box. Happy days So which was it? Happy Days or Why Don’t You??
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Post by teenagefanclub on Jul 22, 2020 17:11:57 GMT
I went on it late 80s early 90s and you go clay pigeon shooting at Whitmore I think.
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Post by dave1 on Jul 22, 2020 17:13:26 GMT
I remember this. It must have run into the 90's.
They used to have stuff at St Francis Church, Meir Heath..
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Post by thevoid on Jul 22, 2020 17:24:52 GMT
I recall being cajoled into signing up to it by a Leeds supporting pal who lived a couple of doors up from me (this'd have been around 1993). He was bang into this kind of caper - if there was any kind of club/trip away/camp or whatnot then he was all over it like Eamon Holmes at the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. We all used to joke that he loved getting nonced* but despite this, and whilst eschewing all the other summer holiday/post-school activities/cults he seemingly acted as a pre-teen recruitment officer for, we all signed up to SPACE for a couple of summers running. I have no specific overriding memories of the scheme as a whole other than all the good activities got snapped up quick-sharp and you were only left with wanky bike rides or ice skating. I do have a vague recollection of going to Old Trafford for a tour of some sort though. It was when they were building that big stand (the Alex Ferguson Stand I think it's called now) and me and my mate came across a yet to be installed plastic seat and set about stamping on it until it snapped due to our hatred of all things 'United'. Fuck knows why we, a Leeds fan and a Stoke fan, signed up to that trip - too many Mr Freeze Icepops and Nerds frazzled our tiny brains I imagine. *it turned out some years later that one of the teachers/handlers from one of his many extra-curricular outings was an ultra-nonce of Benell proportions and got arrested after his time in Stoke and banged up for quite a stretch. My Leeds pal moved away from the city when I was about 14 and I haven't seen him in the 20+ years since. I hope he didn't get bummed asunder. I do hope your pal isn't Horacegoesbumming, erstwhile of this parish, as that might answer that question... I'd like to hear more about this Spanko character... Goodness me, you seem to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of Oatcake posters past and present- you're like The Cake's very own Rain Man (either that or your computer's covered in Post-it notes!) 😊
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Post by lordb on Jul 22, 2020 18:33:39 GMT
I made the national BBC news which showed me kicking a Vale fan courtesy of the SPACE scheme. They ran a six a side tournament in Wolstanton (down near where ASDA is now), my side made the final. We were amazed when a camera crew turned up to film a bit for a piece they were doing on the scheme as only Staffs were running it and crime dropped during the school holidays unlike everywhere else (funny that...). The final of a cracking tournament was ruined as everyone went all showpony in front of the camera, generally pissing about . The 'fans' watching (players of sides who didn't make the final) were singing 'can you hear us on the box'. Anyway the only bit that was broadcastable was a midfield melee which mainly involved me ignoring the ball and kicking lumps out of my Vale supporting mate who was on the other side.
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Post by lordherefordsknob on Jul 22, 2020 21:05:03 GMT
Anyone else take part in this? Ive no idea how widespread it was or for how long it ran (is it still going) but I had some great times in and around Stoke between 1982 and 1986 It cost something like £5 to join for the summer holidays and for that you got half price/free bus travel (cat remember which) plus free admittance to cinemas, theatres, and sporting events Fondest memories were of the pictures. Both the ABC and the Odeon showed free films to members in Hanley. I saw some great movies there, some of which i saw on the big screen for the first and only times. Police Academy, Krull, Grease II, Star Trek III, Boys in Blue featuring Suzanne Danielle (Plus Cannon and Ball), Empire Strikes Back (film theatre Stoke for that one). I say watched, I was present while they were being projected onto a screen, as it was utter carnage in the cinema, like a scene from a 1950s Hollywood movie where all the cool kids run riot As a child growing up in the north of the city, I had never had the occasion to travel to places like Longton and Fenton before. It got me out and about I think it was the first and only time I went to watch the Vale when not playing Stoke. Unless my mind is playing tricks on me, I saw Vale vs Zimbabwe in 83 or 84. of course we were shouting for Zimbabwe. No idea how that came about? Grobbelaar? any other memories welcome Best film I saw through the space scheme was The last star fighter terrible graphics but one of the best sci fi story lines ever.
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Post by marylandstoke on Jul 23, 2020 11:18:10 GMT
I went on it late 80s early 90s and you go clay pigeon shooting at Whitmore I think. At least these days the kids will have their own guns.
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Post by JoeinOz on Jul 23, 2020 13:36:49 GMT
Anyone else take part in this? Ive no idea how widespread it was or for how long it ran (is it still going) but I had some great times in and around Stoke between 1982 and 1986 It cost something like £5 to join for the summer holidays and for that you got half price/free bus travel (cat remember which) plus free admittance to cinemas, theatres, and sporting events Fondest memories were of the pictures. Both the ABC and the Odeon showed free films to members in Hanley. I saw some great movies there, some of which i saw on the big screen for the first and only times. Police Academy, Krull, Grease II, Star Trek III, Boys in Blue featuring Suzanne Danielle (Plus Cannon and Ball), Empire Strikes Back (film theatre Stoke for that one). I say watched, I was present while they were being projected onto a screen, as it was utter carnage in the cinema, like a scene from a 1950s Hollywood movie where all the cool kids run riot As a child growing up in the north of the city, I had never had the occasion to travel to places like Longton and Fenton before. It got me out and about I think it was the first and only time I went to watch the Vale when not playing Stoke. Unless my mind is playing tricks on me, I saw Vale vs Zimbabwe in 83 or 84. of course we were shouting for Zimbabwe. No idea how that came about? Grobbelaar? any other memories welcome I joined the Police in 1977, Elvis died during my initial training, and took part/ helped organise the first few. My main memories are playing cricket, which seemed like all day in the sun, suffering from heatstroke, playing football, at Northwood I think, and driving the minibus. I started to become involved in youth work in the Boothen area around the same time......In those days " community policing" still existed and we used to walk the beat or have designated areas in the Pandas.Looking back, I think that we probably did just enough community relations in the right way in my opinion......I think that the " taking part " in Pride Days ( in the way it is done) is unnecessary and taking the knee a political step too far. You said that as if Elvis helped organise them as well as dying. 😀
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Post by raythesailor on Jul 23, 2020 15:51:39 GMT
The local Bobby in my village was the coordinator around here. The kids loved him, and as they all grew up and became teenagers or young men and women they all new him , and he them. There was never any trouble at all.
He used the local pub(s) and was affectionately known as The Kindergarten Cop.
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Post by kingdong on Jul 23, 2020 15:52:24 GMT
I joined the Police in 1977, Elvis died during my initial training, and took part/ helped organise the first few. My main memories are playing cricket, which seemed like all day in the sun, suffering from heatstroke, playing football, at Northwood I think, and driving the minibus. I started to become involved in youth work in the Boothen area around the same time......In those days " community policing" still existed and we used to walk the beat or have designated areas in the Pandas.Looking back, I think that we probably did just enough community relations in the right way in my opinion......I think that the " taking part " in Pride Days ( in the way it is done) is unnecessary and taking the knee a political step too far. You said that as if Elvis helped organise them as well as dying. 😀 “Come on Elvis, stop skiving in the fucking toilet!”
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Post by bigjohnritchie on Jul 23, 2020 17:14:41 GMT
I joined the Police in 1977, Elvis died during my initial training, and took part/ helped organise the first few. My main memories are playing cricket, which seemed like all day in the sun, suffering from heatstroke, playing football, at Northwood I think, and driving the minibus. I started to become involved in youth work in the Boothen area around the same time......In those days " community policing" still existed and we used to walk the beat or have designated areas in the Pandas.Looking back, I think that we probably did just enough community relations in the right way in my opinion......I think that the " taking part " in Pride Days ( in the way it is done) is unnecessary and taking the knee a political step too far. You said that as if Elvis helped organise them as well as dying. 😀 I did Joe, when I read it back I thought the same. Just to clarify, as far as I am aware Elvis wasn't involved in the Staffordshire police SPACE events.
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Post by Orbs on Jul 23, 2020 17:37:56 GMT
SPACE was brilliant in the early 80s when I was involved. I also remember going to the pictures (cinema for younger readers) , playing cricket at Cheadle CC and the end event a trip to A Towers. Brilliant scheme.
I was wondering if Elvis trying to organise the cross country around Wetley Rocks and Cellarhead is what finally finished him off?
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Post by swampmongrel on Jul 23, 2020 17:59:15 GMT
Jubilee Baths first thing in the morning. I think they let all the kids in for free but they didn’t bother heating the water up.
Also a roller disco at (I think) John Fisher school. I don’t really remember having skates but I remember being there.
Happy to report I didn’t get bummed so it must have been quite well run.
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Post by Orbs on Jul 23, 2020 18:17:56 GMT
Jubilee Baths first thing in the morning. I think they let all the kids in for free but they didn’t bother heating the water up. Also a roller disco at (I think) John Fisher school. I don’t really remember having skates but I remember being there. Happy to report I didn’t get bummed so it must have been quite well run. Although it would’ve been disappointing if you ticked ‘bumming’ and then it never happened.
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Post by Boothen on Jul 23, 2020 21:03:15 GMT
Remember it well. Think I may still one of the small SPACE cards hanging about somewhere in the attic.
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Post by NassauDave on Jul 24, 2020 3:14:38 GMT
I joined the Police in 1977, Elvis died during my initial training, and took part/ helped organise the first few. My main memories are playing cricket, which seemed like all day in the sun, suffering from heatstroke, playing football, at Northwood I think, and driving the minibus. I started to become involved in youth work in the Boothen area around the same time......In those days " community policing" still existed and we used to walk the beat or have designated areas in the Pandas.Looking back, I think that we probably did just enough community relations in the right way in my opinion......I think that the " taking part " in Pride Days ( in the way it is done) is unnecessary and taking the knee a political step too far. You said that as if Elvis helped organise them as well as dying. 😀 Than you, than you very much.
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Post by LL Cool Dave on Jul 24, 2020 6:08:22 GMT
Jubilee Baths first thing in the morning. I think they let all the kids in for free but they didn’t bother heating the water up. Also a roller disco at (I think) John Fisher school. I don’t really remember having skates but I remember being there. Happy to report I didn’t get bummed so it must have been quite well run. Did all that and can confirmed no bumming took place either. Saw Vice Versa and Short Circuit at the cinema, and also some sports stuff at either St John Fisher or the college. Gentler times. Loved it. I'd hate to be a kid growing up now, knowing how much freedom and fun we had in the 80's.
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