I’m still friendly with some of them now.
I joined the Girl’s Brigade at St Paul’s Church, Whitley Bay when I was about ten years old. On special Sundays we had to go to Newcastle for a parade and service. I often see people even now from those days. Sometimes I would be adventurous and, after leaving the City Hall, I would have permission to go to the Central Station and take the train to my second home in Blaydon. I was always taken back to the station to catch the electric train back to Whitley Bay. The seats on the train had covers of woven straw.
A new vicar came to St Pauls, and it became very high church. He lived in the vicarage beside the church where the shops are now. The school was pulled down to make way for Hotspur Hall. The Girl’s Brigade had to meet in the church hall but the new vicar closed the hall to the Brigade. Obviously, he did not approve of us. He made life very uncomfortable for our Captain. Lots of tears were shed at the last meeting as we had all enjoyed the Brigade.