As soon as the toilets moved inside and everyone got automatic washers, there was nothing to go outside for anymore.
With terraced houses there were wash-houses and toilets outside, so everybody met in the yard. As soon as the toilets moved inside and everyone got automatic washers, there was nothing to go outside for anymore. We used to help each other then, if someone was ill we did their washing or baking. If it was raining you would go into someone’s backyard and take their washing in and fold it all up. They wouldn’t do that now.
I was born and lived in Coronation Street, North Shields, and I’m very proud of it. It was two rooms, a little kitchenette and wash-house. It was number 60 and had a direct hit during the war, but nobody was killed. When I heard about it, I just bubbled my eyes out, I really did.