The nag strikes back
Dear Team
Last week a friend brought me a couple of copies of your great magazine, it was the first time I had heard of it. Imagine how thrilled I was with the picture of the Monsall Pub picnic in 1948, and my Dad stood at the back next to the sign 'Wilson House' He was wearing a dark suit and had his glasses on. He was called Jim Thornton. Sadly he died just six years later age 50. We didn't have many photos in those days but I'm sure my daughter will know how to get this one enlarged. I keep looking at it.
My name is Joan Coombes (was Thornton) and I went to St. Edmund's school. On my first day at "big school" aged seven, a lot of the girls from the top class came over to me to ask me about my brother Jim. He was in the "Big Boys" and apparently all the girls fancied him.
When Jim left school he went delivering milk for Clowes Dairy, He had a horse and cart and when it was school holidays he used to let me go with him. The big thrill was when we got to Conran Street he delivered to Gatellies and I used to get a big ice cream or a milk shake.
Jim called home each day for his breakfast; if he took longer than usual the horse would come down the street and kick the door. Sadly Jim died age 42.
My best friend at school was Norma Miller (now Hayes) We walked to school with our mothers on our first day (age five) and 71 years later we are still friends. We talk on the phone most weeks, of course our conversation has changed from "Where shall we go?" to- "Do you remember when we went to?" We usually manage to have a laugh, she hasn't changed, still loves Chocolate and Shoes!
Thank you for the wonderful surprise at seeing my Dads picture. Maybe someone will remember me and get in touch..
I look forward to getting the Magazine.