I received the following photographs from Frank Dinsdale and are preceded by a little biography sent by Frank.

'The Life and Times of Frank Dinsdale'

Wot cheer marras (thought I'd be clever and open with some "pitmatic"), which. for the uninitiated is a miner's version of 'Geordie' but enough of that. I'm Frank, the youngest and baby of the Dinsdale family, brought into the world during the Second World War by my good parents Thomas and Sarah. I must be honest and say right away that I was spoilt rotten as a child, as all my siblings were a generation older than myself, I suppose they were happy just to give in to me to keep me pacified. Nevertheless I have fond memories of my childhood years in Wheatley Hill in the 40's, 50's and early 60's they were magical times, unlike nowadays as I'm sure many of you will agree. Pit heaps and quarries were splendid places to play and explore, and with very little traffic on the roads in those days, bikes roller skates and go-carts were far greater fun than TV ( not that anybody had those). School trips and Church outings were eagerly awaited to exotic places like Crimdon, Seaton Carew or Seaburn. I remember starting to go to Church about 6 weeks beforehand just to qualify for the trip then stop going immediately afterwards!!! However the real highlight of the year had to be a the weekend trip to Blackpool and the Illuminations, this entailed a very long journey on a Friday night, a couple of nights stay in a Boarding house, maybe a show or two, visit to the Tower and Circus if you were lucky, all in all far better than Spain or Florida, at least that's how it felt to me. How come it always snowed at Christmas and our six weeks schools summer holidays were always fine and sunny. My bike always came first in summer and my sledge always ready for the winter down Dalton and Liddell Terrace banks were terrific fun and not the least bit dangerous as the buses only ran once per hour and sometimes not even then, then being the only traffic to speak of back then. Sadly unlike Peter Pan I had to grow up, being the youngest I guess much was expected of me and to be honest I really should have done better, however on reaching the tender age of 16 years I left home to follow in the footsteps of my older brother John, cousins Billy and Peter to join the Royal Navy (I would have gone when I was 15 but my Dad wouldn't let me!!). There I stayed for 12 years, seeing a lot of places and things many other people had been unable to. I've been lucky to come so far without harm and I'm grateful for it. I'm still wed to the same girl I met when I was 15 and she was 13 at the Friday night "Hop" held in the Welfare Hall (upstairs) dancing mostly to Rock-n-Roll records or sometimes a local group. I've been lucky enough to have been blessed with two fine daughters and five healthy grand kids, who could ask for more?? I have a family and friends in abundance and proud to be a Dinsdale and not ashamed to boast of being Wheatley Hill born and bred.

Frank starting the Infants School in 1949/50.

Wheatley Hill and Thornley amateur dramatic group circa 1920/30. The man in the back row with the top hat is Frank's Dad Thomas. On the back of the frame for the photograph there are some notes :-

"Half-Plate" and cost 1/- shilling. The name of the play was "The Minister's Wife's New Bonnet".

The following photographs are from Frank's time at Easington Secondary Modern 1956-1961 which includes boys and girls from the local villages. The idea of their presence at this school was so that they could take their GCE's having failed to qualify for 'Grammar' school. The first photograph, taken in 1956 shows Frank 5th from the left in the back row, then David Peaceful (died in a motor-cycle accident on the A19) then Peter Lowe (Wingate lad and very good footballer). David Holmes is next (his Dad drove the 'Tankey' engine at Wheatley Hill pit). Middle row, 1st on the right is Pauline Martin from Thornley, 3rd from the right is Ann Briggs (Wheatley Hill), 4th from the left is Irene Alderton (Wheatley Hill), 5th from the right is Mary White from Thornley who Frank mentions died quite young.

This photograph taken in 1959/60 shows....Back row 1st on the left is 'Tucker' (Tom) Robinson (Wingate) then Frank. Middle row 1st on the right is Mary White (Thornley), 4th from the right is David Holmes (Wheatley Hill). Front row 2nd from the right is Pauline Martin (Thornley) then 5th from the left is Irene Alderton (Wheatley Hill).

Update from Ken Unsworth who lives in Wingate. Third from the right in the middle row is Tom? Goldsworthy from Wingate. First from the left in the front row is Rita? Wylam daughter of Fred Wylam (the chemist in Wingate). Fourth from the left in the front row is ? Gibson, daughter of Gibson's barbers in Wingate. The teacher is Mrs. Goldsborough who used to teach at A.J. Dawsons Grammar School.

The last photograph from Frank is Mrs. Frank Dinsdale......Jacqueline Purvis.

If anyone has further information on these pictures please contact me at cooky08054@comcast.net