Alex Hastie
Alex belongs to: Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade
Alex joined the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade in 1950. He is now the Brigade's chairman. Alex worked as a fish merchant on North Shields Fish Quay and is chairman of the Fishermen's Mission.
Alex was interviewed by Carl Greenwood on 15 February 2006. The interview took place at the interviewees's living room and lasted 29 minutes and 48 seconds.
Joining the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade
"I joined just out of curiosity really"
I joined just out of curiosity really. It’s one of these things that you, well, you’ve been down to the house, you’ve seen what it’s like. I was passing just with a pal of mine, look through the windows- this was the windows on the side, and the strange thing was there were all these old men inside, old men you know, about 40 years old, much less than what I am now, not playing with ropes but handling ropes and one of them came out and dragged us in and said, “come in and have a look, son,” and of course we went in and had a look. And he said, “now if you’re interested we’re having a practice,” and he gave us the date, “come down and we’ll show you what we do.”
This is exactly what we did, the only trouble was the practice that they had was in January, it was December when we saw them practicing. 18 inches of snow, and they hauled the gear out in Collingwood’s Field. Why I joined then I don’t know but I stayed, I stuck it out you know. And enjoyed it and met some really very nice people.
Alex has 11 memories in the memorynet:
Alex's memories with a Traditions theme:
The gansey
Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade ganseyAlex's other memories:
This memory has these themes:
Community | The North East | Training | Volunteering
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