Peter Fairbairn
Peter belongs to: Cullercoats RNLI
Peter was born in Simpson Street in Cullercoats. From an early age he wanted to be a fisherman and lifeboatman. Peter fished from a coble, herring drifters and trawlers.
Peter was interviewed by Carl Greenwood on 24 November 2005. The interview took place at the Interviewee's living room and lasted 1 hour, 4 minutes and 38 seconds.
First pay packet
"Pound Notes! So I got paid off with £90 in pound notes and I goes home to my mother and them"
Pound notes! So I got paid off with £90 in pound notes and I goes home to my mother and them, you know, and I’ve got this money and I'm throwing it up a height. My sisters were just bairns, they were all, you know. And I said, “I’m going to buy Cullercoats!”
I, everything was rationed you know, and the seamen got more than anybody ashore, and we got more clothing coupons and more food coupons, but anyway, I think it cost 19 coupons it cost to get a suit made and there was a little tailor’s stall up at Cullercoats and he made me a suit, I think it was £15 for a suit, navy blue, and I felt great, like.
And this was in Cullercoats and then after that I went down to Lowestoft and it was a summer’s day, you know, and I had my suit on, and somebody said, “do you know that suit’s two different colours?” and I said, “never!” It was, it was two different colours. Well, in the dark and that you never noticed. 19 bloody coupons and 15 pounds, and I was working away, I was away for three months so I couldn’t go back to the shop. Anyway, I just let it go.
But I, with the money in your pocket, you’re a rich man, aye, I were a rich boy and I think you started life very early- I was drinking very early, you could buy a pot of tabs with it, you know, tabs were rationed. I think I grew up too quick, just from having money.
Peter has 19 memories in the memorynet:
Peter's memories with a Lifestyles theme:
Growing up in Cullercoats- First pay packet
Peter's other memories:
- The herring drifters
- Following the herring
- Being knocked overboard
- Meals
- Sounds and smells
- Changes in equipment
- Changes at the Fish quay and the in the fishing community
- The RNLI
Photograph of Peter- The herring drifters
- Wheelhouse of the Faithful Star
- Photograph of Peter
- Peter on the Alpha
- The Akede
- Photograph of Peter
- Peter's father
- The Alpha
This memory has these themes:
Clothing | Lifestyles | Living Conditions | Work
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