TOPICS

Life in the Shipyards These interviewees bring the sounds, smells, sights and feelings of a number of different jobs to life - whether they were high in the cranes or down in the depths of the ships hull, they tell all.

Shipyard Jobs So many started the Monday after the Friday they left school - we hear of the trials, pains and laughter that started and ended their working life in the shadow of the cranes.

Working Conditions in the Yards The conditions were hard. Winters are recalled with a twinge of agony - the freezing morning walk through the gates to the long physical days. It was the "making" of a man - and woman.

Workmates All work and no play is no good thing. And here we see and hear of the fun that broke the monotony and agony of the job - even, sometimes at the expense of the management!

Shipbuilding Communities Almost every family in the area had a connection with the yards and the communities were strong. Memories come flooding out of school, apprenticeships and jobs - life on the street was different then.

Health and Safety Shipbuilding was not a safe job. With the inherent dangers of steel welding, riveting, slinging and craning came the accidents. Many had seen their mates die, and many have the scars still to show.

Changes in the Shipyards Technology marches on, and with it, industries change. The Wallsend yards felt the wind of change blow hard in the 20th Century, with many workers recalling their jobs coming to an end.