Cultureshock

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Video transcript

I lived in Seaton Lane from 1955 until 1969. There was a good community spirit on the estate. My biggest and most vivid memory is the visit of the Community Midwife. I come from a large family and she made a lot of visits to our house. The local shop in Calcutta Grove would let us use their phone to ring her. She would arrive on her bike, carrying a black bag. We had to leave the house when she arrived and go to neighbours’ houses. Gran, aunties and friends would stay and help Dad. When we returned we would hear the cry of a new born baby. 

The community would all help with cooking, washing, ironing and helping Dad run the house.

The summers at Seaton seemed to go on forever, playing games for days on end; football, cricket, Kick the Tin, Nicky Nicky Nine Doors, Block and Skips….these were just a few of the games we played.

A lady on the estate used to walk to Seaton Beach and when all the children found out, we would ask our parents if we could go. Jam sandwiches and water for our dinner; what a treat!

I attended Golden Flatts School, which is still open; my senior schools, Park Road and Lister Street, both were demolished.

My Mam and Dad helped run Seaton Football Club in the '60s. They also reopened the Youth Club; it had a snooker table and a room where you could listen to music. It also had a snack bar where you could buy XL crisps – they were so popular – Dad couldn’t keep up with the demand.

Seaton Baths were another popular place to go and I also used to go to the Skating Rink on the Sea Front and spend hours trying to skate backwards and trying to learn other moves.

My parents, especially dad, used to tell us stories about when they were young; we would all sit around the coal fire at night and the laughter filled the air. Because I had 6 brothers, our house was always filled with boys….it was a case of “If you can’t beat them, join them!” – so needless to say, I was a tomboy.

I left the Seaton Lane Estate when I married in 1969 and I moved to the other side of Hartlepool. Because it was a terraced house and because I didn’t know anybody, as well as people keeping themselves to themselves, there was no community spirit.

Seaton lane was demolished between 1985 and 1986. 

It was a community I will never forget.