Our River Stories: Helen Warriner
Now it’s Helen Warriner’s turn to take us on a trip down memory lane…
“Our River Stories: I was born at Bridge End Maternity Hospital on the banks of the Tyne at Corbridge. My 2 sisters, Jane and Hilary, were born there too and my husband Michael was born at nearby Dilston.
My mum Alma and dad Stan Jobson both came from Newburn on Tyne (as it was then known) and both worked at Spencer’s Steelworks who provided steel for the shipyards.
We lived with my nana Jenny and grandad George Bradney in Newburn for a couple of years before moving to Lemington. My childhood memories are full of days spent outdoors at the burn and riverside in Newburn. My grandad sold fish and travelled relentlessly to the Fish Quay at North Shields on a horse and cart every day to buy his fresh fish.”
“My Uncle Norman was a partner in a shipping firm on Newcastle Quayside and had a pilot cutter ‘Norman Foster‘ (pictured above) named after him in honour of his dedicated service to the industry. His wife Lilian was a volunteer for many years at the Trinity Maritime Centre.
More recently, my son Steven worked on the inspection and commissioning process of an oil rig at the Wallsend docks.
Needless to say we still love our riverside and coastal walks!”
