Writers Together - York Creative Writing Group

Jean Wilkinson

Since very young Jean has kept some sort of account of her daily life. She used anything to hand, usually exercise books.

In the early 1990s she did some family research, writing a lot of letters by hand. This improved her writing skills.

In the mid 1990s Jean joined a women’s writing group. She says, “It was the best thing I could have done. Writing is a big part of my life now, it fulfills me.”

Nostalgia

The 1950s

The Corner Pin

The 1950s

This was the first decade after WW2. It was my growing up time. A favourite meeting place then was Russell’s cycle shop in Clifford street (now a café) another was Modelia, a ladies fashion shop. It was on the corner of Parliament street & Pavement. A bank is now on this site. The main source of entertainment then was the cinema.

There were 10 cinemas in York. The Rialto in Fishergate (now no more) this was a cinema & also a venue for the big bands. It really was a big night out to go and see the bands you had only heard on the radio. The Regal cinema was in Piccadilly where M&S furniture shop is now. The Picture House was in Coney Street, now W H Smith stationers. The Tower cinema was in New Street, now part of BHS. St George's in Castlegate the front façade still remains; it is now some sort of tourist shop. Some of these buildings were very splendid indeed. No expense was spared. The Electric in Fossgate with its majestic marble pillars, now flanking the front of MacDonald’s furniture shop. The Grand in Clarence Street, a car park & houses are on this site now. The Odeon is the only remaining cinema in York, though the layout inside is completely unrecognisable. Clifton cinema is now a bingo hall. Above the cinema was a ballroom. It was here I learned the first rudiments of dancing, preparing myself to trip the light fantastic at some of the many dance halls in York. Last, but by no means least The Regent cinema in Acomb sixpence to go in on Saturdays!

I became completely enthralled with all the stars. I would send letters off to the studios in Hollywood asking for a signed photograph of my latest heartthrob. The Teddy boy craze hit York in the early fifties. This fashion was aimed mainly at teenagers. The lads wore long drape jackets in all colours, black shirts with a boot-laced tie, thick crepe soled shoes (brothel creepers) Hair combed into a DA. The girls would wear short swagger jackets & drainpipe trousers; with flat ballerina styled shoes & would carry a small clutch handbag, hair styled into a DA with the help of brylcream.

This was about the time when I first ventured onto the dance floor; it was a bit hit & miss sometimes, depending on your partner! However I managed to get round without making a fool of myself! The De Grey rooms with its chandeliers & sweeping staircase up to the dance floor. Alas it is a Tourist Information centre now. The Albany in Goodramgate with its sprung floor. Bon Marche occupies this site now. The Drill Hall in Colliergate now part of Barnitts. It all seems a bit sad to recollect the passing of these grand institutions. I hope you have enjoyed this trip with me down memory lane.

The Corner Pin

If I had got through the week without displeasing my Grandmother, my uncle would give me a Saturday sixpence. I would usually spend it at Mr Carr’s sweet shop. Inside the shop there were rows of glass jars on shelves, all of them full of sweets. The price was clearly marked on the outside of the jars. It was 4 old pennies for a quarter of unwrapped sweets & sixpence a quarter for wrapped ones.

Pressing the brass latch on the heavy shop door, bells above would summon Mr Carr from the back of the shop. He was born with one leg shorter than the other, and wore heavy laced boots, one of them had to be built up with a very thick sole.

I would stand in the shop waiting to be served, listening for the squeak of Mr Carr’s boots on the highly polished lino. He would stand patiently behind the counter while I made my choice of sweets. I would usually go for a mixture it was more interesting. He would carefully lift the jars down from the shelf. Then tip the sweets into the brass scoop on the scales, taking a sweet off and replacing it with a smaller one until the correct weight was reached. The sweets were then slowly tipped into a small white paper bag the sides neatly folded in.

This process never changed. I would watch intently, impatient to be off to sample my purchase. Mr Carr’s round shiny face always had the same kindly expression. Though I can never remember him speaking to me. As I left the shop I would listen for the squeak of his boots as he went back to his room at the back of his shop.

Writers Together is a creative writing group based at St George's Methodist Church, Tang Hall, York

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