My name is Patricia Theresa Swallow I was born at 1 Stockton Street Wheatley Hill to John and Florence Carr. I went to Thornily St Godricks Roman Catholic School where I met my husband to be: I attend the Sacred Heart and English Martyrs Church Thornley. During my working life I worked in factories, a chemist and various shops.

On April the 2nd 1956 I married Sidney Swallow a blacksmith at Thornley Colliery. We live in Wheatley Hill we have 2 children a son Peter and a daughter Ann and 3 grandsons. My hobbies are reading, knitting, walking, television and gardening.

In October 1989 I joined the Mothers Club. As well as enjoying ourselves on Wednesday nights we have parties night outs and trips away.

We also fundraise and help other organisations in the village. Especially the children Donating football strips and goal posts and play areas and equipment.

My father was a local bookmaker the punters brought their bet's to our house from where the business was run. He had 4 men standing at various street corners taking bets these men were called bookies runners.

This was before betting shops came into being. He also stood up at the dogs (greyhound stadiums) Spennymoor, Easington, Thornley and Wheatley Hill.

My childhood memories are the street parties to celebrate the end of the war 1945 and my sister taking me to the pictures (The Regal) twice a week on a Monday and Thursday night.

We use to see The Three Stooges, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope and About Costello.