Memories of South Shields cinemas and saveloys

Staff in one of Dicksons Pork Shops in November 1983.

A photo, taken on July 15, 1966, showing the manager of the Regent picture house, Mr Ernest More, “reflecting on the closure of the cinema” prompted Laurence Younger to recall two cinemas for which he had a special affection, The Gaumont/Focus and The Savoy, “as I worked as a projectionist in both”.

Paul Rogers said: “The first movie I watched at the Regent, with my older brother, was the Gladiators Seven in the 60s,” while Dianne Grantham Martin told how she “spent every Saturday there, happy memories.”

Billy Smart's Circus parades down Mortimer Road to Brinkburn Recreation Ground.

Ashley J. Wilson’s memories focused on the Palladium, at The Nook, while Glenys Bainbridge spokes of The Crown at Tyne Dock and The Imperial, off Stanhope Road.

Moving on to Dicksons, Suzanne Smith posted how she enjoys: “Roast pork, stuffing, breaded ham, tub of pease pudding and couple of stotties and saveloys for the kids. Can’t beat Dicksons’ pies either. Glad Sainsbury’s here in Warrington are selling their pies now. Just wish they’d sell their peas pudding too because I can’t get it down here.”

Donna Mary Hooper loves “pease pudding, coleslaw, breaded ham, saveloys and stuffing,” while Billy Ord savours “saveloy stottie or mince and onion pies”, while David Rickelton says simply: “Saveloy dip”, echoed by Joyce Richardson who adds “saveloy dip, peas pudding and a pork sandwich.”

Debra Parkin took to social media to say she likes “everything”, while Mark Sanderson champions saveloy dips and Lilian Cottenham “pork sandwiches with stuffing/crackling”.

A photo of Billy Smart’s Circus, taken in Mortimer Road, encouraged Susan Sinclair to say how she remembers the circus coming to town and particularly “the clowns performing, smelly elephants and a lot of noise, but it was an exciting time knowing u were going to see the greatest show on earth!”

Dianne Grantham Martin reveals how she “went to school at Mortimer Road with one of his sons, Coco would give us road safety at school. I loved Davy Crockett the best when they came through the town. Loved the circus as it was”.