The stuff of nightmares when I was a bairn but now a memento of Shields amusements
Readers have shared their memories of a laughing doll from years gone by.
Whether you were scared of him as a child or loved to see him laugh, it appears many have memories of the iconic laughing sailor at the amusements, in South Shields.
Now housed as South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, on Ocean Road, the Laughing Sailor Arcade machine still greets visitors with his slightly creepy laugh.
We shared a brief video of him via the Shields Gazette Facebook page that prompted many to recount years gone by.
This is what you had to say:
Geoffrey Urwin: “The stuff of nightmares when I was a bairn but now a memento of Shields amusements.”
Sheila Robinson: “I loved the laughing sailor, but my late sister used to scream.”
Brenda Cupryna: “I remember this at the amusements along near the Pier.
Adele Young: “Eee god I used be be creased at this.”
Gail Roughead: “My little brother was scared of this.”
Decka Smiler: “Spent many of a penny standing watching the Laughing Sailor - always made my day.”
Nicola Robertson: “My brother used to be petrified of these when they were in the arcade.”
Audrey Gillespie: “He was outside Dotts Amusements on the way to the beach, I loved him.”
Lesley Wright: Remember him well, a real childhood memory.”
Louise Burrell: “I remember when this was in the Pier Amusements - those were the days.”
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