Smashed it! South Shields man broke world egg-throwing record 55 years ago

Let’s have a crack at a really unusual memory which lit up the headlines in South Tyneside 55 years ago today.

It happened at South Shields Foreshore where two men had a crack at the world’s egg-throwing record.

South Shields man Peter Lambert who cracked the world record for throwing an egg in 1971. | sg

placeholder image — South Shields man Peter Lambert who cracked the world record for throwing an egg in 1971. | sg

Armed with five dozen farm-fresh eggs, Peter Lambert and Bill Ross set out to poach the record of 122ft set by New Zealanders Pat Molly and Graham Manley the previous year.

With a cry of “I always wanted to get him between the eyes”, Peter hurled off the first missile - a cracker that was missed by raincoat-clad Billy.

The town’s acting entertainment manager, Eric Wilcock, measured the throw. It was 124ft 11in eggs-actly - a new world record.

Dancing at the Ranch House Club in South Shields 55 years ago. | sg

Perhaps they celebrated with a night at the Ranch House Club.

May in 1971 had lots of other South Tyneside highlights. There was a Thursday night disco with Angela and Heather in the Ranch House Club which was in the ground floor of the multi-storey car park.

The same club put on regular dancing on Fridays and Saturdays, and there was ‘Ballroom Dancing With Lance’ on a Sunday.

Newcastle United FC in 1970 including Jimmy Smith on the front row, far right. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty images) | Local Library

Or maybe you preferred a night at the pictured where Johnny Cash was the feature film at the ABC with admission just 45 pence for a seat in the circle.

However, if you wanted some live entertainment, there was a proper treat in store for football fans.

It was a red-letter day in the history of South Shields Football Club.

Jim Smith, Newcastle United’s £80,000 signing from Aberdeen, was a late inclusion in a North-East select XI taking on the Mariners at Simonside Hall in 1971.

Jim Jinky’ Smith’s appearance was a tremendous draw, with the midfield player being in magnificent recent form for the black-and-whites.

Former Toon striker Ron McGarry, famed for his all-action style, and Sunderland’s Billy Hughes were also heading to Shields to take on a home team including Hughie Watson, John Burn, Geordie Ivey and Ernie Brown.

A crowd of 1,500 witnessed a 4-4 draw.

Why not share your own memories of South Tyneside life in 1971 by emailing [email protected]