My father was from the Yemen and was a merchant seaman. While docked there he met my Mum and they fell in love . My mother was from Glasgow but was visiting her sister who had moved to Shields.
The next time my father was docked in Glasgow he looked my Mother up and they got married in Glasgow in 1935. Although they settled in Glasgow we were frequently taken to Shields to visit my Fathers countrymen and my Mothers sister. I have wonderful memories of South Shields. The visits to Whitley Bay, Walks along the Ocean Road, the Market , Marsden Grotto and Bay.There were of course many Yemeni restuarants in the Laygate and that was always our point of call in Shields.
My Aunt stayed at Bythorne Street, and in Boldon Lane. When her husband died she decided to come back to Glasgow to stay to be near my Mother , but after having being in South Shield for over 50 years she became so homesick that she refused to unpack all of her boxes vowing not to put her china in her display cabinet until she was back 'home' in Shields. Within a year she was back staying in John Reid Street where she saw out the remaining years of her life until she died in 1992.
My Father had died in 1981 and as my Aunt had no family in South Shields I went through to take care of the funeral arrangements. It was with a heavy heart that I left Shields after the funeral. As I surveyed the Laygate and walked around the town remembering the happy childhood memories I cried like a child.
As I saw it there was no need for me to ever return to Shields for although my memories were good yet so sad was I that I left never to return.However I have never forgotten Shields or the great friendly people and I have decided to go for a weekend on September the 26th with my wife for what will be an emotional return to the town where my Mother and Father met and where a part of me will always be.
Here is a poem I wrote:
Mary From Bridgeton
Could anyone please help me find Mary from Bridgeton
We met in South Shields six months ago
I've travelled the world from my hometown of Aden
To search for my Princess here in Glasgow
My English is poor but I'm determined to find her
For we fell in love that day at Tyne Dock
She told me she lived just off the Main Street
At the Cross there's a Toll and above it a clock
The family is well known and soon I am standing
Outside of a close in Acorn Street
I've travelled this far now my hands are trembling
As I knock on the door my heart skips a beat
Now there she is standing , her face like an angel
She beckons me enter then closes the door
Oh Mary , Oh Mary hold me forever
Without me my ship can now leave from the shore
This was the story of how my Ma met my Da
Theirs was a love which crossed a great divide
They raised me and loved me
And when age took its toll passed to the other side
One day I'll return to where it all started
One day I will stand on the banks of the Tyne
Thanking God for this part of His Kingdom
And there raise a toast for Auld Lang Syne
Now I'm reflecting and being nostalgic
Because the years also have caught up with me
As I stand at the top of Marsden Grotto
Closing my eyes my parents I see
Now there they are standing with faces like angels
They beckon me enter their ship on the shore
As we sail away toward the horizon, we say
May South Shields and its people be blessed evermore
Good Memories
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