Alan was my elder brother by five years
In Mellis
As a man, Alan chose a difficult path through life. Latterly he seemed rather like a warrior who had hung up his sword and shield. It was as if he mellowed in Mellis.
Growing up as brothers
I want to tell you about us growing up as brothers. We were both born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Alan was a war child and knew about air-raid sirens and Anderson Shelters. I came along after the war – I’ve always tried to avoid conflict!
Home was a small but comfortable redbrick flat.
My Bruvva
In a once-popular comedy song called "My Bruvva", an older boy recounted some of the antics of his younger brother. It ended with him saying, "Ere, what’ve you got in your ‘and?" followed shortly after by “Urgh!”
That was a bit like our relationship.
Mam & Dad
Dad was a carpenter and joiner. He gained further practical skills in the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME).
Mam was a trained secretary and a cook both by skill and her maiden name. She also had a good contralto voice and took part in amateur operatics when she could.
There was a strong vein of Methodism in the family. For Alan and I this was to lead to regular church services, Sunday school, youth club, eisteddfods, bazaars and concerts.
Scarborough
When Alan was six and I was one, the family moved to the seaside at Scarborough in North Yorkshire. The purpose was to take over a guest house from Mam’s widowed mother. Suddenly we had the run of ten bedrooms and two attics. There was a large dining room that in winter was good for table tennis or the electric train set.
Practical
Out of season, Dad set about transforming the place. Alan picked up a lot of practical skills from him. I helped by redecorating a bedroom that Dad had just completed. It was just another case of "Wait ‘til you’re older!"
Visitors
There were many folk in our home for the Summer months of the year as well as Christmas. This meant picnics and cricket or rounders on the beach, lots of good food, Friday night sing-songs and scope for holiday romances.
Competitive
As a family we played a lot of cards and boardgames. Alan and Dad used to enjoy chess. Maybe these activities cultivated Alan’s competitive spirit. Maybe the pride of Tyneside and the grit of Yorkshire had something to do with it. We often had play fights. One night he got me in a necklock and I pretended to be dead. Alan got worried, even more so because I actually fell asleep.
Sports
Alan’s strength was in using his arms and hands, mine in using my legs.
The county cricket ground was just down our road. In his youth, Alan was a gifted spin bowler at cricket. Whilst he practised in the nets, I played at running through the groundsman’s sprinkler system.
As an older teenager, he switched to tennis. After he left home, first squash and then golf took over.
Music
Music was important to Alan. He became proficient at playing first the piano and later the organ. Mixed in with this was a short-lived spell as a member of a skiffle group.
Finish
When Alan was 19 he went off to Sheffield University. That is where this part of the story ends. As a youngster I was very proud that Alan was my brother. He in turn was caring and generous towards me right through my life.
It would have been good to have had a few more years with him around.
