General Chat

I worked in the dockyrd for a couple of years in the '70's - and I can hardly recognise the place now-even the little bit that is still a Dockyard!
Spent many a happy lunchtime wandering around the place looking at all the fascinating buildings.
In those days (gosh I'm only 55!), on a Friday, at 4pm, traffic was held up as swarms of 'Dockies' (including me) cycled out of Unicorn gate. All the fascinating pubs that lined the road leading to the gate have since been demolished, it's all very clean and clinical (and souless) now.

Yes, Maggie I worked for Admiralty Expense Accounts from 1956 to 1961, two days a week were spent doing the wages in the dockard. I can still remember having to walk from the main gate (came over on the ferry from Gosport) to the pay room which was over towards the Unicorn Gate and having to pass all the dockyard workers, being whistled at etc. I haven't been back to that part of Portsmouth for years so doubt I would recognise the place. Used to love the atmosphere of all the old houses and pubs. Also used to wander out at lunch times on those days (Thursdays and fridays) and have egg and chips in a little cafe on the corner of (I think) Edinburgh Road.

My OH failed his first driving test when he got tangled up with all the dockyard mateys on bikes coming at him. Nightmare for drivers they used to ride four or five abreast.

Wend * All the nice girls love a tar,
For there's something about a sailor
'cos you know what sailor's are.
Free and easy
Bright and breezy etc etc :-D

Thanks Ann :-D

We're dockyard mateys children,
Sitting on the dockyard wall,
Watching our fathers,
Doing.................................and that will be enough of that I think!

Wend having a father in the RN and then a husband how could I not know the words? :-D

I have one very frightening memory of Pompey.

Could not have been very old, probably about three and we were there after dark. I saw a trolley bus arcing. The picture is still in my mind today.I was terrified.

I'm trying to get intouch with the Ship Anson to see if they will accommodate us.
I love the idea of the buffet but if people don't want to eat much then they will still be charged at £8.50. I'm hoping the Ship have their full menu on and not just Sunday Roasts. that will leave people free to eat as they wish or not if just calling to say hello

WE have been in touch with the Ship Anson thanks Wend.

They are happy to have us there for the whole afternoon / evening
they have the full menu on aswell as their Sunday Roast

so

Sunday 26th FEB around 12pm (lunch time)at The Ship Anson.

for those coming by train or bus you need Portsmouth Harbour station
the Ship Anson is directly across the road.

When is 12pm?

I can't make midnight but noon is possible.

Norty step for you Sharron - for being pedantic ;-)

lol Sharron I often wonder that okay 12 lunch time :-D

I suppose it is pedantic but it does bug me.

It is not a time and it keeps turning up more and more..

Never mind, Sharron - it's 12 noon!

However, if you turn up at midnight, you will have missed the karaoke, but you may be in time to tag onto the Conga going round Portsmouth Harbour . . . . . :-S

It depends what time I get finished on the Guildhall steps.

mmm, yes I know

Wend we are NOT going to be doing the conga around Portsmouth harbour.......... well not unless there are some nice sailors in the front :-D

Any of you remember the Mudlarks, - children who scrambled for pennies thrown down from the ramp by the Harbour station?

Gwyn

Yes, I do Gwyn, used to watch them when I was little and envy them the pennies. Of course not being aware that theyw ere probably very poor, wallowing in the mud seemed fun to a five year old Lol.

There was a film of that name too, remember seeing it.

whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy does it have to be sooooooooooooo far away :(