I was born at 148A Hessle Road, above Nobby’s betting shop. The tree we all used to lark out in is still there but not the house. When they demolished it, they moved us to Humber Buildings and then to Orchard View. Me Mam’s still there. In that first flat we had one cold running tap. We went to the slipper baths on Madeley Street once a week and I’ve seen some photos of when I was little and I’m not sure I went that often! Me Mam did her washing at the Wash House just over there. Humber Buildings was amazing, we had a bath.
At school I was into Rock and Rockabilly. My knuckle tattoos were from then, I did them myself. I had more of them up me arms but got them covered over by King Arthur, and Johnny Betts covered a few and also I got a few from a lad called Gary. This one’s for me wife Elaine, we’ve been married since 1981. The Homeward Bound one, a lot of fishermen had that. I landed, had a good drink and thought “Yes I’ll get that one”. I’ve got Elvis here and Eddie too. I did Eddie myself as a kid, it was supposed to be Eddie Cochran, but it hurt, so I left it as Eddie. I’ve spent years looking for a mate called Eddie!
I’ve been a fisherman, but I only got the last 3 or 4 years of that. Then I trained to be an electrician and then I went back DJ-ing for the clubs and bars. I‘m more or less semi-retired now and only do Ryders every Wednesday and Sunday. Wednesdays I go on after Ric Owen has finished his spot. As resident DJ/Karaoke I try to keep the night going as long as possible, and to get them dancing. I love the people in Ryders and know what people like. As a DJ you are always trying to read the room and put on the appropriate music. People say I’m good at what I do. I really enjoy being with people.
When the ship I was on in my fishing years got sold, it went to New Zealand and I was offered, along with all the crew, to go for work. I didn’t go, alot did, but many came back because they missed Hull. I didn’t go because I knew I’d be too homesick. I’m a home bird. I say “I’ll go anywhere in the world as long as I’m home for me tea”.
