Barbara Gray (nee Clark) (1891-1988)

On the right of this poor quality photograph is Barbara Gray (nee Clark) aged about 58, the tenth child of Barbara Clark (nee Hood) and John Clark. Sitting next to her is her sister Margaret Stafford (nee Clark) aged about 74, and next is Margaret's youngest child Eleanor Stafford aged around 36 - all enjoying a cup of tea on a warm summers day in the early 50's. 

Eleanor Stafford, Margaret Stafford nee Clark, Barbara Gray nee Clark

The three women were on a visit/holiday to Margaret's daughter, Barbara Bull (nee Stafford), Eleanor's older sister. 

I have very fond memories of my Great Auntie Barbara.  She lived at Winlaton and visited her sister Margaret almost every Sunday.  Our family, (my mam and dad, my sister and I) lived opposite Grandma.  We always went over to see Auntie Barbara.  She had twinkling eyes and was gentle and kind, and always had sweets or a present for my sister and I, and, more often than not, she gave us half a crown each, which was a lot of money for small girls at that time. 

A Half Crown piece, worth 2s 6d (UK 12.5p)

I cannot remember meeting any other of my Grandma's brothers and sisters, apart from Barbara Gray (nee Clark) and her children, which were, William, George, John, Olive, Freddie, Jenny and Bobby (I think).   Many years ago, I can remember a visit from what must have been my second cousin, i.e. one of the children of either Olive or Jenny (just can't remember which).  My sister and I got on very well with him, but it was his unusual name Raymond Halfpenny, that stuck in my memory. We never saw him again. 

The only photograph I have of cousins (once removed) is a lovely wedding photograph of Barbara Gray's youngest child, Bobby, and his wife Jean on their wedding day.  I don't know where or when this took place, however, as you can see it was a winter wedding, see the snow on the ground, but they are so happy I don't think the cold was affecting them at all. The wedding would have taken place some time in the 1950s.
   

Original Photograph of Bobby Gray and his wife Jean on their Wedding Day

Just a little restoration, less sepia and took away marks on forehead and sky

When I left school at 15, I went on to Hebburn Technical College taking a two Secretarial course. At the end of the first year I got a holiday job at a small grocers shop in Winlaton.  Every day my Great Aunt Barbara had some lunch ready for me.  I loved the job and I loved seeing her every day.  My memory isn't that good but I do remember the address 1 Store Street Winlaton, and how did I remember - they had a budgie called 'Bobby' who had been taught to say "Bobby Gray, 1 Store Street".