John Parker Clasper
Born in 1944, John lived with his family in the upstairs flat at No. 18 Strathmore Terrace, his grandparents living in the bottom flat at the same address.
John’s father, James W. Clasper whose family were from Burnopfield had initially worked at the Lilley Drift but later came out of the pit to became a dirver, having obtained his licence whilst in the army.
John’s mother, Annie Laing was from nearby High Spen. In addition to cleaning the shop at No. 2 Burnopfield Road, Annie also served at the nearby British Legion Club known locally as ‘the Woppies’ which was run John’s grand-parents Jimmy and Aggy Clasper. As a young lad John recalls sitting in the bar at the Woppies talking to the old men there on occasions when his mother would take him to work with her.
John’s mother, Annie Laing was from nearby High Spen. In addition to cleaning the shop at No. 2 Burnopfield Road, Annie also served at the nearby British Legion Club known locally as ‘the Woppies’ which was run John’s grand-parents Jimmy and Aggy Clasper. As a young lad John recalls sitting in the bar at the Woppies talking to the old men there on occasions when his mother would take him to work with her.
The 'Woppies'
When working as a young lad, the Woppies was also a popular Sunday morning haunt of John’s: “There was a room downstairs where people could get up to sing in exchange for a couple of pints” he recalls. John even once got up to sing himself, having been nagged into it by his friend Wally Robson, a deputy at Barcus Close. ‘Just wanna be your teddy bear’ was the song he sang.
People used their own talents to entertain each other John recalls, his uncle Arnold Carter being a fantastic singer. “There was also Bob Fairless – he never had a piano lesson in his life but played in all local clubs and pubs, delighting many an audience”.
John also recalls there was a shed behind the Woppies where Jimmy Balls, the grocer who had a fruit and veg shop on Burnopfield Road, kept his pony and his stock.
A close-knit community
Many people living in the Bottoms were related. John’s family had lots of relatives in the other streets and amongst his many good neighbours, John recalls the Ling, Simpson, Fairless, Foster, Caygill, Gosling and Hagen families.
John fondly remembers ‘Aunty Margie’ who lived in the street just opposite and who would often make a "geet big pan of broth". When John and his friends asked if they could have some, “Wey aye” came the answer- but they all had to run home to their mothers first to get themselves a plate as Margie didn’t have enough plates to go round.
A bowl of soup was also the reward John and his friends would get from the local café owner when as ‘youngins’ they would take her the coke they’d collected from the line.
In addition to the café and Mr. Balls' fruit and veg shop, John remembers there being a fish and chip shop and a grocer's on Burnopfield Road.
In addition to the café and Mr. Balls' fruit and veg shop, John remembers there being a fish and chip shop and a grocer's on Burnopfield Road.
Work and moving on
By the time John reached working age, South Garesfield pit was no longer in operation. In December 1959 when John turned 15 he left school on the Friday and started work on the Monday at nearby Barcus Close Colliery.
Once the Bottoms were due to be demolished, John’s family was one of first to move out. This was on account of his father and sister being of ill-health, having earlier had tuberculosis.
When the family moved to Whinfield Terrace on the ‘New Estate’ in Highfield, John recalls his mother being very happy at the comforts of a modern house for their new home had not one toilet but two! Both inside toilets with flushing water! At the Bottoms going to the toilet in the winter had always been a bit of an ordeal – dashing across the back yard with a shovel of coal from the fire in your hand…
John didn’t regret the move from the Bottoms for long as shortly afterwards all his friends from Bottoms joined him either on the ‘New Estate’ or the top of Highfield.
John didn’t regret the move from the Bottoms for long as shortly afterwards all his friends from Bottoms joined him either on the ‘New Estate’ or the top of Highfield.