The newsagent closest to the Town Hall, on the opposite side to Strickies, was 100% definitely the one that became Country News. It was the biggest of the three, and had all the birthday cards etc at the back. But I think it was called Newsfare in the 1980s, you’re right. Definitely in that location, though, and it was open until about 2002, possibly slightly later. It’s now a dedicated card and gift shop, and the photo shop and the ice cream parlour are the next two shops along.

The one down by the chippy was the little one called Robinson’s. This was the small one, and it moved sometime in the mid-80s to a similarly small unit closer to the Town Hall. So it and Newsfare were only a few doors apart. It was a bit darker and pokier though, and the counter faced the door as you walked in.

And yep, No 3 was on the corner of Fairfax Court. The little alleyway with Roy Lewis’ hairdresser. When I ran Yarm Records, I used to go there lots for magazines and chocolate. It closed very suddenly in about 1997/98, and is now an expensive-looking clothes shop (but then most clothes look expensive to me, I dress like Seasick Steve)

And yep, Maynards was in Stockton, exactly where you describe it!

I still have th Neverending Story Book which my dad got me one xmas. I never got to finish reading it which was bizarre. I think because there was a really traumatic bit which had me bawling for ages!

We had non uniform day and if you went in fancy dress, you didn’t have to pay. My friend and I dressed up-her as a french maid and me as a clown (proper outfit from a fancy dress shop). I think we were the only 2 people in the whole school in fancy dress-somewhat embarrassing haha!

Let’s be honest – in the last 18 years I haven’t spent more than 30 days total in Yarm. I think my memory may fade or confusion may hit me from time to time. But I do recall getting the odd quarter of midget gems from Newsfare – before they changed to those soft jelly things. Where did the full power liquorice black ones go ?

Yeah I agree, the traditional family game show seems to be on its last legs, which is ironic as – back in 1984 – I seem to remember constant complaints from the media (and ‘Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells’) that TV was far too full of them.

It’s all celebrity panel shows these days. But I prefer the fun of screaming ‘It’s Sir Francis Drake!!! Come on, YOU MUST KNOW THAT!!!!’ to blokes from Aldershot sporting brown moustaches and Pringle sweaters. Things like Hole In The Wall don’t really interest me because I can’t join in!

Eggheads is my cheesy game show pleasure these days. I love it.

How’s that for a catchphrase?

I used to love Bob’s Full House. My Dad applied to go on it (following his dismal showing on Winner Takes All) and went to go to an audition thing, but he never ended up appearing in the end. I think that the dates clashed with his work or something. Monkhouse was a master at this sort of show and his patter at the start was just as entertaining as the quiz itself. I used to love how he used to cheat by helping the contestants and how he got the audience involved too.

Is it just me or do you just not get game and quiz shows like that any more? These days they all seem to be based on the dark studio / / blue lighting / menacing music type lines. Saturday evenings are the perfect time for something like Bob’s Full House, but instead we get Hole in the Wall. Hell, I even used to enjoy the Paul Daniel’s fronted shows like Every Second Counts. I say that we need a return to the traditional telly game show!

I think I slipped a couple of ‘bloody’s into conversations when I was about 17, realised neither of my parents batted an eyelid, and have never worried about swearing in front of them ever since.