George Cunningham: Characters of Broomhall ~ Part 8

 

Clarence Street taken from "By George! My childhood in Sheffield." Page 90. 1987

Photo: Paul Hibbert-Greaves

 

Illustration taken from taken from "More George! Growing Up: The Story Continues..." Page 119. 1994

Photo: The Hallamshire Press

A Surprise Meeting!

‘I was walking up Clarence Street one dark January evening on my way to fire watching duty at Viner’s, when a familiar voice hailed me from the doorway of a house in Milton Street. ‘Ey up!’ it called, ‘Cum o’er ‘eer will ta?’ It was the dulcet tones of Mrs Gumson, who as I came closer said, ‘Oh, it’s thee Georgie. Ar din’t know who it were in this blinkin’ blackout.’ The living room of the back-to-back house was darker than outside until Mrs Gumson lit a candle after carefully closing the door behind me.’

‘In its flickering light I could see the form of a man half laid in an armchair, with his head back and snoring loudly. ‘It’s a good job ar spotted thi, Georgie,’ whispered the fair lady. ‘Thi art next dooar, an at other side ‘e’s as deaf as a bloody ‘addock.’ She continued, ‘Gas mantle’s bust, ar’v gorra new un, jus purrit on fer me. Wi bein’ s’ tall tha can reach up better than me.’ I took the fragile inverted mantle from its cardboard container and carefully fitted it into the holder. I took the candle and pulled down a chain attached to the pipe. There was a faint hiss, a pungent smell of gas, a plop as it ignited, and the room was bathed in a warm, greeny- yellow light. ‘That’s better,’ said Mrs Gumson quietly, ‘Ar doan’t know wot ar would a’ done if ar an’t seen you passin’.’

Mr Gumson

‘E’s on mornins, an ‘e’s just ‘ad ‘is tea an’ ar din’t want ter wekken ‘im,’ indicating the man in the chair. He was in his fifties, very portly, his unbuttoned waistcoat revealing an expansive union flanelled stomach encircled by a wide leather belt, studded with army cap badges. The heavy jowled face sported a large moustache which, as he exhaled after every snore, fluttered in the breeze like a banner. His hands, comfortably clasped over his stomach, were surprising white and hairless, as were his thick forearms. A large colourful tattoo on one of them intrigued me enough to take a closer look.’

PP. 119- 120, Chapter 25, More George! (courtesy of The Hallamshire Press Limited).

George’s Characters of Broomhall ~ Part 9

The Man and His Art ~ Introduction