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Whilst a great deal of Vonnies memories mirror Teds who have been married for over 54 years I think it appropriate that she recall some of her own.

On leaving school, like many young people, finding a job, no matter what was a priority. Von was no different. She started out delivering milk . " Milko " she would shout as she started her round from leaving the dairy near the end of Featherstone Street. She didnt need to know where she was going because "Prince " , the horse that pulled the cart knew every step of the route. The owners family ran a dance school so her fees were paid for with the earnings she would make on the milk round. She would do many shows around the area before going on the bigger stage and national  theatres.

Von would leave Sunderland and travel the country working as a dancer in many of the great theatres and with future stars of the theatre , who in there early years were relatively unknown. One , was of course Ken Dodd.

Unlikely known as working the stage with Von was Roger Moore and Dorothy Squires  who would later become massive stars in a different direction.

Some of her friends at school and in her teens were Joyce Scales , May Orwin , and Patsie Gallagher ( Patricia ). Patsys father was a very well know footballer Patsy Gallagher and lived in Bede Street Roker.