Happy Hooter memories

IT was very interesting to read recently about the Swindon Works Hooter refurbishment. I worked “inside” from 1957 to 1963 and was one of the first apprentices to be made redundant when Dr Beeching came along with his not so clever ways! I was initially in the V Shop, Welding School, AV Shop and then the L2 Shop to finish my time. They were great times even though I served less years than many.
I remember the mornings as we headed towards the main entrance with all workers converging together and the greetings in the old Swindon/Wiltshire dialect... “Mornin’ Bert … how be?” “Not bad Sam, how bist thee?”, “It’s a cold un enit!” Some people would envisage the old country bumpkin from that, but most of those bumpkins had great skills that many did not possess.
I remember as a young man being queried by older workmates on a Monday morning.
“What were you doing on Chippenham Station on Saturday morning”?
“How did you know that”?  “Ah…you were seen.” “Who by?” “Mother art.”
Another time I was questioned “Who was that young wench you were talking to in Woolworths on Saturday”?    “Who saw me?” “Mother art.”
It always seemed to be that someone saw me in various places - Swindon, Purton, Weston, Weymouth, or Chippenham - but one never admitted who saw me, preferring to remain anonymous but adding that it was ‘Mother art’ who saw me. “She gets around, says nothing. but sees a lot!”
Can any older guys from Inside tell me who Mother art was?
Another reminder from way back was the Rewind article of Mrs Meriel Spencer who won a cooking contest and was shown feeding Don Moss. I knew her well! Meriel was a fantastic lady who lost a courageous battle in 2011 but was a person you would not forget. What a pleasure it was to see her picture in the ‘Adver’ again!   It brought back memories of ‘Good Times’, as the article about the ‘Hooter’ did.
Well Done to the ‘Adver’!  Just keep reminding us of things