I used to get myself a large cup of tea and nestle in a pile of cushions on my windowsill on Paddy's night in Northampton. I lived directly opposite the Volunteer (vague Irish connection there, eh, ummmm ?) and the Irish Centre. The hours around kicking out time were some of the funniest I've ever witnessed..........:o)
I must admit I don't think I can picture your Dad.
I remember Patsy and his extraordinary voice...............:o)
One year a woman was thrown out of the Irish Centre. She tried to get back in by hammering on the door with her stiletto heel...........until it got stuck in the door ! Then she took off the other shoe and continued to hammer away until that got stuck, too. I watch her stagger off into the night barefoot..........
Yes.........and opened the curtains one night to see what all the kerfuffle was only to see the bomb squad going into the Irish Centre. The bobby on my side of the road advised me to close the curtains and stay to the back of the flat...........:o)
I was still there when Trade Carpets burnt down.........moved in 1995.