‘On The Beat’

A drama based on the ‘Quayside 1854’

(Pupils enact the role of police cadets on their first visit to the Quayside)

(The children are outside the ragged school waiting for the teacher to arrive. They are playing games and talking).

Scene 1

(Some of the children from the ragged school are outside the police station waiting for their teacher to arrive- she/he has heard about the recruitment and wishes to interrupt the meeting to talk about why they shouldn’t sign up for the police force).

(A Police Officer comes out of the guildhall and sees the children. All of the children go quiet except Jack who doesn’t see the policeman approach him).

Jack: I’m sick of these police always giving us trouble. I’d show them a thing or two (punching and kicking the air)!

Duke (the policeman): (Clips Jack) We’ll have less of your lip or it’ll be the cells for you sonny. Don’t I know you?

(Jack runs behind the others and they laugh at him quietly).

Duke: What you doing here?

Child 1: We’re here because the teacher….

Jack: Shut up

Child 2: Well we’re just erm…..just playing here.

Duke: What, all of you? (looking at the audience)

Jack: Na, we don’t know them.

Duke: Ah, you must be the new recruits then, just wait here quietly. I’ll be back in a moment.( Grabs hold of Jack by the scruff of the neck.) And you lad less of your cheek. Or I’ll clap you in the cells.

.Jack: (Coughs loudly).

Child 2: Eeuucchh! You’ve got the cholera. Mary Hymers has visited you.

Jack: No she hasn’t. That stupid peeler nearly garrotted me!

Child 3: Little Peter saw Mary Hymers over there theother day. (to children) Have you seen her? If you have that means you’ve got the cholera.

Jack: No it doesn’t.

Child 3: Peter say’s her fingers were all blue and she had sick all over her.

Child 1: Who’s Mary Hymers?

All: What?

Child 2: What? You’ve never heard of Mary Hymers?

Child 1: (Embarrassed) No!

Jack: Well, she was one of the first known people to die of cholera down here and her ghost is said to haunt these streets passing on the cholera disease by placing a black spot on your back. (secretly takes out a piece of black stuff and places it on his back)… Like this!

Child 1: (screams) Hey! Stop that! (They start a scuffle. Police officer comes back out)

Duke: Oi, I’ve telt you kids before, clear off! I’m sorry to keep you waiting but the superintendent is in an important meeting.

Smith: Are these the new recruits? The super said we need to bring them in straight away. (To audience) If you would like to follow me.

(He brings them into the police station.)

(Stephens and Police officer playing cards for money as the children come in. Unknown to Stephens Jones has brought the children in).

Stephens: Right Jones, I win. Time to pay up, remember that little wager we had?

Smith: Er, Sir…?

Stephens: What is it Smith? Can’t you see I’ve business to do?

Smith: But sir, you said to tell you when…

Stephens: I said shut-up Smith or I’ll dock you a day’s pay. So Jones what is it going to be? Pay me back that little wager or back in the workhouse?

Jones: But sir, that’s more than a year’s wages for me.

Stephens: But Jones, that’s not my problem. A bet is a bet. Pay up by the end of this week or else.

Smith: Er, sir….

Stephens: What Smith, what is it?

Smith: Sir, the children have arrived.

Stephens: Idiot, why didn’t you tell me they had arrived?

Smith: I, err…did…sir.

Stevens: Don’t back answer me lad or it’ll be duty for you down the cholera streets!

Smith: Yes, sir I mean, no sir…. Er, I’ll shut up sir.

Stephens Good. Well! New recruits. Excellent! And which part of Newcastle are you from then? (They answer) Ah, I see, a bit scrawny for my liking but you’ve got potential. Right recruits, listen up. We of the quayside patrol of the Newcastle-Gateshead Police Force demand one thing; and that is DISCIPLINE! Isn’t that right Smith… Smith… SMITH!

Smith: (checking the audience for Nits and Typhus) Yes sir. Oh er, sorry sir, just checking for nits and any

other infectious diseases sir.

Stevens: There’s only one nit around here Smith and I’m looking right at him. However you are quite correct. The Force depends on discipline and cleanliness. Right, lets put them through their paces. Now as you know it is 1854 and the streets down Sandgate, the Quayside can be particularly treacherous… That means dangerous for all you dim wits. Newcastle-Gateshead police need your help in ridding the streets of hooligans, ragamuffins and beggars. We will be going out on the beat today so you have to keep your wits about you. Test 1. Let’s see how good you are at estimating height. Pass this test and you’ll make a policeman. Right, you’ve got one minute to line up in order of height from tallest (points at tall police man), to medium, down to smallest. Right, Duke, Smith and Jones, off you go.

(Exercise takes place, whistle is blown at the end. Smith is in the wrong place)

Well done every… Smith, how tall are you?

Smith: Well me mam always said I was a big strong lad ‘cos I ate all me dinner.

Stevens: Aye, all you’ve had to eat is fish heads. Your brains turned to blubber alreet.

Smith: Yes sir.

Duke:

Now, the reason for putting you in order of height is to check your sizes for your uniforms.If you decide to sign up to the service we’ll be issuing you with uniforms. You’ll pay £8.00 per year for the benefit. (to another police man). Show them the chart. Now don’t think you can get away without paying the charge some of you here, because you will be immediately arrested and charged with impersonating a police officer.

Duke:

Stephens: Now you know the costs let’s talk about the benefits and what the job entails. You there (picks on a member of the audience) What’s your name? (They say their name) Good, a good honest name right, Have you got a job? No, well this city needs you. Victoria police need your help in ridding the The streets are full of hooligans, garotters and pick pockets, or tax and rent evaders to you and I! Jones!

Jones: If you see anyone looking out of their windows, check that they have paid their window tax.

Stevens: And what do you do if they haven’t?

Jones: Hit them over the head with your truncheon sir!

Stevens: NO! Dishonourable scoundrels, what do we do with them?

Smith: Give them a job in the police force?

Stevens: NO! Right, test 2. First of all you must learn how to arrest a dishonourable scoundrel walking down the

1 Frock coat yearly2 Pairs of trousers yearly1 Silk stock yearly1 Top coat every alternate yearAllowance for boots and shoes1 Hat

£2. 7. 0 £2. 0. 0 £0. 2. 6 £1. 3. 0

£1 .13. 0£0. 14. 6

£8. 0. 0

street (Again picks out a member of the audience). You! What is your name? (Name) Good, could you kindly assist me in a re-construction… Jones… you can be the dishonourable scoundrel…

Jones: But…

Stevens: Smith, you can be a lady in distress.

Smith: Oh sir, why me?

Stevens: Cos you’re a big softy.

Smith: A what sir?

Stevens: Nowt! Just stand over there and shout ‘Help’.

Smith: What for sir?

Stevens: Exactly! Hmmm. I wonder what the poor lady has had stolen. Any ideas from the recruits?

Stevens: Right, we need a police officer.

Duke: What about me sir?

Stevens: Thank you Duke. You’ll do.

(They re-enact a re-construction of a pick pocketing on the street with the children helping to think of solutions to solve it)

Mr Bertram Ah, Mr Stephens, I have a little problem for which I need assistance. That little ragamuffin Billy Fitz has ran off again. This is the third time in a week and this time I want him clapped in irons do you hear me?

Stevens: I don’t quite know what you’re getting at sir?

Mr Bertram: That apprentice you sent to me nigh on a month ago has been nothing but bother. I’m a very busy man and cannot continue to train apprentices who do not want to be there. I give these ragamuffins the chance to get out of the workhouse and what do they do? Run off with my best pocket watch and my spare key to the factory.

Stevens and police: Your what and the what?

Stevens: Duke, go and send some police officers over to the slums to track him down.

Duke: But sir, that’s Cholera country.

Stevens: Just do it! We’ll have this little scallywag clapped in irons by the end of this day or my name’s not Superintendent Stevens.

Smith: What is your name sir?

Stevens: Watch your lip sonny.

(Smith tries to look at his lip)

Stevens: Right now that’s sorted if you will excuse me sir, I have some new recruits to show around the Quayside.

Mr Bertram: Er, no, with all due respect Mr Stevens, I expect to be compensated for my loss. Perhaps I can take one of these people here. (He grabs one of the children near) You’ll do, you look strong enough to me.

Stevens: But Mr. Bertram, these people are to be recruited into the Newcastle-Gateshead Police Force.

Mr Bertram: But I am Charles Bertram, proprietor of Bertram and Spencer’s Warehouse. A much more respectable occupation I think you’ll agree than a common police officer? Ten a penny in my book! Quayside? You best have your have wits about you today with this police force. Ha Ha Haaaa! May I point out that the conditions at my factory are very good and I am willing to take on new apprentices if they are willing to work hard. All for 2 shillings a day. A good, honest and safe job.

Stevens: Safe? With all those chemicals, long hours and poor rates of pay? Enough of this! Your thief is getting away and we need to stop him! Good day to you sir.

Mr Bertram: I don’t think you can get rid of me that easily Superintendent, perhaps I could join one of these groups myself and see if there are any potential apprentices.

Stevens: Well….

Bertram: That’s sorted then. I will join this group here. These look like good strong stock. (He joins Smith’s group) But in the meantime I want you to apprehend that scoundrel Billy Fitz and get my keys back. This is his description (He gives out two bits of paper with a description of the runaway to Stevens)

Stevens: (Gives them to Duke and Smith) Here you two, keep your eyes out for this renegade on your beat today. We’ll catch him don’t you worry Mr Bertram.) Right! Test 3. Let’s see how you cope on the streets of Newcastle’s quayside. Take not of what is happening and report

back to me. You’ll all be recruits at the end of this day… mark my words…..

(They all leave and see the demonstration outside)

Scene 2

9Outside there is a demonstration taking place with the teacher of the ragged school, Children with placards )

Child one: Rights for poor! Abolish the Workhouse!

Child 2: Free education for all!

(They continue their demonstration)

Stevens What’s going on here Mrs Edwards? Please remove these children before they are arrested

Mrs Edwards - Teacher Good afternoon officer, I hear you are attempting to recruit these children into the Newcastle-Gateshead Police Force. I believe these children would benefit so much more from a good knowledge of basic skills from the ragged school. Hope I’m not interrupting anything. Are these children ready for my school?

Duke No they certainly are not! These children are new recruits for the police force.

Teacher Nothing good will come from joining the police force.

Stevens I see your game Mrs Edwards trying to undermine Newcastle-Gateshead police force. Well you won’t get away with it. We need law and order on these streets to keep people like you safe. Don’t you know the Quayside is a dangerous place to be? Thieves and vagabonds lurking in every corner.

Teacher: If you looked a closer Superintendent Stevens you’ll find most of the people who live and work down here are hard working people. They need to be helped not persecuted. I saw your men beating this young boy the other day. Is that really necessary?

Stevens: Duke, do you want to reply to that?

Duke Aye well sir, the boy probably deserved it. I saw him breaking into a house along the way

Teacher But… that is where he lived…

Jones Hold your tongue! Unless you want to be locked up for the night for aiding a felon!

Teacher Are you afraid of what I have to say Superintendent. Perhaps if I spoke to the children about what happens at the ragged school they can make their own minds up. Perhaps they would like to come with me.

Smith Hang on there just a minute! You have no right to come down here and change the ideas of these ‘potential law keepers’. (wink’s and smiles at children)

Teacher Have you heard about the ragged school? Would you like to hear about it?

(The children say ‘yes’)

Teacher Well, at the Garth Heads Ragged School there are dormitories for 140 boys and 60 girls. You will be given a good hot meal every day and supplied with clean clothes. You will be taken care of. All we ask of you is that you can use your skills and talents to help the children of the school to learn and better themselves. If all goes well, they will succeed in life; they may even gain an apprenticeship with local businesses and trades. We are giving the poor and needy children a chance in life. I’ve brought a few children from the school to demonstrate the things that you can do in the school.

Schoolchild1: We get a good education.

Schoolchild3: And get to learn about different trades like printing, tailoring, shoemaking, sack making and fire wood chopping.

Schoolchild2: We get a place to stay.

Schoolchild3: And good food.

Schoolchild2: You can learn how to cook.

Schoolchild1: And meet new people. You even get a holiday to the sea-side at Whitley every year.

Schoolchild2: There’s a brass band there as well! (They all start to play their fingers as if they are musical instruments)

Teacher: You see, the school is a much safer environment.

Smith: The police force, (peelers) will give you money and a sense of adventure. You will learn the importance of discipline and help the whole region to become a much safer place to live in. You would be the glue that holds these towns together. Gateshead and Newcastle, with your help, could be free from the bonds of crime and justice would prevail.

Teacher: Yes sir, that is perhaps how the police force should be…but that is not how it is… these children need to make something out of their lives so they can escape from the slums down here…. The police are not interested in that. More interested in frequenting the local bars I should say.

Stevens: Well madam. We do not have time to discuss this any further I am about to take these children on a tour of the Quayside to see what life is like out on the beat.

Teacher: Well, you won’t mind me tagging along to make sure you are giving a true representation of life as a peeler.

Steven: Well…erm.

Teacher: Well that’s settled then isn’t it. I’ll join this group here. Children if you would like to go back to the school and tell Mr Matthews I’ll be back soon.

Children: Yes Mrs Edwards

Stephens: Very well, Mrs Mathews if you insist, (Jones you are relieved of duties. Mrs Edwards will take your place… Officer Briggs will assist you Mrs Edwards. We wouldn’t want you getting attacked or anything on these streets.

Teacher: I have nothing to fear officer.

Stephens: Well that’s settled then. (Throws a set of Keys to Jones) Jones go and check on the cells there’s a few dangerous one’s in there (looks at teacher) We don’t want them getting loose do we?... Have a good Day Mrs Edwards.

(She goes off on route with petty officer and children the other twogroups go off in different directions).Scene 3Group 1: Out on the Street:the group with Mr Bertram in it: Mr Bertram stops in the street to talk to a dock worker. A young girl has picked his wallet off the ground. She is accused of stealing it.Group 2 and 3. It is the officer who stops to talk to the dock worker about the runaway apprenticePolice,jones/duke: Hold on there just a minute everyone. We’ll just ask this

dock worker a few questions about that vagabond Billy Fitz. If we can capture him today we’ll be in the super’s good books. (To dock worker) Excuse me Sir. Are you in charge of what good go in and out of the docks here?

Dockworker: Yes, sir

Officer: I wonder if you can help us we’re looking for a runaway? (goes to get his description out of his pocket and drops his wallet)

Bertram Excuse me officer if we could just wait a minute I have a few words to say to this Gentleman

Dock worker: Yes Mr BertramBertram: That goods ship that docked a few minutes ago. Did it

have any shipping for me?Dockworker: Shipping Sir?Bertram: Yes, (he takes a slip of paper from his pocket and his

wallet falls out.) Yes I am waiting for a shipment ..of… let’s see (looks at list) 200 tons of iron, 240 tons of salt and 400 tons of guano.

Dock worker: Guano?Bertram: Bird droppings, Sir!Dockworker: I’ll ask at the Merchants Sir,Bertram Good man. (He turns around and sees the girl picking

up his wallet.Grabbing girl’s wrist) What the blazes do you think you’re doing you young scally wag!

Girl (Panic stricken and stuttering) P-p-p-lease sir! I… I… I didn’t mean to. I was just…

Bertram Just what girl! Well, speak up!Girl I was just going to ask you for some money sir!Bertram (increasingly angry) That’s no excuse for thievery my

lass! I’m no charity. I’ll see you locked up for this. Officer!

Officer: Yes Sir.Bertram: See that this girl is locked up she was attempting to

steal my wallet!Girl: But sir, I saw it on the ground I was just going to give it

backOfficer: A likely story. There’s too many witnesses girl, did

anybody see anything?Depending on response: Good! You see no-one can back up your story. It’s off to

the cells for you!Officer Don’t be taken in by any sob story the girl was caught

red handed.Girl No sir, I mean… please sir. It’s my mother. She died not

too long ago … left me all alone in the world… please sir, this is the only way I can survive.

Bertram (Cuts girl off) Codswallop! A girl of your age should not be roaming the streets pocketing what she can from decent, well to do folk such as myself. You should be out there earning a living. I could have had you work at my warehouse, but seeing as how I can’t trust you further than I could fling you, that certainly will not happen!

Girl (Cuts man off) But jobs are very hard to find sir.Bertram (Raising his hand to strike the girl) Hold your tongue!

(To dock worker) Inform the chief constable of this shenanigan!

Worker Yes Mr Bertram! (runs off)Girl But Mr Bertram…Sir! I’ve done nowt wrong! I found

your wallet on the floor! I was picking it up for you! You must believe me!

Bertram What sort of fool do you take me for! You expect me to believe this poppycock!

Girl Please sir!Bertram Enough!Constable Don’t worry Sir, she’ll be dealt with harshly at the office. (Worker returns with superintendent Stephens)Stevens: What seems to be the trouble sir?Bertram This …girl has had the audacity to think she can get

away with stealing.Girl I’m all on my own. My mother has died and I have

nothing left but the clothes on my back and the shoes on my feet. Please, I wouldn’t steal your wallet.

Stephens Cut the confessions! You know the law. This will not go unpunished. I can make sure of that.(Girl escapes and runs away)

Don’t worry sir. I have a very good memory for faces. She won’t get very far.

Bertram Make sure she doesn’t. This police force is on very thin ice superintendent. (exits)

Stevens: You have my word on that sir.

Scene 4The Town Councillors.

TC1 Well, I think Newcastle and Gateshead policing leaves much to be desired.

TC2 Just haad your horses there Mr. Fraser, I believe they are keeping a firm grip on crime in our towns.

TC3 Excuse me, Mr. Thompson, but that is complete and utter tittle-tattle. The police are just arresting people willy-nilly.

TC1 Hells bells and buckets of blood! Something must be done about this!

TC2 Well what do you suggest fellow councillor?

TC1 Well, I’d clap them in prison ion the treadmill…

TC3 Councillor please, we are in public!

TC1 But they have been drinking and arresting just about any old body and to quite frank with you Ernest, they are like yesterdays news, old and useless.

TC2 Poppycock! They are paid £53 .. 3s .. 2d per year and by glory they work for it!

TC3 Tripe! I know what we need. We need more patrolling officers in the rougher areas of Newcastle. We need new blood. We need to train new officers.

TC1 Preferably of the non-criminal type. Yes, definitely no riff raff! If I had my way, why I would start them off from a young age like… ello ello ello. What do we have here? A group of potential recruits for our pox ridden police force eh?

TC3 Well they certainly look a little less brutish than our existing rabble of reprobates. Well, most of them anyway.

TC1 Will you just look at this place? It’s blooming preposterous.

TC2 Yes, yes. Diabolical. Very smelly indeed.TC3 There’s crime and sickness everywhere.TC1 This so called police force is not doing it’s job properly.TC3 I agree. I do not want my children growing up in a place

like this.TC2 This is true my fellow councillor. (turns to audience) I

hereby call a meeting of minds today at the guild hall. There we shall discuss ways to clean up the quayside and you are all invited. Come with me councillors, we must start putting together some ideas.

(Exit) Scene 5 the group approach the pub.Officer (from group): Hello lads, letting off a bit a steam eh. (To recruits) You

see lads . this job gets a bit hard sometimes so we have to let off a bit a steam now and then. Isn’t that right lads?

(Two workers are leaving the pub. One worker is drunk and the other is helping his friend out of the pub).Police 1 Aye, aye a bit a steam.Jones: Like a train.. choo..choo. Police 1: Come on. Jones Let’s go. I think you’ve had quite

enough. We’re on duty this instant.

Jones mo..mo…moo your boat gently down the stream No, no. life’s a pint a jim beam…The Super wants me money

Police 1: Aye, aye we’d better be getting back to the stationJones: Are we getting a train?)Worker 1 is pulling worker 2 away from the pub. 2 falls to the floor with 1 following. A cartoon like episode ensues).

Pickpocket Excuse me, can I give you a hand up officer?Police 1 Yes please, if you wouldn’t mind mate.Pickpocket No bother at all. (A sneaky smile appears on the

pickpockets face.)(Pick pocket helps worker 2 up. While helping him to his feet, the pickpocket steals 2’s keys).Police 1 Ah, thanks so much for that lad. I would have been on

all night trying to get him up.Pickpocket Nee bother officer..anything to help out an officer of the

law….. See you lads around then.Police 2: a very respectable gentleman is that….(The police officer from the group has noticed the act of theft from a distance).Police officer: Right recruits, let’s help out a fellow officer and

apprehend this scoundrelPoliceman Hey you! Just you wait there!Pickpocket Who me?Policeman Yes you Sonny Jim! Empty your pockets right now boy!Empties his right pocket slowly.Policeman Hurry up lad! I haven’t got all day! In fact I’ve got much

better things to do with my time. Come on, and the other one.

Pickpocket I know man, I’m doing it, I’m doing it!(Pick pocket gets a clout for being cheeky. The keys are discovered).Policeman Now what do we have here then?(The two workers rejoin the conversation)Police 2 (Laughs very loudly) He’s just got slapped off a

policeman!Police 1 Hang on a minute. I am a police occifer.Police 2: Aye that’s right… so you are…..Aren’t them your keys

for the jail house?Worker 2 (Looking drunkenly at them and stuttering) Aye, I think

so.Policeman Can you explain to me why on this God’s earth you

have ended up with this gentleman’s keys? Well… What’s the matter lad, cat got your tongue?

Pickpocket (Stuttering) Err, right ok, erm I think it’s about time for me to be leaving.

Pick pocket walks off with PC following. PC grabs PP by the arm.Policeman Oh no you don’t! You’re coming with me and I bet you

can guess where eh? That’s right…the Police station. It’s about time scallies like you were taught a lesson once and for all! (Looks at audience) Once a thief, always a thief!

(Exits with PP)Scene 6(Woman evicted from her house with cholera Each group comes up and sees the woman).

Officer: (As they are approaching) Right, Ladies and gentleman, this is one of the things we would have to do on the beat. Just along here on butchers row we have a young lady that has not paid her rent. Gutter rat, that she is. She must be evicted today. Here we are. We’re in luck everybody she’s already outside of the property so we don’t have the messy ordeal of dragging her out. (To woman)Are you Elizabeth Wiggins?

Liz: Yes sir, please don’t evict me sir. Please help me. I need food and money…. I will get a job sir I promise… my husband passed away recently and…

Officer: Enough of your sob stories woman it’s off to the work house for you ( He goes to grab her… she pushes the baby at him)

Liz: Please sir, I need help my baby sir, is very ill. I need to see a doctor

Officer: (Looks down at the baby) That baby is blue, missus. Get away. This baby’s got cholera. Stand back!

Liz: (Goes up to the children) Do you not have any consideration! Do you know what it’s like living around here? (starts crying) It’s disgusting, my baby is sick, he never stops crying. Please, you look like respectable people to me, please take my child to a doctor. I’ve no money you see…please save her life

Officer: Now, be gone wench, or it will be a cell for you (To children) That baby’s got cholera don’t you be touching it.

Liz: No sir, please she doesn’t have the cholera she’s just a bit sick that’s all, once she sees a doctor she’ll be right as rain (She is crying)

Officer: That baby’s got the cholera I tell ya, stand well back everyone. Come along let’s move on ( to other officer ) block up that door and place this sign on it.

Liz: (Is frantic) Please don’t do this… where will I live? What will I do?

Officer: The best advice I’d give to you is leave that baby in the gutter with the rest of the filth and join the workhouse.

Come on everyone we’ve more business to do.Liz: (Runs up to one of the children in the group) please… please

take my baby it’s her only hope… pleaseOfficer: Pushes her away with his truncheon) I said be gone wench…

don’t be bothering these people again. (He hits her with his truncheon).(Teacher intervenes)

Officer: Madam…can’t you see she’s diseased?. Do you want all of the children to get cholera?

Teacher: But she needs help, besides it’s my decision what I doChild (runs in) Need some help miss?Officer: Get back you silly boy, can’t you see she’s diseased?Child: Don’t bring her into our school, or we’ll all get choleraOfficer: My, my, the child’s got some sense after all.teacher: Listen, I’ll send for the doctor. Take the child up to the church

I’ll send the doctor there.Liz: Thank you miss thank you.Teacher: May God be with you, (To child ) Jack go and fetch doctor

Johnson, tell him to go to All Saint’s Church. (They move along)

Scene 7Mary Hymers

Random1 Stop!!

Pause

Look over there!

Random2 It’s….

Random1 No…It can’t be. She’s dead.

Random2 It’s the ghost of Mary Hymers.

Random1 She was one of the first known cases of cholera victims in Gateshead and Newcastle. It is told that whoever she touches will die a gruesome and unholy death. (Screams)

PC (Screams)

Random1 What’s a matter with ye?

PC (Snivelling) It’s a spider! It’s a spider!

Random2 Oh, you big softy, I nearly had a blooming heart attack!

PC Sorry, sorry, erm (cough, cough). There’s no need to panic everybody. As long as you don’t go near her you’ll be fine.

Hymers How dare you! If it wasn’t bad enough dying from cholera, now I’ve returned from the dead to haunt my earthly home till my soul is received into heaven – it’s all true, you know, it’ll be just the same for youse lot – I find I’m blamed for an epidemic of cholera. Well, it’s all very well for some fancy newspaperman to go about slandering a poor unfortunate woman, when she cannot even answer back as she’s DEAD. So I’ve come back to haunt the scally – (to a man) it’s not you is it? You look like a journalist…

(To a member of the audience) Ee, pet, I cannot tell ye how much cholera hurts. I mean, first, it starts with feeling a bit nervous, sick and dizzy. Well that’s not so bad if you’re used to knocking about on the quayside, and some people might even be able to handle the severe vomiting, diarrhoea and thirst that follows. But then things gan from bad to worse: your pulse and body temperature drop, and you cannot be bothered with nowt, even when your lips and fingernails gan blue, your tongues gans claggy and your face sinks in.

I’ve since found out that the cholera is spread by water and drink contaminated with human excrement or poo to you and me, but I’ll swear on my mother’s grave that the pies and lemonade I used to sell by the open sewer on Bottle Bank over there had nowt to do with the cholera epidemic. If any of the pies fell in, I’d give ‘em a good wipe afore I sold them, and the lemonade I made myself from the finest lemons, and pure fresh water drawn from the Tyne, just upstream of the sewer outlet, where the watter’s clean.

I’m sure I’ve seen you and you and you here afore, hungry gentlemen with a bit of spare money and a liking for pies. Well, the lass from Pipewellgate has the last laugh, eh? Society might have condemned me, but the cholera, well it cut through society taking no account of rank or station. And no matter how much money you might have, you couldn’t buy off a disease like that. Any way youse better take care of yourselves and not hang around too long or you might find the black spot on all of youse. (Points at children) Ha ha ha! Get these children out of my sight you silly peelers! Mind how you go.

Scene 8(Back in the Guildhall)

(The town councillors have arrived at the guildhall ready to have a discussion with the children)As the groups are arriving the town councillors are outside of the guildhall speaking to Superintendent Stevens as the groups begin to congregate.

T.C. 1: As you are aware Stevens your men have been taking these patrols of cadets around the quayside.

T.C.2: We understand that they are to be recruited into the police force.

T.C.3 We simply cannot allow that to happen superintendent

Stevens: Hang on a minute you can’t just come in here shouting orders. This is my police force and I make the orders.

T.C.1: I believe we can sir and we would like you to work with us if possible.

Stevens: Work with you pompous lot at the town council. I’m, surprised you’re actually down here aren’t you afraid of getting ya purses pinched.

T.C.1 Exactly Superintendent- the Quayside has become a hotbed for crimes and disease. Something needs to be done about it.

Stevens: I’m afraid I don’t have time for that I’ve got some new recruits arriving. Here they come now….good day to you Gentlemen.

T.C.2: I actually think you do a good job down here Stevens Thank youT.C.1: But that’s not enough if there was a big disaster

down here the Newcastle-Gateshead Police Force would never cope.

Stevens Which is why I’m trying to recruit these people.T.C.3 If you really want life to change down here on

the Quayside we must try and get some new laws passed in parliament.

Stevens: New laws? On What?

T.C.3: These streets are filthy and disease ridden- people throw their waste out of windows and offal on the streets from the butchers up there it’s disgusting! And as for the Police force well where do I start….

Smith: If you don’t mind sir but I have some great ideas on Sanitation from the writings of Edwin Chadwick

Stevens Be quiet Stevens!T.C.3 No, an excellent idea, excellent sir. A great start.

Look at it this way Superintendent if you clean

up this filthy, I could see promotion on the cards and a place in Newcastle’s history books for you.

Stevens History Books?T.C.3 Yes, Superintendent maybe we can name

ourselves the Quayside reformers.Stevens: The quayside reformers eh? Yes, how about

superintendent Stevens of the Quayside reformers. Come on then what are we waiting for let’s get inside.

(the children go back into the hall)

T.C.1: Welcome back everyone, I trust you had an interesting time out on the beat.

Stevens: There’s been a change a plan about joining the police force… before we do anything we must reform.

Duke: Reform, Sir?Stevens: Yes Duke … reformDuke: What’s that then sir?Stevens: Well it’s er… well it’s er reform in it.T.C.2 Let me explain superintendent--- you are all

here to join the police force but as you see from your trip around the Quayside is in a bit of a state. We here can change history by changing, (That’s reforming) life down here in Sandgate.

Teacher: But what about my ragged school. That improves the poor?

Bertram: Yes, and what about my apprentices?

t.C.1: All in good time. We have decided to propose that four areas of life should be reformed which we will present to parliament. Make no bones about it everyone we are making history here they will build monuments about it… great big monumental structures in our names

t.C.3: Aghem

T.C.1 Sorry. Got a bit carried away there. Mrs Edwards and Mr Bertram you can go over there and talk about reforming education and Health care. These young people here can help you. They look like a clever lot. You may get your apprentice yet Mr Bertram.

Mr stephens, I am sure you are a good police Officer . With a bit of thought you could have a

police force to be proud of. These young people here could be proud and respectable members of a reformed police force. Go and write down your ideas and take these people here.

And Officer smith…. I see you have some good ideas on Sanitation- Perhaps you could take this group here and discuss ideas for cleaning up the streets.

Smith: Yes,Sir…come on you lot

(They go off into groups and discuss their ideas)

T.C.1 (After some discussion time) Now be sure to sign your names and hand in your papers. Can you all come back and report some of your ideas.

(They report their ideas)Teacher/Bertram: Some very good ideas from this group (Explain

a few) A much better way of delivering education I should say

Bertram: A healthy workforce is a good workforceSmith: We have some good ideas for SanitationStevens: We’ve got some good recruits here and some

great ideas.T.C.3: Excellent A good days work here. I should say.T.C.2 Yes, you really have given us some wonderful

ideas. I’m sure that with your help Newcastle Quayside will be a respectable and interesting place to go.

T.C.1: Don’t go too far councillor There’s a lot of work to be done yet and we are the one’s to do it.

TC.1: Monumental!