Hi Alison,
I am very sorry to hear about your dad. I knew John in my younger days, around the mid to late sixties. He was about 3 years older than me, and I can confirm what a nice bloke he was. Although we were not close friends, he was always willing to talk about common interests, one of which at the time was steam trains. He was even so kind as to give me a copy of The Observers Book of Steam Locomotives.
I lived at the top of Sandbeck Street, in number 3, from 1962 until I got married in 73. My dad, Bill Langstaff lived there until 2000 when, sadly, he passed away.
The lead pipes you refer to were the overflow pipes from the outside toilets that we had in those days. When someone was heard to go about their business in same, a banger was inserted into the pipe to assist with their current activity. :-)
One thing which stands out in my mind, was, in the very cold winter of 63/64. We were all sliding down the steep street in the snow on makeshift toboggans, when out comes John with a Rolls Royce version which he said came from Canada. Of course we all wanted a go, and after some coaxing your dad was good enough to let us. I think he was worried his mum & dad would not approve.
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Unfortunately, I can't help you with the song, as it is one I do not know.
Nick Langstaff
nickl7@bigpond.com
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