[teestub]

Are you wearing Nike or Puma I’m yours Andy? They look a bit like Blazers!

[andy popp]

I've actually been contemplating this (though with less specificity) because I was extremely surprised to see whatever it is that I'm wearing on my feet. I can't remember ever wearing anything like that. I have no idea what they are though.

[tomtom]

I had a donkey jacket back in 83. Seem to remember them being all the rage...

[Muenchener]

I was in an ex army greatcoat back then when I wasn't in my helly hansen. Although probably actually both whenever it was bit chilly.

[Oldmanmatt]

I was in an ex army greatcoat back then when I wasn't in my helly hansen. Although probably actually both whenever it was bit chilly.

Well, I had a Javelin fiberpile, so neah-de-ner!
(Slightly less windproof than chicken wire).

[gme]

I had a donkey jacket back in 83. Seem to remember them being all the rage...

They were standard issue for the miners where I came from so everyone wore them.
Guess the fashion bit came off the back of the strikes.

[Teaboy]

Guess the fashion bit came off the back of the strikes.

Nah, Dexy's Midnight Runners

[Andy F]

Steve Crowe has posted lots of great old skool photos on his faceache feed. Well worth a look.

[webbo]

Guess the fashion bit came off the back of the strikes.

Nah, Dexy's Midnight Runners

Some of us were wearing Donkey jackets when Dexy’s Midnight Runners were the Killjoys.

[duncan]

Donkey Jackets were a 70s staple for proper workers.  “The 1980s were...when some middle class students began to sport donkey jackets to look more proletarian”. I had a superior all wool one in the late 70s issued to me when I worked in a steel works. It supposed to protect against hot metal splashes (the real risk is being run over by a truck so nowadays everyone wears High Viz coats). 

[webbo]

I found mine in a bin at Coalite at Askern when we were retiling the coal hoppers. It had plastic/ rubber shoulder protector. It take a bit of beating and airing to get rid of the smell of coal dust.

[Falling Down]

Donkey Jackets were a 70s staple for proper workers.  “The 1980s were...when some middle class students began to sport donkey jackets to look more proletarian”. I had a superior all wool one in the late 70s issued to me when I worked in a steel works. It supposed to protect against hot metal splashes (the real risk is being run over by a truck so nowadays everyone wears High Viz coats).

That article is brill.

[tomtom]

Mine was a Gleeson one (gleeson were tarmac/road building contractors of the time - and gleeson was in white letters across the plastic shoulder and back patch) and I used it last in the late 80’s working scrapping cars outside. Used to keep me dry for about 3-4 hours then became a leaden curtain of compact sodden fabric

Coal not dole stickers were the early 80’s badge of middle class youth support for the victims of Thatchers union breaking ideology.

[Muenchener]

I had a superior all wool one in the late 70s issued to me when I worked in a steel works. It supposed to protect against hot metal splashes.

It does. Or at least my wool trousers did whilst welding in metalwork class at school.

[Mike Highbury]

Donkey Jackets were a 70s staple for proper workers.  “The 1980s were...when some middle class students began to sport donkey jackets to look more proletarian”. .

Bloody hell Duncan, that's quite a site.

[gme]

Donkey Jackets were a 70s staple for proper workers.  “The 1980s were...when some middle class students began to sport donkey jackets to look more proletarian”. .

Bloody hell Duncan, that's quite a site.

Great article.

The ones worn in my childhood were the orange shouldered NCB versions. I thought the plastic shoulder pads were to stop wear when you were carrying coal sacks.

No one wore them other than those who worked in the pit, but think they had a bit of a “moment” in the mid eighties. Can’t remember them being worn by the skin heads either.

[duncan]

I had a superior all wool one in the late 70s issued to me when I worked in a steel works.

I found mine in a bin at Coalite at Askern when we were retiling the coal hoppers. It had plastic/ rubber shoulder protector. It take a bit of beating and airing to get rid of the smell of coal dust.

Mine was a Gleeson one (gleeson were tarmac/road building contractors of the time - and gleeson was in white letters across the plastic shoulder and back patch) and I used it last in the late 80’s working scrapping cars outside. Used to keep me dry for about 3-4 hours then became a leaden curtain of compact sodden fabric

The fourth Yorkshireman will be along shortly.

Glad everyone enjoyed the donkey jacket diversion.

[Falling Down]

This link might not work (and it’s on FB) but here are some quality old-skool pics taken by Ian Wall at Kendal in 1980 featuring at least one UKB’er.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1476549395863153&id=100005243195848

[andy popp]

I may have posted this picture before, but seeing as I've just got hold of a copy again and Pete mentioned it as an aim the other day, I thought I would share it anyway. Me on the crux pitch of Murciana in 1990. This is isn't the free ascent but a couple of days later for the camera.

[mrjonathanr]

You have no idea how envious I am!

[nai]

Looks familiar. Was it in a mag at the time?

[erm, sam]

It definatly was in a magazine at the time. When I was a callow youth this picture inspired me to wear a beret, of all things. I think Andy has since said was not wearing a beret in this pic, so there you go. The power of a youthful imagination.

[SA Chris]

I remember it vividly, being impressed by the air beneath your feet. Early OTE.

[mrjonathanr]

Algripper, Pex 85 by mrjonathanr, on Flickr


Had a good session at Pex yesterday with an old mate. Took me back in time! Not quite as far as this though; we have mats now. Algripper, circa1985

[mrjonathanr]

Chris Gore reddpointing Rain Dogs 1986
Chris Gore Malham 86 by mrjonathanr, on Flickr

Joe Healey working Staminaid prior to first ascent
Joe Healey working Staminaid, Pex c85 by mrjonathanr, on Flickr

Joe Picalli meaning business on Indian Head, Bridestones

Joe Picalli looking mean c85 by mrjonathanr, on Flickr

The sadly departed Yoav Nir cruising a pinky pull up, Rubicon, BMC Youth Meet 1987. Adam Wainright taking a photo on the other side iirc

Yoav Nir 87. RIP by mrjonathanr, on Flickr

Attitude Inspector, pre mat era c 91

Attitude Inspector 92 001 by mrjonathanr, on Flickr

Attitude Inspector 92 by mrjonathanr, on Flickr