In the Westoe area of South Shields there was a public urinal. This public toilet gave inspiration to Bob, he recalls memories of his childhood, when men always wore dark clothing, cloth caps and mufflers. They frequented the many public houses and working men's clubs in that densely populated area of the town. In those days the urinal always seemed to be in full use and there was often a queue waiting their turn. On the cement rendered walls witty graffiti filled every inch of space, while the acrid pong from the porcelain stalls was kept at bay by the automatic ball cock flush struggling to cleanse the trough that was permanently cocked with fag ends and tram tickets.

Netty is the North East term for toilet. Some say the word Netty originates from the time of the Roman occupation of the town. In Italy a row of toilets is called a Gabinetto.