On Bedlington.uk Now...

That is interesting! I would love to see it confirmed somewhere. Does Martin give any reference to the source of that information? Perhaps the booklet contains a list of references to literature, maps etc. used by him when compiling the booklet. If so, could you post a copy here please.

Cheers @James - I hadn't remembered that one

According to Stephen Martin's booklet about Bedlington, the first Post Office was in the Baptist Yard.

Mild Cognitive Impairment? Never heard of it! I call that sort of thing ”having a senior moment” - mind you, I’ve been having them frequently since I was 30!

@Canny lass - for the Google strett view shots I actually typed in Front Street West Bedlington for my initial search as I knew that's where the PO was. So me then typing Front Street East can only be put down to Mild Cognitive Impairment or Onset of Dementia. It's like been back at school and I can here the teacher saying - Edgar stop stairing out the window and concentrate

@Canny lass - it's just me not thinking straight - again - yes Front Street West.

I'm afraid I have to disagree with you there, Alan. I think this is Front Street West, Alan – same building you show in your second photo. The Bedlington PO has a long history and it first appeared on OS maps about the time the postal service was being developed. The first PO in Bedlington was also on Front Street West but nearer to the Market Place than to the Red Lion as you will be able to see on the 1860 OS map below: In 1897 the PO began to appear in the Market Place on the OS map of that year shown below: It remains in that location on those maps I’ve looked at until at least 1967 (Copyright prevents me looking at anything more recent) and I can remember using it then. It later moved from the Market Place, as you rightly say, but I have no recollection of it moving to Front Street East and I can’t remember any buildings on Front Street East with a low wall in front as can be seen in your photos. I returned to Bedlington in the 80s for a while and the PO was then located on Front Street West but further up the street towards the top end (Red Lion). It had a small walled area in front. I’m pretty sure that’s it in your photo which I’ve reproduced above.

On the Facebook group Bygone Bedlington a member, Ian Foster, posted this clip from the BBC archives when the BBC was looking for the 'Market Place' Post office and you will need the volume turned up to listen to this :- https://bbcrewind.co.uk/asset/611257809e2c440020e8f292?selectedLatLng=55.13239860534668%2C-1.5979957580566406&zoom=11 So I checked the journey of the Post Office When it was in the Market Place :- Then it moved to 40 front Street East and was still called the Market Place Post Office :- Where it is now - Google Street View 2024 - 20 Front Street

Thank you! Nice to know you enjoyed it. They were an important family in Bedlington's history so I thought they were worth a bit of effort. My own family history research is at a bit of a standstill so I have some time over from that and I might as well put it to good use.

@Eddie Yarrow - have you ever visited the Northumberland and DurhamPits Facebook group to see if any member can identify anyone/ If you are not on Facebook group(s) then if it's Ok with you I could post one of your photos, with the space, numbers and names, on the group to see if there are any memmbers that recognise and old relative.

Canny Lass that was brilliant. It was so well laid out I was easily able to follow the story. I cannot imagine how much time you spend putting it all together. Absolutely 10 out of 10.

The 6 inch maps show only the 'footprint' of the building. If you want more detail it's always worth having a look at the 25 inch. Size really does matter!! PS Sorry, that should say 1881 NOT 1901.