Old Bedlington Shops

[Dr Pit]

Guys,

My Great Grandad's shop is now Best Bite. As for photos, im not sure, will speak to my Gran when I get a chance!

Bill hemsted was my Great great grandfather as well.. He had I believe three shops in Bedlington at one time, as you say where best bite

is now, also a few doors away (later millers bingo) and another at the top end ( i think where the top end chemists is now)

See if I can find any photos..

[keith lockey]

NEW QUESTION

Was there a small newsagents roughly where that Cash for Clothes shop is now - Or the estates agents is - opposite the Sun Inn.

I vaguely recall going in there a couple of times, up a step. They also had a newspaper rack that stood outside. Please help.

Edited January 9, 2013 by keith lockey

[Keith Scantlebury]

NEW QUESTION

Was there a small newsagents roughly where that Cash for Clothes shop is now - Or the estates agents is - opposite the Sun Inn.

I vaguely recall going in there a couple of times, up a step. They also had a newspaper rack that stood outside. Please help.

Would that be the shop where I saw you standing on on your Alans shoulders trying to reach the top shelf ?

[Symptoms]

Another new question about shops.

Early to mid-60s at the top end of Front Street I recall a short parade of shops then the old Top Club; I don't have a clear enough memory of the first shop but think it may have been a newsagent/sweet shop, next door was a fruit and veg shop run by the mother of a friend of mine (his name was Jeremy Patton). This fruit and veg shop I think had one of those 'shared' angled entrances to the shop next door. Any old photos or info?

Jeremy had an older sister and the family lived in a big house opposite next to Gordon's the Undertakers (now Grenfell's according to Google Streetview). I was sure that side of Front Street was much more banked-up than Streetview shows so it just shows how memory can't really be relied on. Does anybody have any info about Jeremy?

[keith lockey]

Another new question about shops.

Early to mid-60s at the top end of Front Street I recall a short parade of shops then the old Top Club; I don't have a clear enough memory of the first shop but think it may have been a newsagent/sweet shop, next door was a fruit and veg shop run by the mother of a friend of mine (his name was Jeremy Patton). This fruit and veg shop I think had one of those 'shared' angled entrances to the shop next door. Any old photos or info?

Jeremy had an older sister and the family lived in a big house opposite next to Gordon's the Undertakers (now Grenfell's according to Google Streetview). I was sure that side of Front Street was much more banked-up than Streetview shows so it just shows how memory can't really be relied on. Does anybody have any info about Jeremy?

Was the newsagents Watsons?

[tonyg]

yes

[Symptoms]

Mayday, Mayday for old photos of that top bit of Front Street. I checked out the Gallery Section here but the cupboard was bare.

[John Fox (foxy)]

Mayday, Mayday for old photos of that top bit of Front Street. I checked out the Gallery Section here but the cupboard was bare.

I'll put it in the Gallery

[John Fox (foxy)]

NEW QUESTION

Was there a small newsagents roughly where that Cash for Clothes shop is now - Or the estates agents is - opposite the Sun Inn.

I vaguely recall going in there a couple of times, up a step. They also had a newspaper rack that stood outside. Please help.

Edited January 13, 2013 by foxy

[Keith Scantlebury]

Senior moment Foxy ????

[Canny lass]

I'll put it in the Gallery

Now that brings back memories. I used to miss assembley at Westridge most Wednesday mornings when I was in my third year and go to Beadnells to do the shopping for the domestic science teacher. She had to have the ingredients before the first class of the day started.

[John Fox (foxy)]

Senior moment Foxy ????

Actually keith,I was putting a picture on here for your benefit, but got called away while looking for it but its on its way

[Symptoms]

Canny - I have a clear memory of the cookery room being near the library on the first floor above the main entrance ... was there another cookery room next to it? There was a classroom up there too - it was my form room when I was in the second year (1963/4), form teacher Mrs Wilson (or it might have been Miss).

I'm sure I have seen a copy of the plan of the school somewhere so will try to find it to confirm matters.

Thanks for that photo Foxy ... yep, the memory was correct about the shared entrance to the shop.

[Symptoms]

I've just searched my PC for that layout plan of Westridge but it isn't there - poo! I recall seeing it on St. Benet Biscop School website maybe 3 years ago but I've just visited there to discover it's new and with no Westridge plan. Perhaps I'll email them for a copy.

[John Fox (foxy)]

Actually keith,I was putting a picture on here for your benefit, but got called away while looking for it but its on its way

And this is it keith,

it shows the windows in one piece and I'm sure Dick and the Duchess will be knocking about there somewhere!

[keith lockey]

Canny - I have a clear memory of the cookery room being near the library on the first floor above the main entrance ... was there another cookery room next to it? There was a classroom up there too - it was my form room when I was in the second year (1963/4), form teacher Mrs Wilson (or it might have been Miss).

I'm sure I have seen a copy of the plan of the school somewhere so will try to find it to confirm matters.

Thanks for that photo Foxy ... yep, the memory was correct about the shared entrance to the shop.

Hi Symptoms, i saw the dates for the Westridge School and had this photo in my collection. Any good. My cousin, Joe Knox is there - fifth from the right - middle row.

Edited January 13, 2013 by keith lockey

[Keith Scantlebury]

And this is it keith,

it shows the windows in one piece and I'm sure Dick and the Duchess will be knocking about there somewhere!

That has got to be in the 50's Foxy ?. The Clayton corner must have been a place to congregate down the years. Dicky and the Duchess would have been inside !! Edited January 13, 2013 by keith

[keith lockey]

That has got to be in the 50's Foxy ?. The Clayton corner must have been a place to congregate down the years. Dicky and the Duchess would have been inside !!

Come on, lads, that can't be the Clayton - it's got windows!!!

Edited January 13, 2013 by keith lockey

[Keith Scantlebury]

Come on, lads, that can't be the Clayton - it's got windows!!!

...... but its also got dogs outside.

[Canny lass]

Canny - I have a clear memory of the cookery room being near the library on the first floor above the main entrance ... was there another cookery room next to it? There was a classroom up there too - it was my form room when I was in the second year (1963/4), form teacher Mrs Wilson (or it might have been Miss).

I'm sure I have seen a copy of the plan of the school somewhere so will try to find it to confirm matters.

There were two cookery rooms on the landing of the stairs from the main entrance but the library was accessed from the stairs at the righthand side of the building (viewed from the exterior). I can't remember any classroom between these and I can't think how you would get to it, other than through a door leading from the library. There was no door leading in that direction from the cookery room. However, I remember that the corridor downstairs was very long so there would have been room for something between the library and the cookery room. I left in 62 but there was a Mrs Wilson, art teacher, at that time. A small, demure creature with a french pleat hairstyle. She often wore pleated tartan skirts and cashmere sweaters in beiges and browns. Could that be her?

I had no Idea that the catholic school had taken over the premises. When did that happen?

[keith lockey]

NEW REQUEST

Foxy - or anyone - have you got any photos of Doyle's Shop that used to stand at the top of the Free Woods down Stead Lane. It is a house now. Any info would be appreciated.

[tonyg]

can anyone remember patricks paper shop and walkers the butcher shop next to the tavern at the station

[Pete]

can anyone remember patricks paper shop and walkers the butcher shop next to the tavern at the station

Yes I remember both of them but it was a long time ago. Patricks was the bit near the station gates and the butchers was the other side of the pub, oppisit the Library if I remember correctly.

Edited January 14, 2013 by Pete

[Vic Patterson]

My (now) wife worked at Patrick's shop when I met her!

[tonyg]

which shop next to the club