A Pit Institute c1950s.jpg

Photo from @johndawsonjune1955, posted on the Past Times History group, as the 'A' Pit Institute.

Last part of the institute building, to the far right, must be what's noted as "policeman's dwelling" on the drawing. Would I be right in thinking that this policeman was the 'collry poliss' rather than a member of the constabulary. I know that the colliery policeman at Netherton (Geordie Collis) was employed by the Howard Pit and he had a colliery house but he wasn't a 'real' policeman. We used to sing a song about him:

I wish I was a poliss, a big fat poliss

Wi feet like Geordie Collis, the big fat poliss.

Kids can be cruel!

22 hours ago, Canny lass said:

Last part of the institute building, to the far right, must be what's noted as "policeman's dwelling" on the drawing. Would I be right in thinking that this policeman was the 'collry poliss' rather than a member of the constabulary.

Can't remember ever seeing a constable in the area around the Tute and what makes me reasonably sure that the dwelling  would be for a colliery poliss is that outside the Tute is where there was often a betting game, with a lookout posted on the mound of earth running along the back of the South Row gardens. Can't remember the name that was used, the Aussi version is 'Two-Up', where the designated 'spinner' places two coins on the edge of one finger and tosses (= spins) the coins into the air and the punters bet on the outcome of how the coins land on the ground ie. two heads - two tails or one of each facing upwards. 

27 minutes ago, Alan Edgar (Eggy1948) said:

 Can't remember the name that was used, 

It was Pitch & Toss - Linda Davison told me :- 

2 hours ago, Alan Edgar (Eggy1948) said:

It was Pitch & Toss

That's right! I can't pretend to be au fait with the intricacies of the game but I remember my mother letting off steam to my father about it!

1895 Plans for the Institute from the Northumberland Communites group :-