YMCA 1977.jpg

Photo from 'Jp Brewis' who gave the year it was taken as 1977.

This Google aerial shot, 2020, shows  that the old stone building that the YMCA used as a gym - weightlifting room -etc. is now used as garages for the house' that replaced the main building. .The stone building next to the garages is not part of the YMCA and in the 1960's it used to be a Post Officer. 

Google street view 2009:-

Think it was c1964 when the new building was opened. @Pete tells us the  first YMCA leader in this new building was Derrick Ruddy and Derick was  followed by John Bygate.

On the Bedlington remembered group site Les Lynn commented :-  

Posted on the Bygone Bedlington group by Edith Barrett - official opening ceremony Wednesday July 26th 1961.

Initiative test to London YMCA and back organised by the Bedlington YMCA Youth Leader John Bygate - c1965.

 Behind the later YMCA building there is a flat field with something going on. Does anyone know what is happening on the field? My guess is it's a sports day. I didn't know that field existed. There appears to be footpath access from both ends.

@Jammy - I can't remember any events - games etc (1960 to 1968) been held on the cut grassed area at the back when I was a member c1962 to 1968. Some of the Bedlington Facebook members remember there were dog shows; and  jumble sales. 

I do remember cutting through, from between the scouts building and Waverley Drive, into the YMCA field and I am sure there was a slaughter house/yard between the back of the scouts building and the YMCA field. Can't remember who I went with but it would probably a relative of the slaughter man as we were shown around and got to hold the gun he used to kill the cattle. 

I've seen it used occasionally for a 'kick-about' with a football, not a proper match,  by some of the male YMCA members, early 60's. I have some recollection of being told that the area once belonged to the old YMCA (later, boot factory).

4 hours ago, Canny lass said:

I've seen it used occasionally for a 'kick-about' with a football, not a proper match,  by some of the male YMCA members, early 60's. I have some recollection of being told that the area once belonged to the old YMCA (later, boot factory).

We did kick-a-bout on it but never knew what it was originally used for. because of the size we though bowling green.

Here are three members from c1965, but not easily recognised from the photo😱 that was taken by Dave Hamilton.

Somebody must have cut the grass on the area in question. any idea who?

Another question about that photo:

Off centre, left, top of photo: a footpath that divides into two - each going to a fairly large circle in the grass. What are those circles.

4 hours ago, Canny lass said:

Somebody must have cut the grass on the area in question. any idea who?

Can't ever remember any member of the YM cutting the grass. In 1968 most of the lads I went there with were friends of the YM leader John Bygate and although I have forgotten loads of stuff from the 1960's I'm sure I would have remembered if  there was a 'grass-cutter', of any description, in the only outhouse = the stone building in the YM grounds, and if John had of asked us to help out the YM by cutting the grass. I can only assume the council cut the field.

Another question about that photo:

Off centre, left, top of photo: a footpath that divides into two - each going to a fairly large circle in the grass. What are those circles.

Can't recall those two areas with the path to them and in the early 1960's we did cut through down the side of the scouts hut into the field . My guess, as there is a path worn through to each area is that they could be drains  

4 hours ago, Canny lass said:

Off centre, left, top of photo: a footpath that divides into two - each going to a fairly large circle in the grass. What are those circles.

OR - it's where the scouts went to light a small fire, roast tatties and sing :-  

Ging gang, goolie goolie goolie goolie watcha / Ging gang goo, Ging gang goo

Ging gang, goolie goolie goolie goolie watcha / Ging gang goo, Ging gang goo
Heyla, heyla sheyla / Heyla sheyla / Heyla, ho!
Heyla, heyla sheyla / Heyla sheyla / Heyla, ho!
Shallawalla, shallawalla! / Shallawalla, shallawalla!

Oompah-oompah! / Oompah-oompah!

On 08/09/2020 at 20:54, Jammy said:

 Behind the later YMCA building there is a flat field with something going on. Does anyone know what is happening on the field? My guess is it's a sports day. I didn't know that field existed. There appears to be footpath access from both ends.

While I was wandering around the 'station' in my research on Puddlers Row/Glassey terrace I noticed this:

Could it have belonged to the public house ? The Percy Arms

35 minutes ago, Canny lass said:

While I was wandering around the 'station' in my research on Puddlers Row/Glassey terrace I noticed this:

 

Could it have belonged to the public house ? The Percy Arms

First time I've seen a map of the area with the words 'Bowling Green' on.

As what appears to be the boundary line for the YMCA  covers the Bowling Green area I would say it belonged to the YMCA, but I can't prove it.

YMCA ownership seems likely and thinking about the size of the field a bowling green would be about right.

Plan of the rooms. Can't remember exactly where one of the storage rooms or the dart board were located but have included them in the plan and will update if anyone can positively say where they were