johndawsonjune1955

This is the Toll Sign at the Hapenny Woods Goo old pic from my personal collection.

An interesting article from 1920 gives an insight into some of the history connected with Bedlington Market Cross. This is what was said. Passing the old market cross the other evening, I noticed a crowd which was being addressed by speakers, men and women of the Unionist Labour Party. There was nothing noteworthy about the meeting save the unmoved and evidently indifferent attitude of the audience. How different to the meetings of the former days! The old cross, which has stood there for centuries, would seem to have been designed for the benefit of the orators, for at its expansive base there is a broad stone platform where a dozen people may be comfortably placed. What interesting reminiscences might be recalled at this spot? Here stood Joseph Cowan, who poured forth his rugged eloquence when he had for associates Orsine and Mazzini, who were heroes with the old Bedlington Radicals. It was also from this cross that the Franchise Association was launched, which was the precursor of the great agitation for the extension of the suffrage. Here it was where Alderman Fairbairn proposed the resolution that Mr. Thomas Burt be asked to go to Parliament, and the motion was carried with enthusiasm, and many a time and oft has the venerable leader of the miners spoken there. Thomas Glassey, who was a Bedlington miner and became a Queensland Senator, the late Dr. James Trotter, and John Bryson, the eloquent miners' leader, were to stand on this spot, and talk. Many a noisy and turbulent scene was seen thirty years ago when Home Rule for Ireland was the theme, for it was in this locality where the first Home Rule Association in Great Britain was formed, when Isaac Butt was leader of the Irish Parliamentary party when Bedlington was the centre of Radicalism in the North of England. The thing that strikes one now is the quiescence of the crowd, who display no feeling, hostile or favourable, but listen in stoned silence, which is a contrast to the old order of meetings held at the historic cross.

well its working on this topic, but others no, by the looks of it

testing post

The Market Cross stood on the opposite side to where it is now. In this writting i have it was moved in 1782. Mary Wade, busy reading her memoirs at moment, said that "Nobody seems to have an authentic story of its origins, but history has it that it was indeed rebuilt a hundred years ago, 1884, It was also reputed to have been the resting place for the body of St. Cuthbert while en route for buriel at Durham. "A huge grey stone base built fairly high above the ground, holds the tapered column which is featured on so many old photographs. The Cross has been a landmark for many generations, but it is interesting to locals to see how the background to old pictures has changed, even over a compararatively short piece of time. "At the east facing side of the column there are a few steps up to a type of platform. As children, we could never pass the Cross without mounting the steps and trying to jump from the highest point. Quite a lot of promising preachers and poloticians have delivered a speech from the famous spot." Just an interesting piece for the members to reflect upon of its origins i thought. Really enjoying reading these memories. A little at a time and i am finding it so full of information on Bedlington.

yep. BTW still got the SunInn arttefacts here and looking to do something to mark its 100 years. A little film ? members off here to play a role, voice overs, dress up old time. What you think. We could even have our own Jocker writing the letters and what hes wrote. Got footage for explosions underground to begin with, but what do the members think ? Lets know we got 4 weeks in Jan and Feb to shoot maybe. Lets know

Yes i agree with you Keith. Thank you.

You are spot on in Mr Longridge. What a man he was. His vision too.I don't think Bedlington gets the credit it deserves in what the Bedlington Furnace was a ll about in the way of engineering and its contribution to the railways. Fantastic pioneers were connected to the Furnace, as you know Malcolm, and their achievements should be more recognised for what they did for Bedlington. I am proud of our area Malcolm.

all is correct on the Bedlington Woods. After New Year, but you may have to remind me, i will upload old pics of the Toll, the sundial, the cottage and more. They are an interesting lot. Not the best quality, but good enough as its a part of our history that should not be forgotten. We'll nothing should be forgoten, and thats why we all communicate on here and to be honest, i find it very interesting on Bedlington.co.uk and History Hollow, as it keeps things alive. Some cracking comments and the interest and feedback from members is second to none. I congratulate you all and wish you al a Happy and prosperous New Year. See you all in 2013

Yes i got a gut feeling your right there on the nail.I was wondering about that chimney too ? We can leave this open for a little longer but i think your spot on Keith. Heres the other pics to continue the debate

Hartford Hall was built for William Burdon in 1811 to a disign by William Stokoe of Newcastle upon Tyne. It was built of stone from Hartford Quarry and erected on land owned by Mr Burdon's mother, who was a Wharton. IT actually was called Hartford House and only became Hartford Hall when the old Hall on the south side of the river was demolished in 1850. Augustus Burdon was responsible for the buildings changes over the years to what we knew it before being converted into many houses for private families. Augustus Burdon was a keen freemason and it was he who built onto the original building beginning in about 1878. The building project was a huge task and he included a gentlemans residence in the programme. A huge reception room was built replacing the cottage at the west end. Extensive servants quarters were built too replacing the much smaller ones on the east end. Various conservatories were erected too throughout the property. The original stable block was also replaced and moved to the eat away from the Hall. The wrought iron gates, a very touchy subject these days, when they were removed and never replaced, were purchased from the Paris Art Exhibition in 1859. On the south face of the east wall there was a sundial, i don't know if it is still there, but this dated 1783. It was said to come from a site very near to the Hall, but where i cannot say as my research came to a dead-end. The Burdons eventually left Hartford Hall and it was leased to a Mr Thompson who owned the grocery chain of Thompson Stores in the early 1930's. Thompson Stores were famous for there Red Stamp Stores saving stamps. The Hall was used by the army during WWII and also became a rehabilitation centre for coal miners injured in the mines. (I was there in 1981 under Mr. Calder, after a shotfiring accident at Whittle Colliery) It wasn't just miners tho, police officers used it and many other people in need of the swervices provided. These services were second to none and helped a huge ammount of people. Oh, a small point to note here is that there was a indoor school in the old stable block, and it made a fantastic gym, for to help in the treatment of injured people. I mention the Quarry. This was opposite the main gates and it provided a high quality yellow sandstone. It was about 3 acres. First use of this stone dates to around 1736 when it was used for the Netherton area. Back to Hartford Hall. The stone from the quarry, used to build the Hall, was also used to repair the Houses of Parliament and two London Bridges in the early part of the 1800's. This was confimed in an article dated 1859 from a London Newspaper. It said the stone was transported by rail from Plessey Station. The quarry consited of three cottages too. One at the north end of the quarry, in the woods, another was actually in the quarry and the third was just south of Pegwhistle Burn. I have more information on Hartford Hall and the cottages and also the old military camp. But thats for another day. Hope this helps you in your research.

This is another hope this one gives us a better chance of solving this question and appreciate all your help. Need to get these things in right order for archives.

Al's Superstore in Ashington.Sorry you never got a reply, and i will get our web guy to look into that just incase it happens again.

Thanks Malcolm. I was wondering on the posts what was going on.Have a great New Year to you and all your family

Thats the one Keith. Thanks for that. I can go out tonight feeling better that i know its name.Have a nice New Year all.

Yes it is Bedlington St. Cuthberts you are refering too. Just a note that before Bedlington was fully developed the main road was through Vulcan Place and along Church Lane. Did you know that Mr Hare, one of the duo of Burke and Hare, came to Bedlington in the summer of 1829. He was recognised and the people of Bedlington that were around at the time chased him out of Bedlington by chasing him and throwing stones and shouting. He never came back to Bedlington. I think his parner from Scotland "Burke" they were murderers and gave frsh bodies to the surgeons in those early days, was hung in early 1929, possibly January. For some reason he left Scotland and as i say saw in Bedlington about the summer of 1929. Got this record somewhere, but something not to be forgotten. They were evil them two. Talking about stones in Bedlington, not the Jagger and Co the streets of Bedlington were cobled in those early days. You had to watch when horses were about as they often flicked up stones and hit people on the body.

Yes there was. Will put the whole story up for you when i type it out in Word to paste in. Got a pic too.

Was this the Princess Ballroom ? I know that was there at onetime. I also remember a Fat Mo's disco there, is that right, maybe the early 1970's

The first miners picnic was in 1866 and held at Pollys Folly, near bog houses. Why it was called Pollys Folly i have never found out, but there was a pub there too nicknamed the "Folly" My memory is getting bad as i can't remember the pubs true name at the moment. Its worth noting too that very near this field where the first picnic was held ran the original Plessey Way. Coal was taken from Hartford to Blyth on this way. Maybe Pollys Folly was working on that stretch, hmmm, still never know, but nice to have another idea to its originality.

Get them on-line nice to see the old pics.I will put some up very soon.

all the northumberland pit banners can be seen in great detail on Sixtownships DVd Northumberland Miners' Picnic 1959 www.sixtownships.org.uk go to the shop. Also got some new cracking footage of the Dr, Pit and the pithead baths from 1960 to digtise. Ran the cine-film and it looks very good with miners going into the baths. Let you know when its complete.

Bill Marley was a school teacher and liked to go to the Sun Inn. His mother lives at Humford and Matty Wintrip who sold water from his cart at Bedlington Furnace was his grandfather.

There was an old wooden viaduct over the River Blyth. I got these pics passed on said to be of the building of it. But my instinct is this is the River Wansbeck ? Anyone with ideas or knows. Its an important part of our history, but it needs confiming. This pic says viaduct over River Blyth, looking south

Just got my hands on old Bedlington Market Place footage. Its on Cine film and will be digitised in the New Year. Got it from a very well-to-do lady from Bedlington. Let you know all about it when its been digitised.

The Queens was not here. It was on the roundabout before they built it. This was the Anvil Inn.Across the road was the Blacksmiths owned by Luke Kidd. If i remember rightly. Luke Kidds brother also a Blacksmith committed suicide when he threw himself in thr Wansbeck. Luke committed suicide to. Me father and friends went into the smithy as children and found him hanging behind the door. Must have been 1930's this. My Father lived opposite the original Queens Head in a street known as "Front Street"