johndawsonjune1955

The Queens Head was originally on the roound-a-bout today. The Anvil Inn is the Queens Head today. The Anvil had stood empty for a long time, and with the new scheme of clearing the old houses and putting in the round-a-bout, it was decided to rename the Anvil, The Queens Head. Now, the reason for the name change was straight forward as, Mr Shiel who was the licensee of the old Queens Head, had Ned and Nora Beal working the pub for him. He decided to let Ned take over the license and they renamed the Anvil accordingly. Nora Beal was a nurse when in the old Queens Head and helped her husband part time. She gave up nursing to assist her husband when he became the licensee for the new Queens Head. I knew Nora and Ned very well, and went to scholl with their son, who was a year older than me, maybe a little more ? Nora gave me lots of pics of the old Queens Head and lots of the one today on the opening of it. They had a performing terrier too in the old Queens Head. Nora also let me copy lots of pics of the publicans at their special nights out and visits to coal mines in the area. All the pics of the publicans are from around Wansback as we know it today. Ned died first and Nora followed a good few years later after a long illness. She moved out the pub and on to Ashington Drive at Guide Post in a two bedroom house. She still got many visits by her loyal barstaff until she died. I visited her many times and she told me so much history regarding the Old Queens Head and the Anvil Inn. In the Queens Head that is where it is today, Ned was a big fan of Newcastle United, and if the Toon won in midweek he filled the bar. Mind you there was never many in during the week tho. When i first started drinking in 1971 i could get 10 pints of IPA for a pound. Never could drink that ammount tho. If i went to Guide Post Club i could get 11 pints of ordinary beer. What a diff it is nowadays. Hope this helps you

more than likely i just went off what was on the rear of pic, and it is obviously a mistake. thanks for pointing that out Keith

This was from 1949 for the recruitment of young miners.

This recruitment add is from 1971.

It was 1946, Symptoms as it was just before the mines were Nationalised on January 1st 1947.With Nationalisation came new coal cutting machines and, thousands of miners were wanted, including apprentices. Just as Adam has posted is correct.

Here is Barrington Colliery as it looked in 1916.

Just looking at my notes John Marshall was born in 1871 and after the war he was also involved as a shaft sinker at Barrington and Netherton.

This pic is of John Marshall of Barrington who was a sinker for the Bedlington Coal Company. He is pictured in his uniform during World War One. John Marshall worked on widening the Margery Shaft at Bedlington 'A' Pit. Four of Mr Marshalls five sons also worked with him in the pits at various times. John Marshall retired in 1951, aged 70 years. Its nice to put history online that is of interest to the forum users. Anyone related to him ? I will put more up soon.

yes. they said you got a job in the mines you had a job for life. How wrong that was On a good note 200 ex coal miners set on at the pot-ash mine in Yorkshire and 80 more needed very soon.

Here is something interesting i thought i would share with the forum users

interesting this topic. Morpeth used to do public hangings as well as in the gaol. However, i have never looked into it further. Where were the public hangings at Morpeth. And, what was George Hunter hung for ? I know the term "Gala Day" was from Gallows Day when even children had time off from schooling to watch the hangings. Can we build on this topic ?

we only got the odd day trip. parents couldnt afford us to go on the longer trips not to worry, trips to blyth and on the submarine, alnwick, warkworth, bambra castle, seahouses. yes enjoyed them. i loved seeing the submarines at blyth in 1968 i think it was. happy days Maggie

A methodist childhood is an interesting life story that gives an insight into our locality by Victor Murray. In it he mentions the Irish / Orangemen connection. Really cracking book to read.

There certainly was an Orange connection MaggieThey used to parade at Bedlington and Choppington

Heres a good pic of Backworth Colliery for you where ya dad w0rked

Thats a nice way to remember her and the person for the scarf to let it be displayed permanently at Parliament. Sadly, we won't be around for the next 100 year to remember, but the forum users have definately had a good contribution to this topic for us. Thats it for me on this topic, just need the know about the Bedlington connection really.

That link and story is very interesting Keith. Many thanks for pointing it out

Must try and get that book Maggie, what you say about the research makes it a must-read for me now. Many thanks for letting me know

Right, that must be it she was in prison a couple of times.Thanks for clearing that up Keith

Another two pics

Have a look at these two pics

superb pics. the one with the houses is the one i like as i have never seen it before and the detail is brilliant. many thanks for posting them

Just thinking about this again. Is i right that Emily had been in a phychiatric hospital twice prior to her death ? I think that is correct ?

Thats interesting Maggie, and maybe a possibility. Maybe need to look a little further into that and see what else has been said. Sadly, the only one with the answers is dead (Emily)

They probably began there cricket days like this pic ?