Poldweia

OK, I know Kirk Yetholm is in the Borders, but is anyone else related to the gypsies there? My Great, great grandfather was born there, and his surname was Blythe and I know they crossed the border frequently. And we had a family tradition of being gypsies, and now I know that there was a large gypsy family there by that name. Is anyone else reading this related to them? I'd be fascinated to hear anything you can tell me.

Apologies for not responding earlier but I've been away. Carole. I believe my Great Aunt is one of the young ladies dressed as flower girls. I wish I had a photograph to show you of her but sadly it's all in my head now as she died in 1982 and I've no one to get a photo from. But she was red haired and pale skinned in a family of dark haired, swarthy skinned people (much as I am). Although funnily enough, I now know she came from a gypsy family (on her mothers side) called Blythe from Kirk Yetholm in the Borders. And reading up on them they were known for being 'ungypsy' like in their looks. And were known for their reddish hair and fair skin. Once again thank you so much for sharing.

What wonderful photographs. They are especially poignant for me as my Grandma was born at Netherton Colliery in 1914 and some of these people could have been her family. In fact in photo three, the young girl third from the left (standing) is the image of my Great Aunty Jean (born 1905). I don't know if it is her. But facially it really reminds me of later photographs I saw of her, and she seems to have red hair, which my Aunt had. It would be lovely to find out if it really is her. Thank you for sharing these photographs.

Thank you for the welcome. Yes I have lots of happy memories of Bedlington too. I always loved the country park leading down to the Blythe over the back of Hollymount Avenue (I don't know the proper name) and the walk through the woods to the stepping stones. The buildings I remember are mainly the churches, St Cuthberts, the old St Bede's and the 'Coffin Chapel' (I don't know the real name or the denomination - but I just remember being told it had it's awful name from the shape of the building). When I took my daughters there in 2002 (the first time I'd been back since 1982) I told them the first thing they'd see would be the huge man made hill that dominated the skyline (i.e. the !*!@# heap). You can imagine my shock when it was gone! No bad thing, but it was a huge mass to just disappear. I'd heard talk years ago of it being turned into a country park or something. But I believe it just became roads and houses in the end. A bit of a shame really. My other strong memory of Bedlington was being there one Halloween, and Bonfire night and going round with a lanten made out of a hollowed out swede and knocking on peoples doors asking for 'A penny for Halloween.' That really shocked me. As knocking on people's doors asking for money seemed immoral to me! Now kids do it all over the country under the guise of 'Trick or Treat'. But I saw it in Bedlington first! We also did the same with a 'guy' a few days later. We had 'guy's' in London, but used to sit on street corners with them asking for 'A penny for the guy'. Now that's something you don't see anymore down this part of the world.

Hi There, My Grandma was Josephine (Jessie) Tweddle, born in Netherton Colliery in 1914 and brought up as a Catholic attending the Catholic school. She was the youngest of a large family, with elder brothers called Stephen (who sadly drowned in the River Blythe in the 1920's), David and William and sisters called Georgina (Jean), Mary and Elizabeth (Betty). They have all now sadly passed away with Betty being the last in 2002. I wonder if anyone knows anything of the family and could help me trace relatives now? Thank you. Debs

Hi There, I live in East Anglia, and was born and bred in London, but my Mum was from Bedlington and I used to spend all the school holidays up there when I was a kid (mainly the 1970's). My family lived in the Alfred Avenue and Hollymount Avenue areas. I took my daughters there a few years ago, and tried to explain the attraction. The beautiful countryside and the lovely people. But it was hard for them as they haven't actually experienced it. Although I'm not a Bedlington person by birth, my family are from there (my Grandma was born at Netherton Colliery) and the family surname is very local to Northumberland (Tweddle). For these reasons Bedlington will always have a special place in my heart. To be honest despite my best efforts my kids only know of Bedlington because the Terriers beat our local team, Colchester, quite substantially some years ago!!!!