John Fox (foxy)

Was Walker and Daniels with you when you wrote this Keith?

Thank you all for the Birthday wishes, I left Bedders with my mates at 3 oclock for the Toon , took in some of the "Historic Sights" and came home about ten. Didnt see owt of Wilf, does'nt get around as much as the "olduns" :)

Number 2 is Syd Smart and number 3 is Tommy Climpson both regulars in Netherton Club during the 70s.

Yes it was used by Raisbeck I had forgotton boot that

1990

. In fact if I put a pair of shorts on and an old school tie I could get on the buses for half price. Honest!!!

Was that you I saw on telly playing guitar with a well known Aussie Rock Band?

Cheers, Symptoms, I was saying to my brother it could be someone...say like Dixon & Jordan...bought one cheap to house their coaches. (Pure speculation on my part that!) But where would they get one from? The MOD? Bedlington people have seen it and passed by it everyday but no one seems to have any history on it! Fascinating - as Spock would say. (Mr. Spock not the other one.)

History Keith,

I must have been ? years younger when I took this pic. Have a guess, bet threegee knows.

How about Spangles?

Foxy - your recent photo, from your latest hiking expedition, with rear view of rucksack, is rather outstanding.

Just realised what you were on about.

Bedlington Station shelter, that was back off the road at the bottom of South Row before the chemists and railway gates, was referred to as The Budgie Hut and as The Lone Ranger says the placque on the shelter was BUDC that we pitmatic lot traslated into The Budgie Hut. Can we find photos of the Red Lion & Bedlington Budgies?

Iv'e got a more recent similar pic but for some reason it won't upload, after iv'e recovered my laptop from the back garden and replaced the broken window I'll have another try

There's a picture somewhere of a single, derelict brick structure which is apparently all that remains of Hartford Camp. I'm fairly certain that's where we lived and there should have been a portion at one side that must have been torn down. There were three families in the front part and one at the side, the Charltons. They had one child at the time. His name was Alan. I happened upon a post at one time by 'alanc' stating he lived at 54 Netherton Moor but I can't seem to find it again. Can anyone help, please?

I had this pic on here before but don't know which thread, maybe you havn't seen it.

just wondering how the day went for yous all..and what was the story with the big bedlington song..gagging to hear it..if anyone can provide a link i would be most delighted...cheers

Great weather, Great Atmosphere, Great Turnout, Great Success. A credit to the organizers and especially Leading Link.

And here's someone paying his turn!!

Station Road not sure of the street, bet Keith can tell us.

Just thought, it may be South Row.

Brilliant, thanks for that, picture download and labelled - 'A Pit Entrance off Station Road'. I think I'm right in remembering the pit canteen was on the left and we used to go there f rom the secondary school and get a full dinner for 1 shilling. But that picture makes me ask the question (cos I can't remember) - What was the name of the street to the right of this picture. You can just see the road sloping down on the right. Hills, Caruthers, my age, and the younger Marshall twins all lived in this row. The row that was opposite Station Road and is now Blagdon Court.

Station Road not sure of the street, bet Keith can tell us.

Since joining I am enjoying dragging bits of my memory back, and annoying the wife who's from Cramlington and has no idea. We used to walk from the Oval to Barrington School via the pit. So we came out at the Pioneer Boot Factory; crossed the road; went right through the pit

Memories

Billy Ward was the official photographer in there Keith, he was often to be seen taking pictures of the acts both onstage and backstage. When he retired I bought quite a lot of pictures from him but because he knew i was keen on music he gave me some "proof" prints F.O.C. Some he has identified on the back, I've got a canny few so here's a couple of starters.

Some more. Does anyone know the Fella, he did'nt name this one,

I would love some photos of the groups and bands they had on down there..

Billy Ward was the official photographer in there Keith, he was often to be seen taking pictures of the acts both onstage and backstage. When he retired I bought quite a lot of pictures from him but because he knew i was keen on music he gave me some "proof" prints F.O.C. Some he has identified on the back, I've got a canny few so here's a couple of starters.

Could there be a connection here John?

WHEN I'M CLEANING WINDOWS!!!

Now I go cleaning windows, it's an honest sort of job

Except down the Clayton where you cannot make a bob

When lunchtime comes around I go down Furnace Bank

There's this old green van parked down there

and the driver's having a...thank you.

Too much competition Keith.

Here is a bit history for Reedys dad who compiled the list of pubs.

Scotland Gate Club was formed in 1910 in what was formerly a butcher's shop. In around 1957 the club planned to build new premises on land bought from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for the bargain price of £500. On this site stood the Church of England School which the committee had planned to demolish to make way for the new building.

The club needed to build new premises for two reasons. First, the building only held 900 members and they needed larger premises to compete with other clubs. Secondly the old building was affected by subsidence.

The club began in what was formerly a shop and house belonging to a butcher called Tom Bowman. There was only a very small bar and sitting room in the building.

The first major extensions were carried out during the Second World War when a concert room was added. About the same time improvements were done to the bar to double its size.

We have only found the name of two founder members they are Mr. J. Cox, who was chairman of the first committee, and Mr. W. Jenkinson, who was a committee member. The first steward was Mr. Robert Donald, and the first secretary was a man known as "Fisher” Smith.

My Mother worked there in the fifties,the Stewards surname was Lockey or Locke he had a son Jimmy who would probably be about 65/70 years old now.

Don't mention her.

There was a Working Mans Club at Choppington,next to the Kings Arms

The Big Six Ohhhhhhhhhhhh have a guddin!!!

It's becoming just like flogging a dead horse now.

Well I may be wrong but has the Clayton Pub broke the record for the amount of broken windows. I counted 14 the other day it may have more now though. Can anybody shed some light on Jakes Bar why it is a llowed to get more and more derelict and an eyesore. Is it because it's Bedlington Station? Morpeth would"t allow it. Come on Councillors answer the question

Just hope and pray that we have a new Council after tomorrow then you may get an answer. At the moment we are still stuck with the Walt Disney Characters that we've had to endure for the last Four Years,.............Fingers Crossed.

Sounds to me like only one person is trolling Since I'm not standing in these elections or involved in anyone else's campaign I don't think it appropriate for me to debate with anyone. To any candidates reading this I wish you luck, especially if you get elected. The Town Council can make a difference, especially in the next four years now that it isn't being set up from scratch. My guess is that there will be no single party running it and all new councillors, regardless of party or independence, will have a role.

For the record, can I just say that no councillor abstained in the precept increase voting. However, one councillor voted AGAINST the increases and that councillor was ME. I agree that the public should have been permitted to engage in a discussion over the merits or otherwise of increasing a precept. After all it is public money and affects everyone. Similarly, I am also in favour of an increase in the public input into Town Council meetings. I had to accept that I was in a minority in these beliefs but always voted in line with my views and if re-elected, will continue to do so and thereby represent the views of the community of West Bedlington where I too live.

It is elections coming up, Pity we couldn't get a response during the last four years