I beleive the Francis pit shaft was bricked up and covered with girders/Railway lines in the early 50's after Granny Watson's son (20 third street) fell in and died there. We Always called it Choppington Lonnen, to distinguish it from the 'other' lonnen that went past the club and on towards Short's Farm and Hepscott. That was sometimes called the Black Lonnen but more often than not it was simply called the Lonnen.
I can certainly remember Writing letters to get information on industry, Maggie, but I never got any trips out to see any pop stars. However, I did get enough Fairy Household Soap to keep my mother happy for over a year.
In Old English Bede is actually spelled 'Baed' and comes from the Word meaning to pray. However, I Think Cuthbert was his pupil so Bede was probably named before Cuthbert died. Didn't Bede die Before Cuthbert?