Reedy

We came across this picture whilst sorting through Dad's albums. I wasn't sure which was the best place to put it as it has some relevance to Whitley Memorial School, Bedlington Terriers FC and Hollymount Square. The picture seems to have been taken from St Cuthbert's Church and shows what I believe are the grounds and buildings of Whitley Memorial School, with the Hollymount area and what is now the park and the Terriers ground also featured. The windows of the building at the bottom left are still evident today above the general dealers next to the solicitors office close to the Northumberland Arms. I've seen quite a few pictures taken from the same position showing the Neuk and Dr Pit area but haven't seen this view before.

My Grandad George Harris was killed during the 2nd World War in an explosion on Cambois Beach. I believe he was Coastguard and a mine exploded. My Mother was taken out of Cambois 1st School and I remember she once told me that the class heard the 'bang'.

His name was added years later to the Cambois War Memorial.

14th Battalion Home Guard - taken outside Bedlington Grammar School in 1943.

Sorry I can't put a date on this picture but it shows Canon Whitley (seated) who was linked to St Cuthbert's Church. The Whitley Memorial School was named after him.

Apparantly the ash came from the hundreds of coal fires in Bedlington which was collected by the local council and dumped there.

From about number 35 to 50 melrose avenue was built on an ash tip. These houses back onto the main road under the 'black bridge'. Numbers 1 to 32 were built first and used land previously used by rag and bone men such as Jakey Miller, and fruit and veg sellers such ad Benny Andrews, Ben Jennings, Joe Jennings. This land was solid ground. Dad still digs up bones when he hoes his garden at the bottom of the street. I remember as a kid helping/hindering Harry Speight when he was starting to build Summerson Way and finding loads of old bottles in the earth.

Dad refers to the shop as 'Bartie Butchers' and possibly has a photo in an album currently out on loan. He remembers that in the early post war years (2nd WW), Bartie used to sell 'under the counter' cigarettes to the miners. He was a good businessman as he would sell the cigs individually, splitting the packets and upping the price and his profits. He would still have long queues outside when rumour of a delivery started. Moscardinis at Bedlington Station also cottoned onto this sales method.

List of names for the Old Folks Treat Fund 1938 - 1939 Market Place Club v Top Club football match.

Seated L-R

jimmy Jarrett, Tommy Fox, Reg Gill, unknown, Referee (holding match ball), unknown, Archie Maughan (Top Club Manager), unknown, Luke Muldoon, Bradley, Bill Docherty.

Standing L-R

Percy, Joe Curley, unknown, McSherry, unknown (goalkeeper in cap), Matty Hall, Jenkins, Alec Burns, unknown (in suit and tie), Sanderson, John Walton (Manager Mkt Place Club in shirt and tie), 2 behind unknown, Finlayson, George Campbell, Jim Miller, unknown, Tait (leaning on post), Jim Parr, 2 x unknown, Thomas Reed (goalkeeper), unknown in cap, Billy Wales, unknown, unknown in trilby hat, children unknown.

Hopefully some ancestors will be on here. Any additions welcome.

Think the shop at the end of the terrace near the Station club was called 'Dorriies'.

The 'butch woman' as you refer to her was called Elsie. I remember that she always wore huge pit boots.

I think my dad started work for Jennings in about 1942 straight from school before he went to the Dr Pit.

As this post has connections to 3 current topics (miners killed in Bedlington pits, Netherton, people who lived in the pit rows)I thought I'd start a new one off rather than trying to spread the stuff out.

My Dad who's now 84 years old comes from a mining family and has lived in Bedlington all his life. I was asking him about Netherton and the Dr Pit and he told me about my Grandfather and Great Grandfather who worked in the pits.

My Great Grandfather was called George Reed and was a deputy at Netherton Colliery. He was killed in a mining accident before my Dad was born. He walked to work every day from Bedlington to Netherton and used to carry my Grandfather with him as he also worked at Netherton starting there aged 10 years old. George lived with his family (total of 10 people) in a 2 bedroomed house. No requirement to move if a bedroom tax had been introduced back then.

He was killed when a stone or large pebble struck him in the head following blasting when water caused the stones to shoot away from the wall surfaces - a common occurrence at that time.

My Grandfather was called Thomas Reed and eventually moved from Netherton to the Dr Pit. He lived at 1 Telephone Row and contracted rheumatic fever from working underground which made him unable to work. In about 1935, with no notice given, he was evicted from his colliery house by the colliery officials who simply removed all the family furniture into the street. He didn't have anyone in the house of working age which would have protected the tenancy. The next tenants were already waiting at the bottom of the street to move in with all their belongings. The family and furniture were split up to temporarily move in with other relatives(including 4 young children).

He eventually bought a house in Stead Lane and returned to the Dr Pit as a checkweighman.

My Dad worked at the Dr Pit as an apprentice until he was badly injured in an accident underground aged 19 years. He was with some others fitting a new clutch onto a coal cutter when the supports gave way and the cutter came down onto his ankles. He was freed and bandaged up where he lay before being carried out about 3 miles on a stretcher by 8 men to the surface. Dr Brown gave him further attention before he was taken to Newcastle RVI by colliery ambulance.

When he recovered he worked a plumber in the colliery and also in all the colliery houses in Bedlington. He later left when the threat of pit closures loomed to work for the contractors building Blyth Power Station. He's also been a milkman for Jackie Abbs and a Postman in Bedlington.

My Grandfather Thomas was the North East 'Bools' champion where you threw a metal ball underarm for distance. He was taken all over the area by Johnnie Barnes the fruiterer who used to make side bets on him winning at Newbiggin, Morpeth and other local villages.

His drinking mates included John McGlen who was the area Quoits champion and John Carly who was the pitmans bare knuckle boxing champion. I've attached a picture with him in which was taken at the annual Top Club v Market Place Club football match to raise money for the elderly in the town. The football is painted with "Old Folks Treat Fund 1938 - 1939". Thomas is the tall fella on the far right in the goalkeepers top. My Dad is going to add some names to the faces which I'll post once their done.

My Dad was also a goalkeeper and was the original keeper for 'Bedlington Mechanics' until his accident. He later went on to do some organisational work for the club. The second picture was taken before the Mechanics first ever match which was a friendly against West Lea played at West Lea. He thinks he also has a picture of the West Lea team from that match too plus some later Mechanics teams so I'll add them if he finds them.

The Mechanics team which were all Dr Pit lads is listed below but sadly Dad believes he's the only one still alive. Their home matches were played on what is now Tescos car park and the team were supported by Jimmy Milne.

Back Row left to right - Thomas Guilfoyle, George Hetherington, Alan Stafford, John Reed, Owen Turner, Robert Napier.

Front Row left to right - Bill Ward, Bill Clark, Alan Jobson, Ossie Davison, Harry Docherty.

Don't think there were any main gates as the Dr Pit could be accessed by many routes. You could simply walk in from almost any direction and along any of the 'rows' surrounding the pit.

The most popular route came out next to Sierra Hire via the back of the gas holder and also included a tunnel/cundy which ran under the main pit yard. This was about 6ft high and had electric lighting but often flooded with deep puddles. It was still safer than walking through the middle of the pit though.

I was looking at the pictures of Netherton posted by Carole and mentioned them to my Dad who told me that my Great Grandfather was actually killed in a mining accident at Netherton Colliery.

My Dad was born in 1928 so the accident would have been prior to that date. I'll see what information he has and post it on here. He told me that my Great Grandfather used to carry my Grandfather to the colliery when he was only 10 years old when they both worked there !

Couple of pictures from my Dads collection. I've posted them on here as the Ladies team has a connection to the 'A' Pit Canteen which is mentioned several times in this forum.

Bedlington Doctor Pit Welfare Ladies Bowling Team 1955 - The team captain Mrs Green is being presented with the trophy by Jimmy Milne and looking on is Dr Reid.

The lady at the back left was the cook at the 'A' Pit Canteen. She was called Mrs Purvis but was fondly known as 'Pieola' and was famous for her Rock Buns.

Bedlington Doctor Pit Welfare Mens Bowling Team 1955 - members include Dr Brown (front centre), Mr Green the husband of the ladies captain (front right) and also 2nd from the right were Joe Johnson Junior (back row) and Joe Johnson Senior (front Row).

Netherton Miners 1973 - Front Row left to right -

1) Nickname was 'Shack' as he was a fanatical Sunderland supporter.

2) ?

3) ?

4) ?

5) Surname was Prime

6) ?

7) Vivian Joyce

My Dad thinks the Winderman from the A pit had the surname White and lived near the colliery managers buildings opposite Liddels garage in Bomarsund.

He had a brother who ran a stonemasons/memorials business.

Tony G - re your earlier question about the Green families in Stead Lane.

65 Stead lane was occuppied by brothers Billy Green and Rufus (Buster) Green.

Billy possibly ran a boot repair business next to the clock tower in Oldgate, Morpeth. Rufus was believe it or not a roofer who worked at the A pit.

63 Stead Lane was occuppied by Daniel Green and his daughter Blanche. Daniel worked at West Sleekburn colliery.

'A' Pit Canteen - I've attached an ariel shot which may have been taken from the top of the heaps which shows most of the 'A' Pit and possibly the baths and canteen. My Dad reckons when the Clayton Ballroom chucked out loads of folk made their way to the canteen for pies and peas.

Couple of shots of South Row (colour one was taken in 2004).

Also 2 pics of the CO-OP on the opposite side of the road.

Part of my Dad's collection is this picture of the start of the 'Free Woods'.

You can see the bandstand over the grassed area.

Continuing on from the lists of families I posted on the 'Puddlers Raa' topic in History Hollow, here is a list of the families who lived in the streets on the Bebside part of the 'Furnace' area during the period 1940 - 1952. Hopefully they'll help with someones research.

I've also posted 3 pictures which show quite a few buildings and streets (couldn't tell you the date though). The first 2 make a good panorama if you put them side by side.

PURVIS ROW

G Jackson, N Gauld, J Lannen,J Bartlett, Watson, J Weiighill, J Cummings, N Harvey, Sherrington, T Murday, J Conner, W Tate, J Beecroft, S McGarry,

B Hills, A Purdham, N Race, H Tosney, Powers.

NEWGATE

Bolam, B Hedley, Fergusson, Gray, Yellowley.

OCEAN VIEW

Drakesfield, T Simons, J Robson, J Jackson, J Tuck.

TOLL HOUSE

A Gray.

BRIDGE HOUSE

Munley, J Harrison.

SEVEN POPLARS

Warren, Moss, Hedley.

WOOD ROW

R Chapman, Coulson, T Kelly, Wood, B Scott, H Stobbs, H Smith, Hunter, W Forshaw, Brown, Young, Hemsley, Winter, J Parker, W Nelson.

FRONT STONE ROW

I Lewelynn, J Spowart, J Pearson, Fergusson, J Tate, T Smith, J Barr, Burns, J Conner, Brewis, Wilson.

BACK STONE ROW

A Anderson, J Leightley, J Wilson, S Brooks, F Jackson, Hedley, Bell.

OLDGATE

Gray, Sharp, F Parr, T Moffit, J Bissett, Mularkey, Sheilds, Charlton, Middlemiss, Farr, Fergusson, D Hodgetts, T Parks, Murrey, Scougal, G Kirk, P Ord.

UNDER BRIDGE

Simms, Kelly, Milligan.

FARM

Pringle.

First residents in Melrose Avenue - Unsure of the date of construction but at least 60 years ago.

1 - Dixon

2 - Alison

3 - Amos

4 - Myerscough

5 - Hindmarsh

6 - Montgomery

7 - Chester

8 - Trotter

9 -

10 - Collins

11 - Lown

12 - Fail

13 - Oldfield

14 - Innes

15 - Reid

16 - Fish

17 - Winter

18 - Cummins

19 -

20 - Connel

21 - Cummins

22 - Douglas

23 - Todd

24 - McKay

25 -

26 - Thain

27 - Tyrie

28 - Hall

29 - Pearson

30 - Matthews

31 - Robinson

32 - Gordon

33 - Mills

34 - Rutter

35 - Bowman

36 - Morgan

37 - Lee

38 - Crame

39 - Chapple

40 - Pymm

41 -

42 - Conroy

43 -

44 - Dobson

45 - Highfield

46 - Harmison

47 - Hall

48 - Martins

49 - Grieves

50 - Young

Families living in Stead Lane around 1940s -

1 - Rankin

3 - Patterson (3a Miss Young)

5 - Creigh (Doyles Shop)

7 - Pearman

9 - Mole

11 - Dott (11a Warren)

13 - Wilson

15 - Tighe

17 - Ellis

19 -

21 - Birch

23 - Powers

25 -

27 - Jones

29 - Mole

31 - Richardson

33 -

35 -

37 - Carey

39 - Hall

41 -

43 - Thompson

45 - Shadforth

47 - Pallister

49 - Robinson Chapman

51 - Simpson

53 - Robson

55 - Jennings

57 - Cramer

59 - Murphy

61 - Brown

63 - Green

65 - Dixon

67 - Jackson

69 - Green

71 - Gallon

2 - Price

4 - Mood

6 - Arries

8 - Hebron

10 - Thompson

12 - Mole

14 - Grand

16 - Reed

18 - Napier

20 - Wilson

22 - Hewitson

24 - Adamson

26 - Dunsmore

28 - Bainbridge

30 - Smith

32 - Walker

34 - Bainbridge Temple

36 - Cairns

38 - Miller

If anyone can fill in any of the gaps for Stead Lane or the previous streets it would be appreciated.

I have been reliably informed that the streets which were located around the 'Bank Top' area were as follows -

Starting at what used to be Joe Jennings farm and shop including Mansion House now possibly 'Smiles' was Glassey Terrace. The first 7 houses were originally named Howard Terrace but the name was changed to Glassey Terrace as a result of misdirected mail as another Howard Terrace existed in Netherton.

Families living in Glassey Tce in the 1940s/1950s were -

1 - Storey

2 - Jobson

3 - Storey

4 - Watson

5 - Tait

6 -

7 - Hedley

8 - Moscrop

9 - Proudlock

10 - Hedley

11 - Andrews

12 - Brown

13 - Gregg

14 - Morton

15 - Gibson

16 - Wonford

Next came the Bank Top Hotel(opened in 1903) Landlord J McKenna.

To the left of the Bank Top pub was a row of about 4 cottages occupied by families McSparron, Cole and Thompson. These cottages were next to the Puddlers Arms which contained flats occupied by Bell, McGregor, Miller , Rooney. These were also known as Craggs Buildings. This collection of homes including the Puddlers Arms were eventually cleared to make way for what is now River View Close.

Continuing away from the Bank Top was River View -

1 - Turnbull

2 - Scoular

3 - Patterson

4 - Dodds

5 -

6 -

7 -

8 -

9 - Stanners

10 - Metcalfe

11 - Tipple

12 - Dawson

13 - Mood

14 - Hall

15 - Short

16 - Fenwick

17 -

18 -

19 - Douglas

20 - Coe

Staying on the right hand side of the road next came 'Puddlers Row'. These houses ran as far as number 2 Stead Lane across the area at the top of what is now Tomlea Avenue where the cottages are.

Families in Puddlers Row approx mid 1950s (some show numerous or duplicate names as families moved or swapped houses)-

1 - McGarry/McAndrews

2 - Donohoe

3 - McCafferty

4 - Conomy

5 - Noon/Odonnell/Tellum

6 - Thain/Furness

7 - Neary

8 - Mullarkey/Smallman

9 - Bellerby

10 -Carey

11 - Murphy/Bolam

12 - Nicholson

13 - Weatheritt

14 - Kelly/Snowdon

15 - Kinghorn/McCafferty

16 - Oliver

17 - Birch/Mulholland/Mole

18 - Easton/Craze

19 - Smallman/Walker/McCafferty

20 - Mullarkey/Earl

These houses led onto Stead Lane with the even numbers on the right as you headed towards Bedlington and the odd numbers (Doyles Shop side)on the left.

I also have an almost complete list of families for Stead Lane if anyone wants them posted.

Please note the information was compiled by my Father (who is now 84 years old and has lived at the Bank Top all his life)and a few old family friends whose names appear in the lists of families. I cannot comment on their accuracy or the exact dates as no records were used only 'grey matter' and memories.

My Dad has a list of some of the streets around the Bank Top/Stead Lane area with a lot of the family names of the occupants. Not sure of the date though.

He also has the same for the streets on the Bebside side of the river.

I'll get the lists off him next week and will post them on here possibly with a picture of the Bebside streets too. Might take a few days though.

I'm new on here and this may have been posted before but anyway here's another view of the Furnace Bridge and Hairpin Bend.