Reedy

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.

Another view of the Furnace Bridge.

I left Bedlington High in 1978 and remember that while I was there I did a sponsored swim, along with loads of other pupils,of about 1 mile to raise funds for the building of a swimming pool on the site.n The pool was never built and I always wondereed what happened to the cash raised. The school would have made a great site for a new sports centre instead of all the cash being diverted to Ashington as usual.

My Dad has been compiling a list of all the Pubs and Clubs, past and present that he can remember in the Bedlington District which also includes Cambois, Stakeford, Choppington. Can anyone add to the list - my first pint was in the Terrier in 1979 - 25p for a pint of 'ordinary'. Red Lion Wharton Arms Top Club (destroyed by fire) Top Club (rebuilt and now demolished) Alma Inn Tankerville Arms Fountain Inn Blue Bell Dominic's Gallery Inn/Balcony Inn Kings Head Masons Arms (now Tallantyres) Cross Tavern Sun Inn Market Place Club Turks Head (now part of Tescos formerly Milne House) Howard Arms Northumberland Arms Barrington Arms Gardeners Arms Black Bull Dun Cow/Millfield Oddfellows Wheatsheaf Bridge Inn Queens Head Terrier Puddlers Arms Bank Top Hotel Railway Tavern Percy Arms Clayton Arms Jakes Bar Station Club Club Domino/Lucifers/Lucys/Palace Ridge Farm Glaxo Sports Club Netherton Club (opposite Westlea) Old Netherton Club/Naval Club Hartford Bridge Inn (Jolly Fisherman) Barrington Club/Old German House Inn Todds Off Licence (Barrington Rd - tables inside to sit in and drink) General Havelock Seven Stars North Blyth Club Ridley Arms Cambois Club Buccaneer/Charltons Forresters Arms Bomarsund Club Lord Barrington Half Moon Stakeford Bank House Club Cherry Tree Angler's Arms Queens Head Anvil Inn Shakespeare Tavern Guidepost Club Travellers Rest Scotland Gate Club Kings Head Lord Clyde/Swan Railway Tavern

I think the black and white photo of the oval shops was featured in the Bedlington Guide price 1 shilling. There's a publishers code OB/5471/CDB/65 which may date the photo and guide in 1965?

Hi, I posted the pics and can confirm that it is Stuart Bowman. He lived 2 doors away from me in Melrose Avenue when I was growing up and now lives in Guide Post. His brother John is a member of this website too. My Mother Hilda Reed is also on there and others include Dolly Temple, Audrey Howie, Molly Henderson, Audrey Davidson.

As promised here are a couple of photos of some of the staff from the 'Glove Factory'. The photos were taken after the company won an award for it's exports. Sorry I don't know the date. If I find any more pics I'll post them.

Hello to all the site members. After browsing the site on and off for a while I decided I should join. I moved from Bedlington in about 1984 and have ended up in Cramlington although I'm still connected with Bedlington as my Dad still lives near the Bank Top. He's 84 years old and has a wealth of knowledge about the town and also has hundreds of photographs of the area which might come in useful on here. I've posted a reply about the Glove Factory and will add some photos when I borrow them from my Dad. Look forward to joining in the discussions and posting some pictures.

Hi, I'm new to this site having only joined yesterday but may be able to help with the 'Glove Factory'. My Mother was a supervisor there retiring in about 1992 and I can remember going in during school holidays in about 1972. The firm was called Bedlington Glove Company and used to supply to many large outlets including Marks and Spencer. I think it began to struggle due to the cheaper imports. My Mother (Hilda Reed) passed away last year but I can still remember some people who worked there such as Dolly Temple, Audrey Howey, Peter Kinghorn and one of the directors Mr Sharman. I think my Dad has a few photos of the factory workers so I'll borrow them and post them on the site. Reedy.