Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)

So you are the one who started the 'hot pants' craze, Eggy!

Could be true, my white shorts were so tight I was not allowed to climb the stairs on the hourly bus to Cambois beach. Was that the number 44 - early 1960s?

My granny said she could get into the Wallaw using milk bottle - or jam jars - as entrance fee. Can anyone shed any light on this?

Keith I am sure both cinemas, Top end and Station, would do the same but I can't remember getting into the Wallaw with Bottles. As we lived at the Oval the Wallaw was where we normally went to. Cue violins - perhaps it's cos we did not have a lot of money and did not get to the pictures very often. Had to stay off school on a Tuesday and use dinner money to get into the matinee, 6d. The youngest of three lads and I think when I was 10, other two therefore 11 & 12, I was given the responsibility of holding the money to get us in. Lost in in Pioneer Terrace. Didn't get to pics, didn't get ice cream, did get a good hiding of brothers.

What I do remember is Saturdays going to the Top end pics, with bottles, when we were shipped of to grannies in Beatty Row. Three Stoogies; Dan Dare etc and that was definitely with bottles, supplied by Mr Surtees, freind of the family, from Haig Road, that worked at the cinema - think he was more commonly know as 'Torchy'

What about standing on top to get the full benefit of the steam.Pollution was not seen as a problem.

Train journeys to Blyth and Whitley Bay.

The Hotspur, I think and the Fat Ox!

Yep, we did that often and we never got told off for been polluted. Stand at the top and wait for the train to pass, blow the steam up through the gaps in the planks. Found this was a good way to disguise the fact that we had been smoking cigs. Never considered that a spark would flee up our short trouser legs (yes we wore them) and set ahad to the Y fronts!

How many of these are open today?

As I had a spare, few days, I thought I would check. Unfortunately the time was there but quite often the memory was absolutely blank. Please correct if wrong :-

Used to be Now

Red Lion Wetherspoon Red Lion – Top End

Wharton Arms Wharton Arms– Top End

Top Club (destroyed by fire) Destroyed by fire– Top End

Top Club (rebuilt and now demolished) Demolished– Top End

Alma Inn _ Glebe Road Demolished– Top End

Tankerville Arms – Glebe Road Demolished– Top End

Fountain Inn demolished ? I have no recollection of it. I'M TOO YOUNG

Blue Bell Blue Bell - is it now closed? – Top End

Dominic's Dominic's wine bar– Top End

Gallery Inn/Balcony Inn ? no idea

Kings Head Was the Kings Head the real name for the Grapes before it officially change to

The Grapes? Or was there a Kings Head between the Blue Bell & the xxxx/Grapes?

Masons Arms (now Tallantyres) Tallantyers

Cross Tavern Never heard of it but search shows it was at the Market Place 1888 – Sad Death on the

Sixtownships site.

Sun Inn Sunn Inn- Market Place

Market Place Club Market Place Club- Market Place

Turks Head (now part of Tescos formerly Milne House) Tescos- Market Place

Howard Arms Market Tavern- Market Place

Northumberland Arms Northumberland Arms- Market Place

Barrington Arms Barrington Arms (closed) - Market Place

Gardeners Arms Veterinary Centre 74 Front St. ? - Front St East

Black Bull Black Bull- Front St East

Dun Cow/Millfield Dun Cow- Front St East

Oddfellows ? No Idea – only no of the one in Blyth

Wheatsheaf ? No Idea

Bridge Inn ? No Idea

Queens Head ? Only know the one in Guidepost

Terrier Demolished – Bedlington Stead Lane - now bungalows?

Puddlers Arms Demolished – is it now The Bank Top, or was it further up, Glazier/Jubilee Terrace ?

Bank Top Hotel Bank Top Hotel – River View Bedlington

Railway Tavern Railway Tavern - Bedlington Station

Percy Arms Percy Arms - closed Bedlington Station

Clayton Arms Clayton Arms – trying to reopen but someone has put all the windows out, AGAIN Bedlington

Station

Jakes Bar Jakes Bar – Clayton St – on Google street view - 2009 Bedlington Station

Station Club Station Cub Bedlington Station

Club Domino/Lucifers/Lucys/Palace Demolished – now appartments Bedlington Station

Ridge Farm Ridge Farm (closed) - Netherton

Glaxo Sports Club Demolished now housing estate- Netherton

Netherton Club (opposite Westlea) Netherton Social Club - Netherton

Old Netherton Club/Naval Club ? Thought there used to be a Naval club in Nedderton.

Hartford Bridge Inn (Jolly Fisherman) ? No Idea

Barrington Club/Old German House Inn ? No Idea

Todds Off Licence (Barrington Rd -

tables inside to sit in and drink) ? No Idea

General Havelock General Havelock – East Sleekburn

Seven Stars Demolished - Cambois

North Blyth Club North Blyth Club NE24 1SD- Cambois

Ridley Arms ? Demolished I assume – one photo found on http://www.myheritage.com

Cambois Club Cambois Club

Buccaneer/Charltons Charlton's - Cambois

Forresters Arms Forresters Arms – West Sleekburn

Bomarsund Club Bomarsun Social Club - Stakeford

Lord Barrington Lord Barrington- Stakeford

Half Moon Half Moon- Stakeford

Stakeford Bank House Club Demolished – Nursing Home built

Cherry Tree Cherry Tree - Guidepost

Angler's Arms Angler's Arms Sheep Wash Guidepost

Queens Head New Queens Head – Google 2009 -? - Guidepost

Anvil Inn Demolished/merged with Old Queens Head - demolished when round-about buil?

Shakespeare Tavern The Shakespeare – Google 2009 -?- Guidepost

Guidepost Club Guidepost Club- Guidepost

Travellers Rest Travellers Rest- Scotland Gate. I think this one has been on the 'To be demolished list' for years.

In the past, Tuesday night Choppington & Dedlington Darts League, renowned for it's food.

When The Percy Arms dart team played there, late sixties, we

always had a mini bus hired so we could eat and drink all night. And the food was supplied all

night.

Scotland Gate Club Demolished – QuickTan or Avanti ?

Kings Head ??? no idea

Lord Clyde/Swan Swan - Barrington

Railway Tavern Demolished – I remember a pub on the opposite corner to the Lord Clyde but I do not remember

it's name. I assume this is it.

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.

I see they still haven't filled in the pot hole, used to hit that every time we went down on the boagy. Or was it the roller skate with Beano annual wedged in as a seat.

First time I can remember a picture taken from half way down the Furnace Bank, excellent picture, I've saved that one, thanks.

Keith Coultas or Coultiss?,used to go to France in his little van,to seek vinyl albums,as it was then,that you couldn't get in Britain.He got me Elvis's

Silver anniversary box set,which was about £25 then....1981-ish?[keep me right here you Elvis fans!],a weeks pay for me!,cos it was completely sold out in Britain.

John was our fitter at Bates pit,and used to maintain all our gear,including the mechanical shovel in my Bates pit photostream on Flickr...

Lydia,his sister , was my Sister's bridesmaid back in 195-something!!!!

The Musicbox was upstairs at that time,in the 70's/80's,they had some rare posters on the staircase walls.

The Record Bar was in Bowes street,Blyth,on the corner opposite the health food shop,opposite Argos.

When i played in a pop group,we all hung out there at weekends,all the other local groups i mean,listening to the latest hits,and buying the sheet music,as well as the records,to learn to play them...back in 1963-66.

"Are you sure" was a great harmony track,by the Allison.s,but i'm bound to say that seeing as i'm an Allison!

Holly was a mate who played in the "shades of blue" group,back then,lead vocalist,and harmonica player,he was great,but he left and went to London,

still in the sixties,and got into the top ten,with a band called "Toby Twirl"...can't remember the name of the record,but next time i saw him was at the Club Domino,Bedlington Station,in the early '70's,he was top of the bill,i heard he is now back in Blyth,and running his own pub.

Sorry folks....i do go on a bit!!

Please keep going on Keith, I need someone from Bedlington to rattle the brain cells. I remember Holly - Shades of Blue - made the girls scream at the Bedlington YMCA.

This site shows recent correspondence from the band members:-

http://www.mancheste...l/tobytwirl.php

Yes I remember both of them but it was a long time ago. Patricks was the bit near the station gates and the butchers was the other side of the pub, oppisit the Library if I remember correctly.

I used to deliver papers from Patrick's when I was 11/12 - 1959-1960. Patrick's was the shop on the corner, and on the same side, across from the Station Club. There was another paper shop on the same side as the Clayton Arms, but can't remember if it was next door to the Clayton or a couple of shops down and can't remember it's name. And I think there was a Bainbridge's News Agent on Station Road.

I know this topic is old, but as I just joined the group and I have an old picture of the Toll house - no idea where I found it.

You can see the Seven Sisters, like you all do not know if the story is true, that's what me mam told us. One tree planted by the occupant for each daughter that was born.

He must have been a travelling merchant cos my wife, Cramlington born & bred, tells me of the Seven Sisters in Cramlington Hall. I have applied for the job of Seven Sister maker but my seven sisters say I have no chance!

And we were told the same story - Huntsman chasing fox; fox swerves; huntsman carries on with horse - Plague created. But it was always easier to get to the plaque by cutting through the field on the halfpenny side. Think there used to be a public right of way designated path through from across the road where Dr. Brown used to live.

That's right, Keith. Alan Miller and my bro were real good mates, him and Stu Maddison. But I still cannot picture the Co-op shop at Ian Bell's. I remember most of the shops, like Doyles at the top of the woods at Stead Lane and the one in between the Coffin Chapel and the Whitley school - which has been posted elsewhere on this site. But the Blyth Store Bank shop is a complete blank.

PS - news is they are going to knock down the bottom shops at the Oval.

Can't find a photo but I remember the Co-op.The bus stop, either side of the road, was known as 'Blyth Store'

Excellent work, pity earlier dates could not be added.

No written records!

We need a time machine to go back to the future.

One thing we all agree on is the importance of Bedlington in our lives.

From the depths of our hearts we have learnt to love the place.

'What is this life if full of care we have no time to stand and stare'

Maybe we should keep Bedlington for ourselves.

Have to agree with keeping it to ourselves, but SORRY, when I went to work in London, 1969, I used to add (note not deface) Bedlington 297 miles North on the road signs.

My mother worked for Strakers then George Swan, she was there for years, we lived in the airey houses in Waverley Avenue at the time. I will be the same age as your sister Eggy, well she will probably be slightly older than me. Everyone seems to be forgetting the Drs. Surgery in the Oval. Drs. Ivory and Brown before they

moved to the clinic at Guide Post.

Do not remember a docs at the Oval, only the dentists in the clinic round the corner on the way to Waverley Drive etc. Get your teeth extracted under the influence of gas , free of charge! Remember we had to go to see Dr Brown at the Top End, just off the front street. But I see your doc Ivory gets a mention by johndawsonjune1955 in the 'FamilyTree' topic on this site.

Definately 60s and I think this picture must be when they were new. There would be one shop before the first on the left in the photo - Strakers, general dealers, I think. The first shop you can see is definitely the Chemists, then the Barbers. Next two can't remember and then the last two were the Co-op.

My sister says the first shop was George Swan's - but she was born 1955 and would have been well into the 60's before she was reading shop signs so Straker's could still be the first that was there. She reckons the next shop, the chemists was Leaman's and, like many others, says there was a drapers after Beadnall's.

I have memory of me mam telling me of an Oval lad, Joe, opening a bakers/cake shop - 1970's - in one of those shops between the barbers and the Co-op.

The Oval shops. 1960s i think. Looks like that anyway.

Definately 60s and I think this picture must be when they were new. There would be one shop before the first on the left in the photo - Strakers, general dealers, I think. The first shop you can see is definitely the Chemists, then the Barbers. Next two can't remember and then the last two were the Co-op.

Here are some photos of the oval shops in front of Kelso gardens - opposite Foundry House. (Which stands on our old playing field)

The shops in photo 3 are going to be pulled down soon - so we have heard.

Can anyone remember the shops from the sixties and seventies?

There was Strakers on the corner...further down a barbers, Doreen's wool shop, a co-op!!!. Then across that gap was Dennis's, Christines chiropodists....Routledge the butchers, the newspaper shop, last owned by Colin Mole and the rest is lost to history.

During the course of time there have been a green grocers, video shop, pet shop, fish and chip shop and who knows what else.

Please help lads and lasses, cos I've got a bad doze of nostalgia.

A bad doze of nostalgia may get confused by a bad doze of my memory! I lived in Coquetdale Place, 1949-1969.

So if we say 1960 and earlier, as you face the shops the left hand group :-

1st. shop I agree with you - Strakers - general dealers.

2nd shop - I think was the Chemists - definately was a chemists as we used to pick Rose-hips and the chemists paid us for them, by weight.

3rd shop - I think was the barber - a DA and anything for the weekend sir.

Cant't remember what was next but definately

Last Shop was the Co-op Store, cos that's where me mam sent one us every day. Divi Number -no idea - Cigarettes =JC.

Right hand group I can't remember the order but can remember a couple of the shops :-

Wakenshaw the Butcher - their son Kingsley went to Bedlington Grammar, early 60's. Think Soulsby and Lynn came after

Shiropodist - me mam went there.

Wools shop but could have been in the left hand group - everything we wore was knitted from there. Even our bathing costumes!

Beadnell's the news agent I think was the last shop. Yes he sold everything else but you had to wait whilst he found it. I am sure he once had a couple of motor bikes to sell.

Need a cup of tea but will continue thinking, and asking other oldies.

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.

Just shows what my memory is like- Jimmy who? Stuart Bowman, now I remember - thanks

Just joined this Bedlington Community site, found by accident whilst looking for old pics/maps of the A pit, Bedlington Station.

Saw the old school picture from Class 6 1957 and my older brother is in it.

I started Barrington County Primary in 1952 and may be able to contact some people who could answer some of the questions asked.

The only person I can recognise on the Glove Factory pictures is the young bloke, at the left, kneeling in one and standing in the back in the other.

Can only remember his first name, Jimmy, and he used to mend the sewing machines. Lived down at the Bank Top in Melrose Avenue next to what is now Ian Gerrard's cycle shop.

I will copy the pics of the glove company staff and see if I can get any of them identified.