Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)

Photo from Bygone Bedlington Facebook site - posted by Joanne Stephenson on behalf of her mother - No 14 Margaret Eason

Jim Rutter, No 5 in the photo has confirmed the year - 1954 - and many names added.

The map in the compilation photo is from a series that can be accessed on the National Library of Scotland maps. The link to the front page is :- http://maps.nls.uk/ and the link to the Bedlington area series of maps is :- http://maps.nls.uk/geo/find/#zoom=16&lat=55.1335&lon=-1.5654&layers=39&b=1&point=55.1326,-1.5691 Clearer image showing the Puddlers' Arms

Additional comment by Gloria Lawrie on the Bygone Bedlington Facebook site was :- 'I did have some self interest when I did the research for the Bedlingtonshire History Society with another member - started 2009 finished it 2011 - My ancestors had the Gardener's Arms, The Black Bull, The Tankerville, Barrington Arms and the Cross Inn. Maybe that is why I enjoy real ale! Last I saw of the research was at a FFHS exhibition at Stannington in 2011, but I thought it was going to Woodhorn. I still have most of my notes if any queries.'

Foxy, courtesy of one of his mates, comes up with the old pub sign - The Railway Tavern. Don't know the year the photo was taken but as the level crossing gates & warning light system are in place I would guess at after the wooden foot bridge was removed in 1973.

Jakes Bar, Clayton Street. I know nothing about Jakes bar - when it opened or when it closed. Nothing on the www and even Google Street doesn't go past it! However Joyce Scott ( Shep) wrote a comment on the Bedlington remembered Facebook site :- 'think back to the 60's do you not remember it as Thompson stores ? Went through several changes and it was opened by a local lass ( Vicky Buckham), as a cafe bar, and then Ivans Bar , then another local ( davy ? forget name) at min'

Turks Head Inn - a descendant (tracing family tree) of 'Petrie on the Ancestry site posted - "The Petrie's were Inn Keepers in Bedlington itself. Looking through the Census info, in 1841, the whole area was just listed as High Street, so not many clues, in 1851, there seem to be no actual addresses listed at all for Bedlington, but in 1861, an address was given. It is in Market Place, and looks like Howard 'something' (maybe Howard Arms ??) - Does this ring any bells with anyone ? It looks like it is between an adress called Kyles (or Wyles) Yard and the Turks Head Inn." - in the bedlington community site. Also in the bedlington community site 'Fourgee' posted - "The Turks Head was the building next door to what is now the Market Tavern and later became the Terrier Plate Works, Millne department store, the Co-op, various supermarkets (kwik save and another I can't remember). It's now part of Tesco used for storage." Now that Tesco is no more I assume it is just empty awaiting it's next owner.

Neither can I Percy Arms - became Italian restaurant in 2013. Did have a reputation in the 60's as the place for first shift workers to call in for a pint after work and the place where if you won a Domino Card you had the choice of cash or the chance to enhance your Carnal Knowledge. Never won a domino card! The pub where me, and many others, spent most of our social life in mid & late 60s. Saturday nights normally ended with Mr Aisbet (and probably others) belting out old tunes on the piano accompanied by well lubricated voices.

Top Club - the last building it occupied was known as Garth House or The Laird's House, in Bedlington conservation area. The last time I checked for any info (months ago) it was up for sale on Rightmove site for £165,000. Don't know what the latest position is on sale or renovation of the property but I expect some members have some updates they could add to this posting. Before moving to The Laird's House, after the fire, the club had temporary accommodation in a portacabin type structure. Can't find an photo of that cabin but expect Foxy might just have one, from the inside.

Wheat Sheaf Inn (pre 1886) - Front Street East - demolished in the 1950's and a block of flats built on the land. Wansbeck Court Care home now stands on the land. Info and image from 'james' on this site.

The Railway Tavern - can't find an image of this pub with a sign saying The Railway Tavern. In the early 60's the pub was referred to locally as Graigsie's (think that's the right name) after the tenants They said that this was the first pub in the North East to have 'discotheque' lights. The lights made your beer look the colour of sump oil and your black suit looked like it was covered in dandruff. Definitely one of the places for a fight at chucking-out time and normally the local copper - Big Jock (I think) was often on hand to calm things down or sometimes join in just for the fun of it.

When the photo with the text about the 'Monkey in the window so locals would know there was beer available' was posted on the Bygone Bedlington Facebook site the following comments were posted :- Gloria Lawrie :- Sorry think that was a false story. I researched the origin of the name several years ago for a relative and descendant of 'Monkey Lizzie' and came to the conclusion it was called 'The Monkey' because their beer was supplied by the Harlepool Brewery. Hartlepool famous for hanging the monkey thinking it was a french man. Gloria Lawrie :- Would be good if the story could be proved true! My relative has Monkey Lizzie's ring given to her by soldiers that frequented the pub after her husband's death. If you are interested I researched the pubs and ale houses of Bedlington for the History Society about six years ago. I thought our research was going to Woodhorn? Gloria Lawrie Should add - Eggy1948 - that Elizabeth Wilson (Monkey Lizzie) had the pub during the first world war. So it already had the nickname a long time before your uncle was born. Another story was that she was given a monkey as a present but couldn't find any truth in that one either.

Howard Arms - Changed it's name to The Neuk and that suffered fire damage. After the fire (can't find the date of the fire) became the Market Tavern. The Howard Arms gets an entry in the Bedlington Timeline document compiled by local historians :- 1956 Joe Steel, Bedlington’s champion eater was at it again. The then 42 year old munched his way through a 4 1/2 Ib steak and kidney pie about 1 foot in diameter and 3 1/2 inches deep in 17 1/2 minutes. to break another record and gain another championship by beating 24 year old Ted Stoddard of Ashington. The event was held in the Howard Arms, Bedlington on Monday August 6th.