Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)

The 'A' Pit was the Bedlington Station pit in the pictures, The Dr Pit was the Top End pit where Doctor Terrace and the other Raas were, where me granda and 4 of his sons started work. Anyway, back to Bolam Place - I remember Mary Miller, older and definitely smaller than me. At this moment I can only remember three names from Bolam Place :- Ian Arkle ; Brian Trench & Ray. Brian & Ray lived next door to each other, but not in joined houses. Ray joined the merchant navy, along with Robin Hills, from Coquetdale Place.

Brilliant, thanks for that, picture download and labelled - 'A Pit Entrance off Station Road'. I think I'm right in remembering the pit canteen was on the left and we used to go there f rom the secondary school and get a full dinner for 1 shilling. But that picture makes me ask the question (cos I can't remember) - What was the name of the street to the right of this picture. You can just see the road sloping down on the right. Hills, Caruthers, my age, and the younger Marshall twins all lived in this row. The row that was opposite Station Road and is now Blagdon Court.

Since joining I am enjoying dragging bits of my memory back, and annoying the wife who's from Cramlington and has no idea. We used to walk from the Oval to Barrington School via the pit. So we came out at the Pioneer Boot Factory; crossed the road; went right through the pit and down passed a row of house to the railway gates at the start of the Barrington Road. I could not remember the name of the pit row, so you saying Shop Row has dragged it all back. Eric Tielman used to live in that row. Can't remember anyone else.

Your right Keith, it did become the 444, but prior to that - 1950s-early 1960s it was the 44, as confirmed by 'the lone ranger'. As you say 343 you probably never got its predecessor the 42 - still Morpeth to Whitley Bay. It stopped on Station Road and the driver would get off the bus, go for his bait, or even home at the end of his shift. A replacement driver took over for the second half of the journey, so if he was late the bus + passengers just had to sit and wait until he turned up.

Passed Queens Head today and all windows blacked out and 'meshed-up' for protection.

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?

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'

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!

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 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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.