Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)

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.