Ovalteeny

Absolutely true Vic Patterson, the ever changing world or evolvement has always been with us. Whilst we may all have opinions on whether progress is good or otherwise there is no effective way to prevent the world from evolving. I've seen almost 70 years of change, most of which I have embraced and benefited from. Bedlington has never been immune to change and my hope and wish is for the pro-active, positive people to influence and mould the future for the greater good of all concerned. There are several forward thinking men & women who fall into this category. Everyone else, have a whinge, have a moan by all means, but for goodness sake stop living in the past and listen to what Bob Dylan was singing about in 1964. The sentiment is still the same some 54 years on, always was and always will be.

Thanks to rosco for opening up this topic (lighting the blue touch paper) and then standing back. It's always good to see the subsequent responses. Personally, I'd much rather read the ones whose glasses are half full (i.e. Foxy & Eggy) than those who are half empty. Sure there are always things than can be improved and Bedlington is lucky that there are still people who are concerned and care about the town, people who will organise and sort out issues, people who will stand against the establishment and try to make changes for the greater good and for the wider majority. But all these things take time and effort. Whingeing will not change anything. So, moe19 and rosco, if things are that bad and you are so unhappy with the town, then vote with your feet and try to find somewhere better, somewhere that will make you both happy and proud to live. By the way, we all pay our "council tax" to Northumberland County Council and not Wansbeck, that changed something like a decade ago.

See photo of an article from The Morpeth Herald of 20th. June 1908. The opening statement of the 1908 AGM of the Wansbeck League states that the meeting was held at Bedlington Royal Oak (The Blue Bell).

Whilst looking into the history of football in Bedlington over the years I have discovered that Bedlington United were a formidable team at the start of the 20th. Century. They actually played in the top local League (The North Eastern League) against the Reserve team from Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesborough, etc. Reports state that their home ground was at Hollymount, but on checking old maps it's difficult to see exactly where. However, John Reed has confirmed that the pitch was just off Front Street East, where Hollymount Square was eventually built. If you look at the 2 attached Maps (1 from 1920, the other from 1938) you will see on both that there is a football ground down Church Lane. Does anyone know anything about this ground and who might have played there. You can clearly see the new housing developments of Haig/Beaty Road and Millfield on the 1938 map (and not on the 1920 map). I'd appreciate anyone asking their older relatives if they can throw any light on this query regards this Church Lane football ground.

So now there's no F in Rediffusion.......

Yeh, Eggy, I exchanged a few comments with Mal Jovi Hemsted on FB and I confirmed that his Dad Billy went to Westridge, the year behind me and that the family have been involved with Bedlington CC for generations. I remember Billy Senior, playing Cricket. If I'm not wrong both Billies (Snr & Jnr.) worked for Redifusion. Wonder if anyone can confirm that?

If you take out The Beatles and the Rolling Stones, then I had (have) most of them. Whilst I liked The Beatles & The Stones I thought their music was too accessible on the radio, so I generally bought artists who those 2 groups were inspired by. Hence me being more into Amriecan music, specifically Rhythm & Blues + Soul.

Whilst doing some research I found this photo in a local newspaper from 1950 and have summarised what was reported. Football Fans from Bedlington Station have formed a Newcastle United Supporters Club, so that they can charter buses for all home matches and certain away games. Ninety of these ardent United Supporters made the decision when they attended a “presentation supper” in Bedlington Station Social Club. Frank Brennan the Newcastle United and Scotland international was invited to be the guest of honour. Brennan was astounded when he was presented with an electric clock, as a thank you for his time. Whilst he protested, saying he did not deserve the gift, the crowd chanted “Good Old Frankie”. The Chairman of Bedlington Station Social Club, Coun. A. Judd chaired the meeting and when the suggestion to form the Supporters Club was put to the vote there were only 3 hands against the proposal. It was revealed that these 3 were actually Sunderland supporters and their stand was “howled down” by the other 87 attendees. In accepting the gift, Frank Brennan said he was bewildered at the gesture, but still claimed he had done nothing to deserve it. Later, he sang solo, to the delight of the supporters. I doubt if you could get any of the current NUFC to leave their homes on Darras Hall and attend such a function.

Whilst doing some research at Woodhorn Archives, reading old copies of the Blyth News, one particular sporting item from 27th. August 1949 caught my eye. Bedlington 2nd's were playing against Broomhill in the Alnwick & District League (Div. A). The Bedlington team batted first and were all out for a measly 4 runs. The only 3 batsmen to score runs were R.D. Cole (1), H. Laws (1) and D. Routledge (2 n.o.). In reply the Broomhill team scored 6 for 0, taking just 2 overs to complete their victory. So; the question is "Does anyone know if this is a record low score for a Bedlington Cricket Club side, or has there ever verb a lower score ?".

I agree with Eggy1948 that the Wakes had the Pork Butchers on The Oval Shops. I'm not at all sure if they also had another shop in Newbiggin.

Merry Christmas to the people of Bedlington, wherever you may be. I sincerely hope you all have a great Christmas and wish you a very healthy, happy and successful 2018.

11 is Bob Storey,

I beleive that the football is Bedlington Juniors FC, circa 1962 or 63. The lads that I recognise are all 3-4 years older than me. I played a few games for the club when I was 16/17 in 1964/5ish. The Chairman was Bob Storey (back row, 3rd, from right). The only other non player I recognise is Bob Dodds (in between the 2 players on the back row, at the right). The goalkeeper is, I think Brian Richmond, Ronnie Phillipson is in the middle row to the right go the Cup and then I can name Kinglsey Wake (front row far right) and I think the lad 2nd. from the left could be Alan Wilkinson (a kind of wild guess on my part). I also think, though not positive that the lad in the back row, far left was called Wakenshaw. Definitely the Station Park.

Great photo Foxy, showing Bedlington in a very beautiful and positive light. There is so much whinging and negativity on this and the various Facebook sites, but at the end off the day, there are very few towns with a Front Street like Bedlington. Well done for the photo and all the positivity that you attempt to cascade onto these digital message boards.

CL, my daughter spent 3 months in Peru about 5 years ago (as part of her 2 year "Gap Year"). She lived with a Perusian family learning Spanish for some of the time before going on to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca etc. If you'd like to make contact, then let me know and I can let you have her e-mail details etc. She's currently working in Bedford, about to re-locate to Winchester but taking another 8 weeks break to travel to Japan / Bali / Thailand / Cambodia in June. She's a bit of a wanderer.

Agree with Stu Green, the competition was called The Medals.

Derek Jefferson, lived near the Terrier pub, went to the Whitley Memorial then the Station Modern and was an imposing Centre Half. From school he went to Ipswich Town and then to Wolves. Derek Jefferson Personal information Full name Derek Dave Jefferson Date of birth 5 September 1948 (age 68) Place of birth Morpeth, Northumberland. Playing position Centre back Senior career* Years Team Apps (Gls) 1966–1972 Ipswich Town 166 (1) 1972–1976 Wolverhampton Wanderers 42 (0) 1976 Boston Minutemen 10 (1) 1976 Washington Diplomats 11 (0) 1976 → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 5 (0) 1976–1978 Hereford United 39 (0) * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

Eggy, not only are you a whiz with the photos & numbering but you can draw as well. I bet you refined your talent when working all the boring hours at The Monastery.

Eggy & Pete, I don't ever recall Bedlington Mechanics FC playing in anything other than Red Shirts (with white sleeves) and White Shorts. Looking at this b&w photo with the footballers coloured in I would hazzard a guess to say this was probably in the 1940's (maybe even War-Time or could be TA Reservists) and that most of them are Bedlington lads. Perhaps the footballers may have been amongst the ones who started Bedlington Mechanics when they were formed in May 1949.

Hi Bedlingtonian, thank you so much for this info, I had found the FA Cup results for the Mechanics FC, but hadn't looked for the subsequent ones for Bedlington Colliery Welfare. I also wasn't aware of the final table for the Northern Alliance for 1959/60. Great info.

Hi Pete, I can also remember Danny Peary, but am struggling to recall Matty Fernoney. But thanks for your continued contribution.

Thanks 4G for the correct spelling of Millne Thanks Pete for your recollection. The name Bob Fulbeck rings a bell, big centre half. I think he was from Ashington as I remember he would be picked up on our way to Amble or Alnwick by Dixon Jordan who was the main driver for his own coach company on away match days. Someone else on Face book has recalled the name Heslop. My brother remembers a match at The Station Welfare against Newcastle United Reserves (or A team) in a County Cup Semi Final, where he went straight after school and he thinks that Frank Clark was playing for the black & whites