Sunday 26 April 2009
Ushaw Moor in the 40's and 50's Part1
Monday 20 April 2009
1998 And All That
I indicated to John and the miners that I wished to publish something about Ushaw Moor. Is it fair to say that I have now accomplished that? The work is not a conventional book; it is rather more akin to a modern device which youngsters might call an electronic book. Either way I am referring to the many posts/articles that I have published on Paul's site.
At my age I feel that I probably understand Ushaw Moor and its history. I also feel that I understand just a bit about how the world ticks. Not enough mind you! As I see it the world at large is generally ruled by heavy hitters that create smoke and mirrors; in contrast the inhabitants of an ex mining village rarely generate smoke or bring out mirrors because, apart from anything else, they are too busy striving to earn a living, feed their children and live an honourable life. No doubt a few people will have an affair and perhaps the annual leek show requires close scrutiny, but I bet that there are no bankers living in Ushaw Moor to create exotic and dodgy financial instruments on a scale that leads to financial misery for millions of people. Hitters versus the rest has no doubt gone on right back into ancient times and I do not think that will ever change much. Perhaps an honourable dictator is not such a bad thing, but the risk that we end up with a less than bright Adolf, or an almighty poser like Mussolini, is perhaps a risk too far for us. Looking further a field others are of course living through that kind of misery right now.
I have a list of things to do that must be done. They really must be done. They are vitally important! I will be back briefly in November with an article that hopefully you will like. Meanwhile enjoy the warmer months and take care.
WB
Sunday 19 April 2009
Memories Of The Police
Then there was the 1980s miners' strike. One newspaper reported an allegation that police officers taunted striking, and unpaid, miners by fingering and/ or flashing five pound notes within sight of the miners. If true that was a touch provocative.
Then there was a contact of mine, going about their lawful business, who told me that their car had been accidentally damaged by the police during their chase of some suspicious person. My contact allegedly had a bit of difficulty getting compensation out of the police for the damage to the car.
1987 Reading v Derby. I was walking to the railway station after the game and heard a policeman say something very similiar to 'look at those Derby fans coming out of the stadium , they are animals' I told him they were well behaved and that he was mistaken. His reply was 'I suggest you move on sir' That was a very cerebral reply, don't you think?
This is not a rant at the police merely an article stimulated by the latest reports in the media concerning the recent G20 demonstration in London. I find it worrying. Police are our servants not masters. A newspaper took that last phrase right out of my mouth.
Actually the great majority of police staff are doing highly commendable work. They are prepared to do tasks that a lot of people would not contemplate; tasks that require various qualities such as sensitivity, intelligence, courage, patience and a lot more. So whilst I can dredge up a few alleged aspects of unsatisfactory police behaviour we could not do without them. We should be thankful for the great number of commendable deeds they perform - day in day out.
WB
Saturday 18 April 2009
Road To Durham
The Radio Times tells us that the Bevin Boys were a largely ignored group of 18 year olds when their names were picked out of a hat towards the end of the Second World War.They were sent down the mines instead of joining the forces. See page 121 of the current Radio Times - sounds like it will be an interesting play. Some of the action takes place at the Durham Miners' Gala.
So - get your 'wireless' sorted - forget 'Journey Into Space' and hopefully have a profitable hour listening in to Road to Durham.
WB
Friday 17 April 2009
Looking Foward to 2089
Flying people become common place by means of computerised machines. Collisions are almost impossible.
Every town and village has nominated farms producing wholesome food. The number of farms is dependent upon the size of each place.
Local professional football leagues are back thus reducing travel miles. Sixteen in all. The champions of each of those leagues then meet in a knock out competition called the FA Cup.
All exotic financial instruments banned/criminalized by the Streamlined Financial Simplicity Board [SFSB]
Stylish beards are now the norm
Stats are produced and fully publized that show the details of 'charity giving' by all people earning the new maximum annual salary of 300k [2009 equivalent 100k]
All religious denominations to meet under one roof. Each religion is provided with a room of their own within that building. Not unlike Woolworth's pick and mix
All night shift work banned on health grounds. The CBI do not like this latest move
All awards other than the VC and GC are banned thus causing uproar
Political Correctness revised and diluted
Supermarkets nationalized but profits down
Drug companies cannot refuse to produce a drug if the Liberal Goverment insist upon its production
Astrologers pilloried in the stocks
Vince Cable awarded the VCGC - a cross between the VC and the GC
West Auckland win the World Cup for the THIRD time - beating West Germany 4-2
Eastenders replaced by a new soap called "Laughter Makes You Live Longer'
WB
They Moved About
Their son Richard was born in Ryhope. Another son, Joseph, was born in East Castle, Durham, further son Matthew was born in Greencroft [Stanley/South Moor?]. The youngest child, a daughter, Alloysess [?] was born in Quebec [not Canadian version].
Meanwhile in George Street we had George Appleby and his wife Thomason. He was born in Brandon and she was born in Hetton Le Hole. Their family:
Richard born Langley Moor
Elizabeth born Langley Moor
William born Sacriston
Catherine born Langley Moor
George born Broompark
Do these names mean anything to anyone?
WB
Thursday 16 April 2009
A Certain Image
I imagine that memories section bloggers have a certain image. Maybe some people think that we look back because there is little to look forward to. Expletive. We look back, live for now, and anticipate the future. But what sort of future? I love that last sentence. I went years making sure that I never started a sentence with And or But. But I no longer worry about it. Finer writers than me are at it all the time. Rebels together!
If I am lucky enough to be in an old peoples’ home in 2032, with marbles in place, I will ensure that the place is not boring. I will need help of course but I will no doubt get that from a friend that I have yet to meet.
WB
Let's Get Physical
Much of the information within this article is already spread around the site so it is just a case of pulling these experiences of mine together. They do not reflect particularly well on me but I do not mind playing the clown for a while in the hope that another author turns up on site:
C1952 New Brancepeth Primary School 50 yard dash – winning at the 40 yard post but thinking that was the finishing line - I finished unplaced.
1958 In dreadful pain on the hallowed [!] Bracken Court turf attempting a run against a Stoddart/Ferguson team I stumbled and somehow my bat dug into my knee. A nice couple on the corner of the semi circle – if you like coming from the Whitehouse Court area - heard my scream and patched me up. I still have the scar. Semi circle? Is it a semi circle?
1958 During a game of rounders I ran down the hillock at Ushaw Moor Sec Mod, like a pill…. and dived full length to catch the ball. Not really knowing the rules of rounders the brilliant catch – for that is what it was – meant nothing. I felt like, and was, an idiot.
1968 Hit in the testi…., whilst playing at second slip in a Tyneside Senior League cricket match. I nevertheless held on to the ball and called for a handkerchief to wipe my eyes as well as a drink of water. The batsman was given out caught while I lay there feeling quite ill.
1969 Two events that year. I smashed my head against a bath tap when attempting to get out of the bath – very lucky actually – some people die in such instances. In the same year, outside a pub whilst talking to a friend, I suffered an unprovoked attack by a coward.He had hit me on the head from behind. I spun round to challenge what was probably a drunken idiot but my friend, and opening bowler, pointed out that it was, I think, five to two against. I went and bought some fish and chips.
C1998 While on holiday my young son accidentally hit me on the head with a golf club. I was taken to hospital by ambulance and it seems that I again got away with it.
WB
Education Education Education?
I get the distinct impression that for many decades after the beginning of the 20th century employers were almost invariably disorganized and dim in their approach to motivating employees. Take the National Coal Board’s wages department in Workington as an example. When I joined it in 1961 there was no induction worth talking about. There was no encouragement to improve my education. There were no performance reviews. Training was no more than a smattering of the ‘hands on’ variety. I suppose management theory was in its infancy. The National Examinations Board for Supervisory Studies [Nebss] came in as late as c1964 and was perhaps recognition of the need to treat workers in a more professional manner. It seemed to dawn on many employers that if they treated staff properly they could improve output and hopefully profits.
Whilst Nebss was a promising innovation further education seemed very poor in the 60s. They were not the days of lifelong learning. GCE teaching of ‘second chancers’ in local colleges was often second rate; it was unnecessarily dull.
Going further back - our English teacher at Ushaw Moor could have, and ought to have, lit up ‘Lord of the Flies’. He had an opportunity to catch our imagination. After all there were a lot of bright pupils in our class but they were somewhat short changed. Harry Barlow was an exceptionally good teacher but even so it seems we were not trusted to learn mathematics, other than its arithmetical content.
But where is this article leading us? I am so positive about the provision for youngsters these days. The facilities for advancement are plentiful but sadly not all are grasping the available opportunities. I imagine that the current crop of Deerness Valley youngsters is a very mixed bunch. Some will be literate and confident whilst others might be struggling to form many coherent sentences. I am not an educationalist but could it be that some parents have low aspirations for their children? Does Ushaw Moor need a Mr/Mrs Motivator in order to maximize the potential of ALL of its children? David Beckham and Co have their place but so does a well chosen book that is read with insight and enthusiasm. Good Book 2 Beckham 1.
WB
Tuesday 14 April 2009
That's Easter Over
Well that’s Easter over. I imagine that most people have a need for spirituality but I will probably only get it by virtue of the Rambling Association. Listening to the Chief Rabbi, Catholic Archbishop, and the Archbishop of Canterbury fills me with despair. Canterbury has the cheek to tell me that there is a current fascination with the lives of monks and nuns that may draw me into their way of living. There is no chance of that happening Archbishop.
My main memory of last week was my internal rehearsing of a speech that is likely to be needed in the not too distant future. Such contemplation needs to be done in tranquil surroundings, like a canal towpath, and that is exactly where it was done. The start sounds promising:
“Hello and welcome to……
There are two schools of thought about my speech making. The first school thinks I am witty, informative and entertaining. The second school winces and puts fingers in ears. Well today I am going to take the middle ground…..”
Yes that ought to make them sit up.
It is Alf that should post an article about pigeons. He is an authority. From what I recall there is a very prominent Belgian pigeon fancier, cum breeder, that he can write about. What about WW1? Is it the case that pigeons were used as a means of communication during that war?
I am truly astonished that someone as bright and well educated as Tony Blair can hold such bizarre views of the next world. And this is despite the benefit of a comparatively recent Oxford University education. It would not ordinarily annoy me were it not for the fact that he has so many people wishing to listen to him. It does reinforce what I already know - that we should not be overawed by the Establishment but should think for ourselves.
I am pleased with the sum total of this site. It gives some coherent history of the village rather than just bits and pieces. Although my article today is chatty I really do need to introduce further history and memories of the village. I am not a paid journalist although sometimes I probably have the appearance of a provincial hack. I need to get my house in order to please the likes of Alf. Now Alf about those pigeons….
WB
Saturday 11 April 2009
April 1959 And Other Bits
The weather in Ushaw Moor and Bearpark was quite good exactly 50 years ago today. I recall a slight breeze and a pale sun. There was no rain. I imagine it was the same for Sleetburn.
50 years plus a handful of days ago Ushaw Moor Modern School opened. Again there are several references to that on site so I will not dwell. I always think of CV's when I recall the school. Lovely school - lovely form 4A - but not much good for the old CV. I believe that one old boy, I have forgotten his name, called it Deerness Valley Comprehensive on his CV - but of course that might have been a memory problem rather than a self conscious minor transgression. Which brings me onto its current name. I admire the current school's efforts to try and transform the attitude and fortunes of Ushaw Moor's young - but the school name is beyond my understanding. Durham Community Business College? Am I correct in believing that is its current name? Right/whatever - as my kids might have said a few years ago.
WB
Thursday 9 April 2009
Easter Quiz
Q1 What illness caused Tot Hope's demise?
Q2 Bill and Peggy Gray had one child. What was his name?
Q3 Who was the manager of New Brancepeth pit in 1950?
Q4 There is a brilliant description of the Durham Miners' Gala on site. Who was the author?
Q5 Who murdered Thomas Pyle in 1882?
Q6 Which team did Ushaw Moor Cricket Club play in an effort for the Morrison Pit Relief Fund in1947?
Q7 What was Pudding Henderson's home used for - apart from being a home?
Q8 Sleetburn's excellent coking coal supplied the Cochrane iron works at......?
Q9 In terms of sporting achievements what have Sally Rawlings, Joanne Pipe and Julie Mayhew got in common?
Q10 In which year was Harry Barlow born?
7-10 correct Brilliant
6 Credit due
5 Pass
1-4 Back to the drawing board
WB
Wednesday 8 April 2009
Durham Technical College 1 Sacriston Juniors 6
I played in the left full back position that day and althought Sacriston's right winger was a handful he never once got past me. The unusual thing about it was that I had to resort to sliding tackles to disposess him. It must have been 9/9 successful sliding tackles - all into touch. The ball that is.
About ten minutes before the following week's game I was told '" a manager has come especially to watch you play'" I thought big and grand- Charlie Mitten - it must be Charlie Mitten the Newcastle United manager. Actually I was a bit unnerved by that news and certainly did not play as well as I had done the previous week. It turned out that the manager concerned was the Sacriston Juniors manager!
This article, whilst a true one, is just a filler until YOU post an article. I love this site but I also fear for it. I cannot go on much longer owing to commitments but think it so important that articles flow. We surely do not want to see the memories section - like so many sites elsewhere - grind to a standstill - or virtual standstill. Words are fun. Memories can be fun. History is important. Heritage is important. There are grand people out there with a thirst for your knowledge of the village - not forgetting dear old Sleetburn. Your site needs you. What did you do in the memories site war daddy?
It's ok - I have not lost my marbles I am currently studying WW1.Vera Brittain - what a grand woman she was.
WB
Tuesday 7 April 2009
Ian Maguire And His Dad
His father was Teddy Maguire [1917-1990]. Teddy was a fine footballer and played for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 1939 FA Cup Final. In the final Portsmouth were very much the underdogs but on the day Wolves were well beaten. Teddy's other clubs were Willington, Swindon Town, Halifax Town and Spennymoor United. I know that Soccer Gleghorn had a spell with Spennymor United so perhaps they were briefly team mates - although maybe not as they were both wingers.
WB
So What Happened To The Piano?
On a different level - but dwelling on the same subject - I wonder what happened to the piano that my mother was promised on the demise of her grandmother. She deserved that piano. For years, as was frequently the way then in mining communities, she acted as a young assistant [semi servant?] to her grandparent. I am confident that lots of families have minor skeletons in their lockers - well one of ours was that piano!
Should I be exhibiting that particular piece of family history in such painful detail? I say - why not? It was perhaps too often the way in those days that less than noble behaviour occured somewhere in the extended family. I imagine that we were a 'normal' family!
Sometimes it's deathly quiet on this site. I suppose the word death came to mind because of my current lecture studies taken from the Yale University facility. Speaking of that has ANYONE gone in and used it?
WB
Monday 6 April 2009
Memories
We know that memories are retained by the brain. If that were not the case we would forget how to do the most simple tasks as well as very difficult ones. In short we could not function! Do you agree that memories can be selective? The sun did NOT always shine in 40s and 50s Ushaw Moor. It often rained!
People sometimes try to block out dreadful memories and it is known that occasionally they succeed. Apart from blocking there might be inaccurate memories. An example might be my experience when playing against Shotley Bridge Cricket Club. For decades I have been able to 'recall' that I was conned out by its wicketkeeper. I was always good at knowing where my off stump was and I know for a 'fact' that the bowler did not hit that stump. When the keeper shouted well done to the bowler - he cheated. The ball had hit his pads and then hit the wicket. But is my version correct? Yes it bleeding is!
Last year I was awarded a distinction for a history essay. That gave me a sort of breezy confidence. The fact that for years I have been hopeless at reverse parking has been blocked and located in the VERY deepest part of my brain - only coming to the surface a few moments ago.
In 1979 I lived in London. A friend invited me to his home in Bolton. The plan was to take in the Bolton Wanderers v Derby County game the following day. He had only recently moved to Bolton. He gave me his address - something like Blackburn Road. By the time I got to Bolton I could not remember the name of the road. Was it Bolton Road? Perhaps it was Bury Road. What about Blackpool Road? I suppose it could have been Preston Road. If I told you that I never even got to the match you would not believe me, so I will not claim that.
Golden memories are important. Can you imagine being very elderly and realising that not only had you achieved very little but also that you had little in the way of good memories. I do not intend to allow that to happen to me.
If you would like to comment on this article, or have found aspects of it disturbing, by all means make your comment. I am big enough to take your mirth or ribbing.
WB
Sunday 5 April 2009
Laura Meier Moved From Ushaw Moor
WB
Saturday 4 April 2009
Chatting With Doreen Carse [Hope]
We had a little laugh about bridesmaids. Her sister, my aunt Ethel, worked at Brough's after WW2 and married my uncle to be, Arthur Hodgson, in 1950. Her dilemma was the task of tactfully selecting bridesmaids. She had a wide choice to pick from and in the end she seemed to select just about every lady employee at Brough's! Some names of bridesmaids: Jenny Bainbridge, Doreen Hope, Audrey Swales [Doreen is almost sure of that], Freda Thirkell, Barbara Bradley, Enid ... X and someone called Rayner.
As for Doreen's bridesmaids in 1953 she had: Isabel Parkinson from Bearpark, Winny Hughes, Valerie Bainbridge and Enid Parker.
Now there - we have some considerable name dropping. Do any of the names ring a bell?
WB
School Reunion 2002
Sticking with maiden names we had Audrey Thompson flying up from the south and not looking a day over forty. Two of our more lively pupils Edith Smith and Pauline [senior moment - I know Pauline's married name] attended and were full of life and vitality; they were a joy to talk to.
Big Malcolm Gibb was there and as rational and friendly as ever. I say big, and frequently refer to him as the gentle giant, but hasten to add that he is a finely built man of reasonable proportions not a candidate for a circus!
Margaret Ayre attended and fully contributed to the event and by that I do not mean that she swung from chandeliers - I suppose she might have done had there been any. No that is not right she is far too dignified, sensible and friendly.
It was a pleasure to see John Vasey again and he still takes a good photograph, even after an interval of forty nine and more years.
Then it happened! No not the arrival of Barack Obama - rather it was Harry Barlow. Both Edith and Pauline were especially thrilled to see him and both showed it and said it! It was also a pleasure to see his wife Betty who has also been a teacher at the school. Wallace Hayton arrived at the same time as Harry and Betty and I recall his kindness and dignity.
The only sex education I recall at school was one formal lesson that Betty gave us. It did not amount to much - something along the lines that 'when you get a bit older you will experience a surge of interest in the opposite sex. Thanks Betty.
Towards the end we had flash bulb time; that is to say our photographic session. It really was like Blackpool Illuminations or a film premiere. Several people were clearly reluctant to go home and wished to savour every last drop of the event - that was good to see.
I have not mentioned everyone of the attendees but it was grand to see them all. They all grew up rather well and many achieved positions of significant responsibility which is pleasing to know.
WB
Friday 3 April 2009
Yale University Comes To Ushaw Moor
Sticking with eternity, and getting back to Yale, I would like you to consider immortality, which of course is closely linked to eternity. By going into the Internet, and listening to [and seeing] Professor Shelly Kagan of Yale University, you can think further about the past and the future. It is a level 1 university course and therefore, in my opinion, within the comfort range of both the mature average brain and the younger keen set. You can get to it by putting the two words - Academic Earth - into Google's general search box [forget www. etc]. Once in click on the subject philosophy [from the left hand side subject choices]. Then click on lecture 19.
Lecture 19 begins with an exploration of the question of whether it is desirable to live for ever under the right circumstances, and turns to consideration of some alternative theories of the nature of well being. What makes life worth living? The lecture explores it in a fairly straight forward way.
My preconceived views entirely matched those of Professor Kagan and for that I am thrilled! Do not be put off by the fact that it is a Yale University lecture. Professor Kagan is a brilliant lecturer and even if you have not studied at university level, or GCE A level, you will understand him!
Wilfie Bell brings free Yale University lectures to your attention - a prestigious American university! Who would have believed that possible when back in 1960 the Government felt the majority of Ushaw Moor scholars could cope with little more than domestic science, woodwork and such like.
For me immortality is dross! I do not want to live for ever! I will now leave you to Professor Kagan. At least I hope you give him a whirl. If by the way you are already familiar with the site I apologise for wasting your time. Some feedback from you would be nice!
WB
Wednesday 1 April 2009
The Foulsham Sisters And The Pit
WB
Ushaw Moor Colliery To Reopen In 2011?
WB