2012 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here's an excerpt:

4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 24,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 6 Film Festivals

Click here to see the complete report.

Recent Posts from FB Page - Butchers - Duck n Peas

Ron Nightingale

Hope you all had a good Christmas. Our day was 39 degrees Celsius.

The first school i attended was St Josephs in Ushaw. I recall one day one of the kids took me to the butchers shop down town. From memory we took the first street left off the main street and went into the back of the butchers premises. This was around 1959/60 and that was when butchers really were butchers.

At the back of the shop there was a holding pen where livestock was delivered and the animals were slaughtered right there. My friend had been there before and the old guy working out the back knew his family. The old guy had pots boiling in there and when i asked what was in one of them he took a hook and lifted a whole head up out of the pot. It scared me half to death as it was half cooked and all the skin was gone and exposed all the teeth and the eyes were bulging. Another pot was rendering down the hooves to make glue. Other pots were cooking round balls which I now know to be fagots also known as duck and eaten with peas and often referred to as duck & peas. Another version of Scotland's Haggis which is made mainly of offal and the rubbishy bits of animals and then wrapped in the belly skin and cooked with a variety of spices.

I recall eating this at the Durham produce markets. Only just realised recently what i was eating; LOL, anyone still eat this ?

It seems to have remained a tradition which started in the war depression days.

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  Ushaw Moor Memories Great bit of History Ron, wow could do with some of that heat over here, at 39 deg, I guess u wouldn't mind sending some over
  
  I think the butchers u are talking about would have been Lawsons, he had premises behind his shop, where animals were butchered. My grandfather Gilbert Ayre kept pigs up at the allotments near Ushaw Terrace amongst other livestock, some of the pigs were supplied by him to Lawsons, at least that's what my Gran always said.
  
  Colin Lawson was the owner at the time I remember, always remember he had a false leg as was knocked over while serving many years ago.
  
  Great memories, many thanks for sharing, how times have changed.
  
  PS you may have known my Mother , Margaret Ayre and Gran Bessie Ayre was West.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  


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  Ron Nightingale Yes the butchers shop was called Lawsons and i now remember the guy in the serving part of the shop had a wooden leg. There was also an alotment at Broompark that bred pigs and it was the only alotment on the right of the start of the footpath that led to the railway bridge and the beck. Micheal Saunders (one of the older kids) worked in there so i am guessing it was his dads, but i am thinking there was another guy often came from Ushaw that also kept pigs. The name Ayre and West ring a bell but if they were from Ushaw and not Broompark i am probably remembering the names from kids at school. I left St Josephs and attended the prodestant school in ushaw so i got to know most of the ushaw kids but my memory is vague with names now. I have exausted all avenues of trying to find old pictures of the old houses at Broompark and dont even know when they were pulled down. Hard to believe i can not find any information on the durham Council sites.? I have printed out a screen shot from google earth of the current Broompark and intend to draw the old houses into it using the front remaining street as a guide to the sizes. I can only remember the 2 streets i lived in there which was grant street and then Albert st. Maybe if i draft up this map and upload it someone might be able to add the other street names. Or if someone could point me in the right direction to get this info i would be grateful as its not easy from being here in Australia.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  


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  Ushaw Moor Memories Hi Ron , thanks for your comments, it is a shame there is not more out there on Broompark History. With regard to the mapping have u tried Durham County Council's Geographic Information System (GIS) is an interactive mapping service, which allows you to look back at historic maps of a particular area from present day to 1800's. Simply zoom the area you require eg Broompark area by dragging a box around it,or usingthe search link, then choose an era from the drop-down menu, I used 1938-1950 to get early view of Broompark showing colliery houses. You can use the tools at the bottom to zoom in and pan around the map http://gis.durham.gov.uk/website/interMAP/viewer.htm

  
  

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  Ushaw Moor Memories Some images captured from the GIS Mapping http://i.imgur.com/vbHFS.jpg http://i.imgur.com/w810H.jpg http://i.imgur.com/vJcna.jpg
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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Your Favourite Christmas Memories

What were your favourite Christmas memory of your life growing up in Ushaw Moor and Deerness Valley ?

Share your Christmas Memories with us here.

How has your Christmas changed ?

 

 

Some Christmas Quotes :

• Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. Calvin Coolidge


• Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!
  Charles Dickens


• Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.  ~Laura Ingalls Wilder


• A Look back at some old entries on the BLOG with the Christmas theme http://ushawmoormemories.wordpress.com/?s=christmas

 

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year Paul Clough

 

Hebburn web site Message Board

Have just spent an hour on the Hebburn Web Site Message Board. There are numerous entries on the Board from shipping in the Tyne , events in the town to RIP messages when people pass away. I have lived in the town long enough to know a number of contributors and a number visit the web site from around the globe. The Iona Club where I am on the Committee always gets a good write up. It is always busy and one entry I have read tonight is the medicines we were dosed with when we were young, Radio Malt, cod liver oil, Syrup of Figs to name but a few and a number brews made up by their grannies. I miss the Ushaw Moor web site which I seem to be out of touch with no one except perhaps Wilf Bell making any new entries. Anyway, may I wish anyone that reads this Blog a very Peaceful Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous 2013.

Brian Mc

The Way We Were [The Year 1960 4/4]

The Durham County Advertiser informs us that in the summer  of 1960 an outspoken and well known speaker from Jamaica, Mr Stuart Hall, was in Durham to address the National Association of Boys' Clubs. At the end of his speech the audience burst into tumultuous applause. It was clear that he had made a profound effect on the audience. Here now, fifty two years later, are some of the points made by him, as reported in the paper:

In the fourth forms of less intelligent streams at secondary modern schools there is a sort of glass screen between the teacher and the children. They take more notice of older boys of 18 than they do of their teachers.

The teenager looks upon the teachers as ''them,'' people who order him about, do not give him any feeling for what he has to do. Later on this reaction may be transferred to policemen, youth leaders, priests, and anybody in authority. But go and watch him on the dance floor, the concentration on the dance floor gives them some direct emotional relation between themselves and what they are doing.

The life they are seeking cannot be put into words. This is nothing new; the dreams of their parents were the stars of the screen: Rudolph Valentino stood for glamour; Charlie Chaplin the courage of the little man, and Greta Garbo the mystery of the beautiful woman. Few people had these things, but millions wanted to enjoy them.

Screen Mirror

We have learnt about romance, not from life, but through going to the cinema, or reading books like Treasure Island and Swiss Family Robinson.

Some people imagine there is a sharp distinction between so- called high-brow and cheap entertainment. But there is much that is healthy in low brow entertainment:Gracie Fields was never vulgar, but Liszt the composer of serious music was. Emma Fitzgerald, the blues singer, is poised and gracious, but some artists are less so.

The teenagers search for self- expression has been turned into a money-making business. People between the ages of 15 and 25 spend two-thirds of their incomes in the following ways:

£222m on clothing and footwear £ 120m on drink and tobacco £95m on sweets, soft drinks and snacks; £160m on records, magazines, films, etc.

The paper's reporter commented that a theme of Mr Hall's speech is that young people make mistakes because they are trying to find a deeper life. In sex-stimulation they are seeking love and affection, in being cynical they are trying to show that they are mature, in success they hope to find a substitute for real community life and being a worth-while human person.

Meanwhile the Press, TV, juke boxes, fashion experts, and advertisers cash in on their dreams because they at least provide them with feelings which enable them to face life.

Mysterious football team- great team of the early 50s? WB

Milkman A. Reay- anyone with more information? WB

''Gala Has Become A Teddy Boys' Picnic'' [1960 3 of 4]

Such was the Durham County Advertiser article on the eve of the 1960 Big Meeting. The sub heading was''City Licensees expect a good profit - and big expenses bills'' It went on:

Durham Miners' Gala, once described by a leading American newspaper as the greatest show on earth, has become a Teddy Boys' Picnic, claimed a number of local licensees. They say that the recent galas have turned the city into a wild West boom town.

If the weather is fine tomorrow the city will be invaded by nearly 200,000 miners. Takings from beer alone are expected to exceed 25,000 pounds. Last year, for instance, a small public house in Saddler Street took 600 pounds. Another public-house in North Road topped the 1,000 mark.

About 10,000 pounds will be spent on the racecourse fair. More thousands will be spend on food and toys for the children. Then there is the cost of hiring bands and banner carriers, another 10,000 pounds.

For the city's publicans and caterers Miners' Gala is a military operation requiring careful planning. As ten o'clock draws near  tomorrow morning , emergency staffs in nearly 50 public houses will be waiting behind the huge battlements of beer crates. Within an hour the battle will be in full swing.

''Like Sitting On A Volcano''

Many local landlords feel that the gala is in danger of being spoilt, not by the miners, but by the small teenage element to whom the real spirit of the gala means nothing.

To give you the flavour of the rest of the article it mentioned that some licensed victuallers had pressed for a reduction in pub hours for the day  but a narrow majority decided to apply for the usual extension from 10 am to 10 pm. Breakages were a concern and some felt that the publicans have had enough by 9 pm. One commented that the landlords expected a good profit but expenses were tremendous.

On the other hand it was reported that some landlords had noted a decline in gala day drinking on the grounds that  mining folks have more to do with their money - cars, holidays abroad, television - and therefore can't afford to go mad on miners' gala day.

WB

Ushaw Moor And District - Summer Of 1960 [2 of 4]

Cricket:

Ushaw Moor got a shock on Wednesday evening when they lost at home to lowly Lands CC. Following the defeat at Etherley this further defeat practically puts them out of the running for the league championship. In thirty overs Ushaw Moor made 94 for 7, McEleavey and Thompson each contributed 20 runs. Lands made the winning hit with the fourth ball of the last over. McDermott took three wickets for 22 runs and Luke two wickets for ten.

Meanwhile the Bearpark C C team was looking forward to playing Oakenshaw at Eppleton Colliery Welfare ground. The prize they were after was the  Echo and Sports Despatch Cup.

New Brancepeth Women's Institute:

A guest speaker gave a talk entitled 'This is your life'.

Miss Smith [a relation of a school pal of mine?] gave an interesting report of the annual meeting in London.

The competition for the prettiest wall placque was won by Mrs Humm.

Silence was observed in memory of a former member Mrs A M Johnson [relation of Jack Johnson?]

The Door prize was won by Mrs Humm [clearly a lucky time for Mrs Humm!] I wonder whether her stated name was a typo, that is, was her name actually Hume? Maybe not.

WB

The Summer Of 1960 [1 of 4]

A spare hour spent recently at Durham City library delving into the records of the Durham County Advertiser brought some interesting results and if you like I will share them with you in four instalments. So here is part one.

Homing Returns. This is obviously a pigeon topic but I can only guess what the following information tells us:

Ushaw Moor, Letchworth: Pearson and Partners 1056, Burnham and Sons 1022,

Ryans and Craggs 1020,  Burnham and Son 1019.

Does for example 1056 refer to pigeons returning from Letchworth to Ushaw Moor at four minutes to eleven in the morning or is it maybe some sort of mark for performance?

Ushaw Moor Women's Institute:

It was reported that an enjoyable talk was given by Mrs Rochester regarding her holiday in Italy. Mrs Thirwell presided and Mrs Moralee read the correspondance [was that Jim's mother?]. The Oakbridge Group were responsible for the social half-hour which took the form of a whist and beetle drive. Mrs Stephenson thanked the group.  A competition - button hole of wild flowers- was won by Mrs Lough [husband a shoe repairer?]. Mrs Hardy won the lucky number prize.

Ushaw Moor Cricket Club suffered a defeat at Etherley in what was a vital game for both teams. It was a see - saw game that left Etherley as favourites to win the Mid-Durham Senior League championship although Ushaw Moor remained in contention. It was Harry Allen that did the damage by scoring 47 runs and taking five wickets for thirty one runs. Raymond Ayre [39] and G [Gordon?] Luke [34] were Ushaw Moor's chief batsmen:

A Gillespie 5 runs

G Thompson 10

J McEleavey 11

R Ayre 39

A Whitfield 14

G Luke 34

F Proctor 0

K Thompson 0

K Golightly 0

J McDermott not out 12

J Wood 0

Extras 5

A few days earlier a youthful N Ferguson scored 25 not out in a very low scoring second team game. Ushaw Moor found 57 for 9 more than sufficient to beat Willington's second eleven.

More soon.

WB

Back And Forward

There are those so dispirited by changes to their local landscape and social environment that they become somewhat morose and overly nostalgic; however there are two further groups: those that are able to compartmentalize unwelcome changes in a positive way and those that sometimes cannot.

I'm in that last group. For me, tender thoughts about long gone loved ones are stimulated by old artifacts and unsummoned 'sacred' music. Questions are posed: did I do enough for mum and dad and did they do enough for me? I do more washing up in a week than I ever did for mum but sadly my current work ethic, derived from belated maturity, comes much too late for dear old mum.

The workingmen's club has gone; it was a source of liquid lubrication that helped transport miners away from tough, dangerous and filthy working conditions into a more colourful world of leeks, roses, tomatoes, anticipated trips to Redcar, Milburn, Shackleton, pigeons, gossip and much more.

The club did struggle against death but many scores of top dog miners were replaced by a few impoverished ex-miners that drank a slower pint, and a sprinkle of young men with little knowledge of a coal mine. The building lost its primary purpose, spirit and economic viability. There is no need to dwell upon its fate: its a familiar story of social and economic loss,  but that is hopefully being replaced by wholesome community renewal and positive progress. Is it?

WB

Norman Hope 1931 - 2012

My uncle Norman has passed away peacefully during the night. Some of our very senior residents may remember that many years ago he was a National Coal Board joiner at Ushaw Moor Colliery. In his younger days he followed family tradition by playing cricket for Ushaw Moor; he was a promising spinner  albeit, at times, lacking in sufficient confidence to give the ball some air. He was also an accomplished ballroom dancer and loved every minute of that activity.

I have wonderful memories of our family Christmas celebrations in the 50s and much of that is down to the three uncles: Norman, Arthur Hodgson and Tommy Carse but some of that is already described on site.

WB

South View A Source Of Shopping?

Afterall the following families were living in South View back in Edwardian times:

at 6 lived deputy overman Alex Surtees Watson, together with his wife Sarah and daughter Florence

at 12 we find Joseph Cook Surtees, his wife Mary and their family

at 13 we have James Maughan and wife Elizabeth, as well as children Henry and Nicholas

next door at 14 it's William and Jane Metcalf and finally,

three doors down, at 17, we find Peter and Mary Maughan together with Thomas and Mary.

WB

Ushaw Moor Infant School

Now that the Infant School has sadly gone and is about to be built on, i thought i'd share some memories of going to said school!

I would have gone around...'87-'90 ish time.

I have mostly fond memories, my teachers were (in order i think) Mrs Leader, Mrs Hulloch (sp?) for a time, Miss Jackson and Mrs Welding and Mrs Farrell (  i think she was a support teacher?). Did anyone else go around the same time or remember the teachers? Mrs Kernohan was also there but she took the other class to mine, so i rarely got her.

We always had to sing 'we're going home, sshhh shh (fingers on lips)" at the end of each day in Mrs Leaders class, it was embarrassing then, never mind now!

I remember Miss Jackson used to play the guitar, she used to get us to sing Puff the Magic Dragon near hometimes.

'Numberland' books, they were the thing to have! You got a higher number book the futher you progressed, i remember it was quite competitive, or at least to me it was, i never had the highest number in the class sadly.

Playing in the yard, the yard at the front overlooking the valley was much bigger, used to play hopscotch, hide and seek etc, not much more to entertain us then but it seemed to be enough! I remember there was a wooden/brick building to the side of the school in the side yard area, we were never allowed to go into it, it was always locked. Does anyone remember what it was? It must have previously been used for something but i don't know what.

One day myself and Gary Collinson and 2 others (i can't remember who) went outside of the school gates as bizarrely there were shells on the path down the road and we wanted to get them, i remember we were briskly sent down to Mrs Jarvis room, we all thought we were going to get 'the cane' although i think it had been stopped long before then! We just got a good telling off but it was scary at the time!!

I remember Mrs Jarvis room being really neat, dark wood, coal fire, nice and cosy, quite different to elsehwere in the school.

Another thing i remember...is the school had discos, and i'm sure older kids used to go...i.e i don't remember them from the school but they were there at the discos. The big thing at the time was the strobe light and the new song that i remember playing was "i've got the power" (1990).

 

Mr Clough was the caretaker and he and his wife lived close by in Cooks Cottages, possibly even the adjoining house.

The school closed a few years later. I think by the time my sister went to school in 94, the 'lego' Junior School had become infants and juniors.

Who else went to the Infant School (or what i'd call the infant school, i know it wasn't always just infants!)

As an aside, i noticed Gleeson homes had the site advertised as White House Court to start with...mustn't have done their research! It would have been confused with Whitehouse Court where i now reside! Temperance Court is more like it, although why didn't they just call is School Court?

Station Road

This morning i took the tot down Station Road, i wanted to see if i could work out which houses used to be businesses.

Working from the bottom up, you could clearly see which ones have been re-built where the shop frontage has been taken down. I might have missed some, but this is what i found:

What was Broughs shop, now appears to be two houses, quite big compared to the other ones in the street. The second house up is interestingly still called Brough House.

Then working upwards, 73 and 69 (broughs side), then 49, 45 (next to salvation hall),  43, 24 (almost fully rebricked, must have required extensive work), 23, 22, 16, the extension at the back of the Chop Suey house looks like it used to have a window and a door, i'm sure someone mentioned it was a business at some point, 10 is now the Hot Wok, 9 is Jalsa, 8 is Kevs Plaice (which by the way is closing soon, moving to Langley Moor, does this leave Ushaw Moor without a Fish and Chip shop?) 7 looks double fronted and looks like it was a business previously, slightly behind this, a property had been built onto the end of Highfield Terrace, but is closed now, has been for some time, was this connected with Lawsons the Butcher? (then what would have been the end of the terrace previously, looks like it would have been the fish shop that i've read about.

After that, most of the buildings leading up and round the corner are still businesses.

On the subject of businesses, what is now Fleurella used to be Bodinners, i remember going into this shop with my nana, must have been at least 20 years ago now, i think it was a grocers, i can just about remember the lady working there, always seemed jolly. Does anyone else remember Bodinners?

I also remember when McCormicks was open on the corner (now Tillys which is closed), i understand McCormicks took over the co-op at some stage and had McCormicks at the end (or Nisa as it became after that?) and also McCormicks (Freeze) on the corner, i even remember the blue and white signs, although to be fair they were probably still up until fairly recently.

Does can anyone put any businesses to the numbers on Station Road? I know they've all been mentioned before but it'd be great to get a picture of which house was which, i find it really interesting...maybe i'm wierd!

The lightning struck tree...

My nana lived in Flass Terrace until she died in 2001, does anyone remember her? Celia Balderstone was her name, her husband was Sandy but I think he may have died before moving here.

My nana always used to tell me the story of when the huge tree near the bottom of Whitehouse Lane got struck by lightning, caught fire and fell across the road, blocking it. I’m guessing this would have been sometime in the 60′s/70's?

My mam now lives in the house the contains the quite blackened and rotting stump that the tree used to be! Just interested to see if anyone can remember this happening.

Thanks, Matt

The Edwardian Brady Family

Back in 1911 they lived at 13 Ushaw Terrace, Ushaw Moor. Head of the family was Henry and even though  he was in his mid sixties he was still working at the pit as a cinder drawer. Wife Ann was slightly older.

23 yrs old son Henry lived with them and was employed as a joiner at the pit. Daughter Ellen was living there with her husband Joseph Trenton.

Michael Tully and Joseph Kiernan were boarders and Maggie Gathins was a servant.

Any memories of this family leading up to WW2 or beyond?

WB

Probably A Very Interesting Take On Sleetburn

I note that in 1971 a higher education student called Mary Tobin wrote a dissertation entitled 'New Brancepeth: the development of a mining village in the Deerness Valley.'

It is available to read at the Durham County Record Office - reference D/X618/3. Note that they like you to book an appointment before visiting and if you are going to telephone them it's best to do so on a Thursday or Friday.

I guess that it will be a 10,000 word document [or more] and well worth reading for those steeped in the Valley.

WB

 

George March Gave The USA A Big Thumping

J G March  was born in Ushaw Moor and worked in the joiners' shop at the pit. He was a friend of my uncle Norman Hope. On August the fourth 1968 he found himself walking to the wicket, on behalf of Durham County Cricket Club, to face  the United States Of America. He batted for one hour and fifty seven minutes and during that time hit seven fours and two sixes. In the end he was caught and bowled for seventy four runs. The match itself was drawn.

source: cricket archive

WB

Working Out The Then And Now With Noodles

No one said it was easy to plot the winds of change and the effort can bring heartfelt anguish. I suppose that economics, politics and social factors drove the change, but to quote Eric Morecambe: ' not necessarily in that order'.

Certainly many close knit communities were broken up by all three factors and to some extent Margaret Thatcher and her Tory Grandees had an influence in that: they weakened the Trade Union movement, failed to support  much well paid manufacturing industry and left us with a lot  of low paid, poor quality retail and factory work. Having achieved that both Tory, and until recently New Labour, have tried to convince us that 'we are all middle class now '.

It is not easy to define the class structure these days but one thing seems clear: we are not all middle class. Perhaps vested interests would like us to think that we are, if only to take out the sting that might come from class conscious anger. We do know that the mainstream parties are aware of the need to court and convince those of the middle class that are waverers; they know that there is no point in trying to take on board those diehards that have no intention of ever voting for them.

The working men's clubs in Ushaw Moor could not really survive without the hard drinking thirsty miners of days gone by but surely we are better off without pits: they were dangerous, dirty and unhealthy. The trouble is very little was done  to provide viable alternatives.

It is unfair to expect government to sort all of it out but what is clear is that we require from it a new approach that acknowledges the working class, promotes  social cohesion and brings back trust. We need a new code for living. We know many of the culprits that got us to this stage and the list is growing.

I am asking a lot but the action required is probably urgent.

WB

Times Change

I would like to add a few words to make people who read this entry to add their own thoughts, I hope to challenge them to do so Last Monday night my wife Helen and I went for a ride out back through my childhood areas, New Brancepeth, Ushaw Moor and later in my young life Waterhouses and Esh WInning . The drive through the mainstay of my childhoood, the village of Ushaw Moor was most distressing. Coming down Whitehouse Lane and over the crossroads in the direction of New Brancepeth really opened my eyes to how much life must have changed since I left the village in 1957. The open areas that we passed where the Empire Cinema and the Big Club once stood made me realise the great changes that have taken place in the village of Ushaw Moor. These open areas once contained buildings where much of the social life of the village took place. I must also include the Club Hall cinema which was included the open space where the Big Club stood. I must also include in the open spaces in the village the areas where the Memorial Hall stood on the Esh Winning Road and also the site of the Council School where I understand housing is to be built. I, incidentally would love a house on that site if I could afford one and if I could get a townie like Helen to move. The village of Ushaw Moor when I was young was a compact unit. All the neccesities of life was available in the village. I must state here that life must move wit6h the times so that the village socially that I knew has disappeared and will never re-appear again.

To emphasise the closeness of the village in those days I would like to quote an example of the closeness of the people. On a Thursday afternoon my late brother Kevein (God Rest his Soul) would go to Hoppers Fish Shop In High View to get fisha nd chips for the tea. Without fail as we passed the double gates at the back of the Fl;ass Inn, (better known as the Flass) the Landlord< Jack Mc Dermott would be waiting for Kevin and I and passed his order for fish and chips and the moner on to us. Incidentally the fish and chips from this establishment were mouthwatering even tonight as I think back over the years. Jack Mc Dermott would always at the back gates waiting for his order and he always gave us a shilling between us. A few years later in April 1957 our mother passed away and her Requiem Mass was held on a Saturday morning. Kevin and I stood in Crook Store doorway opposite the Flass whillst all the males who had attended the funeral were in the Flass having a drink. I foolishly left Kevin who was under age at 16 on his own and went into theFlass to join the company. On standing at the bar I was faced with Jack Mc Dermott. He did not ask for my order but asked what I was thinking about leaving my youngest brother on his own in on such a day like this when he needed my company most. "Get to the front door andf shout to him to come in for a drink. I said he was under age and Jack just withered me with a look that was scornful and yet understanding of our circumstances.

Ushaw Moor Historical Website - West Durham Rail Tour 1958

[caption id="attachment_2621" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Stephenson Locomotive Society (North West Area) / Manchester Locomotive Society West Durham Rail Tour[/caption]

Stephenson Locomotive Society North West Area / Manchester Locomotive Society West Durham Rail Tour visiting Ushaw Moor station on 31.8.1958.

via Ushaw Moor Historical Website - West_Durham_Rail_Tour_1958.

Mining Memories - By Roy Lambeth

I got to know Stephen Dent when I moved from my Primary School to Whinney Hill Secondary Modern School in Durham in September 1959.

During our trainspotting adventures, we regularly saw the Brandon Pit House Colliery steam loco pushing empty wagons up to the colliery.  One day at Easter 1960 we decided we would go to Pit House and ask if we could photograph the engine.

We caught the bus that came down Whitehouse Lane going to New Brancepeth.  The big destination ‘via’ screen on the bus had us confused as it went to places we had never heard of (and which we could not find on the map).  These were Aldin Grange, Auton Stile & Alum Waters.

We caught the bus up to New Brancepeth and walked up to Brandon Pit House Colliery.  When we got there we found that the steam engine had been replaced by a big ugly diesel (see my (PHOTO) on the Ushaw Moor Gallery Site).  The safety Office decided that we should be given a conducted tour of the site.  This to our amazement (I was just 11 years old), included an underground visit!  Seeing what the miners had to do put me off mining as an occupation.

At the end of the visit, Stephen walked home to Ushaw Moor, but I was offered a ride on the diesel down to Brandon, where I could catch a bus to Durham.

A few days later we went to Ushaw Moor Colliery and asked to look round.  This was freely given and we had another underground tour.  Ushaw Moor Colliery was much older than Brandon Pit House, and going down the shaft we could see all the brickwork.  They lowered us slowly so that our guide could explain what everything was for.  It was then that they told us Ushaw Moor Colliery was due to close in August 1960.

On the day of the 1960 Durham Miners Gala, I caught an early bus out to Ushaw Moor, photographed the Ushaw Moor Banner being paraded down to the railway Station for the last time and traveled in to the Durham Miners Gala on the special train from Ushaw Moor Station (SEE PHOTO).

Happy Days

Posted on Behalf of Roy Lambeth

Memories of School Friends by Roy Lambeth

I lived in Durham, but my best school pal Stephen Dent lived at 22 Whitehouse Lane in Ushaw Moor.

We were both railway enthusiasts and were accepted by the various railway men we came across in our travels. We used to spend hours at Ushaw Moor Station with the porter there Jack Railton or sometimes he would take us over the wooden viaduct and leave us with Jack Hammill the New Brancepeth Signalman.

On other occasions we would meet at Relly Bridge for a days trainspotting which would take us into Deerness Valley Junction Signal Box and Bridge House Signal Box(at the end of Langley Moor Viaduct.

We also knew the residents in the railway houses between the bishop Auckland line and the Ushaw Moor line, where we would often be asked if we would like drinks and sometimes food.

On other occasions we would cycle to Tow Law, Stanhope, Lanchester and Crook, watching and learning about railways and their operations. Stephen was a relation of The Tallentyre-Dent Bakery shop in Ushaw Moor.

Happy days.

Posted on Behalf of Roy Lambeth roylambeth@dmm.org.uk

The Long Hot Summer - What do you remember Doing in the School Holidays ?

Been a little quiet on here for a while....

The Summer School Holidays are nearly upon us.

What do you remember about the summer holidays ?

What did you do ?

Where did you go ?

Tell us all about it.

1976 is most remembered for the great drought.

The Summer of 1976 was one of the best summers ever in the UK. London had a record June temperature of 95°F (we thought in Fahrenheit then!). We had a heatwave that went on for weeks and weeks. I can remember the ground cracking and the tar on the road melting. And yes, there was a hosepipe ban; but to a nine year old it seemed a small price to pay!

In some areas people had their water supply turned off for most of the day to conserve water. Hosepipe bans were across the country and even firemen in the New Forest were told not to put out forest fires.

My aunt struggled to recall just how long the school holidays were during the summer but had a strong feeling that they were less than six weeks! During each summer her family holidays were often based in boarding houses in places such as South Shields and Redcar. The fresh smell of the sea and teeth threatening sticks of rock are evocative memories. WB

St Cuthberts Chapel - Ushaw College 1911

Early Postcard of St Cuthberts Chapel - Ushaw College Postmark 1911

Remembering your Street Parties - Community Celebrations

Street parties are for life, not just for Jubilees.

Do you remember having any street parties in and around Ushaw Moor, maybe it was for the Royal Wedding, or another celebration,

What sort of things did u do ?

Did u decorate the entire street with bunting ?

Would you or are u having a street party for the Jubilee ?

Tell us all about it

 

Streets Alive promotes street parties for good neighbourly reasons and it is a great excuse to hold one for a Jubilee as a national occasion. This has a long tradition which started in 1919 and 1 million joined in for last year's royal wedding. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee will take place over an extended weekend from the 2nd to the 5th of June. You may want to hold your street party on the Sunday or Monday when most people would be around.

 

Street Parties for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee 2012.

Family Search - Carr

I am trying to find decendents of the Carr family. My great grandfather Thomas Carr was living in Ushaw Moor when he died at 18 Dale Street this was in 1903. His son in law John Wm Lambton of 11-Albert Street registered the death.

I have memories of visiting relatives when I was a child which would have been in the late 1940's early 1950's.  He had a son Joseph who was my grandfather, he married an Eliza Charlton. Thomas was married to Margaret Wilkinson.  If any one has any information about this family I would be grateful to hear from them.

Mary Andrews

Ancestors

I have past memories of visiting Ushaw Moor as a child, but don't remember much about it.

My great grandfather lived there but he passed away in 1903. His name was Thomas Carr and one of his sons was Joseph Carr who was my grandfather.

Thomas was married to Margaret Wilkinson, and Joseph to Eliza Charlton. I would love to know if there are any descendents of the Carr family still living in the area .

My name is Mary and I live in Seaham.

Ushaw Moor Railway Station 1965

[caption id="attachment_2574" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Ushaw Moor Railway Station - Looking East 1965"][/caption]

Photo of Ushaw Moor Railway Station looking east taken May 1965. Also in the background can been the Aged Miners Homes, Graveyard and Council Estate.

Ushaw Moor Aged Miners Cup - League Champions 1921-1922

[caption id="attachment_2568" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Aged Miners Cup 1921 -1922"][/caption]

My uncle Buller Graham 2nd from right in middle row.  They won the Ushaw Moor Aged Miners Cup in 19212-22.

His son is John Graham who has wrote articles on the Ushaw Moor site.

Posted on Behalf of Alf Rothwell

Memories of Ushaw Moor: Family Life

From original Archive at blogSPOT

My family was one of the first sixteen families to move onto the new council housing in Ushaw Moor in January 1947. To move from 29 Harvey Street in New Brancepeth into 38 Victoria Court, Ushaw Moor, was a cultural shock even at eight years old. An indoor flush toilet, hot and cold running water and a bath was truly out of this world. It was like winning the Lottery.

The first sixteen families were housed in the last four and the first eight numbered houses in Whitehouse Court. We were housed in the last numbered four houses in Victoria Court. I could write a book about those early years in Ushaw Moor but people would not be interested. I find it odd that people do not write their memories for future generations. The first winter there was horrific. I remember waking up to find the snow drifted up to the bedroom windows. The country was at a halt for a number of weeks but the enjoyment from the snow was great for an eight year old. I watched fields being eaten up by housing as the whole of the estate was built up over the next ten years, Oakridge Road up to Ash Avenue, was the second phase, people were housed in decent housing from the colliery rows.

Progress was made in strides then, everything was new and exciting after the austerity of the war years. The end of rationing, St. Josephs school and Church, the Store on Durham Road, the freedom to roam down the beck, and the companionship of boyhood friends made life happy. My Dad died in September, 1947, in the County Hospital at the top of North Road in Durham. This was a huge blow but my Mam, God Bless her, took over the responsibility of raising her five children and made a fantastic job of it. Many happy memories. I hope someone reads this and adds their own memories.

BRIAN MC LOUGHLIN

via Memories of Ushaw Moor: Family Life.

Memories of Ushaw Moor: Enid Cavallaro Nee Greenwell Bundaberg Queensland Australia 18th Feb. 2003

Archived from Original Memories BLOG at blogSPOT

Enid Cavallaro Nee Greenwell Bundaberg Queensland Australia 18th Feb. 2003

I was reading this page tonight and enjoying the stories when as my page scrolled down I came across the words "My grandmother, Elizabeth Ann Hudson". I thought to myself, hang on Elizabeth Ann Hudson was my great grandmother. I kept scrolling and found myself reading about us, my family. The lady writing is my mothers cousin Sheila. My mother was one of the 5 Mitchell cousins she mentioned. I was born in Ushaw Moor and lived the first 11 years of my life in Ushaw Terrace, until my family moved to Australia in 1967.I went to the Ushaw Moor Infants school, where my best friend was Margaret Turnbull. and spent my childhood playing on the village green. I remember walking to the pit with my grandfather James Mitchell when I was very young to pick up his pay.

Going to the allotments at the top of the street with our neighbour Mr Dunn, going with my dad to the baths in Durham for swimming lessons and going to the shop on the corner of our street and buying frozen Jubblies for a penny.I remember staying with my Great Aunt Lallie Hudson and having midnight tea parties in front of the fire while she told me stories of her childhood.My husband and I went to England in October 1999 and I took him to see the village. In many ways it was like walking back 30 years for me, a few things had changed but the important things that I remembered from my childhood were all still there.

via Memories of Ushaw Moor: Enid Cavallaro Nee Greenwell Bundaberg Queensland Australia 18th Feb. 2003.

Demoltion of Cinemas, etc.

I recently put an entry on the Ushaw Moor Web Site about the demolition of Cinemas and Clubs etc. in Ushaw Moor. I have great memories of the Empire and the Club Hall cinemas. The Memorial Hall on the Esh Winning road and the Big Club on Station Road. Public buildings like these were at the heart of the village and as we did not travel far in those days outside the village people were up to date with everything that was going on around the village. What better place to catch up with the local gossip that waiting in the Cinema queue. You could see who was courting who and you rubbed shoulders with people you only saw once in a while.

I really enjoyed seeing a photograph of Ronnie Allinson and the Facey lads in their Boys Brigade uniforms. The members of the Boys Brigade were always very well turned out and their marching and music were top class.

How does the social life of a village like Ushaw Moor carry on when most of the meeting places where people rubbed shoulders and chatted with one another have disappeared. This includes the places of worship in the village where the congregations have declined over the years. There was Socials, whist drives, beetle drives, pantomones and amatuer shows taking place on a regular basis. These were mostly for adults and not for young people, but they brought people together. The Clubs, cinemas, the Flass and the churches and chapels provided outlets for a lot of people and helped to gel the community together. At a lecture I attended a lot of years ago the lecturer forecast the demise of communities. This was before 24 hour TV and radio but he stated that when large places of emplyment closed and TV was available 24 hours a day as it was then available in the United States the communities would suffer.

I would not like to state an opinion on the cause of the decline of strong comunities. I am not a TV fan but I know that a lot of people know more about what is happening on the "Soaps" that they know about their immediate neighbourhood.

I like a couple of pints down the Iona Club or in a local pub. The patter flows and that is what I like. I am old fashioned? Perhaps I am but I still like to know what is going on in the town and socialising is the way I find the local news out.

I don't suppose this article is much about memories of Ushaw Moor but when I was through home a few weeks ago I was struck by the demolition of so many public buildings including Wilf Bells' "Alma Mater", the Council School on Temperance Terrace. It is a sad day when a local school closes.

Does a mobile phone and 24 hour TV make up for the lack of public buildings which young people of my age group used?

Please comment.

I forgot the Army Cadets where many lads attended at the bottom of Ushaw Villas.

Brian Mc.

Ushaw Moor Needs your Memories

Been a little quite March on the Ushaw Moor Memories BLOG.

The BLOG relies on YOU to submit your memories.

My last request seemed to have sparked off a few comments/memories, specifically regarding "Throwing Money At Weddings", but the post had other posing questions, some of which were :

• Is there a special SMELL that provokes a certain memory in your life ?


• Which street did you grow up in ?


• What do you remember about going to school ?


• What was your favorite moment from school?


• What was your first job ?


• What were the special things that happened to you as you were growing up ?


• What was family life like when you were growing up?


• How did you celebrate holidays and special occasions?


• What changes have you noticed during your life in such areas as fashion, morality and technology?

Take 10 minutes out of busy day and answer some of these question, we would love to hear about them.

Paul :)

 

 

Frederick (Barney) Bellamy

Post on behalf of Barbara Grantham,

My dad Frederick(Barney) Bellamy was born at Ushaw Moor,he had sisters Rachael and Emma one who lived in the street where the post office is and one who lived in the street opposite also brothers Billy and Joe.l know he was from a large family but cannot remember any of his other siblings. l know one of his brothers was killed at Bearpark colliery. l would be very grateful of any info at all.

My dad married Hetty Marley and later moved to New Brancepeth.
Thanks

An Update On Colin Looker's Book

I managed to make contact with Mr Looker a few days ago and he confirmed that he still has copies of his book available. He said he intended to visit this site shortly to supply contact details. I know that there is some interest in acquiring the book. Just to help give people a bit of a fix he was born not that long after WW2 and as a child lived at 35 Hunter's Avenue, Ushaw Moor. His sister is called Christine  and his mum and dad were named Doreen and Arthur.

I will offer to assist Mr Looker if he has a problem in locating this site.

WB

Wedding Buttonholes

I was told a long time ago that one should not wear a wedding buttonhole  [usually a single carnation] without first removing the silver paper. Because of that advice the first thing I do on being invited to look at wedding pictures  is check on the silver paper! Has it been removed?

Are your wedding photos the walk of shame - littered with silver paper?  Does it really matter? Surely the paper prevents the sap from going onto your clothing.

Anyway, who was that person that said it was wrong to retain the paper? Well it was a women, other than my wife, and that is all I have to say about it.

WB

Memories of Shrove Tuesday and Lent

What do you remember about celebrating Shrove Tuesday and Lent, does it differ from how you celebrate today ?

What things did you do ?

Did you get involved in any festivities ?

 

Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Day) is the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Shrove Tuesday is observed mainly in English speaking countries, especially Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand and Canada but is also observed in Philippines and Germany. Shrove Tuesday is linked to Easter, so its date changes on an annual basis.

In most traditions the day is known for the eating of pancakes before the start of Lent. Pancakes are eaten as they are made out of the main foods available, sugar, fat, flour and eggs, whose consumption was traditionally restricted during the ritual fasting associated with Lent.

In England, as part of community celebration, many towns held traditional Shrove Tuesday football ('Mob football') games, dating as far back as the 12th century.

Shrove Tuesday was once known as a 'half-holiday' in England. It started at 11:00am with the signalling of a church bell.  On Pancake Day, pancake races are held in villages and towns across the United Kingdom. The tradition is said to have originated when a housewife from Olney was so busy making pancakes that she forgot the time until she heard the church bells ringing for the service. She raced out of the house to church while still carrying her frying pan and pancake. The pancake race remains a relatively common festive tradition in the UK, and England in particular, even today. Participants with frying pans race through the streets tossing pancakes into the air, catching them in the pan whilst running. In Olney today, a pancake race still takes place every year on Shrove Tuesday.

From Wikipedia

 

 

 

Throwing Coins At Weddings

Although no coins were thrown at my daughter's 21st century southern wedding such a custom is known in the south, albeit mostly in Victorian times.The poor must have appreciated that.

It was a popular custom in Scotland and designed to bring luck and prosperity to the married couple. As for North Eastern weddings I can recall the chucking of coins outside Saint Luke's and the laughter and scramble that took place as a result.

Hopefully others will know more and share their knowledge.

WB

Let's Hear It For Colin Looker

Book Review: The Last Miner in Sherburn. A true story of life underground. Colin Looker. Durham, England. Isbn 9780953767618. Book price one penny short of eight pounds.

Colin Looker gives an authoritative, entertaining and sometimes poignant account of coal mining. For the price of something like two and a half pints of beer it's a real bargain.

He explains the typical career cycle and social life of a coal miner in a clear and entertaining way with a glossary of pit terms supplied for southern softies, uninitiated northerners and those in between.

His illustrations and photographs are generous and pleasing. His writing style and expressions are lucid and ease the reader into an understanding of the miners' lot. Having said that he seems not to have had the benefit of a sub editor - but having such a 'benefit' might  have  diluted the impact of his book just a little!

There are several references to Ushaw Moor including  school life and family life and they may attract Ushaw Moorites.

I'm not sure that the main aim of the book - to counteract the 'garbage' written about coal mining in Durham is valid. What garbage? Which writers? Nevertheless it's a gem of a book and well worth reading.

Wilf Bell.

Your Memories Make this BLOG

Been a little quite on the Ushaw Moor Memories BLOG lately. The BLOG relies on YOU to submit your memories.

Take out a few minutes from your busy day to tell us about your memories of Ushaw Moor and Deerness Valley, am sure you have a story to share.

Which street did you grow up in ?

What do you remember about going to school ?

What was your first job ?

What were the special things that happened to you as you were growing up ?

What was family life like when you were growing up?

How did you celebrate holidays and special occasions?

What are some of the traditions still carried on by your family?

What changes have you noticed during your life in such areas as fashion, morality and technology?

Some snippets from the original archive

I have a vivid memory of time I spent in this village, as a child I remember hardly ever being in the house, I was either up the woods, near ushaw college, or down the beck, "catchin minners". Life seemed so much better then. Well those were the days, by the way,, great site....:) posted by ushaw @ 6:15 PM

I don't know if it's the same enid greenwell as dated queensland Feb. 2003 but we used to be great friends till she moved to australia with her family when she was 11 she also had a younger sister .we used to go to a place called broadgate i have only just found this sight i was born in the village and have lived here all my life i went to ushaw moor infants & junior school then the secondary school i was born in 18 dale street .we used to go on the ushaw moor club trip some times on coaches or on the trains from ushaw moor station my mother rhoda hird sill lives in the village if any one can remember her but sadly my father died a albert hird .if you are the same enid greenwell did you live in ushaw terrace and if you visit this sight again i would like to hear from you i have found this sight very good as a lot of the people i knew when i was growing up in the village. posted by ushaw @ 6:15 PM

I read the "Autobiography of Frank Proctor" some time ago and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I would recommend this book to any of the older generation in Ushaw Moor.

Frank was a very strong character who went as a very young man with a number of friends to work on the farms in Canada. He suffered homesickness as one by one his friends returned to the Ushaw Moor area and he was left alone in a strange country thousands of miles away from his home.  posted by ushaw @ 6:12 PM

I enjoyed reading about Martin and Ruby Gallagher. My Gran and Grandad lived at 28 Arthur St. and as a child I was often sent to the little shop. It was a happy place, Ruby was always singing. My Gran never called her Ruby Gallaher it was Ruby Deaton. Also in Arthur St. were Mrs. Quinn, Mrs. Jolly , Mrs. Nanncarrow and the Wallige family. They were friendly with the Young family who lived in Whitehouse Lane. posted by ushaw @ 6:11 PM

Can you help regarding old residents of Ushaw Moor

I am trying to find information regarding two aspects of my family tree which impact upon Ushaw Moor and would appreciate any guidance - either about names , locations or even where you think i may be able to find more ?
1,McCardle family from 1900 onwards
The 1901 census record this family in 1901 in South View Ushaw Moor - though by 1911 they are recorded in Hepple St in New Brancepeth Colliery .
By 1911 Patrick is married to Margaret and they have 4 children : Rosie A ; Alice James and Joseph

I believe Alice went on to marry James McCaffery see next paragraph and died in 1924.
I would be interested in any memories or contact with descendants who can help me flesh things out
2.McCaffery
As mentioned above I belive James (Francis) Mccaffery spent some time mining at Ushaw Moor Colliery amongst other things .Through marriage to Alice McArdle I believe they had two children Gerard and Lawrence Leo and he remarried Jane Craggs in 1926 . I believe they spent some /all the time until 1950's and James death at/near Ushaw Moor (7 Hall Avenue )

Both James and Jane I believe are buried in St Joseph's Church but as I don't live locally its difficult on check
In both situations i would appreciate any memories or contacts I could follow up by email to help me flesh some things out

The Writings of Geoff Turner - Archive

On 27th April 2007 I believe we last heard from Geoff TURNER, a man approaching his 75th birthday and a former resident of Alum Waters.  Amongst some of his very interesting postings was a fascinating account of the life of Manny PECKER, a man who lived the later years of his life wandering the roads in and around the Deerness Valley.

In  what I believe to be his last posting Geoff stated his intention of posting further articles featuring 1. A watermill in the valley 2. " The Germans are coming. "  A comical narritive of a small boy's dreams - a comical narrative.  3. An article about a family in the valley where three of the family played professional football.

I should like to say how much I enjoyed reading Geoff's postings and hope that he is keeping well as his eightieth birthday approaches. I would love to see an update on  these stories.

Posted on behalf of Carol Clarke

Follow these  links for archive material of Geoff Turner from old BLOG :

http://is.gd/crHuwS
http://is.gd/aMxTve

http://is.gd/Lm0MQT
http://is.gd/9Lhcl7
http://is.gd/AT0VKG
http://is.gd/A0emb4
http://is.gd/HQyIhQ
http://is.gd/aMxTve
http://is.gd/9F5AsK
http://is.gd/V5xSeQ
http://is.gd/j25vdW
http://is.gd/ko1cWx
http://is.gd/QEoRyg
http://is.gd/V4K7Bh
http://is.gd/wNAj5t
http://is.gd/8RNiRX
http://is.gd/LCiuXd
http://is.gd/O6NlVd

Paul Clough

Ushaw Moor - Moorlanders Coach

Ushaw Moor Moorlanders transport was this Ford Viceroy, NKJ 761F, a coach which had started life in Kent with Cox (Streamline) at Maidstone.

Pigeon Cree - Ushaw Moor ?

Pigeon Cree in or around Ushaw Moor area, details unknown.

Anyone recognise the men in the photo ?

Class of 1948 at Ushaw Moor Primary School

Hi, am writing on behalf of my friend Val who has mislaid her school photograph. Does anybody by any chance have a school photograph of the class of 1948 at Ushaw Moor Primary School, the photo would have Valerie Knox and Lorna Johnson, Lily West and Miriam Jackson.

Really hoping someone has this and can help out! Thanks again

Trina

Posted on behalf of Trina Stanton

Ushaw Moor Trumpeters

'On the 13th April, 1973, a Grand Banquet was held in the Great Hall of Durham Castle to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Club Charter.  Among the guests were the Mayor of Durham, Past President of RIBI the Rev. D. Dick,  District Governor H. Botham and presidents of many neighbouring clubs.  A highlight of the occasion was a fanfare blown by the trumpeters of the Ushaw Moor ACF from the minstrel gallery of the Great Hall to summon the diners to table.  It was an evening that will be long remembered by those present'.

 Extract from Rotary Club of Durham history 

So can anyone give further information about this?

WB

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here's an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 15,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 6 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.