Ushaw Moor Working Mens Club - Committee Members

[caption id="attachment_4904" align="alignnone" width="595"] Ushaw Moor WM Club Committee members[/caption]

Submitted on behalf of Margaret Thompson

Thought this photograph of Ushaw Moor WM Club Committee members may raise a few memories. Front Row Left - ? Atkinson, Jimmy Gillon, Eb Shuker, Walter Elliott, Back Row Right - ? , My dad Alan Brown, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ? Gibb.

 

Comments from Ushaw Moor Facebook GROUP

• Geoff Metcalf I'm sure thats Bobby Gibb Back row first left


• Margaret Thompson Yes you are right


• Ron Turnbull front row billy atkinson


• Ron Turnbull back row ronnie ellliot

 

Anderson's Grocery shop around 1935, Station Road

[caption id="attachment_4888" align="alignnone" width="595"] Andersons Grocery shop 1935[/caption]

Submitted on behalf of Margaret Thomspon :

Anderson's Grocery shop around 1935 in Station Road. My mother Margaret and her sister Nancy standing at the entrance. The shop was situated next door to Arthur Lough's shoe shop. It was later passed on to my Aunt Rosie Smith and then to Mabel Luke and her husband Norman Lee. Mabel's mother and father owned Luke's fish and chip shop below the grocery shop.

 

Comments from Facebook Memories GROUP

• Paul Clough Another great shot. Not seen this one before


• Margaret Thompson I do not think there is another photo of this shop around this time, it has only ever been mentioned as a memory by Peter Howarth before.


• 
  
  Audrey Tidbury Cooper Staniland Lovely photo!. I guess my mother (nee Gladys Jolly} would have shopped there. She lived in Station House with her parents and i was born in 1935.

Passing of the Reverend Terence Towers

Passing of the Reverend Terence Towers

Published in the The Northern Echo on 23 January 14

TOWERS On January 20, peacefully in hospital, of Langley Park, Reverend Terence, aged 80 years, (former vicar of St. Lukes, Ushaw Moor, 1967 - 1993). Dearly beloved husband of Brenda, father of Amanda and Anthony. Friends please meet for service in All Saints Parish Church, Lanch-ester, on Thursday, January 30, at 11.15am., interment to follow in Langley Park Cemetery. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu if desired to The British Heart Foun-dation.

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

Local Colliery Band

Hi does anyone know if Ushaw Moor had a Colliery Band ?,  of course Bearpark and Esh Colliery band is well known and still going today.

Had an email from Gavin Holman http://www.ibew.co.uk

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

Did your village, town or community once have its own brass or silver band?

I am carrying out research in the history of brass bands in local communities, and would like to ask if you know of any information about any such extinct bands in your area.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries were the "golden age" for these bands numbering, it is said, up to 40,000 distinct bands at their peak. Many of these bands were associated with local industries, often being a "works" band. Others provided a musical focus for many small towns and villages in the days before the gramophone and the wireless. Today, in contrast, only some 1,500 or so are left active in the UK.

Sadly many of the bands left little in the way of information about their existence, and what does exist is widely scattered with individuals, local archives and national collections.

Part of my research is to identify these lost bands, to collect together material to provide a central database of information – containing a mixture of primary information as well as references to material held elsewhere (e.g. in local archives).

Any information you can provide would be gratefully received. Whether actual information or pictures of any bands, or pointers to resources, or sources for further investigation. Even knowing that a particular band existed is significant!

Currently much of the information I have collected is available online, as a freely available resource, at http://www.ibew.co.uk  - in various locations, for example, in the Reference section under "Extinct Bands" or "Vintage Pictures".

With best wishes for your continuing research in local history,

Yours,

Gavin Holman
http://www.ibew.co.uk
The Internet Bandsman's Everything Within

Patricia Stiles nee Baker - Sharon McCreesh

I am trying to find a school friend, Patricia Stiles nee Baker.

I have located Sharon McCreesh, who is possibly her daughter, in your town but have no other way to find out if she is. Can you help in any way to verify that Sharon is her daughter?

If she is would Sharon be willing to contact me. I’m using my maiden name so Patricia would know who she is talking about.

Thank you for any help you can give me and her schoolmates at Godolphin and Latymer in Hammersmith, London who would love to hear from her.

Posted on behalf of Jill Rose

Unusual VASE - Florentine Crested China - Ushaw Moor Colliery ?

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Florentine Crested China VASE[/caption]

Got this lttle Gem off ebay, not sure what the significance of the Ushaw Moor crest is, maybe something to do with the Ushaw Moor Colliery.

"THIS IS  A PRETTY CRESTED CHINA VASE WITH 4 HOLES WITH CREST OF USHAW MOOR AND MADE BY FLOERNTINE CHINA"

Anyone any ideas ?

Flickr: The Ushaw Moor Historical Pool

 

Check OUT Ushaw Moor Historical Photos on Flickr, Join the GROUP.

Flickr: The Ushaw Moor Historical Pool.

Pigeon Cree - Ushaw Moor ?

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

Anyone recognise the men in the photo ?

Where Is It ? - Ushaw Moor Colliery Banner

[caption id="attachment_2223" align="alignleft" width="212" caption="Ushaw Moor Colliery Banner"][/caption]

Had some requests about the Ushaw Moor Coliery Banner.

Wondered if anyone knew of it's location ?

Is there any plans of trying to restore it ?

Wonder what sort of state it's in.

Children at play - Broadgate Bridge

[caption id="attachment_2212" align="alignleft" width="391" caption="Broadgate Bridge over the River Deerness nr Ushaw Moor"][/caption]

Children playing beneath the footbridge at Broadgate.

kindly submitted by Carole Clarke

Other details unknown.

(NOTE) Original Photo was badly damaged with creases and tears, photo has been photo/enhanced to the best of my ability.

Ushaw Moor Historical Website - Religious History (Catholic)

Catholic Church

The first St.Joseph's Roman Catholic Church (Click to VIEW) was established in Ushaw Moor and opened on December 19th 1909. It was a corrugated iron structure and cost £474. Father Beech and his curate, Michael Shelley, were the priests responsible, travelling from Newhouse on horseback or by train, for the first two years. The first baptism took place on January 16th 1910, the infant being named Thomas Nugent, and the first marriage took place on April 15th 1911 between Matthew Rutter and Edith Webster of New Brancepeth.

Attendances at Mass were averaging 320 with 203 at Benediction. In December 1911 Father Shelley came to live in Durham Road where a house was built which accommodated the priest until 1931 when a new presbytery was erected with the new church. On May 23rd 1925 Ushaw Moor became an independent parish consisting of Ushaw Moor, Broompark and New Brancepeth. Bearpark came into the parish in 1935. On June 19th 193O Bishop Thorman laid the foundation stone for a new, church. Most of the ground clearing and digging of foundations was carried out by parishioners. The bell for the new building was given by the people of Ballingarry, County Tipperary. Almost a year later on April 21st 1931, the new St. Joseph's Church was opened by Bishop Joseph Thorman, with the first marriage ceremony taking place four days later between William Regan and Imelda Cairns and the first baptism being performed on Eileen Veronica Illand on April 26th.

After seven years the church was free of debt and on 17th May 1938 Bishop McCormack performed the ceremony of consecration.

The following year, as a result of war being declared, children from high risk areas were evacuated and St. Joseph's welcomed children from St. Wilfred's, Gateshead and St. Philip's, Dunston. At the evacuation of the troops from Dunkirk the school and hall were taken over to accommodate the soldiers.

On April 22nd 1946 Michael Shelley, the well-loved parish priest, died. A short while previously he had been created a canon of the diocese. His thirty-seven years of dedication having seen many changes in the mining community who were greatly influenced by his presence.

Father Whitaker succeeded Canon Shelley and under his guidance the Sanctuary was altered in 1955. Shortly after it's completion he died on April 7th, 1956. The third parish priest to be appointed was Father L.V. Thompson.

A new hall was built on the foundations of the old church and was opened on 21st July 1979.

Paul Clough o^o

via Ushaw Moor Historical Website - Religious History.

Ushaw Moor Historical Website - Religious History (Baptist)

Baptist Church

The Baptist Church at Ushaw Moor Colliery was formed in 1881. It's first meetings were held in a hut which was loaned by the colliery company. This building which was poorly lit and badly ventilated, was probably one of the structures erected to house the first workmen.

It is recorded that at that time preaching became dangerous and, if one remembers that this was the year the strike took place at Ushaw Moor, it can be realised that many of the community were in no mood to accept teachings of compassion and non-aggression. The little group held together however, and particularly remembered was a little Welshman, David Price, and his wife who stuck to their convictions even though they were contrary to the spirit of the striking miners. In 1894 Pease & Partners, the new colliery owners, were approached for help.

They granted land some distance from the mine, in the expanding village of Ushaw Moor, and in addition gave building materials.  This church was completed by 1897 at a cost of £700 (Click TO VIEW).  The Sunday School room was added in 1925 and dedicated to the Esh Winning pioneer, Mr. John Raw. Robert Dixon, who was employed as a winderman at Ushaw Colliery, is remembered as a Sunday School superintendent of many years standing, along with Mrs. Henderson who was it's secretary.

Paul Clough o^o

via Ushaw Moor Historical Website - Religious History.

Ushaw Moor Historical Website - Religious History (Methodist)

Methodist

The Wesleyan Methodists at Ushaw Colliery are first recorded as holding their meetings in 1894. Two leaders of the movement from New Brancepeth, Robert Bottoms and Isaac Wood are remembered as helping with the first services which were held in the colliery house of Mrs Metcalfe. Later the mine owners, Pease & Partners, allowed them to use 'the huts' , a row of 12 wooden houses which had been used to accommodate the first workmen.

The last two of these miserable dwellings (they had earth floors and were dark and cold) had been united to form a single large room which later became the first miners institute. Two years later the Wesleyans were allowed the use of the colliery office which was situated in the centre of South Street. A request was made to the colliery owners for a site on which to build a permanent church. Pease & Partners presented them with land and bricks , a gift valued at £125.

The new church was erected, and opened on the 1st September 1900 by Mrs Philipson, the total cost being £360, a debt which was cleared by 1912. As further consolidation it was included in the Crook Wesleyan Methodist Circuit. A harmonium was loaned by one of the members until 1903 when a larger American organ was purchased. In 1920 a small pipe organ was installed and dedicated to the memory of the men who died in the first world war. Ralph Wilson held the position of organist for 37 years The Chapel On The Hill as it became known locally or Esh Road Methodist Church which was its official name, held its last service on the 28th July 1954, after which the membership transferred to the Durham Road chapel in Ushaw moor.

Paul Clough o^o

via Ushaw Moor Historical Website - Religious History.

Ushaw Moor Historical Website - Jack Joyce

Probably the most outstanding person working at Ushaw moor colliery was Jack Joyce. He was born at Spennymoor in 1892 and began work at the age of 13 in 1905 spending his whole working life at the same mine. In 1946 he was elected financial secretary of the Durham Miners Association. Being a forceful union official he represented the miners as checkweighman and compensation secretary.

From 1924 until 1945 he was a member of Lanchester and Durham Rural District Councils. Before his death in 1967 he had the pleasure of seeing his portrait painted on the last Ushaw Moor colliery banner in honour of his work for the Ushaw Moor community.

via Ushaw Moor Historical Website - Jack Joyce.

Ushaw Moor Historical Website - Ushaw Moor Carnival

This photograph was taken between the years 1928- 1933, when carnivals were held at Ushaw Moor. At these carnivals local people were in fancy dress and later in the day a King, Queen and Mayor were picked.



The people on the photo are as follows:

Top from left Town Cryer T. Conner; The King Jimmy Winn; The Queen Nick Tennick; The Mayor Jack Joyce. Bottom from left The Joker T. Foster; Little Girl Daughter of Jack Joyce.

For MORE Info on Ushaw Moor Carnival go to Ushaw Moor Juniors School History Page

via Ushaw Moor Historical Website - Ushaw Moor Carnival.

Firefighter tells of North heroes' blaze of glory - Sunday Sun

THESE pictures show how the hard work and bravery of firefighters often goes unnoticed.

But retired fireman Arthur Lockyear, who battled blazes across the North for 30 years, has penned a book celebrating his heroic colleagues.

The 59-year-old from Ushaw Moor, Durham, said he felt it was something which needed to be done for the “good of the service”.

And so he has written Warriors in Fireboots to tell the incredible stories of the firefighter’s calling.

“The book is my tribute to the many extraordinarily courageous people whom I have had the great fortune to have met,” said Arthur, who worked in Sunderland, Gateshead and South Tyneside during his three-decade career with Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.

Arthur, who has been awarded an MBE for his work organising the Sunderland Remembrance Day Parade, has spent two years gathering together stories for the book.

The tales span the length and breadth of the country, and go back in time to take in the very first men who risked their lives in the fire brigade, as well as the heroic firefighters of the Blitz in the Second World War.

“There were so many stories to chose from,” said Arthur. “They start back in 1861 in London and come right up to date in 2005, with two firefighters from Stevenage who lost their lives.”

via Firefighter tells of North heroes' blaze of glory - Sunday Sun.

Ladysmith Terrace 1970

My neighbours in Ladysmith Terrace early 70's

Ladysmith Terrace				1970's

No		Adults				Children

Vicarage	Terry & Brenda Towers		Amanda and Anthony
32		Tommy Bewick
31		Anne & Jack Hopper
30		Jill & George Rose		Mellisa, Wendy
29		Ken & Margaret Clough		Paul & Lisa
28		Barry & Val Thomas		Julie
27		Miss Morley
26		Mrs Stoddart
25		Tommy & Ruby Stoddart
24		Ann & Billy Close
23		Lorna & Ralph Pattinson
22		Johhny & Brenda Mcquillan	Tommy,Katherine, Pat & Shaun
21		Billy Lowery

1-20 Was Demolished, I think sometime after the war.

Does anyone remember exactly when the lower part of the street was demolished and why ? I always thought it was due to subsidence.

PaulC

Railroad to Wembley starts at Waterhouses From The Northern Echo

BRADSHAW’S 1922 railway timetable, which no home should be without, records that there were nine trains a day in each direction on the five-and-half-mile line between Durham and Waterhouses, calling at Ushaw Moor only.

On Saturdays, in an attempt to ensure that the lads got home all right, an additional train left Durham at 10.25pm. Whatever the gradient as the old Think-ICan laboured up the Deerness Valley, thereafter it was downhill all the way.

Just one daily service steamed soporifically in each direction when finally the line closed to passengers – save for an annual outing to the Big Meeting – in October 1951. The goods service, pitmatic mostly, continued until 1964.

The relevance of all this, of course, is that Saturday marked the first qualifying round of the FA Vase, the traditional starting station for the Backtrack column’s ever-optimistic Railroad to Wembley.

READ MORE Railroad to Wembley starts at Waterhouses From The Northern Echo.

Artist Steven Fox's love of steam trains is not hot air - Arts - Culture - JournalLive

A CHILDHOOD love of steam engines has inspired artist Steven Fox’s railway art. His mixed-media work includes portraits of volunteers who work to keep the heritage railway lines open and intricate portrayals of steam engines and trains.

“Railways were part of my childhood,” explains Steven, from Esh Winning, near Durham City. “My dad was also interested in steam engines and he took me to Newcastle station to mark the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Newcastle to Hexham line with the engine The Evening Star in March 1985.

“I was 14. I’m inspired by the work of Guild of Railway artist and wildlife painters David Shepherd and Terence Cunue. One of my favourite artists has always been John Constable for his landscapes and trees.”

From today, Steven, who studied arboriculture at Houghall College in Durham, will be displaying his original Heritage Railway art titled Hot Coals & Ash for the first time in his hometown.

The exhibition, which opens to the public tomorrow, will be in the Durham Room at Durham County Hall and opened by the chairman of Durham County Council Dennis Morgan.

Among the special guests at the preview evening will be Richie McCardle, from Consett, who is an engine driver on both the Weardale Railway and the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. He is one of the subjects in Steven’s work.

The 41-year-old lives close to Ragpath Wood, in Durham, a Woodland Trust site of ancient woods left over from the last ice age mixed with relics of the mining industry. He is inspired by its natural history landscape – the walkway there follows the old branch line from Waterhouses to Durham City Railway Station. This was a major transport link for the mining communities living and working in Deerness Valley and an oil painting of this walkway is shown in the exhibition.


Read MORE

Artist Steven Fox's love of steam trains is not hot air - Arts - Culture - JournalLive.