Ushaw Moor Secondary Modern - Class Photo 1961

Class Photo, Ushaw Moor Secondary Modern, Circa 1961

Centre back row Linda Dickinson, third row sixth from the left is Vera Davies now Hodgson,

Ron Nightingale Might Find This Blast From The Past Interesting

Two Florence Nightingales living in Ushaw Moor in 1901

October 30, 2008

 

Florence Nightingale Number1

The younger Florence, aged 9 and born in Waterhouses and was part of the Nightingale family that occupied both 2 and 3 West Street Ushaw Moor.

Her father was John Nightingale a 42 year old colliery Undermanager; born in Northumberland he had gained his manager’s certificate on 26/02/1893. His managerial experience included overseeing the ‘Busty’ which would be abandoned 43 years later – well after his involvement!

Florence’s mother was 35 year old Sarah; she was born in St. John’s Chapel in Durham.

Florence had a lot of siblings: Alice [born in Waterhouses], Edith [b Esh], James W [b Waterhouses], Margaret [b Ushaw Moor], Mary J [b Waterhouses] and Phillis [bWaterhouses]. One of Florence’s grandfathers was called James Nightingale; he was born in 1822 at Chilton, County Durham, spent part of his life as a gardener and was married to Phillis [born in 1820].

Two of the Nightingale’s immediate neighbours, back in 1901, were John Herron – a stationary Engineman and Billy Thompson – a colliery engineman.

FLORENCE NO 2

The other Florence Nightingale was born in Tow Law in 1890, lived in South View, Ushaw Moor with her 53 year old dad [he was born in Northumberland and by this time worked at Ushaw Moor Colliery].

Florence had two elder brothers – Thomas [17] and John J [20]. They were both born in Tow Law and both worked at Ushaw Moor Colliery.

Florence had two sisters – Ethel [15 and born in Tow Law] and Hannah [20 – born Waterhouses].

We can surmise that this family was not in absolute dire poverty – bearing in mind the size of it and the number of workers.

Their immediate neighbours were:

[1] Mr John Stobart aged 41 – he was married to Mary – aged 41; they had a daughter – Jane aged 12 and

[2] Tommy Walker 42 [coal hewer Ushaw Moor] and his wife Ann [42]. They had four sons –Joseph 22 [putter/hewer Ushaw Moor], Thomas 18 [putter/coal hewer at Ushaw Moor], Solomon, 15 [bank lad] and John aged 4.

Tommy and Ann also had two daughters Sarah [9] and Florence [2]. So of the eight people living in the house we can see that four of them were in paid employment. Ann Walker would have been very busy looking after them especially bearing in mind the various coal mining shifts and that John was only 4 – I wonder whether Mrs Walker got much sleep.

All of the adult Ushaw Moor males mentioned above would know James Curry because he was the Rapper Man; his job was to get them to wake up and work! He lived at 6 William Street which incidentally was only three doors away from the Trotter family; one of whom was a three months old infant that, I believe, would go on to be the school teacher that some people can still remember. I believe he was the Trotter that, at least once, infuriated my grandfather on the cricket field!

WB

Somewhere in the Deerness Valley??

My grandfather Albert Turner with My Grandmother Agnes. I cannot give the location. Possibly in the entrance of the Loves hotel in Broompark, but i am thinking some other location in Ushaw Moor. No buildings in Broompark had a double door and brickwork like that except perhaps the Loves hotel.???? Albert was a very distinguished gentleman and a very good businessman who lent money and also a collector of fine antiques and collectables.
But also a maker of fine whiskey and loved a drink.
Some said that he was one that could turn a sows ear into a silk purse. But he was a worker and worked his gut out just as the rest.

Broompark-Deerness valley-County Durham

The Nightingale Kids -Shirley (5) - Ronnie (9) - Theresa (13)
Taken 1959 outside our front door in Albert street

Broompark County Durham 1962

Soldier Story - I was There ,Pamela Proctor speaks to the Royal Canadian Legion

Listen to Pamela Proctor, daughter of Frank Proctor former resident of Ushaw Moor who left for Canada, remembering his story while fighting in WW2, speaking to the Royal Canadian Legion.
Download Pamela Proctor speaks to the Royal Canadian Legion

A Canadian Soldier's Real Life Adventure Story

Summary: Frank Proctor grew up in a coal mining town near Durham, England, came to Saskatchewan to work in the grain harvest, enlisted in the Regina Rifles on the outbreak of war, trained in Canada and England, landed in Normandy on D-Day, fought through France and Holland to Germany, returned to Canada and moved to Mission, B.C., where he raised his family and operated his own business until retirement to the beauty of his art.

Read this gripping first hand account by a Canadian infantryman of his personal experiences in the tremendous events resulting in the liberation of Europe.

What readers and reviewers have said about I Was There click here

via Soldier Story - I was There , an autobiography by Frank Proctor.

Seven Words For Ushaw Moor's People Of 1959 Vintage

That is to say broadly speaking! As follows:

Hardworking

Compassionate

Courageous

Unsophisticated

Unpretentious

Witty

Sensible

I imagine that some of you will not agree with all of them.

WB