Allendale Cottages, Tyne And Wear

Prospect House

I was born at my Grandad & Grandma's house in Prospect House and lived there until 1951 when I moved to Highfield, I remember walking down the railway line to school at Highfield with my friend's Maureen French and Vera Gardener. I also remember my uncle Sid bringing the pit ponies out of the drift mine and letting us wash... [more]

Gran & Grandad's house

Mam was born in Victoria Garesfield, the houses I can remember have now been demolished. In later years they lived in School Houses where there were about four converted bungalows. My grandad worked in nearly all the local pits, his name was Robert Atkinson, I believe he was born in the village. My gran was called Phobe May (Ward), Mam was... [more]

Happy Times

I lived in Crawcrook until I was 13 years old, then we moved to Coventry, that was about 1955/56. My dad was a miner and had to leave because of the pit closing. I remember happy times playing out down the channels and paddling in the Tyne, going to Whitley Bay for holidays. I went back this year (2009) twice and... [more]

Childhood:W.Websters village shop

I was born in 1951. My parents owned the W Websters store in Barmoor Lane. I believe the old premises is now known as Orchard Cottage. I remember the sandshoes for sale dangling from the rafters and the butter was weighed out. My older sister helped serve sometimes after school. Dad set up a train set for Christmas for village folk... [more]

Ryton Willows

My first visit to Ryton was when my mother took me and my sister to Ryton Willows during the war years. The train from Gateshead station stopped at the Willows and I recall next to the station was a  place for eating your own meals which had to be brought. I can't recall any facilities for tea or meals service. The... [more]

School days

I was born at Crookhill, just outside Ryton and went to Hookergate Grammar School in 1956. When the Ferndene pool was opened we were taken by bus from school to the pool where we were given swimming lessons. My memory is of having to jump from the HIGH diving board and being absolutely terrified as it was just so high. Looking... [more]

Childhood: Newcastle v Birmingham

I remember going to my grandparents' house in Low Row, Addison. It was a colliery village and it was always a treat to go there in my summer holidays. The house was basically a two up, two down but the downstairs back room was where we slept, with my mum and dad and baby brother. The house had no electricity, just... [more]

My childhood

I was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire. My mum was born and grew up in Newcastle and so many of my aunties and uncles and cousins were all Geordies. My Uncle George and Aunty Beatty (Charlton) lived in Crawcrook in Morgy Hill and I spent many happy holidays there as a child. My Uncle George worked at Clara Vale and I... [more]