Home
I lived in Allendale for the first five years of my life, unfortunately due to my parents work situation, we had to leave the village to find work in the town; things were never the same! We still returned to Allendale frequently to visit our relatives the Nixon's & Hutchinson's. I still remember my childhood with fond memories & the very close friendship I had with all my cousins in Allendale at the time. My mother Iris used to work for Tommy at the Heatherlea in the early sixties & I think my father George Garry used to work at the Dixon's Garage in Allendale as a motor mechanic & later Hexham.
Before the old brewery was redeveloped, my Nana used to live in an annex of the brewery before moving to new bungalows on Allenfields; as a child I found it to be quite an adventure trecking from our home - Allen House, down the Peth, across the field, then over the old bridge that crossed the River Allen & past the Riding Hotel to the brewery, my Mother hated the journey; my Grandmother was a lovely lady.
I also remember going out with my cousins - John Nixon & David Kirkwood with Howard & Dockray on the back of their lorry, some days delivering coal & other days collecting the village rubbish - 'ah sweet memories'!
I attended Allendale infants school for a year (1964/5) & I think my teacher was Miss Bell, does anyone remember her? That was another quality of village life, the schooling. It was the only schooling I ever enjoyed!
Now 48, I still return to Allendale to reflect on life & how things have changed over the years, not necessarily for the better. The village is still the same, apart from a few shops/businesses closing over the years i.e. Charlton's - I loved that shop! The people are still as friendly as ever.
Memories Links
Other memories of The Dale Hotel And Square c1955
See more memories of Allendale
Add a Memory for another place
Tips & Ideas
How has this scene changed?
Do you know who lived or worked here?
Why is this photo significant to you?
Particular points of interest - transport, architecture, fashions etc.
Comments
2 comments have been shared so far in response to the memory "Home".
Why not get involved and post your comments using the comment form below.
Comments
RE: RE: Home
Re: Your question about Miss Bell (actually it's Mrs Bell) - she taught at Allendale from 1940-1980. She is now nearly 90 years old and remembers Allendale and the school fondly, and often recounts tales from her time there. She was really interested to see this site and read people's memories as she now no longer lives in Allendale.
Comment from Andrew Bell on Sunday, 17th May 2009.
RE: RE: Home
I first went to Allendale age 4 or 5 to stay at the Dale Hotel in about 1953/54 with my mother Ethel Fenwick and sister Joan. The hotel was owned by Mr and Mrs Thompson who had a son called Billy and a girlfriend soon to become wife Rita who smoked like a chimney. Mr Thompson was I think a distant relative of my father. I had been very ill as a child and was small for my age and Aunty Armstronge as all the children called her who lived and worked in the dale all summer, used to bring me chicken sandwiches and a glass of milk up to the bedroom each evening whilst the grown ups were having dinner, to fatten me up. I loved the Dale, children were easily pleased and we played table tennis in the green room and the garden had a putting green and a swing which was heaven to me. We played in the river, went horse riding and played on the swings and slide in the park. We went for walks each evening along the river to Catton and back along Station Rd.
We saved our pocket money so we could pay for horse rides which were in those days half a crown an hour. I remember the blacksmiths and his daughter Valeria and also Pat Blair who helped with the horses. I would love to hear from anyone who knows what happened to my friend Eileen Pallister from Sheffield.
Comment from Rhona Ann Arnott on Sunday, 6th February 2011.