Backworth, Tyne And Wear

Jimmy Malone

I was born and lived in Forest Hall. My father Gerry Malone was also born in Forest Hall, his cousin Jimmy Malone, lived in West Allotment, he used to sing in a lot of social clubs around the area, and also in West Allotment Social or Working Mens Club. I was told that he had a wonderful voice. Sadly he passed... [more]

The Three Pitches

I was born and lived in Forest Hall, 1952-1968. I have happy memories of Palmersville, a lot of my friends lived there. We used to hang around the three pitches, in those days, the large football field. I remember Ords Farm, went strawberry picking there a few times in the school holidays. I remember Thorrington's shop, that's where we bought our... [more]

1949 - 1961

I lived at Station Road in Murton and remember playing with my best friend, Doreen, down the bakery and in Windes Lodden. Does anyone remember my dad, Walter Simpson Smith, who was born at Cold Hesleden? I also went to Murton Girls Secondary School which is no longer there.

Forest Hall

My name is Brian and I lived at 26 Granville Drive. In those days the road ended at about No 40 and then there were fields all the way to Backworth. Joyce Dick was a particular friend. We all went to St Bart's Church and what a great vicar we had - George Foster. The Ritz was a must on Saturday.... [more]

Happy Days in Forest Hall.

I was born and lived in Forest Hall, 1952-1968. I have very happy memories of living in Forest Hall,as a child. I was born and lived in my grandparents' house, in Firtree Avenue, until I was 2 years old, then I lived in Granville Drive, until I moved down south with my parents in 1968. I went to Delaval Road Primary... [more]

Forest Hall

Pitts Butchers, the Misses Armstrong next door shop, Gargetts bike shop.
Joyce Dick
Granville Drive

Spanish City And That Very Old Car On The Links

This is an iconic picture for me in two ways. First it shows the Spanish City somewhere near its heyday (spring/summer of 1955), bringing back memories of the great band of Harry Atkinson (the Ted Heath of the Bay), who played there. I went to Longbenton C of E primary school with his son, Joss. But kindly lower your gaze to the... [more]

The Venetian Cafe and Spanish City.

I remember as a child going to Whitley Bay with my grandparents. We used to go in the Spanish City, and I used to go on some of the rides - the Ghost Train, the Waltzer, and the Bumper Cars. Then we used to go across the road to the Venetian Cafe,and have a Venetian ice-cream, they were the best ice-creams... [more]