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Belsay
Belsay maps
Historic maps of Belsay and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Belsay maps
Belsay area books
Displaying 1 of 3 books about Belsay and the local area. View all books for this area
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Memories of Belsay
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Belsay.
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Highlander Garage
I worked at the Highlander Garage which was situated next door to the Highlander Pub from 1967 until 1971. I worked along with John Burton and Norman Redpath and enjoyed my time there. The customers were farming people from around the area as well as business men and retired military officers enjoying the tranquility of the country life. Most of the regular customers became friends and it was a sad day when the business was sold and life moved on. John died in1981 and his wife Olive moved to Newcastle to live with her sister and sadly did not leave an address for me to keep in touch. Happy days... Kev.
Tyne and Wear memories
Confirmation at St Mary's
I attended Coates Endowed School which was a Church of England School. I was confirmed by the Bishop of Newcastle in St Mary's and attended th church for many years. The vicar at the time was the Rev. Porteous and I received my confirmation lessons from him at the vicarage which is near to the Church.
At the time the the original Coates Endowed School was sited next to the church an the entrance to the church yard was beside the school. Since then the school has been pulled down and the site is now a park along the RFiver Pont. The entrance to the church yard has also been moved.
Schoolmaster
James Oswald Clazey was a young man with a growing family. He was a schoolmaster in Mitford. He had been born in the United States but his father, George Oswald Clazey was born in Berwick-Upon-Tweed and he immigrated in 1841 for the United States. James and his wife Charlotte had two of their children in Mitford. His mother-in-law, Margaret Gray also lived with them at the time.
Pat Johnson
My memories of Pigdon are of the woods, family and fun. My parents, my brother and myself camped there with aunties, uncles and cousins. We always took great care to clear up after ourselves. We had the best times playing there. Unfortunately my parents are no longer alive, cousins have moved to other areas and one uncle has passed on too. My childhood weekends were mostly spent in the woods at Pigdon and the memories are so precious. The wonderful river that runs through the woods, it's funny, I know that it is icy cold but back then I didn't notice. The beautiful bluebells in spring were spectacular. I believe this is where I developed my love of this flower. Even as a child I was able to appreciate the carpet of deep blue. I would dearly love to visit Pigdon woods again and bring my grandchildren, show them the places where I played as a child, even better to make some memories with them. Not of camping of course,... Read more
Long Lost Contact
In 1952 I was serving in the Royal Air Force at R.A.F. Ouston, not far from Wylam. One evening there was a dance in the NAAFI and a number of young ladies came from the Castle Hill Convalescent Home by coach. I met and danced with a Miss Betty Lowry and we became good friends. I used to walk from camp to Wylam regularly to meet her, approaching the Home via the bridge. This lasted until I was posted to the Middle East, Iraq and Jordan. The only contact address I had for letters was the Castle Hill Convalescent Home. During my time away Betty met another young man and we stopped corresponding. She did write to me once after I returned to the U.K. but, by this time I was about to get married and we didn't make contact again.
I often think of her and wonder how her life worked out?
Ovingham School During The Second World War
Ovingham C of E School had only two classrooms, no hot water and outside toilets without flushing facilities. It was heated by a coal stove in both rooms, but we were never cold. There was a very happy atmosphere there and the teachers were dedicated; we received an excellent education and I was very sad to leave aged 11 to attend QEGS at Hexham. At the onset of the Second World War there was an invasion of evacuees from Wallsend which vastly increased the school roll and resulted in a curtain appearing in the 'big room', thus creating a separate classroom. The 'toonies' integrated well and appeared to enjoy their stay in the country. I wonder if anyone else out there recalls those far off days. Are there any of the original folks from Ovingham still in the village? I would love to hear their memories.
Personal Memories Before And After 1955
Prudhoe Castle has always been a part of my life since I was born in 1938. My mother moved to Prudhoe Castle, where she was employed as a maid, to be nearer to my father who lived in Castle Dene. They eventually married and produced my brother Don in 1934, then me in 1938.
After the war ended in 1945, various residents came to the Castle, one of them being Senor Hosea Paniego, who was the Spanish Consul in Newcastle. My brother at this time was probably about 14 and he, with others, was 'caught' playing in the grounds. Don had piped up - 'My Mam used to work here' - and the Consul, as he was always called, came to our house and persuaded Mam to do some housekeeping and cooking. He adored the traditional meals which Mam cooked for him and his small staff and was extremely kind to all the family. He moved to New York perhaps two years later and we ended... Read more
