Belsay, Tyne And Wear

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... [more]

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.... [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... [more]

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... [more]

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... [more]

Looking at the Tyne as in Tyne Valley c1955 Ref: P265001

This image of Prudhoe and the Tyne Valley is very interesting because the Northern or Ovingham side has not changed greatly. Field boundaries etc are as I look at. But the southern side where the photographer stood is now and has been since the 1970s a mass of houses. Prudhoe Castle First School is probably somewhere in the near aspect of... [more]

My first visit to Nelson Village

My mother originated from Nelson Village and took us for our first visit when I was twelve years old. Her father (Joseph Heslop) worked down the pits, sadly he passed away before I was born. We met another couple, Mr and Mrs Kenny, who were very fond of my mother as a child. They were so pleased to see her and... [more]

Swimming above stepping stones & weir at Bothal

Our Mam being an Ashington lassie, we returned to her birthplace when Mam divorced my father who she met before the Second World War - that was when Mam was in London and working in 'service'. We were dragged from pillar to post from Watford to south Wales (father's birthplace) and eventually on divorce nisi Mam got custody of us 3... [more]