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Bolam
Bolam maps
Historic maps of Bolam and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Bolam maps
Bolam photos
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Bolam area books
Displaying 1 of 3 books about Bolam and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Bolam
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Northumberland memories
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.
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
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.
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 kids.
We arrived in Ashington in 1948 and for a time we stayed with my grandma Shields at 99 Poplar Street, near to the Hirst North School. The lower floor flat had one bedroom only and me and two younger sibling sisters would sleep top to tail - this lasted a while until our Mam could get us farmed out to relatives (my mum's sisters initially). Now my memories of Bothal were when my Mam would take us there, either by United bus (if she had the bus fare!) or we walked the 3 or 4 miles to the village of Bothal. Mam would make a picnic... Read 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 made us all so welcome. No one comes close to the friendliness and generosity that's shown from the Geordies. I will never forget my first visit and I hope I have more to come. Sadly my mum's passed away now but hopefully one day I will meet her relatives.
Nelson Village
I lived at 77 Arcot Avenue, Nelson Village from approximately 1954 - 1958 with my Auntie Molly and Uncle Tommy and Cousin Alan Dickson (whilst my mother Olive Winchester - nee Percy - was ill in hospital). I remember walking from Nelson Village to Cramlington Village school, knee high and more in snow and getting water from a standpipe when all the waterpipes (and the windows on the inside of house) were frozen. The other places I recall are playing around the airship sheds, going to the Co-op which was a few doors up in Arcot Avenue (the only place in the village with a phone) and going to the beetle drives and fishing in the burn. We also used to run after the coaches going to weddings hoping they would throw us some pennies for sweets. Happy carefree days.
