A Memory of Chopwell by John Hind
I was born on 9.2.1922 son of Henry Gowland Hind and Eliza Hind of 28, Thames Street. Henry worked at Chopwell Pit.
I attended primary school at Chopwell from 1927 until 1930, followed by Chopwell West Council (Boys Dept) school until 1936.
The Headmaster was Mr. Leckenby and my class teachers were Wesley Bolton and Mr Brawley. My best mate was Jim Humes of Clyde Street, we played snooker and billiards at the Chopwell Colliery Institute.
On leaving school I had several jobs including trimming and cleaning bricks for Dyson's of Chester-Le-Street, following the demolitions in Chopwell. He paid five shillings per thousand, we went on strike and he raised it to nine shillings. In the evenings I worked at the Kings Picture Hall selling chocolate, the wage was one penny for every shilling's worth sold. I earned about three shillings a week.
On 19. Feb. 1940 I began my chosen career of Engine Driver, starting as an Engine Cleaner at the locomotive shed at Blaydon.
We moved to Wear Street, then Clyde Street and in 1952 I married Margaret and moved to The Felling then on to Heaton. We now live in Dunston.
My memories of Chopwell in my late teens were going to Denby Smith's barber's shop, but on one occasion I decided to try Oscar Parnell's on Front Street, he had taken over from Teddy Marron. It was the one and only time, as he cut my hair in the time it took to boil an egg!
Also on Front Street was Leslie Robinson's General Dealer's, Ritson the Dentist and the R A O B Club. As well as Birtle's General Stores, Barratt's Gents Outfitter's, and Figiolinie's Ice Cream Parlour.
There were two newsagents, Wilkinson's and Dixon's, the Post Office and three Co-ops. My mother was a member of the Annfield Plain branch, her number was 9133.
Fond memories of Chopwell in my 89th year, but what a different world it was then.
John and Margaret Hind.
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RE: RE: A Memory of Chopwell by John Hind
Very interesting to read John's comments. My late step-father Sydney Bailey was very friendly with a Bob Hind, wonder if they are related. I lived in Chopwell only for a short time, my mother married Sydney Bailey in 1948, having previously been married to Edward Graham, my birth father, who was killed in action in 1943. We arrived in Chopwell from Ireland and lived at 71 Derwent Street, it was an upstairs flat. Sydney Bailey was a shoe repairer and we moved into a house behind his shop called Prospect House. It faced the Kings Cinema and is now I believe, a hairdressers. Across Derwent Street was Ikey Dixons newsagents. I went to Chopwell School, headmistress was Miss Sharp, other teachers Misses Kirkley and Turnbull, then on to Chopwell West Boy's School, Headmaster Mr Leckenby. I recall playing on the pit heaps and in the field behind Leadgate store. There were two football pitches, Chopwell Colliery played on a pitch behind the Chopwell Hotel, and Chopwell Welfare played at the recreation ground. I recall Figliolini's ice cream shop, Millie Caygill's grocers, Ernie Jaques was the butcher (I think) there was a Meadow Dairy shop and three stores, Blaydon, Leadgate and Annfield Plain. On a Sunday we went to the Salvation Army hut along what was then called 'The Burma Road'. My unmarried Aunt and Uncle, Mary Hannah and John George Graham, lived in Balfour Terace. My Uncle Charlie in Ravenside Terrace and my Uncle Thomas in Clyde Street. My Grandmother lived in Bolton's Bungalows then Pennine View. Sadly, I have lost contact with all my Graham relations and, although doing genealogy, have been unable to trace any still in the Chopwell area.
Comment from Edward Graham on Monday, 16th April 2012.
RE: RE: A Memory of Chopwell by John Hind
Hi, my maiden name is Graham and my grandparents lived at 11 Trent Street, and 22 Trent Street prior to that. My grandparents, were Elsie and Dennis Graham. There are six children alive and well :- David (my father), Nancy, Dennis, Mary, Edwin and Sarah. Sarah and Mary still live in Chopwell. I used to live in the old police station opposite the Top Club before it was puled down.
Comment from Irene Mac Gregor on Wednesday, 23rd May 2012.