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Clara Vale
Clara Vale maps
Historic maps of Clara Vale and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Clara Vale maps
Clara Vale photos
We have no photos of Clara Vale, although we do have photos of these nearby places:
Ryton| Wylam| Throckley| Newburn| Prudhoe| Ovingham| Winlaton| Lemington| Rowlands Gill| Ponteland| Branch End| Whickham| Stocksfield| Bywell| Burnopfield| Dunston
Clara Vale area books
Displaying 1 of 1 books about Clara Vale and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Clara Vale
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Clara Vale.
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ME GRANDA
I am writing this because I have been back to Clara visiting after I was contacted by Brian and Helen who now live in me Granda's house, they had read my memories of Newburn which mentioned Clara and sent me a message. Me Grandad Cecil Daniel Burrows lived at 1 West View with me Grandma Annie Parker from Gateshead, they brought up seven sons in this two bed end cottage, they kept trying to have a girl and when that eventful day arrived me Grandma and the baby died while she was giving birth, sadly I never got to see her but I have a lovely photo of this very pretty lady. The sons Joseph, Billy, Cecil (me Da), twins John and Jim, Bobby and finally Eddie. They were all miners working at Clara pit and every Sunday was me day out with me Da visiting Grandad and all me uncles, it was great cos I was the only nephew in the whole family and they were all single which... Read more
My Childhood
I was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire. My mum was born and grew up in Newcastle and so many of my aunties and uncles and cousins were all Geordies. My Uncle George and Aunty Beatty (Charlton) lived in Crawcrook in Morgy Hill and I spent many happy holidays there as a child. My Uncle George worked at Clara Vale and I well remember him taking me to the pit on Sunday mornings and telling me all about the pit, his job and how proud he was being a miner. I have a few photos of me shovelling in the coals in Morgy Hill and one or two taken around Crawcrook. My parents and nearly all my relatives are sadly gone now but I do still have an aunty and cousin who live in Westerhope and I get up to see them as much as I can. When I found this web site I could not believe that the pit is still there, so I must come back and visit as... Read more
Tyne and Wear memories
Happy Times
I lived in Crawcrook until I was 13 years old, then we moved to Coventry, that was about 1955/56. My dad was a miner and had to leave because of the pit closing. I remember happy times playing out down the channels and paddling in the Tyne, going to Whitley Bay for holidays. I went back this year (2009) twice and I will go again, I love the place. I would like to move back but am too old now. If anyone reading this remembers me, please let me know. Thanks. Margaret
School Days
I was born at Crookhill, just outside Ryton and went to Hookergate Grammar School in 1956. When the Ferndene pool was opened we were taken by bus from school to the pool where we were given swimming lessons. My memory is of having to jump from the HIGH diving board and being absolutely terrified as it was just so high. Looking at the photo now I can see that it must have been that I was just so small. Very interesting photo and I am very pleased to relive my memories.
Ryton Willows
My first visit to Ryton was when my mother took me and my sister to Ryton Willows during the war years. The train from Gateshead station stopped at the Willows and I recall next to the station was a place for eating your own meals which had to be brought. I can't recall any facilities for tea or meals service. The only facility for kids was a shuggy boat on the willows right next to the river Tyne. I think we went there on a couple of occasions. I haven't been back on the willows since the war. I don't think there is a train station there now. I hope to go back there again someday maybe somebody who resides in Ryton can reply to my message and let me know how to get back which I think will have to be by bus. Lsmy59@aol.com
The Station on The Willows
My grandfather and grandmother Dixon lived in the station house. My grandmother had a marquee on the Willows, from memories of conversations with my mother who lived there also for 4 or 5 years, on Sundays she would serve tea and cakes. I think there may have been a band. If anyone has any old pics I would love to see them.
Childhood: Newcastle V Birmingham
I remember going to my grandparents' house in Low Row, Addison. It was a colliery village and it was always a treat to go there in my summer holidays. The house was basically a two up, two down but the downstairs back room was where we slept, with my mum and dad and baby brother. The house had no electricity, just gas lights. There was no bathroom just a scullery with one cold tap. As a kid we always wanted to explore, but we mainly visited our aunties and uncles. We were allowed to play in the road as there was very little traffic. My grandad's garden was up the bank opposite the yard and he kept pigeons in the loft and had a shed where he kept his gardening tools. He had a dog called Lassie and we used to go for walks to Ryton Willows and back along the golf links. I remember being alowed to run up to Norman's shop at the top of the bank. It... Read more
