Durham memories
Here are memories of Durham and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Durham or a Durham photo.
St Godrics
My grandfather, John Benjamin Slack, was the organist at St Godric's Church for many many years before he died in 1924. The house visible on the photo at the end of the road is 67 North Road - this was where my great great grandfather Richard Lindsley and his family lived in the 1880s. It looks just the same today!
Arrival in Durham
This the view one saw when arriving in Durham by train from Kings Cross, but nowadays most of the little houses between the station and the city have vanished. The heart of the city lies in a horseshoe-shaped bend in the River Wear, and on the left in the picture is the Castle, and on the right the Norman Cathedral, both of which were part of my life when I attended Durham University from 1956-1959. In those days the city was small, with 3.000 inhabitants, and we 1.500 students considerably swelled the population at term time. Nowadays there are far more students and colleges.
My Time at University
The market place is at the very centre of Durham City, and on the left of the picture can be seen the City Hall, where we not only had the Saturday night "hop", but also took exams. On the right is Doggatts Store where if I remember right, we had to buy our gowns, college blazers and scarves and squares ("mortarboards").
Daily Walk to Lectures
While I was at Durham University I attended St. Mary's College, on the opposite side of the River Wear from the City centre, and every day I had to walk across this bridge over the river, which was strictly a footbridge. The only car allowed to cross it was the ancient one owned by the Chancellor Sir James Duff. Through the central arch can be seen an old mill, which was turned into an archaeology department while I was at the University.
University Days
This was one of the streets I walked along when going to the lecture rooms on Palace Green. On the left is No.1, the large house belonging to St.John's Theological College, and on the right is the arched entrance to the Cathedral close.
Walk to Palace Green
While at University my daily walk led me up Dun Cow Lane, on the left of this photo. In 1956 the railings in front of the houses had all disappeared. The ancient church of St.Mary-le-Bow was built of sandstone, and as it stood on a rather draughty and exposed corner, the soft stone suffered badly from wind erosion - I can remember the big holes which eventually formed in the ashlars. Later it was closed because it became unsafe. I don't know whether it has since been restored and reopened, because I haven't been back to Durham since 1973.
Palace Green
This beautiful photo of the splendid Norman Cathedral was taken just before I started studying at the University, and brings back pleasant memories. In the foreground is Palace Green, a dignified lawn, and on the right can be seen the low Students' Union building and the building of the University Library, both of which I knew well..
Court Cases
As I was reading politics, I and my fellow students were advised to go and listen to court cases held in the Shire Hall. I remember doing so at least once, and it was most impressive. on the right had side of the picture can be seen the Castle keep. Students at University College had rooms in this keep.
River Wear
This is the famous and wellbeloved view of the Cathedral with the three towers - one can climb the central tower - the Galilee Chapel and houses occupied by Cathedral officials as seen from Prebends Bridge and the bank of the River Wear, which I saw and enjoyed every day while I was at University. Beneath the Cathedral is the old mill which was later made into the archaeology department.
Student Dances And Exams
In the great hall of the town hall we had the Saturday evening dances or "hops", and also took exams, so this view brings back many memories!
Student Balls
While I was at University all the balls were held in this wonderful hall, and seeing it in this picture certainly brings back pleasant memories. Somewhere I still have my ball cards. Underneath it was a crypt, or undercroft, where the student societies held some of their meetings.
My Time at University, 1956-59
In these lecture rooms, built of stone, I attended most lectures. I don't expect the rooms are used for this purpose now, because the number of students has vastly increased since my days. On the left is the Castle keep, and in the foreground is the well-kept lawn of Palace Green.
Childhood
I lived near Durham from 1955 to 1972 when I went off to university. My mother lived in Belmont nearby until her death in 1994.
I remember well the funny little traffic control booth and Doggarts in the background. We always shopped in Doggarts and I was always fascinated by the way the money shot round the store in 'capsules' around the ceilings when you made a purchase. I went to the Grammar School up the road and in the early days queued for my bus to Belmont in the Market place.
Unfortunately I now have no reason to visit Durham - its a great place - jam packed full of history - which I dont think I appreciated as a young person.
SILVER STREET
SOME OF MY ANCESTORS LIVED AT 9 SILVER ST JUST OVER THE BRIDGE FROM FRAMWELLGATE
JAMES ROBERT THURLOW WAS A LEATHER CUTTER AND CURRIER BUT LATER BECAME THE OWNER OF THE WEAR BREWERY AT FRAMWELLGATE WATERSIDE
FAMILY TREE
MY GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER LIVED AT 9 SILVER ST.HIS DAUGHTER ELIZABETH WAS BORN THERE IN 1846. 5 YEARS AGO I VISITED THE SHOP WHICH STANDS THERE NOW AND THEY TOOK ME ROUND THE PREMISES AND SHOWED ME WHERE THE FAMILY WOULD LIVE BACK THEN. THE ORIGINAL POLISHED WOOD STAIR BANISTER WAS STILL THERE, AND I RAN MY HAND OVER THE PLACE WHERE MY ANCESTORS RAN THEIR HANDS, AND IT WAS VERY MOVING FOR ME.I WAS SO GLAD THE HOUSE WAS STILL THERE.
JAMES ROBERT THURLOW WAS A LEATHER CUTTER AND CURRIER BUT LATER HE BECAME THE OWNER OF THE WEAR BREWERY FRAMWELLGATE WATERSIDE
JAMES THURLOW
JAMES THURLOW WAS MY GT GT GT GT GRANDFATHER, BORN 1752 .HE DIED 1820 AND WAS BURIED IN THE CHURCHYARD OF ST MARY THE LESS WITH HIS FIRST WIFE MARY WHO DIED 1803, AND SARAH , HIS DAUGHTER BY HIS SECOND WIFE MARGARET
THIS CHURCHYARD WAS RESERVED FOR TRADESPEOPLE AND NOTABLES, AND JAMES WAS AN INNKEEPER, AT "THE HORNS" MILLBURNGATE, WHICH WAS DEMOLISHED BEFORE THE NEW SHOPPING CENTRE WAS BUILT
My Dad's Barber Shop
My dad had a barber shop near there if I remember correctly.
First Memory of Durham
My first memories of Durham is being taken be my aunty Audrey and uncle Alan. They had instructions to buy my sister and I a tartan skirt from the market. I remember having a boat ride on the river Wear.
Durham is my 'Tara', the place where I need to return to to get my inner peace restored.
The Tin School
This is for Martyn Walker. I do remember the Tin School, but not in the 1960s however. I was a student there from 1941-1948. I just found this site by accident, it got me thinking about the Tin School. Then I came across your comments about it. So, I joined this site. It was, of course, partly during the war. In my class, we had a few students that were evacuated from the South of England, where most of the bombing was occurring. We also had an underground air raid shelter. I left Durham for the USA in September of 1948. I have been back several times to visit my cousin.
The Tin School, Belmont
Does anyone reacll the 'Tin School'? It was a primary school situated in Belmont, I went there in the early 1960's as we lived in Belmont. I recall the school was made of possibly corrugated iron and was on a crossroads or junction. Our family lived at various places around County Durham until 1966 when we moved South due to my dads job. I am now aged 54yrs and live live in Essex UK. Be interested to hear from anyone from the early 1960's who went to the 'Tin School'.
Lovegreen Street
My maternal grandmother lived in Lovegreen Street from around 1900 until 1957 when she moved in with my family in Framwellgate Moor. Her name was Parkinson and I believe her house was the first one as you turned the corner into the street. She died in 1968 aged 91 having brought up 10 children in that tiny house. It had 1 room downstairs and 2 rooms upstairs with a cold water tap in the downstairs scullery. I wish I had a picture of the street. I have pictures of myself and other family members in the back yard and pictures of my grandfather and uncles next to the pigeon lofts but non of the street itself. Does anyone know what year it was torn down? From recent visits I think the area is now a car park. My mother who died in 2007 talked lovingly of living in the street and mentioned the ferry many times. I believe the foot bridge over the river is named the penny bridge as... Read more
Lovegreen Street
My paternal grandmother lived in Lovegreen Street and died when I was 11 years old. Her name was Hanley. She was 80+ when she died and had brought up 6 children in this tiny terraced cottage. I used to visit with my dad and do remember that there was a family with name of Loftus. The ferry was no longer in existence then but my mother told me the story of when she was a little girl and lived at Brasside, they all walked through the fields to the ferry and went across to Gilesgate goods station to collect furniture which had been sent by mail order. They all carried a piece to the ferry and walked all the way to Brasside again. This must have been in the 1920s. She also told me that the Lady of the Manor, Crookhall, used to invite the residents of Lovegreen Street for strawberry tea on one day of the year. I remember the house in Lovegreen Street to this day as well as... Read more
Lovegreen And Loftus Families - The Ferry
I am descended from Robert Lovegreen, a shoemaker in Framwellgate. The Lovegreen family, and subsequently the Loftus family (Martin Loftus having married Margaret Lovegreen) ran the rowing boat ferry across the river wear from Framwellgate to the Sands. This ferry ceased around the second world war. Is there anyone out there who remembers the families or the ferry? I have tried without success to find a photo of the ferry - does anyone have one?
I was always told that Lovegreen Street was built by one of the family. If anyone has any information about the street, or any old photos of it, I would love to hear your memories.
The Lovegreen family were descended from Andreas Lofgren. They were a large family and I am in touch with several descendents. I would love to hear from any other Lovegreen descendents who could add to our family history.
Memories of County Durham
Shincliffe Colliery, Quality Street
My mother was born at 5 Quality Street in 1944, her name is Sheila Morris. Does anyone have any memories of this area or photos? Thanks.
Eric Burn
My grandad and grandma were Thomas and Margaret Burn, who had 3 childen, Jack (my dad), Jean and Marion. .Jack married Mary, Jean married Benny and Marion married Ralph. We lived in Grant Street and grandad and grandma lived in East Street. My grandad was a miner and my grandma was a county council councillor. There were 2 shops, a post office and a fish and chips shop, a school, and a hut which dances would be held in, which are not there now.
My mate was Trever Gobbing. Alan Reed rode over my bike with his milk lorry.
Once a year we would on the buster trip. I would walk into Durham with my grandad when was about 3 years old. We had no hot running water and the toilet outside. My grandad's brother Christopher was killed at pit house.
As I Look at These Pictures
i was born in ushaw moor, at 5 maple park,,i am the third of six children,,i remember walking around with my family,as my mums family lives in new brancepeth we used to walk up to see gran and grandma gibson,we used to go plodging in the beck on the way back from chappel(once loosing my socks)when i look at the picture of the crossroads i take myself back to being a child and going to my gran and grandad jolly they lived on oakridge road oposite the garages and the swings,since i dont have contact with the jollys (since we moved to nottinghamshire when i was five )i dont really know them,i do remember that you had to go out of the back door then over the pavement then into the back garden via a gate,my dad used to keep rabits,he didnt do much in the way of gardening but some one allways wanted a rabbit for the pot,,and would swap vegetables,,you did what you could for a growing family,,and... Read more
Witton Gilbert, The War Memorial From The Woods c1955
The War Memorial stood at the bottom of what was called the "Camels Hump" in "The Dean" - a wild adventure playground for all us kids. The Hump was used for sledging down in winter and rolling down in summer. At the top of the picture behind the trees was the vicarage paddock, this was where as members of the 1st Witton Gilbert Cub and Scout group we us to play football/cricket/make fires etc.
At the bottom of the picture the "brook" - a stream running down through the village from "Barneys' Field" went underground in a culvert to emerge at the start of the Dean (I believe there was the remains of an old house? here).
Not A Very Nice Story
My great-great-grandfather, John Mingins, was a tailor living in Witton Gilbert with his family. Unfortunately, in December 1853 an Irish navvy, Michael O'Brien, picked a fight with John outside the butcher's shop and consequently John was injured and died one week later. Michael O'Brien was found guilty of manslaughter at Durham Assizes and I assume he served the appropriate sentence. I live in East Anglia but intend to make a pilgrimage to Witton and would love to see some early photos of it.
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