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Forest Hall
My name is Brian and I lived at 26 Granville Drive. In those days the road ended at about No 40 and then there were fields all the way to Backworth. Joyce Dick was a particular friend. We all went to St Bart's Church and what a great vicar we had - George Foster. The Ritz was a must on Saturday.
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RE: RE: Forest Hall
Hi Brian, I expect you had read my comment on Forest Hall. My name is Brenda,Glover, was Malone. I used to live at 102 Granville Drive, in the council houses, from about 1954-1969. You wouldn't be Brian, Metcalfe by any chance? You say that you lived at 26 Granville Drive. Was that in the private houses near to Morrison's Shop? I had a couple of friends that lived down the bottom of the road - Diane Crosby, Janet Murphy. Do you recognize these names? No 102,where I lived, was near the bottom of Hillary Avenue. Yes, I remember going to the Ritz Saturday morning pictures. Now a bingo hall I believe. Brenda Glover, Nee Malone.
Comment from Brenda Glover Nee Malone on Tuesday, 25th August 2009.
RE: RE: Forest Hall
Hi there everyone,
What memories! I remember the stream at the bottom of North Croft, No. 4 and also running down the cinder path and listening to the trains go by. In fact we were often on those trains on our way to the beach - Whitley Bay, Cullercoats and Tynemouth with a pile of sandwiches! I would run up the steps opposite North Croft onto the railway platform and let the steam envelop me as the trains went underneath. My Dad would race down the cinder track with me to catch the train into Newcastle and try and beat it as we were always late! Piece of toast in one hand and me puffing like the train. Mr. and Mrs. Martin lived next door with Colin and Mr. and Mrs. Burdus the other side. Auntie Polly we would call her. I remember a Joyce who played tennis and a Gordon Aitchison likewise. Tommy Burns was often ticket collector on the platform and he lived in Forest Avenue. He used to go dancing with my parents and his wife Kath. Me too if I got my way. Dad used to mend everyone's T.V s as he was an electrical engineer and a chatterbox and his name was Ted Potts. Edith was his wife and I am Jean. Good memories.
Comment from Jean Sheard on Tuesday, 14th June 2011.
RE: RE: Forest Hall
Thank you for all your information. You haven't bored me at all, I find it all very fascinating. I always wonder who lived in my house before I did. There is still a track next to the railway lines which lead to the railway bridge. It's a place that is quite secluded really and I don't think many people know about. x
Comment from Trayc M on Friday, 29th January 2010.
RE: RE: Forest Hall
Hi Tracy, have had a look at Multimap to see how Granville Drive has been extended. As previosly mentioned, the houses stopped at no 40 and there was a small mud track which went down over the stream and connected with houses on North Croft. So you see there was NO Dovecote Road, and if you went up Elm Croft and turned right into Studley Villas there were only 2 dwellings on each side and the fields beyond contained the timber yard. I bet I am boring you. x
Comment from Name withheld on Wednesday, 21st October 2009.
RE: RE: Forest Hall
Hi Tracy Granville Drive ended at about No 40, beyond that there were only fields on both sides of the stream. The field to the left of the stream extended behind the odd numbered houses and it was there that the timber was kept.You're right, the electric railway line ran to Whitley Bay. Beside No 2 house the cinder path ran to a bridge over the railway line and this continued through to Benton station. I remember Killingworth as a small village, there was a pub nearby called the Plough. The Ritz was a thriving cinema. xx
Comment from Name withheld on Tuesday, 20th October 2009.
RE: RE: Forest Hall
Hi Brian, Thanks for your message. The stream is still there behind the houses. Although I've never seen it I've been told that it's still there, I'm not quite sure of which field you mean but I think there are horses on there now, next to a railway line. I don't know either of the people you mentioned. I lived originally in Killingworth and only moved to Forest Hall 3 years ago. x
Comment from Trayc M on Monday, 19th October 2009.
RE: RE: Forest Hall
Hi Tracy M, Hope you got earlier message. I will look for photos. We had a stream at the end of the garden and this ran past all the even numbered houses into the fields which existed at the end of the street ie at no. 40 the fields stretched all the way to Backworth. We moved from Hull in 1941 and the field behind the odd numbers, ie at 27-39, was used as a timber yard for the military, it was guarded at all times. We all had bomb shelters in our back gardens. Do you know Keith Simpson 01912667094 or Ian Roberts 01912669907 they are friends and have lived all their lives in Benton / Forest Hall. Brian
Comment from Name withheld on Monday, 19th October 2009.
RE: RE: Forest Hall
Hi, I have loved reading your memories of Granville Drive. I currently live at number 100 and have a interest in history. I would love to know more about the street etc and would love to see any old photos you may have. It's a lovely street to live in. My grandad unfortunately passed away recently but used to live in Longbenton and go to Ivy Road school.
Comment from Trayc M on Tuesday, 29th September 2009.
RE: RE: Forest Hall
Brenda
Should have asked you if you went to Forest Hall Sec Modern, names from there are Ruth Garbutt, June Hogan, Matty Ross, Gordon Brown
Brian
Comment from Name withheld on Wednesday, 26th August 2009.
RE: RE: Forest Hall
Hi Brenda, we left in 1953 to move to Bradford. I went to Dame Allans. Granville Drive finished at no .40, there were no shops or council houses just open fields. My last name is Dale. I remember Moira and Cecil Jupp, Gordon Brown on the corner of Elm Croft, John Douglas and Peter Dixon, Mr and Mrs Church. I had friends in Forest Drive, Joyce Dick and John King, in Benton the twins Ian and Arthur Roberts, Keith Simpson.
Nice to hear from you.
Brian.
Comment from Name withheld on Wednesday, 26th August 2009.
RE: RE: Forest Hall
Has anyone any old school photos from Ivy Roan/West Moor Schools?
Comment from John Lowther on Tuesday, 3rd April 2012.