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Gilmonby
Gilmonby maps
Historic maps of Gilmonby and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Gilmonby maps
Gilmonby photos
We have no photos of Gilmonby, although we do have photos of these nearby places:
Bowes| Brignall| Startforth| Cotherstone| Barnard Castle| Eglistone Abbey| Rokeby| Romaldkirk| Arkengarthdale| Tanhill
Gilmonby area books
Displaying 1 of 3 books about Gilmonby and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Gilmonby
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County Durham memories
The Parkinson/Bowron Family
Balder Mill was the home of my ancestors on my Mum's side of the family. George (Senior) and Ann Parkinson (nee Bowron) were living and working there during the 1860's. Three of their children were born there, one of whom was my Great Great Grandfather, George (junior) who married Annie Ashmore in Barnard Castle and lived in Baliol Street.
I think that it would be lovely if Balder Mill was restored. It would be an amazing place, it has such atmosphere. It is a shame that it may be left, and only be able to be seen on photographs, in the future.
Postman Standing on The Corner of Galgate West With John Street
The Postman is believed to be John Blenkinsop.
Five of the entrances to ‘Barney’ have the word ‘gate’ (meaning ‘way’) in their street names. Galgate is the northern way into the town centre. In the 1880’s the then Local Board of Health was much concerned with making it a more dignified approach, especially as this was the first street to be seen by visitors arriving by railway train. This picture shows how well they succeeded. (The iron railings, enclosing trees, lawns and flower-beds, were removed during the Second World War for armaments.) Across the valley can be seen the old Roman road (from Bowes to Binchester), upon which a section of Galgate was built. Standing on the corner of John Street, to the left, is a Postman with his delivery pouch and a tall peaked cap; the laden horse-drawn carts are probably conveying coal from the railway goods yard; on the right, in front of the corner-shop, adjacent to the Public House, stands a Railwayman - a reminder that... Read more
Bowes Arms Public House
The building on the right of the photograph with the sign above the door is, I believe, the Bowes Arms Public House. My 3xgt grandparents, Martin and Ann Bell, were the licencees. When Martin died in 1883 Ann took over the licence until she died in 1903 when her youngest daughter then took over the licence. Eventually Martin and Ann's granddaughter became the licencee until the Bowes Arms closed. My gtgrandmother was Martin and Anne's eldest daughter. My grandmother was one of Martin and Anne's grandchildren. I have many happy memories of spending holidays with my grandmother in Barnard Castle, staying with our relations in the Bowes Arms.
The Parkinson Family
George Parkinson and his wife, Ann (nee Bowron) married:13.5.1845 at Rokeby Parish Church. After living and working at Balder Mill, just outside Cotherstone, the family moved to live at Desmesne Mill around 1853/4. The Mill has been renovated, but when The Parkinson family were there, they would have lived in the cottages. During their time at the Mill, another five children were born there, to add to their family of at least nine.
George and Ann were my Grandma, Hilda Parkinson's Grand-parents. George was born at Middleton Tyas around 1813 and Ann was born at Brignall around 1818. George was working at Brignall Mill, at the age of 25. Ann was the daughter of Anthony Bowron, who was a Blacksmith living at Cross Lanes, near Rokeby and Brignall.
George ended his working life as a Miller at Deepdale Mill, near Startforth and Lartington.
His son, George (junior), married Annie Ashmore and they lived in Bridgegate,... Read more
My Birth Place
I was born at Barnard Castle in 1946. My dad Norman Kay, worked for Tommy Carter who owned the brewery next to the Castle and we lived upstairs, before moving to the Bank. My parents also ran the Dance Hall for the soldiers. It's a long way from Colorada Springs USA, where I live now.
The Parkinson/Walker/Ashmore/Bowron And Related Families.
My grandmother Hilda Parkinson was born in No. 2, Baliol Street, Barnard Castle on the 26th of October, 1898. She was the first child of John George Parkinson and Libby Walker. John George Parkinson was born 3.10.1870 in Bridgegate and was the son of George Parkinson (Junior) and Annie Ashmore. John George Parkinson married Libby Walker (daughter of Joseph Walker (Tailor) and Sarah Fox (from Ulverston, in Lancashire) who lived in Winston, near Barnard Castle) on the 11th of July, 1896, at Winston. I would love to know where they lived in Bridgegate. George Parkinson (Junior) was born at Balder Mill, just outside Cotherstone on 24.3.1946 where the family lived until moving to Desmesnes/Desmesne/Main Mill on the side of the river at Barnard Castle. George Parkinson (Senior) and his wife, Ann (nee Bowron) later moved to Deepdale Mill at Startforth, where I have yet to find out when they died. Thomas Parkinson, brother of John George Parkinson married Rose Mercer and they had a very large family. If anyone knows anything... Read more
The Local
I would like to visit Staindrop again sometime to see how much it has changed since 1943. I was serving with the R.Es and we were in a tented camp on the outskirts of the town and doing Army Exercises out on the Moors and using live ammunition.
I remember the local Pub because all the "live" stuff was kept in the cellars and every morning we would go there to collect what we needed . I dont know what the Landlord thought having that lot underneath him.
Maybe one day I call in for a Pint and remind the present landlord that he missed a lot of exitement.
Better not leave it too long as I am 85 yrs.
Regards to all who read this useless information!
... Read more
