Haltwhistle, Lambley Viaduct and Station c1955

Holidays in Allendale Northumberland

It brought it all back to me after reading comments by Jeff Garry. The lady he refers to as his 'Nan' was my great aunt Jean. I vividly recollect spending 2 weeks with Aunt Jeannie and Uncle Bob when they lived in the house adjoining the old brewery. Uncle Bob Garry and my grandmother Rachel were brother and sister.
At the time I visited, Jeff's dad George was not married and I remember him as a young mechanic working in the garage at the top of the hill.
I have clear memory of the old footbridge over the river adjant to which was an excellent swimming pool used regularly by the younger members of the Garry family.
I visited Allendale in summer 1984 and met aunt Jeannie in the modern house she then occupied. I believe she died later that year.
I noted at that time that no appreciable changes had taken place to the centre of the town. I still appeared to be the peaceful and charming little town where I spent probably my first holiday.
Fond memories
Jim Banks
Scotland

Days gone by

It was lovely to browse through the Allendale pages, as I was sitting thinking about 'sunny' holidays in Allendale with mam and dad, who are sadly gone now. The Heatherlea was the favourite hotel, with the 'gong' for mealtimes, oh, and I remember, all those stairs and the smell of food. I also remember the path up the side to the 'swings', and the walks to the river and the picnics, and sliding down the bank into the river, under the bridge, and drinking the fresh water from the 'spout'. On odd occasions we also stayed at the Ashleigh, either because the Heatherlea was full, mam and dad were flush... or, more to the point, I think it was nearer the golf course for Dad. Dad was a keen golfer, and I probably can't remember the times he went missing! Hence all the trips, to Hexham, and definately the trip to the gift shop, it was the best ice-cream of the land - and of course all the friends I met, and have since lost. It used to be a family affair, and I remember vividly, sitting on the seats in the triangle (I must find some photos), laughing with the 'older folk'. My dad was Alan Burn, if anyone remembers, and my mum was Honor, Granda was Willie and Granma was Nell. It would be lovely to hear from anyone. I remember the cinema, maybe a shack, behind the Co-op, and the horse riding lessons, and never being able to sit properly for a week, and Dorothy was our teacher.. However I could go on, and I thank everyone for listening, sweet memories of days gone by.

School Dinners

You see the wooden building in the background? This is where we went for our school dinners when I attended Allendale Junior school. We walked in pairs along the road and down the path. Earlier on we might see the cooks leaving the kitchen which was next door to Jo Bells and wheel the dinners down on a trolley. Sadly the building is no longer there, nor is the tennis court, which we played on while attending the secondary school, but the area has been re-vamped and is looking good. It is so good to see the old dinner hut again.