Romaldkirk, County Durham

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.

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 Montalbo Terrace (as it was then known) led to the Railway Station.

The Connell and Ryder Families

My mother was born in Staindrop in 1916, the daughter of David Connell and Edith, nee Ryder. I have been once to see Staindrop and found it a lovely village and thought how fortunate my ancesters were to live in it. I live in Derbyshire myself and hope to visit Staindrop again. My grandad's brother called John Connell was killed in the First World War and his name I saw on a plaque on the wall of a church I looked in. I had never been told about this by my folks and hope I am correct in saying so but grandad had a brother John on the 1901 census and Connell was his name. Good health to all in Staindrop now.
Kathleen Mcgee, daughter of Phyllis.

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!
                                            
                                          Ron Smith