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Stanhope
Stanhope maps
Historic maps of Stanhope and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Stanhope maps
Stanhope area books
Displaying 1 of 3 books about Stanhope and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Stanhope
Displaying a selection of personal
memories of Stanhope.
There are 34 shared memories to read.
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Danny Slaven
Hi Edward, were you at Castle School in the early 1960s, 1961 to 1963? That's when I was there, I was in Crawley house, my name by the way is Ray Palfreyman, known in them days as Polly. I remember the lad you mentioned and his name was Danny Slaven, he was in Sofly House and the bastard that used to abuse him was Maddison, I remember he used to make him run while beating him with his walking stick to try and make him run faster, he was a sadistic bastard. Do you remember me?
The Coward Bowls
I was caned regularly by Mr Bowls. My mother came to see once and saw the welt marks on the back of my legs and another lad called David Hyde, she went down to his house and tried dragging the matron out, the matron was screaming out that Bowls was in his office. My mam barged in and set about him, me and David Hyde ran down to the office and the coward Bowls was cowering down on the floor with his glasses lopsided on his face, he never laid a finger on me or David again. Maddison and Stewart were total bullies as was Miss Ferguson. I stayed at Castle School till 1963 then got transferred to Castle Howard. I remember K Cutts well, Frank Peacock had to wash his sheets evrey day in that bath.
Bad Memories
I was that place, nothing but bad memories. I am now 62 and never foget that place, I remember when I was about eight or nine we were made to go a long run and one of the lads said he did not feel well, but he was made to do it. When he got back he went to see the matron and an ambulance was called, he sadly died (polio), I have never forgotten the bastard who made him run. I was made to work in the gardens across the road, that is when I ran away.
The Castle Called Hell
Hi David, I was in the Castle School from 1961 to 1964. I was also in Crawley House laundry no 84. And I rememeber you, was your laundry number 86? I used to spend a lot of time with George March, Marchie was his nickname. I also remember the imfamous Mr Bowles who as you rightly put was an evil B-----d along with his equally evil animals Mr Maddison, Bewdley House & Mr Stewart, Softley house. Stewart was famous for putting one hand on one of your ears, holding your head so you couldn't move it, and hitting your other ear with his other hand and nearly bursting your eardrums. Do you remember me? I had ginger hair, it's a bit grey now. I live in Leeds. Please get in touch, I would love to hear from you. All the best.
My Hell Years
Hi, my name Jacko, I left the castle in 1972, never been the same since. All bad memories. Hi Jaff, how's life? I was only a kid and no kid should go through what we went through. I spent all my time running away. I remember little red shorts and tops we had to wear, we must have looked a sight going for walks in all red or green blue or yellow. Remember. Get in twos. If you could not count, hold hands. I went on to 13 years in nick after Stanhope but no one hit me again. Mr Melody was head, an evil man. The kickings - I lost count.
Nurse Lilly Turnbull
I remember Miss Turnbull very well. She was the school nurse and assistant matron when Mrs Bowles was absent. She lived in a wing of the castle and attached to her flat was a two bedded room where you were looked after, fed, watered and medicated. Miss Turnbull wore a ward sister's uniform. She was very kind, compassionate and caring. The domestic staff were all local people and the food was excellent although we noticed the teachers and headmaster were on a different menu from us! Meals were eaten in complete silence and woe betide you if you broke the rule. You had to eat everything on your plate with no exceptions for anyone. an old saying..." That which was bitter to endure is often sweet to remember".
Nurse Turnbull
I remember Nurse Turnbull, she was a very nice person, caring and kind - Victor Bates (email address: alfredpoldark@hotmail.com)
A Day Trip From Cambridge to Stanhope.
On the 9th of April, this year, 2011, I travelled from Cambridge to Stanhope on the train. The Diesel pulling us was the 'Roy Castle'. I hadn't travelled on the route since the 1960's, especially from Darlington to Bishop Auckland, and I had never been on the line from Bishop to Stanhope. It was very nostalgic for me as my Grandparents had lived in Bishop Auckland and my Grandad would meet us at the station when we arrived. I can remember very clearly, the trains going along the line to and fro to Stanhope, as we would go to the park nearby and sometimes we would stand on the railway bridges to watch them. As we passed through Bishop I could see the Wesley Church where my parents married and my brother and I were christened. The view towards Newton Cap Viaduct was amazing, I hadn't seen it like that before, from that angle. Journeying down the line towards Witton le Wear,... Read more
