Washington Chemical Works
I was born at 55 Pattinson Town about 20 yards from the chemical works which manufactured products from asbestos. Most of my mother's side of the family worked at the factory and have since died of asbestos related diseases. I am surprised that no mention or photographs exist of this factory. I used to pass through the village green going to Washington Glebe secondary school. The school had terrible subsidence problems with a mine shaft going directly underneath causing the wood block floors to buckle. My father was demobbed from the Royal Navy after serving in submarines during WW2 and he then got a job as a deputy in Washington "F" pit. When I was 14 he took me down the pit and the first thing I noticed was the wind blowing a gale, then the floor was covered in white powder (fire damp). When we reached the coal face which was under the North Sea there was hardly enough room to stand up. That is when I decided that working down a pit was not the career that I wanted.
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RE: RE: Washington Chemical Works
The chemical works played a large part in my life as well. Your grandmother and my grandmother were sisters (the Bateman family) which makes us cousins and frequent trips were made to Pattinson Town to visit aunts and uncles. Dad worked in the Instrument shop, Mam in the Offices and brother Alan in the Electrician's shop. I used to enjoy going down to the pavillion to watch the Chemicals football team and in particular the inter-departmental matches where the banter between the players and the spectators was far superior to the football. Sadly nothing remains of the factory and there is only a small museum at the F pit as a reminder of the major employer in the town. I have a few photographs of Pattinson Town, the factory and the F pit. I can be contacted at colin.cb.ball@talk21.com if you wish to see them.
I still have fond memories of holidays at Bridgemary.
Comment from Colin Ball on Friday, 27th August 2010.
RE: RE: Washington Chemical Works
I was born in Pattinson Town in 1951, and also have great memories of the pavilion. For those who know Pattinson Town and may have moved away from the area, they are now building houses there. I still drive around there and think of those good times.
Comment from David Rawkins on Tuesday, 20th September 2011.
RE: RE: Washington Chemical Works
David, did you go to Biddick School? I did. I was also born in 1951 and lived down High Barmston Farm. I remember Pattinson Town.
Comment from Jean Potts-Atkinson on Friday, 14th October 2011.
RE: RE: Washington Chemical Works
My grandad Edward Reay lived in 73 Pattinson Town (in 1891) and 69 Pattinson Town (in 1901). He became a widower in 1908 and was left with 5 daughters living in Pattinson Town still in 1911 He married my grandmother Charlotte Maud Everson in 1915 after she became a widow in 1912 with 4 daughters. She was living in 7 Oxclose Terrace and he was living in 2 Hugh street at the time of marriage. My mother was one of their 5 subsequent children and I was named after him. Eddward Reay Jonas PS: I remember a Jean Potts at Washington Grammer 1955-61 xxx
Comment from Eddie Jonas on Monday, 14th November 2011.
RE: RE: Washington Chemical Works
My father, Ernie Dobson, worked at the Chemical Works and was an Engine Driver with his brother George Dobson for many years until he retired. They were a very prominent Washington family and my grandfather owned the only mode of transport ( horse and buggy) in Washington in the early days and was related to the Smithy who shod the horses in Washington at that time. My Grandmother came from Whitehills in Cumbria and they had seven sons and two daughters and lived in Biddick Terrace, where I myself lived until I married in 1961. We lived at Roseville Eden Villas for 7 years and then moved to Nelson Street for 3 years then we moved to Barmston Village where I still now live. I worked in the Works forwarding office for a short while but left because it was very dusty (as we now know asbestos was in the air). My Dad died at the age of 93 after suffering with asbestosis for over 30 years. My ex husband, Terry Armstrong, was born in Pattinson Town and worked as an electrician for Newalls and his father, Billie Armstrong, was a forman painter for Newalls also until he died of asbestosis in 1971, with his wife Elizabeth following him a fews years later with the same complaint. Terry is still alive and living in Southport after suffering a brain tumour and cancer but has had operations and seems to be in fairly good health now. I have 2 children, my son is a professional actor but also has a doctorate degree from Durham University and my daughter lives in a 15th century farmhouse in Suffolk with her husband Simon who works in the Music Industry and they have one daughter who is 9 years old.
Comment from JEANE Armstrong (nee Dobso on Tuesday, 10th April 2012.