Nostalgic memories of Chopwell's local history
Share your own memories of Chopwell and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying all 8 Memories
Born in 21 south terrace chopwell had a few friends with whom I played football on the green every night then into the street under the lights till mom called me in . Then the boys were mad at me because I had the ball, game over. I started to play cricket for the juniors at around 13 or14 yrs old ,this was a great memory for me. There was a garage with big lorries that wasn’t far from my house and ...see more
After reading the other accounts of Chopwell I decided to add my own, I hope I have got the names and dates right as I am doing this from memory, apologies if I get some of it wrong.
All my mother’s side of the family were from the Chopwell area, my dad’s side of the family came from Newcastle.
At the time that I was born (1953) we lived at 16 Balfour terrace my parents living there from about 1946, my ...see more
I was born on 23rd. September 1928 son of John and Frances May Hind; we lived in Hall Road Bungalows until 1935 when we moved to Joseph Terrace. I attended the Infant and Junior schools-headmaster Mr. Leckenby;teachers included Messrs Turnbull, Bramley Ballan and Kirkup. I was a choirboy at St. John's and in my teenage years was a member of the Methodist Youth Club-happy days. My ...see more
My grandfather lived in Chopwell most of his life, he and his siblings lived in Hamsterley Colliery with their mother Mary Ann and father William Errington, b1881 in Stafford. Their father was killed in 1915 in Gallipoli leaving them to a bleak future. Joseph was born in 1902 but was killed in Greenside pit in 1960, he had two sons Joseph born 1934 and Thomas born 1936. My grandfather William was born 1906 ...see more
My gran and grandad lived Chopwell and I had great memories of going there in sixties and seventies but they have all died and I have no photos or info on them. My gran was Ellen Mallin (formally Clark) and married to James Mallin and had 2 children, my dad John and his sister Mary who died in the sixties. My gran lived all over Chopwell and lived in Pennine View when she died in 1972 but had lived in Dalton Crescent, ...see more
One day I went for one of my favourite walks around Milkwellburn and Chopwell Woods, it was a lovely hot day when I started chatting to a lovely gentleman walking his pet dogs. After 20 minutes it turned out that one of my great uncles was his grandfather, but I do not know how he would be related to me. To be honest, that outcome really made my day apart from the beautiful weather that day and of course the ...see more
I was born on 9.2.1922 son of Henry Gowland Hind and Eliza Hind of 28, Thames Street. Henry worked at Chopwell Pit. I attended primary school at Chopwell from 1927 until 1930, followed by Chopwell West Council (Boys Dept) school until 1936. The Headmaster was Mr. Leckenby and my class teachers were Wesley Bolton and Mr Brawley. My best mate was Jim Humes of Clyde Street, we played snooker and ...see more
My dad Denby Smith was a barber in the village but he left there in about 1950 and his father had the barbers shop before him and his name was Albert Acquilla Smith. I have an old photo of the shop with his name above it and it has bunting on it and it must have been the old king's coronation. My mum's name was Lily Bell and her dad worked in the mines, his name was James Aynsly Bell, they lived at 4 Thames Street.
I ...see more