Stone House

A Memory of Cullercoats.

I lived in the war damaged Stone House, Cullercoats which was situated within 10 ft stone walled enclosed gardens, adjacent to Stone House Cottage, fishermens cottages and a big hotel facing the road down to the beach. from birth until the age of 6 (1945 - 1951). I believe this area is or was a carpark situated just across the road from the Watch Tower. Cullercoats and its surrounding area still remains one of the most enchanting places to live, even though in later life, I travelled the globe extensively and never returned to live in the NE of England. Memories of the local characters come to mind frequently, ie Harry Hamblin (the local coal merchant) and his horse and cart. I still remember travelling with him, on the cart, to take delivery of the coal from the railway waggon sidings at Hillheads, prior to accompanying him on his rounds. My father, a well known individual, being the Macebearer for the now defunct County Borough of Tynemouth, used to peddle his cycle to work in all weathers along the seafront to his workplace in North Shields.