Nostalgic memories of Houghton-Le-Spring's local history
Share your own memories of Houghton-Le-Spring 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 9 Memories
During a visit to Andersons Optician in Houghton-le-Spring, I was fascinated to see a full wall mural of this photograph. As I waited at the desk, I realised that the two little girls walking past the bank looked like my friend and I walking to the old junior school at the end of Newbottle Street.
I'm the one with the little short legs, round face and very blonde hair. I proudly carried a brown leather ...see more
Im currently researching my family heritage. My father and grandfather were both born in Hetton Le Spring.Would anyone remember Robert and Hilda Lloyd and their children Robert (my father), Joseph, Hilda, John and Lawrence. My grandfather was employed as a "Hewer" at a local coal mine in the area, I just don't know if there was one or many back the, or where it was ...see more
I was born at no 2 Shop Row near the Philadelphia cricket club, and my grandad used
to take me to watch the cricket. Could anyone tell me where I could find old photographs
of Shop Row? Thank you, H.Robson
4 Gaweswell Terrace, Newbottle. Julia Nan Matthew Fallon where my grt grand parents and Hona was my mam's mam. Can the guy who asked about Cisely contact me - my name is Ian tel 0191 2660969 thax,
I remember Newbottle when there were four farms in the village, Hunters, Wheatmans, Coulsons, and Tindales. My grandparents Herbert and Rachael Flintoff worked for Hunters, many happy times were spent milking the cows, tattie picking, and snagging turnips.
I remember camping out on the swing banks, me, Eddie Brown, Barry Cummings, Bekkie and a few other lads, roaming the woods around the witch's cave, ...see more
I have looked up on the 1911 census and my mam Cicely Fallon lived in 4 Gaweswell Terrace, Newbottle. My granda was a miner, a hewer, can anyone tell me what a hewer did? His name was Matthew Fallon. My gran was Julie, she was born in Newbottle. Other siblings were Matthew jr , Honor and Annie. I don't have my gran's maiden name. Also my mam had a son from a previous marriage, my late half brother, who was born ...see more
I was born in Bowlby Street in 1953 and have seen all the changes made since then, I still live in Houghton now. One of my fond memories was going to the ice-cream parlour which is now the old Woolworth's site to buy an ice-cream cone for my older brother, but the weather was very warm and before I got home, well the ice was melting. I couldn't let it go to waste now could I? He just laughed and said it was for ...see more
James O. Clazey and his wife, Charlotte lived at 4 Cambria Street from 1881 to the 1900s. James had been a schoolmaster and does not appear in the 1901 Census so somewhere before that time...he died. Charlotte had a grocer/confectionary business there. At one point, all the children worked in it. Children were: George Oswald Clazey; Ellen Craig Clazey; Oswald Clazey; Maggie Clazey and Charlotte Isabelle ...see more
My mother was born in Houghton le Spring and I came here many times with her and my brother.We always had great fun with her relatives, aunts, brothers etc. I've been back several times as a grown up and brought my own children. I will be returning soon.