Lee Hill Cottage Homes Lanchester

A Memory of Lanchester.

I was sent to Lee Hill Cottage Homes from Gateshead, along with my older sister Sadie and younger brother Stanley, when our mother was taken ill and was unable to care for us. Our baby brother was taken elsewhere and we didn't see him again for 4 years. I loved living in Lanchester, and attended the Lanchester parochial endowed school (the building is now a community centre). There were 6 cottages, I think, and each had a house parent and a few maids to help out. There was a POW camp in the village and we used to go and visit the prisoners, just young lads themselves, and go to the local shop to buy their baccy. We had fun at the homes and the villagers were happy to have us around as far as I can recall. I no longer live in the area, but go back often to see my old haunts. The cottage homes are now converted into private apartments, and the old workhouse has gone, but the cottage homes buildings look very much the same. My daughter is organising a reunion for those of us who lived in the homes all those years ago and there seem to be quite a few who want to come along to relive those days! If anyone wants to join us, please get in touch.
I later went to Medomsley Edge Cottage Homes and then to Saltwell View Working Boys' Hostel in Gateshead and I remember both of those areas well too. The boys hostel house is still there, overooking Saltwell park.
Ron Holder -   trishfisher@sky.com

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