Allendale, Hotspur Hotel c.1960
Photo ref: A102134
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Photo ref: A102134
Photo of Allendale, Hotspur Hotel c.1960

More about this scene

Allendale appears almost deserted in this picture, so it cannot be New Year's Eve. That's the day when people come from all over Northumberland to watch Allendale's special celebrations, which are thought to be Norse in origin. Twenty-four men, accompanied by a band, march round the town, their faces blackened, carrying barrels of blazing tar above their heads. The barrels finish up on a bonfire, everyone has a good time, and come midnight the custom of first-footing is actively pursued.

An extract from Northumberland Tyne and Wear Photographic Memories.

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Northumberland Tyne and Wear Photographic Memories

Northumberland Tyne and Wear Photographic Memories

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Memories of Allendale, Hotspur Hotel c1960

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. These memories are of Allendale, Hotspur Hotel c.1960

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During the 2nd world war, probably around 1944, I was on holiday with my parents and maternal grandmother staying in a cottage opposite the green. We often saw Italian PoWs cycling by to do local farm work. One rather blustery night we went to a make-shift cinema show across the river and the film included Will Hay. It was either the Ghost Train or something where a train crashed from a bridge. With great trepidation we ...see more
The little dog crossing the road was called Laddie. He belonged to Lawrence and Peggy Dodd and is on his way home to Selah House and the dairy. l used to help with the milk delivery and would sit on a milk churn and sing to Laddie. He always joined in and  we made a lovely racket between us!! The island as it was called was a great place for roller skating with friends. The Hotspur has memories of a dentist practice, ...see more