Nostalgic memories of Shotley Bridge's local history
Share your own memories of Shotley Bridge 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 Memories 1 - 10 of 12 in total
My parents were from Northumberland; my father from Newcastle and my mother from Slayley. They moved to London during the 30s to seek work. They married in 1939 and my sister was born that November. By September my mother was pregnant again, but as my father was working in a reserved industry, he sent my mother and sister north to escape the Blitz. They went to stay with mother's brother William Lambert, who ...see more
I had a Patent Ductus Arteriosclerosis in 1957 when I was 5 operated on by Mr Mason at Shotley Bridge Hospital. I even started school in hospital. I am still here and am forever thankful for everything. I have 2 sons and 1 daughter but sadly lost my husband in 2016.
I always remember my time at Shotley Bridge and Mr George Mason and will always be grateful for my life after.
Carol Wilkinson aged 67
In 1940 aged fourteen I was put on a hospital-train from Norwich to Shotley Bridge Hospital.it was mainly full of wounded soldiers from the Dunkirk retreat. No reason was ever given for my being sent to Shotley. The School,StMarys,were never informed. I should explain that I was in a Norfolk hospital following an operation for osteomyelitis of the femur.
We were in single storey huts on the side of a hill ...see more
Following several years as an outpatient at Newcastle General hospital, I was admitted to Shotley Bridge hospital in October 1959 where I had open heart surgery on 27 October to repair two holes in my heart. Circulation was arrested for a total of just over 10 minutes and my body temperature was reduced to 30°C during the operation. I was 10 years old at the time.
The ward I was in was ...see more
My memory is of Shotley bridge hospital in May 1960 I was four years old and had been born with a hole in the heart. I was token by ambulance to shotley bridge to have my heart surgery.
There was no children ward in the hospital, so I was put on the women's ward.
There was a young girl on the ward she was 16 called Dorothy she had heart problems to, hers was inoperable. During my three weeks stay my ...see more
I hope you will indulge me a little as this memory is not mine but my late mother's. In 1953 my mum was 13 years old. Her name was Eleanor Williamson and she was admitted to Shotley Bridge Hospital into the care of Dr C E M Kellett. She was suffering with Septicemia and was barely clinging to life.
This is not an exaggeration by any means. One of the nurses caring for Mum told my grandmother ...see more
My late father, Rowland Leslie Williams, served with the Royal Artillery as a driver during the second world war. He served, in particular, with a Scottish Commando Regiment, although he was Welsh not Scottish, and at 40+ years of age, what now would be considered a bit 'long in the tooth' for a commando. He took part in the Normandy D-Day landings but quickly suffered gunshot wounds ...see more
Those were the days - loads of fun swimming in the so called "divvy" (river) at Shotley Bridge in the early fifties - different parts of the river namely; Leveys, Puddlers, chat ties, the dry rocks etc. Only the lads swam at chat ties, girls were not allowed. We all took turns looking for firewood to keep warm after a swim. Can anyone remember the horse that was fatally ...see more
I spent 4 years, starting as a cadet, then training to be a nurse at Shotley Bridge Hospital. It was to be an everlasting memory, not only for the happy times shared with colleagues and patients, but it was where I met my late husband who was a Doctor on the medical ward. The hospital was renowned for its high standards of training and pioneering surgery. The numerous wards, known as 'The Huts' were quaint and ...see more
My father was deputy head porter at the hospital, he worked there for 40 years. When I came out of the Royal Air Force in 1959 I did not work for a few months until early 1960 when my father gave me a job as a porter at the hospital. I worked mainly up at the huts, it was an interesting job. I did all kinds of things. I remember Jack Thompson who was the porter in the morgue, he used to help the ...see more