RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Northumberland => Topic started by: Irene B on Friday 10 November 06 15:38 GMT (UK)
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I went there today and there is lots of space, lots of Microfilm readers and the staff are as helpful as ever BUT be prepared to pay £2 for parking, and walk a long way to the ugly modern building (nowhere on the map you are given will you find the words Archives or Record Office).
I do wonder which idiot planner decided to put a children's play area just outside the automatic doors to the study room. As they move around the doors open and there is a cold draught and a lot of noise.
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Hi Ireneb,
I was wondering if anyone had been yet. Sounds ok, apart from the play area.
I must make time to travel up sometime soon.
Sally
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Hi Ireneb,
It sounds like an absolute nightmare to get to for those of us relying on public transport :(
Trini.
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I did see a bus there, but I'm not sure where it came from.
Irene B
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Irene B.
Apparently, one must take a bus to Ashington bus station, and then have to take a bus from there. Not sure of the frequency, but it still sounds like a nightmare......:)
Trini.
ps. Oh for some city or town-based record offices..............
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Sounds steep - £2 for parking. Is that all day and is there ample parking? Not knowing the area, is it easy to find?
Sallysmum
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New local bus, "A6" runs half-hourly, on the quarters, from Ashington Bus Station,(ABS), directly into the Centre.
£1 single, £1.50 return ( Journey time about 6/7 mins)
Service starts from ABS at 7.45 am, then 8.15 then 1/2 hourly until 12.15. Then gap, then restarts at 13.45, then again 1/2 hrly until after well after closing time at 4pm.
I think the stand is the one adjacent to the Rohan Kanhia pub, on Woodhorn Road ( which is where buses from Newcastle, X31 X32 etc, offload)
I was there yesterday (Sunday) but walked ( about 30 mins each way, ) cos I did not know about this bus.
About quarter of filmreaders occupied.
Michael Dixon
Newcastle
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£2 is for all day, but if you are a regular visitor it gets expensive. If you want to visit the 'free' museum be prepared to pay £6.95 to see the mine and £4.95 for the behind the scenes tour. Beamish seems quite cheap!
There is a cafe.
If you go up the spine road head towards Lynemouth/Woodhorn then it is signposted. If you come from the north (Ellington) again head towards Lynemouth/Woodhorn. Look for the brown signs. Archives are signposted outside, it is only once you get there that you are left to your own devices
Irene B
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Oh! dear, all your letters regarding the new Woodhorn Records Office, is daunting. I am hoping to visit there whe I come to England in March to June next year, and was going to go to Woodhorn when I was visiting a cousin in Ashington. Hopefully by then, the "teething problems" may have worked themselves out, and things are a bit more workable and "people friendly".
Irene B. I notice your are researching the name Ridley in Northumberland. Whereabouts in Northumberland is your Ridley. I am trying to find information on a John Ridley born about 1837 at Haltwhistle who married an Isabell/Isabella Bird. I think John was a cousin of a Charlton Ridley and may have had a sister Julie, not sure, as Charlton and Julia were the witnesses of John and Isabel at their marriage.
Twiggy
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It is Trini who is researching Ridley.
Irene B
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Sorry about that.
Trini would you please read the letter I sent to Irene B
Twiggy
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Conditions at Woodhorn.....
I am gobsmacked at the negative reviews Woodhorn is getting.
Ok I have only been once ( last Sunday) but it was a doddle.
No queues, plenty of machines, and staff oozing help.
I don't drive ( drink instead) so I don't have a view on parking and parking fees ???
And yes it would have been nice if the Centre was, say, near Ashington Bus Station or in Newcastle, or even at the end of my street. But I got to the centre easier than my many trips to the County Record Office, when it was situated outside the town of Morpeth.
And I remember how impossible it was not to bump into other researchers as we moved from drawers to machines in that confined windowless place. And how we were "evicted" as the CRO closed from 1-2 pm.
( I am not connected to Woodhorn Centre, so the above views are honest)
Michael Dixon
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Dear Michael,
Thanks for the positive news about Woodhorn, I will look forward to visiting there when I reach Ashington. I am hoping to be able to find a few names that I haven't been able to find on the only records I can access which is the films from the LDS.
'Twiggy
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Can you turn up on spec, or do you need to book a reader in advance?
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They have lots of microfilm readers and I have never seen it full yet. However if you are travelling a long way or planning to go on a weekend in Spring/Summer it might be worth booking. You have to get a readers ticket when you arrive at the building go to the information desk. You need photo ID and/or something with your address on it. I had a Northumberland library card (no photo or address) which they accepted.
Irene B
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we have just started family research and were a bit doubtful about going to the records office but have always found most of the staff very helpful.
yes it does cost £2.00 per day parking, and you do have a bit of a walk, but we got our reader tickets no bother with a utility bill, you register and pick up your card the next time you visit.
you can also take in your camera but there is not a lot that you can photograph and you need to tell the staff when you arrive that you have one and fill in the appropriate form.
The childrens play area didn't bother us at all while we were there but we have never been when the place was full.
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Thanks
Any idea if they accept TWAS readers tickets?
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The play area has been modified a bit, they put one of those ribbon barrier things around the automatic doors so the children don't keep opening them by mistake. Also they seem to have made the play area a bit smaller - and quieter.
Irene B
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I have been to Woodhorn about 8 times now and have gained loads of info since going there.I agree with Michael,the staff are really nice and will do there best to help,there are plenty of readers and you dont have to book.I go at the weekend,its a lot quieter than through the week,seems strange but its true.The parking is expensive but it is for all day,a couple of hours is enough for me.Its much better than going all the way to Newcastle and trying to park there,that was a nightmare.Give it a go,its well worth it.Anne.