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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Northumberland => Topic started by: Gen List Lass on Friday 07 October 16 11:49 BST (UK)
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I've been a frequent visitor to this cafe for a few years but yesterday I ventured upstairs. That WAS interesting from a house history point of view. I've been told that the cafe had bought part of the next door house in Stanley Street to extend their cafe.
The main door of the house is large and wide and fronts onto Stanley Street, there is a great staircase curving up to what must have been several bedrooms, one with a double aspect onto Stanley Street and Bridge Street.
I'm guessing it was originally no. 1 Stanley Street and tried to find it on the census to see who lived there. I could only find a Stanley Street South? with a single lady living on her own means there. As it is such a big house I dont think its the same house. It would need at least one or two servants to keep a house like that.
Now I look at the photos, there are two houses, one stone on Bridge Street and one brick on Stanley Street.
Can anyone add to the mystery? All you Blyth buffs?
Gen in NBL England
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I used to go there for a coffee sometimes with my Mum, late 90s. It's opposite the Midland bank ( HSBC now).
Next door at 1 Stanley Street used to be Lynn and Rutherford, Solicitors. I think it's still solicitor's offices , but a different name. Maybe Gallon? My Dad worked there. I've been in the upstairs of 1 Stanley St. a few times but don't remember anyone living there. Last time would be in the mid 90s.
I seem to remember the wide staircase ( not sure.).
ps it's Cuthbertson's now, at 3 Stanley St.
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In Kelly's Directory of Northumberland, 1914 it has River Blyth Port Sanitary Authority, meets at 1 Stanley Street. Clerk, Henry Taylor Rutherford, 1 Stanley Street. So it appears to have been offices, which is why it is not in the 1911 census.
In 1914 Henry T. Rutherford, Secretary to Blyth Education Committee was also at 1 Stanley Street.
Stan
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From the Morpeth Herald - Saturday 25 April 1908
Stan
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In the 1891 Census 1 Stanley Street was occupied by William Ransom Smith, 63, a Bank Manager, and Fanny Smith 56, Eveline M L Smith 24, Mary Comb 22, a cook, Lizzie Foreman 19, a house maid. RG12 Piece 4237 Folio 4 Page 3
Added; he was still there in 1901, as a retired banker.RG13 Piece 4812 Folio 6 Page 3
Stan
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Hmm,interesting facts from you all. Wonder if we can find an old photo?
Thanks to all who have replied so far.
Gen in NBL England
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Hi, I went upstairs in frameworks on my visit to Blyth in August. It is a really lovely building with impressive staircase. They also have a good range of goods on sale.
You may remember me as the funny lady who was talking to you and Christine at Woodhorn Archives. It was nice to talk to you both and see the faces behind the names. Thanks to you both for being so friendly and helpful.
Barbara.
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An image of the building frontage circa 1910
https://www.flickr.com/photos/51893012@N05/18813577716/in/album-72157641931957224/
P
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Also, from Bridge Street showing the whole corner during the flood of October 1900.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/51893012@N05/10329109255/in/album-72157641931957224/
P
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One more just for good measure.
P
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Many thanks Phil, I was hoping you would notice this thread, you always have such great photos.
Just had to google streetview as a contrast, old and new. Pity about the job centre, NOT a good replacement architecturally for the old church.
Tried to post screenshots but files too big and cannot reduce them on this stupid Windows 10 so here's the link
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.1273718,-1.5065877,3a,75y,91.48h,84.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s6bilt9cYwHjxwf06wW09SA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en
Gen in NBL UK
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From the Morpeth Herald - Saturday 25 April 1908
Stan
Wage £18 !!! would that be for the week ? :P It would be more than the local pitmen, shipyard workers, and the teemers and trimmers would be earning. But them tough Blyth blokes, - whe wud waant ti be a sarvant ? ;D
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Wage £18 !!! would that be for the week ?
That would be for a year, about 7 shillings a week. Circa 1900 average wages in England & Wales, excluding London were:
Butler £58.6 per annum
Footman £26.7 per annum
Boys £10.9 per annum
Lady's maid £10-£25 per annum
Housemaid ££8-£20 per annum
General Servant £6-£17 per annum
(Board of Trade PP 1899 XCII)
While the wages paid to servants might appear to be relatively low, their board and lodging were provided by their employers.
Stan
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This is a view of the staircase in Frameworks https://goo.gl/maps/sgfy4vAbGmv and upstairs https://goo.gl/maps/cftzuLcx5rB2
Outside view https://goo.gl/maps/ezA93xvEun72
Stan
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The view of the staircase really shows how beautiful it is. Unfortunately when I went there it was the wrong time as it would have been lovely to be there when the music was playing. I have heard it is really nice.
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This will be the original front door to 1 Stanley Street https://goo.gl/maps/9XD2zcULLvE2
Stan
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Looking at all those photos I think I was wrong about No. 1 being Lynn and Rutherford solicitors. It must have always been no. 3, with the double bay windows.
That staircase and all it's decorations, is really beautiful. What a surprise to find it!
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Stan pointed out the original front door of Number 1 Stanley Street which is now in the main part of the cafe beside the piano.
The front door which I saw at the bottom of the staircase was much wider and more imposing. Was this possibly the front door of number 3? Maybe the cafe premises are even bigger than I previously thought.
I think I'll have to go again for another coffee and cheese scone, it's hard work this house research!
Gen in NBL England
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Looking at all those photos
The links I gave are not photos they are for GoogleStreet View and you can move around inside the building.
Stan
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No. 3 is behind the wall with the fire place and mirror https://goo.gl/maps/BTZicjAzkyG2 the stair case runs in the other direction, at right angles to Stanley Street.
Stan
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I seem to remember that the ground floor of Frameworks was the Northern Gas Board Offices and showroom.
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Number 24, the former gas board office and now an art shop and café, is an extremely attractive stone-fronted building with a recessed west end constructed in brick.
Blyth Central Conservation Area Character Appraisal http://www.rootschat.com/links/01inb/
Stan
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Well blow me down with a feather. Blyth has a conservation area, but only after they demolished some wonderful old buildings like the Thomas Knight Memorial Hospital, the Central Methodist Chapel, the Royal Theatre, the Central Hall. I really didn't think anybody cared!
P
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I seem to remember that the ground floor of Frameworks was the Northern Gas Board Offices and showroom.
I think you're right - I remember that too.
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It was the gas board office as I posted :)
Number 24, the former gas board office and now an art shop and café, is an extremely attractive stone-fronted building with a recessed west end constructed in brick.
Blyth Central Conservation Area Character Appraisal http://www.rootschat.com/links/01inb/
Stan
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Picked this up in Blyth Library last week
Gen in NBL England
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and inside
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It came out a couple of months ago - produced by Blyth Town Council in conjunction with Blyth Local History Society.
Opened out twice more to its A2 size there's a lot more information.
Christine
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Well blow me down with a feather. Blyth has a conservation area, but only after they demolished some wonderful old buildings like the Thomas Knight Memorial Hospital, the Central Methodist Chapel, the Royal Theatre, the Central Hall. I really didn't think anybody cared!
P
Blyth has three conservation areas, close but not connected. Details are on the Northumberland County Council website
Northumberland County Council have overall "control" ( or lack of) , but Blyth Town Council have been trying to get them linked into a single one.
Most of the buildings you mention were demolished before the CAs were instituted, but the slow crawl of progress was one of the reasons that they were started and to avoid the wholesale destruction of the town's heritage.
A conservation area doesn't stop progress, but means that any developer has to take into account the "character" of an area. Otherwise we'd still be using outdoor privvies.
BTC also prepared a "Buildings of Historic Interest" list, ( one step below listing) that the planners ( at NCC) have to take take into account before allowing changes to those buildings. At least two other leaflets are in preparation, by the way
And finally, a reminder that BTC are looking for nominations for "Blue Plaques" in Blyth, to recognise historic buildings and / or residents. I put details on the Blyth Buildings thread.
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Yes, Christine, it does unfold to A2 but too big for me to photograph:-)
After looking at it, I started this thread.....
Gen in NBL England
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In August 1959 , aged 17 yrs, I started work as a "boy Clerk" for the Northern Gas Board.
I was situated in the offices on the first floor looking out to the Harbour Commission building opposite.
The ground floor was for the gasfitters who installed and repaired domestic gas appliances.
My first task of every day was to collect the daily mail open and sort and distribute it.
The featured building in this topic in my day was the gas appliances show room.
The main offices ( including chief accountant and deputy) were in building on corner of
Plessey Rd and Bridge St.
I put up pay packets for manual workers and handed them over when they came knocking
on my little hatch. I also paid out the workers over at the gasworks.
Some fond memories, but not a lot !
Michael ( now emigrated to Scotland- for non-political reasons
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Hello, I live in Canada. My mother was a Ferrell from Blyth and the Davidson were cousins.
Belle married Norman Hester, lived in London and was first violin in the London Philharmonic under Malcolm Sargeant, conductor. She and her husband who played the double bass both played in the Proms and elsewhere.
Bell's sister died young.
After Bell's death, Norman moved to Seaton Sluice and passed away there.
I have a photo of Belle taken during her career on the wall and many other photos of the family. Her father did have a music store in Blyth. I have a photo in which it can be seen.
My sister and I may be the only connection left as Belle had no children and her sister died prior to marriage.
Les