Blyth Building, what was it?

[emmadog]

In the 60's, Readheads factory backed on to Wright Street where my uncle lived. The loading bay was right opposite their back gate.

The smell was  wonderful. 

Just arrived back from Blyth this afternoon after a couple of days visiting 'oldies'.  Weather was lovely and we even managed a nice walk along the beach on Sunday afternoon when we got there.

Barbara .

[Phodgetts]

Just to cradle and cherish some of those old memories here is a shot of the town taken from one of the gas storage tanks. Looking out along Simpson Street and Deleval Terrace and over the railway station.You can see Maynard's. Was that for sweets or something else. Never mind, I'll just let you soak in the atmosphere of the old place.

Now all I want to do is go for a ride on the little hand cranked roundabout in the market square and have an ice-cream. That was my treat if I was a 'good boy'! 

Philip

PS emmadog, is that large building over on the right the factory you mentioned backing on to Wright street?

[emmadog]

Hi Phillip,

Mmmmmmmmmmm Maynards wine gums.  I spent many a half hour staring at all the sweets in Maynards window. (Can't remember ever buying any though.) They were probably too dear for us, we went to one of the corner shops near where we lived in Cowpen Quay.

I'm not sure about the building because it looks different from above but like Mike Dixon says earlier it was beside the Big Club.

Barbara

[Michael Dixon]

 I think the 3 storey building facing the camera, to the right halfway up, is the Big Club.

 Michael

[Phodgetts]

The shop that now occupies the 'Maynard's' building (underneath the Maynard's sign) is the British Red Cross and the wonderful arched window building to the right is now Dolly Dimple's cafe and snack shop. So some goodies are still being sold from the site! 

Philip

[Phodgetts]

 I think the 3 storey building facing the camera, to the right halfway up, is the Big Club.

 Michael

That building on G Maps is named as G & L Club and is No. 23 Keelman's Terrace with a date stone of 1902. Is it one and the same? Is this also one of the buildings that will fall to make way for the new and enlarged supermarket? I've heard rumours but nothing for certain.

P

[Michael Dixon]

P,

 Cant see no 23 Keelmans Terrace listed on 1911 census. Perhaps because there would be no one living there ?

Kelly's Trade Directory of 1914 has
The Blyth & District Social Club and Workman's Institute Ltd  in Keelman's Terrace, but no number.

 Michael

[MHM]

Hello,

I’ve found this quite by accident, I have some information that might be a help to you.

Blyth Tool Hire - prior to this it was a monumental sculptor on the ground floor and the first and second floors were occupied by a judo club - Jono Kata with a canvas floor and a kendo club - Bujutsu Kai with a polished wood floor this work was completed by the club members.

My dad was heavily involved in all these sports. He cannot be exact with a date but it was a judo club from 1963, quite an unusual sport for the time.

The sculptor was Kell, the brother of the business has just died very recently, I remember as a little lad looking at the head stones and so on, I would have been 7 or 8 at the time so around 1965.  Kells were there before the judo club.

I used to walk past the front of the building which was an 'old fashioned' shop front with quite a low window with a display of headstones and vases.  The woodwork was painted green

We entered the club by the back gate and then the back door, the lighting wasn’t fantastic, it was always very dusty.  I remember running up the ‘open’ wood stairs with my friend to get away from the headstones!

Funny really once we were upstairs we quite forgot about the gravestones downstairs.

I hope this helps a little.

Malcolm

[blythian]

I'm not sure about the building because it looks different from above but like Mike Dixon says earlier it was beside the Big Club.

Yeah, thats Keelman's House (Red Heads Factory), next to the 'Big Club' :lol:, i didn't realise til remembered Morrisons wasn't always there :lol:

When did Redheads close down? I seem to re-call a scent in the air when i first moved to Blyth in 94 and my Gran said it was the factory, was it still in operation then? :S