Blyth History.

[pityackafromblyth]

I have just come across an old diary of mine which has two anecdotes relating to Blyth. The first relates to Newsham/New Delaval, and came from my grandparents.  It was during the era of the national strike and depression.  A professional footballer landed back home at Newsham bringing a football for the lads and men who were out of work, and he charged them for it !!  I was told that the footballer was one of the Stephensons from New Delaval, and who played for Aston Villa.  I think the name was Clem Stephenson; but I believe a 2nd brother may also have played for Aston Villa.  Apparently the unemployed men congregated on Gallacher's (Dr.) Field, playing football and cards during the day and into the evening.

The second concerns PC George 'Geordie' Mussell, who I mentioned at the start of the Blyth History. My other grandmother told me that one Saturday afternoon PC Mussell was walking past the bakery shop where she worked, with a drunken woman en route to the Police station, and just as they passed the shop the woman's skirt dropped down to her ankles.  They pulled his leg over that many a time.

[Angelathomas]

My Grandad , John Tom Smith , a miner who lived in Beatrice Avenue in New Delaval would never go to the beach because he said his friends had been drowned there. They had all arranged to go swimming but he was late, I think because he stayed behind to pick up his pay. I've just found this report of the tragedy which names all six of the young men drowned. All are from New Delaval and I recognise some of the names. http://www.dmm.org.uk/news19/9140822.htm

[Phodgetts]

I know that current can be a problem, but I think the sea is also so cold that cramps set in very quickly and once that has happened, unless help is close at hand, drowning soon follows. Drowning seems to be a very quiet affair, very different in real life to what we see on TV.  No shouting and calling for help, just a slipping under.

[TriciaK]

We swam regularly in the sea at Blyth but were warned never to swim in the part opposite the sand dunes, because of the currents. Many people had drowned there. Safest was "between the piers."
There was also a dangerous place on the sands, called , I think, Maggie's Burn, where there were quicksands. Once when riding a pony across there he sank in up to his belly - I got off and he managed to scramble out.
I used to help Joan Bailey exercise her beach ponies - great fun! Blyth was an exciting place to grow up, kids nowadays don't seem to have the activities that we did.

[emmadog]

It seems that there have been quite a few incidents of drowning at Blyth.  When my grandad was young he was involved in trying to save someone at Blyth.  I remember there was an article in a newspaper about this and the fact he saved people from a burning house in Blyth (quite a heroic young lad as he was aged 15 (1914)
 when he went to sea in the merchant navy.)  I cannot remember which newspaper it was in but there was a photograph as well.

His son was also involved in a rescue in Blyth harbour but unfortunately was not successful.  For this he received a certificate from the Royal Humane Society.

Barbara

[pityackafromblyth]

Many years back, when we first started to sneak out for a drink, just under age by a few days  we were warned never to go into the Commercial which was opposite the Market Place, Blyth. The threats were so dire from our parents that we never went in to the pub.
But what is known about it ?  I know it was a place for sailors and certain ladies.
What is the history of the pub, and when was it built ?  I know there was a Police box opposite it, almost, and was that so the Polis could drag the offender across the road to wait for the Black Maria(known as the meat wagon in our days) to get them up to the main station; or was the Police box a refuge for the Polis until reinforcements arrived ?
On another website I have found information about the pub, but details cannot be posted in here.
But last week I was on a site which had a thread, " Favourite Watering Holes" and merchant seamen were mentioning pubs and bars all around the world, - Hong Kong, Singapore, South America, etc., and all 4 corners of the globe.
There amongst them all was - " The Commercial" at Blyth - and I quote, " The closest thing on earth to the bar room scene in Star Wars."
Even after 1 week, everytime the remark comes to mind I still burst out laughing, and I never went into the pub.

[Michael Dixon]

PYfB,

 I am one up on you then. I also got the dire warnings never to go into the Commercial.
 But I was tempted to enter to see the renowned Limpy Aggie and her Brown Ale drinking
 lady chums.  They were not beauties .Only went the once- not very exciting. This was circa 1958

 Michael

[TriciaK]

My Dad forbade me from going into any pubs in Blyth in the 1950s. That's probably why.
On the other hand, my best friend's father (Jim Young) was the ? owner of the Pineapple Inn, a public house on the corner of Regent St. and one of the side streets, in those days.
Amazing what your memory drags up.

[Michael Dixon]

 TriciaK,

 Pineapple was on corner of Regent St and Bowes St.  Nat West bank is today on that site.
 It's claim to fame was that it was Blyth's smallest pub !


 Michael