Blyth History.

[Phodgetts]

Here is a segment of an old 1898 map which shows the New Delaval Colliery (aka Forster & Richard Pit) site quite nicely.

The field borders are still recognisable on modern aerial mapping. It makes for an interesting comparison.

One interesting point to make about the single track railway encircling the houses, is that quite a number of small residential places had these railways, either in standard gauge or narrow gauge. It seems that the lines were used to take coal and other goods in to the houses and return goods and rubbish out. The subject is touched on elsewhere on this forum.

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,388750.0/prev_next,prev.html

Enjoy.

Philip

[Phodgetts]

You might also like a bit of a look here;

http://www.peterloud.co.uk/photos/Northumberland/School_Photos/School_Photos.html

P

[pityackafromblyth]

colingrave, Yes you are correct about the Three Horse Shoes.  I remember being walked up there by Grandfather on a Sunday dinnertime, probably the late 1940s. We walked up the path which was unmade and reddish.  From maps I have seen since joining here it is the old waggon way, which went down to the harbour.The farm just down the road from the Three Horse Shoes ?  A family called Robson were there in the 1940s.  We had some connection with them through my Grandmother, and called in 1-2 occasions.  Their daughter was called Helen Robson.
777, Plessey Road,Must have been the next block up from us, but I do not recall what you mention. There were Dodd's shops at the top and bottom of Plessey Road. Top one - opposite Beatrice Avenue, and the bottom one opposite Ella Simpson's(?) and near Dr.Baird's house.  As regards top end of Plessey Road, I recall - Buglass's general shop, and then Watson's Newpaper shop a couple of doors away.

[Phodgetts]

A view of the New Delaval Colliery and brick works buildings from what was the gas works circa 1906.

P

[skida]

That map is quite fascinating. Three Methodist Chapels, St Bede's Mission and a Christian Lay Church. all within spitting distance. I suppose if you worked down the pit (or were dependent on someone who did) in those days, religion would be a useful part of your life.

[peteloud]

. . . .  As regards top end of Plessey Road, I recall - Buglass's general shop, and then Watson's Newpaper shop a couple of doors away.

In the 1950's I always knew that general shop as Chamberlain's. Just beyond was, as you say, Watson's Newspaper shop. 

When the Greeners took over the newspaper business I used do a morning paper round from there.  Monday to Friday, I would deliver just over 100 newspapers up Newcastle Road, then along Laverock Hall Road and end at Etal Road at the council house into which we moved in 1957, from Middle Street, (The street of Dr Baird & bottom Dodd's shop & Ella Simmons). 

For that paper round I was paid £1 a week. I thought that very good. A couple of years later when I got into underage drinking, a pint of IPA at the Newsham Hotel cost 1s 3d, across the road at the Vic a pint was only 1/1d. that was the price of 16 pints of IPA. That would be over £40 in today's money.

I also remember Robson's Farm. There was an conker tree at the bottom of their garden, my mates & I would go up there to get conkers.  There was an apple tree in Dr. Baird's garden, from which I'd take apples.

[colingrave]

. . . .  As regards top end of Plessey Road, I recall - Buglass's general shop, and then Watson's Newpaper shop a couple of doors away.

In the 1950's I always knew that general shop as Chamberlain's. Just beyond was, as you say, Watson's Newspaper shop. 

When the Greeners took over the newspaper business I used do a morning paper round from there.  Monday to Friday, I would deliver just over 100 newspapers up Newcastle Road, then along Laverock Hall Road and end at Etal Road at the council house into which we moved in 1957, from Middle Street, (The street of Dr Baird & bottom Dodd's shop & Ella Simmons). 

For that paper round I was paid £1 a week. I thought that very good. A couple of years later when I got into underage drinking, a pint of IPA at the Newsham Hotel cost 1s 3d, across the road at the Vic a pint was only 1/1d. that was the price of 16 pints of IPA. That would be over £40 in today's money.

The confusion over names probably comes from the fact that the Chamberlain's youngest daughter, Nancy, married Godfrey Buglass. The Chamberlains originally lived at 77 New Row in the miners houses. In 1935 the family moved to the general store at 777 Plessey Road, but Nancy and Godfrey, who were now married, took over 77 New Row when the rest of the family moved out. There they had 2 sons, Geoffrey and Norman Buglass

[Malcommon]

Phillip,

Thanks for the photograph of New Delaval pit.

My Great Grandfather John Common was a blacksmith there, my Great Grandparents lived at 64 New Row.

My Dad also worked at the pit.

Malcolm.

[Phodgetts]

Glad you like it Malcolm. Check your emails, I just sent you another picture of the pit. 

P