Blyth Market Square circa 1960

[Phodgetts]

The info in the link comes from Runciman's Collier Brigs and Their Sailors. The vessel 'Messenger' was owned by John Bell and he would have employed John Knott to Captain the ship. I was hoping that there might be a picture of either the ship or the men in Runciman's book, but alas not.

Re the school photo, please do share it with us on here. The only thing we have to be careful of is peoples privacy and we are not to discuss living people on the forum, that said, I'm sure identifying a person in a photograph is not actually discussing them is it.

These threads about Blyth are great for reminiscence and are proving popular amongst the ex-pats of the town. It is developing into a wealthy resource of information.

P

[Yossarian]

Where do you get them all Phodgetts? Love this view from the beach. I was told you could buy hot water at the house door for making your tea for your picnic.

Another photo I'm looking for is one of Newsham Manor before it was pulled down in the late 1870's.......... :-))

Gen in NBL England

My grandparents actually lived at the Link House. My nanna used to sell hot water from the back door to workmen and beach trippers. My dad, who was a child at the time, told me that there was a 'flag room' upstairs in which there were musty-smelling flags of all nations. He also told me that a Commander Kitcat (not to be confused with Sergeant Snickers ), who was a big shot from the submarine base, stayed there.

He would tell us stories about his childhood at the Link House when we went past on the bus to Whitley Bay - at that time it was unoccupied and boarded up.

[Phodgetts]

Wonderful to hear you Yossarian. Thank you for sharing with us. 

P

[Phodgetts]

My latest acquisition is an old picture postcard used in 1913. I'm intrigued as to the message written on the card. Looks like some sort of 'code'.

The picture is of the 'Dalmer' the Blyth No.1 Lifeboat from 1886 - 1901.

You can read about Blyth's lifeboat history here;

http://blythlifeboat.co.uk/?page_id=4

and more about the Blyth Lifeboat and mention of 'Stan Laurel'!;

http://andydavison.zxq.net/pafn04.htm

They have done some excellent stuff over the years and on occasions suffered terrible loss.

Enjoy the picture.

P

[dolly dimples]

 Great pic P.
         The code written on the photo is indeed most intriguing !  I'd love it if someone knew what this code said. Any war spies about that could decipher it?
 Well I had to ask..    Dolly

[TriciaK]

It is intriguing - could it be upside down, mirror writing? ie right to left. Starting with R.
I wonder if it's a record of callouts, and how they turned out?
Or referring to the Lifeboatmen - there are 5 in the first group.
I have a photo of the Ladies Group from the ?1930s, with my paternal grandma on it - wish I was clever enough to post it!

[Gen List Lass]

I am probably way off the mark here but the first thing I thought of was Icelandic Runes.....

I googled that and found similarities but variations also for Norse etc... have a Google yourself:-)

Gen in NBL England

[Phodgetts]

Thanks for that pointer GLL. Most interesting. The card has a message on the back in he same 'code'.

It was sent from Blyth to Denmark on 30 March 1913 to Bagmar Jensen, Bagenkop Street, Langeland, Denmark.

I looked up Danish Runes and they look to fit the bill perfectly.

http://www.fortidensjelling.dk/jellinge13.htm

Are there any Rune experts on here?

P 

The card was sent to a house on this street, Bagenkopvej;

http://goo.gl/maps/SJGGQ

[dolly dimples]

Spot on Gen!
                       Had a play around on the suggested site,   still like to know exactly what the card said tho'   One learns something new every day... Dolly