Northumberland/Cowpen - Maxwells Buildings

[ShellsinWA]

Thanks so very much for your help.  That map is great and it makes sense because my great grandfather was a lay Methodist preacher and Sunday school teacher, and both locations are close to the Methodist Chapel. Also interesting to look at the Google image of the area today. One son, Charles Alfred died in a mining accident at Cambois colliery in 1911. My grandfather was also working there as a 12 year old. I am thinking that once his son was killed, Charles thought it would be better to move the family to sunnier climes and they emigrated to Western Australia in 1912. Thanks again.

[Phodgetts]

Glad to be of assistance.

The Methodist Chapel down by the river (as seen on the map) was replaced with a tin tabernacle closer to the side of the main Cowpen Road. The little building amazingly has survived the passage of time, but only by the smallest of threads. It has been put to various uses over the years but most recently, or at least the last I heard, it was a boxing club, or martial arts club.

This is it;
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.1306289,-1.5411734,3a,60y,313.94h,89.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s9YaXc_pMWXNlEwtE6vysng!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

[Michael Dixon]

In the 1940s I used to walk to school ( St Cuthberts Primary) from Weardale Avenue, past the once Methodist chapel, between the local constable's house  and the CooP store. At some stage the chapel served as an ante-natal clinic.

Michael Dixon

[ShellsinWA]

Thanks for that info Michael.

[pityackafromblyth]

ShellsinWA, Glad you have found what you were looking for.  In the Northumberland page search for "Blyth History" [It is a thread I started inadvertently, and I am not promoting it] but many others have joined in and posted stories, anecdotes, maps, and photos relating to Blyth and the area.
Also look for Bebside, Cowpen, etc, which are separate threads, which contain even more information which you might find interesting.
BEWARE though - you might want to emigrate from WA back to the land of your fathers.

[ShellsinWA]

Thanks very much! 
And I am a very proud Aussie - 2nd generation on one side and 3rd on the other - so not likely to want to emigrate but if I win the lottery I will come and visit!

[blythian]

As a child I had a friend that lived on the west side of John Street. I remember visiting their house a few times. It was earmarked for demolition, I have no idea why. The family was rehoused on the brand new housing estate on Ogle Drive. Very posh in comparison to our red brick terraced house, still with outside toilet when we left in 1981!

My family were rehoused from the bottom end of Beecher Street at the same time to Devonworth Place. If i'm remembering correctly, the houses at the bottom ends of those streets were becoming slum-like, damp, mice, rats etc. I had three generations living down there at one point, the fourth generation (mine) having also lived along that street

Also the Tin Mission is now the headquarters for the 4X Biker Crew

[EDIT] Just wondering...my ggGrandparents were living in Turners Buidings, Cowpen in the 1901 census, any ideas on location? Possibly Turner Street area? Stab in the dark i know..

[Further Edit] just looked at the previous page on the census and shows Richardson Terrace. It appears i already knew this as well...