Tudhoe & Spennymoor Local History Society
Awards all Over the North - Record Breaking Entries - Over 30,000 Loaves Received
Messrs Hindhaughs of Newcastle-upon-Tyne have much pleasure in announcing the results in their Wholemeal Baking Competition, held in the Newcastle Town Hall. Entries exceeded all expectations, and over 30,000 loaves were received. The standard of baking was very high, and the judges had the greatest difficulty in selecting the prize-winners.
Messrs Hindhaughs desire to express their sincere thanks to all who participated in making the competition such a great success. Immediately the competition concluded all Bread was distributed to the poor in Newcastle and in the surrounding districts. This distribution amounted to over 25 tons of Bread.
First six prizes were:- £50, £25, £10, £5, £3, £2
Best Loaf baked in a gas oven - £10 from Newcastle and Gateshead Gas Company.
The following winners were from the Spennymoor/Ferryhill area.
100 Prizes at 5s each
200 Prizes of 2s 6d
Special Prize to Mrs Donaldson, 5 St Paul’s Gardens, Spennymoor
(1st December 1924 Sunderland Daily Echo)
Collision at Cross Roads
A serious accident occurred at the four cross roads, Thinford Inn, near Ferryhill, yesterday.
A motor-car proceeding from Cornforth to Spennymoor came into collision with a motor-cycle coming from Ferryhill. The cyclist, Alfred Tate, residing at Parkin Street, Merrington Lane, Low Spennymoor, being severely injured. He was taken to Durham County Hospital. A man named John Pattison, Merrington Lane, was riding pillion and had a miraculous escape, being thrown clean over the top of the car.
The occupants of the motor-car were uninjured. (1st Dec 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Could the cyclists be Alfred Tate (b1905) who in 1921 lived at 15 Parkin Street, Merrington Lane and worked at Dean & Chapter Colliery as a pony driver. John George Pattison (b1902) who in 1921 lived at 5 Hume Street, Merrington Lane and he worked below ground at Dean & Chapter Colliery as a landing lad.
Spennymoor Aged People’s Treat Fund
Mr J Reavley, J.P., Hon Secretary of the Spennymoor Old Folks Christmas Dinner Fund, reported a balance of £40 in hand at the annual meeting of the committee, and this will be used to provide a dinner for the old people this year, without a further appeal to the public. The dinner will take place on Boxing Day, when about 500 old folks of the town will be entertained in the Mission Hall. The Arcadia and Tivoli Picture Halls will be at their disposal during the afternoon, various entertainments being arranged.
Election of officers resulted as follows:- President, Rev Canon Wykes; secretary, Mr J Reavley, J.P.; assistant secretary, Coun. S J Knowles; treasurer, Mr J Snowden. Various committees to make the necessary arrangements were also appointed. (2nd Dec 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
John Reavley JP, (1868-1941) writer of 'History of Spennymoor' published in 1935. A Member of Spennymoor UDC for over 35 years and Chairman on three occasions and for several years represented Spennymoor on Durham County Council.
He became a JP in 1918 and a Methodist Minister for 40 years and managed a newsagents and stationery business for almost 50 years. He died in 1941, aged 73, and was buried in Rock Road Cemetery.
Home Hints - To Sweeten Rancid Butter
Cut as much butter as you want to use, and before using it, put it to soak in cold water to which a good pinch of carbonate of soda has been added. Let it stand for two hours or longer if possible. The rancid taste will disappear, and the butter will taste as good and fresh as ever. - E Holdsworth, Ferryhill. (6th Dec 1924 Northern Weekly Gazette)
Ministry of Pensions - Durham, Spennymoor, and District Committee
The Minister of Pensions has appointed the Rev. G R Cook, of the Vicarage, Spennymoor, Co. Durham, to be a member of the Durham, Spennymoor, and District War Pensions Committee in place of Mr G H Hornsby, resigned. (4th Dec 1924 Sunderland Daily Echo)
George Robinson Cook (b1870 York) was the son of Thomas Cook (b1833 Stockton-on-Tees), a poulterer, hare and game dealer and Eliza (b1833 London). In 1881/91 they lived at 10 Spurriergate, York. He was appointed assistant curate at St Andrew’s Church, Spennymoor in 1893 until 1901. In 1901 George is boarding at 49 Durham Road, Tudhoe Grange with Abraham Young, aged 72 a retired coal miner, and his three daughters.
In 1911 he is at Ancroft Vicarage, Berwick upon Tweed with his wife Amy Dixon (b1870 Willington) who he married in 1909. He was Vicar of Spennymoor from 1915 to 1927 and then Holy Trinity Church, Seaton Carew from 1927 – 1932. He died in 1932 and is buried at Seaton Carew. In 1939 Amy is living at 5 Church Street, Seaton Carew. Photo of Rev. George Robinson Cook.
Byers Green man found Dead at His Work
An inquest will be held tomorrow on James Henry Cooper, 44, a valve man, employed at the by-product plant at Byers Green, of 56, Albion Street, Middlestone Moor, who was found dead on Sunday evening at his work. He was last seen alive at 8.25pm on Sunday and 25 minutes later he was found dead the battery having apparently been knocked down by the coal presser used for loading the ovens. He had been dragged about 40 yards and was severely crushed about the head and shoulders. (9th December1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
James Henry Cooper (b1880 Middlestone Moor) married Martha Randall (b1879 Byers Green) in 1900. In 1901 they were living at Gibbon Street, Middlestone Moor and James was a coke burner. In 1911 they were at 16 Granville Terrace, Binchester with two children, Hilda (b1901 Middlestone Moor) and Arthur William (b1909 Binchester). James was a colliery fireman. By 1921 they had returned to Middlestone Moor at 56 Albion Street, James was a bye product worker at the coke ovens at Byers Green Colliery.
A Unique Event - The Production of “Rose of the Border”
Mr C. V. H. Vincent and Mr H. Elliott Smith are the author and composer, respectively of the new comic opera “Rose of the Border” being produced so successfully at Sunderland Empire Theatre this week by Sunderland Amateur Operatic Society. Both are local gentlemen and the production of their joint work by a local society makes the event unique in the history of the town.
Mr Vincent, who is a bank manager at Jarrow was responsible for the successful production in June of Wearmouth Pageant in the Victoria Hall. He has written for the stage for a number of years and is a frequent contributor to a variety of magazines and journals. In Church life he is Chairman of Durham Diocesan Union.
Mr Elliott Smith is the popular conductor of Sunderland Empire Theatre orchestra and of the Amateur Operatic Society. A native of Spennymoor, he adopted music as a profession and became conductor successively of the orchestras at Sunderland Avenue Theatre, Newcastle Pavilion, London Opera House, and Sunderland Empire. He has composed many popular songs and dance tunes. (11th December 1924 Sunderland Daily Echo)
Coal Trade Difficulties
Mr BATEY (Soc Spennymoor) called attention to conditions in Durham. In his opinion, the agreement with France over the Daws Report had thrown thousands out of work.
Mr G BARKER (Soc, Abertillery) raised the subject of unemployment in the coal trade, and said there were 130,000miners out of work. The industry required drasric reorganisation, and it should be made the subject of a searching inquiry.
Mr RITSON (Soc, Durham) spoke of the hardships of miners in Durham.
Mr WESTWOOD (Soc, Peebles and South Midlothian) said that the ratification of the Russian Treaty would have given Russia as a market for about 5,000,000 tons of British coal, and we could have purchased timber from Russia at cheap rates, which would have lowered the cost of production in the coalfields. If the coalowners tried to reintroduce an eight hours day, they would see one of the biggest fights they had ever seen. He hoped the miners would be given a six-hours day. There was no reason why there should not be a four-hours day.
The SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr Eyres-Monsell) said no notice had been given to the Minister of Mines, and therefore he was not present. He promised to convy the questions that had been put to his hon. Friend. The house rose at 10.10. (12th December 1924 The Scotsman)
Killed at End of Day’s Work - Spennymoor Fireman Run Over by Trucks in Colliery Yard
Thomas Geldard, 42, a boiler fireman, who resided in Durham Road, Spennymoor, met his death under sad circumstances.
He had finished his day’s work at Tudhoe Colliery, and in attempting to cross a siding in the colliery yard he was knocked down and run over by some empty trucks which were being shunted. Both his legs were severed from the body. He died before the arrival of a doctor. (13th December 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Apple Sponge Pudding.
Stew two apples with two tablespoonsful of sugar, then beat to a pulp with an ounce of margarine, then make a sponge as follows –
Two ounces margarine, an ounce sugar, one egg, a tablespoonful milk, one teaspoonful baking powder.
Method: Melt the margarine, then add the sugar and egg well beaten, then four tablespoonsful flour and baking powder. Beat together for five minutes, pass over the apples in a good-sized pie dish, bake in moderate oven for 15 mins. Serve with custard. Can be eaten hot or cold. Mrs Curry, Spennymoor. (22nd December 1924 Northern Weekly Gazette)
Ghost Dogs
Christmas is the season of ghost stories, and nowhere in Britain will you hear better bed time yarns of the creepy variety than in the inn kitchens or by the farm firesides of the Yorkshire moors. Many of the stories will probably concern the barghest - a goblin dog with huge teeth and claws, which is even yet spoken of with respect all over the north of England.
He is a brave man indeed who, finding himself alone after nightfall on a moorland path, does not hasten his steps for fear of meeting this spectral hound. And if he hears behind him the soft pad of an animal’s feet, it is long odds that he will immediately take to his heels and run.
The barghest is a big, curly-haired creature after the stamp of a retriever, and its appearance is said to portend calamity or death.
A variant of the barghest legend is to be found in Wales, where the dwellers on the hills tell strange tales of Gwyllji, the Dog of Darkness – a mastiff with baleful breath and blazing red eyes. The Black Dog of Winchester, the Padfoot of Wakefield, and the Demon of Tedworth all have many of the characteristics of the barghest. W Main, Tudhoe Colliery. (27th December 1924 Northern Weekly Gazette)
BENEFICENT MOVEMENT - North’s Care for Mine Veterans - More Homes Opened
Six aged miners’ homes, which have been erected at the Broom, near Ferryhill Station in connection with the Mainsforth Colliery district scheme, were opened by Mr John Herriotts, of Chilton, yesterday afternoon.
The ceremony took place in a torrential downpour of rain, which, however, did not prevent a large gathering assembling.
The chair was occupied by Councillor T W Veitch and among those present were: Messrs Arthur Dorman (of Messrs Dorman Long and Co. of Middlesbrough, the owners of the colliery), James Robson (president of the Durham Miners Association), R Barron (president of the Durham Aged Mine Workers’ Homes) and John Adair ( general secretary). The following members of the local committee were also present:- Messrs S Callum (teasurer), W Hall (secretary), H Johnson, J Mitton, John Stephenson, W Little, A Hunter, Ralph Cowans, Joseph Steel, and Thomas Moses.
The homes have been built at a cost of £2,074, and arrangements have been made for six similar houses to be erected close to them. A start with these will be made, it is hoped, in the early spring.
Speeches at the Ceremony
Mr Herriotts, in opening the homes, said that he was very pleased to be on a mixed platform showing the unselfish motives attaching to the aged miners’ homes scheme, which had come to stay. All would agree as to the wisdom and necessity for such homes, and he was optimistic enough to believethat the day would come when there would be established such homes as those throughout the entire coalfields of the North, for every aged mine worker. Such homes were homes in the real sense of the word, and not institutions.
Mr Arthur Dorman, in presenting the keys to the tenants acknowledged the splendid support which had been given to the aged miine-workers movement by the miners throughout the district.
The following is a list of the tenants:- Mr & Mrs T Jones, Mr & Mrs J Dunn, Mr & Mrs W Marr, Mr & Mrs T Moses sen, Mr & Mrs R Williams, and Mr & Mrs R Bennett.
Mr James Robson, the president of the Durham Miners’ Association, addredssing the gathering, spoke of the struggles of the old mine-worker. As for the work that was now being done by the younger generation in helping to build those homes there could be nothing greater or more beneficial, and they were only fulfilling their obligations to the old people, who deserved every comfort and to be well cared for after they had borne the stress and burden of the day.
Mr J Stones, of Sedgefield, the architect, presented the opener, on behalf of the contractors Messrs Morgan and Roper, of Sedgefield, and himself, with a suitable souvenir of the occasion.
During the proceedings a telegram of regret at absence was read from Mr Oliver Baldwin (son of the Prime Minister) who had been announced to be present at the ceremony and to give an address.
The Mainsforth Colliery Silver Prize Band was in attendance. (28th December 1924 Sunday Sun Newcastle)
Spennymoor Blaze - £6,000 Damage to Tea Company’s Premises
Damage estimated at £6,000 was caused by a fire early yesterday morning which destroyed the premises of the London and Newcastle Tea Company, in High Street, Spennymoor.
Police-Constable McManus, who discovered the premises on fire about 4.40 raised an alarm, and proceeded to place in safety some horses from stables at the rear. The fire brigade were speedily on the scene, but the outbreak had got such a firm hold that the roof fell in within 30 minutes, disclosing a raging furnace. The brigade therefore concentrated upon preventing the fire spreading to the adjoining premises of Mr Walter Wilson, and Eastmans (Ltd.), in which they were successful.
The cause of the fire is unknown, and only the four blackened walls of the building remain standing. (29th December 1924 Sunderland Daily Echo)
These photos show the shop in 1914, on the left of the High Street and later in 1960s at the top of the High Street. In 1936, after the fire, Walter Wilson’s and Eastmans butchers shop were at 4 and 6 High Street but the London and Newcastle Tea Company had moved to 68/70 High Street near the railway bridge.
To the Editor of The Talking Machine News
Dear Sir, Writing in connection with “Judex’s” letter regarding “Record Dealers and the Public”. I may say at once that I agree with him (or her) entirely and that the condition of the records which the public buy is in a few cases scandalous owing to the number of times they have been tried in the shop for the convenience of customers. In order to remedy this I should like to offer the following suggestion namely, that large dealers should keep one disc of all the most popular records solely for the use of customers wishing to try them in the shop. Should the popularity of these decrease the ones used for the purpose could be sold at a slightly reduced cost.
A further suggestion, moreover, for dealers who should adopt this method is that a notice could be placed in the window to the effect that all records sold by them are guaranteed new and unplayed since leaving manufacturers, except in cases where a reduced price is asked. This, I feel sure, would increase their sale of records sufficiently to compensate for any loss incurred by the holding back of one disc of each series. If this method were adopted, it is obvious the public would be better served; also I don’t think the dealer would find himself a loser, whilst the makers would obviously gain, because as “Judex” says, the blame for the bad surface is inclined to be wrongly placed on them. Hoping you will publish this suggestion.
I am Yours faithfully E C L Basan, Connor Lodge, Sedgefield, Ferryhill, Co. Durham. (1st November 1924 Gramophone Wireless and Talking Machine News)
Eric Conrad Lawrence Basan (b1905 London) was the son of Conrad Basan (1868) and Norah Annie Paine (b1872 Bedfordshire). In 1901 Conrad snr was an assistant medical officer at a London hospital. He married Norah in 1904 and in 1911 the family are living at Dunelm House, West End, Sedgefield where Conrad is a medical practioner. In 1921 Conrad and Norah are staying at the Charing Cross Hotel in London, he is a surgeon and their home address is still Dunelm House. Eric C L Conrad, aged 15, is a boarder at Seacote House, St Bees, Cumbria. The family moved into a new house, Connor Lodge, in 1923. In 1939 Eric is an aircraft engineer in Hendon, London where he lived with his widowed mother.
The Sedgefield News July 2007 History of Medicine in Sedgefield stated:-
Dr. Conrad Basan, an Austrian by birth (on the census he does record born in London), arrived to practise medicine . He had qualified with an M.D. from Brussels in 1898, but had attained an L.S.A. in London the previous year. It is thought that he leased Dunelm House, no. 41 West End in August 1917 until he moved into his new home in 1923. He was the Public Vaccinator for the district and continued the research into disease he had done earlier. In 1920 he bought 10 acres from Lord Boyne, opposite the park gates to Hardwick Hall. Roper Bros. built Connor Lodge for him, using sand from his own land. In Connor Lodge Dr. Basan set up his surgery in the S.W. room. It had an open fire, was the examination room, treatment room and dispensary as well. It was said that the morning sun was in the patients’ eyes from the South window and in the evening from the West! The waiting room was a bit of corridor opposite the surgery door. 1927 saw Dr. Cecil Hindhaugh succeed Dr Basan at Connor Lodge.
Tudhoe Catholic Orphanage Competition
The competition, organised by local clubs for the benefit of the Tudhoe Catholic Orphan Homes, is meeting with success. The matches played week by week are invariably well-attended, and the outlook is encouraging for a substantial sum in aid of the home. Middlestone Moor defeated St Joseph’s Coundon by three goals to one in Saturday’s match. (1st November 1924 Nottingham and Midland Catholic news.)
The Right Flag Chosen
The members of the Mid-Durham Corps of the St John Ambulance Brigade held their annual service at Durham Cathedral yesterday afternoon, when there were representatives from Sacriston, Chester-le-Street, Pelton, Brandon, Spennymoor and East Stanley.
Spennymoor divisional officer attending was Mr Mark Teasdale.
The Dean of Durham (Bishop Welldon) in his address remarked that he believed the St. John Ambulance Association were doing the work of Christ and of His Church not only in war but in peace. In those critical times, when they could see the very foundation of Christianity undermined as in Russia, he would ask which would they choose, the Red Flag or the Red Cross. “For you and for me”, went on the Dean, “the choice is made. God grant that we may never swerve from it”. (3rd November 1924 Sunderland Daily Echo)
Ferryhill Child’s Death by Spark from Fire
While attired as “Fairy Snowflake”, the four year old daughter, Hannah, of Robert and Florence Cummings, of 7 West Terrace, Ferryhill was enveloped in flames, presumably owing to a spark that flew out of the fire igniting the dress, which was of white muslin and cotton wool.
The mother said she went into another room, leaving her two little girls, Doris and Hannah, and the little boy Arthur in the kitchen. Hannah was wearing the costume of “Fairy Snowflake”, in which her sister Doris had previously performed at a school concert. Doris was making paper flowers, and when she left the kitchen to show her mother what she was doing Arthur was engaged pulling the wings from the fairy costume.
Presently there was a scream, and it is presumed that a spark from the fire had caught the dress, which burnt like a flash. James Edward Williams, a miner, dashed to the child’s assistance and wrapped her in the hearthrug. She was severely burnt all over the body. A verdict was returned of “Death from shock due to burns accidentally received.”. (4th November 1924 Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail )
Spennymoor Schoolmaster Retiring
Mr Harry Askew, of Spennymoor, a well known figure in local scholastic and country football circles, is retiring after nearly 49 years in the teaching profession, the last 29 years of his career having been spent at Rosa Street Schools, Spennymoor. A native of Merrington, Mr Askew taught at Lichfield, Hull and Tudhoe before going to Rosa Street. During his stay in Spennymoor he has given much of his time and attention to public work, mainly in connection with the Durham Football Association, with which he has been prominently connected since 1910. He is chairman- and one of the founders- of the Spennymoor Unionist Association, and is also well-known locally as a historian and antiquarian. (5th November 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Henry Askew (b1860 Merrington) was the son of Charles Askew (b1837 Seaham Harbour), a blacksmith, and Jane Cheesmond (b1842 Merrington). In 1879 Charles Askew died leaving four sons and two daughters.
By 1881 Jane has remarried to Christopher Henderson who had one son and one daughter from a previous marriage, they are living in Kirk Merrington with seven of their children and twin girls one week old. Henry is now an assistant schoolmaster has moved to Brownhills, Staffordshire and is lodging with a mining family.
In 1882 Henry married Mary Jane Price and by 1891 they have two sons and two daughters living at Clayhanger, Staffordshire. In 1901 they have moved to Eden Cottage, Spennymoor, sadly their youngest daughter Eleanor Maud died in 1893. In 1911 Henry is a widower, his three children are still living with him, Harold Cheesmond Askew, age 26 is an elementary teacher, Hubert Henry Askew, age 24 is a joiner/builder and Madge Enid Askew is 21. In 1915 Henry married Margaret Jane Whitfield, in 1921 they were living at 23 Whitworth Terrace, Spennymoor. Henry died in 1939.
147 Men Who Fell - Earl of Durham Unveils a Memorial
The Memorial which has been erected to the 147 men of Willington, Oakenshaw, and Page Bank who gave their lives in the Great War, was unveiled yesterday by the Earl of Durham, K G Lord-Lieutenant of the County.
The Memorial which stands in a most suitable position at the entrance to Willington Park, is in the form of a St Cuthbert Cross, mounted on a shaft and die. It is of fine axed Creetown granite, stands 23 feet high, and is altogether in keeping with the period of St Cuthbert. There are 147 names inscribed upon the panels in raised lead letters.
The service was attended by a crowd of over 5,000 people. When Lord Durham arrived, in the uniform of the Lord-Lieutenant, he at once inspected the guard of honour and buglers from the 6th Batt. Durham Light Infantry, after which the great assembly sang “O God, our help in ages past, Prayers were intoned by the Rector of Willington (Rev J Duncan OBE) and the Rev J R Rushton and Adjutant Scruby (Salvation Army) read the Lessons.
After the Lord-Lieutenant had drawn aside the Union Jack and unveiled the Memorial, the guard of honour, under the direction of Captain T H Miller, presented arms while the buglers sounded the “Last Post”. The Rector then dedicated the Memorial, and Mr W. Hateley, as Chairman of Willington Urban Council, formally accepted the memorial on behalf of the township. (10th November 1924 Sunderland Daily Echo)
For more details go to Willington War Memorial.
Tudhoe man’s Election Fervour Leads Him Into Trouble
Herbert Taylor, 21, of Tudhoe Colliery, was charged at Spennymoor, yesterday, with doing damage to the extent of £1 to a motor car, the property of Brigadier-General Surtees, Conservative candidate at the recent election.
P C Buckton said that from information that he received he saw defendant and, after cautioning him, charged him with doing damage to Brig-Gen Surtees’ car by writing with chalk upon it.
John Gash, chauffeur to the General, said the car was standing outside the Town Hall, Spennymoor, on October 27th, when he saw defendant write the words “Vote for Batey” on the back of the car, and as he was writing “Vote” on the side of the car a Mr Fleming, of Tudhoe, stopped him.
The damage was estimated at £1.
Defendant said that he saw someone write “Vote for Batey” on the back of the car, so he thought he would write “Vote for Surtees” on the side of the car, and he had just written the word “Vote” when he was stopped. He regretted his action. Defendant was fined 5s and costs and ordered to pay the damage. (12th November 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Free Silk Scarves at NATCO Individual Tailoring, 9 Main Street Ferryhill. (14th November 1924 Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail)
Gilbert and Sullivan Operas at Spennymoor
The Spennymoor Amateur Operatic Society opened at the New Town Hall, Spennymoor, on Monday, a week’s performances of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, “The Sorcerer” and “Trial by Jury”. The performance of the first named opera is one of the best efforts of the Society. As Alexis Mr G Gibson excelled, and Mr G C Robinson as John Wellington Wells gave a finished rendering, quite in keeping with his high reputation. They received able support from Mr Cresswell Dixon as Sir Marmaduke Pointdextre, and Mr W Maddison as Dr Daly. Among the ladies Aline was delightfully portrayed by Miss Winnie Bertram, and as Lady Sangazure Miss Bessie Smith had the “grand manner” to perfection. Admirable too, was the work of Miss Ruth Tinsley as Constance, and Master Jack Warwick as the page. The chorus was well balance, and valuable assistancewas given to the whole production by an orchestra of twenty performers, under the conductorship of Mr Alex Bertram. The whole performance reflected great credit on the producer and coach, Mr A Ridley, of Newcastle. (19th November 1924 Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencier)
Lost in the Mine for 14 Years
A remarkable recovery of a watch which had been lost in the mine for 14.5 years has been made at Mainsforth Colliery.
Mr R Slater of Wolseley Street Ferryhill Station, was working in the South Harvey, 2d West, upon extension work, nearly 15 years ago, when the watch dropped from his pocket. It was some time before he discovered his loss, and upon a search being made it was found that the watch had been stowed away in the “goaf”.
This particular district has been closed for a number of years, and was reopened recently, necessitating the crossing of “bord rooms”.
Two workmen were engaged in this work, and Mr Slater mentioned to the men that he had a watch lying there somewhere. On the following night the man at the face, J Peach, happened to sound an old prop, and the watch came down out of the debris. It was practically no worse for its experience. (19th November 1924 Dundee Evening Telegraph)
N.E.L. Matters
Apparently the existence of the North-Eastern League next season is at stake. Five of the Durham clubs in the League, Shildon, Spennymoor, Leadgate Park, Chester-le-Street and West Stanley, have been laying their heads together and have called a meeting at the Express Hotel, Newcastle, for Thursday evening, to discuss the situation in view of the rapidly decreasing gates and the difficulties of carryong on. With the exception of the four big League clubs running reserves in the competition, the other N.E.L. clubs have been also invited to attend. (24th November 1924 Blyth News)
Delicious Butterscotch
Ingredients: A cupful syrup, a cupful sugar, two heaped tablespoonsful or half cupful butter, pinch of baking soda, a tablespoonful vinegar, pinch of salt, a teaspoonful vanilla flavouring.
Method: Boil all ingredients, except vanilla, until brittle when tried in cold water, then add vanilla, and stir, then pour in a greased tin. Old fashioned recipe, C Simpson, Spennymoor. (29th November 1924 Northern Weekly Gazette)
Mr Jack Hogg at the Wesley Guild
Mr Jack Hogg, North Shields, the well known musician and traveller, visited the Wesley Guild, Spennymoor, and gave one of his popular musical evenings to a large audience. Mr J Walton presided. (1st Oct 1924 Shields Daily News)
John Richard (Jack) Hogg was the son of Alderman John Robert Hogg JP of North Shields, he was a leather merchant and his son was his assistant. Jack was a pupil of William Herbert Jude (1851-1922) a very popular organist and composer, editor of musical periodicals and several hymn books. Jack Hogg gave musical solos, duets, musical recitations and played pianoforte using Jude’s music such as “Music and the Higher Life”. He also gave musical travel lectures “My Tour Around the World” relating his unique experiences in the UK and Australia.
The Journal of the United Methodist church, “The United Methodist”, on 31st July 1924 wrote – Tyneside Musician at Sandgate - Mr Jack Hogg’s Recitals
A Pupil of W. H. Jude. Those, and there must be thousands in various parts of the country who remember the inspiring musical services and organ recitals given in many of our churches by-the world-famed organist and versatile composer, the late Mr. W. H. Jude, will be pleased to know that his gifted pupil, Mr. Jack Hogg (son of County Alderman J. R. Hogg, J.P., of North Shields), is a worthy successor, and is carrying on the splendid work of his old master in many of the Nonconformist churches, including our own, particularly in the North. Mr. Hogg recently made a tour round the world, and gave many concert lectures in Australia on the life and work of Mr. Jude. Mr. Hogg's esteemed father is one of the best-known men on the Temperance platform in the North, and it is good to know that his son is using his gifts to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Mr Batey (Soc Spennymoor) asked the Secretary for Mines if he was aware that during the last few months thousands of miners have been thrown out of work by coal owners stopping several collieries in the County of Durham and whether he would appoint a committee to inquire as to the reason for such stoppages, so that it may be ascertained whether the coal companies belonging to these collieries were not in a financial position to keep them working, or whether their object was to stop the least remunerative collieries so that they would make more profit by only working their other collieries.
Mr Shinwell (Secretary for Mines) writes in reply that he is aware that a considerable number of collieries have been closed during the last few months both in Durham and other coalfields. He had, however, no power to compel any colliery to continue at work against the judgement of its owners or to provide them with funds for the purpose, and he feared, therefore, that the inquiry which the hon. Member suggested could not enable him to take any effective action. (3rd Oct 1924 Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer)
SUPERIOR Maid Wanted for Spennymoor-Apply 113 York Road, between 10 and 2 o’clock. Reference required. (9th Oct 1924 Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail)
Who was using an employment agency in Hartlepool to look for a superior maid?
At a well attended meeting of the Executive Committee of the Spennymoor Unionist Association in the Unionist Offices, Spennymoor, last night, Brig-General H. C. Surtees, of Mainsforth Hall, Ferryhill, was selected as prospective candidate to oppose Mr J Batey, the Labour member. General Surtees will address a meeting of his supporters in the Templar Hall, Spennymoor, on Friday night. (10th Oct 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Brigadier-General Surtees, the prospective Unionist candidate for the Spennymoor Division, opened his campaign in the Templar Hall, when he addressed a crowded audience presided over by Mr H Askew.
He received an enthusiastic reception. He had hesitated about contesting the seat, he had had a good spell of about 45 years of military and political life but he felt he could not stand and see a great Empire, acquired by great abilities, perseverance, and resolution, lost by ignorance and indolence.
He felt he must come forward and do something to stem the tide of Communist and Socialist doctrine, which threatened this country.
General Surtees said that they were up against a stiff proposition in the division, but if all did their best and worked together, they need not dread the result. (11th October 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Durham Footballers assist Catholic Orphanage - Competition Initiated To assist the Tudhoe Catholic Orphanage, which has been a refuge for destitute male and female children, of North-West Durham for over 50 years, fourteen of the local football clubs have offered their service. A silver cup is to be competed for, and the proceeds of the competition will be given to the home.
The clubs taking part are: Ferryhill St Lukes, Tudhoe United, Tudhoe St Charles, Fishburn Temperance, Coundon St Joseph’s, Middlestone Moor, Spennymoor, Cornforth United, New Brancepeth United and Merrington.
The boys in the institution are taught useful occupations, and the girls are trained for domestic and other services. (11th October 1924 Nottingham and Midland Catholic News)
Mr MacDonald PM held 100 meetings on a journey from Glasgow to South Wales. On the first day he visited Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, Bannockburn, Falkirk, Linlithgow, Jedburgh and Newcastle. After giving 23 speeches that day he had throat problems on the second day but was in an elated mood. He was travelling from Newcastle to Manchester, speaking for five minutes at smaller places and twenty minutes at larger centres.
He visited Gateshead, Chester-le-Street, Durham, Ferryhill, Darlington, Ripon, Harrogate, Leeds , Cleckheaton, Huddersfield and Oldham concluding with a demonstration at Manchester in the evening.
At Ferryhill he chided the voters with not having at the last election helped to vindicate Labour’s right and capacity to rule. He warned them, too, that the opponents of the Russian Treaty , did not know what they were talking about. The simple straight forward truth, he said, is that first of all the Russian Treaty is to make for peace, agreement and understanding. The silly old idiots who think they are going to keep Russia out of the civilised world will soon awaken from a bad dream for which they will have to pay heavily. Two women in the mining hamlet of Chilton presented Mr MacDonald with bouquets. One of them also held up for the Premier’s kiss her baby dressed in a Socialist newspaper placard. He was heckled at Ripon. At Leeds 3000 people gathered in the Corn Exchange and the way was lined with cheering throngs. (13th October 1924 Liverpool Echo, 14th Oct 1924 Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 16th Oct 1924 The Scotsman)
A Petrol Blaze - Tins hurled a Distance of 100 Yards Great excitement was caused in Spennymoor, last night, by a huge blaze, followed by two loud explosions, which caused large crowds of people to hurry to the scene.
It transpired that the fire had occurred on the private road leading to the offices of the Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company, at the foot of the slag heap belonging to the Durham County Council, and was caused through upwards of 50 tins of petrol and lubricating oil, the property of Messrs. Sherwood Brothers, contractors of Hurworth-on-Tees, having become ignited.
The tins had been stacked at the foot of the slag heap for some considerable time. The explosions were caused by two of the tins expanding, and these were hurled 100 yards from the scene of the blaze. Fortunately the place where the fire occurred is isolated from any other property, and there was no danger of further destruction being caused.
(15th Oct 1924 Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail)
Sedgefield Division - Rowdyism at Ferryhill Meeting
Rowdyism was displayed at Ferryhill Station on Wednesday night at a meeting in support of Major Ropner. Shouting by members of the audience began the moment the Chairman (himself a trade unionist) opened the meeting. The Chairman remarked that this conduct was evidently organised, and would do the Socialist party great harm, as it would drive intelligent, thoughtful, and fair-minded people away from them.
Capt Finn M.C. was made inaudible for ten minutes, but ultimately he succeeded in getting a hearing. He reminded those present that the Socialist handbook pointed out that the speakers should not answer questions until the conclusion of the speeches. The interrupters were, therefore, refusing to others the rights and privileges they themselves laid down.
Mr Mulligan, a miner, received the same treatment as the other speakers. (17th Oct 1924 Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail)
On 29th October Major Leonard Ropner (Unionist) improved his majority from 6 in 1923 to 1,416 against John Herriotts (Labour).
Advertisement for The Gecophone, with prices to suit every pocket from £2 10s to £120.
They were sold at local dealers
R S Bakewell, 38 King Street, Spennymoor - Richard Sidney Bakewell (b1890 Burton-on-Trent Staffordshire) married Mary Ann Bateman (b1894 Spennymoor) in 1916. In 1921 they were living at 25 Brook Street, Spennymoor, Richard was a travelling missioner and evangelist at Non-Conformist churches. His mother-in-law Margaret H Bateman (b1860 Barnard Castle) and son Richard S (b1919 Spennymoor) were also living there.
In 1939 they are still at 25 Brook Street, with another son Norman S Bakewell (b1927). Richard senior is still an evangelist preacher and also in the Royal Observer Corps: 30 Group G1 Post. Richard junior was a wireless, music and cycle dealer at 73 High Street.
Palatine League v South Africans - Owing to the strong local cup tie attractions, only a moderate attendance witnessed this game on the Brewery Field, Spennymoor, this afternoon. In the opening stages Walker put through for the tourists, but the point was disallowed, apparently for a foul on the goalkeeper. (18th Oct 1924 South Shields Gazette)
From the Hamlet Historian - "The progress of the South Africans was being very closely followed, and with reports of the games featured in the newspapers, hordes of fans were flocking to see them. The three internationals alone attracting 19,000 spectators.
Next up were a representative side from the Palatine League, in the North East. The game was played at Spennymoor on Saturday October 18th, but the representative eleven were well out of their depth, and the South Africans hammered them 8-1. The Times reported, “The South Africans set the pace, attacking strongly.” I’d say!"
To see the full article about the tour and all the results click on the link The Hamlet Historian
To Rid a Hut of Earwigs - Purchase some creosote from any paint works, and paint wall of the hut with that. The insects do not like the smell; it will kill those about and frighten others away. R Scott, Spennymoor (18th Oct 1924 Northern Weekly Gazette)
Mr Joseph Batey won the seat in 1922, after being defeated in 1918, he began work in mining at the age of 12, he was elected as a checkweighman, and then became a full-time official for the Durham Miners' Association and a member of the Miner’s Federation Executive. He was previously a member of South Shields Board of Guardians, and of the Town Council, and was a J.P. for the Borough.
The election in 1923 results were Joseph Batey (Socialist) 15,567 votes, Capt. W Appleby (Conservative) 8,116 votes, Socialist Majority of 7,451.
After his selection for the Conservative party Brig-Gen. Surtees gave several speeches and campaigning began. Issues discussed were the Russian Treaty, a loan to the Russian Government and nationalisation of the mines.
Brig-Gen. Surtees - “What a cartoon could be made of a Communist Government ‘shivering in apologies’” said Brig-Gen. Surtees, Conservative candidate for the Spennymoor Division, at a meeting in the Town Hall, Spennymoor, last night. He could not see how anyone could possibly believe that Mr MacDonald was not speaking with his tongue in his cheek, after his denunciation of Communism at the Labour Conference. Mr MacDonald had written an article in “Forward”, in which, after declaring his unswerving hopefulness for the Moscow Government said “We can now take the Moscow Communist Government under our wing and clothe it in the furs of apology, and shield it from the blasts of criticism.” The speaker said he believed the electors of the Division would not be so easily deceived even by such a picturesque metaphor. (15th Oct 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Assault on Socialist Stronghold - There is every prospect that Brig-Gen Surtees, Conservative, will be the only opponent to the re-election of Mr Batey, Socialist. There was talk of a possible Liberal nominee, nothing so far has come of it and talk has died down. This uncertainty improves the chances of Brig-Gen Surtees, whose military record and local associations are sure to command him to all sections of the electorate anxious for the maintenance of the Constitution. He participated in the Nile Expedition, served in Egypt, in the Boer War and in the Great War, and was Military Attache at Constantinople, and Athens, and has many decorations. He is a member of the Royal Society of Antiquarians, a prominent Freemason, and Deputy-Lieutenant of the County. He resides at Mainsforth Hall, Ferryhill, and devotes much of his leisure to the completion of the history of the County commenced by his kinsman, Robert Surtees. The party’s organisation is in good order, and valuable help in canvasing the miners is being given by the National Conservative League, who have a membership of over 300, and the Junior Imperial League, with a membership of some 260. Mr Batey has not yet shown much activity in the campaign, but he is one of the miners’ official representatives, and in a constituency almost exclusively mining the Conservatives are faced with a difficult task to win the seat against a majority of nearly 7,500. (16th Oct 1924 Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intel)
Mines Nationalisation Issue - Speaking at Tudhoe, last night, Mr J Batey said that Labour’s first action, if returned at this election with a working majority, would be to introduce a bill to nationalise the mines and royalties.
He would be one of those against paying any compensation to the royalty owners, who had previously taken £6,000,000 every year, which ought to have gone into the pockets of the working man. In fact they would be extremely lucky if Labour did not make them pay some of it back.
The speaker supported the Prime Minister’s attitude in resisting the Liberal motion for an inquiry into the Campbell case. It would have been unwise to accede to a request which would have meant humiliation for the Prime Minister, the Attorney-General, and the Labour Party as a whole. On that question, as well as the Russian Treaty, Mr MacDonald rightly decided that the electors were the proper persons to pass judgement, and not the Tories or Liberals.
They were quite justified in submitting the Treaty to the electors, particularly as it meant so much to the miners. Their aim was to open out the channels of trade with Russia, so that many of the pits at present idle could be restarted.
If Russia could get her industries reorganised, she would require our coal, which we could exchange for wheat and other commodities, with the double benefit of providing more employment in the coal industry and reducing the price of food, instead of being at the mercy of the American profiteers. (18th October 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Brig-Gen Surtees said present Russian Govt. did not maintain anything but a minute fraction of the people and was only maintained in power by an enormous army. The cosmopolitan Jews who formed that Government only wanted money from us to pay the army and keep themselves in power and also to make war on Rumania and Poland.
A country with a population of 130 million could not be put on her feet with 40 millions of pounds or with three times that amount. Guaranteeing the debts of an insolvent people was equivalent to making them a present under the guise of a loan.
It was impossible to imagine for a moment that a Russian loan would improve the wages of the Durham co al trade by a penny piece. Neither would it enable a single pit now closed to reopen. The abolition of capitalism in Russia was entirely responsible for her present condition.
Mr Batey felt Labour would return to Westminster with a majority that would enable them to govern independently of the other parties. After 3 or 4 years of Lab govt, the conditions of the working classes in this country would be changed to such an extraordinary extent he said, that there would never be any question of a Liberal or Tory Govt in the future.
When Labour took office, there was such bitterness between this country and France that no one could tell at what moment war might break out between the two nations. The Labour Foreign Secretary had changed all that and settled the peace of Europe. That alone justified the return of the Labour Party to power.
If the Tory Party assumed office, the unemployment benefit would be so reduced that men would be compelled to seek for work more than they did at the current time.
There was absolutely no need for the miners in County Durham to be idle at the present time, if only the coal industry were properly organised. When the coal trade was nationalised, there would be no idle pits, because the working of the good pits would make it possible for the bad pits to be worked in time of trade depression.(22nd October 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Voting was on 29th October and votes were counted in the New Town Hall, Spennymoor on 30th Oct.
Result Batey (Socialist) 17,211, Surtees (Conservative) 10,101, Majority 7,110.
Married Man Seriously Injured in Attempting to Pass ‘Bus
Harold Stroud, a married man, of George Street, Spennymoor, is lying in Durham Infirmary in a precarious condition as the result of an accident yesterday whilst cycling.
It appears that Stroud was proceeding to work at Thrislington Colliery, and was following a United ‘bus conveying workmen to the Dean and Chapter Colliery.
When at the Gas Works corner Stroud attempted to pass the ‘bus, and in doing so failed to observe another United ‘bus returning from Mainsforth Colliery, with the result that he received serious injuries.
Dr Rowlands was called, and ordered the man’s immediate removal to Durham Infirmary. (3rd September 1924 Sunderland Daily Echo)
On 29th September 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle reported that Mr Stroud had died the previous day at Durham County hospital, they described him as a single man living at 114 George Street. (He was married and the electoral roll had his address as 104 George Street in 1924)
The inquest was held on the evening of 30th September 1924
Warning to Users of the Road - Coroner and Dangerous Corner Near Tudhoe Grange
Mr Deputy Coroner Boulton held an inquest at the Durham County Hospital last night, on the body of Harold Montague Stroud, aged 24, of Spennymoor, who was a bye product worker at Thrislington Colliery.
Evidence showed that the deceased was riding a bicycle, behind a motor ‘bus conveying workmen, at Tudhoe Grange in the early morning of Sept. 2. Near St Andrew’s Church, at the second turning in the road, the deceased cut out from behind the bus, and ran in front of another bus coming in the opposite direction.
The driver of the latter bus, Richard Toward, said he was only travelling at about four miles an hour, and he did not observe the deceased until his white face appeared above the radiator. Witness immediately applied his brakes, he pulled up within three or four yards, and extracted the deceased from under the bus.
The deceased sustained a fractured dislocation of the spine and he was removed to the County Hospital, where he died.
In returning a verdict of “accidental death”, the Deputy Coroner commented upon the dangerous character of the corner at which the accident occurred, and said it should be a warning to cyclists and drivers of vehicles to take the utmost care in turning the bend and taking the corner. He exonerated Toward from all blame. (1st October 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Harold Montague Stroud (b1900 Castletown) was the son of William Montague Stroud (b1880 Gloucestershire) who married Elizabeth Winifred Foxall (b1881 Newport, Wales) in 1897.
In 1901 they lived at 2 Park Street, Castletown, Sunderland. By 1911 they were at 11 Neale Street, Ferryhill where William was a coke burner at the colliery bye products works. They now had four children Harold, William, Mildred and Albert, Charles Thomas was born in 1914. In 1918 when the family are living at 5 Stratford Gardens, Ferryhill, William is a gas regulator at the bye product ovens but, aged 48, he dies of pulmonary consumption at Holywood Hall, Sanatorium, Wolsingham, his son Harold was in attendance.
By 1921 Elizabeth has remarried to Daniel Cartlidge (b1880 Staffordshire), a stoneman at Westerton and they are living at 17 Pitt Street, Spennymoor with four of Elizabeth’s children and five of Daniel’s from a previous marriage.
Harold is working at Thrislington for North Bitchburn Coal & Coke Co. In 1922/23 he is on the electoral roll at 33 Whitworth Terrace with the Coxon family. In 1923 he marries Ada Coxon (b1899 Gilesgate) and they are living at 104 George Street in 1924. In 1939 Daniel and Elizabeth Cartlidge are living at 9 Chestnut Avenue, Spennymoor.
Ran Away from Fire
For doing damage to a quantity of hay and straw by setting fire to it, Dick Bennett, aged 19, and William Moore, aged 20, both of Spennymoor, were at Spennymoor, yesterday, fined 20s each.
They entered a shed on August 28, in which was a quantity of loose hay and straw. Shortly afterwards they came out, and ran away, and, subsequently, fire was discovered by a man employed by the owner of the shed. The fire was put out immediately.
Defendants admitted the offence, and said they struck a match to light a cigarette. When the match set fire to the hay and straw, they became afraid and ran away, leaving the fire burning.
The Bench said the action of the boys was a foolish one. Had no one been near at the time, the consequences of their action might have been serious.
(3rd September 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Kid of Arizona
The Western Musical Novelty Show In Seven Scenes
Enormous success everywhere
Full Company of Talented Artists, including the Mysterious Cowboy Movie Artist with his wonderful Performing Ponies and Funny Kicking Mule.
J C CARLYLE Cambridge T. Spennymoor
25th September 1924 The Stage
A Railway Scare - Youths Who Were Stooping Over the Metals
Seeing a group of youths stooping over the rails, the driver of a train from Bishop Auckland to Ferryhill stopped the train and examined the line. He found everything in order.
Charged with trespass at Spennymoor yesterday, four of the youths said they were measuring a section of rail to settle an argument. They were fined 7s 6d each.
(3rd September 1924 Shields Daily News)
Two from Mary Bell:-
SOME ONE!
Some one came knocking at my wee small door,
Someone came knocking, I’m sure, sure, sure;
I listened, I opened, I looked to left and right,
But nought there was a stiring in the still dark night.
Only the busy beetle tap-tapping in the wall,
Only from the forest the creech owl’s call,
Only the cricket whistling while the dewdrops fall,
So I know not who came knocking at all, at all, at all.
Mary Bell, Spennymoor (6th September 1924 Northern Weekly Gazette)
THANK YOU
Dear Daddy, I thank you for the prize. I am glad you sent me a handkerchief, because I have a frock and a hair ribbon to match. My Uncle and Aunt came from Wolverhampton to Spennymoor and brought me a lovely bangle. I will now close.
Your loving member
Mary Bell, Spennymoor (27th September 1924 Northern Weekly Gazette)
A USEFUL TOY
Dear Daddy, I am writing this letter to thank you very much for the prize I received this morning. We have got our summer holidays, and I am looking forward to going to Hartlepool to some friends. I am waiting for the weather to dry up to go for rambles in the country. My father has made me a skai-cycle which will go as fast as a bicycle. Hoping you and your members are well.
From your loving member
Betty Elliott, Spennymoor (this prize must have been for her letter printed in July)
(6th September 1924 Northern Weekly Gazette)
A Mischievous Puppy
Dear Daddy I would like very much to becomes a member of your large family. I am ten years old, and attend the Church of England school, and I am in Standard V. I have a dog, a rough-haired fox terrier. It has burst two balls, and has chewed a cork ball to pieces. My sister has a cat, and the dog and the cat play together. The dog likes to go up the garden very much, and he whines whenever he is left behind. I will now close, wishing your Circle every success.
Yours truly, R Wright, Spennymoor.
(6th September 1924 Northern Weekly Gazette)
The Terrible Turk
Dear Daddy, I am going to write you about a monkey belonging to a friend of ours. Well, first of all, it is a soft, bluish grey underneath and brown on the top. It is hardly one foot in height, and has wide, brown eyes. First you give it some jam and bread, it licks off the jam and throws the bread away. Then it is amusing to watch it eat bananas or monkey nuts.
I am going to the Alderman Wraith Secondary School in September having won a free scholarship. We have a crystal set, and I like to listen-in to the Children’s Corner and the entertainers. I am exceptionally fond of reading, and have a large collection of books. I have read almost every book of my line in the school library.
My little brother, who is now almost nine months, is a terrible Turk, and can get upstairs alone. He is a fat, healthy, bonny boy, very big for his age, and has the most fascinating blue eyes I ever saw. Well, Daddy, I really must conclude, with good luck for the future to you and your flourishing Circle. From your member, Molly Taylor, Croxdale
(13th September 1924 Northern Weekly Gazette)
Shot-Firing Accident - Two Spennymoor Miners Terribly Injured
A serious mining accident occurred on Saturday at the Merrington Lane Colliery (Spennymoor), resulting in terrible injuries to two men named Richard Pirt, married, residing in King William Street, Spennymoor, and Robert Glasper, of Catherine Street, Spennymoor.
It appears that the unfortunate men has set a shot which did not fire. Thet returned, it is believed, with the intention of drilling another hole when the shot fired and they received the full force of the explosion in their faces. Both men received shocking facial injuries and were immediately conveyed to Durham Infirmary where they lie in a precarious condition.
It is feared that the sight of both men has been destroyed.
Following upon the accident the men had a further miraculous escape from death. Unable to see, they staggered along the way crying for help. Their cries were fortunately heard just in time to stop a “set” which would have crashed into them.
(8th September 1924 Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail)
Another report said Pirt was likely to lose his sight, but there were hopes Glasper’s would be saved.
In 1921 Robert Glasper (b1889), a road labourer for Durham County Council, was living at 9 Catherine Street, Spennymoor with his wife Ethel Hirst (b1900) and daughter Mary (b1920). Also living there were his mother-in-law, two brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law. Robert and Ethel had three more daughters, Jenny, Audrey and Hazel.
In 1921 Richard Pirt (b1886), a hewer for Bell Bros. at South Brancepeth Colliery, was living at 94 Long Row, Page Bank with his wife Mary Ann Henderson (b1887) and their two daughters Sarah and Margaret. In 1922 they had a son Thomas. In 1939 they are living at 48 King William Street where Thomas is an apprentice painter. Richard is described as “coal miner compensation case”, was this due to his accident. He is also a Spennymoor UDC ARP Warden.
Under A.R.A. Rules - Close Finish on First Day at Spennymoor
On no occasion since the revival of “flapping” racing at Spennymoor had owners supported the meeting so well as they did on Saturday. There was a good attendance. There was some exciting sport, but the finish of the Middlestone Handicap was marred by the foul riding of Todd on Lolo, who finished first, but was disqualified. Miss J Hart getting the race and what the name of her horse suggests - Justice. The meeting will be concluded today.
With races:-
Merrington Stakes - Value £18 about 6 furlongs
Page Bank Handicap - Value £15 about 6 furlongs
Spennymoor Handicap - Value £50 about 1 mile 1 furlong
Weardale Handicap - Value £20 about 1 mile
Tudhoe Handicap - Value £15 about 7 furlongs
Consolation Stakes - about 6 furlongs
(8th September 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
New Shoes for Old !
Public Benefit Boot Co. Ltd.
This Aladdin-like Service-
New Shoes for Old-is possible from TO-DAY.
The "Benefit" have opened a new and up-to-date Repairs Factory, where every make of Footwear will be re-made by modern methods and with the very best materials.
PRICE LIST
Gents Sole and Heel - Riv 5/-, Sewn 6/-
Ladies Sole and Heel - Riv 3/-, Sewn 3/9
Children's according to size.
The New Repairs Factory, 180 High Street West, Sunderland
Shops All Over The North. Main Street, Ferryhill.
(22nd September 1924 Sunderland Daily Echo)
Died While on Holiday - Passing of a Well-Known Bishop Auckland Solicitor
Following a short illness, the death occurred at a Scarborough nursing home, yesterday, of Mr Fred Badcock, a well known Bishop Auckland solicitor.
Mr Badcock, who was in his 69th year, had gone for a short holiday to Scarbrough, and while there caught a chill which resulted in his death.
He came to Bishop Auckland 53 years ago, the majority of which he has spent as a solicitor. He was Clerk to the Spennymoor Urban District Council for 36 years.
Frederick Badcock was born in Barnard Castle and had his solicitor’s business at 12 Silver Street, Bishop Auckland. (13th Sept 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Ferryhill Milk Case
John D. Scott, milk vendor, of Ferryhill, was charged at Durham today, with selling milk deficient in non-fatty solids to an extent corresponding to an addition of 9.42 of water, and deficient in fat by eleven per cent.
Mr Scott Elder, County Analyst, stated that an assistant purchased a pint of milk, which was the first taken from the can of defendant’s son. On previous occasions milk had been bought from defendant’s cans, and found to be in order.
Mr Brown Humes defended, and submitted that the milk had not been tampered with. Defendant was fined £1. (24th Sept 1924 Sunderland Daily Echo)
Perrott -- Heaney-Glenn At Christ Church, Rawalpindi, on August 21, 1924 by the Reverand H. England,
Lionel Clifford Phair Perrott, 3rd son of the Reverend D Perrott, Merrington, Co. Durham and Doris Ella Heaney-Glenn, daughter of H. J. Heaney-Glenn, P.W.D., Multan, and the late Mrs Heaney-Glenn.
(17th September 1924 Civil Military Gazette Lahore)
David Perrott (b1852 Co. Cork, Ireland) was educated at Dublin University, in 1881 he was assistant master at Colston Hospital School for boys at Stapleton. The school was originally located in Bristol for 100 boys on a charity foundation but in 1861 it moved to Bishops’ Palace at Stapleton and started taking fee paying boys as well. He married Lizzie Maria Morgan (b 1854 Bristol, later called Mary) in 1882 and by 1891 they are living at The Chantry, Washington, Co. Durham where David is curate of Washington and they have three sons. Hubert Cecil (b1882 Staffordshire), David Turner Phair (b1885 Kensington, London) and Lionel Clifford Phair (b1890 Washington).
In 1901 the family have moved to 15 Thornton Street, West Hartlepool where David is curate and they have a new addition Frederick Vernon Phair (b1893 Washington). Lionel Clifford is a schoolboy at St John Foundation School, Leatherhead, Epsom, Surrey. The school was set up to maintain and educate, free of charge for a period of years, the sons of poor clergy of the Church of England.
In 1906 the Dean and Chapter of Durham presented the living of Merrington to Rev. David Perrott, curate of Usworth, on the death of Rev. Richard Cometer. The living was worth £385 a year and a house.
In 1911 David, Mary and sons Clifford, a bank clerk, and Vernon, an electrical engineers pupil, are living at Merrington Vicarage, Kirk Merrington. In 1921 only David and Mary are at the Vicarage. In 1929 Rev. David Perrott retired and he died in 1936 at Clifton, Bristol, aged 83. Mary died in 1938 at 6 Oakfield Grove, Clifton, her funeral was at Kirk Merrington.
Hubert Cecil Perrott was ordained in 1908 by the Bishop of Durham, Dr Handley Moule. He was at Holy Trinity, Darlington in 1911 and assistant master at Bede Boys School, Sunderland, in 1921. He had also been curate at St Marks and St Ignatius, Sunderland and became rector of Middleton-in-Teesdale from 1923. He died in 1932 leaving a wife and two daughters.
David Trevor Phair Perrott married Mildred Body, from Tenterden, Kent, at St Martin in the Fields, London in 1911. His father, Rev. David, and brother, Rev. Hubert Cecil, performed the ceremony.
Lionel Clifford Phair Perrott married Doris Ella Heaney-Glenn in 1924 in India. He was Lieutenant/Second Lieutenant in the Cokes Rifles and Captain in the Indian Army Reserve of Officers.
Frederick Vernon Phair Perrott, was awarded a military cross in WWI “Lieut. Frederick Vernon Phair Perrott 8th Battalion DLI attached to 15th Battalion made several daring reconnaissances in the course of seven days operations and obtained valuable information. He acted as liaison officer during a night attack and kept the brigade commander well informed as to the progress of the attacking battalions.” (07 Dec 1918 Newcastle Journal) He married Mary Eveline Ainsley at West Hartlepool in 1922, they moved to California returning to Newcastle in 1930s, then to Durham City and finally settled in Wolsingham where he died in 1961.
Picnic at Croxdale Hall
The members of the Durham and Bearpark Branches of the Durham Catholic Woman’s C.W.L. Outing League, held their annual picnic on Sunday, the grounds of Croxdale Hall near Sunderland Bridge being placed at their disposal by Major Salvin. Tea was served in the garden, and later Benediction was given in the Chapel adjoining the hall. The arrangements were carried out by the President, Mrs. Salvin of Burn Hall, assisted by a committee.
(27th September 1924 Nottingham and Midland Catholic News)
Hatfield Moor Minerals - Leased to South Hetton Coal Company
We understand that the coal underlying the Hatfield Moor estate, some few miles from Doncaster, has been leased to the South Hetton Coal Company, Sunderland.
If the company carry through their project of sinking on Hatfield Moor, they will be one of three North-country firms with interests in the South Yorkshire coalfield. Boring operations were proceeded with at Lindholme a considerable time ago.
So far as the Hatfield Moor royalties are concerned, it is stated that there is little likelihood of renewed boring, or sinking, being undertaken in the immediate future, but these operations will probably not be very long delayed.
The South Hetton Coal Company has fairly considerable interests in the Durham coalfield. The chairman of the company is Mr J. H. B. Forster, of Whitworth House, Spennymoor. Mr Forster is a member of the Centre Committee of the Mining Association, and a leading figure in the coal industry north of the Tees. Thus another new colliery in the Doncaster area is foreshadowed. (26th September 1924 Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligence)
John Henry Bacon Forster (b1870 Trimdon Grange), son of Richard Forster (b1845), a mining engineer, and Elisabeth Bacon (b1848) was living in Trimdon Grange in 1871. In 1881 he was a boarding pupil at Stob Hill, Gainford.
In 1891 Richard Forster has died and the family are living at Shincliffe Hall, Elizabeth, her three sons and four daughters. John, aged 21, is an apprenticed mining engineer. On 3rd February 1898 at St George’s Church, Newcastle upon Tyne, John marries Isobel Brydon (b1874 Seaham Harbour), daughter of Robert Brydon, estate agent to the Marquis of Londonderry, at Seaham Harbour.
In 1901 they are living in the Manager’s House at Cramlington Low Colliery. In 1911/21 they have moved to Whitworth House, Spennymoor, John is a mining engineer and general manager of Colliery companies including Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Co. Ltd.
Some of the State of the Roads report
Compiled by the Automobile Association, City Square, Leeds:-
Darlington-Durham – Good. Repairs in hand through Croxdale. Special caution on steep gradient.
Durham-Sunderland – Good
Durham-Newcastle-Good
Darlington-West Auckland-Good to Rainford, repairs at Winston. (5th September 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Surveyors’ Northern Visit
30 members of the County Surveyors’ Society are visiting Durham, inspecting various works in the County carried out under the direction of Durham’s County Surveyor, Mr Albert E Brookes, who is this year’s president of the Society.
The visitors have seen Croxdale Bridge, now in course of construction; The County Council’s slag works at Spennymoor, the diversion of the great North Road through Ferryhill cutting, the great North Road, Durham-Newcastle, Lambton Bridge, Scotswood-Blaydon-Ryton main road reconstruction and Axwell Park Bridge.
They also visited Durham Castle and Armstrong Whitworth & Co. and attended the opening of the new East Coast Road. They were entertained at the Royal County Hotel, Durham and Tilley’s Restaurant, Newcastle. (27th September 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
On Saturday 2nd August 1924 a wedding was postponed, after lavish arrangements were made, due to the failure to notify the Registrar at Durham of the date of the ceremony. The names of the bride and groom were handed in at Sedgefield, the wedding breakfast was prepared and every detail of the ceremony had been attended to.
When the bridal party, in a handsome limousine car, arrived at the offices of the registrar in Durham with a view to convey the registrar to Tudhoe they found the premises closed for the weekend.
A frantic search ensued but by 3pm they still hadn’t found the registrar so returned to Tudhoe. The bridegroom determined that the postponement should be of the briefest possible duration motored back to Durham and searched for the registrar. At 6pm he was found watching a cricket match. Arrangements were made for the ceremony to take place the following day. A car was sent to Durham to convey the registrar to Tudhoe early on the morning and the wedding took place an hour or so later at the local Catholic church at Tudhoe.(4th Aug 1924 Sunderland Daily Echo and Ship / Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Ernest Kay (25), schoolmaster, of Tudhoe, son of Mr Joseph Kay, assistant stores manager of the Co-operative Society, was admitted into the Rutson Hospital, Northallerton, on Saturday, suffering from serious injuries to the head received in a motor-cycling accident. Kay was on his way to Scarborough for a month’s vacation. Whilst on the Northallerton to Thirsk road the machine skidded, and Kay was thrown heavily to the ground.
Joseph Watson Kay (b1870 Willington) married Catherine Stephenson (b1871 Mount Pleasant) in 1892 , in 1901 they were living in Diamond Terrace (Durham Road), Tudhoe Grange with his daughter Elsie (b1894 Tudhoe Colliery) and son Thomas Ernest (b1899 Tudhoe Colliery). Joseph was a foreman grocer, by 1911 they had two more children, Evelyn (b1903 Spennymoor) and Janet Deer (b1906 Spennymoor).
In 1921 they were living at 21 Attwood Terrace and Joseph is a grocer at Tudhoe Co-operative Society, Thomas Ernest is at St. John’s College Hostel, York training to be a teacher. Joseph Watson in 1932 and in 1939 his wife Catherine and daughters Elsie Kay and Evelyn Stanworth are living at 203 Durham Road. Thomas Ernest married Mabel Elsie Vine (b1903 Lanchester) in 1934 and in 1939 they were living at 10 St Mary’s Terrace, Ryton where Ernest was a school teacher and ARP Warden.(4th Aug 1924 Sunderland Daily Echo and Ship
Some Irritant Substance - Probable Cause Suggested at Spennymoor Inquest
The tragic circumstances attending the deaths of two children, Ely Embleton, aged 3, and Thomas Embleton, aged 2, of White House Cottages, Spennymoor, were investigated by Coroner J T Proud at Spennymoor, yesterday.
Ralph J Embleton, the father, said that the children were all right on Sunday, but on Monday morning, between two and three o’clock, Thomas complained of feeling sick. Witness got up and gave him some warm water. The boy vomited a little and then am went off to sleep until 8.30am.
Between 4 and 4.30 he was awakened by the girl, Ely, who also complained of feeling sick. He gave her some warm water, but she did not vomit. She went off to sleep until about 8.30am. At 9 o’clock both children came downstairs and had their breakfasts and seemed all right. Their breakfast consisted of bread and butter, new cake and tea.
About 11.45am as the children seemed alright he left with his wife to go to High Brandon. They returned about 7pm and found both children ill. The boy died about 7.35pm on Monday night and the girl died about 5.30am on Tuesday morning.
Replying to Coroner Proud, witness said he could not account for the death of the children except that on Sunday night he saw them playing with some heads of green corn, but he did not see them eat any. The children seemed all right when he left home. The children were left in charge of his daughter, Jennie Embleton, aged 14 ½ years.
Jennie Embleton said after her parents left the house she was tidying up when she noticed Elizabeth, who was lying on the couch, was white, and her hands were shaking. Shortly afterwards the boy Thomas began to cry, and she laid him on the couch. She noticed also that his hands were shaking, and his eyes rolling. She called in a neighbour named Mrs Sewell, who, after bathing the boy’s hands and head with cold water, sent for the doctor.
Dr Ebba Begg said she arrived about 1pm and found the boy just coming out of a fit and suffering from diarrhoea. The girl was in a comatose condition with twitching of the hands and face. The girl, also was suffering from diarrhoea. The symptoms suggested some internal irritation. She returned about 7pm and found their condition unchanged. The boy was deeply unconscious and the girl seemed slightly better. Witness left and about 7.45pm she received a message that the boy was dead. She returned about 4.30am on Tuesday morning and found the girl unconscious. She died shortly afterwards. Death was due to gastric enteritis and convulsions, but it was difficult to say the cause; it was probably the result of eating some irritant substance. Coroner Proud returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. (7th Aug 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle )
In 1911 Ralph J Embleton (b1885 Seaham Harbour) was living at Park View Terrace, Coundon, a cartman for a contractor. He married Keziah Wilson (b 1891 Durham) in 1906 and they had three children Martha (b1898 Bishop Auckland), Mary Jane (b 1910 Spennymoor) and Ralph James (b1913 Spennymoor). Unfortunately Keziah died in 1914 and Ralph married Dorothy Jane Mosley (b1894 Sleetburn) in 1917.
In 1921 they are living at 1 White House Cottages (near White House Farm at the start of Rock Road, Spennymoor), Ralph is a labourer for Durham County Council on Tudhoe Grange slag heap. Ralph's children Mary Jane and Ralph James are living with them as well as Elizabeth (Ely) who is 6 weeks old. Thomas was born in 1922, Thomas and Ely died tragically in 1924.
In 1939 the family are still at 1 White Cottages, Ralph was a colliery labourer, they had at least five more children, Ellen (b1923), Dorothy (b1927), Marjorie (b1929), William (b1934) and Joan (b1936).
Lilias Frances Ebba Begg (b1898 Usworth), was the daughter of Alexander Begg, rector of Usworth for 35 years. She started medical studies at Edinburgh University in 1917, in 1935 she was a physician and surgeon in Birmingham.
Mr Hind is travelling south from Newcastle and after visiting Durham he sets off south. This is his description……
An extract from
The Glamour of the Road - Through Unfrequented England
Article VII – We Turn South
Mr C. Lewis Hind is making a journey through Unfrequented England in his motor-car Elizabeth III.
How inexpressive are names on maps! Bishop Auckland should be cosy and ecclesiastical. It is a mining village, with pit-heads and slag-heaps; and there are other villages, such as Spennymoor, miles of them, with men in cloth caps standing on the kerb, or sitting in doorways, waiting until it's time to descend into the earth. Ugh!
But in motoring, even if you go a poor 20 to 25 miles an hour, which is my pace, the transition from Ugly to the Beautiful is as quick as light. Suddenly we have passed from grey, unkempt industrial England to green and petted England: suddenly to my right, which a quarter of an hour before had been scarred earth and slag heaps, was Raby Castle-golden brown against the park and lawns. (8th August 1924 London Daily Chronicle )
Charles Lewis Hind (1862–1927) was a British journalist, writer, editor, art critic, and art historian. Did he realise how much his lifestyle depended on these men waiting to descend into the earth?
Labour MP on Court Dress - Something of a Cross Between a Bishop and a Butler
The Spennymoor Divisional Labour Association held their annual demonstration and sports on Saturday.
Mr E. O. Dunn presided, and the speakers were Mr Jos Batey, MP for the division and Mr R C Wallhead, treasurer of the Labour and Socialist International and MP for Merthyr Tydvyll.
Mr Jos Batey, referring to the criticism of the Liberal Party that the Labour Party, while they had been in office, had done nothing, said that the Old Aged Pension Bill, which came into operation that day was a sufficient answer alone to the criticism. They had done more in six months than any previous Government had done in 20 years. From to-day the thrift disqualification was removed and aged people would be able to draw an income up to 30s per week and still draw full old age pension.
Referring to unemployment, Mr Baty said the Labour Government had passed the Bill which removed the “gap” and had increased the benefit from 15s to 18s per week and doubled the allowance for children.
Mr R C Wallhead said the government had done more than any Government in his lifetime, but they could do no more. They had done lots of things that he wished they had not done. Referring to court dress, he wished the Premier had adopted the same attitude as the Danish Premier and told the King that while they were in office they would take no titles nor honours, nor would give any, and they would wear no uniform. Not that Labour MPs looked any worse than any others in court dress, but to any sensible minded person it looked silly- something of a cross between a bishop and a butler. (Laughter).(11th August 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
WANTED, imm Dates, also Galas, etc. CHARLES WALTON’S Wonder Dog. Every trick a novelty.- Archway House, Mount Pleasant, Spennymoor, Durham.(14th August 1924 The Stage)
Has anyone information about this WONDER dog or where Archway House, Mount Pleasant was situated?
Polluted River - Wear Fishery Board Inspection.
River Wear Fishery Board made their annual inspection of the river Wear. First stop was Lambton Bridge at Chester-le-Street where the river was in a highly polluted state. At Durham the water appeared to be much better than a year or two ago.
The River Browney, once a most beautiful stream, was, as it had been found on other occasions during past years, badly fouled with industrial waste, and one member of the Board expressed the opinion that it was nothing more than an open sewer.
Above the Browney, at Sunderland Bridge, the water was found to be clearer, although not as good as could be desired.
The members found there was no diminution in the accumulation of tar in the bed of the Tudhoe Grange beck, when examined at Spennymoor, a deposit which has been accumulating for years past.
They then proceeded via Willington to Crook and, if anything, the Crook beck was found to be in a worse state than the Tudhoe Grange beck.
They also visited Stanhope, for lunch, then Burnhope Burn and Waskerley reservoir. (15th August 1924 Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette
Question to Deputy Is the practice one that is “winked” at?
A verdict of “accidental death” was returned at an inquest in Durham on Saturday on Thomas Bird, 22, a pony putter, of 88 George Street, Spennymoor.
Evidence was given that deceased, who was employed at Dean and Chapter Colliery, Ferryhill, was working with another putter named Chatterton when a fall of stone occurred, completely covering the deceased. He was liberated by five men and removed to the County Hospital where he died the following day.
It was stated that two special filling places were provided for putters and that Bird had no authority to be in the place in which he sustained his fatal injuries. Putters, however, were known to enter unauthorised places although such practice was against the rules of the Colliery.
Deputy Overman Birchall, was asked “if deputies knew of the practice and winked at it”, he replied: ”There might be a lot of truth in that”. Deputy Coroner Boulton remarked that the case had thrown a great deal of light on what happened in the mine when officials were not about. (18th August 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
In 1891 Henry Bird (b1875 Guist, Norfolk) was an agricultural labourer in Norfolk, by 1901 he had married Mary Kelly (b1879 St Helen’s, Lancashire) and they were living in Bishop Middleham with daughter Ann (b1899 Spennymoor), Henry was a limestone quarryman.
In 1911 they were living at Church Street, Bishop Middleham with four more children, Thomas (b1902), William (b1905), Robert Arthur (b1907) and Esther Mary (b1909), all born in Bishop Middleham.
In 1921 the family lived at 88 George Street, Spennymoor with another daughter Susan (b1917 Spennymoor). Also living with them was their eldest daughter Ann with her husband John Gillans and daughter Sylvia, aged 8 mths.
Henry and his sons were all employed by Bolckow & Vaughan, he was a labourer at the bye products ovens at Byers Green. Thomas was a datal lad at Dean & Chapter Colliery, William and Robert Arthur were pony drivers at Byers Green Colliery. John Gillans was a hewer for Bell Brothers at South Brancepeth (Page Bank) Colliery. At the time of the 1921 census they are all recorded as “out of work” as the colliery workers were on strike.
Tudhoe Colliery Explosion of 1882 Recalled
Amid manifestations of general regret, the remains of an old Tudhoe Colliery stalwart, Mr John Naisbitt, were laid to rest yesterday, following a short but impressive service conducted by the Rev. J Rutherford in Tudhoe Colliery Primitive Methodist Church.
Mr Naisbitt’s death (at the age of 80) severs the last link between the disastrous Tudhoe Colliery explosion of April 18, 1882, and the present time. This calamity resulted in 37 men and boys losing their lives after a gallant attempt at rescue, in which Mr Naisbitt played a prominent part.
Deceased, prior to his retirement many years ago, was for a considerable period an official of the Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke Company. At the time of the explosion he was employed as a foreshift overman at Tudhoe. He and a companion, William White, made a plucky effort to rescue some boys, but were overcome by the after-damp. When they were found, White was dead and Mr Naisbitt was lying unconscious.
One of the strangest features of the Tudhoe disaster was that it occurred only a few days after the explosions at Seaham and Trimdon, while only 24 hours later the West Stanley explosions took place.
Mr Naisbitt leaves a widow and four sons, one of whom is the Rev. James W Naisbitt, a Primitive Methodist minister.
(20th August 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
John Naisbitt was born on Isle of Man in 1844, he married Ann Roxby (b1848 Coxhoe) in 1869. They lived in Tudhoe Colliery all their lives, their first son John Cuthbert was born in 1870 and still lived with them in 1921, he was a weigh clerk for Weardale Steel, Coal, and Coke Co. Ltd.
They had three other sons, Thomas (b1873) was a clerk at the colliery office, James William (b1877) was a labourer at bank, aged 13 but by 1911 he was a Primitive Methodist minister at Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire and Albert (b1881) was an assistant deputy at the colliery, aged 20 in 1901, in 1911 he is a coal merchant boarding at Stratford, West Ham, Essex.
A Touring Trip
Dear Daddy,- You will think that I have forgotten you, but I have been thinking of something new to write to you about. I have no pets to tell you about, but my sister, aged 11 years, has won a free scholarship. She starts in September, and she now goes to King-street Council School. She is in Standard Ex-VII. On June 29th my father had a touring trip to Gisborough, Saltburn, and Redcar. They set off about half-past eight, and came back at a quarter to ten. Before they went they had their photographs taken standing in front of our house. I think my letter is getting rather long, so I will now close with good luck to you and your ever-increasing Circle. – I remain, your loving member, Irene Stubbs, Spennymoor. (2nd Aug 1924 Northern Weekly Gazette)
Did Irene see this letter had been printed as she wrote this one shortly afterwards.
Successful at Last
Dear Daddy, -I was very disappointed at not seeing my letter in print, but, however, I will try again, as the old motto says “Try, try, and try again.” I always look forward to reading your delightful paper. I enjoy the stories, and read them every week. I have nothing more to say, so I will end my letter with a piece of poetry entitled
VIOLETS
I know, blue modest violets,
Gleaming with dew at morn,
I know the place you come from, And the way that you are born.
When God cuts holes in Heaven,
The holes the stars peep through,
He lets the scraps fall down to earth,
The little scraps are you.
Irene Stubbs, Spennymoor. (23rd August 1924 Northern Weekly Gazette)
Child Trips Over Hearthrug & Upsets Pan of Boiling Water The scalding fatality at Tudhoe Grange Spennymoor which resulted in the death of Thomas Edward Walton, aged one year and nine months, son of Martha Walton, formed the subject of an inquiry held by Coroner J T Proud at the Police Station, Spennymoor, yesterday.
Evidence was given by Christiana Cornforth, grandmother of deceased, with whom he lived at 5, Wilson Terrace, Tudhoe Grange, to the effect that on Tuesday evening, about 6pm, the child was getting his dinner with his uncle when he asked to be lifted down on to the floor.
The boy then tripped over the hearthrug and, in falling, pulled over a pan of boiling water which was standing on the fender. He was badly scalded down the right side of the body. Medical aid was summoned immediately, but death took place in the early hours of the following morning.
In recording a verdict of accidental death, the Coroner said he did not think any blame was attached to anyone. (22nd August 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
The first annual flower and vegetable show held in connection with the Spennymoor Aged Mineworkers’ Homes Committee was held on Saturday, and drew a large number of local exhibitors. The most successful was Mr J Mitchell, who claimed five first prizes. There were many other attractions, including a band contest, which drew eight competitors.
Principal prize-winners were as follows:-
Vegetables – H Dale, J Cockayne, C Hall, T W Marley, R Dunn, J Wheatley, C Twinon, J H Elliott, J Hodgson, W Cox, J Shippon, C Twinon, C Edmundson, F G Grainger, W Evans, D Kelsey, T Maycock, R Dunn, T Sword, R Naisbitt, T Lyons, T Longstaff, E Davies, D Cartlidge, G E Hutchinson.
Principal prize winners in the floral section were:-
Roses: J Mitchell, H Dale, G E Hutchinson,
Pansies: J Hall, E Hall, O Hall,
Stocks: H Dale, H Harle, C Hall
Asters: J Mitchell, J Whitmarsh, M Hewitt
Sweet Peas: F Richardson, G E Hutchinson, F G Grainger
French Marigolds: J Pattison, J Cockayne,
Hand bouquets: F G Grainger, J Wheatley.
Six annuals: C Edmundson, J Mitchell.
In the Schoolboy’s Relay Race Spennymoor North Road School qualified for the championship cup, Leeholme was second and Spennymoor C.E. third.(25th August 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
FOR CHAPPED HANDS - A cheap and reliable remedy for chapped hands is to mix equal parts of dripping and sugar and rub well into the hands. Granulated sugar is the best. – B. Dalkin, Spennymoor.(15th July Northern Weekly Gazette - Ladies Page)
CARE OF THE HANDS - To keep the hands in nice condition it is essential they should never be set in with dirt. Wear gloves if possible for all dirty work; if not convenient to wear gloves, rub the hands thoroughly with soap previous to doing dirty work. See that the soap is thoroughly rubbed in under the nail bands, and afterwards wash thoroughly in warm water, and rub on the following mixture. Place the juice of a lemon in a bottle with an equal quantity of glycerine, and shake well. This leaves the hands cool and soft. – Edith M. Raine, Spennymoor.(19th July 1924 Northern Weekly Gazette
This weeks prize-winner is: Mrs Raine.
BABY’S FEET - The attention of every mother and nurse should be given to the state of children’s feet. Much pain, lameness, and distortion can be prevented if consideration is given in time to the child’s boots and shoes. If the footgear is of the proper length and breadth all will go well; but this must be seen to constantly, as their little feet grow rapidly. If children wear shoes, they should fit comfortably across the toes, and show good form in the sole. If the ankles appear to be weak, consult a doctor without delay for in a few months damage may be done which will never be repaired.-Mrs Raine, Spennymoor. (19th July 1924 Northern Weekly Gazette - Women’s Radiographs of Life, The Mothers’ Corner.)
An interesting gathering took place in the Spennymoor King Street Schools, when the local members of the scholastic profession and representatives of the Education Committee paid tribute to the work of Mr. Thompson Raine, the recently retired Clerk to the local Committee. On behalf of the teachers and school attendance officers of the district. Mr R. Royston of Middlestone Moor, presented Mr Raine with a silver tea and coffee service. Tributes were also paid by Mr A. C. Brown, a former headmaster of the Spennymoor C.E. School, and Messrs. W. T. Kirk and J Rouse, county education officials. As a mark of the appreciation of the Spennymoor District Education Sub-Committee and school managers, Mr R. Telford, chairman, presented Mr Raine with a case of cutlery. Mr Raine returned thanks. Mrs Raine was presented with a bouquet by Miss Smith.(15th July 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
In 1871 Thompson Raine (b1861 Stanhope) was living in Stanhope with his parents and siblings, his father was a master tailor. In 1881 his widowed mother and family were still in Stanhope and Thompson was a pupil teacher. In 1891/1901 Thompson and his wife Ellen (b1859 Gloucestershire) and three children were living at The School House, Tudhoe National School, Mount Pleasant where they were school master and mistress. In 1911/1921 the family were living at 36 Diamond Terrace, Durham Road, Spennymoor. Thompson was an Education Clerk for Durham County Council at Spennymoor Town Hall.
Their son Reginald Thompson Raine was a student at Cambridge University in 1911, he became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) and served in WW1 as Lieutenant Captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC). They also had two daughters, Gladys Mary and Dorothy Elizabeth.
TREACLE SPONGE - Take a quarter lb. of flour, a quarter lb. of breadcrumbs, a quarter lb. of treacle, a quarter lb. of suet, a teaspoonful of baking powder, a little warm milk, two eggs, and a little salt. Mix the warm milk with the treacle, then add the eggs, well beaten. Mix all well together with the other ingredients, and steam for one and a half hours.- H. Raine, Spennymoor. (5th July 1924 Hints & Recipes Northern Weekly Gazette)
BAKED CRAB – Crabs are in season, but they do not go a very long way. To make the most of a crab it should be dressed and lightly baked. Remove all flesh from the shell and mix it with a teacupful of breadcrumbs, a grating of nutmeg, two teaspoonsful of vinegar, a little seasoning, and a knob of good margarine or butter. Method: Well mix and place in the empty shell, and bake in a cool oven until it is well warmed through and the surface breadcrumbs a light brown. Remember there is nothing that needs cooking, so the heat should be very gentle. – M Main, Spennymoor. (19th July 1924 Hints & Recipes Northern Weekly Gazette)
CONSERVATIVE UNION AT SPENNYMOOR - The inaugural meeting of the Spennymoor branch of the National Conservative Union was held in the Wheatsheaf Hotel, and those present included several officers from the Birtley branch. The temporary officers were elected as follows:- Worshipful Master, Mr W Askew; Dep. W.M., Mr J Rivers; senior warden, Mr N Bennett; junior warden, Mr J W King; Tyler, Mr W Outhwaite. Permanent officials were also appointed:- Secretary, Mr J S Wood; treasurer, Mr Chambers; registrar, Mr Pattinson. The officials of the Birtley branch undertook the initiation of the officers chosen. (30th July 1924 Newcastle_Daily_Chronicle)
At the recent examinations held at the University of London, Mr J. Myers, of Spennymoor, was awarded his B.Sc. degree with first class honours in geology. Mr Myers has also been selected to travel to Canada with the British Association, as a representative of the University. Several other Spennymoor students have also gained distinction. W Cockburn, E F Swainston, and C M Crags were successful in passing the final B Sc examination at the Leeds University and G Booth has been awarded the degrees of M B and B Sc at Newcastle Medical College. All the students were recently pupils at the Alderman Wraith Secondary School.(22nd July 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Could these students be:-
Declining Death Rate - Healthy Year on the Whole for Spennymoor.
In his annual report for 1924, submitted to Spennymoor Urban District Council, the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. S.V. Tinsley) notes with satisfaction the decline in the death rate, especially in view of the number of influenza epidemics and the distressing financial conditions of so many families.
The low infant mortality is particularly satisfactory and is probably largely due, he says, to the increasing interest and knowledge promoted by the local branch of the Child Welfare movement.
One case of sleeping sickness was notified during the year and proved fatal, but it was a more severe case than is now usually met with.
There were no special causes of sickness in the town and district during 1923, which was on the whole, a very healthy period, in spite of the large amount of unemployment.
Influenza now seems to be endemic in the district at whatever season of the year, but had never been so virulent as in 1918.
Dealing with professional nursing in the home, Dr Tinsley much regrets that there is no nursing association in the district. Much suffering could be saved, he says, if proper support could be obtained for a district nurse, and it is difficult to understand the lack of interest in the district in view of the successful ventures which have been made in a like direction in surrounding districts.
There is still a great deal of overcrowding in the district, due to shortage of houses. During 1923 only four new homes were built and occupied. There is great difficulty in getting the old houses repaired and made reasonably fit for habitation.
There is also still a number of back-to-back houses in the area, and Dr Tinsley thinks these should be converted into through houses, as soon as practicable.
The number of new houses required is most difficult to determine, owing to the constantly changing industrial conditions and the prevalence of unemployment.
(23rd July 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Betty Elliott won a prize for her poem and also had a letter printed in the Children’s Circle
LUCK THE PEDLAR
A pedlar came to our door one day,
His step was light, though his locks were grey
“Pray, little master, what do you lack?
All sorts of things are in my sack.
“Shoes of fortune, a crock of gold
From the rainbow’s foot are in its hold;
A cap of darkness all dusted over
With fernseed brown, and a four-leaved clover.”
I felt in my purse for the pence I was rich in,
When cook called out from the firelit kitchen,
And frightened away the pedlar hoar-
He’s the kind that doesn’t come twice to one door!
From your loving member, Betty Elliott, Spennymoor.
A SCHOOL TRIP – Dear Daddy, - I have been such a long time in writing you will think I have forgotten you, but I have not. I am writing this letter hoping to win a prize. Last Saturday the school trip went to Hart, and I went with it. We set off in the 8.15 train, and arrived there at 9.30. Unfortunately, the weather was very dreary, but we still enjoyed ourselves. I gathered a great number of sea shells, and took them home. We had our tea in a little hut, which was very comfortable. On the whole we enjoyed ourselves very much, and arrived in Spennymoor at 7.30pm. I think this is all this time, Daddy.
From your loving member, Betty Elliott, Spennymoor. (26th July 1924 Children’s Circle Northern Weekly Gazette)
Girl, strong, reliable, Wanted for window-cleaning, Spennymoor and district, state experience and wage required.-R Linsley, 20, Jackson Street, Spennymoor.(4th July 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
In 1921 Selina Linsley, age 31, was living at 20 Jackson Street, Spennymoor, with Lawrence Smith Linsley, age 7, her adopted son. Sgt Ralph Linsley, her husband, was at barracks in Barnard Castle as part of the Territorial Army. In 1911 Ralph lived at Park Crescent, Spennymoor with parents and siblings. Ralph joined the DLI in 1899 and rose through the ranks from private to Corporal to Sergeant by 1909. He served in WW1 and was injured in 1917 in the 6th Battalion DLI. Why was he advertising for a female window cleaner?
On 4th June 1924 newspapers reported the death of Annie Marsh, aged 17, from 13 Queen Street, Spennymoor. She was employed as a servant by Tom Keenlyside at Forest Farm, Scorton, Bolton-on-Swale. On Sunday 1st June she had left the house at 6pm to attend church and was seen crossing a field but was not seen again. Her body was found in Scorton beck at Bolton on the Monday night. There was a flood and the beck was 4 feet deep, it was surmised she was making for a bridge to attempt to cross the beck and was swept away and drowned.
Annie Marsh (b1907 Spennymoor) was the child of Peter Marsh (b1884 Ferryhill) and Mary Elizabeth Schofield (b1887 Spennymoor). In 1911 they lived at 57 Dennison Street, Dunston-on-Tyne with their two children Annie and Mary (b1910 Spennymoor). Peter was a putter at the colliery. Sadly they had lost two children by 1911 and Mary was to die in 1918 aged 9, then Annie in 1924.
In 1921 Pte. Peter Marsh was at the DLI Barracks in Barnard Castle. Mary, Annie and Edith (b1912 Byker) were living at 13 Queen Street, Spennymoor. In 1939 Mary Elizabeth Marsh is widowed and living at 69 George Street, Spennymoor. (4th Jun Edinburgh Evening News /Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail)
CAKE WITHOUT EGGS - Ingredients: A pound of flour, 1/2lib margarine, 1/2lb sugar, 1/2lb currants, 1/2lb raisins, 2ozs lemon peel, one gill milk, two tablespoonful vinegar, one teaspoonful mixed spice or nutmeg, one teaspoonful bi-carbonate soda.
Method: Rub margarine well into flour, then add sugar,currants, raisins and peel. Mix well bi-carbonate of soda and vinegar together, then put into the dry mixture and mix until stiff. Bake in a moderate oven for 1.5 hours. (Tried with success). “Hylda”, Spennymoor.(7th Jun 1924 Hints & Recipes Northern Weekly Gazette)
A NICE SUMMER SWEET - Heat half-a-pint of milk, and when boiling stir in a dessertspoonful of arrowroot mixed to a smooth paste with a little milk. Add sugar to taste, and allow to boil for a few minutes. Then add the yoke of an egg, and beat it well. Take the white of an egg, and whip it well, and finally stir into the milk and arrowroot. Pour into a greased pie-dish, and bake in a warm oven for ten minutes. This is very nice, hot or cold. M Main, Spennymoor.(7th Jun 1924 Hints & Recipes Northern Weekly Gazette)
Reported at the AGM last night an income for the year of £2,061 14s 7d. Of this £1329 17s 11d was taken in first team matches as against £950 the previous season. An average of £53 per match, although entertainment tax reduced this to about £40 per match. A sum which was inadequate for the maintenance of a good team.
£129 18s 11d was received from second team matches, an increase of £7 and £152 13s 3d from Cup ties, more than double the amount from the previous season. The Supporter’s Club was congratulated for raising £180. £591 was spent on wages and expenses of the first team an increase of £300 and £179 19s for the second team, against £66 last year. The position of the club had changed very little, outstanding debts were £317 and a profit of £8 on the season. Election of officers President, Mr R Askew, chairman, Mr T Liddle, vice-chairman, Mr W Parker and committee of 18. (13th June 1924 North Star Darlington)
Park was filled by a large gathering of children and adults who assembled at the 23rd annual gala held in connexion with Spennymoor Good Templars’ Society. All schools in the town and district were closed for the occasion. Band music, acrobatics, Punch and Judy shows, etc. were provided, and a programme of sports arranged for the children included kite flying, skipping, egg and spoon race, and a foot handicap and relay race for boys. (19th June 1924 North Star Darlington)
Two well known Tudhoe families were united by marriage yesterday, when Miss Elsie Graham Dixon, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Dixon of Garden House and Mr George Smith Anderson, second son of Mr and Mrs T Anderson, of Tudhoe Hall Farm were married at Holy Innocents Church.
The bride who was given away by her father, was attired in a white silk marocain dress, with pearl trimmings, and wore a bridal veil. She carried a bouquet of pink and white roses.
The bridesmaids were Miss A Simpson, cousin of the bride,and Miss E Rowcroft, who wore dresses of shell pink crepe-de-chine with silver trimmings, and Miss May Burnett who was attired in a shell pink dress of fine lace. Their bouquets were composed of mauve sweet peas. Mr Dale (Teasdale) Anderson, brother of the bridegroom, officiated as best man.
Following a reception at the home of the bride, Mr and Mrs Anderson left for the Isle of Wight, where the honeymoon is to be spent.
George Smith Anderson (b1898 Pittington) was the son of Thomas John Anderson (b1870 Hallgarth Mill, Pittington where his father Teasdale Anderson was a miller) and his wife Julia (b1870 Pittington), In 1911 they lived at Shincliffe Village where Thomas was a farm bailiff. By 1921 they had moved to Tudhoe Hall Farm where Thomas was a farmer with his three sons, Teasdale, George Smith and Thomas John, assisting him.
Elsie Graham Dixon (b1902 Brandon) was the daughter of William Dixon (b1871 Darlington) and Annie (b1876 Houghall). In 1911 they lived at Craghead where William was a gardener. By 1921 they were living at Garden House, Tudhoe where William was a market gardener. (26th June 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Urban Council to Carry Out Extensive Road Improvements. At a special meeting of the Spennymoor U.D.Council last night, presided over by Coun.W Marley, extensive improvements to the roads in High Street, extending from the Arcadia to the Four Lane Ends, was decided upon. The cost of the work is estimated at £27,242 : 50 per cent of which is to be raised by loan by the Spennymoor U.D.C., the remainder being provided by the Durham County Council from grants from the Ministry of Transport. (24th June 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
The above Council invite TENDERS for carrying out SETT PAVING, FLAGGING, etc. on the Croxdale-Bishop Auckland Main Road through the Urban District of Spennymoor.
Full particulars, together with Specification, Bill of Quantities, and Form of Tender, can be obtained from the undersigned, and sealed Tenders (properly endorsed “Paving Contract”) are to be delivered to F. Badcock Esq., Clerk to the Urban District Council, Town Hall, Spennymoor, not later than the 12th July, 1924.
The Council do not bind themselves to accept the lowest or any tender.
C. R. SPENCER Surveyor to the Council, Town Hall, Spennymoor, June 24, 1924 (26th June 1924 Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligence)
On 23rd June 1924 Sunderland Daily Echo and Ship advertised a post of housemaid for Tudhoe House:
HOUSEMAID Wanted: must be experienced; ? in family, three maids kept.
Apply Mrs G C Roberts, Tudhoe House, Tudhoe, Co. Durham
The house had been advertised to let on 28th Oct 1915 in the Newcastle Journal with the following description -
To Let, on lease or yearly tenancy. TUDHOE HOUSE: charmingly situated in the Village of Tudhoe, one mile from Croxdale Station, on the Main Line. A most comfortable house, with three reception rooms, six bedrooms, kitchens, dry vaulted cellars, bathroom, etc.; electric light, gas and water laid on; Good Garden, Lawn, Cottage and Stabling, with or without five acres of Grass Land. Rent moderate.-Apply to Wm Fleming, Land Agent, Tudhoe, County Durham.
Gerard Chipchase Roberts (1874-1916) was the son of Henry William Roberts (1843-1918), who was born in India, a retired army captain and a carpet manufacturer, and Annie Chipchase Henderson (1849-1924). In 1891 Gerard was attending Charterhouse in Surrey, aged 17 and in 1901 he is a carpet manufacturer living with his parents at Hollingside House, Butterby Lane, Durham.
Gerard married Winifred Milbanke Hudson (1884-1964) in January 1904, her parents were Ralph Milbanke Hudson (1849-1938), a shipowner from Sunderland, and Eliza Westropp Palliser (1862-1946). Gerard and Winifred lived at Beechwood, Sowerby Bridge, Yorkshire when Gerard’s grandfather’s carpet company amalgamated with a Halifax firm in early 1900s.
On 1911 census Gerard and Winifred are visiting her parents home at 8 The Cedars, Sunderland. Living with them are three sick nurses, waiting maid, cook, housemaid and kitchen maid. Their daughter Violet Flower Chipchase Roberts (1904-1988) was staying as a visitor at 18 Cliffe Park, Sunderland with a solicitor’s family. In 1912 they had a son, Gerard Brian Chipchase Roberts (1912-1940).
When the first world war broke out Gerard was an adjutant in the National Reserves at Halifax. He held every rank from private to lieutenant in the Volunteers and was at the bombardment at Hartlepool in December 1914. He was made a lieutenant colonel in August 1915 in the Gloucestershire regiment and went to the front in January 1916, sadly Gerard died on 9th June 1916 at Neuve Chapelle, France.
By 1921 Winifred was living at Tudhoe House but on the 1921 census only the following visitor and staff were there:-
The census form was signed by Winifred Milbanke Roberts and the enumerator has added the name and address as G C Roberts, Tudhoe House. Winifred and Violet Flower were at 116 Oakwood Court, Kensington London with Winifred’s parents.
Winifred and her daughter were involved with the local community in the 1920s. In August 1924 they held a whist drive and garden party for Tudhoe Women’s branch of Spennymoor Parliamentary Division Unionist Association in the grounds of Tudhoe House. Sybil, Lady Eden presented prizes and over 100 people took part in the whist drive.
In January 1926 Winifred was master of the Durham County Foot Harriers hunting hares and Flower Roberts was huntsman for the second season. In October 1928 Winifred was secretary for the Organising Committee for the Durham Castle Preservation Fund when the women raised over £1000.
In 1930 Winifred is living at Bedburn Hall, Hamsterley, her daughter Violet Flower Chipchase Roberts married Christopher Furness in January 1930. In 1939 Winifred was commandant of the Auxilary Territorial Service.
Sadly Winifred who had lost her husband in the first world war also lost her son in the second world war on 27th May 1940 at St Venant, France and both are buried in France. Winifred died in Exeter in 1964 and is buried at Hamsterley, Co Durham.
(13th June 1916 Halifax Daily Guardian, 13th Aug 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 6th Jan 1926 Sunderland Daily Echo, 31st Oct 1928 Newcastle Journal)
Labour women from Durham County, Northumberland and Cleveland gathered in Durham City on Saturday 14th June, with over 10,000 meeting at the 2nd annual demonstration promoted by Durham County Labour Women’s Advisory Council.
Nearly all of the 120 sections in the County of Durham were represented. There were bands and banners from Old Elvet to the Sands which took an hour to pass. There were two platforms one for Mrs E Royston of Spennymoor and the other for Mrs S Field of Houghton-le-Spring.
Mr George Lansbury MP declared that “women were equal to men in the franchise and if the franchise was extended they would be more than equal. They would be able to clear up much of the mess brought about in the world by men and would endeavour to make life much better and easier.” He spoke about pensions for widows and said they should regard relief as a right. People physically or mentally incapable of work before the age of 65 should be retired and given pensions.
Dr Marian Phillips, national organizer for women in the Labour movement stated that the fact that the women of Durham had done so well in Parliamentary elections made all the greater their responsibility for the return of a Labour County Council. (16th June 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle /North Star Darlington)
The photo shows Spennymoor Ladies Labour Party c.1930. In the picture are Mrs Royston, Mrs Barrett and Mrs Martha Sugden who is holding the guide rope on the right foreground. Mrs Royston was a teacher at the Dyson's School, her portrait is on the banner. (Tony Coia & George Teasdale)
At a meeting of Durham County Education Authority the School Attendance Shields for 1923-4 were awarded to:-
Certificates of merit were awarded to 134 candidates qualified under the scheme.
A special prize of £1 was awarded to John Stacey, Ferryhill Station Council School, for an unbroken period of regular and punctual attendance for nine years and seven months.
(Could this be John Stacey who in 1921 lived at 12 Firtree Terrace, Ferryhill Station with his parents John and Edith Stacey, two brothers and five sisters? His father worked at Mainsforth Colliery and his brothers at Chilton Colliery. In 1911 the family lived at 20 South View Terrace, Windlestone Colliery. Did John die in June 1937 while living in Leasingthorne with his wife Freda and daughter Ann?)
Mr Thompson Raine had withdrawn from his official duties as Clerk to the Spennymoor District Education Sub-Committee and an appreciation of his services was recorded. Mr John A Courtney of Durham was appointed to succeed him with a commencing salary of £362 10s. (26th June 1924 North Star Darlington)
Favourite Hobbies
Dear Daddy,-I wish to join your ever increasing Circle. I am Twelve years of age, and attend Tudhoe Colliery Council School, which is being made into a higher top. We have a goat and a number of hens and chickens. My pet is a tiny fat fluffy chicken. It is very interesting. We have an old, bonny hen, which is very mall, and this little chicken adopts all its ways. I take a keen interest in drawing and sewing. I am following in my sister’s footsteps in designing. My sister wrote to you , but was not so fortunate as to have it printed in the “Northern Weekly Gazette.” I hope I am lucky enough to win one of your prizes, and see my letter in print. I will now close. Wishing all the Circle luck. From your loving new member. -Maud Moyle, Croxdale. (17th May 1924 Northern Weekly Gazette)
Could this be Elizabeth Maud Moyle (b1911) who lived at Barmoor, Hett (on A167 south of Croxdale) in 1921 with her parents Edward Moyle (b1879 Leasingthorne) and mother Charlotte Margaret Maddison (b1878 Low Spennymoor). Edward had previously married Susannah Pigford in 1900 and they had two sons Thomas and William. Susannah died in 1908, aged 30 and Edward married Charlotte in 1910. They had three daughters Ida May, Elizabeth Maud and Lottie at Cross Street, Tudhoe Village and two sons James and Edward at Barmoor.
Mischievous “Biddy”
Dear Daddy,- I wish to become a member of your ever-increasing Circle. I attend North-road Council School, and I am in Second Year Higher Grade class. I always look forward to Tuesday, because that is when we receive the “Northern Weekly Gazette”. I have only one pet to tell you about, and that is a dog called “Biddy”. He is very mischievous, and one morning when I arrived downstairs I found the dog had torn the mat. I will now close, hoping to see my letter in print. -I remain, your new member,
Gwen Hughes, Spennymoor. (17th May 1924 Northern Weekly Gazette)
This letter could be from Gwendoline Hughes (b1912 Birtley). In 1921 she lives at 5 Broom Street, Spennymoor with her father Samuel D Hughes (b1879 Cheshire), mother Mary Hannah Cheetham (b1882 Croxdale) and sister Harriett. Samuel is a Confectioner/ Sugar Boiler, in 1911 they lived at Birtley where he was a travelling tea merchant and in 1901 they were at Low Spennymoor where he was a steam crane driver.
Well Done Annie!
Dear Daddy,- This is my first letter to you, and I hope I will succeed in winning a prize. My mother has taken the “Northern Weekly Gazette” for four years now. I have sat for a scholarship examination, to go to the Alderman Wraith Secondary School. I have passed the first two, and have sat for the interview. We live out in the country, and it is very pleasant in the summer. My father was killed in the war, and I have only one brother. I have two pet cats called “Topsy” and “Felix”. “Topsy” is “Felix’s” mother, and they are very much alike. Now I think I will close, as my letter is getting too long.- Frome your loving new member, Annie Bradley, Tudhoe. (31st May 1924 Northern Weekly Gazette)
This letter seems to be from Annie Bradley (b1913 Ferryhill), in 1921 she lives in Welsh Row, Tudhoe Village with her mother Margaret (b1882 Spennymoor), sister Rachel (b1902) and brother James (b1908). Rachel works at Mr Rickerby’s confectionary and tobacconist shop in Spennymoor High Street. In 1934 Annie marries John Robert Richardson and in 1939 they are at Orchid Cottage, Tudhoe Village next to her brother James who is at 1 Welsh Row with both men working at the colliery.
Annie’s father Jabez Bradley (b1882 Leasingthorne) married Margaret Thomas in 1902, in 1911 they were living at 17 Davy Street, Ferryhill where he worked as a hewer at Dean & Chapter Colliery. Jabez joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a gunner in 1914 (52680). In 1917 he was suffering from pyelitis and had an operation but was discharged in January 1918 as physically unfit. At this time the family were living at 16 Barnfield Road, Spennymoor. Unfortunately Jabez died on 3rd February 1919, he is buried at Tudhoe cemetery and is on Ferryhill Cenotaph as his parents, James and Mary Ann Bradley lived in Ferryhill.
“Money -Making Concern”
Spennymoor Man Wanted Mother-in-Law Bound Over
At Bishop Auckland yesterday, a Spennymoor man was charged with arrears under a maintenance order.
The whole trouble, he said. Was caused through the wife’s mother, and he would like her to be bound over to keep the peace for twelve months. Amid laughter, he was told this could not be done. The separation, he said, was a money making concern, and so long as his wife and people could get 25s a week, his wife would stop at home for ever.
The Bench strongly advised the coouple to get together, and live 50 miles away from their fathersand mothers, and they appointed the police superintendent as peace maker.
The superintendent said he would do his best. (6th May 1924 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
License-Holder’s Tact
Example of a Difficult Case at Spennymoor
Martha Ann Barkas(54) married, of Brandon Colliery, was fined 10s at Spennymoor Police Court, yesterday, for having been drunk on licensed premises, and Jane Ann Gardner, 50, licensee of the Railway Hotel, Spennymoor, was fined £2 10s for permitting drunkenness.
In the former case Supt. Headen stated Inspector Scotland and Sergt. Taylor visited the Railway Hotel and in a small room saw the defendant in an extremely drunken condition.
It was submitted that Mrs. Gardner had not taken sufficient care to prevent drunkenness taking place on her premises.
Mr. Brown-Humes said it was universally admitted that a license-holder’s position was one of peculiar difficulty and one requiring peculiar tact. The present case afforded a striking example of that. What could the landlady have done other than she did? There was only one other thing she could have done, and that was immediately Mrs Barkas returned to the hotel to have sent for the police. Mrs. Barkas had only been in about ten minutes when the police arrived. Surely it was better that the landlady should have offended in a technical way the licensing law by looking after the poor intoxicated creature, than by putting her outside, where she might have got under a motor ‘bus. (28th May 1924 Shields Daily News)
In 1921 Robert Gardner was the inn keeper at the Railway Hotel for J W Cameron & Co. West Hartlepool with his wife Jane, three sons and two daughters. Their son William Gardner is described as a professional footballer for Derby County Football Association, he played for many clubs including Ashington and Spennymoor. Robert is a motor bus driver for United Automobile Company.
The meeting was held in the Mission Hall, Spennymoor on 23rd May. Mr G Spedding, secretary of Durham football association said the debt was £320 but other clubs debts were much higher in thousands of pounds rather than hundreds. They were hopeful the townspeople would rally round. He gave a talk on how to run the club and said the harmony which was a feature of old-time football had almost entirely disappeared in Durham County. Previously Home clubs often entertained visiting players and supporters to tea and a jovial evening but that spirit had now entirely disappeared. (17th/24th May 1924 Hartlepool, 24th May 1924 Sunderland Daily Echo and Ship)
Spennymoor District Committee recommended that the Street Trading By-laws be modified to make it possible for a child between the ages of 12 and 14 years to deliver newspapers on Saturday evenings between 5pm and 8pm. However Durham County Education Authority reported that the Elementary Education Sub-Committee had declined to adopt the recommendation. Councillor J Reavley (Spennymoor) asked the matter be reconsidered and that if the newspaper trade had been listened to four years earlier when by-laws were set up they might have been more reasonable. Boys were allowed to deliver upto 7pm five days a week but couldn’t after 1pm on Saturdays. He was not looking at this from a personal point of view but in the interests of the trade. Saturdays cricket and football editions were considerably larger.
The chairman said they would adhere to the existing by-laws, Coun Reavley said they were different from the by-laws in any other part of the country and parts of the County. He had seen in Durham City a boy of ten years of age conveying a parcel of newspapers from the railway station at 6am. That was much worse than selling or delivering newspapers on a Saturday night. The chairman said they had no control of elementary school children in the City. They didn’t see any possibility of the bye-laws being modified.
Ald. Davis said there were many boys of 15 and 16 years of age who could not secure work and younger children were being employed for economy. Coun. Reavley said his application arose out of a number of prosecutions in Spennymoor, which seemed to be the only place where prosecutions of that kind were taking place. He did not employ anyone under 16. (28th May 1924 Sunderland_Daily_Echo_and_Ship, 29th May 1924 North Star Darlington)
John Reavley JP, (1868-1941) writer of 'History of Spennymoor' published in 1935. A Member of Spennymoor UDC for over 35 years and Chairman on three occasions and for several years represented Spennymoor on Durham County Council. He became a JP in 1918 and was a Methodist Minister for 40 years. He managed a newsagents and stationery business for almost 50 years. He died in 1941, aged 73, and was buried in Rock Road Cemetery. (Tony Coia & George Teasdale)
John Bull Magazine on 8th March 1924 told the story of Mr G Simpson of 12 Baff Street, Spennymoor who had paid £8 2s 6d for a “Horti-Plow” from Messrs Motes Limited, Palace Chambers, Bridge Street, London, S.W.
The plough worked by a steel cable anchored at the far end of the field. You jigged the handle of the plough up and down, which wound the cable round its anchorage, and pulled the plough through the ground. (Patent No. 130437)
It had won a silver medal at the Royal Show, Cambridge and the Dublin Show in 1922. It claimed it could be worked by a man, woman or child with ease and replaced the need for a man and horse. Mr Simpson ordered the plough, paid for it, and received a receipt, but the plough never arrived. He wrote to them several times but had no response. John Bull had also written twice and hadn’t received a reply.
However on 12th April 1924 they updated their report to say Mr Simpson’s money had been returned from a director of the firm which was being reconstructed.
In 1921 George Simpson, age 39, was a hewer for Bell Bros Ltd. at South Brancepeth Mine, Page Bank. He was living at 12 Baff Street with his widowed mother Mary Simpson age 70, born in Thirsk and her brother Thomas Dunning, age 77, a retired North Eastern Railway carriage examiner. His sister Beatrice Corbett, her husband Thomas Corbett and their daughter were also living there.
Why did George, a miner, want a plough as he lived in Baff Street until at least 1929? By 1939 the family have moved to Todd Hills Poultry Farm on North Close Road, now opposite Misty Blue Farm. George Simpson and his brother-in-law Thomas Corbett were smallholders there with assistance from their family. Thomas Corbett was involved with the Durham County Agricultural Education Committee egg laying trials to help the Land Settlement Scheme. In 1934 he came second in the Light Section with white leghorns producing 102 eggs and 1031 points. In 1935 he came third with 1051 eggs and 7353 points.
Near Todd Hills Poultry farm was the Moor Farm Estate smallholdings opposite Rock Road Cemetery, these were organised by Durham County Council Land Settlement Committee to assist ten families during a period of high unemployment in the mid 1930s. They built ten houses each with five acre plots and families were chosen to be settled there. It was devoted to poultry-keeping and market gardening, ten Dutch type glasshouses were constructed for growing tomatoes and hen houses and chicks were supplied. By 1938 a stock of 3,000 head of poultry was being maintained. The second world war meant employment prospects improved as men returned to work in the mines.
From oral accounts in the 1940s one of the families kept pigs, goats, cow, bullock, chickens, geese, rabbits and grew veg and wheat. They scythed the fields by hand and it was very hard work. Locals came to buy produce, cow and goat milk and eggs but the scheme wasn’t successful and it was difficult to make a living for a couple and impossible for a family.
In the 1950s the tenants were offered the smallholdings to purchase but most couldn’t afford them so the land was split between two farms and the houses sold as residents moved out. The houses had two bedrooms, a box room, downstairs sitting room, large kitchen with coal store under the stairs behind boards, an outside washhouse and toilet. More employment prospects were available and new factories in the area provided work for both men and women.
Another hint from Marjorie Elizabeth Sawdon (b1910 Spennymoor) of Diamond Terrace, Tudhoe Grange in 1921.
To Clean Thermos Flasks - When cleaning these flasks great care should be exercised. Put some crushed eggshells in the bottom of the flask with a little vinegar, shake well, then half-fill with water, and let it stand for a while. Shake again, empty, and thoroughly rinse out. Invert the flask in a jug, and when dry put away, but do not replace the cork or the flask may become musty. M E Sawdon, Spennymoor.
Another recipe from Isabel Dalkin, Low Spennymoor.
SNOW WHITE CAKE - Four ounces of flour, 4ozs of cornflour, 3ozs of butter, 2ozs of citron peel (cut small), two eggs, one candied apricot (cut small).
Method: Cream the butter and sugar together, add eggs; beat well, then add cornflour and the fruit last; add a teaspoonful of baking powder, and mix well together. Put the mixture into a greased shallow tin; bake for three-quarters-of-an-hour. When cold, cover with white liquid icing, and sprinkle fine desiccated coconut over, and cut into squares. L Dalkin, Low Spennymoor.
UNDER_GARDENER Wanted, between 19 and 24 years of age, single, for glass and kitchen garden; board-lodgings and washing provided. Apply, stating wages required, to R.D. Shafto, Whitworth Estates Office, Spennymoor.
The Northern Weekly Gazette was published in Stockton-on-Tees between 1895 and 1932. It was A Home Journal Written by the People for the People. One of the regular sections was the Children’s Circle organised by Daddy, children completed application forms stating I promise to obey my parents and respect my teacher, to be kind to my schoolmates, and to all dumb creatures. Lists of new members were published in the paper as well as publishing the letters written by the children.
On 1st Mar 1924 a letter from new member Lydia Smith was published in Daddy's Happy Circle.
Dear Daddy,-I have longed so much to be a member of your happy Circle, and have at last succeeded in doing so. I am eleven years old, and attend King-st. Council Girls'School. Our house is facing the park, and in summer we have a beautiful view before us. I am sorry to say I have no pets to tell you about. I am in Standard VI., and my teacher's name is Miss Walker. At Christmas I received a number of very nice presents. Among them was a gramophone, which is quite real (not a toy). My best game which I play at school is net ball, and my favourite lessons are composition, history, nature study, and reading. Hoping to see my letter in print, and wishing you and your merry Circle good luck. -Your new member, Lydia Smith, Spennymoor.
In 1921 Lydia (b1912 West Rainton) was living at 4 Park Parade, Spennymoor with her father Samuel Smith (b1874, Hexham) a North Eastern Railway general clerk in the railway passenger department at Spennymoor Station. Her mother was Margaret Jane Curry (b1872 West Rainton). Lydia had two siblings, Elizabeth Smith, (b1899 Durham City) a North Eastern Railway booking and parcels clerk at Spennymoor Station and Frederick Curry Smith (b 1905 West Rainton) who worked for Bolckow & Vaughan at Dean & Chapter Colliery as a screen boy. Also living with them was Samuel's father James Smith (b1837 Leicestershire) who was a retired Railway Telegraph Linesman.
Two articles mentioning the new Town Hall were published on 4th and 13th March. The Town Hall opened in 1916, it was started in 1913 but was delayed by the onset of the First World War.
SPENNYMOOR LECTURE SOCIETY - The annual meeting of the Spennymoor Lecture Society was held in the New Town Hall, Spennymoor, when the officials recorded the great success attending the lectures held during the past season, All four lectures were well attended by the general public and sufficient season tickets were sold before the commencement of the series to cover all expenses. The treasuer's report showed a balance in hand of £10 13s 7d, and it was decided to proceed with arrangements for a course of six lectures for the 1924-25 season. Officials were elected as follow:-President Rev. J Rutherford; vice-chairman, Mr R Walker; treasurer, Mr E Roberts; secretaries, Messrs R P Hope and P Lambton. Committee-Messrs W Coldwell, F McNamara, J McNulty and J Reaveley.
SPENNYMOOR AMATEURS AND ROYALTIES ON OPERAS - At the annual meeting of the Spennymoor Amateur Operatic Society, a balance in hand of £9 15s 2d was reported. This was £57 less than was in hand last year, but it was explained that £56 had been spent in stage accessories and scenery in order that the performances could be given in the new Town Hall, the rent of which was less than the local theatre. Dr. Pattullo was elected president, and Dr Tinsley, vice-president; Mr A Bertram, musical director; and Messrs T Lambert and G S Gleaves, hon secretaries. It was decided to give "The Sorcerer" this year, the voting being very narrow, namely, 15 for "The Sorcerer" and 14 for "The Gondoliers". A number of members refrained from voting, saying that the Society should produce an opera on which no royalty need be paid, as aprotest against what they described as the "high royalty" due on Gilbert and Sullivan operas.
This month there were two entries, one by M E Sawdon for a chocolate pudding and the other by B M Sawdon with a hint for putting up curtains.
In 1921 at Diamond Terrace, Tudhoe Grange there was a Sawdon family. The father was Frederick John Sawdon (b1883, Stockton-on-Tees), a schoolmaster at North Road School Boys Dept., mother was Louisa (b1882 Darlington), they had two children Marjorie Elizabeth (b1910 Spennymoor) and Beatrice Mary (b1913, Spennymoor). Also living with them was Frederick's niece Alice (b1907 Stockton-on-Tees) whose parents were both deceased.
STEAMED CHOCOLATE PUDDING - Required: 2ozs suet, 2ozs white sugar, 2ozs flour, 2ozs breadcrumbs, a teaspoonful baking powder, a teaspoonful chocolate powder, a little vanilla essence, three-quarter gill of milk, a dessertful cornflour. Method: Mix together the suet, flour, white sugar and breadcrumbs. Add to them the baking powder, chocolate powder, vanilla essence and milk. Mix thoroughly, and turn into a greased mould. Steam for one and a half hours. M. E. Sawdon, Spennymoor.
A CURTAIN HINT - If the casement rod is difficult to pass through a curtain hem, as sometimes happens with newly-washed thin ones, put a large thimble on the end of the rod, and it will slip along easily. B. M. Sawdon, Spennymoor
NEWFIELD COLLIERY PRESENTATION - After 26 years' service as under-manager of Messrs Bolckow, Vaughan and Company's Robson Pit, Newfield Colliery, near Willington, Mr John Carroll is leaving to reside at Byers Green. There was a crowded attendance of colliery officials, workmen, and residents of the village in Newfield Church Institute when Mr Carroll was presented with a gold watch as a token of the high regard in which he is held. To Mrs Carroll was presented a silver salad bowl. The gifts were handed to Mr Carroll by Mr M H Watkin (schoolmaster) who said Mr Carroll had served the village well. Mr G W Thornton also spoke highly of Mr Carroll's services. A musical programme was rendered by Mr Jacob Brown and party, of Bishop Auckland.
John Carroll (b1856 Sunnyside, Crook), his parents were Alexander Carroll (b1812 Ireland) and Catherine (b1821 Scotland), who had seven children. Alexander injured his back on 14th January 1861 by a fall of stone at Tanfield Moor Colliery and he died on 7th February 1861, John was only four years old. John married Margaret Jane Wilson (b1858 Tow Law) in 1878 and were living at Hedleyhope in 1881/1891 with their daughters, Elizabeth Ann, Jane Ellen and Margaret Emily, where John is a deputy. Between 1901 and 1921 they are living at Newfield where John is under-manager. John died in 1927, his wife is living with her daughter Jane Ellen Lonsdale and son-in-law in 1939, at Coundon, she is decsribed as incapacitated and dies in 1940 at the age of 82.
KILLED AT PLAY - Spennymoor Child Run Over by Motor Bus - A sad street fatality occurred at Spennymoor, yesterday. the victim being a child named Jean(Eugene) Webb, aged two and a half years, daughter of Arthur Webb, wholesale confectioner, Spennymoor. It appears that the child was playing in King James Street, when it was knocked down by a motor 'bus. Dr Bulmer was speedily upon the scene but could only pronounce life extinct, death having been instantaneous. The 'bus passed over the child's head.
Eugene Webb died on Monday 24th 1924 and an inquest held on 25th March by Coroner J T Proud questioned Wilfred Heenan who was driving the bus from Oglanby's garage, Back King James Street, High Grange Road. He saw two girls on the footpath then heard a girl shout as he turned the corner. He felt one of his rear wheels bump and stopped, he hadn't seen the child. Her father Arthur Webb asked as to the outlook he had kept also as to the length of time he had been driving. He had been driving for 18 months but only driven a motor bus for a fortnight. A verdict of Accidental Death was returned. (Newcastle Daily Chronicle 26/03/1924)
In 1921 Arthur Webb (b1882 Spennymoor) lived at High Grange Road, Spennymoor, with his wife Mary Ann, four daughters and two sons, he was a confectioner/sugar boiler with premises at King James Street. In 1901 Arthur was an apprentice sugar boiler, he married Mary Ann Parkin in 1904 and they lived at 18 King James Street in 1911 with their two children and niece. In 1939 they are living at Wood Vue Farm with their two daughters and a son Eric who was a dairy, pig and sheep farmer.
Arthur's parents, David and Emma Webb, were born in Norfolk, he was a marine store dealer. They moved to Barnfield Blocks, Spennymoor about 1875 and lived at 29 King James Street in 1891/1901 where he was a cowkeeper/general dealer.
I. Dalkin, Low Spennymoor wrote an article explaining how to wash embroidery.
Could this be Isabel Dalkin, daughter of John & Margaret Dalkin of 73 Upper Church Street, Low Spennymoor?
In 1921 was Isabel working as a parlourmaid at Waldenheath, Harrogate, a private school for lady companions?
In July 1908 he reported to Spennymoor Urban Council, births in the previous month Spennymoor 22, Ferryhill 12, Tudhoe 35 and the urban district 69, a rate of 49 per 1,000 per annum. Deaths in Spennymoor 5, Ferryhill 5, Tudhoe 9 and the urban district 23, a rate of 16.5 per 1,000 per annum. The birth rate was above average and the death rate below. Of the 23 deaths, 10 of the children were under one year of age.
In October 1911 he reported 55 births and 26 deaths, during the month, giving a birth rate of 37 per 1,000 and a death rate of 17 per 1,000 per annum. The death rate was very high in Ferryhill Ward, high in Spennymoor ward and very low in Tudhoe ward. Of the 26 deaths, 16 were in children under one year of age.
Advertisement for Doan’s Backache Kidney Pills which strengthened weak kidneys and cured headache, backache, nerves, tiredness and rheumatic pain. They were endorsed by a lady, described as A Spennymoor Helper, from 7 Wilson Terrace, Durham Road, Spennymoor who started taking them in July 1917 and by November 1921 she said “My health now is first-rate, thanks to Doan’s Pills”.
Margaret Emma Hammond (nee Woodcock b1884 Spennymoor) who is endorsing these pills was living in 7 Wilson Terrace in 1911 having married Alfred Hammond (b 1880 Castleford Yorks) in 1909. He was a colliery labourer, by 1921 they are still at the same address and Alfred is a fish merchant.
Railway men on their way to work in the early hours of Wednesday 20th Feb found subsidence on the LNER line, this was between Byers Green Station and Burnhouse signalling cabin towards Spennymoor. It was where the line crossed the Byers Green Colliery workings and this had caused a large hole 35 feet by 23 feet and 23 feet deep. The line, sleepers, telegraph poles and wires and signalling apparatus had fallen in. The last train to pass was the 9.45 from Spennymoor to Bishop Auckland on the Tuesday night.
Many trucks of ballast were rushed to the scene but they thought it would take some days before normal service was resumed. Passengers were conveyed to Byers Green station and then walked to Burnhouse cabin where they boarded another train. A similar plan was used for the journey from Ferryhill to Bishop Auckland. There had been slight subsidences before, Byers Green Station had suffered one a few weeks earlier. It meant a serious delay to goods traffic which was diverted by Leamside and Darlington. There was no damage to workings at Byers Green Colliery and the men continued to work.
A meeting of the Old Folk’s Dinner was held in St Andrew’s Mission Hall, Rev Canon W M Wykes presided. County Councillor J Reavley JP presented the report, £60 6s 2d had been raised with £3 8s 1d in hand, so thanks to the generosity of the public there was enough to provide the next month's dinner as well. The cost of the dinner was reduced due to gifts of beer from North Eastern Breweries Ltd, stout from Vaux & Son, lemonade from Mr B. Cora, fruit and vegetables from Messrs Simpson, Edwards and Tudhoe Co-operative Society. Entertainments were given by Mr A J Vasey, Tivoli Picture Hall and Mr E Gowland, Arcadia
On the 13th January 1924 Philip Nash Gee, a cobbler aged 47, was murdered at his workshop at 9 Whitworth Terrace, Spennymoor. He usually closed his shop between 7-8pm but stayed open on a Saturday night for people needing repairs for a Sunday. His landlady had called at the shop for her rent at 7pm. George Wilson, a grocer, lived at 9 Whitworth Terrace where the lockup shop was in the front rooms of his property. He returned home at 10pm and noticed the door was open but when he checked inside he couldn't see anyone. He informed Sgt. Taylor who secured the door and sent a message to 106 Durham Road where Gee, a man of temperate habits, lived with his sister. They received a reply at 1.30am to say he hadn't returned home so the shop was inspected again at 2.45am and they found a body with his head under the counter in a pool of blood. There didn't appear to have been a struggle and they found three sixpences under the body and a shilling under each hand. The postmortem, by Dr Pattullo of Spennymoor, found Gee had severe wounds to his scalp and a fractured skull in five pieces.
Gee was buried at York Hill Cemetery on 16th January after a service at St Charles' Roman Catholic Church. Gee's metal watch and chain were missing.
Superintendant Headon of Bishop Auckland was in charge of the investigation. A week after the murder with no sign of a weapon, a struggle or motive the police were searching for a man suffering from religious mania who had been seen in Spennymoor, Crook and Stockton.
On 28th January the police arrested Thomas McGowan, a labourer in his 30s, as his coat was blood stained and they found a blood stained shirt on a refuse tip near some disused houses at Tudhoe Grange. He was of no fixed abode. He came before magistrates on 4th February, he had given two differing statements as to his movements on the day of the murder and was detained for another week. His blood stained coat with grey hairs in the pocket was sent to the County Analyst. On 29th January the coroner Dr Proud adjourned the inquest until 12th February due to the arrest of McGowan.
The inquest took place on 12th February. A witness Mrs Martha Hind of 30 Charles Street, Spennymoor said she went into the grocer's shop in the same property for sweets at 8.20pm. She heard raised voices from the cobbler's shop and as she was interested she ordered more sweets and a tin of mustard. Two people were quarrelling and then it was quiet. When she went outside a man rushed from behind a chip van, stopped and stared at her then ran along Princess Street, she heard him raise his voice as if to sing. He was a little man about 35 very shabbily dressed like a man on the road. She hadn't seen him since. The final verdict was wilful murder against some person or person's unknown. After being detained a fortnight McGowan was released on 14th February. A deaf and dumb man detained in Sunderland was also released.
The Northern Echo in 2008 seem to have solved the murder and Norman Elliott was caught when he murdered someone else with a cobbler's knife. He was hanged on 10th August 1928 at Durham gaol. How cobbler’s killer was brought to heel
The Gee family - Philip Nash Gee was the son of James Gee (b 1839 Chadlington, Oxford) and Catherine Nash, married 1869 West Bromwich. In 1871 they were living at 8 West Street, Tudhoe, James was a labourer at the ironworks and they had two children William,age 1 born in West Bromwich, and James aged 3 weeks, born in Tudhoe. Also living with them were Catherine's parents Edward Nash, a blacksmith, and his wife Mary.
In 1881 they were at Walker Street Tudhoe Grange with six children and Edward Nash now aged 80. The children were William, 11, John, 6, Mary, 5, Philip, 4, George, 1 and a child who was 14 days old but hadn't been named yet.
In 1891 they were at 2 Hartley Terrace where the baby has been named Sarah Ann. William is now a shoemaker and John works as a labourer at the Ironworks.
In 1901 still at 2 Hartley Terrace but James has died and the only children with Catherine are Philip a boot and shoemaker, George a coal hewer and Sarah Ann.
In 1911 at Rose Cottage, 106 Durham Road Sarah Ann has married Joseph Ramshaw and they are living with Catherine, her mother, Philip and George.
In 1921 Joseph, Sarah Ann and Philip are still living at 106 Durham Road. Joseph is a labourer at Weardale Electric Power Station, Spennymoor and Philip a boot repairer at 9 Whitworth Terrace, Spennymoor where he was murdered.
In 1939 Joseph Ramshaw and Sarah Ann are at 94 Durham Road and Joseph is still working at the Power Station.
Results of the Scholar's Essay competition in connection with the recent Shopping Week of the Spennymoor Chamber of Trade.
The winners were selected by headteacher's of the school with Mr T. M. Welch headmaster of Alderman Wraith Higher Elementary School as adjudicator.
The opening ceremony took place with a gathering of members and officials from Spennymoor Urban District Council. The scheme was carried out under the supervision of architect Mr C. Franklin Murphy of Morpeth, over a period of 20 years. The sewage works were situated on Tudhoe Mill Estate over an area of six and a half acres. It was designed on the bacterial system, the filters and tanks could treat, with a dry weather flow of 198,000 gallons per day. The total cost of the scheme was approximately £33,250.
Prior to the opening a luncheon was provided by the architect in the North-Eastern hotel. Mr Murphy stated that due to lengthy stoppages the work had cost £12,700 more than it should but they had saved £1,500 by using direct labour. It was due to be completed in 1914. Mr Murphy presented a gold watch to Councillor George R. Crane, chairman of the Urban District Council.