Tudhoe & Spennymoor Local History Society
Plight of Stranded Circus Artistes - Only 18/- Between Them for Week at Spennymoor.
£10 to Rescue Monkeys and Elephant.
How a troupe of circus artistes, who had only received 18s between them for the week, were abandoned at Spennymoor, with their performing animals, by a Seaham Harbour man who had employed them, was described at the Spennymoor Police Court to-day when the latter was fined £25, or three months’ imprisonment, on each of two charges.
One of the members of the circus was only able to get a performing horse, an elephant and a troupe of monkeys away from the town after a friend had sent him £10.
Stiff Fines on Organiser.
Henry J George (25), of 8 Princess Road, Seaham Harbour, was charged with two offences under the Theatrical Employment Registration Act, of 1925, with carrying on business as a theatrical employer without being registered under the Act, and with abandoning Thomas Fossett and eight others, at Spennymoor on January 10.
Inspector Cook said that on January 10 there had been at the Cambridge Theatre, Spennymoor, what was known as the Regal Stage Circus. George had engaged Thomas Fossett and other circus performers, of Bourne, Lincolnshire.
The circus had opened out at Seaham Harbour the previous week, but business had been bad, and the company received only half their wages. They came on to Spennymoor, and the attendances were worse.
Landladies Losses - Employer Missing at End of Performance
George, said Inspector Cook, was seen on the stage about 9pm on the Saturday night, but after the show he was found to have absconded.
The artists had only received the sum of 18s among them for the week.
Fossett and eight others came to the police station and registered a complaint, and they were got away from the town on the Monday after considerable trouble.
A friend wired Fossett £10, which enabled him to send a performing horse, an elephant, and a troupe of monkeys by rail. Three other horses and their grooms, however, were compelled to go by road to Bourne.
The offence said the Inspector, was a most serious one, for not only had the artists suffered, but also landladies in the town, who had kept them for a week.
Thomas Fossett said that on December 29th he entered into a contract with Savage to provide with the “Regal Stage Circus”, trick horses, lady riders, performing elephants and a troup of monkeys. They opened out at Seaham and very moderate business was done.
At the end of the week they received only half their wages, £15. The following week they came to the Cambridge Theatre, Spennymoor. The business done was very bad.
George pleaded guilty to both charges, and said he regretted the loss to the artists, and the trouble he had caused. He had hoped all the week that he would have been able to raise money to pay them on the Saturday.
Inspector Cook said that when the defendant opened out at Seaham Harbour he had obtained mats to the value of £30 from the Blind Institution at Sunderland, but fortunately these were found at Spennymoor, and had been recovered by the Institution.
Defendant had recently resided at Seaham harbour, but was a native of Sittingbourne, Kent, and last year was employed as advance agent to “Broncho Bill’s Circus”. He had also resided at Cockermouth.
He had previous convictions against him at Marlborough for stealing films, at Hailsham for stealing a cheque book, and West Kent for office and workshop breaking.
He was fined £25 or three months’ imprisonment in each case, sentence to run consecutively.
As defendant had no permanent address, and had not the money to pay the fine, Inspector Cook applied for his immediate committal.
Call From Sunderland.
Inspector Cook added that he should say in the defendant’s favour that when he heard that inquiries were being made for him, he rang up from Sunderland to ask if this was the case, and on being told that summonses were laid at Spennymoor for him he promise to come, and did so.
(24th February 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 25th February 1931 Shields Daily Gazette)
Fossett's Circus Poster.
The Fossett circus family, whose origins dated back to the mid-nineteenth century in Ireland, were so numerous that it was once said that every circus in the British Isles harboured at least one Fossett!
3 Road Crashes at Spennymoor - Woman and Girl Under Vehicles - Remarkable Escapes.
Three motor accidents occurred in the Spennymoor district during the week-end when three persons were injured and a number had narrow escapes.
1. In a blizzard near Spennymoor on Saturday a ‘bus skidded and knocked down Miss Nellie Binks, of 1, Belle Vue, Byers Green, who was seriously hurt and taken to Durham Infirmary.
It appears that Miss Binks had dismounted from a ‘bus near the Aged Miner’s Homes and was passing in front of the bus to cross the road when she failed to notice the approach of a United bus from the direction of Spennymoor.
The driver of the bus swerved to avoid her with the result that his bus skidded on the snow covered ground, mounted the pavement an crashed through some railings into a field. The girl was knocked down and was found underneath the bus.
Cut By Flying Glass
The conductress of the bus, Annie Miller, of Francis Terrace, Cockton Hill, Bishop Auckland, and Lucy McAdams, of Durham Street, Middlestone Moor, sustained cuts from flying glass and slight injuries to their legs. After receiving attention they were able to proceed home. The remainder of the passengers on the bus, numbering about 12, were transferred to another bus and continued their journeys.
2. A head-on collision occurred last night at Spennymoor between a Wilkinson’s Service Bus, driven by Lance Dargue, of Fishburn, and a baker’s van belonging L Forbes, Ltd. of West Hartlepool and driven by Ernest Hopkins.
The bus was coming along Durham Road from the direction of Durham as the baker’s van was approaching along Cheapside from the direction of Bishop Auckland.
At Wharton’s corner the vehicles collided and travelled across the road locked together crashing into a lamppost and a road signpost. The baker’s van was partly overturned, the rear portion going through the windows of the bus, held it there and preventing the vehicles from entirely overturning.
Alf Garrett, of West Hartlepool, who was a passenger in the van, had a remarkable escape. He was thrown on to the road between the two vehicles. The driver, Hopkins, jumped out and dragged Garrett to safety, as there was danger of fire breaking out on account of the escaping gas from the broken street lamp and of the van completely overturning and crushing him.
The six passengers in the bus and the driver and conductor all escaped injury.
The bus windows were shattered and the radiator damaged. The front portion of the van was wrecked. The van, it appears, had been buried on Saturday in a snow drift at Westerton and the occupants had been engaged all day digging it free.
3. Under Car, But Unhurt
A girl named Naylor (10), residing in Bessemer Terrace, Spennymoor, had a remarkable escape on Saturday. She ran across the High Street, Spennymoor, and was knocked down by a car driven by Kenneth Thompson, of Sunderland. On being picked up from underneath the car, she was found to have escaped without a scratch.
(2nd February 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Reservoir Rescue Thrill - Spennymoor Man Saves Woman.
Although he could not get her out of the water because of an infirmity, an LNER signalman named Nicholls, saved Elizabeth Swalwell (24), of Bessemer Terrace, Mount Pleasant, Spennymoor, from drowning in the gasworks reservoir last night.
Nicholls was coming from his cabin, which overlooks the reservoir, when he heard moans and a cry. He rushed to the water’s edge, but at first, in the darkness, could not see anything.
Later he saw the woman in the water, but, as he suffers from an infirmity, he could only drag her to the side and hold her head above the surface until a man passing along the footpath nearby came to his assistance and hauled the woman to safety. After attention she was taken to her home suffering from shock. (18th February 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
A Railway Hero.
Mr Harold Nicholls, railway signalman, of 6 Bryan Street, Spennymoor, who rescued a woman from the gas works reservoir on Tuesday is being transferred to Smeafield, near Berwick. Mr S Smith, chief booking clerk at Spennymoor, is organising a presentation. (26th February 1931 Illustrated Berwick Journal)
Fireside Explosion. Dean Bank Woman Burned by Flying Embers.
While Mrs Longstaff, wife of a deputy overman at Dean and Chapter Colliery, Ferryhill, was poking the fire at her home at Newton Street, Dean Bank, an explosion took place among the coals and she was severely burned about the face and head by flying embers.
The explosion is believed to have been caused by a detonator having accidentally been placed among the coal.
Mrs Longstaff had to receive medical attention.
(4th February 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Three Cars Burnt Out
Garage Destroyed in Spennymoor Blaze.
Petrol Explodes.
Men Driven Back by Fierce Flames.
A serious fire occurred at Spennymoor about midnight on Saturday resulting in the destruction of a garage and three saloon cars, the property of Ernest Cator, of Burn House, Wear Street, Spennymoor, who carries on a car hire business.
The fire was discovered by a man named Richard Snowball who was in some gardens at the rear of the premises. He ran to the house of Thomas Petch who lives next to Burn House, behind which the garage is situated, and asked him if his property was on fire.
Petch looked out of the back door and saw flames issuing from the garage and immediately he informed Cator.
Cator and Petch got the garage doors open and dense volumes of smoke came out. They tried to retrieve the cars and had got hold of one when there was a loud explosion of a petrol tank and flames spread in all directions, reaching a height of 70 to 100 feet.
Menace of Explosions
Further explosions kept recurring and the fire was so fierce they were compelled to abandon their attempts to recover anything from the garage.
The Spennymoor Fire Brigade arrived but owing to a poor supply of water were unable to prevent the premises being destroyed. Fortunately the direction of the wind prevented the fire spreading to adjoining premises.
The fire was all burnt out within an hour, but while it lasted the heat was so terrific that the glass of the saloon windows had melted and remnants were laid in misshapen mass upon the framework of the burnt-out cars.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
Mr Cator had only returned from a journey a short time previous to the discovery of the fire, and when he locked the garage everything was then apparently in order.
(16th February 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
In 1921, aged 16, Ernest is a tea deliverer for Northern Tea Company, Spennymoor. He is living with his parents at 94 Upper Church Street, Spennymoor. He married Leslie Copeland in 1929. In 1939 Ernest is a cycle and radio dealer and a taxi proprietor living at 67 Clyde Terrace, Spennymoor with his wife and children, Leslie, Ernest G and Yvonne.
Victims of New Act - Lorry Driver and Cyclist at Spennymoor Court.
John Thomas Parkin (23), of Teesdale Road, Bethnal Green, London, was fined 20s. at Spennymoor, today, for an offence under the Road Act, 1930, by leaving his lorry in a dangerous position on the highway.
PC Bell said that about 1.45 am on Dec 13 he saw the lorry standing in a dangerous position near the top of a hill. He looked inside and found Parkin and a relief driver asleep under some rugs.
Asked why they were standing there Parkin replied that they had run short of petrol, but subsequently he took a tin of petrol from the side of the lorry and proceeded on his journey.
Edgar Foster (25), of Upper Church Street, was ordered to pay the costs on a charge of riding a cycle and holding on to a lorry. The case was brought as a warning that this is an offence under the new Act. He was ordered to pay costs.
(3rd February 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 4th February 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle )
Keeper Strikes Man with Gun - 20s Fine for Tudhoe Wood Assault
Victim Out for Walk.
A remarkable story was related to the Spennymoor Bench yesterday in a case in which Cecil H Page (48), of Partnership Cottage, Tudhoe Grange, was charged with assaulting an unemployed miner, Thomas Worthy (22), of Tudhoe Grange, and was fined 20s and two guineas costs.
It was alleged that Page, who is a gamekeeper, struck Worthy violently on the head with his gun, and set his dog on Worthy’s companions.
For Worthy, Mr J E Brown Humes submitted that counter-charges against his client and three companions – John Moore (29), Ambrose Hood (21), and Harold Barrett (26), all of Tudhoe Grange – by Page, were merely a counterblast to the main charge by Worthy against Page.
There was, he contended, no suggestion that the four young men were poachers, although they were charged by Page with trespassing in pursuit of game and with alleged assault.
Went for Walk
The men had “signed on” at the labour exchange that day, and decided to go for a walk afterwards. They went through Tudhoe Wood to the River Wear. So far as they knew this was a public footpath, used by hundreds of people during the summer.
Page approached and asked them what they were doing, and Worthy replied that they were having a walk. Then, his client alleged, Page gave Worthy a blow on the head with his gun and cut his ear very badly.
Mr Stokoe (Gateshead), for Page, submitted that the Bench would find difficulty in believing that a gamekeeper would attack four young men. Page saw then loitering, and asked them what they were doing on the land.
One of them replied; “That has nothing to do with you.” Page was then struck by one of the young men with a stick, and, said Mr Stokoe, a struggle ensued for the gun.
The Bench dismissed the counter charges by Page, and ordered him to pay costs.
(4th February 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Coal Stealing at Spennymoor.
At Spennymoor Police Court to-day, Richard Etherington (34), Jonathon Bestford (23), and Stanley Bestford (16), all of Thomas Street, Spennymoor, were each fined 15s for stealing coal, the property of the Spennymoor Gas Company.
Inspector Cook said the coal stealing had become so serious that he had been compelled to put officers on special observation duty.
Mr T Forrest, secretary of the Gas Company, stated that they estimated their minimum losses from coal stealing at £100 per annum.
(24th February 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
Tudhoe Colliery Primitive Methodist Sisterhood held their anniversary services yesterday, when Sister Jessie, of North Shields, was the preacher, and the members rendered the service of song “The Torn Bible”.
(2nd February 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Ferryhill Primitive Methodist Concert Party gave an entertainment at the Rosa Street, Spennymoor, schoolroom, last night, the Misses Sybil and Jennie Bussey, Miss Taylor, Miss Hodgson, Mr Maddison and Mr A Bussey taking part.
(11th February 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Mr and Mrs I Wainwright, who are well-known Methodists at Spennymoor, recently celebrated their golden wedding. Mr Wainwright has been a local preacher for 48 years. He has filled all the offices open to a layman in the Mount Pleasant Church, and is keenly interested in the Sunday School and the welfare of the children.
In 1903 Mr Wainwright organised a mission in a barn at Ferryhill Village, the success of which was the origin of the present church at Dean Bank.
(14th February 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
Isaiah Wainwright was born at Kingswinford, Staffordshire in 1856, the son of William, (b1816, a puddler), and Ellen (b1818 Lye, Worcestershire). In 1861 they are living at Kingswinford with two sons and two daughters. In 1871 they have moved to 110 Mount Pleasant where William is a plate shearer at the ironworks and Isaiah is an ironworker aged 15.
In 1881 Isaiah has married Mary Alexandra Knowles and they are living at 70 Half Moon Lane, Mount Pleasant. They later move to Weardale Street and have six children, with four surviving, Lottie, Ellen, Alfred and Samuel. Isaiah is a signalman for the Weardale Coal and Coke Company. Isaiah died in 1931 and Mary in 1934.
Peculiar Protest in Court - J.P. Objects to Bench “Making Exhibition of Themselves”.
A remarkable protest was made from the bench at Bishop Auckland Brewster Sessions to-day following an application for an extension of permitted hours in respect of public-houses in Bishop Auckland on market day (Thursday) of each week.
The bench were considering the application, when Mr John Reavley J.P. of Spennymoor, rose and said “I object to the Bench making an exhibition of themselves. What right have we to hold our hands up. Other times we have retired. Simply because there is a majority in favour of this application, those who are against it have to be dragooned into it. I am compelled to make this public protest.”
The chairman (Dr T A D Kane) pointed out that it was desirable not to drag a crowded bench out of court.
“They can walk out and walk in,” retorted Mr Reavley.
The magistrates deferred their decision and later, following a retirement, the chairman announced that the application was granted.
(5th February 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
Upturned Plans Passed - Why Spennymoor Bridge is so Narrow!.
Coun. John Reavley, of Spennymoor, gave a further instalment of his lecture on “Peeps into the history of Spennymoor”, at the Presbyterian Guild Hall, Mount Pleasant, Spennymoor, last night.
Dealing with the railway bridge which crosses the street in the centre of the town, Mr Reavley said one of the “crimes” laid at the door of the old Local Board was the narrowness of the bridge.
In connection with this Mr Reavley related an interesting story.
Plans had been passed for widening the railway, but the board overlooked the more important matter of widening the span across the street. This was not discovered until the foundations were being laid. A protest was made, but the Railway Company reminded the Board that they had passed the plans.
It then transpired that the Board had been looking at the plans upside down when they had considered them.
(26 February 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
John Reavley JP, (1868-1941) author of "History of Spennymoor" published in 1935, this updated Dodd's "History of Spennymoor 1897". A Member of Spennymoor UDC for over 35 years and Chairman on 3 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, managing a newsagents and stationery business for almost 50 years. He died in 1941, aged 73, and was buried in Rock Road Cemetery.
Dodd in his History of Spennymoor 1897 commented on the error
“There was nothing for it but to appeal to the generosity of the directors. The Company, however, had already been put to a great deal of expense and they demanded a very moderate compensation, whereupon the Board, with its penny-wise policy, refused to accept their terms, and the work was allowed to proceed.
The High Street of Spennymoor would have been a really fine thoroughfare had the span of the Bridge been carried back to the frontage of the Station Hotel. As it is, the town appears mean and ugly to anyone entering in for the first time, and all because of the hideous obstruction that forms the gateway to the business portion of the town. It is to be hoped that before long something may be done to make it a thing of beauty. The widening of the span would be a costly undertaking, but it might be possible at a moderate expense to redeem its ugliness by building a gateway of medieval type on both sides of it. Even a gateway in stucco would be preferable to the present arrangement.”
Test of Teaching - Spennymoor Headmaster on Value of Examinations.
The importance of examinations was commented upon by Major T Welch, headmaster of the Alderman Wraith Secondary School, Spennymoor, at the school speech day, yesterday.
Major Welch said they found examinations a fairly accurate gauge of ability and understanding, where intelligent methods of teaching produced better results than of cramming.
In the Oxford certificate examination 60 pupils were successful out of 69 – 22 with honours.
Nine pupils passed the Higher School Certificate examination out of 13 pupils who entered. Five distinctions were obtained.
(28th February 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
World Citizenship - Problems for the Rising Generation.
Speaking on the future aims of education at the annual Speech Day of the Spennymoor Secondary School (County Durham) last night, Major T Welch, the head master, said that the vital problems with which pupils of to-day would be confronted with to-morrow would not be local, or even national, but world problems. To be good Britons they would have to be good Europeans, and to be good Europeans they would need to be good citizens of the world.
Dr. Hugh Dalton MP, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, who presented the prizes, said that the aim of education was to explode ignorance and ancient prejudices, and to stir the earth of national life to render it more fertile for the planting of the trees in the future. Ours was a wonderful country, and had an even more wonderful future if the rising generation did their duty. The trend of modern thought and scientific development was towards the removal of national barriers, and the establishment of a wider sense of citizenship which acknowledged neither race nor colour.
(28th February 1931 Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligence)
Broom Cottages Council School.
From 101 applications for the position as caretaker of the Broom Cottages Council Schools at Ferryhill, Mr Mark Peacock, of Bede Terrace, Ferryhill, has secured the appointment.
(24th February 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Relief Work Protests - Sedgefield Want Own Workless on Schemes.
“A Disgrace”.
Strong protests on the method of selecting men for Durham County Council relief work in the Sedgefield district were made at a meeting of Sedgefield Rural Council, yesterday.
“Here we have thousands of men unemployed,” declared Councillor J P Berry, “but daily one can see bus loads of men brought into the district on this work from as far away as Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor.”
“It is a disgrace to the district” he added.
Councillor Walton also bitterly complained of this and a deputation was chosen to meet the County Council on the matter.
(14th February 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Mr Mark E Steel, retired undermanager of Tudhoe Colliery, was on Saturday presented with a gold snuff box and a wallet of notes, and Mrs Steel with a gold brooch with opal stone, from the officials and workmen of the colliery.
(16th February 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Two ex-officials of the Dean and Chapter Colliery, Ferryhill, were honoured by their colleagues last night.
Mr E J Eland, who retired after 60 years’ service, received a gold watch, and Mr John Dodd, who resigned after 30 years’ service to take up another post, was the recipient of a three-valve wireless-set.
Mr J Rutherford, manager of the Dean and Chapter Colliery, presided, and Mr E G Grace, handed over the gift to Mr Eland, and Mr R W Heslop that to Mr Dodd.
(28th February 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Dean and Chapter Colliery
Ferryhill Colliery - Good Hopes of Reopening on Monday.
After prolonged negotiations between the management and the men’s representatives, an agreement has been formulated by which it is hoped that Messrs. Dorman, Long, and Co.’s Dean and Chapter Colliery, Ferryhill (Co. Durham) will be reopened on Monday next.
The agreement lays down new working conditions, and one important point gained by the colliery management is that they will strictly adhere to their proposal to engage only those workmen whom they think are most suitable for the work available. This is one of the first instances of te departure from the system of cavilling (casting lots) for jobs by the men themselves for many years.
Under the agreement it is proposed to resume work in the Brockwell and the Harvey-Busty seams, but the Harvey seam proper will not be reopened for the present. Dean and Chapter Colliery closed down 14 weeks ago, having regularly employed over 2,500 men and boys for many years before that. It is one of the largest collieries in County Durham.
(10th February 1931 Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail)
Re-Opening of a Pit - Ferryhill Miners Interview Management.
Several of the new conditions proposed by the management of Dean and Chapter Colliery at Ferryhill for the restarting of the pit, which has been idle for 15 weeks, have not met with the approval of the workers.
Deputations of the men headed by Mr Peter Lee, have had interviews with the colliery officials, without obtaining the result desired.
Further interviews are to be sought by the miners.
(25th February 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Ferryhill Pit Re-opens Next Week - Dean and Chapter Men Accept Owners’ Terms.
The Dean and Chapter Colliery, Ferryhill, owned by Messrs. Dorman, Long and Co. Ltd., and normally employing 2,500 men, is to re-open at the beginning of next week after four months idleness.
A mass meeting of the men in the Dean Bank Miners’ Institute yesterday decided to accept the working conditions which the owners made the condition of re-opening, and which have been the subject of protracted negotiations.
Only one part of the colliery will start at the beginning of next week, the Brockwell Seam, when the first batch of 100 hewers with datal hands will take up their duties.
(28th February 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Finding Jobs for Durham Youth - Mrs C Headlam’s Work Recognised by Grant.
Residents in the County of Durham will rejoice to hear that the splendid work done by Mrs Cuthbert Headlam, C.B.E., of Holwell, Durham, in finding employment for boys and girls from the distressed areas in domestic service, has been recognised by the Pilgrim Trustees, who have made a grant to enable her to carry on her work.
Since 1928 Mrs Headlam had found employment for about 3,500 people, and she is now placing about 25 every week.
From Spennymoor alone, to take only one example, more than 500 boys and girls have been sent to good situations.
Prince’s Commendation
It may be recalled that when the Prince of Wales visited the distressed areas in 1928 he went specially to Holywell to inspect Mrs Headlam’s office, and expressed his appreciation of the fine work she was doing.
The grant from the Pilgrim Trust has come at a most opportune moment, as without it Mrs Headlam would have been compelled to close down. So far she has struggled on mainly with the help of private subscriptions from friends.
At Christmas, Mrs Headlam received hundreds of letters from boys and girls whom she had placed, telling her how happy they were and how grateful for the opportunity she had given them of making good.
All the girls have their fares and outfits provided, and the greatest care is taken to send them only to suitable situations. In London a paid secretary is employed to help Mrs Headlam to keep in touch with the girls.
(1st January 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle/1st January 1931 Shields Daily News)
Growing Army of Workless - Spennymoor M.P.’s Tilt at Lord Londonderry
Mr Joseph Batey, MP, for the Spennymoor Division, addressing a crowded meeting in the Crook Council Schools last night, said that the unemployment figures seemed to be galloping towards the 3,000,000 mark.
Lord Londonderry had stated that the present trade depression was not due to economic causes, but to the fact that the Socialist Party was ruling the country.
He had gone so far as to say that with a Government in power which the people trusted the present volume of unemployment would disappear.
That, declared Mr Batey, was a disgrace to any employer of labour, particularly as Lord Londonderry had closed his colliery at Seaham and thrown over 2,000 men out of work.
Why Rates Are High
Referring to the suggested economy campaign by the Conservative Party, he asked the audience not to heed the statement that reduced local expenditure would have the effect of reducing rates. The rates in Durham were high, but this was due to providing employment for men who otherwise would be in receipt of relief.
It had also been suggested that the unemployed should be divided into two classes – those insurable and those whom the State would have to maintain. He was greatly afraid that if this suggestion was adopted those in the latter category would ultimately come to be dependents on the Public Assistance Committee. He assured his constituents that the Socialist Party would fight this suggestion as hard as they possibly could.
(8th January 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Bus in Collision - Three vehicles Involved at Spennymoor.
Although one vehicle was torn open and the others slightly damaged, no one was hurt when three buses were involved in a crash on the frost-bound road near the railway bridge in High Street, Spennymoor, last night.
A Unity bus running between Spennymoor and Coxhoe had just left the bus stand when an A1 service bus travelling to Sunderland attempted to pass it as a United bus containing about 30 passengers was coming up the street.
The A1 bus skidded, and although the United driver swerved and mounted the pavement in an attempt to avoid a crash it was in vain.
Windows were shattered, but none of the passengers suffered injury.
A hole was ripped in the A1 vehicle and the passengers had to complete the journey in another bus.
(3rd January 1931 Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail)
Fog Crash Sequel
How two motor-cars crashed on the main road near Middlestone Moor in a fog on December 17 was described at Spennymoor Police Court, yesterday, when the drivers of both vehicles were charged under the new Road Traffic Act with driving carelessly.
For the defence it was urged that atmospheric conditions were responsible for the accident and the drivers – Thomas P Brady (52), of Nuns Moor Road, Newcastle and William Raine (22), of Durham Road, Tudhoe Grange, were each ordered to pay costs.
(28th January 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Spennymoor Crash Echo
How a motor-van reversed from a side street and crashed with another vehicle was described at Spennymoor Police Court, yesterday, when a charge of careless driving under the new Road Traffic Act was preferred against Stanley Maughan (20), of Norman Place, Newcastle.
Superintendent E Headen, who prosecuted, said that in view of the large amount of traffic which travelled up and down the High Street, Spennymoor it was dangerous to reverse a motor vehicle and run right across the road. A fine of 20s, including costs, was imposed.
(28th January 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Little Girl Gives Alarm - Serious Shop Fire at Spennymoor Averted.
The prompt action of a little girl named Harris prevented what might have been a serious fire, at the premises of Mr H Parr, draper and grocer, of 69, Dean Road, Low Spennymoor.
She was passing the shop last night when she noticed flames in the window. She gave the alarm and neighbours quickly on the scene found that the shop was locked, the proprietor and his wife being away attending to a fried fish business which they run in another part of Low Spennymoor.
The door, however, was broken open, the window knocked in, and the fire put out.
The cause of the fire is unknown and the damage is estimated at £30.
(10th January 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
Ladders to Fight Fire at 2a.m. - Neighbours’ Bid at Low Spennymoor.
Neighbours attempted to fight a fire which broke out at 2am in a shop at Low Spennymoor with buckets of water and ladders.
The fire occurred at the premises of Watkinson and Sons, wholesale bakers and confectioners, in Coulson Street, which were unoccupied at the time.
Mr and Mrs Goundry, who have a general dealer’s shop next door, were roused by the smell of burning, and Mrs Goundry saw flames bursting out of the adjoining premises.
They gave the alarm, and neighbours climbed to the windows of the upper storeys with buckets of water.
The fire, however, had obtained too firm a hold and as the bakery at the back of the premises and the adjoining property were in danger a call was sent to the Spennymoor Fire Brigade.
They soon had the fire under control and confined it to the storeroom in the upper storey, which was burned out. Part of the roof fell in but the shop below suffered damage only from water.
(19th January 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)