Tudhoe & Spennymoor Local History Society
Man’s 40ft. Fall
Spennymoor Erector Injured at Work.
George Taylor (41), of South Terrace, Durham Road, Spennymoor, an erector employed by Messrs. Coulson and Company, Spennymoor, fell a distance of nearly 40 feet from a steel column while at work this morning.
He was later admitted to the Newcastle Infirmary suffering from general injuries.
(2nd May 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
Runaway Lorry - Crashes Into Spennymoor House.
An alarming motor accident occurred at Spennymoor yesterday afternoon, when a lorry owned by Grays and Grays, botanical brewers, of Low Grange Road, got out of control and crashed into the front of the house of Mr Alfred Haire, at 7, South Street.
The lorry which was driven by Mathew Lazenby, had been delivering goods in South Street and had just resumed its journey when something went wrong. Careering down South Street out of control for about 100 yards, it mounted the pavement and crashed into the front of the house. The windscreen was shattered and the front wheels and axle totally wrecked.
The wall of the house was badly damaged, bricks being forced inside, and in the sitting room plaster and wallpaper had been displaced over a space of several square feet. The front door was dislodged to such an extent that it would not close.
Lazenby and a boy named Milburn, who accompanied him, escaped with shock and cuts, while the only occupants of the house at the time, Mrs Haire and her son Norman, only suffered from shock.
(9th May 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Gallant Rescue - West Auckland Man Dragged from “Live” Wire.
While Frank Catterson, of West Auckland, employed by the Newcastle Electric Supply Co., was working on some overhead electric wires at Spennymoor, yesterday, be received a shock, and his hand and arm and leg were severely burned.
He as attended by a doctor, and taken to Durham Infirmary.
He owes his life to Mr J Ritson, employed at Merrington Lane Slagworks, who at considerable risk to himself dragged him clear.
(12th May 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Ferryhill Girl Hurt
Dorothy Joan Laidler (10), after leaving school at Ferryhill, yesterday, was crossing over from Church Road to her grandparents’ home at 2, St Luke’s Terrace, when she ran in to motor-lorry driven and owned by Mr John Bland, of Spennymoor.
Her left arm was broken, and also suffering from head injuries and abrasions she was conveyed to Newcastle Infirmary.
(16th May 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
The Coxhoe and District Cricket League have decided to form a second division, open to clubs within an eight miles radius of Coxhoe. Coxhoe, Deaf Hill (Trimdon), Davy Lamp (Kelloe), Mount Pleasant (Spennymoor), and Tursdale clubs each entered their second teams, while Byers Green are also likely to join. The division is open to 12 clubs, and a fixture meeting will be held at Coxhoe on Thursday, May 14.
(8th May 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
C Mason, the Spennymoor Cricket Club’s young bowler, who did so well last year, has started the season in impressive style. Against Dean Bank, on Saturday, he bowled four men in one over and completed the “hat trick,” being the first trundler in the Mid-Durham Senior League to accomplish the feat this season. He finished up with the fine figures of seven wickets for 21 runs.
(9th May 1931 Gazette Middlesbrough)
Markham Schools Cup
The second semi-final of the Markham Schools’ Cup was played on the ground of Ferryhill Athleitic last night, when Dean Bank Boys beat North Road (Spennymoor) by two clear goals. Dean Bank generally held the upper hand, their scorers being Flockett and Hibbert. The feature of the match was the splendid goalkeeping for Spennymoor of Coles, who saved shots from all angles.
The final will be played to-morrow between Dean Bank and Chilton on the Ferryhill ground.
In the final Dean Bank won 2-1.
(8th/21st May 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Dean and Chapter Aged Miners’ Homes Cup
Semi final:
Spennymoor Church of England Boys 2 v Spennymoor North Road Boys 0
Second semi-final:
Dean Bank Boys 3 v Chilton Boys 0 at Ferryhill.
Dean Bank’s team : Wilson; Carr, Stoddard; Robinson, Pratt, Harbour; Summersgell, Flockett, Atkinson, Hibbett, Wayman.
Dean Bank and Spennymoor C.E. play the final at Ferryhill tomorrow.
Final at Ferryhill:
Dean Bank (Atkinson, Hibbett, Pratt 2, Atkinson) 5
Spennymoor C of E (Newcombe) 1
(20th/21st/22nd/25th May 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Does anyone have any photos of the teams from 1931?
Pillion Seat Problem
Man Who Used Cushion Fines at Spennymoor
The question as to what constitutes a proper pillion seat came up again at Spennymoor Police Court to-day when Arthur Tonks (23), of Urwin Street, Hetton-le-Hole, was fined 10s for not having a pillion seat securely fixed as required by the Road Act.
P.C. Tupman stated that Tonks’ pillion seat consisted of a leather cushion with a strap across the centre, fastening it to the carrier.
Mr Appleby, of Newcastle, defending, said that the cushion was one Tonks had purchased as a proper pillion seat cushion.
The bench ruled that a cushion, fastened by a strap, could not be called “securely fixed,” as required by the Act.
(5th May 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
Football in Streets
When three East Howle boys were charged at Spennymoor yesterday with playing football on the highway in Merrington Road, Ferryhill, it was stated that there was a recreation ground only 200 yards away but they would not use it.
Fines of 5s each were imposed. Supt F Foster, who pointed out the danger in playing on a road on which there was considerable traffic, declared that there had been more fatal accidents in Ferryhill during the past twelve months than in any other place in the county.
(13th May 1931Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Swine Fever Neglect
Well-known Middlestone Farmer Fined £5
A well-known cattle breeder and farmer, Thomas Cheesemond, of West End Farm, Middlestone Village, was fined £5 and costs when charged at Spennymoor Police Court yesterday with failing to notify the fact that swine in his possession had swine fever. He pleaded that he had no idea they were affected.
“This is a very important case and a serious one in many respects,” said Police Supt. Headen, who prosecuted. He stated that Cheesemond made application for a licence to move certain pigs from his premises to Shildon.
The police made enquiries regarding the pigs concerned and a constable went to the farm to inspect them. He found two dead, and bearing signs of swine fever.
Cheesemond was also fined 40s for failing to keep a complete register in respect of the transit of swine, the book being said to be “hopelessly at sea.”
(20th May 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Asleep on Pavement
Shotton Man Who Dislikes Workhouses.
Having expressed distaste for the workhouse, John H Price (78), of no fixed abode, was sent to prison for seven days by the Bishop Auckland magistrates yesterday when charged under the Vagrancy Act.
A policeman stated that Price was found begging at Spennymoor. He lay down on the pavement, falling asleep, after visiting a butcher’s shop in quest of a pie.
Price, who said he was a native of Shotton, stated that he had been in and out of workhouses and was not inclined to return.
(29th May 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Court Comedies at Spennymoor
People Who Turn Up The Wrong Week
Spennymoor Urban District Council last night decided to petition for the district served by the petty sessions at Spennymoor to be made into a separate petty sessional division.
Councillor Reavley said the district served by the Petty Session now held at Spennymoor had a population of about 35,000 people.
A weekly court was held, dealing with cases from Bishop Auckland Division one week and from the Durham Division the other week.
Confusion was often caused by people appearing the wrong week to apply for summonses.
If they had the whole area made into a separate division, this confusion would be avoided.
(29th May 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Fire Tragedy
Invalid in Fire – Spennymoor Man’s Climb Up Spout To Rescue.
Thrilling rescues were witnessed at a fire at Spennymoor in the early hours yesterday.
About 2am a newsagent Thomas O’Neill, of Villier Street, Spennymoor, was passing the grocery shop of James Trotter at the corner of Villier Street and George Street, when he saw smoke coming fro the cellar and heard the crackling of burning material.
He raised the alarm, and while a man named O’Hara ran to call the brigade he attempted to arouse Mr Trotter and his family, who live above the shop.
Apparently they had become partially overcome by the smoke, for there was no response to his calls.
Mr O’Neill burst open a side door in Villier Street, and attempted to enter, but was forced back by clouds of dense smoke.
Carried to Ground.
He continued to shout and bang upon the door, and at length he awakened Miss Maggie Trotter, who appeared at the bedroom window. He told her of the fire, and she aroused her mother and father.
Flames were now shooting out of the cellar, while the dense smoke cut off the stairs.
Mr Trotter, who is at present an invalid, was assisted through the window by his wife and daughter, and Mr O’Neill climbed up a spout and helped him to the ground.
Mr O’Neill then climbed up the spout again to the window and carried Miss Trotter to safety.
By this time neighbours had been aroused. A ladder was procured, and Mrs Trotter was rescued.
In Night Clothes
As all the rescued people were in their night clothes, Mr O’Neill climbed back into the bedroom to fetch some of their clothes, in spite of the crowd’s warning cries.
Mr O’Neill told the “North Mail” afterwards that on entering the room he felt himself becoming overcome by the smoke, so he grabbed a damp towel, and placed it over his mouth. After hurriedly seizing some clothes he escaped by the window.
Further exciting scenes followed when Mr Trotter, not realising his daughter had been saved, attempted to rush into the house to rescue her. He was followed and pulled out safely.
Inspector Cook and a body of police, assisted by neighbours, poured water into the cellar, and kept down the fire until the brigade came.
On the firemen’s arrival the flames were soon brought under control.
(4th May 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Durham Colliery To Be Dismantled
Village Loses Only Source of Employment
It has been decided to close down Page Bank Colliery, near Spennymoor (County Durham) during the next few days, and the reduced staff of workmen employed there are already working out their notices.
The colliery has been worked during the last twelve months on a short lease extension, granted last year when the long term lease on the colliery and the village of Page Bank expired. At that time the whole of the village, comprising about 170 houses, was sold to a number of different purchasers, and the position now is that the village community of several hundred people will be almost entirely destitute of any source of employment. In effect it will be a village existing almost entirely upon unemployment benefit.
It is understood that the original intention arrived at a year ago to dismantle the colliery will now be proceeded with.
(2nd May 1931 Yorkshire Post and Leeds Inteliigence)
Miners’ Distress in Durham
All That is Possible Being Done – The Premier
The Prime Minister was asked by Mr Batey (Soc., Spennymoor) in the House of Commons if he would in view of the increasing poverty among the mining classes in the county of Durham owing to short-time working, and the continued dismissal of miners, state what steps he proposed to take to deal with the situation.
Mr MacDonald: Short working time and unemployment of men in the coal industry in the county of Durham, which I deplore, is due to the general trade depression which has adversely affected the inland consumption of coal, and also caused a diminution in the coal export trade. The Government are fully alive to the situation in the mining industry, and are doing everything possible to mitigate the effect of the industrial depression in the coal trade.
Mr Batey: When will the Prime Minister be in a position to say what steps the Government propose to take to deal with the situation.
Mr MacDonald: That had better be done on the vote.
Mr Batey: Is the Prime Minister not aware that the situation needs urgent action, and that in his own constituency there is a report of a child dying from lack of food?
The Speaker intervened, and called upon Mr Batey to ask his next question, which was, if the Prime Minister would “bring forward legislation to relieve the industry of the payment of royalty rents by making such rents illegal without compensation.”
Mr MacDonald: The abolition of royalty rents without compensation has never been contemplated. (Hear, hear.)
(2nd May 1931 Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligence)
Police Trap Raiders
Organized Gangs of Coal Thieves
Look-Out Plans Miscarry
Organised night raids carried out regularly by gangs of unemployed Durham men upon large coal dumps belonging to the Weardale, Steel, Coal and Coke Co. were described by Insp. Cook at Spennymoor Police Court to-day.
Insp. Cook said large numbers of men belonging to the distress worked in gangs often 30 strong.
Before the raid took place the ground was reconnoitred by several men who after giving the “all clear signal” to their companion, took up vantage points, and were able to give the alarm long before police officers could get near the scene to arrest or identify any members of the gang.
When the police got there, no one was to be seen.
On April 25, however, while a raid was being carried out at Merrington Lane, Spennymoor, by a large gang of men, the look-out plans miscarried.
50 Tons Stolen
Two police officers surprised the raiders and arrested John Kennedy (30), James Kennedy (22), and John Bell (41), all of Burnett Street, Low Spennymoor.
They were to-day each fined 20s and costs and a plea by John Kennedy that he took no part in the raid but had been out all night playing cards in the fields was not heeded.
Inspector Cook said that within a very short time more tan 50 tons of coal had bee stolen from this particular dump, and the owners appealed to the magistrates to protect their interests.
(5th May 1931 Sunderland Daily Echo)
Stealing Timber
For stealing timber from Byers Green Colliery, two Newfield men, Charles Shields, of Garden Street, and Thomas Robinson, of Challis Street, were bound over for twelve months and each ordered to pay 7s 6d costs, at Spennymoor yesterday.
(6th May 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Boy of 11 Bound Over
Coal Stealing Allegations at Spennymoor
“The next case we get. I am going to ask the bench to commit without the option of a fine; it is getting so serious,” said Supt. F Foster at Spennymoor yesterday, when a case of coal stealing was before the magistrates.
The defendant was an 11 year old boy of Merrington Lane, who was alleged to have been seen in the company of a 12 year old girl filling a sack from a full wagon of coal at Dean and Chapter Colliery sidings.
When the boy and girl were spoken to it was alleged that they said that their parents had sent them.
Commenting on the seriousness of the position, Supt. Foster said that when full wagons despatched from Dean and Chapter Colliery reached their destination, there had been shortages in weights ranging from five cwts. to two tons.
The boy was bound over and the girl, who did not appear, was ordered to attend the next court.
(13th May 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Spennymoor Coal Theft
Robert O’Hara, of Dawson’s Yard, Low Spennymoor, was fined 15s for stealing coal at Tudhoe Iron Works.
(26th May 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
Caught Red-Handed
Spennymoor Thief Who Was Cautioned Two Days Before.
A 17 year old youth, who was fined 20s at Spennymoor Police Court yesterday for stealing coal from the Dean and Chapter Colliery sidings at Ferryhill, was stated to have been cautioned by the police two days before the offence was committed.
He was John Parker, of 65, Salvin Street, Low Spennymoor, and he was alleged to have given a false name and address when caught by Police Constable Williams.
“He was actually cautioned two days before,” Supt. F Foster told the magistrates, “and his father came down to the policeman and abused him. Two days later the boy was caught red-handed.”
(27th May 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Spennymoor Girl Missing
Vanishes from Situation in Midlands
Great anxiety is being felt for the safety of an 18 year old Spennymoor girl, Edith Marsh, daughter of Mrs Mary E Marsh, of George Street, Spennymoor, who has bee missing from The Mount, Compton, near Wolverhampton, where she was employed as a domestic servant, since May 5th.
The Mount is the home of Lady Mander.
No trace of the girl has been discovered since she asked permission to go to the Post Office on May 5th. At that time she was wearing a black coat, blue dress, navy blue hat, light stockings and brown shoes. The Wolverhampton police are making inquiries. The girl is described as being 5ft. 3in. in height, dark hair, blue grey eyes and a fresh complexion.
This is the second distressing experience Mrs Marsh has had with members of her family engaged away from home on domestic service. About seven years ago her daughter Annie, who was then 17 years of age and was in service at a farm near Scorton, Darlington, was accidentally drowned on her way to church.
For more information see Old News – June 1924.
(15th May 1931 Shields Daily Gazette)
Found Near Home
Spennymoor Girl’s Loss of Memory
…Mary E Marsh was found near Thinford Road Ends on the outskirts of Spennymoor, to-day.
A man who knew her saw the girl standing in the road and recognising her took her home. She was in a distressed condition, apparently suffering from loss of memory. She was placed under medical attention. The girl is unable to give any account as to how she made her way from Wolverhampton to Spennymoor.
(15th May 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
Man Dies at Work
Thomas Stephenson (57), married, of 29, Baff Street, Spennymoor, and employed at Coulson and Co., Merrington Lane Ironworks, collapsed at work yesterday afternoon and died.
Stephenson had been unemployed for a considerable time, and had only started work on this job on Tuesday. He was a prominent member of the Spennymoor Rosa Street P.M. Church, being a trustee and also chapel Steward.
(28th May 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Policeman’s Death
Constable Willerton, of Byers Green.
The death occurred at Byers Green, yesterday, of Police Constable W J Willerton, who had spent more than 23 years in the Durham County Constabulary.
Mr Willerton was 49. After joining the police force, he spent a number of years at West Hartlepool. He was transferred to Cockton Hill, Bishop Auckland, and was moved to Byers Green about two yeas ago.
(30th May 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Spennymoor – Café and Dwelling House, High Street, to Let lately in the occupation of Mrs Moon, deceased.
Apply Alfred E Morgan, Auctioneer, 1, Cleveland Street, Bishop Auckland.
Shop to Let in Market Buildings, High Street, Spennymoor; rent £55 per annum.
For particulars apply to the Clerk to the Council, Town Hall, Spennymoor.
(9th May 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
£265 Rent Arrears
Orders Against Spennymoor Company’s Tenants.
In making application at Spennymoor Police Court, to-day, on behalf of the Weardale Steel, Coal and Coke, Ltd., of Spennymoor, for possession of six houses occupied by workmen no longer in the employ of the company, Mr E B Proud, of Bishop Auckland, said the urgency of the matter would be realised by the fact that the arrears of rent amounted to £265.
The company was not desirous of dealing harshly with the tenants, and would be satisfied if possession orders were made, such to be suspended while the tenants paid the current weekly rent and 1s a week off the arrears.
An order for possession in 28 days was made in each case, the order to be suspended for three months if the tenants paid their weekly rent, and 1s a week off the arrears.
(26th May 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
Miner’s Rent Arrears
26 Years to Pay Them Off !
….The highest arrears were £68 5s owing in respect of one house alone.
Reckoning on that basis, it would take the person owing more than £68 twenty-six years to pay off his arrears.
The Bench made the order.
(26th May 1931 Sunderland Daily Echo)
Kinemas on Good Friday
An Anomalous Position Remedied.
The kinemas will be opened on Good Friday in the Durham County petty seasonal division. This was the decision of the Durham County magistrates today, when the third application was made. They will be open from 6.30 to 10.30pm.
Mr J E Brown-Humes, who appeared on behalf of three kinema owners in Spennymoor, said since the Bench had refused the application the Bishop Auckland magistrates had granted the application, and this brought about an anomalous position in the town of Spennymoor, part of which was in both divisions.
In the Bishop Auckland area the kinemas would be open, while the three in the Durham area would be placed at a great disadvantage. He asked the bench to review the situation in consideration of the action of other benches.
Mr Brown-Humes went on to say that two vicars and one Roman Catholic priest were approached at Spennymoor, and they were in entire agreement with the application, providing the conditions were strictly adhered to.
Mr H E Ferens made an application on behalf of the whole of the kinemas in the area.
Brig.-General Surtees, in announcing the decision of the Bench, suggested that this matter of licensing theatres and kinemas in the county should be subject to one authority instead of to the different magistrates.
(1st April 1931 Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail)
Rambler Cyclists.
Another of a series of easy rides has been arranged for South Shields Ramblers Cycling Club this week-end. Departing from Deans Bridge at 10am on Sunday, the party wil travel over the main road to Chester-le-Street from whence the by-roads through the villages of Waldridge, Edmondsley, and Burnhope will be traversed to Lanchester, the lunch destination. In the afternoon the Ramblers will pass through a network of by-ways through Esh, Esh Winning, Brancepeth and Tudhoe and will partake of tea at Croxdale.
The evening journey home will be by way of Durham, Houghton-le-Spring, Shiney Row, Fatfield, and Washington.
(9th April 1931 Shields Daily Gazette)
Cricketer’s Death
Passing of “Bobby” Laidler, of Tudhoe Fame
Cricket followers of the Mid-Durham Senior League will regret to learn of the death of Robert Laidler, the Tudhoe bowler. He played with the Tudhoe club for over 30 years, except for one season, with the Mainsforth club.
Mr Laidler started his playing career with the Tudhoe Church club when they won the Durham County Junior Cup in 1895, and it was following the final of this competition, against Medomsley, that he was taken in hand by Tudhoe United, then members of the Durham Senior League. At the age of 15 he commanded a regular place in the club’s first team.
For many years he headed the bowling averages of the club and of the old Wear Valley League, but perhaps his most notable performance was against local rivals, Spennymoor, in a mid-week “Derby” fame, when he bowled the whole of the Spennymoor team for 11 runs. He received many offers of professional appointments but he declined all of them.
The funeral will take place on Monday and it is expected that many local cricketers will be present to pay their last respects.
(11th April 1931 Sports Gazette Middlesbrough)
Girl Killed in Brother’s Car
Two Tragedies in Same Village
Two fatal motor accidents occurred within an hour at Croxdale, near Spennymoor.
Ronald Bennington, aged 26, an insurance agent, of Sunderland Bridge village, collided with a saloon car belonging to Colonel Headlam, ex MP for Barnard Castle, of Holywell Hall.
Bennington, who was driving a motor car, was thrown against a windscreen. He died on the way to hospital. He had been married for only six months.
The second fatality occurred in the Great North road, south of Croxdale, when Dennis Burn, aged four, residing with his grandmother at Barmoor Cottages, near Croxdale, ran across the road and was knocked down and instantly killed by an army motor lorry.
(13th April 1931 Dundee Evening Telegraph)
His Last Song
Boy’s Tragic Death While Picking Flowers
“Play ‘Springtime in the Rockies,’ daddy, and I will sing.” Four year old Denis Burns, of Barmoor Cottages, Spennymoor, made this request to his father, John Burns, a dance pianist, who was practising to play at a dance.
The father played his favourite song, and Denis sang it. Then he ran out to pick flowers by the roadside.
A few minutes later he was killed by an Army motor-ambulance travelling from Catterick Camp to Newcastle.
This tragic story was told at the inquest today, when a verdict of “Accidentally Killed” was returned. The driver of the ambulance was exonerated.
(13th April 1931 Liverpool Evening Express)
Car Overturns
A saloon car driven by Mr R Allan of Fleetwood, who was accompanied by his wife, skidded on the greasy road between Middlestone Moor and Spennymoor last night and overturned.
Mrs Allan was stunned but soon recovered, while Mr Allan escaped with shock and cuts. The car was badly damaged and Mr and Mrs Allan completed their journey in another machine.
(29th April 1931 Shields Daily Gazette)
Workless Victims of Hoaxer.
Men Engaged To Carry Boulders From River.
Day’s Toil In Vain.
Further developments are expected as a result of an amazing hoax played upon nearly 30 unemployed colliery workers from the Spennymoor district.
The hoaxer promised work to all the men on a huge road scheme. Eight began work under his instructions on Thursday, shifting huge boulders from the banks of the River Wear.
Eight more were detailed on the same job yesterday, and with the others waited for their “ganger”.”
They waited in vain. The man did not meet them, and they discovered to their anger that they had been subjected to an inexplicable hoax.
The “employer”, a “North Mail” representative was told at Spennymoor last night, visited Page Bank on Wednesday and took the names of nearly every unemployed man there.
Promised a Job
“He secured about 30 names of men anxious for work,” said John Simpson, of Page Bank, “and promised them a job on the road scheme. Eight he said were to start on Thursday and the rest on Monday next.”
Thomas Collins, of Carnes Street, Spennymoor, said the man stopped him in the street and asked him if he wanted a job.
“I agreed” said Collins, “and eight of us went to the Sunderland Bridge with him. Once there he told us to shift a big pile of boulders on the banks of the river, to another spot about 10 yards away.”
“We worked hard all day, rolling the bricks, some of which weighed over five cwt. That day we shifted about 10 tons of stone.”
Vain Wait for “Employer”.
“We arranged to meet him again this morning, and 16 of us met there. We waited in the rain until 11 o’clock, but he did not turn up.”
“The police were informed, and have the matter in hand.”
Thomas Barr, of Rogerson Terrace, Croxdale, another of those hoaxed, said he was alarmed about the employment cards.
When he questioned the hoaxer about it he replied that they had been sent to him by post. Barr had not received them when seen by a “North Mail” representative last night.
Both Barr and Collins stated that the hoaxer used the name of a well-known local surveyor [Mr R Spencer from Spennymoor Council] to convince them that the work was genuine.
When they saw the surveyor he denied all knowledge of it.
(18th April 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
-----------------
Subsequent newspaper articles stated the police had found the hoaxer who was a well-known Spennymoor man.
I’ve been unable to find any further information so please tell us if you can identify the hoaxer.
Policeman’s Chase
East Howle Man Takes Cycle “Just for Daftness”
A policeman’s chase was described at Spennymoor yesterday, when John H R Chapman (25), George R Minnikin (26), and Fred Atherton (18), all of East Howle, were charged with stealing a bicycle from a shed in North Street, Ferryhill.
The bicycle belonged to a youth named William McGowan, and after it was missed Police Constable Scott made investigations and later saw the three men walking along Durham Road, Ferryhill.
He shouted to them to stop, but he had to give chase.
All denied any knowledge of the theft, but later Minnikin took the officer to a field where the bicycle had been placed.
Minnikin, it was alleged, said he took the bicycle “just for daftness.”
The three men were bound over.
(15th April 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Thief’s ‘Drunk’ Plea Fails
“I was that drunk that I did not know what I was doing,” declared Sidney R Mitchell (21), of Pitt Street, East Howle, who pleaded guilty at Spennymoor Police Court yesterday to charges of stealing two pigeons and 12 chickens and was fined 40s. Police-constable Walling stated that he was unable to find out whether Mitchell was drunk or sober at the time, but he had had the sense to place a brooder with the chickens when he got them.
(15th April 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Burglars Foiled
Unable to Break Through Door at Spennymoor.
A determined but unsuccessful attempt was made to enter the Spennymoor and Tudhoe Workmen’s Club in Durham Road. A door two inches thick withstood their efforts but it was so badly damaged that it will have to be replaced.
Marks of blood upon the door suggests that the burglars injured themselves in their task. Moreover, they were apparently disturbed, as a quantity of burglars’ implements were left behind.
The Spennymoor Spiritualist Church was also entered and a small sum of money is missing.
(21st April 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
“Sweep” Tickets
Spennymoor Letter That Was Intercepted.
A shilling fine, with costs, was imposed by the Durham magistrates to-day on Joseph Cadman (50), of Mount Pleasant, Spennymoor, who was charged with selling lottery tickets.
Supt. Foster said that a letter containing £30, directed to the Irish Sweepstake authorities, was opened, and the Home Office had instructed the Chief Constable of Durham to prosecute.
Mr T Jennings, of Bishop Auckland, who appeared for Cadman, stated that there had been many prosecutions under the Lotteries Act recently, and the magistrates had dealt leniently with them.
An application was made for the return of the £30, but the magistrates told Cadman that he would have to apply to the Home Office.
(22nd April 1931 Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail)
Pawnbroking Wanted
good, reliable Man for Sales and assist at pledge counter;
permanency if suitable;
references must bear strictest investigation.
Thos Phillips, Cheapside, Spennymoor.
(16th April 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
‘Gamble With Death’
Stowaways on Their Experiences.
Twenty-two had stowed away on the ship, but 11 were found before it left Fremantle and were put on shore.
One of the men, who had buried himself in the cargo for five days. Stated that he came out of his hiding-place owing to being exhausted. “I was hungry” he said, “and I wanted fresh air and food. When I stowed away among the cargo I realized that it was a gamble with death, but I decided to take the risk rather than face starvation in Australia. I had been in the bush for 12 months. I had no idea that anyone else had stowed away, although I knew there were scores of men in Australia anxious to get back to England.”
A young man from Spennymoor said that Australia is overrun with foreigners and there is no chance of employment for Britishers, especially single men.
“We knew we were running the risk of punishment by stowing away,” he said, “but the risk was worth taking, having regard to the privations we have suffered in Australia.”
(28th April 1931 Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail)
NE Council Elections - Moderate Gains at Spennymoor
At Spennymoor the Moderates gained a majority over Labour. Prior to the election the constitution of the Council was 15 Labour, five Moderates and one Independent, but now the Council will consist of 11 Moderates, nine Labour and one Independent.
Spennymoor Ward (nine seats)
E C Kenmir (Mod), J Reavley (Mod), H Askew (Mod), J Crane (Lab), C Miller (Mod), T Edwards (Mod), D Pearce (Lab), W Hirst (Lab), H Watchham (Lab).
Tudhoe Ward (nine seats)
R S Ross (Ind), W Milburn (Mod), A Blenkin (Lab), T Sutton (Mod), W White (Lab), T Marley (Lab), M White (Mod), R Claughan (Mod), F E Hamilton (Mod)
Ferryhill Ward (three seats)
T Mulloy (Lab), J E Orton (Mod), W Lindsay (Lab).
(1st April 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
New UDC Chairman
Councillor H Askew Elected at Spennymoor
The first meeting of the newly-elected Spennymoor Urban District Council was held last night. Previously the Socialist Party held the majority on the council, but at the recent election the Moderates succeeded in obtaining a majority of the seats.
Councillor J Reavley, in moving Councillor H Askew as chairman, said Councillor Askew had been on the council for eight years during which time he had for a period been chairman of the finance committee and had also sat upon the Durham County Water Board and on the county assessment committee.
Councillor T Marley, moving Councillor A Blenkin for the chairmanship, said Councillor Blenkin had sat on the council for 33 years.
A vote resulted in Councillor Askew defeating Councillor Blenkin by 11 votes to 8.
For the vice-chairmanship councillor J E Orton defeated Councillor Pearce by 12 to 8.
The following chairmen of committees were elected:-
Finance and general purposes, Councillor T G Sutton
Works Councillor E C Kenmir, Highways Councillor J Crane, Health Councillor W Milburn, Market and parks Councillor J Reaveley, Stable Councillor R S Ross, allotments Councillor A Blenkin.
Rating and Valuation Committee for the urban area:
Councillors Kenmir, Crane and Reaveley for Spennymoor ward;
Councillors Sutton, Blenkin and Hamilton for Tudhoe ward;
Councillor Orton for Ferryhill ward.
(17th April 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Crushed to Death by Rope - Inquest Verdict at Spennymoor
Vivid Story of Pit Tragedy - Engineman Praised by the Jury
A VIVID ACCOUNT of a pit tragedy was given by an engineman at a Spennymoor inquest to-day on a youth who met death in a shocking mishap.
The inquest was on William Andrew Fox (17), of Bessemer Terrace, Low Spennymoor, who was killed at Dorman Long and Company’s Mainsforth Colliery.
David Bennett, hauling engineman, said he has seen Fox a few minutes before the accident. He was then walking between the rope beyond the “No Road” board.
Witness then proceeded to haul a full set from out-bye (three tons), when he heard a shout. The next he saw was the boy’s head coming round on the drum. He had been carried on to the drum by the ropes.
Witness immediately stopped the engine and pulled up within eight yards of hearing the shout. He made the set secure and ran out of the engine-house and called for help.
He obtained an endless rope grip and attached it to the main haulage rope, to take the weight of the set off the rope. He then reversed the motor and got Fox off the drum.
It took him eight minutes from the time of hearing the shout to have the body released and laid on the ground. Fox was unconscious when released. First aid was rendered but he died about 45 minutes after.
The body had been internally crushed by the rope, but there was only one coil round it.
The boys were forbidden to come into the engine-house, unless called for by the engineman, but they frequently did so. To get to the engine-house they would have to step across the rope, and witness admitted that he had called for boys to come to the engine-house when the set was in motion.
The boys would have run a similar risk to that of Fox.
On this occasion, however, he had not called for Fox and had no knowledge as to why he was coming towards the engine house.
Mr George Telford, local inspector, said he examined the place shortly after the accident.
The management had now decided to make a road straight through to the hauler, so that there would be no reason to cross the rope to get to the engine-house, and future danger would be avoided.
A verdict of “Accidentally killed” was returned, the jury expressing appreciation of the efficient way in which Bennett had acted after the accident.
(11th April 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
Stealing Coal
George Kirkbride (41), of Weardale Street and George Walker (33), of Post Office Street, Low Spennymoor, were each fined 10s by the Spennymoor magistrates yesterday, for stealing coal from the Dean and Chapter Colliery sidings at Ferryhill.
(1st April 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Raiding for Coal
Four Canny Hill Men Fined at Spennymoor
When four Canny Hill men were charged at Spennymoor yesterday with stealing coal from Messrs Dorman, Long and Company’s Westerton Colliery, Mr E B Proud (prosecuting) said the Company took a serious view of these cases, as they were becoming so frequent.
The Company had lost an enormous amount of coal, he said, as the result of early morning raids.
It was stated that 200 new sleepers had been stolen from the colliery during the past three months.
Two of the men, Joseph Welsh (27), of Garden Terrace, and John Lambert (29), of Bowman’s Terrace, who were charged with stealing sleepers as well as coal, were each fined 25s. The other two, Alex Wales (27), of Garden Terrace, and Stephen Robinson (23), of Sportsman Yard, were each fined 20s.
(22nd April 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Fraud by Miner
Drew “Dole” and Benefit From Relief Society
“It is a most contemptible thing that a workman should rob his fellow-workmen. You were getting a weekly income from various sources that amounted to much more than that of the miners who are contributing to the fund.”
This comment was addressed by the Chairman (Mr J Reavley) at Spennymoor Police Court yesterday to Edward Ross (36), miner of 18 Rosa Street, Spennymoor, who was fined £5 for obtaining money from Northumberland and Durham Permanent Relief Fund Friendly Society by means of false pretences.
Mr Barry Jones, of Newcastle, prosecuting, said it was alleged that Ross had obtained £27 from the society in respect of accident benefit and during that time he was in receipt of unemployment benefit. He was asked on several occasions by the society’s local agent if he was receiving the “dole” and he said he was not.
Ross, who pleaded not guilty, said he thought that he was entitled to accident benefit as well as the “dole”.
(22nd April 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Women Fight a Fire
Women assumed the role of fire-fighters at Spennymoor, to-day, when they ran with their buckets filled with water and quelled a shop fire before the town’s fire brigade arrived on the scene.
The fire occurred at a fried fish shop in Half Moon Lane, which was being opened for the dinner hour trade by the proprietor, Mrs Harle.
Flames gushed out from the furnaces and under one of the pans, and a large quantity of dripping got alight, causing the flames to spread in all directions.
Neighbours had their attention drawn to the outbreak by volumes of smoke pouring from the door and windows and soon nearly 40 women were running towards the scene with their buckets which they had filled hurriedly at their homes.
The fire was quelled in record time.
One of the women, Mrs Howess, paused in her work to make a plucky rescue of a nine year old girl, Olive Perkins, who was knocked down by a motor-lorry whilst rushing across the road to see the fire.
Mrs Howess promptly pulled the child from under the wheels of the vehicle and she escaped with slight bruises and severe shock.
(2nd April 1931 Sunderland Daily Echo)
Big Load on Road
Machinery for Tyne-Built Vessel
Great interest was aroused in Spennymoor High Street, today, when a load of machinery for the Monarch of Bermuda, recently launched in the Tyne, passed through the town.
The convoy consisted of two traction engines, two living vans, and a truck containing machinery weighing about 50 tons. The load had had to be diverted through Spennymoor, as it had been unable to pass under the railway bridge at Darlington North Road.
When it reached the Spennymoor railway bridge it had to proceed very slowly but cleared the bridge with less than a foot to spare.
(11th April 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
Always Ready
Dear Daddy,
May I become a member of your homely large Circle. My mother has taken the “NWG” for a long time now, and I’m always ready to read it when she has finished reading it. I always look for “Norman, Nora, and Nan.”
I am nine years of age and in Standard III at the C.E. School in Spennymoor. My mother made me a fancy dress to represent England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in the Carnival. I hope to see my first letter to you in print. I would write you poetry, but I think my letter is too long. Anyway, here it is:
I had a little donkey,
And he wouldn’t go,
Think I’d whip him,
Oh, no, no,
I’d put him in a stable
And give him some corn,
He is the best little donkey
That ever was born.
Your loving member
Alice Coatesworth, Spennymoor.
(18th April 1931 Northern Weekly Gazette)
Mr T B Smith Dead
Well-Known Ferryhill Musician
Mr Thomas B Smith, a well-known local musician, died at his home at Gordon Terrace, Ferryhill, yesterday.
Mr Smith, who was manager of Walker Limestone Quarry Company at Ferryhill Station until the firm ceased operations, was for many years musical director at the Cambridge Theatre, Spennymoor.
He leaves a widow, a son and three daughters. His service was at Ferryhill Station Cemetery. He was on the committee of Spennymoor Social Club, and was a member of the Knight of the Golden Horn.
(15th/17th April 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Spennymoor Preacher Dead
Mr John Pae, one of the best-known Wesleyan preachers in the North, has died at his home, 34 Whitworth Terrace, Spennymoor, aged 86. Mr Pae had been a preacher for 65 years, and only a month ago took the service at Spennymoor Wesleyan Church.
About a fortnight ago he contracted influenza, which developed into bronchitis.
He was born at Byers Green, and was for 50 years a blacksmith at Tudhoe Colliery. He retired in 1921. His wife died some years ago, and there is no family.
(9th March 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle/10th March 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
John Pae was born at Hetton Lyons in 1846 (not Byers Green), his father was Thomas Pae (Pay) born in 1812 at Bewick-on-Tweed, an enginewright, his mother Ann was born in 1806, Pensher. In 1851 they were living at Hetton Lyons, in 1861 they had moved to Blair's Houses, Byers Green, Thomas was a joiner journeyman and John a blacksmith's apprentice.
In 1870 John married Margaret Rivers b1843, Summerhouse, daughter of William, a mason, and Elizabeth Rivers. In 1861 Margaret was a pupil teacher at Byers Green. In 1871 John and Margaret are living with Margaret's father at Byers Green. From 1891 John and Margaret are at 34 Whitworth Terrace with John's step-sister, an ornamental leather worker, and several nieces. Margaret died in 1919 aged 75 and John in 1931 aged 85.
Induction of Pastor
There was a record congregation at the Presbyterian Church, Mount Pleasant, Spennymoor, yesterday afternoon, for the induction of the Rev. J Murray Rodger to the pastorate of the church, vacant by the call of the Rev. Bernard Paton to Warrington.
Mr Rodger comes from Sunderland where he has been in charge of the Roker Church for 4.5 years, and before that he was for 6.5 years at Embleton, in Northumberland.
(26th March 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
LNER ambulance classes
All the students of the Ferryhill LNER ambulance classes who sat at an examination under Dr J B Aitkin have been successful.
(6th March 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Van Dwellers’ Fear - Homes Removed in Fire Outbreak at Spennymoor.
Damage amounting to about £25 was done in a fire at a living van in Railton’s Yard, Back George Street, Spennymoor, late last night. The van was occupied by Llewelyn Rowland, an unemployed miner.
Rowland lit the stove and went out to buy his supper.
On his return, about 15 minutes later, he found the van in flames. P.C. Hodgson was quickly on the scene, and, with the assistance of van dwellers, removed the other vans to safety.
(7th March 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
Spennymoor Society to Disband
Spennymoor Lecture Society, at their annual meeting last night, decided, owing to lack of support, to wind up the Society.
The financial statement showed a deficit of £5 12s 5d, and when the lantern and other assets have been realised the Society will be finally closed.
The secretary, Mr R M Pearson, said it was useless to carry on the Society when there was not a sufficient number of people who would become season ticket-holders. There must be at least 200 season ticket-holders, and in spite of all the efforts of the committee they had only had 160 during the past year.
(28th March 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
Prison for Bogus Theatrical Manager
A bogus theatrical producer named Henry J George has just pleaded guilty at Spennymoor, Co. Durham, to charges of not being registered and of abandoning his touring company. It is highly satisfactory to see that the recent Act is really being enforced against posts of this sort, who do irreparable damage to the unfortunate young women who join their companies and are left stranded in distant parts of England.
Although he had three previous convictions, George was given the option of a fine. This option proved valueless, since he had no money, and he is likely to serve six months in prison. Although it is no advantage to the community having to support him there, it is gratifying to observe that he seems to have made nothing out of his very undesirable kind of enterprise.
(4th March 1931 Truth)
Chocolate Clue - How Policeman Caught Low Spennymoor Boys.
Smears of chocolate round his mouth led to the appearance in the juvenile court yesterday of a 14-year-old Low Spennymoor boy, who, with two other lads aged 13 and 12, was accused of stealing two boxes of chocolate biscuits from a Low Spennymoor shop.
Police Constable Yeandle said that all the lads had previous appearances in court, and when he saw them together after the theft, he noticed chocolate marks on the face of the eldest.
It was stated that all three were concerned in a charge of damage to an empty house some time ago, and the younger two were bound over for two years in November on a charge of larceny.
The two boys who had broken their recognisances were ordered to pay £2 each, and all three were bound over for two years.
(18th March 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Men With a Whippet - Fined for Game Trespass at Spennymoor.
When David Heseltine (23), of Spennymoor, and Richard Robinson (23), of Tudhoe Grange, were charged yesterday with game trespass in a field at Spennymoor, Police Constable Gaddass said he saw the men with a whippet.
A hare was chased by the dog, but escaped. Heseltine then picked up the dog.
Robinson explained that the dog went into the field and chased a hare, and they tried to get it out.
Both men were fined 10s 6d.
(18th March 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Pit Re-Opening - Work for 600 Men at Ferryhill.
No time was lost by the management of Dean and Chapter Colliery at Ferryhill after the miners agreed to work under the new conditions laid down by the Company, in arranging for re-opening the Brockwell Seam.
A special band of messengers were dispatched with notices to all the men required, asking these to sign-on by Saturday morning when cavils for working places would be drawn for. A full complement of horseshoers were busy on Saturday attending to the ponies and a large number of surface men began work.
It was expected that only 100 men would be needed for the Brockwell Seam, which is the only one that is to be worked, but there was an agreeable surprise when it was found that about 240 hewers would be required. These, with the putters, datal men, and boys, will bring the number of workers at the colliery to over 600.
It is expected that the other pits will re-start in about six weeks’ time.
(2nd March 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
More Miners Engaged - Brighter Prospects at Dean and Chapter Colliery.
A large number of men were signed on at the Ferryhill Dean and Chapter Colliery to begin work opening out the Harvey Seam this morning.
After having been closed for four months the Colliery started away with a week of six days, working on Saturday- the first time on that day for many years- and the prospects in the district are much better than they have been for some time.
The Harvey Seam has been much improved during the time that the pit has been closed with the object of quicker winning of coal with the minimum of labour.
(9th March 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Dean and Chapter Colliery - Coke Ovens, By-product Works and Acid Plant
It was also stated at Ferryhill yesterday, that Messrs Dorman, Long and Company intend to transfer their coke ovens, by-product works, and acid plant from Dean and Chapter Colliery to Teesside, and that the plant is to be dismantled for that purpose. The works are among the largest of their kind in Durham County.
(9th March 1931 Blyth News)
Bank Manager Retires
Mr Joseph White, manager of the National Provincial Bank, Spennymoor, retires to-day after 44 years’ service. He started his career at Hartlepool before going to Spennymoor 18 years ago to manage Ferryhill Village, Ferryhill Station, and Spennymoor branches. Mr White is a keen worker in the public life of the town. He is a noted badminton player and was the means of introducing the game in Spennymoor.
(31st March 1931 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
Mr Samuel Liversidge
Mr C N Liversidge (41), fourth son of the late Mr Samuel Liversidge, of Rotherham, has been appointed manager of the branch of the National Provincial Bank, Ltd., at Spennymoor, Durham.
(4th March 1931 Sheffield Daily Telegraph)
Croxdale Veteran Dead
Mr Tom Stark (75), one of the oldest residents in Croxdale, was found dead in bed by his son, on coming home from work. He was a keen sportsman in his younger days, and took an interest in greyhounds. For years he acted as caller and lamplighter for the village.
(12th March 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Co. Durham C.W.L. President.
Mrs Salvin, of Croxdale Hall, has been elected president of the county executive committee, which has been formed for all branches of the Catholic Women’s League in the county of Durham.
(28th March 1931 Leicester Catholic News)
Edith Lady Auckland
The death occurred suddenly at her home in London on Saturday of Edith Lady Auckland, the daughter of Sir William Eden, the 6th baronet, and aunt of the present baronet, Sir Timothy Eden, of Windlestone, Ferryhill, Co. Durham. She was 80.
Lady Auckland was the third wife of the fourth Baron Auckland, who died in 1890. In 1897 she married Mr Phillip Symons, who died in 1926.
(30th March 1931 Yorkshire Post and Leeds_ Intelligence)
Main Line Blocked - Snow Causes Mishap Near Ferryhill.
A London and North-Eastern Railway goods train, on its way from Newcastle to the south, left the rails yesterday just outside Ferryhill station on the main line.
The engine ran off the lines at a junction, and the three wagons which followed it immediately ran off also. The cause of the mishap is believed to be snow, which interfered with the proper working of the points.
A breakdown gang from Darlington was soon on the spot, and traffic was directed by another route until the late afternoon, when, after about three hours’ work, the line was in order again. The permanent way was damaged, and the rails and switches were put out of order.
(12th March 1931 Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail)
4 Miles for a Penny
A fare-cutting contest between the owners of the two bus services between West Cornforth and the Surtees Arms, Ferryhill Station, a distance of more than two miles has resulted in the return fare being reduced to a penny on one of the services, while the other charges twopence.
(6th March 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Cinema Comedy - Spennymoor’s One Open and Two Shut.
Durham County Bench have refused permission for the opening of cinemas on Good Friday, whilst Bishop Auckland justices have given sanction.
As a result of this a Gilbertian [farcical] situation arises in Spennymoor.
In the main street there are three cinemas – two under the jurisdiction of Durham County authorities and one under Bishop Auckland. Therefore one will be open while the other two will be closed.
Ferryhill district is in the Durham County territory, and the three cinemas there will be closed.
(27th March 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
Spennymoor Urban Council Rates
Spennymoor Urban Council fixed the rates for the coming half-year as follow:-
Low Spennymoor 7s 11d and increase of 3s on last half-year;
Tudhoe 8s 1d an increase of 4d;
Merrington Lane 9s 5d a decrease of 2d;
Whitworth 9s 1d a decrease of 5d.
Councillor Marley, chairman of the Finance Committee, said that the increase of 3s in the Low Spennymoor area was due to the action of the old Board of Guardians, With regard to Merrington Lane, the rates should have been 10s 2.5d, a levy of 1s 0.5d having been made by the County Council for this area, but this had been divided into four levies of 3d.
(27th March 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
The Trade Position - Mr F Thompson’s Address at Ferryhill.
Mr Frank Thompson, of West Hartlepool, addressing a meeting at Ferryhill on Thursday, dealt with the question of the critical trade position.
He said the depression of industry and the resultant unemployment had reached a stage when they threatened permanent injury to the industrial life of the country. For some years there was a belief that the country’s industrial vitality would be restored when foreign countries regained financial stability.
To-day, in an ever-deepening depression, there was a tendency to seek consolation in the fact of world depression, and to ignore the real gravity of the situation.
For ten years before the world’s depression began this country had been continuously unable to find employment for ten per cent of its people.
Referring to imported iron and steel, he said that if it was made here instead of being brought from countries which were maintaining a standard of life lower than our own, it would result, as well as finding employment, in an enormous increase in the railway traffic and railway revenue. It would produce something like 21 million tons extra for the railways.
(6th March 1931 Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail)
Workless Up By 7,000 in Year - Coal Revival Need at Bishop Auckland
Unemployment in the Bishop Auckland area, where there is an increase of 7,845 workless compared with a year ago, is unlikely to diminish unless there is a considerable improvement in the coal industry.
The increase has been a gradual one, and since November only 406 persons have been added to the “live” register.
General unemployment situation in the area remains bad, and prospects of any improvement are dependent on the mining situation as a large percentage of the unemployed are colliery workers.
There have, however, been appreciable decreases in the number of workless at Cockfield, Shildon, Spennymoor, Crook and Wolsingham.
At Shildon there are over 100 fewer unemployed than in November last year, and at Spennymoor there has been a fall of nearly 300.
During the quarter 1,045 vacancies were filled locally by the Bishop Auckland exchange and branch offices.
In the women’s department 96 applicants have bee placed locally, the majority of these being domestic workers, while applicants placed in other districts during their quarter totalled 23.
Twenty trainees had completed their course at the Home Training centre at Bishop Auckland and had been placed in London, Cheltenham, York, Macclesfield, Manchester, and elsewhere.
(13th March 1931 Newcastle Daily Chronicle)
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)