vol 2 issue 2 - Houghton-le-Spring

THE HOUGHTONIAN | JUNE 2012 | VOL 2 ISSUE 2 | ISSN 1757-3890JUNE 2012 | VOL 2 ISSUE 2 | ISSN 1757-3890QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF Houghton Heritage Society:: THE GOLDEN QUEEN:: MAUTLAND SQUARE:: MEET OUR PRESIDENT:: WRIGHT AROUND HOUGHTON:: WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE QUESTS:: AND MUCH MORE!OUTRAM STREET CORONATION PARTY, 1953

THE HOUGHTONIAN | JUNE 2012 | VOL 2 ISSUE 2 | ISSN 1757-3890CAN YOU HELP?If you have any old photographs of Houghton-le-Spring thatyou would like to share, please contact Paul Lanaganvia www.houghtonlespring.org.ukFACES AND PLACESPhotographs are treated with care and respect and arereturned promptly once they have been copied.Allowing your precious photographs to be copied and sharedensures that they will be around for generations to come.1953 Coronation, 1977 & 2002 Jubilee photos also wantedfor a special commemorative book later in the year!

THE HOUGHTONIAN | JUNE 2012 | VOL 2 ISSUE 2 | ISSN 1757-3890www.HOUGHTONleSPRING.org.ukTHE HH WEBSITE IS UPDATEDFREQUENTLY. JUST CLICK ON THEUPDATED LINK ON THE HOME PAGE TO SEEWHAT’S NEW. SOME OF THE UPDATEDPAGES DURING THE PAST THREE MONTHSINCLUDE:WELCOME TO THE HOUGHTONIAN,the quarterly magazine of the Houghton-le-Spring Heritage Society. This is our seventhconsecutive issue, numbered as Volume 2 Issue2 and has taken a special Union flag theme tocommemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.THE CELEBRATIONS CONTINUE, as Junemarks the 30 th anniversary of Jean Holland’stime as a barmaid in the Golden Lion and in thisissue we pay tribute to her. We also pay tributeto Jack Morley, a son of Houghton and asupporter of Houghton Heritage.IN MAY, Houghton Heritage Society visitedGrangewood Care Home in Shiney Row andgave an illustrated talk to the residents as part ofDementia Awareness Week. Thanks areextended to all at Grangewood for theirhospitality.HOUGHTON HERITAGESociety would also like toplace on record gratefulthanks to showman StanleyReeves of S&D Leisure forhis recent generous donationof £100. Find out moreabout the UK’s the premiere amusement rider provider at:www.sdleisure.comAS ALWAYS, I do hope you enjoy this issue.PAUL LANAGANCHAIRMANH-L-S HERITAGE SOCIETY:: Knick Knacks & Curiosities – page updatedwith details of small glass etched tocommemorate the explosion at Houghton Pit in1850.:: Houghton’s Cenotaph – the page aboutHoughton's First World War memorial has beenupdated with new images and additioninformation about the Cenotaph.:: Mautland Street & Mautland Square – ahouse-by-house guide to the houses and shopson Mautland Street and later Mautland Square(1969-2001).:: Houghton Hillside Cemetery Lodge – detailsadded about the erection of the lych gatearchway next to the Cemetery Lodge onSunderland Street.:: Robinson Brothers Brewery – time line aboutthe old brewery maltings on Durham Road hasbeen updated.:: Sunderland Street: House by House Guide –the Sunderland Street directory has beenupdated with more residents and occupants fromthe Censuses and old advertisements.:: Houghton Pit Pony Hoof - a miner's mementoof his dead pit pony from Houghton Colliery,1910.:: Houghton's George V Coronation Bonfire –the article about the Coronation Bonfire has beenupdated with other Jubilees and Coronations.* * * * * * * *If you’re reading a printedversion of The Houghtonian and arehaving difficulty seeing the print, didyou know you can read the onlinePDF? This can be increased in size upto a whopping 6400% in AdobeReader!FOR INTERNET ACCESS AT HOUGHTONLIBRARY – TELEPHONE 0191 561 6383FOR DETAILS.

THE HOUGHTONIAN | JUNE 2012 | VOL 2 ISSUE 2 | ISSN 1757-3890DR JOHN SELWYN MORLEY, PhD, MD, DScHoughton Heritage Society is proud to announce that supporter Jack Morley, has been appointed asHonourary President. Jack was born at 32 Edwin Street in 1925 and his memories of Houghton,particularly of the 1930s, have been of great help to the Society since he first got in touch back in 2007.Jack is a modest gentleman, however the Society has recently learnt of his life achievements, which aredetailed below, and is now seeking to have his name included in the Houghton Grammar School Book ofHonour which records the achievements of the school’s alumni.Jack attended Newbottle Street Infant and Junior Schools from1930 – 1937, Houghton Secondary/Grammar School from1937 – 1942 and then went to University College Durham tostudy life sciences. After graduation in December 1945 (beingWartime, there were four terms each academic year), he wassent to the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to continuehis medical studies and do research on malaria.His subsequent working life has been devoted to medicalresearch, published in some 200 papers. The results woninternational acclaim, resulting in his being invited to be a mainspeaker at many meetings around the world.Until 1982, these researches were at Liverpool, Cambridge andManchester Universities, and at ICI Alderley Park. Highlightswere his prominent role in the isolation and characterisation ofgastrin, the antral hormone; his discovery of a simpler form ofthe hormone now used in hospitals for the assessment ofgastric secretory function; his role in the discovery of Zoladex, agonadorelin analogue for the treatment of prostate cancer; andhis pioneering research on endorphins – our body’s naturalopiates.In 1982 he co-founded a unique multidisciplinary Institute atLiverpool for research on chronic pain. On February 16 th 2011,Liverpool for research on chronic pain. On February 16 th 2011,the Pain Research Institute was awarded Freedom of the City ofLiverpool in recognition of the success of its work over the last30 years. Jack personally raised research grants of over£500,000 during this period, and his own researches solvedproblems in the use of morphine, leading to new procedureswhich are used world-wide.The move to the Institute also enable Jack to pursue researchon his main interest in neurology – the possibility thatregeneration of the human central nervous system (CNS) waspossible. The teaching in medical schools was then that theCNS was ‘fixed, immutable and can’t be changed’. Using novelexperimental systems, he demonstrated that regeneration wasindeed possible. He applied his findings in the treatment ofParkinson’s Disease, and initiated clinical trials which are still inprogress.He and his wife Nancy have been married for 63 years. Theymoved to a home in Cheadle Hulme, near Stockport, in 1954,and still live there. Both have been actively involved in localcommunity work (he was an Urban District Councillor,magistrate, school governor, Chairman of the Scout’sAssociation, Citizen’s Advice Bureau etc).Jack Morley (right) withPaul Lanagan outside theGolden Lion PH, 2011.

THE HOUGHTONIAN | JUNE 2012 | VOL 2 ISSUE 2 | ISSN 1757-3890RITCHEY’S YARDDear Houghton Heritage, In oneof the censuses it states that therewas a Ritchey’s Yard which wasbehind Ritchey’s shop in NeshamPlace. Can anyone tell meanything about it?Margaret RitcheyA&M Ritchey’s Good GrubNewbottle StreetSIR GEORGE ELLIOTDear Paul, It has been many yearssince we communicated regardingthe life of Sir George Elliot for mybook about Powell Duffryn. I hopeyou are well. Please can you help?I wish to write to the owner ofHoughton Hall seeking permissionto use a photograph I took of theirin home in my forthcoming bookabout Powell Duffryn. Thepublisher, Black Dwarf Lightmoor,postponed publication of thePowell Duffryn book in 2008 dueto the economic situation, but lastyear asked me to get ready forlaying out my work this year. Thetask of laying out the book willbegin soon. Please could you thename of the owner of HoughtonHall? Last year, Black Dwarfpublished my first book, 'Vickers'Master Shipbuilder: Sir LeonardRedshaw', and I attach 'MERReview of LR Book.jpg', which is areview of the book in MER (MarineEngineers Review], a journalpublished by IMAREST, formerlythe Institution of MarineEngineers. Best wishesLes ShoreRAINTON PIT DISASTERHi Paul, After some info off the StMichaels Burial register. Have theform here to send to you for 8records of Blackbird's andBlenkinsop's but then thought Iam probably related to all of them.Just for your info the main thing Iam trying to work out is if theThomas Blackbird who died in theRainton Pit accident of 1823 is thesame Thomas who is my 4 x GrGrandfather. Cheers.Steven SlaterEDWIN STREET SHOPHello, I have been looking at yourwebsite with great interest. Myfather was born at Houghton on 3March 1921 above hisgrandparents' corner shop.Unfortunately I don't know thename of the road but I was takenWHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?Can you help solve theseGenealogical & Heritage Quests?father was born at Houghton on 3March 1921 above hisgrandparents' corner shop.Unfortunately I don't know thename of the road but I was takenthere in the 1960s by which time ithad been re-converted into ahouse. The names of thegrandparents were Elizabeth andH (Henry?) Davidson. They hadfour children. 1.Herbert whomarried Suzie and they had oneson Tom and two girls Betty andDorothy. Both girls married twobrothers by the name of Fulton.2.Grace who married Tom Lax.They had one daughter Bessiewho was knocked down by a buson 20 January 1939. She wasaged just 9. They also had a sonHarry who continues to live inHoughton. I am regular contactwith him and he is trying to obtaina book on the history of Houghtonwhich includes a photo of theaforementioned shop with bothgrandparents standing outside!3.Mildred (my grandmother) whomarried Maddison Wilks. They hadtwo boys William Maddison (mydad) and Thomas Davidson.4.They also had a son William. Iknow nothing of him. My mainquestion concerns the HoughtonCut. My grandfather used to tellme it had been cut by FrenchPrisoners of War during the mid1800s. Is this correct please? Iremember visiting the cemetery offthe cut in the 1960s. What atranquil place it was. He also toldme that some French PoW wereburied there. Is that also correct?Many thanks and keep up thegreat work with your website!Oh yes, and a Happy New Year toyou all.Paul WilksCheshirePAUL LANAGAN REPLIED:There is a photograph in ‘ThePeople's History: Houghton-le-Spring’ by Geoffrey Berriman,2000, on page 52 showingDavidson's Grocery shop in EdwinStreet, circa 1920. Could this bethe photograph you refer to?FOOTBALL TEAMSHi Paul, Last week I decided togive my grandfather's footballmedal to my grandson. Mydaughter put MonkwearmouthCharity Cup into the Internet andup came a picture of the 1912 cupwinning team,Charity Cup into the Internet andup came a picture of the 1912 cupwinning team, with mygrandfather's picture. I remaintotally gobsmacked! I have founda website that states that the onlyplayer so far identified is thegoalkeeper, Jack Heath. Mygrandfather, Simon Graham isnext to him, on his right, i.e. backrow 4th from left. I need to findout where Simon was living in1912. My early years memories areSimon and Isabel Graham living at25 Bullion Lane, Chester-le-street.They had three children, Mary, mymother, Frank Graham and Ruth.Frank's children Peter and Patriciawere brought up in Pelton/Perkinsville. I know that Simon'sfather was the landlord of the ShipInn at Pelton, one reason whySimon was teetotal. I am totallyfascinated by the picture, we havenever seen this before. Magic!Kind regards.Alan DolmanDENE HOUSE FARMDear Houghton Heritage Society, Iam a descendent from theBowden family that owned DeneHouse Farm at Houghton- le-Spring circa early 1800. We willbe in Durham soon and wouldappreciate the opportunity toresearch the family history. Couldyou direct us to the best locationfor help in this matter? We havethe book The Peoples HistoryHoughton-le-Spring by GeoffreyBerriman; it has a photo of DeneHouse Farm being worked in1954. We would like to know theorigin of the photo and the exactlocation of the Farm. We wouldlike to contact him by email andask if you could provide us with hisaddress and/or contact detailsplease, if you have them. In fact ifyou have details of any othercontacts that could be ofassistance, thank you if you couldforward to us. Look forward toyour assistance with thanks.Regards.Moira MorettiAdelaide, AustraliaWHOSE CHABBLE?Paul, I am a American womanliving in Sacramento, CA, USA,and own a very old oak diningtable with a label on the undersideof the table that is quite worn.Some of the writing is worn awaybut I can still read some. Thispiece of furniture came fromtable with a label on the undersideof the table that is quite worn.Some of the writing is worn awaybut I can still read some. Thispiece of furniture came fromClingly Antiques:-----ery Row Methodist Church,Houghton-le-Spring, England, -----s 2030, Sunderland 75012Can you provide me of anyassistance in determining thisbusiness? The address? Thechurch? I have been fruitlesslysearching on the internet and haveyet to find much information.Sincerely.Susan WilkinsonCalifornia, USAPAUL LANAGAN REPLIED:Dear Susan, Thank you for yourenquiry regarding the dining table.This piece of furniture came fromClingly Antiques. I have not heardof Clingly Antiques before but itappears that it was in Sunderlandbased on the old style telephonenumber of 75012 - before the 56prefix was added. The table camefrom Colliery Row MethodistChurch, located in Chilton Moor,near Fence Houses, just outside ofHoughton-le-Spring town centre.I would assume it was probablythe communion table - can yousupply some photos? I don't knowwhat the "-----s 2030" is; if it hadbeen 1830 or 1930 I would haveguessed the date it was donated tothe church. Older locals recollectthat when the church first closed itwas used for storing antiques, sothey probably sold the items left inthe church. It is now used for thestorage of building materials. Youcan see the Church on GoogleMaps. I do hope this informationis of use to you.SOUND FAMILIAR?Hi Paul, I visited your site todayand noticed the following burialsrelevant to my family history:Thomas Forest; Ann Forest;Jacob Forest; Ann Forest; JaneForest; Jane Forest; JohnForester; Jane Forrest; JaneSwailes; Mahala Swails; andRobert Swales. Kind regards.John ForrestAustralia

THE HOUGHTONIAN | JUNE 2012 | VOL 2 ISSUE 2 | ISSN 1757-38901949Ref no: HLS1854161464A children’s pageant in the Rectory Park, thought to be part of the opening celebrations, 1949. The children weredressed as important historical figures in the development of our country. The young boy at the right was DavidLivingstone. Pictured are, from left to right: unknown; unknown; unknown; unknown; Michael Allan; unknown; AlecLayfield; unknown; Alan Smirthwaite; unknown; unknown; unknown; Keith Littlewood; unknown; and GeoffreyAtkinson. Can any reader help name those currently unidentified?BE SURE TO visit the Peppercorn Café on Newbottle Streetthis Diamond Jubilee weekend, as on display are actualsignatures from King George VI and his wife, Elizabeth. Bothare inside a visitors’ book from Gateshead Children’s Homeon the page dated February 22 nd 1939. Café owner, MichaelMcGlinchey, is pictured left with the book which also containsthe signature of actor Johnny Weissmuller, best known forplaying Tarzan. Sadly the book shows that there were novisitors on Christmas Day.

THE HOUGHTONIAN | JUNE 2012 | VOL 2 ISSUE 2 | ISSN 1757-3890JOLLY FARMERS INNDear Paul, I was intrigued by theinformation you have been able toobtain about the village. I waswondering if you have anyinformation on the "Jolly FarmersInn" located in Houghton-le-Spring. It was owned by my greatgrandfather, Arthur Smith -wifeSarah Ann - and unfortunatelythere is little material that waspassed on to the remainder of thefamily. The only thing that we haveis an old postcard with the "pub"circled. Any rememberances ofthe establishment came from mygreat aunt Sadie who resided inthe village till at least 1989. Anyassistance in obtaininginformation is greatly appreciated,Sincerely.Craig PosmanturBuffalo, New YorkTHE JOLLY FARMERS INNInformation required on SpringInn in Houghton-le-Spring re: MrWheatley - manager - around1946 to assist in compiling mynatural family background. Thankyou for considering my request.James BrynleyChacksfieldNESHAM PLACEDear Houghton Heritage, Myname is Pete Thomas. I am notsure if you are able to help me, Iam retired from the RAF currentlyliving in the Midlands but lookingto relocate to the North East as itis where my wife originates fromas she wants to be closer to herfamily. We are looking topurchase a house in the regionand wondering if you know of anyinformation concerning NeshamHouse, Nesham Place, HoughtonLe Spring. I have spent manyhours online but unable to comeup with anything and several siteshave suggested contacting localhistorians and I found you, hencemy contacting you. I know it isprobably an unusual request but Iwould appreciate any informationyou could give. I hope to hearfrom you, Regards.Pete ThomasWHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?Can you help solve theseGenealogical & Heritage Quests?SOUND FAMILIAR?My father's family hails from CoDurham. I had a great aunt whoseaddress was 21 Outram Street inHoughton-Le-Spring and hername was Mrs Jenny Williams neeStewart. I was in touch with her allthrough the fifties, when I was alittle girl, until her death. She andher husband did not have anychildren. I am not actually verysure where it was exactly that myfather's family originated from butit was the Sunderland-Durhamarea. My father's father was a JohnSmith, which is not really veryhelpful but my grandmother'sname was Margaret Purvis(Purves?) and she had a youngersister, Mildred, who marriedGeorge Richardson, fromSunderland. There was possibly abrother as well (Tom?). Margarettrained as a tailor at Binns (?) ineither Sunderland or Newcastleand John was a draper, I think,with the Coop. I am justwondering if anyone might haveany memory of these people orknow of any descendants.Gillian McKimFIELD HOUSE, 4 LANE ENDSPaul, My wife's cousin's father wasborn at Field House, Four LaneEnds, Hetton le Hole in 1921. Inmy imagination 'Field House'could be anything from the statelyhome of Lord and Lady Field to ashed in a field! I can find nothingon the web and cannot find it inthe 1911 census. I have looked atordinance survey maps of theperiod and nothing stands out.Do you have any info? RegardsJohnTHE LAING FAMILYWhilst tracing the members of myfamily, I came across two whodied relatively recently andwondered if anyone knew them. Iam waiting for their DeathCertificates to find out exactlywhere they lived, but yourmembers seem to knoweverything and everyone! Theirnames were:- Rachel J. Laing, neeMorrison, who died in 1989 atabout 90 Years of age; and IvyLaing, never married, who died in1992 at about 80 Years of age.Hope to hear something.Ray LaingMOORE & WHEATLEYSDear Houghton Heritage, My greatgrandfather George Moore (fromLeamside) worked the Pit until1926 and then came to the UnitedStates. I am searching for anyfamily connections to the Mooreand Wheatley families. My Greatgrandmother Josephine (fromHoughton-le-Spring) and Georgewere members of St. Michael andAll Angels. That is all I have to goon. Thanks for welcoming me tothe group. I have no middle namefor her. She had two daughterswhen they left Josephine (born1920) and Gladys (mygrandmother, Feb 25, 1923).Chris BowenUSASTANLEY HORACE KAYDear Paul, I have been looking atthe Houghton Heritage Websitewith great interest as mygrandparents lived there at thebeginning of the C20 and myfather was born there in 1914. Iremember trips to Houghton as asmall child to visit the grave of myfather’s brother, Stanley HoraceKay who was killed in a very earlymotor car accident on WhitMonday in 1924. It was widelyreported in the newspapers at thetime. My father was born at 28Sunderland Street in 1914. Mygrandfather, Horace Kay, had acobblers/shoeshop and is shownas being in Electric Crescent in the1911 Census. If you have anyinformation regarding his life atthis time, I would be very gratefulas I have no one I can ask! I live inLondon so it is difficult to accesslocal records. I wondered whtherthere are any local newspapers ortrade papers that might help mepursue this. Look forward tohearing from you. Best wishes.Val LanceleyKEEP UP THE GOOD WORKJust to say that this site is brilliant.I lived in Newbottle as a child butjust love reading all of the postingson here. Fantastic dedication!Sandra ElvinsKidsgroveStaffordshireTHE GRAMMAR SCHOOLDear Houghton Heritage, I cameacross your site whist trying to findout where I could locate an artteacher from Houghton Le SpringGrammar School (around1968/69) called Helen Joseph,possibly Josephs. It brought backgreat memories of school there (Iwas at the Grammar). And ofcourse Dimis. Keep up the goodwork.George BlacklockTWEDDLE & MCLARENDear Houghton Heritage, I amresearching into vessels lost offthe Portland Bill area of theEnglish Channel and I am trying tolocate photos/information on thefollowing steamship - NameS.S Hesledon Hall; Built1878; Builder Chlesinger & Davis,Wallsend; Tonnage 595 grt;Owner Tweddle & McLaren,Houghton-le-Spring, Durham;Fate 25-7-1880 sunk incollision off Portland, Dorset. Anyhelp you can give me would bemost appreciated. Kind regards.Alan DunsterJUNCTION ROW QUERYRe. Mr.Rob Leach's querie aboutJunction Row. There is/was aterrace of about twenty cottagest'other end of Blind Lane fromGrasswell called Junction Row.The terrace stood by Blind Lanesurrounded by fields. Most likelythey would be colliery houses.Funny enough although there wasonly that terrace there and welocals referred to the area for amile or two around as "JunctionRow." The isolation hospital upthe lane was Junction Rowhospital. It is on Google Maps.Photos? The best I can do is if youscroll down a bit on the HoughtonHeritage Facebook group you willfind our Betty as young girlperched on some railings. Thelane crossing behind her is BlindLane. Junction Row is a couplemile to her right.Harry Smith* * * * * * * * * * *Keep reading formore Quests!

THE HOUGHTONIAN | JUNE 2012 | VOL 2 ISSUE 2 | ISSN 1757-3890WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?Can you help solve theseGenealogical & Heritage Quests?JOSEPH STOKOEHello Paul, I was just browsingthough the Houghton HeritageSociety site and came across thefollowing on the Houghton CollieryRemembered page: 1881 - At thistime, Houghton Colliery manager,Joseph Stokoe, lived in GilpinHouse, The Quay, Church Street.He was presented with a goldencoach clock with the followinginscription: "Presented to JosephStokoe Esq, Viewer, on theattainment of his 50Th year by theofficials of the Houghton Collieryas a mark of esteem July 30th,1881" The clock now belongs toJoseph's great-great grandson,Mike Preiss, in South Africa, andstill keeps good time. This was anexciting discovery as Joseph wasmy 3x gt uncle and I am in touchwith his gt grandson Noel Stokoe.We knew that Joseph's sonJoseph Laws Stokoe went out toSouth Africa and had at least twochildren but did not know thatthere were family still out there!Would it be at all possible for youto put me in touch with MikePreiss please? Thanking you inadvance.Pam BennettHOUGHTON EMIGRANTSVirden, Illinois, USA is home tomany descendants of formerHoughton residents. Mostemigrated around 1901-1903. Mygreat great grandfather wasGeorge Smith, married first toJane Thompson, and later to AnnLampton. My great grandmotherwas Arthurina Ashman Smith,whose brothers and sister exceptfor Phoebe remained inHoughton. Other families whoemigrated were Osborne, Page,Rankin, Scott, Hutton--all localminers.George RishelIllinois, USAHOUGHTON’S ITALIANSDear Paul, I am an elderly MAstudent at Teesside Universityresearching Italian immigrationinto the North East as little hasbeen written about them. I amreally impressed with your site andinterested in obtaining the bookcoming weeks, once the book hasWith thanks to Lena Inch for sharing these photographs New Zealandbeen laid out.and many more.and DVD that go along with it. Iwould love to bewould love to be able to havepermission to quote from yourfindings and would of course givecredit too any information used. Ihave information on many areas inthe North East and want tocompare experiences here with thelarger Italian communities in thelarge cities, London, Birmingham,Manchester and Liverpool to see ifthe smaller communitiesexperienced the same changes inperception of the Italianimmigramts especially in relationto 1940 and the rounding up ofthe local Italian population,Middlesbrough and theirexperience of riots and where theloss on the Arandora Star hadsuch devistating effects on theItalian population. I have beenpromised oral testimony from amember of the Pacitto family andother familes and I have contactedMichael Minchella in South Shieldswho is also going to talk to me.Unfortunately I am going intohospital in three weeks for majorsurgery so my research time isseverally curtailed. Any help youare prepared to give would begreatefully received and as statedwould be acknowledged in mydissertation. Yours faithfully.Dorothy DinsdaleTeesideTHE GRAMMAR SCHOOLPrompted by a question from mycousin in Australia, I would like tofind out more about Houghton leSpring Grammar School (knownpreviously as Houghton-le SpringSecondary School). MyGrandfather, Thomas Alfred King,taught there from 1926 when theschool opened until hisillness/death in 1949. My motherand her two sisters and herbrother were all pupils at theschool and they have plenty ofmemories, but no photos and no"official" documentation. I'dparticularly appreciate memoriesand pictures.Sheila WheeldonPAUL LANAGAN REPLIED:The history of the GrammarSchool has been researched andis due to go on to the HoughtonHeritage Society website in theYARD ROWCan anyone help withphotographs of Yard Row,Philadlephia, as one of the houseswas where my Father, ThomasGraydon Lawton and his Motherand Father lived? They wereBenjamin Bould Lawton andElizabeth Mary who lived at 2 YardRow which was within the NCBPhiladelphia Workshops, wheremy Father did his apprenticeship,and later became Assistant WorksManager. The Works Manager atthe time (early 1950s) was aThomas Lawson who I think livedin Chester-le-Street. Yard Rowwas demolished I understand inthe 1950s. I have one grainyimage of Father and Grandfathertaken outside of the house, whichwas taken sometime in the 1930s,but before 1939, as BenjaminBould was killed in a collieryaccident in November of that year,and is buried in the churchyard ofSt Matthews, Newbottle. Any infowould be most welcome.Ian LawtonWakefieldPLAIN PIT DISASTERDear Houghton Heritage Society,Just stumbled across this groupand am thrilled. I do a lot ofgenealogy and some of myancestors originated fromHoughton Le Spring, back as faras 1800. Names includePatterson, Gardiner, Gardner,Gardener, Watson and Gibson. Alot of them are buried in StMichaels Churchyard including my4x great grandfather and his sonwho were killed in the Plain Pitmining disaster in 1823.Nicky WinkworthLAYBOURN & ELLIOTTSI’m looking for information on thefollowing Laybourns and Elliotts,who may have been from theHoughton-le-Spring area: BesseyLaybourn; Thomas Laybourn;Susan Laybourn; Susanna Elliott;and Robert Elliott. They may havebeen buried in St Michael'sChurchyard and Houghton HillsideCemetery.Barbara MetcalfeSTEWARD FAMILYHi Paul, I've just been looking at theHoughton Heritage Society websiteit's really good and reallyinformative. I am researching theSteward family tree, and whilst weall live in Swindon, I had no idea wehave such a strong heritage inHoughton Le Spring. Nearly all ofmy ancestors were born there ornearby (Rainton, Castle Eden,Hetton Le Hole) and I'm currentlylearning all about this place - ofwhich I didn't even know existed!Do you have any tips or goodplaces to look for moreinformation? I'm looking at 1700s -late 1800s mostly. I'm interested toknow more about the place andwhy they all decided to move toSwindon - most likely due to theRailways and working in GWR - butwondered if many other families didthe same? Seems like a longjourney too! Any comments orsuggestions are most appreciated.Best wishes.Carly StewardSwindonFIELD HOUSE FARMDear Sirs, I have been researchingmy Father's Mother's family. Theywere the Richardson family, andhad a farm at Field House, WestRainton in the 1800s. I cameacross the Houghton HeritageSociety site during my research,and saw a letter from DeborahWhinfield, regarding the grave ofHannah Richardson. I don't know ifthe Hannah Richardson that MsWhinfield is seeking is related to myfamily, but I do have someinformation which shows 3Hannahs, one born 1839, one born1865 and one born 1897 (MaryHannah Richardson, who lived at 7Shiney Row). I appreciate therewere a lot of Richardsons around atthe time, and Hannah was a fairlycommon name, but we may find weare researching the same family. Isit possible for you to forward myemail to Ms Whinfield? Yoursfaithfully.David BoltonKeep reading for m oreFam ily Tree Quests only in theHough tonian

THE HOUGHTONIAN | JUNE 2012 | VOL 2 ISSUE 2 | ISSN 1757-3890HOUGHTON HERITAGE SOCIETY iscarrying out a survey about the HoughtonFeast Opening Ceremony, whichtraditionally takes place on the Fridaybefore Feast Sunday. In 1987 the firstMilitary Tattoo took place and featured theLight Infantry Band, North East Pipe Bands,South Shields Sea Cadets Band, RyhopeColliery Welfare Band and the ClaireMcKenzie Dancers. Over the years,Houghton Pipe Band had a growingpresence in the Tattoo, which alwaysconcluded with the playing of the Last Postand illumination of Houghton's Cenotaph.The last Tattoo took place in 2002 and wassubsequently replaced with a lantern paradeand other forms of entertainment.The 10 quick questions can be found at:http://kwiksurveys.com/?s=MNKHOG_4802da84“Ladies and gentlemen, thepipes and drums…”PERHAPS ONE OF Houghton’s oldest pubs and situated just atthe bottom of Sunderland Street, the Golden Lion has served acentral focus in the lives of all those that have drank in there.Once a coaching inn, the building dates as far back as 1824(record-wise), however it is certainly much older than that.This year the Golden Lion sees barmaid Jean Hollandcelebrating 30 glorious years behind the bar. Jean has stoodbehind the bar since the summer of 1982 and is now a part ofthe fixtures and fittings! She has seen many faces in her timewhile pulling the pumps. But never have the words “Hiya love,what can I get ya?” been more aptly spoken to a thirsty man.Jean always has a smile upon her face, it is the warmth of thatsmile that makes you feel welcome and right at home whensitting in the lounge bar. I was in there last year with localhistorian Paul Lanagan and Peter Corfield, having a drinkduring the Houghton Feast week, but Paul being Paul he burstout and asked for a photograph of her. I won’t repeat her replybut it was funny. The lads thought it was funnier when I juststrolled up to the bar and politely asked if I could have a pictureof her for something we were doing…and with no morequestions I got it! I believe the words “you jammy git” wereuttered from Paul’s mouth!I am pretty unanimous in this and I speak for all those that havebeen served by Jean, we look forward to another 30 years! You area star and a pleasure to speak to.D.W.

THE HOUGHTONIAN | JUNE 2012 | VOL 2 ISSUE 2 | ISSN 1757-3890WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?Can you help solve theseGenealogical & Heritage Quests?NEWBOTTLE COULSONSHello Paul, I must start with a greatthank you for all your effort. Hopeyou can help me with some photosthat I have. The writing on the backmay not be true. One is of a farmwith the person in it called Francisand says the farm was sold in 1940after 75 year of Coulson working it.The next one is of Wilfred ploughingbehind the Children’s Hospital don’tknow the date. The next one is at thefront of New Bottle farm with UncleFred on the horse and Uncle Jack onthe cart unknown date. The last isSunny Side Farm (Robbie and Arthur,grandfather’s brother and son). Myfather came to Australia in 1927 towork in the railways; he used to workin the signal box in Newcastle onTyne. He returned to England in1929 to get my mother. She had 4sons and 1 daughter who died in1940. The back of the NewbottleFarm photo says that the farm was inthe Coulson name for 75 years, sothat means that Jacob and IsabellaCoulson (1865) were probably theoriginal owners. Jacob Coulson wasthe owner of Newbottle farm with hiswife Margaret Thompson Pickett (neeDagg) (1902). Jacob, mygrandfather, died at the age of 45years. The Farm, as the story goes,was occupied by the house keeper[Francis Lishaman] to her death, thenit was sold (1940) and the grandchildren were provided in the Will bypassing the next generation. Myfather was from Jarrah (that is theway we spell it out here); his namewas William Ingram Coulson and wifeJanet Kerr (nee Millar). He passedaway at 59 years when I was 18yearold. I have another photo of mygrandfather (I think) at a grave that Iwas told to be his father JosephCoulson (1865). Thanks for theinformation on Sunniside Farm. Ilooked up your link to see maybe acrescent went near the farm. It is ashame that the old houses andstreets are knocked down. We havethe same over here as we are a youngcity and in the name of progress theyare knocked over. Our port city ofFremantle is totally different - nobuildings are knocked over! Thefacades are in keeping and new onesbuilt behind. The University of NotreDane have taken over the city so ithas become a large campus. I havelooked up Houghton previously andhave seen the Parish Church youmention in Houghton. The graveyard at Hillside Cemetery hasCoulson in the name register. Howdo I get any information on theCoulson on the named list?yard at Hillside Cemetery hasCoulson in the name register. Howdo I get any information on theCoulson on the named list? Theabove information that I have wasmailed to me by my uncle who Inever met. He has a 2 daughters;one has a lot of information buthand written. She lives in Scotlandand I must get to see if I ever get tocome to England. The names ofthe Coulson are: Margaret mayhave married Richard Coulsonaround 1775; George WilliamCoulson husband of Mary marriedaround 1822; another Richard whoalso married a Margaret around1813; Mary Ann who may havemarried Joseph Coulson around1865 (may be a second wife to himand may have been a secondcousin); and there is a Mary marrieda George Coulson around 1822.Thanks again you have stirred upthing that I should have followed upa long time ago!Brian CoulsonKelmscottWestern AustraliaALL ABOARD!We have just been reminiscingabout the old Glendale Club trips tothe seaside, when we were kids.How excited we were. How long apound lasted, enjoying setting upthe tents in a circle on the wetsand, and enjoying our seasidesandwiches even though youcrunched on the sand that the galeforce wind had blown your way!Spending the afternoon at the fair,overdosing on everything sweet andsickly, packing up windblown andtired, enjoying our exotic trip toRedcar, South Shields etc, like wehad been far far away! Happy days!Sandra LavelleTHE RICHARDSONSSir/Madam, I am researching myGreat Grandparents family historyand have come across Houghton-Le-Spring as a place they lived insometime between 1861 censusand the 1891 census. I am havingproblems locating and identifyingthree children; Elizabeth Richardsonwho was born 29 May 1869 atRainton Gate, Sacriston, Durham,and two other children who weredefinitely born alive but have nodates between 1854 and 1881. Iam assuming these three childrendied in early childhood as they don'tappear on any of the Census butare known in family lore. No namesam assuming these three childrendied in early childhood as theydon't appear on any of the Censusbut are known in family lore. Nonames unfortunately. What I aminterested in is if you have anyburial records of three children ofIsaac Spence Richardson and hiswife Agnes Richardson (neeVance)? I have data on ElizabethRichardson died Apr-Jun, 1875(Houghton Le Sring 10a 301)aged 6 years; and ElizabethRichardson died (Apr-Jun) 1874(Houghton Le Spring 10a 321)aged 6 years. Either of these twofit the time, etc of one child butwhich, if either, is my problem?With regards the other twochildren I have no idea! Is itpossible that you have a burialrecord or grave MonumentalInscription that may help me clearup part or all of my query?Margaret Jane Richardson (born16 June 1856), probably marriedone of five persons; James Hardy1881 (Chester Le Street), ThomasLiddel 1881 (Chester Le Street),or Abraham Hoy 1873, JohnMitchinson Thompson 1873 orWilliam Gildroy 1875, all laterthree of Houghton Le Spring.Rather than send away for fivemarriage certificates I'm hopingyou may be able to reduce theodds for me? I look forward tohearing from you.Gordon StevensonNew ZealandNEWTOWN SCHOOLDear Paul, thank you for thephotograph of the little school inthe Market Place. I can no longerremember the date of the photobut I know I did ask my sisterabout it and she seemed to thinkthat both she and my late brotherhad both left for the JuniorSchool by the time this was taken.I certainly don't recognise anyoneon it other than Miss Kirtley who Iabsolutely adored as a child, noother teacher from thereon everlived up to her standards! Thanksvery much, it's lovely to have agood copy of this photo, even it Idon't recognise any of thechildren. Regards.Lorna MacKenzieIsle of SkyePOTTERY YARDHello Paul, Just a quick mail tosay I'm really enjoying yourwebsite. I've been researching myMinto/Blenkinsop ancestors and itwas great to be able to read aboutthe streets/pubs they lived in.Quite a few of them getmentioned in the London Gazettefor bankruptcy - including mygreat great grandfather, EdwardMinto, who was apparently asaddler in Pottery Yard. Thanksagain!Anne Thompson MeloTHE ONLY WOMAN…Hello Houghton Heritage Society,I've been trying to find out aboutmy great great grandmotherEsther Jane Mole/Rudkin/Urwin'ssuffragette and political history.She was the first lady treasurer ofEppleton or Easington Lane, and Ihave come across a picture of heron a march in the 1950s, she wasthe only woman allowed on amarch with the miners when shewas a suffragette I think, butthere's just no mention of her (it'sdriving me crazy, 3 years I've beenlooking!). Do you have any ideaswhere to look or who to contactthat's local to Houghton please?Your thoughts would be muchappreciated. My father alwaystold me it was the Jarrow Marchbut the only woman on that onewas Ellen Wilkinson so it'sprobably not my grandmother. Ithink it may have been minerswho worked at Easington Colliery,or Eppleton Colliery if there wasone? She was involved in politicsuntil her death in 1977 sohopefully somebody remembersher, though it's a long shot!Rachel RudkinTHE WHEATLEYSLove the article on the family!Was just asking my Dad all aboutthe family on Christmas day! Willpass the article round foreveryone to see! Cheers!David WheatleyHoughton-le-Spring* * * * * * * * * * *Keep reading for moreFamily Tree Quests.

THE HOUGHTONIAN | JUNE 2012 | VOL 2 ISSUE 2 | ISSN 1757-3890REF NO: HLS1854161420

THE HOUGHTONIAN | JUNE 2012 | VOL 2 ISSUE 2 | ISSN 1757-3890WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?Can you help solve these Genealogical& Heritage Quests?THE CHARLTONSHi, I am from Tiffin, Ohio, USA. I amlooking for information on myhusband’s family. We know his 4thgreat grandfather came from DurhamEngland. His name was MathewCharlton and his wife was Mary JaneKirtley. So I am looking for info onthem plus George and ElizabethJohnson Charlton, then William andMary Roper Kirtley. If you have anypictures of the stone and/or datesthat would be great! Any informationat this point would be so helpful!Thanks.Elizabeth CharltonOhio, USAJOHN MICHAEL WALKERPaul, My name is Lynne Westlake andI found your site by looking forHougton Le Spring on Wikipedia.Recently I discovered that my greatgreat grandfather, John MichaelWalker, was not an Irish Sea Captain(as my aunt had insisted) but a grocerfrom the Trimdon/Wingate area. I seethat he was born in Wingate in 1836.He married Charlotte Bainbridge(born Nov 12, 1842) in Apr of 1860.Charlotte's father, James Bainbridge,was born in Houghton on March 12,1814. I am looking for anyinformation on the Walkers,Bainbridges and the Sedgwicks asthey are all my great great plusancestors. When I was looking at thegrave site information, I noticed thatMargaret and William Wigham werelisted. My grandfather was JohnFrederick Wigham born Nov 22,1892 in Wakefield. Would he by anychance be related to the Wighams inHoughton? In looking at a ratherlarge scale map of your area, I seethat many of the places I have listedas birth and death places are quiteclose together and therefore stand abetter chance of being the source ofmy ancestors. I realize that this is alarge undertaking that you haveshouldered and that you probably getall sorts of these requests. But if youwere able to point me in the correctdirection on this, I would appreciateit. I live in a little town in SW OntarioA RESPONSETo Whom it May Concern, I amcurrently researching family historyand searched a member of thefamily, Margaret Mawson intoGoogle. It came up with theHoughtonian Vol 1 Issue 4 (Sept2011) featuring information onthose trying to find answers aboutgenealogical issues surroundingHoughton-Le-Spring. A lady calledFlora Borgese has written that sheis looking for information on hergreat grandmother called MargaretMawson. I believe that she is acommon ancestor of us as she ismy 4th great grandmother. I wouldbe able to give her informationabout the family of the man whichshe married, William EdwardHusband. Kind regards.Jane OvertonPAUL LANAGAN REPLIED:Thank you, Jane. Your messagehas been passed on to Flora.JOSEPH BLAND PEARSONHello Paul, Regarding Joseph'ssecond name [article about JosephBland Pearson’s tragic death andsubsequent burial at HillsideCemetery], his Mother Anne Blandmarried Robert Pearson hence thename Bland. I am his Great GreatGranddaughter through his eldestson John Charles Pearson, whoalso became a jeweller-pawnbroker,then to Thomas Pickering Pearson,who went to South Africa with hisbrother also named Joseph BlandPearson continuing the familybusiness of pawnbroking. I have aphoto of a covered wagonadvertising Pearson Bros Jewellers& Pawnbrokers on its side. MyFather was William Henry PricePearson. I found your article sohelpful with my family research aswell as being very interesting so forthat I thank you. I forgot to mentionthat my grandparents settled inAustralia in Toronto New SouthWales.Australia. Regards.Clella (Pearson) Jenningscalled Palmerston. I thank you inPAUL LANAGAN REPLIED:advance for any help that you couldThank you, Clella. Joseph’s middlegive me.name had always puzzled me and itLynne Westlake was the reason I remembered hisPalmerston name which I discovered how heSW Ontario had had his head severed in thattragic railway accident in 1897.OLD HAUNTSHi Paul, Many thanks for puttingthe Grammar School photosonline. The picture on the left Irecognise no problem , but theone on the right is puzzling; I can’tthink which part of the school itwas? If you come across anymore I would love to see them.When I enquired about BurnsideSchool I was hoping you mayhave had some pictures of how itwas rather than what it is today. Ihave seen it but it’s changed a lotsince I was there (1971-75). I amfifth generation of my family wholived in Houghton (I now live inTrimdon). My father, grandfather,great-grandfather lived inProspect Row – I don’t supposeyou have any pictures of ProspectRow, which I understand waslocated near Kerr’s Garagebordering Grasswell? I'mannoyed with myself for nottaking pictures of the schools Iwas at or the places I used tofrequent when I was older i.e. theworld famous Birds Nest!! Youdon’t realise how poignant theseplaces would become in later life.Your web site on Houghton isreally interesting and extremelywell put together. Well done ontaking the time to do it!Wishes.BestIan CoulsonTrimdonCo DurhamDOWN HETTON WAY?Hi there - I have come acrossyour lovely website, whilstresearching my family tree. My 4x great grandparents (John andAnn Thorrington) lived at FourLane Ends, Houghton-le-Springin the 1841 Census, and althoughI haven't found a death record formy 4xg grandfather his wife wasinterred at St Nicholas 12 January1853. I have street Googled andobviously that area does not existas it did in those days, but arethere any old photographs orsketches available before FourLane Ends was developed? I lookforward to your reply. Kindregards.Shelagh AshfordTHE BURDIS QUESTHello, A quest in theHoughtonian Vol 1 Issue 2 (March2011) drew my attention. Mrs K.Gillinder of Cambridge hasrequested information about the"Burdass, Burdess, Burdisfamilies. I have quite a bit of info.on a branch of this family startingwith Edmund Burdasse (Hexham1600s) aka Edward Burdis andending with Frank C. Burdis inNewcastle (1966). The familylived at various times inBellingham, Hexham andCorbridge districts includingBelsay, Bolam, St. John Lee,subsequently moving toNewcastle and Gateshead. Couldyou kindly forward this email toMrs. Gillinder? Many thanks inadvance. Regards.Jane BurdisPAUL LANAGAN REPLIED:Thank you, Jane. Your email hasbeen forwarded.GILPIN'S RELATIVESIn going through the old books atthe Kepier School, Houghton-le-Spring, lately, I found a Cicerowith the name "Arthurus Laton"on the fly-leaf, together with anautograph inscription in Latin,stating that the book belonged toBernard Gilpin by the gift ofArthur Laton. One of the Gilpinbooks in Queen's College, Oxford,bears the autograph of WilliamLayton, an uncle of Gilpin's, aswell as that of Gilpin himself. Canany of your readers give me therelationship between Gilpin andArthur Laton?R.W.R.Northern notes and queriesdevoted to the antiquities ofNorthumberland,Cumberland, Westmorland,and Durham : v.1, no.1-8,Jan. 1906-Oct. 1907* * * * * * * * * * *More FamilyTree Quests in the nextissue of theHOUGHTONIAN!

THE HOUGHTONIAN | JUNE 2012 | VOL 2 ISSUE 2 | ISSN 1757-3890ARTICLE BYDAMIEN WRIGHTHOUGHTON-LE-SPRINGSHENTON’S LEGACYST MICHAEL & ALL Angels Churchhas had a tower for many years,however it is has not always beenthe tower that you and I see everyday while making our way toHoughton town centre. BernardGilpin had a tower but it was a spireand nothing else. 1824 saw thespire removed to make way for thetower that is there today. It standsat an impressive three stories highand 90 feet. This new installmentmade for a greater number of bells,now consisting of six small bellsand two large bells. The full peal ofeight bells was installed in 1928.Now the tower is used as a storagespace for books and sheet musicfor the bell ringers. Oddly there isno entrance for the tower from inthe main building - you can onlyget to it from the side of the churchby walking around the back.During the Great War all churcheswith bell towers were forced to stopringing out the bells. The only timethey were allowed to ring the bellsin the towers was to notify thevillagers of an invasion of thecountry. It wasn't until the War hadended that all churches wereallowed to ring out their bells.During this time more than onemillion horses went to war alongwith the men. Farmers often soldthem as the Army was paying goodmoney. Sometimes theysequestered the horse whether theowner liked it or not. Once the Warhad ended bell ringers would ringout their bells in joyfulness andglee that the War was herebyover… and perhaps hopeful thatsome of the horse might return?This year we have two very specialreasons for ringing out our bellsacross the land. Of course manyof you will know that we have theQueen’s Diamond Jubilee and theLondon Olympics. Bell ringergroups will be gathering andpracticing right up until the bigdays. Churches and publicbuildings that have flag poles willbe flying their Union Flags at fullmast. For three full minutes thebells will be ringing out across theland to show that we a proud of ourQueen and country and of ourathletes that will be participating inthe summer games.1919 saw Mr William Shentonbecome St Michael & All Angelsnew organist after Mrs Adamsonleft. This made way for a newmusical era to begin. He was thefirst to perform Mendelssohn’sHymn of Praise in 1920. Shentonalso composed a number of worksincluding songs, anthems, chants,music for both the piano and theorgan and a setting of the end ofevery service, from which the Amenis still sung. Having a fairly largechoir called for a lot of rehearsing,especially on large events likeChristmas and Easter but nonemore so than for the traditionalHoughton Feast services. Thereare very few pictures of bothWilliam and the choir togetherapart from on top of the bell towerroof and maybe in the church.William retired at the great age of87 in February 1972 due to theantics of the young choristers andfelt it was time he left after devoting53 years to the church.I recently went up into the belltower and got some great pictures;the view is stunning from the roof!You can see as far as Durham, ifnot further. Looking down to thestreet below is amazing – it makesyou think: ‘wow what a view’. Youcan see all the shops and localbusinesses on Newbottle Street, upSunderland Street, Church Streetand beyond!The last place you would expectgraffiti to be is on the roof of thebell tower but as the picture showsa T. JONES left his mark in 1874.This may be from a child or even agrown man. There are dates andnames upon the roof dating backas early as 1800, as it was notuncommon for people to be on theroof.DAMIEN WRIGHT

THE HOUGHTONIAN | JUNE 2012 | VOL 2 ISSUE 2 | ISSN 1757-3890I would like to support the work of the Houghton-le-Spring Heritage Society andinclude a donation of £____.____ I WISH TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS. I WOULD LIKE TO RECORD THE FOLLOWING IN THE REGISTER OF BENEFACTORS (min £20):NAME [please tick] Mr Mrs Miss _______________________________________ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ POSTCODE _________________________CONTACT NUMBER/EMAIL __________________________________________________ThankYouCHEQUE SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO:Houghton-le-Spring Heritage SocietyCOMPLETED FORM SHOULD BE RETURNED TO:Houghton Heritage Society, 120 Burn Park Road, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne & Wear, DH4 5DQBOOKS, DVDS& CALENDARAVAILABLEFROMwww.HOUGHTONleSPRING.org.ukTHE HOUGHTONIANPUBLISHED BY BOOKS OF THE NORTHCOPYRIGHT © 2012VOL 2 ISSUE 2 JUNE 2012ISSN 1757-3890V002IS02VE02No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a mechanical retrieval system, ortransmitted, in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,without written permission from the publisher. The publisher has made all reasonable efforts tocontact copyright holders for permission. Any errors that may have occurred are inadvertent andanyone who for any reason has not been contacted is invited to write to the publisher so that a fullacknowledgement may be made in subsequent editions of The Houghtonian. Articles andinformation are presented in good faith, occasionally based on people's recollections and memories,which can be fallible. While every effort is made to ensure the content is accurate and up to date,some errors may exist, such is the nature of recording local history, therefore no responsibility can beheld for any errors contained herein. Thanks are extended to the following supporters/contributors:Damien Wright, Dr Jack Morley; Jean Holland; S&D Leisure; Helen Murphy; Grangewood Care Home,Shiney Row; and as always, Penelope Wilton OBE, for being our Patron.