The memoirs of Dorothy Hall, nee Spedding, who lived in Colliery (now ) from 1915 to 1940.

I was born in 1915 and lived in the "Old School" at High Shincliffe until 1940. My grandfather, James Spedding, married Mary Jane Grey and they farmed at the "Old House" in the village. Their son, my father, married the daughter of the publican at the Oak Tree. Her family was from .

I attended the village school where Mr Carr (Bossy) was the Headmaster. He retired and Mr Harry Appleton became Head. The other members of staff were Miss Barras, Miss Dazley and Miss Gallifant. Later there were Mr H Hoggard, who married Miss Dazley's sister, and also Miss Marriott who lived at the New Inn in Durham. She later married Noel Morgan, a relation of the Morgans from Hall Farm.

We attended the village church and I remember the Rev Ouseley. He was succeeded by Mr Dennett, an ex Headmaster of the Cathedral School. He was looked after by a housekeeper and he took under his wing a young boy known as "Buttons". That person's death was reported some years ago. Mr Dennett was an excellent preacher. He prepared me for confirmation. When he retired Mr Laethan took his place and it was he who conducted my wedding service.

We had a Guide group. This was started by Beatrice Hawnam, whose mother was a nurse and lived in the village. Our meetings were held in the Church Hall and sometimes in the Manor House, the home of the Hon. Liddel. His son became Lord Ravensworth.

There must have been a scout pack as my brother was a scout but I cannot remember who was master.

When we were young we had dancing classes in the WI hut. These were taken by Grady Gordan, who lived with her mother in Rectory Cottages and taught at School. Grady would go to see a show in London and come back able to teach us the songs and dances. She was an inspiring character and with her colleagues, Pat Weightman and Jack Humphries, produced many shows and concerts throughout the time she lived in the village. When she left to go back to Cornwall on her retirement, the village lost a great personality. Mr Humphries continued with his interest in drama by teaching evening classes for Durham County Council.

We must have spent many hours walking up and down to the village. I can remember the wood on the "big bank" being planted and jumping over the small trees.

When we walked down the "little bank" we had to pass the cottage owned by Bob and Billy Wilkinson and known as the misers' cottage. Bob was sexton and bell ringer at the church and had a horse and cart. Billy was very small and had a wizened face which frightened some children. He would bring fruit to exchange for my mothers teacakes. The brothers collected water from the spring at the horse trough and it was rumoured that tins of gold sovereigns were found in the house when they died.

Other memories are of the people who called for trade. The Co-op order man called and entered our orders in a long book. The goods were delivered by horse and cart and then another man called to collect the payment. He walked to Sherburn with hundreds of pounds on him. A train ran from Shincliffe Station to Sherburm and was used for shopping trips. The Co-op stocked almost everything one could need - like a department store. The Butchers cart called on Tuesdays and Fridays. The cart was fitted out with chopping boards etc. Also on Fridays the Greengrocery cart called and Wood and Watson called with lemonade and ginger beer. Papers were delivered every day after being collected from the station. Milk was delivered by the local farmer who ladled it into our own jug. We had a Post Office run by Mr Willis and his grandson Norman Wilson delivered the post.

Robinsons (Oaklea) sold sweets, newspapers etc. The village also had a Post Office run by Mr Smith, next door to the Orange Tree, later at Blacket's shop nearer the top of the village.

I can remember the colliery chimney and pit heaps where the houses and school now stand. The pit heaps were cleared during the war as the small coal was used in furnaces.

Mr Ford had a sawmill at Shincliffe Station and ran a prosperous business. I have a Windsor chair which he made for my grandfather's wedding present in about 1870. The Mckays of carpet fame lived in Laxey Cottage and I remember they gave carpets for the church in memory of their son's christening. The house opposite Laxey cottage was occupied by Mr and Mrs Driver who had a Gents Outfitters in the Market Place. Mrs Driver was a very active member of Shincliffe WI. This was one of the first WIs; Mrs Appleton and Mrs Driver were two of the first presidents.

Bill Jopling lived in the Woodman's cottage [now Woodside Cottage] and there was a plantation of small trees by Shincliffe bridge - south side which he looked after. His son married my cousin Edith Robson. He was awarded the MBE for his work as a stonemason at .

The village was served by TMS, United and G&B busses. It cost us 1 penny each way to school in Durham. The bus would pick up and put down at any request and the drivers were well known. When the by-pass was constructed people were not at all pleased to have to walk to a bus stop.

This by-pass changed the top of the village as it cut through "the square" - the area behind the Seven Stars and a large willow tree was felled. The lane had been a lovely place - used for sledging in winter as it had quite a steep slope.

We had many gatherings on the Recreation ground, "the Rec", whenever anything of note was celebrated. One year, celebrations were held in a field near Shincliffe Hall. My cousin Mary Spedding was May Queen, and my sister Nancy and I were maids of honour and my brother Ken was a pageboy. It was a lovely day and we danced around the Maypole.

We used to visit Houghall Farm passing the old Houghall Village, Fever Hospital and the small church on the way. My uncle Bob Spedding ran the Poultry Unit.

I have happy memories of the tennis and cricket clubs. When matches were played at home [on the Recreation ground] teas were served and I remember helping Mrs Bella Moody with these. Away matches were played at , , and Binchester.

The tennis club enjoyed tournaments at weekends. There was also a Badminton club, and this met in the WI hut. Matches were played against other clubs. We all enjoyed the social atmosphere of these clubs. It was unfortunate that houses [St Mary's Close] were built on the recreation ground as there is now nowhere for the community to take part in sport.

I married and left Shincliffe in 1940 but have continued to visit until the present day.

Dorothy Hall died in July 2003, aged 88.

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