THE HOUGHTONIAN | SEPT 2011 | VOL 1 ISSUE 4 | ISSN 1757-3890

SEPT 2011 | VOL 1 ISSUE 4 | ISSN 1757-3890

THE HOUGHTONIAN

QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF Houghton Heritage Society

:: HOUGHTON FEAST :: HOUGHTON COLLIERY’S CLOSURE :: THE WAR MEMORIAL :: HERITAGE OPEN DAYS REPORT :: A TASTE OF HOUGHTON RECIPE :: AND MUCH MORE!

THE HOUGHTONIAN | SEPT 2011 | VOL 1 ISSUE 4 | ISSN 1757-3890

CAN YOU HELP? If you have any old photographs of Houghton-le-Spring that you would like to share, please contact Paul via www.houghtonlespring.org.uk

FACES AND PLACES

Photographs are treated with care and respect and are returned promptly once they have been copied.

Allowing your precious photographs to be copied and shared ensures that they will be around for generations to come.

1953 Coronation, 1977 & 2002 Jubilee photos also wanted for a special commemorative book in 2012!

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www.HOUGHTONleSPRING.org.uk

The HH website is updated frequently. Just click on the UPDATED link on the home page to see what’s new. Some of the updated pages during the past three months include:

:: Monument – a new section has been added on the history of Pensher Monument, including a time line and WELCOME TO THE HOUGHTONIAN, photographs from the very top of the the quarterly magazine of the Houghton monument. Heritage Group. In this fourth issue, which has :: Houghton Cenotaph – updated with been expanded to 24 pages, we take a look at personal details on many more of the names our town’s annual festival, Houghton Feast, as featured. October will be here before we know it! The front :: Houghton Cemetery – printable plan for cover shows Mr Shenton and the choir singing the cemetery on Durham Road, including from the Church tower top during Houghton locations of Houghton’s War Casualty Feast in the 1950s. Graves.

WE ALSO PAY HOMAGE to Houghton Colliery, :: Time Lines – the Colliery, Rectory Park which closed thirty years ago, and announce the and Houghton Feast time lines have all been launch of the Houghton Miners’ Project, which updated with juicy details of goings-on in the has ambitious aims to document the memories Victorian days. of the last living miners who worked at the pit. :: Football Teams – New photograph of There has been another flurry of enquiries and Houghton Rovers AFC from 1911/12 added. family tree quests – if you can help answer any :: Public Houses – photos and info on of them, please get in touch. landlords of more have been added, including the Lambton Arms, the Jolly TAKE A LOOK AT some of the visits that Farmers, the Black Horse and the members have been on around the district over Wheatsheaf Hotel. the summer months. :: Wild Boar Heritage Trail – to help you navigate around the fabulous framed WATCH OUT LATER IN the year for the photographs in the new Weatherspoons. Houghtonian Almanac 2011, available from the :: Houghton Area Office Treasures – website in early December, this will be a look details of the 10 items recovered before the back on Houghton’s heritage in the year 2011 demolition. and is bound to become a much sought after * * * * * * * * addition to local history book collections. These are likely to be printed to order. If you’re reading a printed version of The Houghtonian and are HERE’S TO HOUGHTON FEAST 2011! having difficulty seeing the print,

did you know you can read the

online PDF? This can be increased PAUL LANAGAN BA HONS in size up to a whopping 6400% in Adobe Reader!

Free Internet access at Houghton Library – telephone 0191 561 6383 for details.

THE HOUGHTONIAN | SEPT 2011 | VOL 1 ISSUE 4 | ISSN 1757-3890

CARNIVAL TIME

AND SO THE song goes, for this year's Houghton Feast will be the setting for the 45th Annual Carnival Parade.

The Feast has its origins in the 12th century as Michaelmas, the festival of the dedication of the parish church of St Michael & All Angels, but following the restrictions and blackout of World War II, had solely become a miner's gala - a local holiday and opportunity to spend the day in Houghton's many public houses.

In 1967 Houghton's Rector, Rev Oswald Noel Gwilliam, teamed up with the Rotary Club, Round Table, local Chamber of Trade, Houghton Urban District Council and other community groups to start the revival of Houghton Feast.

The 1967 Festival was billed as 'new style' and saw the introduction of the carnival parade. The original route started at Brinkburn Crescent, through the town centre, up Church Street, and into the Market Place, but was later re-routed down Dairy Lane, across Wallace Street, ending on the Welfare ground. The Feast parade soon became an annual tradition and has always been organised by the Round Table, a social organisation for young men that was established in Houghton in 1958.

Each year, thousands of families line Houghton's streets to take in the spectacle of the passing parade of pipes and drums, decorated floats, marching community groups, vintage cars and everyone's favourite traction engine, Stafford's Providence, seeing up the rear! Volunteers from Houghton's Round Table make a collection along the route, the funds of which are donated to local charities and worthy causes...

THE EVENTS for THE HOUGHTONIAN | SEPT 2011 | VOL 1 ISSHHUE 4 | ISSN 1757-3890

Heritage Open Days 2011 included a photograph exhibition of old images of Houghton, Houghton Feast and the Hillside Cemetery, followed by a two-and-a-half hour heritage walk around the town, plus the permanent exhibition of large sumptuously framed photographs in the Wild Boar. For the second year running the day was a mega- success, with over 600 viewing the exhibitions between 08:00 Thursday and 23:00 Sunday. Thanks are extended to all who assisted with the preparations and delivery – many hours of behind-the-scenes work to make the day the success it was!

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FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

| TH THE KING & I | MONDAY OCTOBER 10 2011

TH TH | OCT 8 – 11 2011 – PRODUCTION BY | 4:00PM – ROASTING OF THE OX at ZAZZ at Houghton Dance & Performing Arts | Rectory Field. Get there early as the Academy. Find out more at: sandwiches sell out quickly! | www.zazzuk.com or 0191 584 0764 | 7:30PM – FREE FIREWORKS | SPECTACULAR launched from Durha m | TH Road playing fields. FRIDAY OCTOBER 7 2011 | | 7:00PM – OPENING CEREMONY in the | TH Broadway. | SATURDAY OCTOBER 15 2011 | | 9:30AM – CARNIVAL TIME PHOTO TH | EXHIBITION celebrating the 45th Carnival SATURDAY OCTOBER 8 2011 | Parade in Houghton Library until | 12:00PM. Free admission. 10:00AM – HERITAGE PHOTO EXHIBITION | in the Broadway until 3:00PM. Featuring a | 2:00PM – HOMICIDE IN HOUGHTON 6 - new and extended selection of old | Dare you join author Sheila Quigley and photographs of Houghton-le-Spring th | local historian Paul Lanagan for an commemorating the 30 anniversary since | investigation of the fictional murder Houghton Colliery closed. | scenes from Sheila’s bestselling books,

9:30AM – MINERS BANNERS DISPLAY in the | ‘Run for Home’, ‘Bad Moon Rising’, | ‘Living on a Prayer’, ‘Every Breath You Welfare Hall, Station Road, until 5:00PM. | Take’ and ‘The Road to Hell’? Book by Members of the Lambton and Houghton | Telephone 0191 561 6383 NOT FOR THE Banner Group will be on site to share their | local knowledge about the history of the FAINT HEARTED! banners to ensure that this important part of | | their heritage is never forgotten. | Commemorating 30 years since the closure TH | SUNDAY OCTOBER 16 2011 of Houghton Colliery. | 11:30AM – HOUGHTON HERITAGE 2:00PM – 45TH CARNIVAL PARADE | WALK visiting buildings and sites of organised by the Houghton’s Round Table. | interest. Book via the HH website or Help to celebrate this historic occasion by | showing your support with the on-street | telephone 0191 268 4688. collection for local charities. | |

SUNDAY OCTOBER 9TH 2011

10:30AM – CIVIC CEREMONY in St Michael’s Church. Please note that the service is starting later than in recent years.

6:00PM – COMMUNITY HYMN SINGING in St Michael’s Church, which was started in 1949 by Rector Oswald Noel Gwilliam. Please note the earlier start time.

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WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Can you help solve these Genealogical Quests?

More quests are on the usual back cover!

PUBLICANS your excellent site & many MEMORIES OF HOME MR JAMES JAMES & Hi, I have just been reading thanks for all the hard work & MORE PUBLICANS FAMILY your excellent website re that must have gone into it. I just love this site. I grew Hello Paul, I am trying to my family history, in It must be of much interest up in Houghton and can trace living descendants of particular the lists. I both to locals & those trace my family in the area James James (my great am currently researching further afield (such as back to the 1700's. We great uncle) who was born the name 'Brownless' as myself) researching family lived in 3 Shakespeare in Somerset 1851 & his part of my ancestry in the history etc. Regards, Street from 1947 to 1957. sons who lived in Houghton Co. Durham area & found Linda Rowley My father worked at Le Spring & died in that one of the daughters of my Redcar Pit. In 1957 he area, Oliver James born 3x Great Grandparents became landlord of The 1877 & died 1961, Joseph (George & Mary Londonderry Arms in C James born 1887 & died Brownless), a Margaret Chilton Moor and we lived 1948 plus possibly William Brownless married a John GEORGE above the pub. My James born 1880 & died Fletcher. They had a STEPHENSON THE grandparents Luke and 1971. I was wondering if daughter named Mary who Sarah Robson (nee. you could point me in the married Thomas Rigby. In SMITHY Fenton) were managers of right direction – I live near Any information concerning the 1891 census Margaret the Dubmire Club from Carlisle. Many thanks. Elizabeth and Helen Fletcher (nee Brownless) is 1918 to 1922. Luke died in Matthews, thought to be Doug James widowed & living with her the Pensions War Hospital buried at Hillside Cemetery, Near Carlisle married daughter at the after WWI, from injuries he plus: George Stephenson, Lambton Arms, Newbottle had received, and his name the blacksmith, with a Street, Houghton-le-Spring. is on the Cenotaph in smithy next to the bus THOMAS WILLIAM Her son-in-law, Thomas Houghton. My sister and I depot in the centre of USHERWOOD ROBINSON Rigby, is listed as head of went to St Michael's RC household & Licensed Houghton, would be Anyone out there in HLS School in the 1950's - Rita related to Thomas William Victualler of the Lambton appreciated, as he was my and Maureen Robson. We Usherwood Robinson of the Arms. I noticed that great uncle. both live in the south now, brewery? I am his GG grand Thomas Rigby's name is Douglas Matthews but Houghton will always daughter. Have a dead end not listed in the innkeepers be 'home'. Aberdeen on info about his father and names & wondered if you Maureen Brown mother George & Elizabeth. would be interested to London I am the Great Grand- know this for your records. MEMORIES OF Also, by the 1901 census daughter from his daughter Mary Rigby is widowed & Elfrida who was from his she is listed as Head of STREET THE LINDENS, DAIRY second marriage to Isabella household & Innkeeper of Re: The memories of LANE Widowfield. the Red Lion Inn, Church Sunderland Street in the Dear Paul, I am doing Dina Salter Street, Houghton-le-Spring. last issue (Issue 03). The some research for a friend's Australia The next house on the butchers shop was owned family tree. Can you tell census is Rectory Lodge & by Harry Harland. The me whether Lyndhurst, in * * * * * * * * * * * then Houghton Rectory, cobblers shop was Ron Houghton Le Spring was a then Dairy Lane & 'Clergy Waites and Jack Stewart. residential or family home? House' [in 1948 made the The Carmichael jewellers I think the street name is If you can Rectory until 2005, now is was owned by a Mr & Mrs Dairy or Daisy Street. The help, please get in Dairy Lane Dental Williams. period I am talking about is Practice]. As Mary's name Richard Rose 1951. Any help you can touch via the HH was also not on your lists, I give me would be most Houghton-le-Spring website. thought this little snippet welcome, thanks. might be of interest to you. Joan Elliott I shall continue reading

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A BLAST FROM the past made its presence felt on July 20th when this hole appeared in the yard of a house in Station Avenue, Fencehouses. It is thought that the subsidence had been caused by workings from Lambton D Pit.

Lambton Colliery dated from the 18th shell of the former Lambton Swimming Baths, century. It was reconstructed in 1950 which has been used as storage for a but closed shortly afterwards on scrapyard in recent years. The adjacent land, th February 27 1965. The colliery was used as Lambton Coke Works (which closed in located a short distance from the 1986), was unveiled in 2010 as Elba Park, a property, just down the road in the country park and housing development, direction of the railway lines, then following a £25 million reclamation project. right down New Lambton Road (now known as Lambton Lane). Meanwhile, Coal Authority officials will be investigating the hole. Relics from the colliery still exist in the area, including the dilapidated MORE COLLIERY INFO at: www.dmm.org.uk Swimming Baths, which has been

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NCB ROTA. FORESHIFT 21/09/2011 September 21st 2011 sees the The memories will then be HM01 Jack Hardy th HM02 Jim Watts 30 anniversary since Houghton recorded, along with other HM03 Norman Wardle Colliery closed. As each information, such as job role, HM04 Eric Knight anniversary passes there are the ups, downs, and everyday life HM05 Joe Knight fewer Houghtonians alive with on a working colliery. HM06 Denis Watson memories of having worked at HM07 Bobby Watson the pit. The Houghton Miners’ Houghton has changed a great HM08 Bobby Wilkinson HM09 Harry Cambell Project has ambitious aims to deal since the colliery closed in HM10 Jimmy ‘Doc’ Sill record the recollections and 1981. In that time there has HM12 Pat Riley experiences of all the remaining been an influx of new residents, HM13 Brian Fish miners - and others – who many from outside the area, and HM14 Alan King worked at the colliery, it is no surprise that some HM15 Tom Wilkinson Jnr underground and at bank. children don’t know Houghton HM16 George Davison once had a colliery – let alone HM17 Gary Wood An initial list has been drawn up where it was! HM18 Gilbert ‘Bertie’ Fletcher HM19 Gordon King (left) with the help of a couple of HM20 Gavin Little retired miners, but could well be The Houghton Miners’ Project HM21 Maurice Allen incomplete. Can you add any will ensure that the town’s coal- HM22 Rueben ‘Rempi’ Purvis extra names to it? mining heritage is not forgotten. HM23 Sid Bowden HM24 Tommy Harle HM25 Bill Bestford The second stage of the project If you can help, please HM26 John Cook seeks to find contact details for contact Paul Lanagan on: HM27 Herbert ‘Herbie’ Shackler the miners so that HM28 Colin Brewis questionnaires can be sent out (0191) 268 4688 HM29 Billy Frostwick for them to complete. HM31 Jim Jarvis HM33 Billy Laydon HM34 Alan ‘Ally’ Crompton HM35 Brian Rumney HM36 Stan Morsen HM37 Joe Winwood Jnr HM38 Jim Bilton Jnr HM39 Billy Reddel HM40 Malcolm ‘Malci’ Fenwick HM41 Ernie Wilkinson HM42 Alan Lynn HM43 Ralph Lister HM44 Arthur King HM45 Robert Henry Fletcher Below are remnants of Houghton Colliery, still standing tall as memorials to what once was. HM46 John Freeman The electrical substation (right) can be seen at the entrance to Houghton , opposite the HM47 Tommy Watson Colliery site, while the pit’s old powder house (left) was rebuilt at , brick by brick. The powder house originally stood opposite the Lamb Inn pub and was built by Wilson HM48 David Patterson Ramsbottom. Tommy Ennis, who lived at Quarry Row, was in charge of it for a while. HM49 Jimmy Bell HM50 Ronnie Pounder HM51 Terry Kelly HM52 Billy Shaw HM53 George Habershon HM54 Ted Bowden HM55 Harold Maddison HM56 John Thomas ‘Tom’ Smith HM57 Ernie Dobson HM58 Barry Cummings HM59 Tommy Ramsbottom HM60 Arthur Lee

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ARMISTICE DAY IS just The article highlighted around the corner and the feelings of residents in recent years has Richard and Ethel Rose taken on a greater who were upset that significance following there was no memorial the conflicts in Iraq and for those killed between Afghanistan. 1939 and 1945. Houghton’s fallen are Following the remembered each year demolition of the on Remembrance Council Offices there Sunday at the cenotaph has been a suggestion in the churchyard. This that the site be used for memorial was erected a new memorial, in 1925 at a cost of however building costs, £7,000. Funds were let alone maintenance, publicly raised and the would be huge. A local Scouts better suggestion was contributed a significant made at the HODs portion. It was unveiled exhibition; a local man by the said that there was and dedicated by room at the base of the Houghton’s Rector, Rev existing memorial for Ralph Watson. extra panels to be People are often attached. A surprised to discover subsequent visit that Houghton has no revealed that this was sculptured memorial for indeed correct, as those killed during the well as showing the Second World War. need for some of Indeed, in August 2009 the existing the names ran an article entitled: to be COUPLE FIGHT FOR renewed. WAR MEMORIAL

THE HOUGHTONIAN | SEPT 2011 | VOL 1 ISSUE 4 | ISSN 1757-3890

WHITE’S MAMMOTH GAVIOLI ORGAN

:: 50 GOLDEN YEARS ::

SIDNEY WHITE'S MAMMOTH GAVIOLI organ, which was restored in 1956 by George Parmley and a band of enthusiasts, made its first appearance at Houghton Feast in 1961.

For many years it stood in the grounds of the Council Offices, but moved out to the Broadway in 2001.

It can now be found at the Church Street corner of Broadway on Feast Friday and Saturday. Check the Houghton Feast website for performance times at: www.houghtonfeast.co.uk

1950s

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BILLY PURVIS EVERYONE’S favourite Geordie clown, Billy Purvis, will be making another visit to Houghton Feast this year, has third visit since 1848!

Watch out for him during the Carnival Parade – plus he may be making a surprise appearance at other Feast events!

FIND OUT MORE about Billy in the ARTICLES section of the HH website.

WATCH OUT FOR your free commemorative Houghton Feast 2011 brochure and your chance to win a free prize, thanks to the advertisers!

Available from shop counters, pubs, businesses and waiting rooms in late September!

This year’s brochure celebrates the Round Table’s 45th Carnival Parade!

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Customers queue inside the ox roasting tent as ox roaster and Rotarian Ron Young watches over the cooked meat, Monday October 9th 2000. Ordinarily the queue would have been outside, up the side of Rectory Park, however the weather was most inclement. The Rectory Field was in a bad state and for the only year on record, the Rotarians did not manage to sell all the ox sandwiches. Pictured at the front of the queue, from right, are: Joan Nicholson, Margaret Douglas, Paul Lanagan and Lyndsay Frain.

Councillor John Mawston, Mayor Denis Whalen and Bill Lee at a stall at Houghton Methodist th Church craft exhibition for Houghton Feast, October 8 1994. Bill Lee made the turned wooden items on display. THE HOUGHTONIAN | SEPT 2011 | VOL 1 ISSUE 4 | ISSN 1757-3890

HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING REMEMBERED IS YOUR CHANCE TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES AND MEMORIES OF HOUGHTON IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS. THE FOLLOWING MEMORIES, FROM HOUGHTONIAN GEORGE DAVISON, RELATE TO HIS TIME AT HOUGHTON COLLIERY BETWEEN 1950 AND ITS CLOSURE IN 1981.

Geordie was interviewed in 2003 and extracts from his interview have been reproduced here in his pitmatic dialect. More of his memories can be found on the HH website:

Thurty-one years ah worked there. Ah just took it in me stride, ah wasn scared ner nowt. Ah wasn even a bit scared when ah fust got in the cage to go down, the fust day. Ah was on foreshift for about three year besides playing football on a neet time. Didn’t start playing football til ah was seventeen and a half, like. Gannin to work on a Saturday mornin, finish, come yarm, get me dinner, then gan out, play football for the Mechanics on the afternoon. Footballs nowadays gettin 20 odd thousand pund a week for playin one game a week!

The conveyor belts did away with the ponies. They got rid of them altogether, they started gettin little creeper things taken them further in. There was one or two vicious buggers [laughs]. Ah had one called Beauty, ee, could dee ivvery thing but taalk! Could! Aye, he was very mild natured. They were all 'hims' yer silly sod. Else they'd gan bloody beserk! They were all geldings! They were a breed of a Shetland. Not exactly Shetland, small. There were some bigger ones, like. But that Beauty, he was a hell of a hoss to work. Soon as ya sat down for yer bait, and heard the paper, used to come up. Yer bait paper, soon as they hear yer oppen yer bait paper. Jam sandwiches, cheese sandwiches, any kind of sandwiches what yer liked. They used to be there like a shot if yer didnt tie it up.

One of the worst experiences ah ivva had was working on this coal face, number 14A, it was caaled. And there was about thurty inches high, twenty six or thurty inches high, and aal of a sudden it went on the work and the middle of the face just lowered down, slowly. The props were just snappin like candles! And John Dixon, one of the ex-white mice men, he was a Deputy then in charge of that district/face, he was going in props under - and they were just snappin - and ah says "T'hell with this am off". It just lowered down like that, for about twenty yards. Ah was nearly shiting mesell. Ah God! Ah was workin with a bloke called George 'Lukey' Heal. He says: "Howah, yer soft bugger!" Ah says: "There's any amount of soft buggers lying in the cemetery… am not gonna be one of them!" [laughs]. George Davison, 2003

HlS

THE HOUGHTONIAN | SEPT 2011 | VOL 1 ISSUE 4 | ISSN 1757-3890

HOMICIDE IN HOUGHTON 6 SATURDAY OCTOBER 15TH 2011

2:00PM

In Houghton-le-Spring it’s Feast week, a time when all hell is let loose as the fair comes to town, and a frenzy of celebration and decadence provides a temporary distraction from the grim realities of everyday life.

DARE you join author Sheila Quigley and local historian Paul Lanagan for an investigation of the fictional murder scenes from Sheila’s bestselling books, ‘Run for Home’, ‘Bad Moon Rising’, ‘Living on a Prayer’, ‘Every Breath You Take’ and ‘The Road to Hell’?

Book by Telephone 0191 561 6383 Numbers Strictly Limited Booking opens September 23rd 2011. New start location will be given on booking. NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED!

WWW.HOUGHTONFEAST.CO.UK

THE HOUGHTONIAN | SEPT 2011 | VOL 1 ISSUE 4 | ISSN 1757-3890

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Can you help solve these Genealogical Quests?

The bumper selection continues!

MINING SPORTS little factual information So you can see that my Houghton-le-Spring and regarding Michael Cook, family has many links with place of residence as Hi Paul, My name is my Great-Great- Houghton and the Broadway House, Chester- Kimberley Dobson, I’m Grandfather. Using his surrounding area. le-Street. I believe I located currently compiling marriage of 1820, I Judith Cook Broadway House some evidence for a estimate he was born about Portsmouth time ago on North Road 1796, but not where. just off the roundabout at dissertation on the Michael Cook married A693. Is this correct? And sports which took Esther Sewell at St can anyone tell me if Heath place at Houghton Margaret’s Church, ALICE DIMAMBRO House was or is a hospital? Feast between 1890 Durham, 1820. They had Just had a browse through Thanks, and 1900 as part of a three sons, the youngest, your new magazine and Pamela Huddleston had to say well done, great wider study on mining Michael Cook, my Great- Honolulu, Hawaii Grandfather, was born job and look forward to sports and leisure. I November 21st 1829 at forthcoming publications. noticed that you have West Herrington. Very interesting to see the some excellent picture The next piece of evidence name A. Dimambro - ice MARKET PLACE of pamphlets and old is provided by Pigot’s cream sellers of the village. I am looking for pictures A coincidence I think, but I that contain 32 The Market photographs which Directory 1829 - 1830. Michael Cook is mentioned thought you might like to Place Houghton-le-spring. would be excellent as ‘Baker & Flour Dealer, know that my Gt. I was born there in 1952 primary source Houghton’. I next find Grandmother was a former and lived in Houghton until materials and I’m just Michael Cook and family in Stage Artiste/Singer & 1966 in the last few years I wondering where I can the 1841 Census living at Concert Pianist. Her Stage have been looking for Name was Alice pictures and written access these South Hetton. This is the last time I can verify his Dimambro. As a family we material to show my materials? I have existence. In 1851 Esther have no idea why she grandchildren. I can already got a couple of Cook is recorded as picked this name - perhaps remember getting in the your books which are ‘Widow’. I believe that she knew the Dimambro’s? way of the showmen setting really helpful, but If Michael Cook was a victim Her signature tune was up for Houghton feast and "The Roses of Picardy" a getting free rides before you can offer me any of the Cholera Outbreak that swept the Durham love song of WW1, written they opened to the public. advice or guidance it area around 1849 or by Fred E. Weatherley/ Ken Walker would be much thereabouts. If he was still music by Haydn Wood, appreciated, Best, living in the area I have no pub.1916. I'm searching Kim Dobson idea whether he would have for some of my ancestors who lived at "Scots Pasture" CANDY ROCK Houghton-le-Spring been buried locally, if so, My dad says they used to where? Or was it at St in the Houghton Le Spring get mis-shaped rock lollies Michael’s, Houghton? His area. Does anyone know of at Harvians, which was wife Esther Cook also died this area and if so can you Harvy and Ian Wheatley’s THE COOKS of Cholera in September give me a location of it sweet factory in Pottery Yesterday I logged on to 1854. She may have been please? Best regards and Yard, behind Jaconelli’s you site and came up with amongst the earliest burials keep up all your great work. sweet shop. Heritage photos. I was at Houghton Hillside Suzanne Tyson- Jackie Pittilla delighted. On reading the Cemetery. If anyone can Butterworth preview I see that you are a offer any help I would be local historian, so perhaps * * * * * * * * * * * most grateful. Also if there you can help me. I have are any living descendants past links with Houghton- of Thomas Robinson, born HEATH HOUSE Keep reading le-Spring on both my 1799, died 1829. Thomas On a death certificate from for more Family paternal and maternal sides was married to Jane 1949 place of death is of the family. I have very Swinburn, born . shown as Heath House, Tree Quests. little factual information So you can see that my Houghton-le-Spring and family has place of residence

married to Jane Swinburn, THE HOUGHTONIAN | SEPT 2011 | VOL 1 ISSUE 4 | ISSN 1757-3890

THE HOUGHTONIAN | SEPT 2011 | VOL 1 ISSUE 4 | ISSN 1757-3890

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? Can you help solve these Genealogical Quests?

More quests are on the usual back cover!

METHODISM IN STOCKSFIELD TCE THE SHEARERS because the trees are covering that area. I took a Hi Paul, Margaret phoned My Grandfather John HOUGHTON picture of my friend whilst me and we had such a long Shearer (b. 1893) was living Dear Mr Lanagan, my we were further in the chat about our old home at at 13 William Street, Ritchey family originated in cemetery and I noticed on Stocksfield Terrace! She Newtown, Houghton-le- and the picture in the still lives in Houghton. I did Spring, according to the with an background that it looks not know either her or her 1911 census. His brother eventual concentration in like there is a person family when I lived there Robert was living with him - Houghton le Spring; my standing with their back but we still exchanged lots he was killed during WWI mother and Ruth Scott of tales of the area. towards us but with a light Ritchey were cousins and I and is listed the one on the Great bit of feedback from Cenotaph along with his purple hood up! We were referred to Ruth as my the site. Thank you. brother. I am sure that alone! We have been to great aunt. I just read your John Shearer married, that cemetery loads of new addition to the website Betty Stevens around the time of the First times even when it is dark about the time line of Derby World War, to someone and we have seen things Methodism in Houghton named Jane. I was told too - it’s pretty scary! We with great interest as my g. that he left her to go to war are very interested in the g. grandfather John Ritchey HETTON COLLIERY shortly after and that she supernatural do you know was a local Primitive DISASTER was pregnant. There is of any good ghost hunts to Methodist preacher in Dear sir/madam, I was another Shearer mentioned the public? Houghton. I was wondering if you could help on the WW1 memorial - Demi Pattinson particularly interested in the me. is doing SHEARER B - and I would picture of "the young men a project to celebrate their like to know if he was of Mautland St Methodist centenary year and I was related at all. He is not on Church 1896" showing the wondering if you knew of WITH RESPECT the list inside the Church - I have spent hundreds of old church with the original any names of Hetton pupils any reason for this? Finally, hours alone at Houghton doorway. Are there any who were involved in the my research has noted that Hillside Cemetery and have names attached to the accident. We would really three Shearers were even stayed overnight with picture, as my hope would appreciate if you could e- inmates at the Workhouse. the Scouts for a wildlife be that one of my Ritchey mail me back if you find men might be there? Are Edmund, Joseph and survey – but any visits to out any information. Hope William James. What kind there any records that to hear from you soon. the Cemetery should be of circumstances would might be available that Yours sincerely, with respect and mindful force them to be interned that the site is a reference g. g. grandfather Chloe Mann John? I did find one in such a place? Looking consecrated burial ground. citation of John's work in a Hetton-le-Hole forward to hearing from Any activities not consistent book called 'Northern you. with this are not to be Primitive Methodism' by W. Mal Shearer encouraged. M. Patterson in which he SUTTON FAMILY Standish, Wigan Paul Lanagan lists John among some I’m looking for information others with substantial on the following SUTTONs, * * * * * * * * * * * respect "...while speaking of who may have been from HAUNTED HILLSIDE noble men...the good work the Houghton-le-Spring CEMETERY? See the back done by John Ritchie area: Robert SUTTON, Hello, My friend and I go up should not be forgotten". died 1841?, born 1790- to the Hillside Cemetery all cover for this How wonderful that was!! 1796; Mary (Robinson?) the time and we do agree issue’s final batch Thank you ahead for SUTTON, born about that it is a peaceful place of Family Tree considering my request. 1806; Robert SUTTON when you’re out in the Sincerely, born 1827, Many thanks. open part of it. We have Quests. Kathleen Haak Lucia Menendez noticed how that changes U.S.A London when you go further in but I don’t know if that's just because the trees are

THE HOUGHTONIAN | SEPT 2011 | VOL 1 ISSUE 4 | ISSN 1757-3890

A RECIPE BY COLOMBO RIANI This simple yet tasty recipe has been shared by Jan Hanson, granddaughter of Colombo Riani who owned the café at 67 Newbottle Street. Colombo can be seen below outside the café, around 1920. More recipes from the Taste of Houghton series can be found on the HH website.

INGREDIENTS Garlic x several bulbs Olive Oil x splash Tomatoes (pureed) Parmesan cheese Crusty bread (thickly sliced)

METHOD 1. Gently fry the garlic in the olive oil 2. Add a dash of water and thoroughly mix in the pureed tomatoes 3. Spread the mixture on the crusty bread 4. Serve with liberal amounts of parmesan cheese

THE HOUGHTONIAN | SEPT 2011 | VOL 1 ISSUE 4 | ISSN 1757-3890

MEMBERS OF THE HH GROUP HAVE BEEN OUT AND ABOUT DURING THE SUMMER ON SEVERAL VISITS. A SELECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS CAN BE FOUND HERE SHOWING THE RE-OPENING OF PENSHAW MONUMENT’S LOFT AND AERIAL VIEWING PLATFORM, PUMPING STATION WHILE IT WAS IN FULL STEAM, AN EXCLUSIVE VISIT TO , AND EVENTS AT HERITAGE OPEN DAYS.

1 2

3 4

THE HOUGHTONIAN | SEPT 2011 | VOL 1 ISSUE 4 | ISSN 1757-3890

[1] Looking across the loft of Penshaw Monument. Read the new articles on the HH website. [2] The view down one of Lambton Castle’s ornately tiled drains. [3] The smithy at work at Ryhope Pumping Station. [4] Ryhope Pumping Station and one of its ponds which provided water for the steam- powered engines inside.

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[5] Paul Lanagan with author and broadcaster John Grundy at the HODS launch event at Jesmond Lawn Tennis Club.

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[6] Sheila Quigley and fans at the conclusion of the ‘Slaughter in Sunderland’ heritage walk, which was led by Paul Lanagan. [7] at dusk. Further photographs (showing the interior) will be featured in the next issue of the Houghtonian.

THE HOUGHTONIAN | SEPT 2011 | VOL 1 ISSUE 4 | ISSN 1757-3890

IN MEMORIAM

Sunderland Heritage Forum is a citywide umbrella organization of history and amenity groups. It runs a wide and well-supported range of events and initiatives, including community lectures and guided walks, a major history fair and the city’s heritage ALF ROXBY open day programme. It also promotes specific ventures such as the recently completed street names project AVAILABLE NOW 1922 - 2011 supported by Heritage Lottery funding. Alf Roxby, well known barber passed The Forum runs a wide range of events away on July 4th 2011 at the age of 88 and activities. It coordinates the NEW BOOK BY years. Many will remember the banter Heritage Open Day programme across and humour in his barber shop at the city, offers a series of free Dubmire. Alf was a gentleman and community lectures at the university’s SHEILA always participated in the Armistice Day St Peter’s Campus every summer, and parade in Fencehouses, having served runs popular day conferences on a time in the Royal Navy during the range of topics. Every two years, it QUIGLEY Second World War; he was a naval promotes the hugely successful gunner for the duration and was aboard Sunderland Heritage Fair at Seaburn,

HMS Webster when it was sunk by the with support from the council. AVAILABLE FROM FIND OUT MORE AT: Germans in the Mediterranean Sea. ALL GOOD BOOKS STORES Before the War, Alf was a hairdresser’s www.sunderlandheritage.org.uk apprentice – his brother Robbie had a shop at 3 Newbottle Street, opposite the Britannia Inn – but it was on his NOW ON KINDLE return home from the War that Alf opened up his Front Street shop in 1946. He worked there for almost 60 years until he retired and moved south to Hertfordshire to live with his son. Wherever he is now, he is bound to To join the HH Group have a queue of old gents, catching up on the gossip while they wait their turn on Facebook simply for a short-back and sides! click the link from

the main website OX ROASTING: then follow the A BEEF HISTORY directions to join! www.amazon.co.uk Issue 5 of the HOUGHTONIAN will be available to download in January 2012. Send us your details and get a copy sent directly to your Inbox!

THE HOUGHTONIAN | SEPT 2011 | VOL 1 ISSUE 4 | ISSN 1757-3890

Houghton Heritage Houghton-le-Spring in Old Photographs book Journey Through Time DVD & 2012 calendar available from:

www.houghtonlespring.org.uk



GET THE BOOK FOR £5.00 INSTEAD OF £10.00 WHEN YOU PRODUCE THIS VOUCHER AT THE STALL IN THE HOUGHTON FEAST CRAFT FAIR ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 8TH 2011, AT KEPIER SPORTS COLLEGE.

NAME: …………………………………………… POSTCODE: ……………………………

ONE VOUCHER PER PERSON, WHILE STOCKS LAST. VALID ONLY ON 08/10/11 BETWEEN 1030-1530.

THE HOUGHTONIAN | SEPT 2011 | VOL 1 ISSUE 4 | ISSN 1757-3890

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

Can you help solve these Genealogical Quests,

which are all centred around Houghton-le-Spring?

NORAH SMITH SOUTH BACK LANE TOON & COOPER MARGARET MAWSON I have been trying for a long Hi, I hope you can help me. I'm looking for copies of I am looking for family info time and have spent too My Great, great grandfather photos of my great concerning Margaret much money on Friends was born in Newbottle in grandmother, Hannah Toon Mawson, my great- United without any help; I 1886. The family name is (nee Surtees) or any photos grandmother, who was born am trying to find where all Mosley and in the 1891 or documents relating to in Houghton-le-Spring in birth certificates go. I've Census they are shown as her family. Hannah was 1828. She married William asked Father Gorman at the living in South Back Lane born on 17 July 1869 in Husband, a tin plate worker Church but he says the (mother Pheobe Mosley), to Joseph from Middleton in Teesdale Church doesn't keep then Newbottle. If you have any Surtees and Hannah in 1851. They went on to any more. My mother was information on my family or Blackett. She married live in Richmond, Yorkshire, Norah Smith and my dad perhaps a photo of South Edward Toon, a locomotive where she had 8 children. was Jimmy Smith of 33 Back Lane it would be really stoker, at Penshaw Parish She died in 1907. Yours School Road, East Rainton. appreciated. Kind regards Church on 7 September sincerely, There were seven of us. We John Mosley 1890. They lived in the Flora Borgese all went to St Michael's RC Houghton area - Shiney School. Most of the family * * * * * * * * * * * Row and West Herrington.

has died and I am 80 on the She lived at 8 George Street THE NAG’S HEAD 29th of June, so not much A bumper selection of East, New Herrington from Family Tree Quests can be Hi Paul, I have recently time left! I have heard that about 1895 until her death found inside! come across the Banns of my mother's father was on 13 October 1922. Any my 5 x Gt Grandparents from Newcastle, Tipperary, * * * * * * * * * * * information will be gratefully marriage in 1762. George Ireland. I wish I could find received. I'm also trying to Addamson (Adamson) of my mother's birth AT A JUNCTION get a photo of my Hello, Not sure of you can Nags Head P of Houghton certificate; she was born grandfather August William le Spring. Isabella Sidgwick 1902, possibly . help me. I’m busy building Cooper's grave. He's most Family Trees etc and one of Low Pitt Houses in this P Her father was Tommy likely buried in Houghton The record then continues: Gallagher. Thank you. branch of my family says General Cemetery (after they are from “Junction “I found out afterwards that Ann Swain WW1 he was the cemetery ye parties were both Row, Newbottle” – I’ve tried superintendent there). He Darlington to find this on the map servants at Naggs Head in would have been buried in ye P of Houghton" Can you using Maps but have the first week of March, WRONG COUNTY? drawn a blank – I’m tell me anything about the 1980. I'd love to get a Naggs Head? Isabella I have Thomas, son of assuming that this ‘Row’ no photo of the grave marker, Adamson died in Torrish Joseph and Annie longer exists. Can you shed but any help, even if it's just (Makepeace) Liddle died in any light on this for me – Lane 21/8/1802. I would to confirm that he is buried expect it to have been CAN. Notes say they were I’m looking for any old there, would be greatly from Northumberland. Can pictures which might show demolished and replaced appreciated. but does it, by any chance, you fill me in on the families this particular area. Sincere Ian Brett Cooper I see in your cemetery thanks. still exist? Thanks! Maryland, U.S.A records? Rob Leach Judith in John & Denise Allis Northamptonshire Damp Gloucestershire

THE HOUGHTONIAN No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a mechanical retrieval system, or Published by Books of the North transmitted, in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, Copyright © 2011 without written permission from the publisher. The publisher has made all reasonable efforts to VOL 1 ISSUE 4 SEPT 2011 contact copyright holders for permission. Any errors that may have occurred are inadvertent and ISSN 1757-3890 anyone who for any reason has not been contacted is invited to write to the publisher so that a full V001IS04VE04 acknowledgement may be made in subsequent editions of The Houghtonian. Articles and information 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 be held for any errors contained herein. Thanks are extended to the following supporters/contributors: John Grundy; Fiona Cullen; Janet Robinson; Foster Turnbull; Douglas Smith and Herrington Heritage Society; David W Brown; Sheila Quigley; Joan Lambton; Paul Sykes; and Jan Hanson nee Riani.