The Consett Story

CHAPTER ONE

THE CHANGING FACE

BEFORE 1839 there was no such place as Consett. Only a few wide roads, Barr House and the original Carr House flanked a bleak and desolate hillside. With the coming of the Derwent Iron Company in 1840, the town which was first called Berry Edge, began to grow.

In the early days, the Consett Market Square was one huge clay hole and dump for odds and ends. Where the Royal Hotel stands was a tumble down building called Tregelle's Foundry.

The Old Tin Mill Pit was a quaint ricketty looking place. Nearby was a cause-way or bridge, whose footway consisted of traverse pieces of wood which were, like the hand railings, constantly getting out of place. No sooner had the traveller run the gauntlet of these trap holes than he had to skip over an open sewer or gutter. Many a Consettonian, with sails full set, ran aground in that particular spot, and had to lie until daylight enabled him to steer a correct course.

The only decent shops in the early days were owned by Mr. Aynsley and Mr. Shaw. The others were in low cottages, with shop windows inserted, and it was on these sites that the business premises in Middle Street were founded.

Consett in 1844, by Mr. John Calvert

In passing the Highgate public house I witnessed a sight which was not uncommon in those days. In the lower rooms of the public house, there was not a table or chair but had its legs broken off, and these a number of mad, drunken fellows were wielding to some purpose on each other's heads. The landlord, Mr. Moore, was in his shirt sleeves, and his arms, from his hands to his elbows, were just as though they had been dipped in blood. I have stood in my own doorway and counted a dozen fights all going on at the same time. The road in front of my house was, in winter, knee-deep in mud and in many places a horse was in danger of disappearing altogether.

Parts of the houses in Puddlers' Row were built; as were also one or two of the rows in the rear of what is now called Front Street. Two and three families were then living in each house. A railway, which had been laid along the side of the road, brought the stone from the common quarry to the houses. There was also a railway to the quarry at Carr House. A small engine was used for pumping the water out of it, and one night this was stolen, and it could never afterwards be found. Consett at that time was one of the wildest places to be found in the North of England.

The buzzer was used to wake people from their slumbers at six o'clock in the morning.

February 8th, 1846

By far the most serious encounter took place at Moore's house, where a party of English and Irish workmen met. An Irishman having been seriously beaten, his countrymen armed themselves with sticks, stones and other missiles, and commenced an attack on the house by smashing the windows. Soon after, the English were joined by a number of their comrades, when a desperate encounter ensued, lasting for several hours, during which forty to fifty on each side were more or less disabled by cuts and bruises. The riot continued until two o'clock the following morning, and it was found necessary to call out a large body of policemen to restore order. Three of those most seriously injured subsequently died of their wounds.

Consett from 1847, by Mr. John Mewes

When I first came, there were no signs of habitation to be discovered in it, except the Bar House. In fact, there was no Consett at all. It was then called Berry Edge, and Blackhill was called Stobbs' Wood Head. I believe it got its name from the broom and whins that covered the ground. Iron stone had just been discovered. I can recollect the old shaft, over the mouth of which now stands the pulpit of Consett Church.

I have not seen much excitement, but I shall not forget the Berry Edge riot, though it occurred a canny bit ago. I well remember the day upon which it broke out. It was, I believe, a Sunday and I was out with another tradesman when he suggested that we should go into a public-house for a slight refresher. However, we had not been long there, when we heard an angry and excited clamour of voices. Immediately afterwards, a gang of men rushed into the place, and we hurried out of it as sharply as we could. When I reached home, I found the shutters up, the windows barred, and the doors securely fastened. I tapped at the shutters, and fortunately for me my wife guessed who it was, and at once admitted me. But I was glad to get into safer quarters, for the men outside were mad with passion, and were swearing terrible vengeance. The soldiers were brought over, and they remained till the riot was quelled. I am certain the riot lasted three days, and I believe four. Some people actually went into the country to their friends.

Extract from Mr. Gledstone's Diary, 1859

The condition of the place is most deplorable. The best well is rented at more than £50 per year, and only supplies eight or ten barrelsful per day. The barrel is often filled at water-courses, or any other place where water can be had. The demand for water is so keen that numbers of women race a quarter-of-a-mile to be first at the cart, and of course many of them return with empty cans. After working hard all day, the men have to wait for supper, till at last the necessary water is borrowed of a neighbour who is able to spare it. Cattle have access to a dam, which is the main supply, and besides being contaminated by them, the cartman has several times bathed in the dam before filling the water-cart! At Leadgate, the women have to wait so long for their turn for water, that they take their knitting with them.

Quotation from Mr. Calvert's Diary, 1860

“We are looking for a supply of water. There is none except what is drawn from the old shaft (The Braes Hotel was built over this shaft). The women are there by three and four o'clock in the morning. There is many a fight among them. The cartmen get water out of a dub in Knitsley Burn while the lads are bathing in it. Water is pumped from Boggle Hole into a pond, which is a receptacle for dead dogs and cats; but the people have no choice. Three or four in a family have to wash in one water. J. Gledstone and I are in search of a supply. There is more beer than water at Berry Edge. Charles Allen (Brewer, of Annfield Plain), told me that during the twelve months John Robson was his tenant, he sold more than fifteen thousand half-barrels of beer. Robson's was the only beerhouse in the place at that time. It was beseiged at five o'clock in the morning by the night-shift men, and by the day-shift men at night, so that Robson had little or no rest.

We met at Lanchester to discuss about water, and to get a survey. About £8 was promised which is insufficient, but rather than allow the scheme to fall through I guarantee to be responsible for whatever sum may be short. Mr. Tone of New castle has made a survey, and his report is a favourable one. We have decided to go to Parliament for an Act to form a company. We went to London and had no fewer than eleven petitions against our scheme, but we got an Act nevertheless. Mr. Philipson was our solicitor, and after we came home from London, Mr. Gledstone and I went into Newcastle to see him. He told us we would have to pay £300 that day to stop the Dean and Chapter from opposing us in the House of Lords. As I had only £100 in hand, I was obliged to go and borrow £200”.

The Battle of the Blue Heaps

The different memories as to how this trouble actually originated are some-what vague, but a racial animosity (now happily practically extinct in the district) combined with sundry trade jealousies in stirring up a feud which at one time seemed about to break out into a very serious riot. One side held possession of the mounds between Consett and Blackfyne, which are known by the fanciful title mentioned above. They were in the main, Irish incomers into the neighbourhood, whose coming, rightly or wrongly, was resented by those who were already engaged in the place as workers. The occupants of the heaps were amply supplied with ammunition in the shape of stones, and armed with rude weapons of offence. They might even pride themselves on possessing an artillery train, for a small cannon, intended for saluting purposes, had been commandeered into service, and was mounted to decimate the ranks of the attacking parties. Luckily for the latter (and possibly even more so for the safety of the occupying garrison) this weapon was never fired. The disturbances, and particularly the rumours of intended strife, were, however, so prevalent and alarming that military aid was hastily summoned, and the next day saw a company of soldiers quartered in Shotley Bridge to guard against any possible contingency.

Meanwhile, influential gentlemen, known well to each party of belligerents, worked most earnestly to bring affairs to a peaceful conclusion. Among these a name that is always mentioned with high praise, was the former Roman Catholic priest of Leadgate, Canon Kearney, whose advice and powers of persuasion had a most beneficial effect.

Blackhill at the time of the rioting

The low roofed houses at the top of Blackfyne were in existence, but only a straggling array of houses marked the progress of Durham Road down to Cutler's Hall Road. West Row, then in its palmy days, looked out as it does now, over the Derwent Valley. It went under the name of “Old” Blackhill, to distinguish it from its later rival, Derwent Street, which was known as “New” Blackhill. Houses were springing up rapidly in rows between the two, and so great was the demand for work in those days, that these houses were frequently occupied by families while yet so necessary a part as the roof was still wanting. These houses were run with no regard to appearance and little to convenience, as the region known as Bottle Bank exemplifies. The neat comfortable houses of the “Company's Rows,” viz. from Siemen's Street to Bessemer Street, were as yet unthought of. Cemetery Road was an unkempt footpath, dangerous to traverse after nightfall, and a scattered plantation of trees covered most of the site. A gloomy and barren waste extended from this point up to the township of Consett covered with scant herbage, and usually impassable because of the mire. No one who saw that wilder-ness at that period, would ever have thought that it would “blossom like a rose”, but it was this unpromising tract which has since become, under the auspices of the Consett Iron Company, the elegant and trimly-kept park of the district.

Robbery at Shotley Bridge

On Saturday morning, March 16, 1881, it was discovered that a robbery of a very serious character had been committed at the Shotley Bridge Works, which at that time belonged to Messrs. J. B. Richardson and Co. It was the custom of the firm to draw from the bank the amount required for paying the wages of the workmen every fortnight, and for this purpose a sum of £1,240 5s. 1d. had been withdrawn on the Friday and placed in an iron safe in the office. On the Saturday morning in question, it was found that the safe had been forced open during the night, and the whole of the monies carried off. A reward of £200 was offered, but the thieves were never discovered. During the formation of the road from Consett to Blackhill, however, part of the money was found, apparently as it had been hidden at the time of the robbery.

Consett Iron Company Strike, 1866

Extract from Consett Guardian, Saturday, 29th September, 1866

Today (Friday) we are glad to be able to state that matters are assuming a more cheerful aspect, and that from our report below there is a probability of a settlement between the masters and workmen. Despite the resolution of the meeting that was held on Wednesday, numbers of puddlers went down to the office at the works early on Thursday morning, and gave in their names as being willing to commence work at the reduction. The news of these proceedings soon spread through the village, and as a consequence, there was a great deal of commotion among the ironworkers. The “ice” having been broken, the number of names soon reached 100. During the forenoon, a meeting of the plate mill men was held in the house of Mr. Surtees, and a deputation was chosen to wait on the masters, with instructions to go to work at a reduction of 7-11%. The deputation went down to the office, but Mr. Priestman being at Darlington on business, they were instructed to go back again on Friday. At six o'clock on Thursday night the bell-man read a notice from the managers to the effect that all puddlers, furnacemen and others, desirous of going to work, were to be at their furnaces at ten o'clock the next morning, and “light up” immediately.

We therefore look forward with some little anxiety to the forthcoming week, and anticipate once more to behold the Consett Iron Works in full operation. Should such fortunately be the case, the starvation which now exists will suddenly disappear, and prosperity once more favour us with her presence.

We confess that we have for some time trembled for the consequences to our workmen if cholera should make its appearance amongst us. They are quite unprepared for such a calamity, and the state to which most of them and their families have been reduced by want of sufficient food, would have, no doubt, rendered them ready victims to this dreadful disease, which is now prevalent in nary places at no great distance from us. We are glad therefore that there is a .probability of our neighbours getting to work, and by having a sufficiency of food, Wider the possibilities of fatalities less amongst them.

The influence of Consett - should the men commence work - will be felt throughout the whole district, and will be hailed with delight by many. If Consett Works commence, and we sincerely hope they do, the strike in the North of England is virtually at an end.

Random Reminiscences of Consett in 1880 by a nonagenarian, R. P. Logan

The council were numbered twelve. The surveyor was Mr. Shell and Mr. Rippon was the foreman. It was a very poor town. There were very few vehicles, mainly tip-up carts. There was little traffic in Sherburn Terrace. The roads were really bad. People called Howatt had an order from the Council to bring limestone blocks to be broken into small pieces, then tipped on the grass verges. Big lumps were broken up into two inch cubes. A scraper four feet wide cleared mud off the roads ... men wore leggings ... just boots, no shoes. Men were engaged to and bring their own carts. A roller engine levelled the stones. The mud which been scraped off was mixed with ashes, and rolled onto the stones. Road were cambered even in those days, but only where there was traffic. Back streets were just ashes, rolled in, and stamped down hard by people walking on them. Stone flags went up to the front doors, and people stepped off the flags into the house. The main room was downstairs. There was a bed in the kitchen if there were two sexes. In the house was a pair of steps leading up into the ceiling, through cut big enough to take furniture. Some rooms had partitions of wood or curtains. With money you could buy a desk bed for downstairs. The floors of the houses were again of flags. Hawkers came round selling sandystone and whitening with which to whiten the hearth even under the bars. The bars of the fire were big, one inch across. There were no carpets . . . a few mats . . . bags were placed on the floor to wipe feet on . . . scrapers were outside the doors. Long clippy mats of hessian were the only floor decoration. The tables were bare. Sammy Carruthers lived in 29 Trafalgar Street . . . a labourer earned three shilling a day . . . skilled men were paid slightly more, for which they worked eleven hours a day.

The coal and ash carts came up the back streets. Netties were outside. People had individual keys, someone sometimes in. Big ash pits. Company used to empty the ashes and the farmers used them to lighten the land. No taps in the houses. Two pumps to each back street. There was a step to put the pail on. Tom Westthorp was the coal man . . . two carts and two horses . . . worked them himself. Two horses running together. He led all the coal for the company houses. They were called, Trafalgar Street, Princess Street, King Street, Queen Street and Front Street. No traffic was allowed to enter the streets from the south end, in one end and out the same way. Posts were placed to prevent heavy traffic spoiling the ash roads at the fronts of the houses.

At the top of Trafalgar Street was a school . . . called the Company school. Mr. Jenkins in control and Mr. Evans secretary. Dawson was a good master . . . but very bad tempered. He caned Tom Thomas. Fred Brodie was one of the leading teachers. Miss Packstone married the curate and lived on top of the Vicarage.

Entertainment. There were no theatres in Consett. Behind the Catholic Church Mountebanks came to entertain. Later there was a theatre in Trafalgar Street, where the busmen's canteen is now. Upstairs and down, real theatrical companies . . . scenery was brought to Blackhill station, they had to erect their own. Put on “Sweeny Todd the Barber,” and “Maria Monk,” 6d. to go in. Manager had long stick to rap the knuckles of men climbing out of the pit into the circle. Not many men went to the public houses. They hadn't enough money . . . played dominoes and the like in their own houses. Harvey Street still very similar to what it used to be. A dance hall in Trafalgar Street, then Joe Walton had it for an Auctioneer's place . . . up from the Theatre. Mr. Jenkins lived one door down.

Mission next to Mr. Jenkins' Plymouth Brethren had it shored up in case it fell down.

Up Medomsley Road houses were found here and there. Where the Crescent is now there were fields . . . dog racing and whippet racing. Opposite Stratford Terrace . . . foot races and a racing track. Kit Taylor could give average man 50 yards in 100.

A path came from Blackhill over the Blue Heaps, next door to the Clinic, and then to Crookhall and Durham.

Consett Park was a field. The Company got all the trees put in. A tank was placed in the middle ... from the 1914-1918 war. Broke up all the roads as it came from the station. Blue Heaps came from a pit on the road to Crookhall.

Consett Church was built over the top of a shaft. Next to Hepworths' the Salvation Army girls started in the house now used as Civic Hall. Consett had the first Salvation Army band. Geordie Storey was the cornet player . . . lived in Puddlers' Row. Why call it Puddlers' Row? The puddlers heated the metal in a container shaped like a saucer . . . kept it moving to separate the slag from the iron.

All traffic came to Blackhill. First people to start with a bus was the railway company, solid tyres, and chocolate coloured, 6d. to Consett. No passengers picked up on the way, then straight to Knitsley and then on to Durham. No brains . . . they could have had all the buses. Then a lot of small bus companies came into being. Cook ran from Tow Law to Stanhope, started to be a carrier with horses. Christopher and Rawe also had horses and carts, and traps for people to hire, a man to drive you.

Consett Iron Company, 1893

At that time the Company possessed 2,700 cottages at Consett, Blackhill, Leadgate and the outlying districts, and employed 6,000 hands, the wages paid amounting to £8,000 which worked out at an average of 26s. 8d. per week. Besides having miles of railways of their own, they paid the North Eastern Railway an annual sum of £150,000.

Do you know?

In the late 1890's lived a policeman called Morland, the chief thief catcher in his- day. It was his boast that only two men in the parish escaped him, the parson and the schoolmaster. In spite of the fact that he was the terror of evil doers, he was always on the best of terms with them. His entry into a village was the signal for the barring up of all unlicensed members of the canine species. On receiving a negative answer, he would set up a succession of howls that speedily found an echo.

He was once brought up as a witness in a garden breaking case.

“Are not cabbages much alike?” the lawyer asked Morland.
“Yes,” replied the officer, with one of his leers.
“Then how do you identify these particular cabbages?”.
Because,” replied Morland, “cabbages have been missed out of that particular garden before, and to put the matter beyond doubt, I thrust a darning needle into each cabbage, and here is one,” he added, triumphantly withdrawing a needle, and holding it up before the astonished prisoner.
“You see,” he continued, “cabbages may be much alike, but all of them don't grow needles”.
Once he astonished the old lawyer by giving the exact distance between places.
“And why did you take the trouble to measure it?”.
“Because I thought some old feyul of a solicitor would ask me,” was the reply.

Consett, 1890 to 1920, by G. T. and J. W. Grant

The present Walter Willson's site could have been bought for £100. The penny bazaar in Middle Street was to be found where the Meadow Dairy stands now. There you could buy small toys, packets of pins, dishcloths, scrubbing brushes and a host of other small articles. Walking races for boys were organised from the Fountain to Allansford and back, the winner receiving a shilling as a prize from the landlord of the Freemasons Arms. Off Taylor Street was Bloom's ground, named after the Sunderland firm, who used to come with a large marquee, to sell a wide variety of goods. It was the fashion in those days to have a Bloom's clock, complete with eagle on the top, hanging on the wall.

Mr. George T. Hyden was the headmaster of the old Consett Iron Company school. Sam Raynor, his assistant, was a very strong man, and if there was any trouble in the school, they sent for Sam. Mr. Postgate, Tom Peart, and Harry Farnsworth were also masters. There were mixed classes, and young Telford used to bring mice to school, with string tied to them, and run them under the girls seats, and then back into his pockets again. Tom Peart was six feet six inches tall. In those days the boys played football near the reservoir, and Standard X 7 was the highest form. After that, there was nothing more to learn. Boys in the back row used to push pins through the lobes of the boys in front.

The houses on the Market Square were surrounded by railings, and the ground was about four feet higher than Front Street. Bookie scouts running for Jimmy Teasdale and Danny Welsh had an arrangement with the tenants of the Company Rows, so that if they were being chased by the police, they could run through houses to avoid capture.

In the chemist's shop there was not the variety of drugs as we know today, but they were much cheaper. A sniff of Chloroform was good for toothache. There were no facilities for poisoning dogs, so the boy in the shop used to be sent out with a dose of Prussic Acid. Morphia injections were given in the shop, 2d. a time. To have your dog poisoned cost 6d. Fifty backache pills, which were very popular with the men in the steel works, also cost 6d. They mainly consisted of Castille soap. Old Dr. McIntyre had an old high trap, and minor operations like the removal of a toe, were performed in the houses.

Ninian Bell, who used to be a cobbler by trade, was a great Methodist preacher, but renowned for the length of his sermons . . . you couldn't leave his house without a word of prayer, and in his own words “Whenever ye want to pray, gan into the closet!”

It was not unusual to walk to Newcastle to see a football match. A house cost £100, and the joiner was paid thirty shillings for the woodwork. Food was solid but good. Flour came in sacks, and was kept in a big bin in the pantry. A large basket of food could be bought for 2/-. Principal medicines were Castor oil, and No. 9 pills. There was l1d. profit on a bottle of medicine. Boys wore starched collars on top of Eton suits. There were very few shoes worn . . . mainly hefty boots to withstand the old rough stone streets. Football editions at a halfpenny each came to Blackhill station, and paper boys who were paid the magnificent sum of 1/- per week, ran from the station, up Blackhill Bank, to where the queue was waiting. Slides were sometimes shown at Daly's Hall, but people mainly amused themselves.

On a Saturday, the stalls appeared in Middle Street, with their wide variety of produce. There was a man who appeared on a flat cart. He was accompanied by a small group of musicians, mainly cornet players. There were cordial invitations given to come up and have painless extractions of teeth. They were apparently painless, because of the noise from the band. This was all in aid of the selling of a bottle of quack medicine, reputed to cure a host of maladies.

The buses would run two in hand from Rawe's livery stables in Front Street, through Middle Street, down the bank to Blackhill station. The return climb was somewhat arduous, and required a four in hand when the snow was thick.

High shot of Middle Street at Christmas time was Potts' big store window. He had many working models on display, and crowds of children would stand around the window waiting for additional models to be brought out. This was a very high feature for the boys who had little else to entertain them.

The Fountain was a memorial to Mr. Gledstone. It was in some senses a butter cross of olden days, with the difference that no merchandise was sold there. On occasions the old town crier would be found ringing his bell, and giving news of the town, and whenever orators wished for an audience, they used this stand. One of the most memorable events connected with the Fountain, was the coming if the Kensit preachers, six in number, who arrived one Saturday night, and their preaching set Consett on the boil. On the Sunday afternoon a repeat performance led to a pitched battle with pokers, shovels, bottles, stones and the like, and this Overflowed into Bloom's ground. This battle necessitated the calling in of the special constabulary of Durham City. They arrived 40 in number, in a coach which was drawn by four galloping horses. They were unloaded in Front Street, assembled, and marched to the scene of the disturbance, where a vigorous onslaught of batons soon quelled the rioters.

Sometimes the Front Street could be quieter, especially when snowdrifts ten feet high blocked the way. The snow plough was a wedge shaped device, loaded with boys and men, and drawn by six horses.

In the schools the boys took their mid-day meal wrapped up in a red handkerchief, and the cans of tea they brought were placed near the fire in the classrooms to warm up for their lunches. Often children came without food, and their fellow pupils with kindness in their hearts shared their rations. Schools in those days were places of strict discipline, and the smallest misdemeanour could produce six strokes of the cane on the left hand.

On a Whit Monday, the more prosperous citizens of Consett would arrange a picnic and sports' day for the children. It started with a long procession, headed by a band and banner, rather like the Durham Miners' Gala. Each child had a mug tied up in a large handkerchief, and the richer children had handkerchiefs made of silk. They proceeded to a field, with a cart following on behind, bearing the tea urns and food. Happy times were had by all, and sweets were broadcast over the field for children to find. There were competitions and races of various kinds, and little presents given as rewards. At the end of the day, the boys would move in line across the field, picking up all the paper and rubbish.

Another high spot was the appearance of “Lord John” Sanger’s Circus. There was a monster procession, in which all the animals and artists took part. It stretched from Number One to the Market Square. On arrival at the show ground near Number One farm, the elephants made for the large stone trough, and took in an ocean of water each. When provoked they would squirt this over the heads of the children standing around, much to everyone’s delight. It was no small problem of finance for the children to find the money to go to the circus, 2d. being a considerable sum of money in those days. The circus was held in such high esteem, that it was the custom of the education authorities to grant a half-day holiday when the circus came to town.

Funerals were spectacular, with an emphasis on the kindly. They were invariably led by a band, either the Salvation Army, The Mission, or the Drum and Fyfe. The people walked behind the hearse, and bearers were unpaid friends of the deceased. The coffin was often carried all the way to the cemetery by relays of bearers.

Consett was a cold, clean town. The people were poor but friendly. The shops did not overlap in merchandise. Pocket money as such was unknown, and you were indeed fortunate to have a rich relation who would give you a penny or half-penny. The state of the paper-boy was kingly. Boys were always willing to run messages for the odd copper. Water shortages were general in the summer time, and boys would wander out to the various wells outside the town, at Delves Lane, Templetown, and Backstone Cottages, taking with them a hoop and two buckets.

Competitions of all sorts were popular. One such was a cat show, when most of the cats in Consett would be pinched by small boys, and Roseberry Terrace for the next three weeks, would be over-run with them.

When the Boer War was on, the people affected would wend their way to the old post office in Front Street, to see the bulletin displayed at 6 o'clock in the evening. On the occasion of a man being discharged from war wounds, he was given hero's welcome. A band and a crowd of people would meet him at the station, and escort him to his home, which was gaily decorated with flags, and bits of greenery on the walls.

One weekend a sensation was created by the staging of Pool's Panorama. This was unique insomuch as it was the first instance of moving pictures in the district. A six feet wide canvas was rolled onto a stiff pole. The end of the canvas was fixed onto a second stiff pole and the two stood at either side of the stage. Various men unrolled the canvas from one pole to the other and a succession of scenes was portrayed. Two pianos provided the sound effects, and gunpowder was exploded give reality to the war scenes. To gain admission it was necessary to begin queuing early in the morning for the 2.0 p.m. show.

Crimes of a serious nature would be handled by the police at the police station. The chief would decide on the number of strokes of the birch. This was a rather thong cut into nine strips. Salt would afterwards be rubbed on the wounds to stop the bleeding. The miscreant would then be ejected from the police station. It may have been brutal, but it seemed to be effective. This correction factor saved many a boy from going to Borstal.

Consett, 1900 to 1930, by J. W. Almond

The original Town Hall was the present Civic Hall. Then some of the Company rows were demolished and the “New” Town Hall was built. It was a combination of a theatre and a cinema. The electricity was generated by a gas engine located in the basement. It had to compete with the Globe, but the shareholders didn't care for the type of variety artistes appearing there and for a time it was closed. Billy Tuck and George Yager leased the “Old” Town Hall for a while, then they separated, and Billy Tuck went to the New Town Hall as manager.

One of the greatest performers seen there was Charlie Merritt the illusionist. He came for three days but was retained for a fortnight. He made a donkey disappear with the use of mirrors, but his most moving act was the “Drowning Man”. He had a large glass tank filled with water, and in it he pretended to drown. He had a small bag of red ochre under his chin, and at the right moment, he punctured it and let the “blood” flow around the tank. The effect on the audiences as so great, and so many ladies suffered from shock and hysteria, that the Lord Chamberlain shortly afterwards banned the act.

The management of the Town Hall tried to show all types of films. Classics such as Lorna Doone were available in the shops at 6d. each, and created interest the film versions.

In 1903, Blackhill was the centre of the area, as Consett station was not yet opened. Sixty-eight trains passed in and out of Blackhill station each day. Where Carlyle's Bakery is now, there used to be refreshment room, and the North Eastern Hotel was the busiest in the town. The prosperity of Blackhill was mainly due to the Derwent Flour Mill, and the Paper Mills who used the station as their supply line.

Around Dixon Street were the houses of the miners in the old Blackhill Colliery. The shaft was on the site of the new Kaldo Steel Plant. It was situated there so that the coal could go straight into the works. A Mr. Minks was lost in Medomsley Colliery and years later his body found in the “Tin Mill Drift”. The area was so prosperous that a Mr. Albert Adams built the Olympia cinema.

Nineteen-twenty-seven saw Consett's first carnival with jazz bands, tradesmen's tableaux, decorated bicycles, and prizes for acts “causing most fun on route”. Tommy Edwards dressed up, as half tramp and half soldier, and drew attention to the desperate need of some of the ex-service men. His costume drew so much attention that many of the more wealthy men of the district began to take an interest in the British Legion and its members. This period was but a preliminary to the dim, dark '30's.

Prices in 1914

Woodbines cost five a penny, and an ounce of tobacco, a box of matches, and a clay pipe could be bought for 2d. Sugar cost a penny a pound, bacon 3½ d., a pound of jam 4½ d., eggs were 36 for 1/ - and Egyptian eggs 50 for a shilling.

Reprinted from the "Consett Guardian,” September 1^st, 1911

The Terrible Char-a-banc Disaster on Medomsley Bank

At which ten persons were killed and many injured

A heavy pall of sorrow and gloom descended with overwhelming suddenness on Consett and the district on Saturday last, when a fearful catastrophe happened to the Consett Co-operative Choir, who, when on the road to a contest at Prudhoe, were hurled from a huge motor char-a-banc at Medomsley Bank and nine of the party of 33 were killed upon the spot, while another died shortly afterwards, and two young ladies were removed to the Newcastle Infirmary in a critical and unconscious condition.

The choir left Consett in a monster conveyance of the petrol-motor type, well known in the district as the Coronation Car belonging to Mr. Martin, of South Moor, and with Mr. Matthew Wilson, a young man who lives at South Moor as the driver and Mr. George Lumley, of Langley Park as the conductor. They started, with a full complement of passengers about 1.45 and proceeded through Medomsley, down Long Close Bank, to the old toll bar. There had been a slight fall of rain, which rendered the road, dangerous at all times, unusually greasy. More quickly than it takes time to write, one of the most heartrending calamities that has ever taken place in the country came upon the happy company with frightful consequences. When the gradient on the bank was reached, it was realised in a moment - in a flash of time - that something was seriously wrong. The thundering car began to attain an awful speed, and a number of the occupants began to manifest signs of frightful alarm. When the driver, moreover, shouted, “She's amain, she's running away,” the unutterable consternation that prevailed was so intense that as the speed increased and the unwieldy char-a-banc swayed from side to side, men shouted and women screamed and some of them fainted. It was a moment of inconceivable pain and anguish in which death stared all the passengers in the eyes. What followed was over before anyone had time to realise the full extent of the situation. The footbrake on the car had failed, and the emergency brake was insufficient to hold the char-a-banc in check. Some idea of the awful speed that the vehicle had attained may be obtained from the fact that one of the petrol tanks of the char-a-banc was found in a clump of furze bushes fully a hundred yards away. As one remarked afterwards, no power on earth could have turned that gigantic thing, as it hurtled its way, at almost a mile a minute, into the side road, down -the hill where the bank sweeps slightly to the right. As the horrible rush was maintained, men jumped from their seats, and some of them fortunately escaped with slight injuries, amongst those who thus saved themselves being the conductor. The plucky driver, having the greater responsibility, stuck to his post to the last, and then the crash came by the car smashing into a tree which completely overturned it. All were jumbled up together in that horrible instant.

The back part of the car had been more forcibly impacted than the front, in consequence of its striking the sturdy oak in its turn, and in those two seats as it rolled over, of the ten passengers in those compartments, nine were killed outright. The dying shrieks and the screams of the injured were beyond all human comprehension. Some of the passengers were lying in the roadway, covered with blood and others were pinned among the wreckage. For some minutes assistance was not obtainable, and Wilson began to extricate those who were fastened in the wreckage, and laying them on the roadway. Everyone of the 33 seemed to be unconscious or dead at that time, and two cyclists arriving, the driver immediately despatched them to Shotley Bridge for medical assistance. Then he procured a bucketful of water from the Toll Cottage and with it tried to revive the injured. Some of them did come round, and either limped away into the cottage or lent an assisting hand. As quick as thought, several of those, on recovering from the shock, went to the assistance of those in dire extremities, and a messenger was despatched to send telegrams to Consett and elsewhere for medical and other aid.

A young schoolmaster, Mr. R. B. Barrett was driving a pony and trap down Medomsley Bank, when the coach passed him. In the trap were his sister Mrs. Laity, her three small children, and his mother. As they approached the bottom of the bank, one of the passengers in the char-a-banc came running up the hill to meet him, and implored him to leave the ladies at the cottage on the bank, and to help the injured. The trap was then used to take a message to Burnopfield where a fair was taking place, and help was despatched from there.

The news of the calamity spread like wildfire throughout the district, and police from all round were soon on the spot, with Superintendent Dryden from Consett, Inspector Stark of Stanley, Inspector Gargate of Consett, P.S. Crisp of Blackhill, P.S. Benzies, P.S. Murdoch of Leadgate, and the constables of Medomsley, Hamsterley and other places.

Medomsley Pit Disaster, Saturday, February 24th, 1923

The Busty Pit, Medomsley, owned by the Consett Colliery Company, was the scene of a mining disaster, in which eight lives were lost. The miners killed were: Thomas Cant, James Hornsby, Denis O'Neil, Clarence Pogue, Francis O'Hanlon, James Anthony Cooper, Thomas William Thorburn, and James Smith.

It was one of those rare shaft accidents which allow little hope of escape, and every occupant of the cage was killed. The shift had commenced at 1.30 a.m. and finished at 7.30 a.m. The victims whose work was near the shaft, were the first workers going off duty to ascend. There were no men descending at that time, and only one of the two cages was occupied.

The ascending cage had travelled more than half the journey to the surface when it came into contact with something. The terrific impact caused the cage to become detached and it started on its terrible descent. It is believed to have travelled some 80 yards when it turned over, and became wedged in the shaft.

The occupants were hurled out of the cage, five falling to the bottom of the shaft to the horror of those assembled there, and three were subsequently found on the top of the descending cage. A temporary cage was lowered with rescuers, and operations were carried out in the shaft throughout the morning. The bodies were recovered before noon, and were carried out of the mine through a drift which runs from the bottom of the shaft emerging at the golf course near Elm Park Farm

A firing party from the D.L.I. gave a farewell salute over the graves, at Consett the streets were lined with people, and all business premises were closed.

1920's and 1930's

During the acute industrial depression, men sat in hundreds on their hunkers round the labour exchanges. In the schools, funds were gathered to assist children who had no boots or shoes, and there were poor children's outings to Whitley Bay, which sometimes filled as many as 100 buses. Allotments were very popular, more because of necessity than as a hobby. These were the days of Jack the Ripper, and a local fire demon who went around setting haystacks alight.

The Globe theatre had its heyday in the period 1900 to 1920. It was famous for its variety shows and many distinguished artistes appeared there. The earliest cinema was the Town Hall, whose first films were “silents”, and Jimmy Holden, the pianist, had to play music suitable to the mood of the action. The projector stood in the middle of the floor. The first talking picture was the “Jazz Singer,” which starred Al Jolson.

In 1921, a haircut cost 6d., and a shave 3d. There was no haircutting on Saturdays, because so many men celebrated the weekend with a real shave.

Rows of houses-known as Company Rows had long stood on what is now the Market Square. Most of these were owned by Consett Iron Company and originally stretched as far as Middle Street. They were laid out in rows, similar to those of the industrial towns of Lancashire, and the West Riding of Yorkshire. The clearance of these buildings made possible the Market Square as we know it, and the building of Consett 'bus station in 1936, in an attractive colour scheme of blue and silver. Before this, buses had operated from Front Street and Victoria Road. The Northern and Yellow 'bus companies, together with Venture Trans-port, provided the main forms of conveyance at that time. In 1936 also, Sherburn Park-formerly known as the “Rec” - was opened by Sir Edward George. It is interesting to compare this park and the surrounding sports grounds, with the burning tips originally on that site. These burning heaps had once cost two children their lives.

The War Years

The Citizens' Advice Bureau struggled to sort out the difficulties of food, clothing and petrol rationing, which brought exasperation to Consett, as to all other regions. The Police and Air-raid Wardens constantly checked on the rigid black out regulations, but the general public co-operated willingly because of the urgency of the danger. Each house had its bucket of sand and stirrup pump, to fight against incendiaries-many of which fell on Bridgehill, and the grotesque but effective individual gas-masks could be regularly tested at A.R.P. Stations. The area was fortunate enough to suffer little bomb damage. One bomb fell into Blackhill Cemetery, and one near the Derwent between Shotley Bridge and Allansford, but the works' warning system enabled the Company to black-out in time to avoid being pin-pointed. Many amusing stories are told of this period. For example, there was the case of the dedicated air-raid warden who, before he went to bed, always placed each article of his equipment in a carefully determined position, so that he could be an example of promptness and coolness to his district. In the small hours, the siren sounded its warning, and he flung on his clothes steel helmet, respirator, and was charging out of the house brandishing his torch, when his wife fortunately noticed that he had omitted to put on his trousers.

In times of nervous tension, strange things happen, as they did when one gentle-man feverishly tucked his shirt into his trousers before proceeding to the air-raid shelter. It was sad that he had also tucked in the curtains.

After Dunkirk, many of the rescued soldiers were billeted in halls and private houses until the army was reconstituted.

This became a time of organized social activity, activity to help the war effort. “Beetle Drives,” and parties were held in many homes to raise funds for Servicemen and women, the ladies knitted tirelessly, and many appeals for War Bonds, Victory Bonds, Wings for Victory and Spitfire Funds were splendidly supported. There was an invincible pride in the achievements of the “Few”, the Eighth Army, and the heroic Convoy men.

Women and girls played a vitally important part in the war effort. At one time between 600 and 700 women worked for the Iron Company, releasing men for the Services and for heavier duties. Many more went into aircraft factories and into local industry, as well as driving ambulances and making up first-aid parties as part of Civil Defence.

Rationing came into force shortly after the outbreak of hostilities and continued for several years after the war. It varied a little from month to month, but in the main, the civilian population had to exist on:-

Fat: 8 ounces per week, composed of 2 ounces of butter, 4 ounces of margarine and two ounces of cooking fat. There was a slight increase at Christmas time.

Sugar: 8 ounces per week with extra for jam making.

Cheese: 1 ounce per week.

Tea: 2 ounces per week.

Jam: 1 pound per month.

Eggs: 1 per week.

Bacon: 4 ounces per week.

A points system decided the amount of biscuits and tinned meat which could be purchased. Each person was provided with a ration book and the number of points varied between 20 and 30 per month. A pound of biscuits needed eight points, and a tin of meat at least 20 points. Cans of fruit were in very short supply.

Post-War Consett

For many, back to “Civvy Street,” to fantastic second-hand car prices, to continued rationing, and many shortages before things gradually went back to normal. Then came a spate of new building, which reflected the recovery of the district the opening of the Football Field, largely by the support of local business men, of the long-awaited swimming baths, of the new council offices, and of new Roman Catholic churches in Victoria Road, in Shotley Bridge, and at Moorside, A less happy sign of the times was the closing of several local collieries, although some new factories, like Morley's, Celluware, and A. J. Siris, offered light industrial work to women, and R. B. Bolton's to men.

Glenroyd House was opened as the first home for elderly people in the district although several local authorities had their groups of cottages devoted to those who could no longer support themselves. The custom of adopting these old people has grown up among a number of clubs and societies whose aim is to serve the community.

A new Grammar School at the top of Blackfyne, under its headmaster Mr. Hilary Bradley, provides for upwards of 700 boys and girls, while a vastly extended Technical College on Consett Bank allows the Principal, Mr. L. Angus, to off wide variety of further educational courses to the neighbourhood.

In Music and the Arts, the district boasts many distinctions. Before the war, Teddy Sloane's choir had a proud reputation and brought artistes like Tudor Davies, Muriel Brunskill, and Robert Easton to entertain the music lover. At the same time, Consett Male Voice Choir flourished under the leadership of Mr. Ernie Brown and its guest celebrities included Dame Clara Butt, and Norman Allin. Since the war the Consett Citizens` choir, led by W. E. Westgarth, M.B.E., has over 50 B.B.C. and I.T.V. engagements to its credit and produces between 20 and 30 charity concerts a year in the district. Leadgate Gleemen have, similarly, given great pleasure to many, while “C.B.S.” - a society drawn from Consett, Blackhill, and Shotley Bridge, has a fine record of both musical and dramatic achievements. Types of music change, but Consett has the resilience to adapt itself to them all.

Consett in 1963

This was the severest winter in living memory, when successive snowfalls between Christmas and March produced drifts of such great depths that it was possible to remove bulbs from electric light standards by hand. Tribute should be paid 'o the Council for their efforts to keep the main roads clear, despite the severity of the frosts and the magnitude of the snowfall. For long periods the secondary roads had to be abandoned, but there was little serious dislocation of main road traffic. Few if any of the local beehives survived the intense cold, and the fruit crops were correspondingly reduced. Unhappily the old adage that a severe winter is the forerunner of a hot summer, did not prove to be true, although the sun shone long enough for the West Indians to win the Test series.

In the streets of Consett itself, the increase of private motoring has created a major parking problem, which seems likely to grow more acute as time goes by. Supermarkets and betting shops are the most noticeable additions to the business community.

In recent years there has been an enormous increase in the number of people from this district taking their holidays abroad, the favourite resorts being found in Spain. It seems beyond doubt that a succession of sunless summers is the reason for this.

In the world of entertainment, there has been a marked decrease in the attendance at cinemas, and many of them have had to close, unless they have been able to provide facilities for the present passion for Bingo. On the other hand, there has been no decrease in the universal popularity of television. The new 625 line scan and colour television are eagerly awaited. S. Barnett and Sons have installed a very novel Ansafone to deal with enquiries after business hours, by means of a taped record.

Football Pools continue to fascinate vast numbers each week, and hold out the prospect, however elusive, of untold wealth.

In brief, we see Consett in 1963, as a busy, friendly town, with people interested in their work, their families, their homes, their gardens and their holidays, with little apparent change from day to day, but the days grow into weeks, and the weeks into years, and the face changes.

CHAPTER TWO

HISTORICAL SURVEY

The “Boldon Buke”

THIS is a survey of the See of Durham County Palatine, made in 1183 by order of Hugh Pudsey, the powerful and magnificent prelate of the time. It may be called the Domesday of the County Palatine, and derives its name from the village of Boldon, near Sunderland. The services and returns of many of the Bishop's manors were the same; and the compilers, after enumerating those services and returns under Boldon, when the same occurred elsewhere during the progress of the inquisition, were satisfied to describe them as the same with those of Boldon. The name of Boldon, therefore, repeatedly occurring, the record itself became popularly spoken of as the “Buke of Boldon”. It presents us with a picture of the dominions north of the Tees in the early times of the Plantagenets; although the free tenants of the Bishopric come but slightly into view.

A VILLAGE IN THE 12TH CENTURY

THE house of each villein, or cottar, was situated in a toft, with one or more crofts adjoining, the houses being in this way separated from each other. In some villages there was also the demesne house of the lord and the dwellings of one or more free tenants, perhaps not much more superior in convenience and accommodation to the cottages of the servile holder. Attached to the village with its enclosed parcels of land, was the common field, where each tenant had his own portion of acres under the name of oxgangs, and beyond that was the pasture, where the cattle fed in common, under the charge of the village herdsman. In some cases there was also the lord's waste or forest, in which his tenants had various rights of pasturage, swine feeding, and cutting turf and firewood.

The villein could not leave his lord's estate, nor indeed, give up the land he held under him. He was a servant for life, receiving as wages enough land to support himself and his family. If he left his lord, he could be recovered as a stray, unless he had lived meanwhile for a year and a day in a privileged town or borough, in which case he obtained his freedom. He could accumulate no property, everything he possessed being his lord's. His services consisted of servile work done by himself and his household on the lord's demesne land; such as ploughing, mowing and reaping, carting dung, and all other agricultural operations. The villein could not marry his daughter without the lord's leave. The villein could acquire no property in goods or land, for being himself the property of his lord, all that he acquired was the lord's.

BENFIELDSIDE PARISH (1894)

THIS parish, which was formed from the extensive parish of Lanchester, by an Order in Council, dated September 3^rd, 1847, comprises a portion of the township of Benfieldside, an ancient township within the manor of Lanchester.

Benfieldside Township is principally the property of Messrs. Annandale, Frank Priestman, Esq., J.P., George Peile, Esq., J. A. K. Faulconer, Esq., Richard Murray, Esq., and several smaller proprietors. Its area is 1620 acres, and its rateable value, £17,387. The population in 1801 was returned with Medomsley township; in 1811 it was 275; in 1821, 341; in 1831, 534; in 1841, 1,074; in 1851, 2,4775; in 1861, 4,026; in 1871, 4,432; in 1881, 5,695; and in 1891, 6,269 souls. At the time of Hatfield's survey this township was held by many tenants; and from the time immemorial, the Bishops of Durham have appointed foresters or keepers of their woods of Benfieldside. Two persons from this township joined the rising of the North (1569), one of whom was afterwards executed. This township contains no village of its own name, but includes those of Shotley Bridge and Blackhill, and the hamlet of Snows Green.

Benfieldside Local Board was established in 1868, and consists of twelve members. Meetings are held on the third Wednesday in each month at the offices, Shotley Bridge. The district is nearly co-extensive with the township, except a small outlying portion.

The Board School is a good stone building, situated in Benfieldside Road, was erected in 1877, at a cost of about £6,000, for boys, girls, and infants, capable of accommodating 600 children. The average attendance is-boys, 236; girls, 236; and infants, 90. The master's residence and caretaker's house adjoin the school. The board was formed in 1877, and consists of seven members.

Shotley Grove School (mixed and infants) is a neat stone building in Cutlers' Hall Road, was erected in 1841, by Mrs. Annandale, was enlarged in 1893, will now hold 157, with average attendance of 80 scholars.

Reading-room and Library, established in 1893 as Shotley Bridge Reading Society, contains reading rooms, reception rooms, and a small library, and is supported by subscription.

Temperance Hall, erected in 1876, is a good stone building, contains lecture-hall, capable of seating 300 persons; also rooms below, which were formerly used as reading-room and library.

Shotley Bridge and Consett District Gas Company was established in 1856, and by an Act of Parliament, obtained in 1869, the company was empowered to supply the following places-Shotley Bridge, Blackhill, Leadgate, Consett, Medomsley, and Ebchester. The present capital is about £30,000, consisting of one-half in Consolidated stock, and half in £10 shares. The works are situated at Shotley Bridge and there are two gasholders, capable of containing together 12,000 cubic feet, 81 retorts, and there are over 400 public lamps. The annual consumption is over 35,000,000 feet.

Cottage Convalescent Home, Elm Park, of the Cathedral Nurse and Loan Society (Newcastle branch), was established here in May, 1888. Accommodation is provided for twelve patients. It is entirely supported by subscription.

Residents of Benfieldside Parish, 1894

Adamson, Jno. A., Coml. traveller, Summerhill.

Addison, Jno. Thos., Schoolmaster, Woodbine Cottage.

Amos, Joseph, Foreman blacksmith.

Annandale, Jno. & Sons, Paper manufacturers, Shotley Grove and Lintzford mills.

Annandale, Alex., junr., Shotley Grove.

Annandale, James, Esq., J.P., The Briary.

Annandale, William Mitchell: h. Lintzford.

Appleby, Edwin, Grocer and Shoe dealer, Benfieldside Road, Blackhill.

Armstrong, Fras., Engr., Paper-mills, Baxton Burn.

Armstrong, Mrs. Mary Ann,

Matron, Convalescent Home, Elm Park.

Armstrong, Mr. Robert, Cutlers' Hall Road.

Bagnall, Jno., Auctioneer, Holly House.

Barber, Thomas Platt, Esq., Shotley House.

Barrass, Alexander, Butcher, and Vict., Miners' Arms; h. Summerhill.

Barrass, Robert, Butcher, Highgate, Blackhill.

Barclay, Robert Grenfell, Bank manager, and clerk to School Board, Bank Buildings.

Benfieldside Local Board Offices, Bank buildings, Jno. Booth, clerk.

Bell, Joseph, Cab proprietor and carting contractor.

Blair, Francis, Farm bailiff, Whinney House.

Booth, Jno., Solicitor, clerk to Local Boards, and Registrar to Consett County Court, Bank Buildings; h. Summerdale.

Brown, Mrs. Ann, Cowkeeper, Oak Cottage.

Brown, Miss Isabella, 81 Cuthbert's Terrace, Blackhill.

Brown, Mrs. Mary, Benfieldside Road, Blackhill.

Brown, Nicholas, Saddler and fancy goods dealer.

Brown, Peter, Chemist.

Brutton, Philip M., Esq., St. Cuthbert's Lodge.

Bullerwell, William C., Carrier.

Campbell, William, Foreman joiner, Forge Cottage, Northumberland.

Carter, Mr. Thomas, Snows Green.

Charlton, Mrs. Mary, Baxton Burn.

Charlton, Robert, Florist and seedsman, Benfieldside Gardens.

Collinson, Jno., Master, Shotley Grove School.

Co-operative Stores; Thomas Surtees, manager.

Coulson, Mrs. Joseph.

Coupland, Matthew, Clerk to Leadgate Local Board, and to Medomsley School Board, and insurance agent, Summerhill.

Derwent Flour Mill Society, Ltd.; William Telford, manager and secretary.

Dickinson, Rd., Managing butcher, Co-op. Stores.

Dickinson, William, Solicitor, Summerhill.

Dixon, John, Surveyor and insptr., and collector to Benfieldside Local Board, 9 St. Cuthbert's Terrace, Blackhill.

Dobson, Jno. Thomas, Shopkeeper and beer retailer, Benfieldside Road, Blackhill.

Dowson, J. J., Grocer.

Elliott, William, Farm manager, Bridgehill.

Elsdon, Mrs. Jane, Vict., Wheat Sheaf.

Fairlamb, Mrs. Fanny, Grocer.

Faulconer, Mrs. Dora, Shotley Lodge.

Faulconer, Jno., Arthur Keith, Esq., Shotley Lodge.

Gibb, Mrs. Martha, Shopkeeper, Cutlers Hall Road.

Gibbinson, John, Station-master (N.E. Railway), Shotley Bridge.

Gibson, Miss G. M., Snowsgreen House.

Glendinning, Robert, Cowkeeper.

Glendinning, Thomas, Cartman.

Guthrie, Jno., Timekeeper, Summerhill.

Hall, Ralph, Tailor and draper.

Hall, T., Cowkeeper and carting contractor, Baxton Burn.

Heslop, Robson, Cowkeeper, Benfieldside Road, Blackhill.

Heymer, Jno., Chief clerk to Iron Co., Benfieldside Road, Blackhill.

Hodgkin, Barnett, Pease, Spence & Co., bankers;

R. G. Barclay, manager. Hogg & Bell (Misses), milliners.

Hooper, William Henry, clerk, Benfieldside Road.

Houliston, Andrew, Joiner and builder, Park View.

Hull, Jesse, Cowkeeper, Hearts of Oak.

Jenkins, Rev. Edwin Wm. (Baptist), Carey Cottage.

Kirsop, John, Clerk, 11 St. Cuthbert's Terrace.

Lax, Joshua, Ironmonger and Bank manager.

Leslie, Surtees, Painter, paperhanger, etc.

Lishman, Jno., Beer retailer.

Lister, Ralph, Hardware dealer, Snowsgreen.

M'Intosh, Duncan, Joiner, builder, and cartwright, Snowsgreen.

M'Iver, Alexander, Engineer, Shotley Grove.

Mackey, Jno., Timekeeper, 5 St. Cuthbert's Terrace, Blackhill.

Mackey, Joseph H., Clerk, 6 St. Cuthbert's Terrace, Blackhill. Mackey,

Thomas, Marker at ironworks, 2 St. Cuthbert's Terrace, Blackhill.

Mackey, William, Clerk, 42 Benfieldside Road, Blackhill.

Marshall & Sons, Jewellers and watchmakers, Cutler's Hall Road, Blackhill.

Maughan, Thomas, Farm bailiff, Elm Park.

Minto, Robert, Beerho., Burton House.

Moore, William, Esq., Ashfield. Moore, William, Viet., King's Head.

Morgan, Geo., Vict., Crown and Cross Swords Hotel.

Murray, John George, Solicitor, Greenhill.

Murray, Richard, Brewer's agent, and spirit merchant (Consett), Benfieldside House.

Nixon, Thomas, Joiner etc., Benfieldside Road, Blackhill.

Nicholson, Cthbt. Wm., Boilersmith, Baxton Burn.

North-Eastern Banking Co., Ltd.; Joshua Lax, Manager.

Oley, Christopher, Grocer.

Oley, Joseph, Auctioneer and valuer.

Oliver, Chas. Ed., Architect to ironworks,

Oakfield. Osborne, John Hayton, Draper.

Parker, Mr. James, Benfieldside Cottage.

Pearson, D., manager, Paper-mills, Shotley Grove.

Pearson, Mrs. Jane, 46 Benfieldside Road.

Peile, George, Esq., Greenwood.

Postle Attewell, Paper maker, Baxton Burn.

Powlesland, Mrs. H., Shopkeeper, Benfieldside Road.

Priestman, Frank, Esq., J.P., Shotley Park.

Proud, Jno. Vaccination officer.

Pumphrey, Mr. Joseph, Derwent Hill.

Purvis, Ralph (j.), Joiner, St. Cuthbert's Terrace.

Redshaw, M., Market gardener, The Law.

Richaids, Mrs., Oak Street.

Richardson, George, Wholesale and retail draper; h. West View.

Richardson, Mrs. Jane, Postmistress and stationer.

Richley, M., secretary to Gas Co.; h. St. Cuthbert's Terrace, Blackhill.

Robson, Mrs. Hannah, Dressmaker, Baxton Burn.

Robson, George, Foreman miller.

Rodgers, Mrs. Ann, Corn and flour dealer.

Ross-Lewin, Rev. G. H., M.A., Vicar, Vicarage.

Rounthwaite, Jno., Surveyor, and inspector to Lanchester Union, St. Cuthbert's Terrace.

Rutherford, Jno., Postman, 61, Benfieldside Road.

Shields, Thomas, Shopkeeper.

Shotley Bridge and Consett District Gas Co.; Jno. Bruse, manager; M. Richley, secretary.

Shotley Spa; William Wilson, proprietor.

Siddle, Thomas, ironworks manager, Viewfield.

Smith, John & Son, architects, Rose Cottage.

Spence, Thomas, Tinsmith.

Surtees, Mrs. Jane & Son (Jno. R.), Joiners and builders, Benfieldside Road.

Surtees, Joseph, Refreshment rooms.

Surtees, Thos., manager, Boot department, Co-op. Stores.

Surtees, Thos., Jun, manager, Co-operative Stores.

Sutton, Rev. J. V. (Wesleyan), Hawthorn Cottage.

Symington, Jno. clerk, Benfieldside Road.

Taylor, Mrs., The Terrace.

Taylor, John R., Joiner and builder, St. Cuthbert's Terrace, Blackhill.

Teare, Philip, Boards schoolmaster, Benfieldside Road.

Telford, Thomas, Cart owner, Benfieldside Road.

Telford, William, Manager of Derwent flour mill; h. Cutler's Hall Road.

Thirlwell, Mrs. Jane Ann, Shoe dealer.

Thirlwell, Jno., Painter, etc.

Thirlwell, Miss Mary H., Dressmaker.

Thompson, Mr. Robert, Summerhill.

Town, Mr. W. R., Derwent House.

Urwin, Laybourne, Plumber.

Urwin, William, Baker and confectioner.

Wardhaugh, Ed., Blacksmith.

Watson, Thomas (j.), Joiner, Baxton Burn.

Wheatley, William, Butcher.

Wheldon, Misses Ellen Elth. and Elizabeth Mary, Shotley Villa.

Wilson Brothers, Grocers, and lessees of Spa Gardens, and refreshment rooms.

Wilson, William (W. Bros.); The Terrace.

Wilson, Mrs., Cauldwell.

Wilson, William, Bootmaker.

Winch, Charles, Greengrocer.

Wright, William, Confectioner.

Farmers

Annandale, J., & Sons; W. Elliott, manager, Bridgehill.

Derwent Flour Mill Society, Limited.

Elsdon, Henry, East Law.

Ridley, William, High Snows Green.

Telford, Mrs. Ellen, Berry Edge.

Towns, Mrs. & Son, West Law.

BLACKHILL PARISH (1894)

THIS was constituted a separate and distinct parish in 1884. The greater portion was taken from Benfieldside parish, and a part from Consett. It comprised an area of 357½ acres, and a population in 1893 of 4,500.

Blackhill, now a large and increasing village, is situated on the slope of the hill, between Shotley Bridge and Consett, a distance of about half-a-mile from either place. This place owes its existence to the opening of the iron-works at Consett. Here is a railway station, known as the Consett branch of the North-Eastern Railway, which was opened in 1867, for passengers. There is also a cattle auction mart, at which sales are held every Monday.

Priestman Memorial - in 1890 the sum of £500 was raised by subscriptions for a memorial to the late Jonathan Priestman, Esq., of Shotley Bridge, formerly chairman of the Quarter Sessions, and managing director of the Consett works (iron) who died in 1880. This sum is invested in the Mortgage Debenture Land Security Company, Limited, at four per cent, producing £20 per annum. The fund is managed by twelve trustees, and the income applied to the maintenance, in any convalescent home, for such a period as they shall think fit, of any such poor persons having been one year previous to their selection resident in the townships constituting the Electoral divisions (Benfieldside, Consett, Leadgate and Ebchester).

Residents of Blackhill Parish, 1894

Aitchison, William, Vict's. manager, Zetland Arms, Derwent Street.

Aynsley, W., grocer, and Consett, Aynsley's Buildings.

Baillie, Rev. Alexander (Presbyterian), The Manse, Cemetery Road.

Brodie, Mrs. Emma, hosier and fancy draper, Derwent Street.

Brodie, John Liddle, tailor and draper, St. Aidan's Street.

Brown, Luke, foreman joiner, Cort Street.

Brown, M. (Westgarth & B., contractors), Tinmill Pl.

Burns, James, Viet., Scotch Arms, Derwent Street.

Cassiday, Mrs., grer., and beer retailer, Derwent Street.

Christopher, Mrs. Francis, pawnbroker and cab proprietor, Durham Road.

Christopher, Mrs. Isabella, vict., North-Eastern Hotel, Hawthorn Street.

Clements, Mrs. Mary, day schl. (girls), Tinmill Pl.

Cooke, Jno. Grice, stationer and newsagent, Durham Road.

Consett Co-operative Stores (branch), Derwent Street; Thomas Huddlestone, manager.

Dawson, George W., assist.-surgeon, Durham Road.

Dent, Edward, steelworker, 8 Cort Street.

Dowson, A., confectioner and tobacconist, Derwent Street.

Dowson, Jacob, draper and milliner, Derwent Street.

Edger, John, bootmaker, Durham Road.

Elliot, David, Temperance Hotel, Park Road.

Elsdon, William, miner, Durham Road.

Eltringham, Geor., grer., and beer rtlr., Durham Road.

Eltringham, Jas., grer. and beer rtlr., Walton Street.

Eltringham, Jph., joiner and builder, and assist.-overseer for Benfieldside Top, Railway Terrace.

Eltringham, Wm., Viet., Station Hotel, Durham Road.

Eltringham, Wm. T., bldr's. mert., Railway Terrace.

Featherstonhaugh, George W. M., manager, coal deports., Tinmill Place.

Foggan, John, butcher, Durham Road.

Foran, Rev. James (Catholic), the Presbytery.

Foster, Robt. C., draper (Consett), Cemetery Road.

French, Mr. Matthew, 1, Ledger Terrace.

Gambles, Joh., grocer, etc., Dixon Street; h. and refreshments,

Gibson, Peter, shoemaker, Queen's Street.

Gillies, William Thomas, clerk, 19, Bessemer Street.

Glendinning, George, cowkeeper, Blackfine.

Gradon, Dobson, watchmaker and optician, Derwent

Gradon, Stobart, joiner, Durham Road.

Green, Thomas, steel works mgr., 4, Cemetery Road. Street.

Hale, Mrs. Elth. Ann, butcher, Derwent Street.

Harker, Jno. W., station-master and goods agent.

Harvey, Mrs. Mary, Park Road.

Hay, Wm., guardsman, goods station, Cemetery Road.

Henderson, Mrs. Rose J., schlmstrs., Derwent Road.

Hepton, Edwin, pawnbroker, Oxley Street.

Hetherington, Wm., cowkeeper, Durham Road.

Hobday, Michael, foreman roller, St. Aidan's Street.

Hodgson, Thos., draper and hatter, Derwent Street.

Hope, James, sculptor and monumental mason, Durham Road; h. Dixon Street.

Huddlestone, Thomas, manager (branch, Co-operative Stores), Derwent Street.

Hunter, William, shoemaker, Oxley Street.

Jack, Jno. Alex., foreman roller, St. Aidan's Street.

Johnson, Mrs. Jane, grocer, Eltringham Street.

Kelly, Rev. John (Catholic), Derwent Street.

Kelly, Patrick, beerho., Gateshead Brandy Inn, Chapel

Kelsey, William, chemist, Derwent Street.

Kinnear, Miss Agnes, schoolmistress, Durham Road.

Kinnear, Mrs. Rachael, Durham Road.

Kirk, Joshua, clerk, 10 Cemetery Road.

Kirkup, Jno. G., Foreman patternmaker, 14 Bessemer Street.

Lamb, Jno., cart-owner, Durham Road.

Lamb, Wm., beerho., Victoria Hotel, Durham Road.

Little, Jno. Thomas, house agent to Consett ironworks, Blackfine House.

Lovat, John, butcher, Derwent Street.

Lovett, James, cowkeeper, Templar Street.

Lowes, Robert (j.) blacksmith, Durham Road.

Lowes, Stephen, butcher, Park Road.

M'Donald, Robert, blacksmith, Durham Road.

M'Feggan, William S., superintendent engineer.

M'Veigh, Mrs. Roase Ann, beerho., Durham Road.

Mackey, Thomas, newsagent and stationer, Derwent Street; h. 2 St. Cuthbert's Terrace.

Maddison, Wm. Heslop, plate roller, Durham Road.

Mewes, John, grocer, etc., Durham Road.

Milburn, Christopher, saddler, Durham Road; h. Shotley Bridge.

Moon, John, relieving officer and collector, Cemetery Road.

Moore, John, sexton, Cemetery.

Morley, Nicholas, butcher, Dixon Street.

Muir, Jno. Taylor, agent at ironworks, 20, Bessemer Street.

Murray, Richard, brewer and spirit merchant, Royal Hotel, Park; h. Benfieldside House.

Murray, Jno. S., auctioneer, cattle mart; h. Whitehall Lodge.

Newmarch, George, tallow-chandler, Derwent Street.

North-Eastern Banking Co. Ltd., Derwent Street; William Ramsay, manager.

Ormerod, David, plasterer and cementer, Durham Road.

Osborne, Joseph William, county court bailiff, Durham Road.

Osborne, Mr. Pattinson, Durham Road.

Oxley, Mrs. Mary, greengrocer, Derwent Street.

Palliser, James, grocer and provision merchant and agent to Royal, Park Road.

Palliser, Joh., (j.) joiner, Durham Road.

Palliser, William, grocer, Derwent Street.

Park, Robert, asst.-secretary, Lauriston Villa.

Parnaby, Christopher, steel-plate mill manager, Cemetery Road.

Philipson Brothers, grocers and drapers, Durham Road.

Philipson, Job., shopkeeper and yeast dealer, Durham Road.

Pinkney (Mrs.) and Rutter (Mrs. Ann), milliners, Durham Road.

Pitchers, Thomas, shoemaker, Park Road.

Pitchford, Rev. John (U.M.F.C.), Cemetery Road.

Priestman Memorial Fund; Joseph Eltringham, secretary; Railway Terrace.

Raistrick, Rev. William (Primitive), Durham Road.

Ramsay, Wm., bank mgr., registrar of births and deaths for Consett sub-dist., and water rate collector, sec. Model Building Soc., 65, Derwent Street.

Raw, William, auctioneer, surveyor, architect, and commission agent, Durham Road.

Raw, Wm., storekeeper at works, 21, Bessemer Street. Reed,

Gawen, caretaker Mechanics Institute.

Reid, George, grocer, etc., Derwent Street.

Renton, George, M.D., surgeon and medical officer, Viewlands.

Richardson, Robert, general dealer and botanic beer manufacturer, Park Road.

Richardson, William, draper, clothier, and house furnisher, Bessemer House.

Ridley, Mrs. Ann, apartments, Cemetery Road.

Robinson, Geo. James, grocer, etc., Derwent Street.

Robinson, John, foreman, 10, Bessemer Street.

Robinson, William, wholesale paper dealer and paper bag manufacturer, Durham Road.

Robson & Co., joiners and builders, Durham Road.

Robson, Mrs. E., vict. Derwent Hotel, Durham Road.

Robson, Fred. C., jeweller and watchmaker, 46, Durham Road.

Robson, Johnson, painter and paperhanger, 46, Durham Road.

Robson, Mrs. Mary, shopkpr. and beer rtlr., Park Road.

Robson, William (R. & Co.), joiners and builders, Durham Road.

Rule, Henry, grocer, Durham Road.

Rutter, Anderson, vict. Railway Inn, Durham Road.

Shell, Geo., beerho., Sportsman's Arms, Derwent Street.

Shell, William S., architect, 40, Roger Street.

Sheffield, Mrs. Bridget, pawnbroker, etc., Durham Road.

Shotley Bridge Co-operative Store, butchers (branch), Derwent manager.

Siddle, Joseph, butcher and grocer, Tinmill Place.

Siddle, Thompson, agent to iron-works, Cort Street.

Sisters of Charity of St. Paul, St. Mary Street.

Sloane, Ed., postmaster, and musical instruments dealer, Derwent Street.

Snowdon, William, stonemason and contractor, Durham Road.

Spencer, Mrs. Mary, draper, Tinmill Place.

Stephenson, Charles, bank manager, Cemetery Road.

Stephenson, Jonathan, shopkeeper, Derwent Street.

Sterling, Jno., time-keeper, dealer in domestic machines, 29 Roger's

Stewart, Mrs., vict., Commercial Hotel, Durham Road.

Stokoe, Jno., quarry proprietor, Durham Road.

Storey, Thomas Jackson, M.A., vicar, Vicarage.

Strachan, Wm., plumber and gasfitter, Durham Road.

Surtees, John, teacher of music and organist, Cemetery Road.

Summerville, Jno., ironmonger, Derwent Street.

Swainston, Matt., fish and fruit dealer, Derwent Street.

Templeton, Samuel, clerk, 13 Bessemer Street.

Tilley, William, cashier, 17 Bessemer Street.

Traves, Jph., horsekeeper (N.-E. Rly.), Durham Road.

Trotter, Andrew, greengrocer, Durham Road.

Turnbull, Jacob, refreshment rooms, Park Road.

Turner, Anthony E., tailor and draper, Durham Road.

Tyler, H. P., boot and shoe mfr., Park Road.

Wake, William, furniture-broker, Tinmill Place.

Walker, W. J. & R., carting contractors, Durham Road and Consett.

Walker, Wm. James (W. J. & R. W.), Durham Road.

Walton, Anthony, grocer and draper, Derwent Street.

Walton, Joseph, grocer and fruit and potato dealer, Derwent Street.

Walton, Ralph, foreman at iron-works, Tinmill House.

Westgarth & Brown, contrs. & bldrs., Durham Road.

Westgarth, Mrs. Hannah & Son, Newsagent and confectioner, Derwent Street; h. Durham Road.

Westgarth, John, builder, and glass and china dealer, Durham Road.

Whinney, Thomas, clerk to Benfieldside Burial Board, Cemetery, Durham Road.

White, Pattinson, butcher, Tinmill Place.

Wilkinson, George, steelworker, Durham Road.

Williams, Daniel, asst.-mgr., Plate Mill, 36 Cort Street.

Wilson, Mr. John, 6, Thomas Street.

Wilson, Simon, hairdresser, Derwent Street.

Winter, George, pawnbroker, Derwent Street.

Young, Alexander, moulder, 9 Cemetery Road.

Young, John, vict., Rose and Crown, Derwent Street.

Young, William, boilersmith, Durham Road.

CASTLESIDE PARISH (1894)

This parish was formed by an Order in Council, dated July 27, 1873, from the parishes of Lanchester and Muggleswick. It comprises the township of Healeyfield, and includes Rowley, which was formerly a portion of Muggleswick, with the villages of Castleside and Rowley, its present population is estimated at 1,100, and its area is 3,105 acres.

Healeyfield Township comprises an area of 2,004 acres, valued, in the county rate, at £2,785. The population in 1801 numbered 145; in 1811, 156; in 1821, 161; and in 1891, 855. The land in this township is held principally by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, the Dean and Chapter, Sir John Swinbourn, Walter Greenwell, Esq., R. Towns, Esq., William Jno. Scott, Esq., and Messrs. Ridley. As early as about 1170 we find Healeyfield in possession of Alan de Chilton, who received it from Hugh Pudsey, the bishop, in exchange for his interest in the bishop's vill of Cornforth. In 1349, Richard de Chilton presented this manor to Sir John Stryveln, who, in 1382, alienated it to John Nevill, Lord of Raby, by whom it was granted to William de Lanchester, vicar of St. Oswald's, and to William Graystanes, chaplain. This estate afterwards became the property of the Dean and Chapter, and is now held as above described.

Hole House is seated in a deep secluded vale on the Derwent, and at a very early date the estate belonged to the Leybournes, who sold it to the Hoppers. In later times it came to be the property of the Maddisons.

Lead-mining in this township is of very ancient origin, the mines here being considered the oldest in the country. The Healeyfield mine, worked by the Healey-field Lead-mining Co., Limited, has yielded large quantities of excellent ore from the mill stone grit, and was the most productive silver vein in the North, giving an average of 18½ oz. per ton. This mine is now worked out, and ceased working about 1891. The lead vein dips to the east about 2 feet. There is still a very old lead smelt-mill at Castleside, and ganister and freestone quarries are successfully worked in the neighbourhood. This township for a considerable distance lies on the south bank of the Derwent, which near here passes through one of its most charming stretches of scenery. From Allansford up to the Sneep, the course of the stream is enclosed between steep banks, thickly clad with wood and undergrowth.

Castleside Village is very pleasantly situated, about two miles south-west of Consett, and one mile south of the Derwent. During the past few years this village has been considerably improved, by the addition of many good dwellings, schools, and chapels.

Rowley is a hamlet, occupying a picturesque situation, three-quarters of a mile to the south, above Castleside. There is a station here, on the Stockton and Darlington branch of the North-Eastern Railway, and the military road from Corbridge to West Auckland passes through.

Allansford, to the north-west of Castleside, on the Derwent, is said to derive its name from Alan de Chilton, the ancient lord of Healeyfield. The ford has long been replaced by a bridge. The scenery around this spot is remarkably fine.

Residents of Castleside Parish, 1894

Carrick, John, miner, Four Lane ends.

Castleside, branch stores (Consett Co-operative Society); W Thompson, manager.

Caygill, James, overman, Maudvill.

Copeland, Jno., cement manufacturer, Newcastle.

Derwent, Ganister Co., quarry owners.

Duckworth, Thomas, schoolmaster.

Edwards, Miss Jane, Rose Cottage.

Elliott, Thomas Charles, Dean Howle.

Golightly, James, butcher.

Golightly, Joseph, blacksmith and hack

Hall, Mrs. Ann, cowkeeper.

Hall, Robert, station-master.

Harper, James, (J.) blacksmith.

Hodgson, Thomas, storekeeper, Maudvill.

Howie, James M., stocktaker, Maudvill.

Jewitt, Robson, shoemaker.

Laing, Michael, vict., Fleece Inn.

Lee, Mrs. Elizabeth.

Lee, Matthew, butcher and farmer.

Leyboume, Mr. Elliot, Healeyfield House.

Marshall, William, railway guard,

Rowley. Milner, Thomas, cowkeeper and woodman.

Muse, Thomas J., grocer, draper and ganister

Nottrass, Miss Margaret, draper.

Pattinson, William, steel worker.

Potts, Jno. Thurlow, Esq., J.P., Allansford.

Proud, George, miner.

Proud, Joseph, manager of lead mills.

Proud, William, lead smelter.

Raine, George, shopkeeper.

Ripley, John, steelworker.

Robson, R., cartwright and commissioner's bailiff.

Rollins, Henry, vict., Smelter's Arms.

Scott, Mr. Wm. Jno., Esq., The Sycamores,

Rowley. Stephenson, George, shopkeeper.

Stokoe, Jno., ironwork, Maudvill.

Thompson, Harrison, platelayer.

Walton, Jno. & Co., leadsmelters.

Young, Thomas, ironworker.

Farmers

Anderson, Michael, Whitehall.

Anderson, Robert, Holehouse.

Beveridge, George,

Whamley Burn. Bowey,

William, Middleheads.

Byers, Ralph, Fieldhead.

Elliott, Mrs. Jane,

Dean Holsee. Errington,

George, Rowley. Gibson,

George (yeoman), Rowley.

Graham, Mrs. Isabella, Healeyfield.

Johnson, Robert, Derwent Grange.

Kirton, Jno., Tyre Dean.

Lee, Matthew, Castleside.

Leybourne, Elliot, Castleside. Milner,

Thomas, Castleside.

Robinson, Christopher, Castle Hill.

Robson, Jno., Fox Holes.

Scott, William Jno., (yeoman), Rowley.

Crooked Oak Farm

The present farm-house of Crooked Oak was built in 1684. That date is on the lintel of the door. Records show that there was a farm at Crooked Oak as far back as the early fourteenth century.

In the seventeenth century, when witches were so common in this part of the valley, one by name Jane Frizzle lived here. She followed the usual life of a witch, nightly rode in the air on a broom-stick, and cast curses on the bodies and possessions of all who offended her. In a secret cavern in the Sneep, we are told, King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table lie sleeping, awaiting the call that will rouse them from their slumbers, and place King Arthur on his throne once more.

CONSETT

HOWNE'S GILL. The bridge or viaduct which crosses this ravine, used to carry the Blackhill-Tow Law railway. The ravine which the bridge spans is said by the geologists to be the one-time course of the river Derwent. When the valley was blocked at Rowlands Gill by glacial debris the upper part of the valley was one vast lake, the waters of which forced this outlet for themselves. The bridge built between 1857 and 1858 is 700 feet long, 175 feet high and has 12 arches each of 50 feet span.

Before the bridge was built, traffic was worked across the ravine by means of inclined planes and moveable bogies hauled up and down the precipitous sides of the ravine by wire ropes. Traces of this arrangement are still to be seen near the present bridge. The inclines formed part of the Stanhope and Tyne Railway which was opened in 1834. The bridge is on the line of the water parting between the Derwent and Lanchester valleys. The water on one side flows to the Derwent, on the other side to the Wear.

The name of Consett 700 years ago was Conekesheved. Earliest mention occurs in the Boldon Buke p. 31 where “Amaldus pistor hebet Conekesheued in escambium de Trillesdena, et reddit 24/- ”, translated means Arnold, the baker has Consett in exchange for Tursdale, and renders 24/-. There have been innumerable variations in the spelling. Head is clearly meant by “heved” as in Gatesheved ... Gateshead . . . hence the change to Conside from Conshead, and later Consett must have been the more common and popular name.

Consett Parish 1894

This parish, which was formed from Benfieldside in November, 1862, comprises the whole of the township of Conside-cum-Knitsley, with the exception of a small portion given to Blackhill on the formation of that parish in 1884. Its area is 2,472 acres, and the population numbers over 9,000.

Conside-cum-Knitsley forms a joint-township, with an area of 3,119 acres, and a rateable value of £38,000. The land is chiefly held by the Consett Iron Company, Henry Coventry, Esq., William van Hansberger, Esq., J.P., John Saunders, Esq., William Kinsley, Esq., Samuel Tempered, Esq., George Wade, Esq., James Oliver, Esq., and the Consett Co-operative Society. This township includes the town of Consett, a portion of Blackhill (as far as Foundry Row and Ridley Street), Templeton, Knitsley, and a portion of the Woodlands estate. Its population in 1801 was returned with Medomsley; in 1811 it numbered 139; in 1821, 141; in 1831, 146; in 1841, 195; in 1851, 2,777; in 1861, 4,953; in 1871, 5,960; in 1881, 7,747; and in 1891 there were 8,760 souls. When the Boldon Book was compiled in 1183, the lands here were held by Arnold Pastor under a rent of 24s. In 1370 Thomas Gray died, seised of half the manor of Conside, whose widow appears to have held it by rendering a pound of pepper. Later we find that the whole manor was in possession of Sir Thomas Gray, her heir, who was attainted in the reign of Henry V. These estates were, however, restored to Sir Thomas by Bishop Nevill. In 1481 the Middletons held half the manor, which passed from them to the Andersons. About 1565 a moiety of Conside was held by John Hall of Birtley, and in 1690 the estate was purchased by the Wilkinsons of Durham, who disposed of it many years later to Robert Curry of Bishop Oak; it is now held chiefly by the Consett Iron Company.

Knitsley is an estate which, at the time of Hatfield's survey in 1377, was all freehold. Within three years we find the ancient family of Surtees had acquired Knitsley, from whom it passed to the Claxtons, the Eures, and in later times to Viscount Deerhurst. Previously to Hatfield's survey this estate belonged to a family bearing the name of Knichley.

Consett. The name of this district has undergone various and remarkable changes. In early documents relating to this township it is designated Conkesheved, which is somewhat remarkable, as the Conke or Chester Burn does not take its rise anywhere near this spot. The name Conside is, however, of almost equal antiquity, and appears to have survived to our own time. Its present cognomen, Consett, also dated back a considerable period. Berry Edge, which perhaps does not strictly apply to the spot whereon the present town now stands, was another name by which it was well known. Consett occupies an exposed and elevated position on the margin of the Derwent valley, about twelve miles north-west from Durham, and fourteen west by south from Newcastle. From its high situation, which is nearly 870 feet above sea-level, extensive and interesting views are attained on every side, especially to the north and west. It is a place of considerable importance as a town, which owes its present flourishing condition entirely to the establishment of the extensive iron and steel-works, now carried on by the Consett Iron Company Limited. These works, and the collieries in connection with them, are the sole mainstay of this populous district. Since the formation of the Local Board in 1865, great improvements have been affected in the sanitary condition of the town, as well as in the erection of public buildings, and a large number of good dwellings and places of business.

The company has now (1894) nine collieries at work in the immediate neighbourhood, which yield about 50,000 tons of coal per fortnight, about two-thirds of which is converted into coke, and more than one-half is consumed at their own works. The total number of hands employed, including those at the collieries, is over 6,000, and the amount of wages paid per week is £8,000. The chairman of this company is David Dale, Esq., D.L., J.P., and the general manager William Jenkins, Esq., J.P.

Within this township there are two collieries, the Blackhill drift and the Delves pit. The former, situated midway between Consett and Blackhill, is at present working the Busty and Three Quarter seams, the Busty being 4 feet 6 inches thick including a stone band, and the Three Quarter varies from 1 foot 6 inches to 2 feet 6 inches. This drift yields an output of about 3,300 tons per fortnight, and gives employment to 207 men and boys. The Delves, a short distance west of the town, is worked by a shaft 130 feet deep, where the Busty seam is met, giving a thickness of 4 feet of good coal, divided by a band, which varies considerably. A good seam of fireclay is also worked in connection with this coal seam, from which are made large quantities of brick for the works. At the pit are employed about 123 hands, the output being about 100 tons per day. There are 26 coke ovens, the waste heat from which is utilised in working the colliery.

The Town Hall stands at the corner of Middle Street and Front Street; it forms a large block of good business premises on the basement, with the principal hall above, which is entered from Front Street. It was built in 1882, at a cost of £5,000, raised in £1 shares, by The Consett Town Hall Company, Limited. The main hall is spacious and well lighted, capable of seating 900. There is also a committee room, which will seat 200.

The Infirmary, Parliament Street, was erected in 1879, by the Consett Iron Company, exclusively for the benefit of their employees. The building is of fire-brick. The interior arrangements are carried out on the most approved principle, and accommodation for twenty in-patients is provided. The establishment is under the direction of a skilled physician, and a trained nurse acts as matron.

Consett Reading and Recreation Rooms are held in the Town Hall buildings, and were established in 1884. The library contains about 1,000 volumes, and the reading-room is well supplied with all the dailies, weeklies, and monthly magazines. The recreation room contains a good billiard-table, and is provided with all the requisites for such an establishment. The rooms are principally supported by the Iron Company, who pay the rent, and their employees have the advantage of membership, their subscription being six shillings for the year, whilst non-employees pay eight shillings.

Co-operative Hall. The Consett Co-operative Society has a large lecture-hall over its business premises in Newmarket Street, with seating for 500, which is let for entertainments. It has also a library, containing a good supply of books.

The Park, situated on the rising ground between Consett and Blackhill, was the gift of the Consett Iron Company in 1891. It contains 28 acres, which are well laid out with walks and planted with shrubs. In the centre a bandstand has been erected, from which the public are treated to selections of music during the summer evenings.

Police and County Court. These courts are held in the County Police Station, Parliament Street, a handsome stone building, erected in 1877. Petty Sessions are held every alternate Monday for Consett, Blackhill, Dipton, Leadgate, Castleside and district. County courts are held once a month, generally the first Wednesday, the office being in Spencer Street. His Honour, Edgar Jno. Meynell, is the Judge, and John Booth, Esq., is registrar.

Local Board. Consett was formed into a Local Board district in 1865, and comprised, in addition to Consett, a portion of Blackhill lying to the south and west of the railway station. Its area is just over 1,024 acres, the population is about 9,500, and rateable value £28,236. The Board offices are in Parliament Street, and were erected in 1873.

Gas is supplied from Shotley Bridge by the Shotley Bridge and Consett district Gas Company, at about 3s. 4d. per 1,000 feet.

A newspaper, the Consett Guardian, published on Friday, has been established since 1860, and is the property of Mr. R. Jackson.

Residents of Consett Parish, 1894

Ainsworth, George, blast-furnace manager, Selby Lodge.

Allison, Jno., builder, Medomsley Road.

Almond, Charles, grocer, etc., Front Street.

Askew, Jno., butcher, Victoria Street.

Askew, Mrs. confectioner, Victoria Street.

Aynsley, Mrs. Mary, butcher, Shakespeare Street.

Aynsley, William, grocer, provision dealer, and wine and spirit merchant, Middle Street, Leadgate, Stanley and Blackhill.

Bailey, B., Wesleyan schoolmaster, Taylor Street.

Balleny, Charles, land bailiff, Delves House.

Barry, Thomas, hairdresser, Victoria Street.

Batey, Mrs., beeho., Empress Hotel, Harvey Street.

Beattie, Jno., railway insptr., Consett Junction.

Beattie, T., beerho., Brittania Inn, Victoria Street.

Beck, Miss, greengrocer, Harvey Street.

Bell and Binning, milliners, etc., Middle Street.

Bell, Edward S., tailor, etc., Front Street.

Bell, Mrs. M., grocer and draper, Sherburn Terrace.

Bell, Matthew, clerk, Delves Lane.

Bell, Ninian, boot and shoe maker, Middle Street.

Best, William, furniture, etc., dealer, Park Road.

Brady, Jno., beer retailer, John Street.

Brand, W., fish, fruit, and game dealer, Victoria Street.

Brodie, Joseph, tailor and draper, Church Street.

Brodie, Matthew, clerk, Palmerston Street.

Brodie, R. J., theatre proprietor.

Brodie, Septimus, accountant, East Parade.

Brown, Mrs. Elizabeth J., vict., Railway Hotel, Middle Street.

Butterworth, Rev. R. W. (Wesleyan), Sherburn Terrace.

Calvert, Mrs. M. A., pawnbroker, 6, Sherburn Terrace.

Cant, Jno., greengrocer, Front Street.

Carey, Mrs., grocer etc., Front Street.

Carr, Thomas, boiler inspector, Edith Street.

Carruthers, Samuel, shopkeeper, Delves Lane.

Charlton, Jno., furnaceman, Templetown.

Charlton, Thomas, labourer, Templetown.

Christopher, Mrs. F., livery stables, Front Street.

Christopher, George Edward, tailor, Harvey Street.

Coates, A. S., printer, etc., Trafalgar Street.

Coates, Robert, bricklayer, Sherburn Terrace.

Cockburn, Jasper, stationer and bookseller, Front Street.

Colling, Jno., steelworker, Templetown.

Collinson, Jno., boot and shoemaker, and pawnbroker, Middle Street.

Coltman, F. A., vict., Wheat Sheaf, Middle Street.

Consett Guardian printing and publishing office, Front Street; R. Jackson proprietor.

Consett Iron Co. Ltd., steel plate mfrs. and colliery proptrs.; W. Jenkins, manager

Consett Industrial Co-operative Society Ltd., grocers, drapers, butchers, boot and shoe and furniture dealers, Newmarket Street; Jesse Hall, manager.

Consett Permanent Benefit Building Society, Ltd., W. Aynsley, chairman; J. Ingles, secretary.

Consett Town Hall Co. Ltd.; T. Welford, secretary.

Consett Reading and Recreation Rooms; James Kelly, secretary.

Consett Water Office, Sherburn Terrace; Alexander Russell, secretary.

Conway, Jno., vict's. manager, Queen's Head, Middle Street.

Cook, Miss, hosiery knitter, Victoria Street.

Cooke, C., commercial traveller, Taylor Street.

Cooper, Mrs. Ann, Park Road.

Cooper, William H., fruiterer, Middle Street.

Cornforth, Mr. Henry, Park Road.

Cornforth, Henry, tobacconist and newsagent, Middle Street, Victoria Street; h Park Road.

Coulson, W., vict., Edinburgh House, Middle Street.

Courtney, J. H., refreshment rooms, Havelock Street.

Coyle & Rodgers, tailors, Victoria Street.

Coyle, Patrick, vict., Mount Pleasant Hotel, Newmarket

Craggs, Jno., agent to Prudential, Park Road.

Crawford, Jno., butcher, auctioneer, and house agent, etc., Victoria Street.

Crick, Thomas, fishmonger, Trafalgar Street.

Daglish, Mrs. Mary, beerho., Black Horse, Front Street.

Daly, Jas., grocer, etc., Shakespeare Street; h. Park Road.

Davis, William, weighman, Park Road.

Davison, J. W. & Sons, house furnishers, iron-mongers, etc., Front Street.

Davison, Charles (J. W. D. & Sons), h. Park Road.

Davison, Mrs. Elizabeth, vict., Horse and Groom, Four Lane Ends.

Davison, Mrs. Isabella, Harvey Street.

Davison, Mrs., Medomsley Road.

Davison, Jno., Junr. (J. W. D. & Sons), East Parade.

Davison, J. W. (J. W. D. & Sons), Front Street.

Dawson, George, schoolmaster, Sherburn Terrace.

Dent, Joseph, printer and wholesale stationer, Victoria Street.

Dick, Robert, furnaceman, Templetown.

Dickinson, W., solicitor, Middle Street; h. Shotley.

Dixon, Jno., fruiterer, Newmarket Street.

Dobson, George, general cartman, Front Street.

Docharty, Jno., architect, Sherburn Terrace.

Dolphin, Thomas Richard, farmer and land agent, Delves House.

Douglas, Charles Prattman, managing engineer to Consett Ironworks,

Highfield. Dryden, Thos. D. & Co., provision merchants, Front Street; h. East Parade.

Dryden, G., flour merchant's mgr., Park Terrace.

Dunn, Venice, photographer, Medomsley Road.

Durant, Rev. Thomas (Baptist), Templetown.

Eccles, R., vict. Grey Horse, Sherburn Terrace.

Eggleston, George Thomas, manager, water-works, Sherburn Terrace.

Elliott, Mrs. Elizabeth, Park Road.

Elliott, Mrs. Mary Jane, asst.-overseer, Park Road.

Elliott, Mr. Thomas, Park Road.

Elsdon, Nathan, mineral water mfr., and ale and porter d1r., and auctioneer, Delves Lane.

Emmerson, Mrs. Jane, Delves Lane.

English, Robert, draper, Middle Street. Evans, Mrs., Beech Grove.

Farnsworth, Ezekiel, fish, fruit, and poultry dealer, Victoria Street.

Fawell, Michael, grocer, etc., Front Street.

Fawell, Nathan, hard and fancy dlr., Front Street.

Fenwick, Miss, milliner, Park Road.

Forster, Thomas, Sherburn Terrace.

Foster, Robert Charles, draper, Front Street.

Foster, T. F., draper and post office, Church Street.

Foster, William, tailor, Victoria Street.

Franklin, Richard, shopkeeper, Taylor Street.

Frosdick, James, bill porter and advertisement contractor,

Rose Mount. Gibson, Thomas, joiner, Park Road.

Gillespie, William, boot and shoe dealer, Middle Street, and Gateshead.

Gledstone, Thos., mgr. (N.-E. Bank), Front Street.

Graham, James, stocktaker, Delves Lane.

Graham, Oswald, builder's mgr., Sherburn Terrace.

Hall, Jesse, manager of Co-operative Stores, Newmarket Street.

Hall, Joseph, blacksmith, Front Street.

Hall, William, stocktaker, Sherburn Terrace.

Hamley, Rev. R. B. (Primitive), Seymour Terrace.

Hand, R., butcher and milliner, Newmarket Street.

Hanson, H., cocoa and refreshment rooms, Shakespeare Street; h. Park Road., Front Street,

Hardy, George, farmer, High Knitsley.

Hardy, James, engineer, Templetown.

Harris, W., beerho., Mason's Arms, Middle Street.

Harrison, G. H., mging., butcher, Newmarket Street.

Harvey, William, musical instrument dealer, Newmarket

Hawdon, Mrs., Sherburn Terrace.

Hepworth, Joseph & Sons, clothiers, Middle Street.

Heslop, Jno. T., builder, Park Road.

Heslop, T., supt. to Prudential, Sherburn Terrace.

Hetherington, Mrs. S., conft., Newmarket Street.

Hewitt, Robert, fruiterer, Middle Street.

Hodgkin, Barnett, Pease, Spence & Co., bankers, Front Street; J. Kirsopp, manager.

Hogg, Thos., under-manager of colliery, Spencer Street.

Holliday, Hy., sec. to Consett Iron Co., Ltd.

Hume, J. & Sons, corn and flour merchants, Middle Street; C. Telford, manager.

Hutchinson, Jacob, tailor, Park Road.

Hyden, G. T., schoolmaster (British), East Parade.

Jackson, Robert, printer, stnr., and proptr. of the Consett Guardian, h. Gateshead.

Jackson, Thomas (of R. Jackson's), Park Terrace.

Jefferies, G., manager to Singer's depot; h. Taylor Street.

Jefferies, Joshua, tailor, Palmerston Place.

Jenkins, William, Esq., J.P.., general manager, Consett Iron Company., Consett Hall.

Johnson, Jno., cabinetmaker, Sherburn Terrace.

Johnson, Robert, foreman, Sherburn Terrace.

Johnson, Thomas, agent, Sherburn Terrace.

Johnson, Thomas, fitter, Sherburn Terrace.

Jones, Ferdinand, foreman, Park Road.

Jones, Thomas, ironworker, Sherburn Terrace.

Jones, T., music and instrument dlr., Church Street.

Keenan, Mrs., matron, The Infirmary.

Kelly, James, manager to H. P. Tyler, boot and shoe dealer, Middle Street.

Kempson, Jno., vict., Beehive, Sherburn Terrace.

Kidd, Jno., draughtsman, Park Road.

Kirsup, John, bank mgr.; h. Shotley Bridge.

Kirkhouse, Ed. Godwin, blast-furnace manager, West Bank.

Lamb, Henry, stationer and newsagent, Shakespeare Street, and Victoria Street.

Lamb, Mrs. Margaret, Park Road.

Lamb, Thomas, steel roller, Sherburn Terrace.

Lee, Mrs. Annie, vict., Coach and Horses, tobacconist, Front Street and Middle Street.

Leyburn, William, Ironworker, Templetown.

Little, John, furnace foreman, Fell House.

Lockey, Edward, butcher, Middle Street.

London & Newcastle Tea Co., Newmarket Street; W. Hardcastle, manager.

Longworth, John, butcher, frtr., etc., Harvey Street.

Louden, Jno., corresponding clerk, Garden Place.

Lowes, Jno., furniture, etc., dealer, Medomsley Road.

Lumley, Christopher, clothier, Sherburn Terrace.

Lynn, Jonathan, grocer's manager, East Parade.

Macintyre, Aeneas Donald

M'Kay, surgeon, Medomsley Road.

M'Colvin, Colin, hosiery mftr., Gibson Street.

M'Curley, Jno., grocer and refreshment room, Shakespeare Street.

M'Kie, J., vict's. mgr., Burton House, Victoria Road.

M'Nally, M., vict., Fountain Hotel, Medomsley Road.

Maddison, Thomas, engineman, Templetown.

Marshall, C., watchmaker, Front Street.

Marshall, Joseph, watchmaker, Park Road.

Martin, Robinson, farmer, Consett Fell.

Mason, R., fruiterer, Victoria Street.

Maxwell, George, builder, Park Terrace.

Maxwell, James, draughtsman, Fern House.

Medici, Miss Phoebe, vict., Alexandra Hotel, Havelock Street.

Merritt, Jno., hairdresser, Church Street.

Middleton, Mrs. Hannah, Medomsley Road.

Milburn, William, pork butcher, Havelock Street.

Milner, Thos., chemist, Shakespeare Street, and Front Street.

Moir, William, foreman, Park Terrace.

Morpath, Thomas, butcher, Front Street.

Mullen, Bernard, vict., Turf Hotel, Middle Street.

Murray, Jno. G., solicitor, Park Road.

Murray, Joseph, grocer, provision, dealer, Middle Street; h. The Villa.

Murray, Rd., wine and spirit merchant, Park Road.

Nattrass, Thomas, foreman, Park Terrace.

Nichol, William, saddler, Front Street.

Nicholson, Hedley, butcher, Front Street.

North, J. H., hairdresser, Victoria Street.

North-Eastern Banking Co., Ltd., Front Street, T. Gledstone, manager.

North-East Durham Conservative Club, Park Road.

O'Connor, F., beerho., White Swan, Front Street.

O'Connor, James, tailor, Front Street.

Oliver, Mr. John, East Parade.

O'Neil, Richard, tinsmith, Victoria Street.

Palmer, Wm., vict., Railway Terrace, Sherburn Terrace.

Parker, Misses J. & J., milliners, Front Street.

Parker, Mrs., oil and egg dealer, Harvey Street.

Patterson, Thomas, butcher, Shakespeare Street.

Pattinson, Mrs. Joseph, butcher, Front Street.

Pattrick, George, chemist, Front Street.

Pescod, Joseph, brickworks' manager, Delves Lane.

Pescod, Thomas, confectioner and china dealer, Shakespeare Street.

Petherick, Jno., ironworks' manager, East Parade.

Phillipson, Geo., yeast and egg mert., Sherburn Terrace.

Postle, James, grocer, etc., Newmarket Street.

Potts, Mrs. A., confectioner, Park Road.

Potts, Jno. Thurlow, J.P., draper, Middle Street; h. Allansford.

Powell, Geo. Dixon, bacon factor, Medomsley Road.

Pratt, William, furnace foreman, Berry Edge Road.

Quinn, Jno., vict., Duke of Wellington, Harvey Street.

Ramsden, A., photographer, Park Road.

Rawes, Thomas, livery stable proprietor, Front Street.

Redshaw, Mrs. Elizabeth, vict., Commercial Hotel, Sherburn Terrace.

Reed, William, farmer, Low Knitsley.

Rippon, William, inspector, and collect to Local Board, Palmerston Place.

Ritson, Robert, plumber and gasfitter, Park Road.

River Plate Fresh Meat Co., Victoria Street.

Roberts, Henry, beerho., Royal Oak, Front Street.

Routledge, Jno., joiner and builder, Gibson Street, h. and hardware dealer,

Rowe, Simon, baker and confectioner, Newmarket Street; h. Barr House.

Ruddy, Mrs. M., vict., Victoria Hotel, Victoria Street.

Russell, Alex., Junr., sect. to Water Co., Templetown.

Russell, Alexander, manager of forge, Templetown.

Salter & Salter, boot and shoe dealers, Middle Street.

Scott, James, managing engineer, East Parade.

Scott, James, hairdresser, Front Street.

Sedgwick, Robert, hairdresser, Middle Street.

Shannon, William J., asst. surgeon, Parliament Street.

Shipley, Mrs., shopkeeper, Front Street.

Siddle, Joseph, painter, etc., Newmarket Street.

Singer Sewing-Machine Co., Middle Street; G. Jeffieries, manager.

Smith, (Jno.) & Surtees (Wm.), farmers, Stamfordan.

Smith, Robert, plumber, Sherburn Terrace.

Smith, James, farmer, Todd Hills.

Steggall, Rev. Frederick, vicar, Parliament Street.

Stobbart, William, platelayer, Delves Lane.

Suddes, William, cartwright, Front Street.

Surtees, Peter Elliott, gas inspector, Park Road.

Swainston, Francis, butcher, Church Street; h. Harvey Street.

Swainston, Thomas, grocer, provision dealer, and auctioneer, Middle Street and Front Street; h. Sherburn Terrace.

Tait, Miss Emily, private school, Medomsley Road.

Taylor, Ed., boot and shoe maker, Shakespeare Street.

Teasdale, Gibson, beerho., Shakespeare Hotel, Shakespeare Street.

Teasdale, Mrs. James, George Street.

Teasdale, Robert, traffic manager, Templetown.

Temperley, Saml., butcher and farmer, Delves Lane.

Telford, Ed, asst.-super., to Pearl, Park Road.

Telford, C., manager to Hume and Sons, Middle Street.

Theatre Royal, Trafalgar Street; Robert J. Brodie, proprietor.

Thompson, Miss Margaret, Sherburn Terrace.

Thompson, T. A., shopkeeper, Trafalgar Street.

Thompson, William, mineral water manufacturer, Clarendon Villa.

Thompson, Mrs., vict., Traveller's Rest, Delves Lane.

Thompson, William, traffic manager, Delves Lane.

Towns, Jno., butcher, Shakespeare Street.

Trotter, Thomas, stationmaster, Knitsley.

Turnbull, Mrs., Medomsley Road.

Tyler, Henry P., boot and shoe dealer, Middle Street; James Kelly, manager.

Waddington & Co., piano, etc., manufacturers; J. Emmerson, agent, Park Road

Wade, George, butcher, Front Street.

Wade, George, junr., ironmonger, etc., Front Street.

Wade, J. G., tailor, draper, and milliner, Front Street.

Walker, Richard, carting contractor (W. J. & R. W.), Green Street, and Blackhill

Walton, Thomas, builder, George Street.

Walton, Mrs., Temperance Hotel, Sherburn Terrace.

Walton, Joseph, builder, Taylor Street.

Ward, Mrs. Eliz., vict., Stirling Castle, Ox Place.

Ward, Jno., grocer, Taylor Street.

Watson, Thomas, inspector of weighing-machines, Consett Cottage.

Weights & Warneford, hatters and mercers, Newmarket Street.

Welford, Thomas W., solicitor and clerk to Local Boards, Church Street; h. Ed Street.

Whitehead, Joseph, miller and flour dealer, Gibson Street.

Whitehead, Mrs. Margaret, confectioner, Church Street.

Whitfield, Boaz, fmr. and besom mkr., Dyke Nook.

Whitfield, Robt. Temperley, shoemaker, Front Street.

Whitfield, Jno., greaser, Sherburn Terrace.

Willson, Walter, grocer and provision dealer, Middle Street; J. Lynn, manager.

Wilson, Rev. Chris. S., B. A., curate, Medomsley Road.

Wilson, Miss Isabella, confectioner, Shakespeare Street.

Wilson, Jno., grocer's manager, Newmarket Street.

Wood, George, steel roller, Sherburn Terrace.

Wood, Mrs., pawnbroker, Front Street.

Wood, Samuel, steel roller, Sherburn Terrace.

Wood, William, blacksmith, Templetown Road.

Wylam, E., vict., Freemason's Arms, Front Street.

Yagar, Misses, pork butchers, Shakespeare Street.

Farmers

Aynsley, William, Consett Park.

Consett Co-operative Society Limited, No. 1 Farm.

Hardy, George, High Knitsley.

Martin, Dobinson, Consett Fell.

Reed, William, Low Knitsley.

Smith & Surtees, Stannifordam.

Smith, James, Todd Hills.

Whitfield, Boaz (and besom maker), Dyke Nook.

EBCHESTER

HAVING assassinated their Danish Governor, in 873, the Angles of Northumbria began to hope that the rough grip of the Vikings would eventually be thrown off. But if this really was their expectation it must have been abandoned, in 875, when the powerful fleet of Halfden succeeded in forcing its way up the Tyne.

Considering the importance of the event, the records concerning it are regrettably meagre. The Danish leader is said to have moored his ships near the mouth of the Team, and after protecting themselves by trenches on the banks, made himself comfortable during the entire winter. In the following spring, his followers emerged from their hiding places, and with their ever-ready weapons, quickly put down all opposition. From Hexham in one direction, to Monkchester, Jarrow, and Tynemouth in the other, they left many sad relics of their passage, while in the church lands to the south, they secured valuable treasure from Gateshead, Finchdale and Ebchester.

In the north there still remained the grand revived pile of Lindisfarne, and it was on this spot that the chief hopes of Halfden rested. It was thought to be the storehouse for the entire district, and had it been seized first, a magnificent haul would have rewarded his exertions. The monks, however, received prior warning, and gathering up their coffined saints, crucifixes and jewels they set off in search of a safer resting-place.

After Halfden's savage raids had ceased, he completed his conquest by dividing the lands between Tyne and Tweed amongst his followers. The newcomers behaved with a tolerably high hand, and seized the best of everything, but when they found that the Angles were at last disposed to live peacably with them, they began to relax the harshness of their rule, and soon became as closely allied as if they had been one people.

Roman Roads

The road itself consisted of three distinct layers of materials. The lowest was formed of stones mixed with cement, the middle, gravel or small stones to prepare a level and unyielding surface, whereon to receive the upper and most important part of the structure, which consisted of large blocks of stone accurately fitted together. In the neighbourhood of towns, they usually had raised footways on both sides, which defined the extent of the central part for carriages, which was paved with large stones, and was usually about eighteen feet wide. The road was accurately barrelled, so that no water might lie upon it, and where the nature of the ground permitted, the soil was wholly removed before the first layer was placed, so as to ensure perfect solidity. The expense was enormous, but they were built to last for ever.

The poor natives had to do all the drudgery, from quarrying the stones out of the rock and squaring them to act as flags, to carrying them up craggy precipices where no carriages could go. Where little or no road metal was found near at hand, the unhappy drudges were forced to bring gravel, sand, or lime occasionally from seven or eight miles off, either on their backs or on those of their beasts of burden.

Ebchester Parish, 1894

Ebchester is a small parish, separated from Northumberland by the river Derwent, and is bounded on the east and south by Medomsley and on the west by Benfieldside. The area is 478 acres, and the rateable value is £3,023. The population in 1801 was 168; in 1811, 210; in 1821, 200; in 1831, 255; in 1841, 331; in 1851, 610; in 1861, 697; in 1871, 830; in 1881, 609; in 1891, 382. The township of Ebchester is almost entirely the property of Sherburn Hospital.

Ebchester Village is situated twelve miles west-south-west from Newcastle, and “though it stands at the foot of a long descent, sloping towards the north, yet it is scattered along the edge of a still deeper declivity, which overhangs the green haughs of the Derwent.” Ebchester is built right upon the site of a Roman station. In this it differs from many other successors of Roman towns, which are generally situated at a little distance from the ancient sites; Lanchester, for example, which is to the south of Ebchester, and Corbridge to the north, on the same great Roman highway, or Watling Street. They are situated a few hundred yards from what were the centres of Roman civilisation sixteen hundred years ago. Ebchester however, stands right upon the old site, and Roman ramparts, Roman altars, and Roman remains of all kinds are mingled in singular confusion with gardens, cottage, road, and church of to-day. The more important of these remains have been preserved in the porch of the church, amongst which are two altars and many inscribed stones. Just outside the porch stands an altar, 3 feet 1 inch high, with an eagle and a sacrificial knife sculptured on one side, the inscription on the other side having perished. One of the altars in the porch bears the following: DEO MARTI et N. AVGNVS, and the other DEO VITIRI. Several other stones bear inscriptions, and one has a dolphin sculptured upon it. Many of these stones, including the large altar, were discovered during the restoration of the church; tiles with the impress LEG. VIV., coins, and a bronze pin with glass head are among recent discoveries.

As stated in the introductory chapter of this work, the ancient name of Ebchester was Vindomora, which signified in the British language, “The Edge of the Black Moor”. When the Romans had departed from the land, it received the name it now bears, which is identical with “Upchester,” and signifies “The Camp on the Height”. Each name was, doubtless, when given, thoroughly characteristic. In later times, the significance of the first syllable of Ebchester being forgotten, some writers jumped to the conclusion that it must have referred to an eminent saint of old of the name of Ebba, and that a nunnery of St. Ebba, said to have been built near Coldingham in Scotland, must have been really situated at Ebchester. For such a conclusion there is not the slightest ground. In reality, all trustworthy evidence points the other way, and there is absolutely no foundation except imagination for supposing St. Ebba was ever in her life in the neighbour-hood of Ebchester. The church is said to have been dedicated to her, but that statement probably rests on no stronger foundations than the other. But even should it be otherwise, the dedication of a church to a particular saint of early days does not necessarily imply any personal connections between the saint and the church.

After the Roman town fell into ruins, the whole neighbourhood of Ebchester appears to have become one dense forest. The beauty of the situation, however, rising rapidly from the banks of the Derwent – “the Smiling Water” - and its retired character, seem to have attracted hermits, so that in Bishop Pudsey's time it was known as “the place of Anchorites”. These appear to have been both male and female, for in St. Godric's life, we read of “the women that live in Ebchester”. When Bishop Pudsey founded Sherburn Hospital, he granted Ebchester to the master and brethren of that institution, as part of their endownment, “for the pasture of animals, for the use of the sick brethren, and for the maintenance of their shepherds in the same place”. He gave them also his license “to till one carucate of eight score acres of the Bishop's land newly disforested”. The advowson of the living remained in the hands of the master and brethren of Sherburn as patrons until a quite recent period. It is now, however, the property of the rector of Ebchester. Long after the ruin of Vindomora, the Watling Street afforded a ready passage both to Dane and Saxon. We are informed by Hutchinson that David, King of Scotland passed over Ebchester bridge in 1340, and King Edward seems to have made use of the same route when in pursuit of the Scots. The Covenanters under Leslie are said by Rushworth to have followed the same track. The present bridge which crosses the Derwent was erected in 1864.

Residents of Ebchester Parish, 1894

Bolton, William Thomas, surgeon, Prospect House.

Brown, Jno., cattle dealer.

Brown, William, cowkeeper,

Broomhill. Charlton, George, stationmaster.

Charlton, Jno., gardener and seedsman.

Charlton, William, vict., Station Hotel.

Charlton, William, joiner and builder, Deans House.

Dixon, Ed., miller and farmer, Ebchester Mill.

Dodds, William, cowkeeper.

Hunter, Miss Jane M., Derwent Villa.

Livingstone, George W., commercial traveller.

Marshall, William Stewart, M.B., surgeon, Oakfield House.

Maughan, Mr., Westwood House.

Middleton, Jno. T., schoolmaster and asst.-overseer.

Pumphrey, Mr. Joseph, Derwent Hill.

Ramsey, George H., coal owner, Ebchester Hall.

Ramsay, Robert, post office and shopkeeper.

Robson, Mr. John, The Poplars.

Simpson, Jno., William, saddler.

Snowdon, Thomas, Temperance Hotel.

Stoddart, William, contractor.

Temperley, Joseph, vict., Chelmsford Hotel.

Temperley, William, vict., Raven Inn.

Thompson, Jno. Fost., mason.

Vasey, William, shoemaker, and Medomsley.

Waggott, Cuthbert, grocer and carrier to Newcastle.

Wardle, Jno., general wood-turner, Ebchester Low Mill.

Willey, Robert, shoemaker.

Farmers

Dixon, Ed. (and miller), Ebchester Mill.

Irving, (Thomas) and Barker (Ed.), Westwood Farm.

Temperley, Mrs. Hannah, Mains.

The Roman Fort at Ebchester, County Durham

By A. H. Reed

The Roman fort at Ebchester, stands on the steep southern slope of the Derwent Valley. It lies some 200 yards to the east of the Roman road Dere Street. On the south and west side, the fort is protected by the Ebchester Burn: the north side falls away very sharply to the Derwent, and on the east side, was probably protected by two ditches, one of which has been found during recent excavations. The width of the rampart wall was approx. 4 ft. 6 ins.

It was a small fort, in the region of 3.7 acres, with only 2.9 acres available for accommodation. Stationed here, would be a cohort of about 500 strong and it would be very restricted for space.

Little is known of the garrison at Ebchester, though there is the usual evidence of legionary building. During last year, a fragment of an inscription was found in the front garden of the Mains farm, this being dedicated to the Legio VI Victrix, and this has been placed in the porch of the church, for safe keeping. The Roman name for the fort was Vindomora.

After excavations in 1936, it was proved that a fort existed at Ebchester, during the time of Agricola in the late 1st Century. In the first instance the fort would consist of a steep clay rampart, with a wood enclosure round the top, for additional protection. The buildings inside the fort would be built of wood. When it was decided to make the fort permanent, the rampart would be cut vertically down the front face, and a stone wall would be inserted. The timber buildings inside would also be re-built in stone.

During the summer of 1962, Mr. Dodds the owner of Mains Farm, was engaged in digging foundations for a greenhouse, when he discovered a thick stone wall running in below the foundations of an old barn in the farm-yard. He informed us of what he had discovered and on seeing it we realised it was part of one of the Roman fort buildings.

We started to excavate the building, and soon realised we were in the area of the Commandant's House, the building in fact being the bath-house. Mr. Dodds kindly allowed us to carry on with the excavations inside the barn, in fact allowed us to take up a cement floor, until we had the complete bath-house exposed. Much to our surprise, the walls of the building stood to a height of about 4 ft. and there was no doubt that the cement floor and an earlier cobble floor under it, had helped to preserve it, in such good condition.

The building was apsidal in shape and in the centre contained a hypocaust system for under floor heating. This is achieved by the floor being supported by a number of stone piers, the floor itself being large stone slabs about 4 ins. thick. The slabs are then completely sealed by 3 ins. of mortar, this being to contain the heat and fumes under the floor. The stone piers in the bath-house we had uncovered were all complete and in some places the original mortar floor could still be seen. Unfortunately; it had suffered from stone robbing, as is generally the case, and quite a lot of the stone floor slabs had been robbed away. Fragments of wall plaster were also found, some still having the original wall decoration on it.

Amongst the stone pillars inside the building we found a large amount of Roman pottery, quite a large proportion of which was 4^th century, however, the date of the building is not yet clear, as excavation is still going on. We may also find more of the actual house in due course, as Mr. Dodds is allowing us to extend our dig outside the old barn.

Professor E. Birley of the Archaeology department of Durham University with whom we work in close touch, was informed and it was due to him that we received a visit from Mr. Gilyard-Beer, an Inspector of Ancient Monuments, Ministry of Works, in hope that something could be done to preserve the bath-house. Needless to say, he was quite impressed with what we had uncovered and we immediately set the wheels in motion locally, to see what assistance could be mustered, while he in turn reported his findings to his superiors in London.

I am pleased to say at the moment of writing, things look very promising indeed, as the Local and County Councils and also Lord Ridley and Consett Iron Company have expressed a desire to assist with the project, not forgetting the good work done by the Rector of St. Ebba's Church (Rector H. Witherington) and Mrs. Vigor and the man who has to put up with quite a lot, Mr. W. Dodds, the owner of Mains Farm.

The excavation of the bath-house is being carried out by Mr. Allen Batty of Hartburn, Stockton, Mr. Eric Downs of Blackhill, Miss M. Mitcheson of Swalwell, and two of the local Grammar School boys, Stewart Winkskill and Ian Robson, and Alan H. Reed.

The importance of the finding of the Roman bath-house at Ebchester is best covered by what Prof. E. Birley said: “It would be an undoubted attraction to visitors if such an interesting Roman structure could be preserved as an ancient monument-quite apart from its archaeological interest to specialists and to students”.

MEDOMSLEY PARISH

IN 1894 the area of this parish was 3,500 acres, and had a population of 5,100. The township of Medomsley was principally the property of Miss Surtees of Hamsterley Hall, Hon. Gage P. Vereker, Rev. James Allgood, Miss Allgood, James Hunter, and the Consett Iron Company.

In 1804 the township of Medomsley had an area of 4,823 acres and had a rateable value of £23,245. In 1801 the population (including Conside-cum-Knitsley) was 754; in 1811 (Medomsley alone) 391; in 1821, 461; in 1831, 466; in 1841, 796; in 1851, 840; in 1861, 1,296; in 1871, 1,959; in 1881, 4,429; in 1891, 5,306. The township was at the time of Bishop Pudsey's Survey a free Manor, held by a monied rent; and the earliest mentioned proprietors were the Feltons, from whom it passed by marriage to the Hastings. The Carrs of Coken acquired it from the latter by purchase, and about 1584 it was bought by the Hunters, since which time it has to some extent remained in the family, the Allgoods being connected by marriage.

The rapid rise in the population of the township between 1871 and 1881 was due to the opening out of the coal royalties by the Consett Iron Company.

Previous to this however, the Hamsterley Royalties had been opened out by the late Dr. Watson about 1866, the drift being situated at Colt Park or Croniwell. The seams worked were the Top Busty, the three quarter, and the Brockwell, having an average thickness of from two feet eight inches to three feet four inches, giving an average annual output of 130,000 tons. Large quantities of excellent coke were made, there being 120 ovens, and fire glazed and building bricks were also manufactured. The colliery employed over 400 men and boys. The Hunter pit was opened in 1889 and gave an output of 300 tons per day, and employment to 160 men and boys. The Derwent pit was sunk about 1853, yielded 600 tons of coal per day, and gave employment to 450 men and boys, who were working on the Busty seam.

In May 1891, a number of bronze Celtic spear-heads were turned up by the plough in a field at High Bradley near Medomsley. Several of these were so corroded that the farmer did not consider them to be of any value and unfortunately allowed them to be destroyed. One of them, however, was secured by Mr. J. Morris of Medomsley and forwarded to Dr. Bruce of Newcastle for examination. He was of the opinion that they belonged to the late Celtic period. The spear-head in question was 8½ inches long, the blade being 5 3/8 inches in length, and at its widest 12 inches broad, and was broken diagonally across the middle. The field in which they were found was situated on ground at a considerable elevation, which, in all probability, had been the site of a British camp.

The manor of Medomsley was first mentioned in the Boldon Book of 1183, as being let at a rent of twenty-two shillings. The church register dates back to the year 1608. The first entry is “Annes, daughter of John Cooke, baptized 1^st July, 1608”.

A relic of the old custom of burying at night is the flat stone near the south wall of the Chancel in the churchyard. It is to the memory of John Stevenson, Lord and Master of Byerside, who departed to the Mercy of God the 17^th day September in the morning, and was buried the 18^th day at night ano domini 1639”. On the opposite side of the road, a little to the right of the Churchyard gates, is an old chapel at the road side. Its door lintel bore the name “Methodist Chapel, 1781”. This was the first Methodist chapel in a wide district. Tradition has it that the pioneers received rough treatment from the supporters of the Church Militant, who on one occasion wrecked the furniture of the little chapel, and scattered the worshippers. Many years later, remains of broken pews and church furniture were supposed to have been found at the bottom of one of the nearby mine shafts.

LEADGATE PARISH, 1894

THIS parish was formed in 1863 from the parishes of Lanchester and Medomsley, and comprises the township of Iveston with the hamlet of Crook Hall and village of Leadgate. The area is 4,000 acres, and the total population of the parish is estimated at 4,900.

Iveston Township, which comprises the greater portion of Leadgate Village and the hamlet of Crook Hall, has an area of 1,925 acres, valued in the county rate at £9,552. The land belongs principally to the Hon. Rev. Warren Napier-Clavering, who holds the manorial rights, George Nicholson, Esq., E. W. E. Balleny, Esq., J.P., John Thompson, John Moore (Executors of), and the Consett Iron Company. Iveston had a population in 1801 of 251; in 1811, 214; in 1821, 238; in 1831, 212; in 1841, 448; in 1851, in consequence of the opening of new collieries and ironstone works, it had increased to 2,500; in 1861, the population was 3,327; in 1871, 3,495, in 1881, 4,035; and in 1891, 4,188 souls. From Boldon Book we learn that Iveston paid two marks, provided a milch cow, ploughed one acre and a half of the lord's land at Lanchester, attended the great chase with two greyhounds, and undertook the carriage of wine with a wain of eight oxen. Soon after, the old records, relating to this place mention a family of the local name; and previous to Hatfield's Survey, Iveston became the property of Kepier Hospital. After the suppression of the monastic establishments, John Cockburn sold the manor of Iveston to John Heath, the heir to this family married into the Tempests, with whose descendants, the Londonderrys, the estate remains. The manor court is still held, the land being held by copy of court rule. From an early date Iveston has been intimately interested in the coal industry. The colliery here is mentioned in the court rolls as far back as 1611, when a project was formed for sinking a “cole pitt” to which all the villagers were expected to contribute. There were, however, one or two who objected, whereupon the jurors agreed that “whosoever refuseth to contribute to the sinking of ye pitt, shall have no part in ye coles gotten there”. For this leave of working the coal a yearly rent of 6s. 8d. was paid to the lord of the manor. The Eden Colliery, by the Consett Iron Company, is now working the Hutton and the Main coal seams. This pit has been working for about fifty years. The first-named seam is met at a depth of 30 feet, and has an average thickness of seven feet six inches of workable coal, and contains a band of from seven to nine inches wide, and about one foot of bad coal at the foot of the lower section. Six feet below the bad coal is met the Low Hutton seam, which has not yet been worked. The Main coal is 30 feet below the Hutton, and averages four feet of clear coal. Besides the above seams, there exist the Towneley, Hodge, Hand and the Tilly, all more or less thin. The Busty, which has not yet been opened out, lies at a depth of 210 feet below the Main coal, and gives a thickness of five feet. The output, which amounts to 5,500 tons per fortnight, is almost entirely used for making gas for the steel furnaces, the remainder, about one-ninth, being disposed of by land sale. The number of men and boys employed is 261. The Iveston Colliery is not at present being worked, though there is a small landsale worked near the village, the coal royalty having been left by one of the Claverings for the people of Iveston manor, who are only required to pay the cost of leading and getting of the coal. A powerful duplex pumping engine has been placed at the pumping shaft, situated to the east of Iveston, which raised the water from the Royalty, below water level, to the Consett Iron Works.

Iveston Village, in early documents termed Iseton and Itheston, is undoubtedly an ancient place. It occupies an exposed and elevated situation, three miles north-west from Lanchester, and one mile south-east from Leadgate.

Leadgate is a large and populous village, stretched along the turnpike road between Consett and Dipton, thirteen miles west by south of Newcastle, and one and a half east of Consett. Leadgate is said to have got its name from the old custom of carrying lead by pack ponies and donkeys from the west as far as Ledyiate near the east end of what is now known as Leadgate. At this gate which is a toll gate the burdens were exchanged for a load of coal. The inhabitants are entirely of the mining class, and chiefly in the employ of the Consett Iron Company. It is part of the Leadgate Local Board district, which was formed in 1866, embracing nearly the whole of Iveston township, and portion of Medomsley township in Leadgate. An excellent supply of water is provided by the Consett Water Company, and the principal thoroughfares are lighted with gas.

Crookhall and Estate. The Hall is a large rectangular mansion of stone, and formerly stood within spacious grounds. It is now, however, unoccupied and neglected, and is fast falling to ruins. For many years it was the seat and property of the Bakers, after which it stood empty for a considerable time. From 1794, to 1808 it was the abode of a small community of English Catholic students, who fled from Douay owing to the excesses of the French Revolutionists, and here they remained till the present Ushaw College was founded. This estate was entered in the Boldon Book as free-hold, at which time it was held by the De-la-Leys, lords of Witton, who soon after the date of the first record made it over to the church of Durham. When Bishop Hatfield occupied the see the estate was in possession of the Kirkleys, from whom the Thorntons received it, and through the last-named it came to the Lumleys. In 1588 it was acquired by the Shaftoes, and fifty years later George Baker, Esq., bought it. It now belongs to the Consett Iron Company.

The National School, Leadgate adjoins the church on the west, and is a mixed school, comprising two large rooms with one class-room. It was erected originally as a Catholic school, and was enlarged in 1891 at a cost of £900, the accommodation being for 291. It is attended by an average of 214. The infant school is situated at the west end of the village, in a building which served as a chapel of ease before the formation of the parish and building of the present church. Here provision is made for 250 children, there being an average attendance of 156.

Catholic Schools adjoin the church, and are good stone buildings, erected about 1863. They are for mixed and infants, and provide for 400 children, and are under the control of the Sisters of St. Paul.

The British School, Iveston, is of very old foundation, and is supported by the voluntary efforts of the people. It is now held in a good stone building, which will accommodate about 150 children.

The Wesleyan School is held in a good stone building, originally erected by the Consett Iron Company, but turned over to this body about 1870.

During the past ten years it has been considerably enlarged. It is a mixed school, having accommodation for 260, and being attended by an average of 230.

The Co-operative Hall is a fine large room, well fitted, and lighted by electricity. It runs the length of the Co-operative business premises, and will seat 600 people, being well adapted for entertainments, and is the largest hall in the village.

Miners' Hall. This was first built as a Methodist Free Church in 1875, from which body it was purchased by the miners.

Biography

Thomas Baker, an eminent antiquary, was a native of this township, being born here in 1656. Having received his early education at Durham, he entered St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1674, and became rector of Long Newton in 1687. He refused to read James II's declaration of conscience, for which he was disgraced by his bishop; and having refused to take the oath to William III, he resigned his living in 1690, when he retired to his fellowship at St. John's College, Cambridge. He was subsequently dispossessed of his fellowship, but continued to reside in the college as commoner master till his death in July 1710. He was author of “Reflections on Learning, shewing the Usefulness and Necessity of Revelation,” London, 1710; “The Preface to Bishop Fisher's Funeral Sermon for Margaret Countess of Richmond and Derby,” 1708; “A History of St. John's College,” etc., etc.

The Right Rev. Thomas Smith, D.D., Bishop of Bolina, and Vicar Apostolic of the northern district, was born at the Brooms, 21^st March, 1763. On the completion of his twelfth year he was sent to the Catholic Seminary of Sedgely Park, in Staffordshire, where he remained two years, and was then removed to the English College at Douay, where he was ordained priest in his twenty-fifth year. At the commencement of the French Revolution he suffered an imprisonment of sixteen months, after which he was released and permitted to return to England, where he arrived in March 1795. He was soon afterwards appointed to the Durham mission, and on the 11^th March, 1810 was consecrated Bishop of Bolina, and appointed coadjutor to Bishop Gibson, Vicar Apostolic of the northern district. On the demise of the latter prelate in June, 1821, Dr. Smith succeeded to the northern district, over which he presided till his decease on July 30^th, 1831. He was a man of great learning and piety, an excellent classical scholar, and a profound theologian.

Residents of Leadgate Parish, 1894

Allister, William, greengrocer.

Annfield Plain, (branch) Co-operative Stores.

Armstrong, William, blacksmith, Iveston.

Atkinson, Mrs. Annie, greengrocer.

Aynsley, William, grocer, wine and spirit merchant, etc., h. Consett; Thomas Robson, manager.

Batey, Jno., shoemaker.

Beck, Miss Elizabeth, greengrocer.

Bell, Robert, cowkeeper, Iveston.

Best, Jno., cartman, Iveston.

Blench, Anthony, butcher, Leadgate Farm.

Birtley, Ralph, shopkeeper, and joiner.

Brears, William, master, National School.

Brown, Mr. William, Iveston.

Calvert, Ralph, vict., Black Bull.

Barr, Richard, agent to N.E.R., Prospect House.

Church of England Temperance Institute; W. M'Iver, secretary.

Cheeseman, Joseph, shopkeeper, Iveston.

Clark, Mrs., vict., The Board, Iveston.

Clegg, Charles, manager of Co-operative Stores.

Compton, Mrs., The Brooms.

Cruddas, Herbert, cowkeeper, Iveston.

Davidson, J. & Sons, millers etc., (branch; G. Dryden, manager; h. Consett)

Davidson, John, butcher.

Davidson, William (W. Davison & Sons, Consett); Villa Real.

Doneghy, John, shoemaker.

Dorman, Jno., overman.

Elliott, Joseph F., superintendent to Prudential.

Ferguson, George, salt dealer and hawker.

Foreman, Thomas (& Son), veterinary surgeon, East House.

Foster, Jno., Beer House, Iveston.

Graham, John, vict., Wheatsheaf.

Gray, Jno., secretary to Co-operative Society.

Greener, Matthew Davison, grocer and butcher.

Harper, Jno., worker of Iveston landsale colliery.

Hadden, Thomas, shopkeeper.

Hall, Thomas, hairdresser.

Harrison, Thomas, traffic foreman.

Harvey, Mrs. Dorothy, milliner.

Hay, Rev. Rt. Snowdon, B.A., curate, Durham Road.

Henderson, G., schoolmaster, Iveston.

Heslop, Mrs. Mary, eating house.

Hobbs, George, stationer, newsagent, and carter.

Innes, S. T., shopkeeper.

Jacobson, J. W., pork butcher.

James, Mr. John.

Jones, David, clerk, Prospect House.

Keenleyside, Misses Phoebe & Jane, milliners and dressmakers.

Keenleyside, Thomas, butcher and farmer.

Keenleyside, W., coke inspector and agent, Crookhall.

Kinleside, Edward, post-office, grocer and brake proprietor.

Leadgate Co-operative Society-grocers, drapers, butchers, boot and shoe and hardware dealers; C. Clegg, manager.

Lammonby, Thos., grocer and earthenware dealer.

Lane, William F., Wesleyan schoolmaster.

Lee, William, under-manager, Eden Colliery.

Lee, Henry, grocer.

Lee, Jno., fruit and seedsman.

Local Board Office, M. Copeland, clerk;

Thos. Longstaff, surveyor, inspector and collector.

Longstaff, Thomas, vict. and surveyor and inspector to Local Board, Mason's Arms.

Lumley, Mrs. Margaret, Minto.

Magill, Rev. A., Catholic priest, The Brooms.

Moore, Mr. John, Stockerley.

Moore, Thomas, vict., Iveston New Inn. Moyle, Michael, cart owner.

Muse, James, general smith.

Nicholson & Sons, drapers and tailors, and Blyth.

Nicholson, George, slate merchant, draper, and yeoman,

Woodside. Nicholson, Jno., sergeant of police.

Nicholson, Luke (N. & Sons), Blyth House.

Parker, John, butcher.

Parker, N., shopkeeper.

Pinkney, Thomas, blacksmith, Ivy Cottage.

Potts, Richard, foreman moulder, Crookhall.

Power, Jno., stationer and newsagent.

Reading Room, miners'; Jno. Foster, secretary.

Robson, Joseph, joiner and cartwright.

Robson, Matthew, builder.

Robson, Robert, painter and wallpaper dealer, assist. overseer.

Robson, William, builder and farmer, Iveston.

Rowe, William, confectioner and baker.

Scott, Charles Frederick, colliery manager, New Bell House.

Shaw, Mr. R. W. Villa Real.

Shearer, George, tailor, Iveston.

Shearer, William, cowkeeper, Iveston.

Shield, Jno., beerho., Miners' Arms.

Slater, Joseph, joiner.

Smith, Mr. John.

Snaith, John, vict., Queen's Head and Coach and Horses.

Steel, John, beerho.

Stewart, Miss Margaret Ann, shopkeeper.

Stokoe, George, vict., Mason's Arms, Iveston.

Stokoe, Jno., joiner, Iveston.

Temperley, George, vict., Commercial Inn.

Thirlwell, Isaac L., vict., Bradley Arms.

Thompson, Mrs., milliner.

Thompson, John, grocer.

Todd, Edward, butcher and grocer.

Turnbull, William, colliery engineer, Pont House.

Varley, Rev. Thomas, vicar, The Vicarage.

Ward, Mrs. Elizabeth, vict., Jolly Drover.

Watson, George, vict., Golden Lion.

Whitfield, William, grocer etc.

Williams, Robert, confectioner and toy dealer.

Wilson, Mrs., St. Ives' Road.

Winter, J. W., evangelist.

Farmers

Blench, Mrs. & Sons, Low Brooms.

Brown, William, Redwell Hill.

Cheeseman, William, Castledean.

Foreman, Jno., Iveston.

Gibson, William Thomas, Stoneyheap.

Hudson, Mrs., Stockerley.

Johnson, William, Iveston.

Nicholson, George (yeoman), Woodside; h. and slate merchant, Leadgate.

Ridley, Joseph, Crookhall.

Robson, William, Bank Foot.

Swinburn, Thomas, Iveston.

Thompson, Jno., (yeoman), Leadgate Farm.

Wall, Joseph, Iveston.

White, Henry, High Brooms.

Wright, Moses, Woody Close.

Leadgate from 1880

by Joseph Noble

An inhabitant of that era transported in time to modern Leadgate would indeed find considerable change in both the buildings and the layout of streets. Carr House Bridge had not been constructed at that time, and the traveller proceeding from Consett entered the Village of Leadgate by a level crossing to the east and below the present bridge. Near where the present Leadgate Store now stands, at West Parade, there were situated two buildings of interest. Shotley Bridge Flour Mill had a storehouse here, and nearby stood “The Kitty” Lead-gate's unofficial overnight gaol, where minor law breakers, particularly drunks, were detained pending transfer to the official Consett police station the following morning.

It is perhaps difficult to realise that there was a steep hill, known as Bottle Bank, leading from the railway northwards, and, where the present Haven stands used to be the site of the old Wesleyan School. Plantation Street was still in use then, and many of the inhabitants kept pigs. The Company houses were arranged in squares and every Sunday morning a gambling school could be found in each one.

As the traveller proceeded up Front Street, the Surgery where Drs. Renton and Allen practised medicine can still be pinpointed, and a dentist now utilises the old Leadgate Reading Room for his consulting rooms. William Aynsley, of Consett fame, used to have his grocery and off-licence shop sited here, and a little further up, a barber named Todd, who presumably would be nicknamed Sweeney, was noted for his statement that he could shave “sixty men in an hour, at a penny a time”. At the old Black Bull, now a fruiterer's shop, Thomas Rowe served his time as a baker, before moving further up the street. His bakery was one of the oldest shops in the area, being established in 1845.

The old site of Leadgate Store is now occupied by three houses, numbers 29, 30 and 31 Front Street. It is interesting to report that before the turn of the century the Store dividend was much higher than it is today, and was believed to be in the region of 4s. 2d. Smokers found tobacco cheaper to purchase from the Store the from wholesale tobacconists!

A sport popular amongst Leadgate inhabitants at this time, was a game known as “Fives”. A court was built behind where the present Workmen's Club situated, but unfortunately within three weeks the building was blown down by the wind. This must have been frustrating to lovers of the sport.

Leadgate Miners' Welfare Hall has had a strange history, being a chapel, a joiner's shop and a grocer's shop, before fulfilling its present function. Behind the Hall were more Company squares and besides the present Coal Board Offices was sited the first School in Leadgate. Nearby coke ovens and furnaces were also in use in the village at this period.

There were very few houses in Durham Road in 1880. Behind No. 11 was the old drift mouth, and the land, which now houses Ash, Elm, Oak and Windsor Terraces and Park Villas, was particularly liable to pitfalls. Iveston Pit itself stood half way between Leadgate and Iveston and a small electric tower used to mark the site, but this was recently demolished.

A final point of history of Leadgate arouses particular interest. Where the present garage now stands in Durham Road, the Shotley Bridge Gas Company used to have a large storage gas tank. This stood empty for a long time, and a Leadgate curate was tempted to utilise the tank as a swimming pool. The cost of purchase, £400, was prohibitive however, and the idea had to be abandoned.

LINTZFORD

by Mrs. L. G. Ridley

ABOUT two miles south of Rowlands Gill village lies the hamlet of Lintzford. Though it is really part of Rowlands Gill it is, historically, older, and as its name implies, there was once a ford there over the river, before the rather lovely single-arch bridge was built. There are no available records as to the date of the bridge, but it is, undoubtedly very old, and it may have been built when the present factory was a Corn Mill. That was in 1645 according to some accounts. The owners of the factory, however (The Richardson Printing Ink Co.) hold deeds written on Parchment complete with huge wax seals, and some written in Latin, for the Corn Mill and land, dated 1695.

Some 90 years later the Annandales took over the factory and ran it as a Paper Mill until 1912. They built Lintzford House in 1790. Though lately, during some alterations to a bedroom in the house, a beautiful example of Dragon Wing roofing was discovered, which points, rather, to an earlier period. Part of the house, facing the river is of recent building but the house is listed as an ancient monument.

The firm “Charles Marsden,” took over and ran the paper mill until 1922. In 1923 the present owners converted it to a Printing Ink factory. Although in the heart of the country, this firm has a world-wide trade, agencies in many countries,

a branch factory at Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, a warehouse in London and Liverpool, and three factories in India and one in East Pakistan. The Mill race runs through what is known as the Water Garden, which faces the river, and is in constant danger of flooding. It seems to flourish, however, and is much admired by passers-by. Set in the wall is an old stone trough mounted on small hand-grinding stones used in the Corn Mill hundreds of years ago; and one authority pointed out, not long ago, an Elizabethan stone urn incorporated in the wall further up the garden. The present tenant has made a small paved trough garden using old Mill stones and troughs, etc. salvaged from nearby farms, rescuing them from the indignity of being used by the pigs. There are also Boundary Stones marked with an Elizabethan E. and in most inconvenient places about the garden, but there they stay.

The ford used to be just below the dam which the present managing director had restored to original height in 1951. Some of the cottages must have been converted from the original Inn which stood by the roadside, by the ford and are due for demolition. Here, also, is a Dutch barn which bears marks of Elizabethan architecture.

It is thought there must have been a Pilgrim way, possibly from Jarrow Monastery to Blanchland Abbey, via Low Friarside Hospice, the ruins of which still stand in a field adjoining Low Friarside Farm. Until quite recently there was a blacksmith's forge in the back premises of Lintzford Factory, dating back to very early times, the back walls of which were the living rock. Unfortunately it was found necessary to utilize this space and it is no longer on view.

Excepting Lintzford Farm, which is owned by the Lawrence family, all Lintz-ford Factory, house, the gardener's cottage-known as Bridge House, the bridge, riverside land, including two fields rented by the farmer, up to, and including the reservoirs in Chopwell wood (these built by the Paper Mill people in 1800) belong to The Richardson Printing Ink Co. Part of the Company's land has been made into a recreation ground for the children of the hamlet, and one of the barns a clubhouse for the local Scouts.

A lane, a right of way for pedestrians only, leads up to Lintz Green station, (no longer in use as such). On the right is a small modern cottage privately owned. Above this cottage and to the right, is what is known as the Sliding Braes. Water springs here are responsible for the shifting of the land and within the last few years the lane has been moved further and further into adjacent fields as the original lane slipped away and became part of the Brae. High trees are often washed down by flood waters from the Brae and lie on the dam until removed by the Company's maintenance staff.

SHOTLEY BRIDGE

SHOTLEY BRIDGE is a village, pleasantly situated on the south bank of the Derwent, twelve miles west-south-west of Newcastle. “The surrounding scenery is wild and romantic; and the Derwent, fringed with native wood, wanders through rich haugh grounds, finely contrasted with the heathy hills, which hem in the vale on the north and south”. On the south and east of Shotley there are many handsome mansions, which add much to the beauty of the surrounding scenery.

The earliest mention of Shotley Bridge by name is in an admittance of Gilbert de Brendon to “one acre of new waste which lies near the high street which leads to Shotley Brigg (1356)”.

Opposite the row of cottages at Snow's Green are the fragments of a Quaker meeting house, erected in 1812, and pulled down about 1926.

On the top of the bank above St. Cuthbert's Church is a low cottage building with a small burial ground in front of it. Over the door of the cottage is the date 1700. This was the original meeting place of the Quakers and was one of the first of its kind in England. Funerals were conducted there within living memory.

The Venture Coach used to be run daily by Mr. Priestman from Shotley Bridge to Edmundbyers and Blanchland in the summer months. It was a fine sight to see the old-time gaily coloured coach, complete with `insides and out' and guard with coaching horn, rolling along the Edmundbyers road, hauled by six beautiful grey horses.

There used to be two mills there, one a paper Mill and the other a corn mill, conducted by the Slater family. Some of the old lairds and inhabitants of the High Mill used to live, in all the primeval simplicity of nature. They never thought of sitting round a table to dine. It was much more natural for each to seize a fistful of what was provided and sit where he chose. One knife also on the table was sufficient for the use of all to make a general partition, and all the minor arrangements were left to tooth and nail. The thumb seemed to be an instrument naturally formed for spreading the butter, and especially convenient, as it was always to hand.

Shotley Spa

From times immemorial these waters were held in repute, and were said to cure many complaints.

“No scurvy in your skin can dwell,

If you only drink the Hally Well.”

In 1806 the water formed a sort of bog, and was drained away into the Derwent. In 1837, a Mr. Richardson commenced a search for the once famous mineral waters, and with some assistance from the old inhabitants of the village, succeeded in finding the well again. He then undertook to “alter, improve and produce various erections necessary to give visitors every comfort, and induce their attendance on Shotley Spa”.

The old people used to relate an unfortunate case - not of cure - of a poor man having a dangerous ulcer, who contrary to the advice given him, drank not of the water first, but applied it very freely outwardly. This caused the humours to strike inwardly, and killed the poor man. Drink, the water, and then wash was the old rule.

One case of cure was of an individual who had the chin-titter, in which his lips were greatly involved, and again, another of a man who was so reduced in strength that he could only speak in whispers. An old man, much emaciated by “constant vomiting, water-brash, and heartburn,” having been discharged from the Newcastle Infirmary, went to Shotley in July 1838, unrelieved and hardly able to walk; but after using the water three weeks recovered his strength, and returned home “in better health than he had enjoyed for three years”.

Two neat cottages were erected near the well, one of which contained a saloon or meeting place, and the other comprised of two bath-rooms, with a shower bath and dressing room in the centre. These rooms as well as the baths themselves were lined with white tiles, and had handsome mahogany borders. The spring was surrounded by a rustic trellis work and covered with a conical thatched roof. The high character given to the water on its discovery and the beauty of the local countryside attracted considerable numbers to the locality, but the vicinity of the neighbouring ironworks and the difficulty of obtaining economical accommodation for invalids caused the watering place to be deserted. In its heyday more than 60,000 persons a year were known to visit it.

Town Hall

The Shotley Bridge Town Hall Company was formed in the latter part of 1860, and the present structure was built shortly afterwards. Among the promoters whose navies appear as first directors were Messrs. John Renton (Chairman), George Watson, John Nicholson, Joseph Dickinson, Robert Dickinson, John Dickinson, George Richardson, William Dixon, Isaac Dixon, and Thomas Wilson. Messrs. Hodgkin, Barnett, Pease, and Spence, Bankers established a branch in the lower storey with Mr. Barclay as manager. Mr. Booth solicitor had offices there and other apartments were let to the sanitary authority of the township, and Messrs. Smith and Son, architects. In the upper storey was a concert hall with appropriate ante-rooms.

CHAPTER THREE

LOCAL INDUSTRY

CONSETT IRON COMPANY LIMITED

Early History

THE first steel made in the area was produced by four German refugees over 250years ago. These four, by name, Oley, Vooz, Mole and Bertram, were expert swordsmiths. There is a legend, often recounted to newcomers, which tells how a descendant of these swordmakers, one Robert Oley, made a wager with eight smiths that he could make a sword of finer quality than any which they could produce. When he arrived at the appointed time and place of settlement, he appeared to have no sword with him and was declared to have lost the bet. Then he took off his hat and there, for all to see, was his sword coiled up inside his hat. Thus Robert Oley won his bet. However, the steelmakers left early in the nineteenth century and for some years the chief fame of the area was the Spa at Shotley Bridge.

The Spa had quite an influence on the formation of what is now Consett Iron Company, for it so happened that in 1839 a Mr. William Richardson was taking the waters for his health. He made the acquaintance of Mr. John Nicholson, a local mineral expert, and together they explored the district. Their findings were such as to encourage them to form, in 1840 together with four other well-to-do gentlemen on Tyneside, the Derwent Iron Company.

With the support of the Northumberland and Durham District Bank, whose Managing Director was one of the promoters, two blast furnaces were built and leases taken of ironstone and coal deposits, the latter being a very prudent measure.

The pioneer firm was marked with energy, vision and a concept of social responsibility as broad as most contemporary views were narrow. This is born out by the Report of the Royal Commission on Mining into the State of the Mining Population in 1846. “An admirable example of wise forethought in the provision of education is now being set,” states the Report, “by the newly established company who have commenced the great undertaking of the Consett Iron Works, Shotley Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne”. The Company had recognised the need for making the place “acceptable to the best class of workmen” and to influences “capable of ministering to the intellectual and moral improvement of young and old”.

The Derwent Iron Company soon became known for the excellence of its products, and in 1851 sent to the Great Exhibition a “railway plate and rail” 662, feet long, a 20 feet long iron plate and a 17 feet 2 inches long beam for a marine engine.

Over the next two decades the Company ran into some difficulty because of the depletion of the initial ironstone reserves which turned out to be local deposits and the high cost of working the ironstone. Thus iron ore was laboriously hauled from the Cleveland hills through Bishop Auckland and across Hownsgill ravine. Raw materials troubles once solved, financial storms hit the Company. The Northumberland and Durham District Bank stopped payment in November, 1857 and the Company was involved to the extent of nearly one million pounds. However, the bank's shareholders rallied round and a new company, The Derwent and Consett Iron Company Limited, was formed.

As this new Company could not complete the transaction, the present Company, Consett Iron Company Limited, was formed in April, 1864 with a capital of £400,000. The Joint Managing Directors were Jonathan Priestman of Shotley Bridge and David (later Sir David) Dale of Darlington.

Sir David Dale had been associated with the works since 1857 and became Chairman in 1884 a position which he retained until his death in 1906. An experienced industrial statesman, his name is famous as the chief architect of the conciliation machinery of the North East Coast, which pioneered the iron and steel industry's outstanding record of good labour relations.

This desirable state of affairs was not achieved without some trouble. For example in 1866, as we can see from The Consett Guardian published on Saturday, 29^th September, there was a strike of puddlers apparently caused by a decision of the Management to enforce a wage cut of 10%. By this date it would seem that the strike was almost over as the following extract from the Consett Guardian indicates.

“The influence of Consett - should the men commence work - will be felt throughout the whole district, and will be hailed with delight by many, who now seem as if determined to continue the strike, as a speedy mode of settling the question. If Consett Works commence, and we sincerely hope they may, the strike in the North is virtually at an end”.

The Period of Growth Begins

When the new Company started operations in the autumn of 1864, its yearly output was some 80,000 tons of pig iron and about 45,000 tons of finished iron. Nor was Consett Iron Company concentrating on iron alone. It was buying and developing coal mines. This facet of the Company's activities did not cease until the nationalisation of the mining industry on 1^st January, 1947.

In the last thirty years of the 19^th century, under the management of Mr. William Jenkins, the Company had a progressive record in plant replacements and in expansion. The first step was the replacement of the existing blast furnaces, and it, was in 1867 that the 250 feet high `Big Chimney', which remained a land-mark for 80 years, was built.

One result of this was to make the Company dependent on imported ore, and in 1872, together with the Dowlais Iron Company, Krupp of Essen and the Spanish Ybarra Company, Consett Iron Company formed the Orconera Iron Ore Company. This concern supplied Consett with ore for the next 76 years, which demonstrates the farsightedness of the early directors. History repeats itself, for in 1960 Consett Iron Company invested £500,000 in a company formed by those steel makers who are, like Consett, dependent on imported ore, to develop ore reserves in Mauretania. At the present time Consett's ore comes from Sweden and the Americas.

In the midst of all this turmoil and change the Company held fast to the liberal tenets of its predecessors and provided many homes for its steel-workers and miners as well as schools and chapels. A supplement to the Consett Guardian for 23^rd March, 1901 makes interesting reading. This was issued to mark the occasion of the opening of the Consett Technical Institute. Ten years earlier, in 1891 Consett Park, which is still maintained by the Company, had been opened.

The Change-over-to Steel

In the late 19^th century there occurred a great change in the railway industry, a change which started another in the steel industry; this was the use of steel instead of iron. Thus it was that in 1882 William Jenkins started the change-over to steel-making at Consett.

Beginning with two small Siemens furnaces, the West Melting Shop increased in a few years to eight furnaces with a steam hammer and a gas furnace for making steel plates. In 1887 the East Melting Shops were erected, bringing steel output to about 3,500 tons a week, whilst a steam Cogging mill was installed at the same time. In order to cope with the increased output the plate mill had to be remodelled. Once this was completed, work started on the Angle Mill to cater for the needs of the shipbuilding industry.

By 1893 Consett Iron Company was a very large undertaking and the Iron and Steel Institute in its visit of that year was able to say that the rolling mills were the finest in the world. Even at this early stage the Company was fully integrated, supplying all its own fuel. The Works, at this time, consisted of seven Blast Furnaces, the West and East Melting Shops, Cogging Mills, Plate Mills and the Angle Mills which contained a third Melting Shop. The usual ancillaries were found in the Crookhall Foundry, Delves Brickworks, Engineering Shops, Laboratory, Test House, Locomotive and Wagon Repair Shops and the usual railways and rolling stock. Of the rolling stock the most interesting type is the E class locomotive crane, the design of which was so advanced that some, over 70 years old are still in use.

The closing years of the 19^th century were prosperous ones for Consett with only a few minor enlargements to the Company's mines.

The First World War and its Aftermath

In 1902 the Company suffered a sharp blow when J. & J. W. Pease's Bank failed. The setback was temporary, however, and in the same year No. 8 blast furnace was begun.

The war brought many difficulties, prices of raw materials soared, and at one time the largest Plate Mill was idle for want of labour. There was less time for maintenance, with the result that there were some breakdowns. Immediately after the war, the level of demand was high, but this boom soon petered out and the great depression set in. Consett Iron Company, however, did not sit back and twiddle its metaphorical thumbs. Save only a part of the Blast Furnace plant, the entire Works was shut down and reconstruction began.

The Blast Furnace Plant was brought up-to-date, the present Melting Shop was erected with the latest furnaces and a Plate Mill built. The Angle Mills were modernised and extended, and in order to supply bricks for the new all-silica Fell Coke Ovens, Templetown brickworks were erected. This Coke Oven Plant with the first all-silica ovens in Europe remained in continuous use until 1955.

This enterprise and vast expenditure of money did not produce immediate gains for the depression was gathering way. Despite the conditions, however, the Company built new Coke Ovens at Derwenthaugh, a plant which started up in 1929. By 1931 the shipbuilding industry was in a very parlous state and the Company was only able to use two small Blast Furnaces.

The Second World War to the Present

In 1939 a new Gas Cleaning Plant and Gas Holder came into operation, to be followed in 1940 by the Merchant Strip and Bar Mill at Jarrow which was controlled by the Company.

Even the war did not stop Consett's progress. In 1943 the present No. 2 Blast Furnace was blown-in. With the end of the war came the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act of 1947. Under this Act, the National Coal Board took over seven Collieries (Victory Pit, Chopwell, Garesfield, Langley Park, Eden, Medomsley and Derwent), the Derwenthaugh and Langley Park Coke Works, Crookhall Washery and Power Station at Derwenthaugh, Chopwell, Langley Park and Templetown, together with 3,000 houses, nearly 12,500 acres of land and over 50 miles of railway.

Although only the Iron and Steel Works were left to the Company, progress since the war had been very rapid. In 1947 No. 3 Blast Furnace was blown-in. This furnace, like No. 2, had three times the capacity of the old No. 8 furnace, which finally went, together with the `Big Chimney' in 1950 to make way for No. 1 Blast Furnace.

The loss of the last landmark of the old Blast Furnace Plant was not the only change in the works' skyline. The Central Power Station was built to provide electricity for the Works and the Fell Coke Works were enlarged and re-equipped between 1948 and 1955. In 1948 the Company took full control of the Jarrow Mill, which, it should be mentioned, is believed to hold the world record for output from a Mill of its size. At the same time the Melting Shops were enlarged and a new Gas Holder built, to meet the increased fuel requirements.

At this stage in the Company's history, 1951, another political upheaval took place. Under the Iron and Steel Act of 1949, the Company was nationalised but in 1955 occurred denationalisation, so this was but a brief episode.

Expansion continued regardless, with the New Mill, a Slabbing Blooming and Continuous Billet Mill, commissioned in 1953. This Mill, presented the civil engineers, not for the first or last time at Consett, with quite a problem. British Railways' Blackhill to Durham line cut through the site; therefore, it was necessary to build a tunnel over the line to carry the building and a road and railway tracks

This New Mill had a greatly increased output so new steel making capacity was provided by two Bessemer Convertors for duplexing. These again, made necessary alterations to the Ore Handling Plant and the present reclaiming bridge is reputed to be the largest outside America. For the speedy handling of ore, the Tyne Improvement Commissioners built new plant at Tyne Dock and British Railways designed 56 ton hopper cars. Furthermore, the Sinter Plant was replaced and a second one built. Jarrow had its share of development too, and by May, 1952 the new modern basic refractories brickworks were in operation, whilst at Derwenthaugh the Weldments Department was built. This development cost over £22m. but Consett did not stop here.

The New 4-High Plate Mill

The next step in Consett Iron Company's development was to consider the replacement of the existing Plate Mills. A survey of customers was taken to establish the maximum width of plate which might be required. The result of this research showed that a 132? mill would be adequate to begin with, though as there is a limited demand for plates up to 160?, the mill layout leaves room for a roughing stand to cater for larger widths.

It was also realised that sometime in the near future Consett's existing primary mill, which is a dual-purpose slabbing and blooming mill, producing slabs for the plate mill and blooms for the continuous billet mill, would not be capable of rolling all the slabs required for new plate mill and, therefore, provision had to be left for processing a further 6,000 tons of ingots and slabs per week.

This particular problem led to the Company's taking, after long consideration, the decision to provide in the ultimate layout of the plate mill for 160? Roughing Stand and in front of this for a very heavy edger with a roll pressure approximately 1,000 tons. This will enable the Company to roll plates direct from ingot or roll ingots to slabs, which can then be re-rolled in the plate mill.

When the decision on the size and type of output had been taken, that on the type of Mill was easy, a `4-high' mill was the answer. Of course, the idea of a 4-high plate mill, that is to say the use of two small diameter `work' rolls, between which the plates are rolled, supported by two very much larger `back-up' rolls, is no longer new. Other mills of this sort have been in production in this country for some time now.

There is a considerable gain in efficiency when small diameter rolls are used in contact with the plate, as they can take a sharper bite into the plate and so reduce its thickness more quickly than a large diameter roll. However, the very smallness of these rolls precludes the strength necessary to produce the great pressures needed. Hence the work rolls. There are two further advantages to be gained from this arrangement. Since the 'back-up' rolls are so massive, those at Consett weighing 65 tons with a diameter of 60 inches, there is considerably less tendency for the rolls to bend in their length; a tendency found in all mills, which results in plates thicker at the centre than at the edge.

The mere possession of a modern mill is no guarantee of the production of high-quality plates, of course. One very important aspect of plate mill working is the production of slabs of an exact size. The reason is this: it is a characteristic of steel that when it is being rolled into a flat product it elongates almost entirely in the direction of rolling. Therefore in plate rolling practice, it is customary to roll a slab to a length required as the final plate width, and then it is turned through 90° and rolled until the required thickness is obtained. It will be apparent that where width and thickness are the guiding factors in the rolling of plate, the size and weight of a slab have been carefully predetermined if a desired length is to be achieved.

Nor is this all, the Company has installed a number of finishing processes at Hownsgill, some of which are new to plate finishing. Beside hot levelling, there is cold levelling, normalising, pressure quenching and tempering for special steels (such as were used at Calder Hall and Latina, to name only two power stations in which Consett has played an important part) gas cutting and shot-blasting followed by protection of the shot-blasted surfaces. The provision of these processes, the allowance which has been made for the roughing stand and its ancillaries, and study of other mills, at home and abroad, has led to the construction of a very large mill building to make room for everything.

This building will be very familiar to those readers who live in Templetown or who work there and they will know how big it is. Its length is two thousand feet, its width is nearly four hundred and fifty feet and it is seventy feet high, in fact both the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth would fit inside if their masts and funnels were removed. The first plate was rolled in September 1960 and in April, 1961 the official opening ceremony was performed by Lord Mills.

The next step of the development at Consett following the commissioning of the Hownsgill Plate Mill was the installation of a new Oxygen Steel Plant. The availability of pure oxygen in large quantities has opened up a new era in steel making and the Company is taking advantage of the latest techniques. The new steelmaking plant which will go into production shortly will be the first in the world to have both the L.D. and Kaldo processes operating side by side in one shop. The plant will be equipped with two 100-ton L.D. vessels (developed at Linz and Donawitz in Austria) and two 100-ton Kaldo vessels (developed by Professor Bo Kalling of Domnarvet, Sweden) with provision for two further vessels. Each vessel, complete with lining, will weigh 400 tons. It will cover an area of approximately 1,000 feet by 400 feet. The initial weekly output of the new plant will be 14,000 ingot tons but the potential output will be much greater.

Both these processes use pure oxygen by jetting it on to liquid iron contained in the specially designed vessels.

In the L.D. process the oxygen is blown at high pressure through a jet on to the surface of the bath of molten iron in the cylindrical converter-shaped vessel which is stationary in the vertical position during the blowing operation.

The Kaldo process has an average refining time of 60 minutes and is rotated at speeds up to 30 r.p.m. while the oxygen is blown through a jet on to the surface of the iron.

The Kaldo process is not so rapid as the L.D. process but greater control can be exercised by the operators over the final analysis of the refined steel. Some steels do not require such fine control and the greater rapidity of refining in the L.D. process will be useful in stepping up production.

The vessels will be lined with Dolomite refractory bricks and a new brick-making plant is being installed to make the necessary bricks and shapes, and also to sell linings to other steel plants.

The cost of installing this new process at Consett will be nearly £9,000,000 and will enable the Company to achieve great flexibility in steel making and the production costs should be lower with this more efficient plant. The investment of such a vast sum of money goes a long way towards ensuring the prosperity of the North East in general and Consett in particular.

EARLY DAYS IN THE MINING INDUSTRY

by P. L. Robson

MINING in the district dates back to the beginning of the 18^th century although there were mines in the Lanchester area as far back as 1500. Surface drifts exploited some of the seams which outcropped on the hillsides. One of the earliest mines was situated on the road to the Fell Coke Works on the opposite site of the road leading to the Fell Farm. This was known as the Consett Gate Pit, of 1781.

The two main seams, the Busty, four feet thick, and the Brockwell two feet thick were worked in the neighbourhood of the present Consett Iron Company. When the Derwent Iron Company was formed, further developments resulted in the sinking of the Medomsley and Derwent pits about 1840 or 1845, chiefly to produce coal for the manufacture of coke. That was to be used in the manufacture of pig iron.

In the Consett area, there were two local ironstone seams, one called the No. 1 seam, and the other the German Bands seam. The German bands seam which was located 25 feet below the Brockwell seam was worked in the Howns Gill area by the Oleys of German descent. The Derwent Iron Company had iron works at Consett, Crookhall and Bradley Shops and coke was made in beehive ovens at Crookhall, Bradley and Medomsley and also at Delves Colliery, which was closer to the works.

The method of working the coal seams in the early days, consisted of the formation of small pillars, which were left as surface supports. These pillars were ribs of coal, two or three yards wide, and in the roadways, the coal was left- in the form of arches for support. Some 40 to 50 years ago, many of these areas of old workings were explored, and it was found that most of the coal had been sledged out to the surface. There were indications that wooden rails had been in use, and in one case a pump constructed entirely of wood, was found in good condition. Picks were also made of wood, with tin points. When workings reached some 250 yards from the outcrop, it was the practice to sink shafts, which were called Bell Pits. These pits were of shallow depth, and the coal was lifted to the surface by means of “Corves” or baskets. As the collieries that were sunk in the early part of 1840, were developed, new methods of working were introduced, chiefly the “Bord and pillar system”. This meant that about two-thirds of the total coal was extracted, the rest being left in the form of long narrow pillars, whereas the Bord refers to the part of the coal taken out. A few years later, in this method of working, the pillars of coal were completely extracted.

The conditions of the miners in the early days were terrible. They were little more than slaves. They never worked less than ten hours a day, six days a week. For this they were paid between fifteen and twenty shillings a week. Conditions did not improve a great deal until the Coal Mines' Act of 1870 came into operation. In the 1830's and 1840's, both women and children worked in the local mines, and sometimes boys and girls were carried to work half asleep, between four and five in the morning. There was no compulsory schooling. At the age of 11, for a sum of 3d. per week, education could be bought at the local school at night-time after work, and on a Saturday.

The yield of iron from the local ironstone was only about 10%, and as soon as more valuable supplies were found in the Cleveland Hills, the working of the local stone ceased about 1850 or 1860. The best band of ironstone was located at Number One, where a shaft was sunk. This seam ran from there to the Market Square at a depth of 50 feet, and above Aynsley Terrace came to the surface. The blue heaps were formed by the dirt and stone from these workings.

It is amazing that Consett stands at all. It is built on “fresh air”.

PAPER MAKING ON THE DERWENT

THE valley of the Derwent may justly claim the honour of having been longest the home of this interesting manufacture. There were two paper mills on the Derwent, both of which were the property of Messrs. John Annandale and Sons, the larger at Shotley Bridge, and the other at Lintzford.

By a deed bearing the date July 20, 1761, Cuthbert Smith, of Snaws-Green, was admitted amongst other lands to “one parcel of land called Ealands, with a sword mill and a barley mill upon the same, lying near the mills there called Bishop's Mills, with a malting and a corn mill”. A few years later, the Ealands was in the possession of Thomas Johnson, and the property next passed to John Annandale who purchased the Ealands Sword, Barley and Paper Mills from John and Hannah Johnson in the year 1812. At that period the fertile pastures of Shotley Grove, the name which Mr. Annandale gave the paper mill when he purchased it and the surrounding property, were little better than moorland. Rough boulders covered the heathery slopes of Sodfine and Pemberton, and the rugged sides of Sandypath, or as it was called, the Barley Mill Road. Before purchasing the Grove Estate, Mr. Annandale carried on the business of paper manufacturing in company with his brother, Alexander Annandale at Haughton on the North Tyne. He knew the value of good water supplies. The Shotley Grove Paper Mill was the first in the North of England.

The mill at Shotley Grove, was of insignificant proportions. Probably it consisted of a couple of vats, a beater, a washer, and a small drying-house or stove-house. In those days, paper was made exclusively by hand, sheet by sheet. These, in a soft pulpy state, were pressed between squares of felt and afterwards dipped one by one, into size, and hung up to dry on ropes in the drying house. In the course of a few years however, a complete revolution took place in the manufacture of paper by the introduction of the Fourdrinier paper machine. This and other novel mechanical appliances, were speedily adopted at Shotley Grove, and each decade as it came and went, witnessed a large extension of the works. The vats gave place to machines turning off paper in continuous reels; the drying rooms to the sizing and drying machines. Lumbering water-wheels were displaced by more powerful and scientific motors, and after the abolition of the paper duty, or as it was called, the “Tax upon Knowledge,” by Mr. Gladstone in his famous 1860 Budget, a great impetus was given to the trade, and large additions were made to the Mills. Along with the duty, the exciseman, a daily visitor, also made his exit, and trade breathed more healthily. A few years later saw the introduction of Esparto grass from Spain and the northern coast of Africa. Over fifty tons were consumed weekly at Shotley Grove, and it became the principal raw material used. By this means, the cost of paper was largely reduced, and the era of the daily penny papers arrived.

Again the mills were largely extended and working day and night, they were capable, in 1882 of producing between forty and fifty tons of various kinds of paper per week. For the raw materials, and ingredients used in the process, the resources of many lands were drawn on. In the lofts were seen huge piles of rags from India, Egypt, France, and Russia. America, both North and South, contributed materials for sizing, and the Esparto was imported from Spain, Algiers and Tripoli. Employment was given to over 300 hands, more than half of whom were engaged in the picking of Esparto, sorting of rags, and overlooking of the finished paper.

Shotley Grove Mill was long celebrated for its make of cartridge paper used by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, by artists, and by packers of hosiery. They also produced the blue paper used by druggists for putting up Seidlitz powders and the paper from which collars, cuffs, and even shirt-fronts were made.

Lintzford Mill, which Messrs. Annandale acquired in 1840, appears to have begun its career, like the Shotley Mill, as a “water corne milne”. In 1694, it was let by Christopher Hunter, student in St. John's College, Cambridge, to John Sandford, at the rent of £7, and “one swords blade, well made and tempered”. Sandford seems to have turned it into a paper mill, for it was such in 1703. Nine years later the rent had increased to £10, plus the sword blade, and was then held by Thomas Weatherley of Leadgate, and Thomas Bage, of Armonside.

THE STORY OF THE DERWENT FLOUR MILL

IN the early records of the parish of Benfieldside, about the end of the fourteenth century, mention is made of an ancient water mill, then without a tenant. Probably it had fallen into decay, as a few years later we find John Bateson taking the site of the old mill, and undertaking to build a new one at his own cost. This was long before the days of co-operative societies and free competition. The farmers who tilled the soil were bound to grind at the village mill and pay for the privilege in kind; and no doubt, as more land was broken up and brought into cultivation, John Bateson found it a profitable speculation to renovate the decayed mill.

In 1545, Nicholas Smith and John Darnell went from the Lord of the Manor's Mill with their grain, and each was fined sixpence. The obligation to grind at the lord's mill was often evaded, and at first sight it may appear an undue restriction on the liberty of the villagers and contrary to our notions of trade.

A mill, it may be thought, which required to be propped up by a compulsory custom of the inhabitants, had better fall into decay again, as we find this one had at the time of Hatfield's survey. But we must remember means of grinding were essential to the village. If, however, the system is more closely examined we can see the germ of the principle of Co-operation in the arrangement. The mill dam, race, water-wheel, mill-stones and other appliances were to be kept up for the general benefit, and if these were to fall into decay by reason of loss of business, those who had not the means, of grinding their corn themselves or taking it elsewhere, would be sufferers. The lord's mill, therefore was not only a source of profit to the lord of the manor but a boon to his tenants so long as the miller was honest.

The system for him had many temptations, his remuneration for grinding being a portion of grain in proportion to the amount ground, commonly called “multure”. It is not improbable that the old jokes current at the expense of the miller arose from the temptation being, in too many cases, too strong for him to resist. The old water-mill occupied the same site as the flourishing steam-mill, conducted at least under true Co-operative principles, whatever may be said of the former system.

In 1631 Ann Backworth demised Bishop's Mill for six years to William Blaxton, knight. The Blaxtons or Blakistons were an important family in the county. In 1663 Cuthbert Backworth is admitted to a house and two acres, called “The Fall,” with a water-mill there-upon built, abutting Shotley Bridge on the south, the “Darwin” on the north and west, and the land of Nicholas Comyn on the east parcel of ten acres. This is the site evidently of the old steam-mill of the society, and the Bishop's Mill previously mentioned was located on some portion of the site of Messrs. Annandale's Paper Mills, at Shotley Bridge.

Up to the year 1901 all the haulage was done by horses, and, owing mainly to the position of the mill, it required the very best animals which could be procured. The work was, however, of such a heavy nature that the very best horses lasted only a comparatively short period, and had to be constantly replaced. The year 1901, however, saw the beginning of motor traction. The first experiment was with a large traction engine and two trucks, purchased from Messrs. Fowler, of Leeds. This engine was worked a few years, but improvements in road traction having in the meantime been made, it was exchanged for two motor wagons, each of six ton capacity. These were found much handier than the traction engine, and a third was afterwards bought. Horse traction was still being used to a limited extent, but ultimately the horse wagons were superseded by petrol and steam wagons on rubber tyres, haulage by horses being discontinued.

In 1902 a new wheat receiving house was built and a band conveyor put in, thus effecting a considerable saving in the handling of wheat; and in 1908 the mill and offices were fitted with automatic sprinklers, which had the effect of considerably reducing fire insurance premiums.

The Derwent Flour Mill furnished a striking illustration of the sagacity, courage, enterprise, and a faith in Co-operative principles of those pioneers who were responsible for the initiation of the project. The story of their disinterested service cannot here be adequately told but they gave a direction to Co-operative effort which had its effect far beyond the confines of the sphere in which they moved.

Officers

The first secretary was Mr. W. Telford, whose name and memory is revered by all who knew him. He died in 1905 and was succeeded by Mr. W. Robson, who was associated with the mill practically the whole of his life, being the son of a former manager.

The first manager was Mr. C. Wood, who only continued with the society for a few years. The second manager, Mr. Geo. Robson, was appointed in 1875, and served the society faithfully until his death in 1896. The third manager, Mr. J. Mitchell, was appointed in 1897.

VILLA REAL BRICKWORKS

THESE were in operation for some ten or eleven years before being taken over by a Sheffield firm, Messrs. Grayson Lowood at the outbreak of the first world war. At a later date they were bought by the Consett Iron Company, and for many years continued to flourish. Many changes brought decay to the building, and finally Consett Iron Company transferred the property to the National Coal Board. When the local Consett Council decided to build a Central Yard, the site on which the works stood (nine and a half acres in all) was finally cleared. The remnants of a once famous building however, fought to the end, for with the first blast, only a handful of bricks was loosened. It was as if the building would at least go down stubbornly, and prove that it wasn't just there for ornament.

THE GERMAN SWORDMAKERS Oh SHOTLEY BRIDGE

by H. Raine

AMONGST the refugees who came to England about 1685 because of religious persecution, was a large number of German artificers and amongst them were a number of swordmakers, who settled in different parts of the country. One of these companies of swordmakers found its way into the Derwent Valley and settled at Shotley Bridge. A uniform tradition among the German descendants relates that the first German who fled from the persecution on the Continent, brought with them a Lutheran Minister who used to officiate for them after they settled in Shotley Bridge. This account is not improbable: the severe persecutions then raging, and the conditions of several families having to seek in a foreign land religious liberty are facts strongly presumptive that their minister would accompany them. The more severe the persecutions of people on account of religion, the greater are their exertions and closer their union, and but few statesmen estimate the strength of religious principles. The tradition, however, does not relate how long the Lutheran ministry continued. No vestige of the German priesthood remains. Their line of apostolical succession is certainly broken. At that date a couple of German towns occupied the highest position in the steel industry. These were Smalcald and Solignen. The former is situated in the province of Hesse-Nassau, some fifty miles south east of Cassel, and, with the village of Stahlberg near it, has long been celebrated for the manufacturing and tempering of steel made from excellent ironstone which exists in plenty in the neighbourhood. The latter is a city in the province of the Rhine standing upon the Wiffer, which flows into the Rhine from the East about half way between Dusseldorf and Cologne, and situated about 14 miles south-east of Dusseldorf. This place was celebrated for cutlery manufacture, and especially for its fine Damascene Sword-blades and bayonets.

Tradition says that it was from Solignen that the Shotley Bridge sword makers came to England bringing with them the art of tempering steel which was not thoroughly known in England before their arrival. The business of sword making was an important one in those days and on the outbreak of war against France in 1689, a company of sword cutters was erected by patent in the county of Cumberland and the adjacent counties for making hollow sword blades. A great number of German cutters were employed, and it was to this company of sword cutters that the Shotley Bridge sword makers, who settled in the Derwent Valley within twelve months of its foundation, were connected. The English, it is true, had implements of war, prior to this time and had done good service with them on the continent, but there was a general fault in them. The steel was defective in temper, and upon that quality in the weapon, the issue of the contest often depended. On the establishment of the company of sword cutters, these defects were remedied, and from thenceforth the German sword blades were second to none in the world in temper and execution.

The sword makers on the Derwent took up their residence at Shotley Bridge at the close of 1690, or the beginning of 1691. Before settling at the place they sought for a locality suited to their purpose in several other parts of England, and especially near London, but wanting to conceal the secrets of their trade, and especially that of this excellence in tempering, they left the metropolis, where prying eyes were ever ready to take advantage of every new invention, or the mysteries attached to their production, and came to the North of England, which they considered would be more remote and secluded for their industry. They first examined the banks of the Tyne, but not finding a place to their liking, they next commenced to explore the River Derwent. Under the direction of a guide they traced the winding river from its confluence with the Tyne, to Shotley Bridge, where, finding the water (one of their greatest considerations) particularly soft and suited to their purpose, the presence of excellent ironstone in the neighbouring hills, and the locality a secluded one, they finally settled, and commenced a flourishing industry, which existed for a little over a century. These German artisans were the first to introduce the manufacture of steel in the County of Durham and though their industry is now no more, we have an example of the saying that “history repeats itself” in the presence of the famous works of Consett Iron Company, which overlook the Derwent and which are foremost in the steel industry, with the exception that their products are not for the destruction of mankind. A much earlier date than 1690 has been mistakenly assigned as the date of their' settlement in the Derwent Valley. In 1840 the Rev. John Ryan, who married a descendant of the original settlers, published an interesting little volume, entitled “The History of Shotley Spa” and in it he fixed the date of the arrival of the German Swordmakers nearly a century earlier, from the supposed fact of the name Oley, the name of one of the German families being mentioned in the Ebchester Registers under the date 1628. Unfortunately he made an error in reading the almost illegible entry. He read the entry as, “Ellinor the daughter of Matthius Wrightson Oley was baptised the 11^th day of June 1628,” and concluded that the Oleys and Wrightsons had either intermarried or were particular friends at that time, and that if the former, a sufficient time must have elapsed since their arrival to have allowed Matthius to have found matrimonial alliances with natives of the Derwent Valley. This statement, however, falls to the ground on close examination. The correct entry in the Parish Register in question is Ellinor the daughter of Matthius Wrightson Cler., baptised the 11^th day of June 1628. The word Cler., being a contraction of Clericus, clerk, or clergyman, as we would now say.

An inscription over the doorway of the Oley cottage in Wood Street, Shotley Bridge, read: -

“The blessing of Heaven gives wealth without care,

Provided that you contribute your share,

Be faithful, also just and true,

And do what is commanded of you.”

A second inscription has been largely defaced by weathering. The first three imperfect lines indicate that the immigrants from the Fatherland came to this country in search of religious freedom and settled at Shotley Bridge, and the last two, though even more mutilated lines, is an invocation of the divine blessing on all who may enter the door.

“The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in,

from this time forth for evermore” - “PSALM cxxi. 8.”

From researches made, Mr. Fawcett found at least ten different German families had settled in the Derwent Valley. They were Bertram, Buske, Groates, Henkels, Moll or Mole, Oley, Shindlebrush, Vintner, Woper and Vooz.

The Bertrams were steel manufacturers and had the forge or steel mill at Blackhall Mill, about three and a half miles further down the Derwent from Shotley Bridge and other places in the Derwent Valley. They intermarried with other local families. The Buskes did not stay long at Shotley Bridge. The Groates were another family who soon left Shotley Bridge. The Moles were sword grinders and their mill stood on the site of the offices of the Co-operative Flour Mill at Shotley Bridge. One of them according to tradition, is stated to have come over from Germany to England covered up in a large cask or tub. Their descendants exist at the present day. The Oleys were sword cutters at Shotley Bridge, and were the principal members of the colony, being large proprietors and employers. They possessed very remarkable skill in the production of swords, and were capable of following the weapon through all its processes, forging, grinding, engraving and polishing up to the hands of the cutter whose duty it was to add the hilt and scabbard. Their descendants also exist at the present day. The Shindlebrushes died shortly after settling at Shotley Bridge. The Vinters were forgemen and were connected with the Bertrams at Blackhall Mill. They seem to have left the district about the middle of the eighteenth century. Some of them intermarried with local families. The Voozes were sword grindes and also traded between Germany and England. At first the swordmakers manufactured their own iron which they obtained from ironstone pits, sunk to the thin bands of ironstone which occur on both sides of the Derwent. Some of these ironstone pits were at Hownsgill and the Delves. Those at the latter were known as Delfts or Delve Moles, hence the present place name. The ironstone was carried from the various pits by pack horses to the various roasting furnaces. One of these old furnaces is on the north side of the Derwent, between Allensford and Shotley Bridge, in the woods opposite Mole House. The shape of this furnace has been hexagonal, narrowing towards the top. The effects of the extreme heat can yet be traced on the glazed stones. A few yards up a steep declivity to the west of the furnace, are the ruined remains of three roasting kilns, where the ironstone appears to have been put through its first process. The shape of the roasting kilns is round, narrowing towards the bottom. The kilns and furnace are generally supposed to have been erected and used by the Bertrams.

A forge also belonging to the Bertrams existed on the north bank of the Derwent, about a mile further down the river, below the old furnace and kilns just named, a little above the High Paper Mill, but on the opposite side of the stream, on a site now occupied by a cottage, and known as the old forge. From some old deeds of the place, containing a transfer of the property in the reign of Queen Anne (1702-1714) we learn that it was then an extensive manufacturing area and included various messuages, tenements, watercourses and dams and having a right of many roads, but no vestiges now remain. The Bertrams also had a forge and Smelt-Mill at Blackhall Mill for the manufacture of steel, when they were associated with the Vintners, another German family. In the woods of Ravenside up Milkwell Burn, on the north side of the Derwent from Blackhall Mill and also in the neighbourhood of Hedley-on-the-Hill, further west are several heaps of iron scoria or slag, the remains of smelting operations, generally attributed to the work of the Shotley Bridge Swordmakers.

In the later years owing to the local ironstone costing too much to work, the Swordmakers purchased the best Swedish iron from Danomora in Smoland, and out of this they produced their steel. The Shotley Bridge sword blades were the best tempered in Britain. The remarkable soft waters of the Derwent, one of the chief things which made the swordmakers settle in the district, were second to none in Europe for tempering steel, except that of the Tagus at Toledo in Spain, which is celebrated throughout the world for the best tempered sword blades, being equal in this respect to the famous sabre blades of Damascus, and the Spanish swordmakers long ago confessed that the only waters in the world equal to those of the Tagus were those of the Derwent, and their only rivals in the art of sword-making were the swordmakers of Shotley Bridge. The Shotley Bridge swords were perfectly formed and equal in finish, flexibility, strength and elegance to the distinguished blades of Damascus and Toledo, and thus in temper and execution, second to none in the world, were decidedly the most valuable in the British market, and they kept their reputation and maintained the very highest prices to the last. The manufacture of swords at Shotley Bridge was more varied than is commonly understood and the following kinds of weapons were made:

Cutto - a cutlass or broad carving sword.

Hanger - a short broad sword incurvated towards the point, or a short sabre shaped cutlass.

Both made for the Navy, and used by seamen when boarding an enemy ship.

Long sword - used by the Army.

Small Hollow Blade.

Slick Sword.

Dirk or Dagger.

Scymiter - a short sword with a convex edge or recurvated point.

Latsin Blade - a two edged sword thirty-two inches in length.

The long swords made at Shotley Bridge, and used in the English Army were of such marvellous temper that the point might be bent and pressed back on the hilt, with the certainty that when released it would become as straight as if it had never been bent.

There was one kind of sword made at Shotley Bridge, called the Hollow Blade, which, it has been widely stated, none in England, but the Shotley Bridge sword-makers could make to perfection, and they required peculiar workmanship.

In the engraving and polishing department, the local swordmakers, however, though excellent, were frequently equalled and sometimes excelled, for they did not regard as much the polish as the temper of their swords, and they were unequalled in substantial qualities. Their swords were made for use and not for show, for the battlefield and not for the drawing room, for soldiers and not for courtiers. Much of, the work of engraving the blades for the swords was done by outsiders amongst those who were sometimes employed in this kind of work was Thomas Bewick, afterwards the celebrated engraver, who was apprenticed to Ralph Beilby, engraver of Gateshead in October 1767, and who himself tells us that amongst the first jobs he was put to was that of “etching sword blades for William and Nicholas Oley, sword manufacturers of Shotley Bridge”.

Another first-rate sword engraver was Robert Wilson, who resided in the neighbourhood of Shotley Bridge, and who was best known as “Witch Wilson,” because of his seemingly supernatural powers and capabilities. He was generally employed by the Oleys to engrave their best ornamental blades. In time competition in the making of swords increased, and the art in tempering steel became no longer a secret. After the close of Napoleon's career as a man of war in 1815, the demands for swords diminished, and in time when the rifle began to take the place of the sword, the once flourishing industry declined, and eventually ceased altogether, after having had a flourishing existence for about a century and a half.

The following notice appeared in the London Gazette in August 1690, “Whereas great industry hath been used for erecting a manufactory for making sword blades at Newcastle, by several able working men, brought over from Germany, which being now brought to perfection, the undertakers thereof have thought fit to settle a warehouse at Mr. Isaac Hadley's, at the Five Beds, in New Street, near Shoreham, London, where callers may be furnished with all sorts of sword blades at reasonable rates”.

Having an abundance of employment and great remuneration the sword makers enjoyed a long continued tide of prosperity. Though their workmen had large wages, their profits were very high, as the demand for their articles was insatiable. Their travelling expenses involved only a journey once a year to London, and they soon acquired considerable property.

William Oley was the person who in 1787 built the cottage called Cutlers Hall, and which has since given a name to the locality and the road. Over the doorway of the house in question was inscribed -

CUTLERS HALL

W. A. 1787

The initials were those of William and Ann Oley. This William Oley died in 1810 aged 73 years and his wife Ann in 1831 aged 94 years, and both are buried at Ebchester. He was a man of property and at his death owned nearly the whole of the village of Shotley Bridge, and the adjoining fields and gardens, which have however, passed into other hands.

This advertisement appeared in the Newcastle Courant, issue of 16^th May, 1724

“To be sold, a sword grinding mill, with about eight acres of ground, a very good head of water, situated on Derwent Water in the County of Durham; also a very good house, etc., all now within possession of William Mohil at Shotley Bridge, who will treat with any about the same.”

There were several sword mills at Shotley Bridge. The sword shops of the Oley family stood on either side of the house with the inscription over the door in Wood Street, and there generation after generation carried on a most ingenious and lucrative business. Another stood on the right bank of the Derwent, near the South side of the bridge, and a portion of it was built up in a house still standing, this mill being driven by water from the Derwent. Along the rocks in the bed of this river on the west side of the bridge, just above the pool known as the “Bluther,” are a number of square holes in which stood the timbers which formed a dam to check the water into a mill-race which drove the sword mill. Another sword mill stood on the site of the Shotley Grove Paper Mills. It belonged to the Johnsons, an English family, who had learned the art of sword cutlery from the German Swordmakers, and passed into the hands of the Annandales in 1812, when it was transferred into a Paper Mill after an existence of half a century.

CHAPTER FOUR

PUBLIC SERVICES

EDUCATION - EARLY SCHOOLS

British Schools

ERECTED in 1840, for many years the only educational buildings in Consett were the British schools, the property of the Iron Company, by whom they were solely managed and sustained and who, during a period of about a dozen years, twice enlarged them, to meet the growing requirements of the town. They were situated at the top of Trafalgar Street. In 1866, the Company gave up their direct connection with the Schools at Consett, Blackhill and Leadgate, and let them to others at a nominal rent for the purpose of carrying on the education of the masses in the densely-populated district. By this arrangement, the management of these Schools at Consett passed into the hands of Mr. J. Priestman, Mr. David Dale, and the Rev. F. Steggall. During the first year of their new career, the receipts, including Government grant, amounted to £203 5s. 7d., whilst the expenditure was £223 9s. 7d. Since then the Schools were for many years, almost self-supporting. In the Mixed Department, which was in the charge of the headmaster (Mr. G. T. Hyden) and Miss Jennings, there was an average of 280 scholars. Miss Stanger had the direction of the Infants' Department, where there was an average attendance of 150.

In 1881, the school buildings which belonged to the Church of England, Roman Catholic, Wesleyan, and British School trustees and managers, had accommodation for more than 2,000 children. Previous to the Education Act of 1870, there were only two public schools in Consett receiving Government aid - the Roman Catholic and the British, together providing accommodation for 800 children. In due course, notice was received by the local authority to provide further room for 350 children, and this was accomplished by the enlargement of the Roman Catholic Schools and by the erection of National Schools, for 400 children, in connection with the Parish Church. After this was done, although the requirements of the Education Act had been fully met, it was found that the number of children actually attending the schools was greatly in excess of the original estimate made of the juveniles of school age, and it became necessary again to increase the school accommodation.

The National Schools

The east elevation of the School was built for girls and infants, and faced Church Street. The south elevation was built for boys, and was so arranged as to be available for public meetings, as it seated comfortably 720 persons. It was 72 feet in length, 32 feet in width, and 36 feet in height. It had a gallery which seated 120 persons, and a platform to hold 50. The total cost of these buildings, which included a school-keeper's house was £3,800. The Consett Iron Company provided the site. Thomas Spencer, Esq., of the Grove, Ryton, one of the proprietors of the Newburn Steel Works gave £2,000 towards the building fund. The Schools were under the management of the Vicar, Curate, Mr. Aynsley, and Mr. Joseph Murray, and the children were taught by Mr. Dawson (headmaster), Miss Paxton, and Miss Shepherd.

Wesleyan Schools

These schools, situated in Gibson Street, were built of white fire-brick, designed to give them a clean and picturesque appearance. They consisted of a mixed school 56 feet by 24 feet, an infant school 24 feet square, and four commodious classrooms. These schools were erected in 1879. Much interest was taken in the enthusiasm shown on the occasion of the foundation stones being laid, several of the children laying bricks. The total cost of the School was about £1,300. The master and mistress, Mr. Jackson and Miss White, were assisted by an efficient staff of teachers.

Roman Catholic Schools

Dedicated to the Apostle of Ireland, they were opened on St. Patrick's Day, 1872, and were attended by an average of 550 children. Previous to their erection no Catholic School existed in the town, and in consequence the children were obliged to walk to Blackhill. The accommodation was unlimited, the main building, the largest in the town, being 120 feet in length, with a breadth of 40 feet. There was also an Infant School 49 feet by 24 feet with a large room above which was used as a club room and for general purposes. The Schools were under the direction of the Sisters of Charity connected with St. Mary's Church, Blackhill, and the reports of Her Majesty's Inspector showed that the teaching of these ladies was thoroughly efficient, Consett having gained the largest percentage of passes of any school in the district. The money required to build these large schools was wholly contributed by the working men of Consett and Blackhill. Father Smith, to whose untiring exertions the Schools owed their existence, and whose supervision largely contributed to their high prosperity, never asked for a single sixpence out of the parish.

In 1882, in Benfieldside area, there were five public and three adventure schools, giving accommodation to about 1,200 children. Two of the schools were at Blackhill, one the Grammar School, being conducted by Mr. Wylie, while the other was conducted by Mrs. Clements. The third was a boarding school for young ladies at Shotley Bridge, conducted by Mrs. Burton. The schools attached to St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church gave accommodation for 232 children, but the space being insufficient to meet the requirements of the population, the old schoolroom in Durham Road was purchased in 1880 from the Master and Brethren of Sherburn Hospital, and was used as an Infants' School. The Shotley Grove School, with a residence for the master, was built by Mrs. Annandale in 1841, and was principally attended by the children of the workmen employed at the Paper Mills. It could accommodate about 150 pupils. Mr. John Collinson was the master.

The adoption of the Education Act in 1877, necessitated the provision of extra accommodation, and the following year “large, commodious and elegant schools” were erected at the expense of the township. The old schoolhouse in Derwent Street, erected in 1844 with the savings of Isabella Wilkinson, who for a period of forty years was a faithful servant in the family of Thomas Richardson, Esq., of Sunderland, was used as a board school for infants living in the higher portions of the township. Mr. Philip Teare was the headmaster, the other teachers being Miss Kinnear, Miss Phillips, and Miss Ridley. In 1882, the members of the School Board were: Mr. Charles Wilson (Chairman), Mr. Jonathan Priestman (Vice-chairman), Mr. Henry Cars, William Baited, Rev. Alexander Baillie, Mr. Wm. Wilson, and Mr. William Telford. Mr. Robert Grenfell Barclay was Clerk.

It was the custom of one of the early Headmasters to arrive at twenty past nine, complete with top hat, umbrella and gloves, and these he would hand to his chief assistant who was waiting on the door step of the school to greet him. He would receive in return a cane, with which he would administer punishment to all the late-comers, who were lined up in readiness.

It was not unusual for the same headmaster to walk along Middle Street, cane in hand, and punish a boy in front of his parents. The father of the child would raise his hat in respect, and punishment being administered, the two parties would go their separate ways.

In one of the local schools, if a pupil wished to leave the room, a pendulum suspended from the ceiling was set in motion. The scholar in question had to return before the pendulum stopped swinging. Failure to do so indicated that he had been “playing (during) the wag!”

Now administering the schools set out below is a Divisional Education Office at Durham Road, Blackhill with a staff of 13 which includes five Educational Welfare Officers. Divisional Education Officer: J. S. Ward. Chief Clerk: J. A. Davidson.

Schools and Head teachers in the Consett Urban District Area, 1963

R.C. Mixed School, Blackhill, Consett. Miss D. M. Flint.

R.C. Infants' School, Blackhill, Consett. Miss M. M. Meehan.

R.C. Junior Mixed School, The Grove, Consett. Mr. P. Grimes.

County Junior Mixed School, Consett. Mr. G. H. Howatt.

County Infants' School, Consett. Miss O. Bloomfield.

C.E. Junior Mixed and Infants' School, Consett. Retired.

R.C. Senior Mixed School, Consett. Mr. F. J. Hughes.

R.C. Junior Mixed School, Consett. Miss H. Kay.

C.E. Junior Mixed School, Ebchester, Consett. Mr. T. R. Hogg.

R.C. Senior Mixed School, Brooms, Leadgate, Consett. Miss H. McCarthy.

R.C. Junior Mixed School, St. Ives' Road, Leadgate. Miss M. J. Johnson.

C.E. Junior Mixed School, St. Ives' Road, Leadgate. Mr. P. Eastland.

County Junior Mixed School, Leadgate, Consett. Mr. J. C. Hall.

County Infants' School, Leadgate, Consett. Miss D. Robinson.

County Junior Mixed School, Shotley Bridge. Mr. J. J. Robson.

C.E. Junior Mixed School, Medomsley, Consett. Mr. L. Curnow.

R.C. Mixed School, Low Westwood, Hamsterley Colliery. Mr. J. Kelly.

County Junior Mixed School, Benfieldside, Blackhill. Mr. E. Appleby.

County Infants' School, Benfieldside, Blackhill. Miss G. Maud.

County Infants' School, Blackhill. Mrs. D. Dunn.

County Junior Mixed School, High Westwood. Mr. E. V. Smith.

County Junior Mixed School, The Grove, Consett. Mr. S. Breen.

County Junior Mixed School, Delves Lane, Consett. Mr. J. Redshaw.

Modern School, Benfieldside, Blackhill. Mr. H. Hall.

Mixed Modern School, Consett. Mr. J. Willis.

Modern School, Moorside, Consett. Mr. J. G. Ellison.

The Grammar School, Durham Road, Blackhill, Consett. Mr. H. Bradley.

THE SHOTLEY BRIDGE AND CONSETT DISTRICT GAS COMPANY

THE Company was formed at a meeting of the promoters held in the Mechanics' Institute, Shotley Bridge on the 9^th June, 1856. At this meeting the following gentlemen were elected as promoters and provisional directors: -

Chairman-William Backhouse of Shotley Bridge-Ironmaster.

Vice-Chairman-Charles Ianson of Shotley Bridge.

Jonathan Backhouse Richardson of Shotley Lodge-Manufacturer.

Thomas Richardson, Jnr., of Shotley Park-Manufacturer.

John Renton of Shotley Bridge-Surgeon.

Robert Dickinson of Shotley Bridge-Manufacturer.

Joseph Dickinson of Shotley Bridge-Timber Merchant.

Geo. Hopper Burnett of Wood House, Black Hedley-Surveyor.

Geo. Watson of Shotley Bridge-Draper.

Thomas Wilson of Shotley Hall and Peter Annandale of Shotley Grove were elected trustees of the Company, and Martin Bell, a teacher of the Shotley Grove School, was appointed Secretary. The Company was originally registered as the Shotley Bridge Gas Company Limited on the 13th October, 1856, with a capital of £6,000. Meanwhile the erection of a Gasworks on part of the present site of the Company's Works was commenced under the supervision of Mr. Arnott, Gas Engineer of Newcastle-on-Tyne.

The erection of the Gasworks was completed in December, 1856, and gas was first supplied to the district between the 19^th and 26^th of this month. The price charged for gas was 5 /- per 1,000 cu. ft. Coal supplies were obtained from Ebchester and Medomsley, the price being 5/- per ton. In view of the demand for gas for lighting purposes, rapid expansion of the Company's interests took place during the next few years, and it became necessary to increase the capital to maintain development. In accordance with the Provisions of the Shotley Bridge and Consett District Gas Act of 1869 the original Company was dissolved and reconstituted under its present title with a total capital of £30,000.

At this period Shotley Bridge was the busiest part of the area, the paper mills and flour mill being in operation. During the years that followed the district gradually changed from mainly rural to a considerable urban area due to the development of industry and the Gas Company extended its affairs accordingly. The offices of the Company were moved from Green Street, Shotley Bridge, to newly erected premises in Front Street, Shotley Bridge in the year 1888.

Two items, of interest occurred in the 1890's. The year 1896 brought the introduction of the automatic or “penny-in-the-slot” meters, and in 1899 the first incandescent lamp was fixed near Consett Parish Church. The first Showroom was opened in Gibson Street, Consett, in 1913. A further Showroom situated at the offices of the Company in Front Street, Shotley Bridge, was opened in 1924. In 1937 the head office and showrooms of the Company were transferred to modern premises in Consett. On the 1st May, 1949 following the nationalisation of the Gas Industry by the Gas Act of 1948 the Company was transferred to the Northern Gas Board.

The production of gas at the Shotley Bridge Works, which commenced in December, 1856, continued for almost 100 years until the gasmaking plant was shut down in November, 1954, following the completion of a pipeline from the Fell Coke Works of the Consett Iron Company to the Shotley Bridge Works to supply gas from the Coke Oven Works.

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IN CONSETT

THE first public electricity supply was supplied by the Cleveland and Durham Electric Power Company who obtained by Act of Parliament an electric lighting order in 1901. The Newcastle Electric Supply Company acquired shares in the Cleveland and Durham Electric Power Company in 1917 and in 1922 all the systems for which the Cleveland Company was responsible, were operated from Newcastle.

The developing use of electric power in the North East and the Newcastle area called for a change in the administration of the Supply Industry and the North East Electric Supply Company was formed in 1932. This Company continued until the Industry was nationalised in 1948 and responsibility for electricity supplies was vested in the North Eastern Electricity Board.

Supplies to Consett Iron and Steel Works and local collieries were for many years the responsibility of Consett Iron Company and the National Coal Board. In recent years the N.C.B. have increased the electrification of many collieries and have made increased demands for electricity from the Electricity Board. The Templetown Power Station at Consett which closed down in 1961 was replaced by supplies from the Board. The Consett Iron Company in recent years have also taken power from the Board's networks.

At the present time the Board supplies 28,500 domestic consumers, 263 agricultural consumers, 2,000 commercial consumers, six public lighting and 277 industrial consumers in the Consett District.

This District of the Board comprises: Consett Urban District, Stanley Urban District, the following parishes in Lanchester Rural District - Greencroft, Healey-field, Lanchester, Muggleswick and the following parishes in Weardale Rural District-Edmundbyers and Hunstanworth.

Service Centres have been established at Consett and Stanley and these deal with consumers' enquiries, and display a wide range of appliances and receive accounts.

The demand for electricity has an average increase of about 8 % every year and to meet this growth in demand the Board has invested many millions of pounds. As a result of this investment programme and to meet electricity demands in the Consett District alone there are 252 miles of overhead cable and 130 miles of under-ground mains and there are 550 transformers and substations.

The first general electricity supply in the Shotley Bridge area originated from a small power station built by the Cleveland and Durham Supply Company in 1903 and situated at Knitsley Lane, Consett.

This building is now used as a substation and the name of the original supply company and the date of erection can be seen engraved in the stonework above the building. At about the same time as this power station was constructed, an underground cable was laid from the station along Knitsley Lane, across Front Street, along part of Berry Edge Road, Albert Road, Church Street, Newmarket Street, Park Road, Derwent Street, Oxley Street and past the end of Walton Street and Bottle Bank. A branch from this cable was laid to the Olympia Cinema in Derwent Street and this may have been the first premises to obtain supply in the Blackhill area. The electricity was generated by means of two generating sets probably driven by oil engines and again the position of these generators may be seen from the structure of the foundations although the actual plant was removed many years ago.

During 1906 the generators were replaced by means of a 20kV supply obtained from Consett Iron Company by means of another underground cable as at that time Consett Iron Company had their own power station plus a 20kV supply from a power station situated on the River Tyne.

The original power station at Knitsley Lane was at this time converted into a substation and the 20kV cable from the Consett Iron Company was taken to this substation, where a transformer reduced the voltage to 3,000 volts and this supply was connected to the aforementioned underground cable.

In 1924 a new substation was erected in Oxley Street near where the Celluware factory is, and this became known as Benfieldside substation. This substation was used to reduce the voltage from 3,000 volts to 415/240 volts, providing supplies direct to the houses in the area.

In 1927 another substation was erected and commissioned to provide general supplies in Shotley Bridge Village. This substation was suppled by means of an underground cable laid from the Benfieldside substation. Since then there have been several other substations erected in the area to cater for new housing and for the ever increasing demand for electricity.

A further item of interest is that Shotley Bridge Hospital which used to be known as the Whinney House Mental Hospital, had its own generating plant until 1940 when a new substation called Shotley Tinkerhill substation was commissioned in order to provide supplies to the hospital and to take over part of the network, which was originally supplied from Shotley Bridge substation.

HISTORY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN CONSETT

THE present Consett Urban Area was formed in 1937 as a result of the Durham County Review Order of that year. The area was created by the amalgamation of the previously existing Urban Districts of Consett, Benfieldside and Leadgate together with portions of the Lanchester Rural District i.e. the parishes of Knitsley, Ebchester and Medomsley. This new area of some 10,042 acres with a population of almost 40,000 thus forms one of the largest local government urban units in the North East of England.

A detailed historical account of the growth of Consett is given elsewhere in this book and the present consideration is confined to those aspects appertaining to the local government control of the area. Historians assure us that the parish as a local government unit is of Saxon origin but there is evidence of the division of certain parts of England into parishes as early as AD. 670 during the jurisdiction of Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury. Authoritative opinion suggests an ecclesiastical origin throughout the country for this early unit of local administration. The temptation to explore the unfolding history of civil parochial administration is resisted but attention is drawn to the Poor Law Act of 1603 which created the parish as a statutory authority for Poor Law purposes. It is somewhat startling to realise that the rating system in England and Wales is still partially based upon the statute of Elizabeth entitled “The Poor Relief Act, 1601”. The parish was the original unit of responsibility for highways and the Surveyors of Highways throughout England and Wales constituted for many years one of the most active forms of local control, particularly as those surveyors became in many instances “handymen” of the parish.

In early times many of the smaller centres of population were for a variety of reasons granted by the reigning monarch charters of incorporation by which large towns assumed title and dignity of Boroughs. Other communities, like Consett, however, remained outside the local government system of those times but between 1872 and 1875 Parliament recognised the right of self government to a limited degree for such places by creating by the Public Health Acts of those years the Urban and Rural Sanitary Authorities; and in 1894 local government again progressed by the conversion of those Sanitary Authorities into Urban and Rural Councils. It is often claimed that the most democratic form of English local government is to be found in the constitution of the Urban and Rural District Councils where the locally elected Councillors still retain an intimate knowledge and association with the local ratepayers. This is a vital feature of personal local government which cannot be achieved in the larger cities and boroughs by reason of the size and population of these areas.

Local Boards were formed in the Consett, Benfieldside and Leadgate Districts by the Local Government Act of 1894 and the districts of the Urban Sanitary Authorities are now called Urban Districts and the local Boards which previously governed are called Urban District Councils. The first meetings of the Consett, Benfieldside and Leadgate Urban District Councils were held early in 1895 and the last meetings of such Authorities in March of 1937.

The first meeting of the newly amalgamated Consett Urban District Council was held in Consett on the 5th April, 1937. The Urban District is divided into eight wards and the Council comprises of twenty-nine Councillors representing Wards as follows:-

Benfieldside	3
Blackhill ...	4
Consett North	4
Consett South	4
Delves Lane and Crookhall	4
Ebchester ...	1
Leadgate ...	4
Medomsley	5

All the officials of the Council are full-time Officers and the Authority owns almost 4,000 houses of which 1,1681 were built prior to the 1939/45 War. Many of the post-war houses have been and are being built by the Council's Direct Labour Department and the Council are also responsible for all roads within the Urban Area including almost 34 miles of classified roads and 59 miles of unclassified roads. The rateable value of the area for 1963 was over 11 million pounds and the product of a Id. rate was £5,900 and the total number of inhabited houses in the area is over 12,000. The Council owns many public parks and playgrounds, new modern swimming baths, cemeteries, etc., and is the second largest Urban Authority in the County of Durham. The Local Authority actively participates and encourages progress and new projects in the town and this work in conjunction with the industrial modernisation by the local Steel Works makes Consett a very modern, up-to-date town.

Urban District of Consett

Members of the Council, 1963-1964

Chairman: J. Redshaw, J.P.

Vice-chairman: Councillor N. F. Nattrass, O.B.E., J.P.

Benfieldside Ward:

Arthur Askew, Rena Mohon, J.P. (Mrs.), and Sydney William Smith, M.M.

Blackhill Ward:

Basil Chisholm, John Donnelly, Sarah Donnelly (Mrs.), Desmond William McClean.

Consett North Ward:

Norman Heaviside, John Thomas Stobbs, Lawrence Arthur Thomas, and Miss Mary Walker.

Consett South Ward:

Albert William Davies, Joseph Redshaw, Edward Smith, and Thomas Arthur Walton.

Delves Lane and Crookhall Ward:

Fred Agar, Robert Bell, Ronald George Knowles, Norman Fairless Nattrass, OBE, J.P.

Ebchester Ward:

William Brown.

Leadgate Ward:

William Jemson, Albert W. Finch, John Redvers Sudder, J.P., and William Walton, B.E.M.

Medomsley Ward:

William Beck, Gordon Henry Howatt, John Hunt, M.M., B.E.M., Thomas William Maddison, and Isabella Williamson (Mrs.).

Officers of the Council

Clerk of the Council: J. Quinn, B.COMM., D.P.A.

Deputy Clerk of the Council: H. P. Broadbelt, A.C.I.S.

Treasurer: E. Davis, F.I.M.T.A.

Deputy Treasurer: D. Naybour, A.I.M.T.A.

Engineer and Surveyor: D. M. Craig, B.Sc., A.M.I.C.E., A.I. MUN.E.

Deputy Surveyor: T. J. M. Ripley, M.I.S.A., M.I.H.E.

Building Manager: J. A. Browne.

Medical Officer: Miss R. Hill, M.B., B.CH., B.A.O., D.P.H.

Chief Public Health Inspector & Meat Inspector: H. Walton, M.A.P.H.I., M. INST.R.A.

Additional Public Health Inspectors: T. E. Hodgson, M.A.P.H.I., B. Armstrong, M.A.P.H.I.

Housing Manager: J. D. M. Beveridge, A.I.HSG.

Shops Inspector: G. W. Robson, M.I.S.A.A. Market Inspector: R. Urwin.

Baths Manager: J. K. Orkney, A.I.B.M.

Parks' Superintendent: T. W. Dodd.

Previous Chairmen of Consett Urban District Council

1937-1940 J. R. Ashby, M.B.E.., J.P.

1940-1941 T. McAloon, J.P.

1941-1942 G. T. Hedley, J.P.

1942-1943 A. Bridgewater, J.P.

1943-1944 J. R. Surtees, J.P.

1944-1945 G. A. Bellam, J.P.

1945-1946 G. Holden, J.P.

1946-1947 J. A. Robinson, B.E.M., J.P.

1947-1948 N. F. Nattrass, O.B.E., J.P.

1948-1949 P. Ferguson, J.P.

1949-1950 J. W. Wilkinson, J.P.

1950-1951 W. Beck, J.P.

1951-1952 R. G. Knowles, J.P.

1952-1953 J. Donnelly, J.P.

1953-1954 T. A. Walton, J.P.

1954-1955 G. H. Howatt, J.P.

1955-1956 E. Smith, J.P.

1956-1957 W. Walton, B.E.M., J.P.

1957-1958 J. Hunt, M.M., J.P.

1958-1959 T. W. Maddison, J.P.

1959-1960 B. Chisholm, J.P.

1960-1961 R. Bell, J.P.

1961-1962 J. R. Sudder, J.P.

1962-1963 Mrs. I. Williamson, J.P.

1963-1964 J. Redshaw, J.P.

GROWTH OF THE POLICE FORCE

THE term “Bobbies” originated in the year 1829, when the then Home Secretary, Sir Robert Peel, was instrumental in passing a Bill through Parliament to organise a police force. This was done in an effort to try and suppress the serious riots which took place in those days. At that time the police were confined principally to the London area. It is also known that the police were called “Peelers” after Sir Robert Peel. They first came to Durham County in 1839, when the government decided that there should be a strength of one policeman in proportion to every thousand of the population. In those days the total strength of the police in Durham County was sixty-six. In comparison, today's strength is almost 1,600.

It was in the year 1839 that the County Police Act was passed, and the police of Consett, which only numbered two, were controlled from Durham as there were only five recognized police areas in the whole of the County. It is known that these first police were welcomed by showers of stones and abuse, from the public. The most serious of offences in those days were highway robbery, horse and sheep stealing, and all persons convicted of these crimes were sentenced to death.

As the police force gradually increased at Consett, the need arose for a permanent building to house them and for administrative purposes, and the present police court and offices were erected in 1887. The Consett Police Division covers an area of 156,000 acres and has a population of 85,000. The Division extends to Stanhope, Wolsingham, Wearhead, Tow Law, Lanchester, Burnhope, Chopwell, Leadgate, Blackhill and Consett itself. In comparison with the days of the first policeman, when correspondence was carried between Divisions on horseback or pony and trap, today there are adequate police vehicles equipped with two-way radios. This strength can be augmented at any given time by asking headquarters for further cars, equipment, frogmen, dogmen, canteens, mobile police stations and C.I.D. specialists.

Records show that the first policeman to be resident in the Consett District was a P.C. Allinson, in the year 1856, and he was resident at Shotley Bridge. Up to 1875, the magisterial business of the courts was transacted at Shotley Bridge in a building owned by a Messrs. Annandale and Sons. The lease of this building expired in 1871, and in reporting the facts to the justices at the Quarter Sessions, Colonel White, then Chief Constable of the Durham County Constabulary, expressed a strong recommendation that advantage ought to be taken of this lease expiring to construct a more commodious building, adding in his report that it would be a great advantage to the police and to the inhabitants of the Consett District. He also recommended that the Petty Sessional courts should be held at Consett instead of Shotley Bridge. Numerous petitions on this subject were sent by the inhabitants of the district to the Chairman of the Quarter Sessions with a result that the new police courts at Consett were sanctioned and business transferred there.

A BRIEF HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WATER SUPPLY TO CONSETT

PREVIOUS to 1860, the system of supplying the people of the district with water, a principal necessary of life, as well as a great sanitary agent, was of the most wretched description. Their only source of supply was derived from carts, by which water was collected at the neighbouring springs, and led from door to door. The condition of things became unbearable, and Mr. John Gledstone, Mr. John Calvert, and a few other public-spirited gentlemen resident in the vicinity, bestirred them-selves in the matter. In 1859, they caused a series of investigations to be made on the fells to the west of Consett, and the examinations made being in every way satisfactory, a Company was formed, and Parliamentary powers obtained in 1860. For several years, the water was conveyed direct from the springs to Consett, but this supply, which was necessarily limited during the summer months, proved inadequate to the growing requirements of the surrounding district, and an extension Act was obtained in 1869, and the following year they commenced the erection of a storage reservoir at Smiddy Shaw, about a mile from Waskerley. The Parliamentary estimate for this reservoir amounted to about £52,000. After the works were commenced, an extension in the size and length of the embankment was ordered, increasing the estimate to nearly £60,000. The actual cost however, was more than £86,000, this increase being caused by the great advance in the price of labour and material which took place soon after the work on the reservoir had started. The works included an embankment 1,100 yards in length, with a maximum height of 51 feet and containing 650,000 cubic yards of earthwork. They were carried out directly by the Company, without the help of a contractor, from the designs of Mr. W. Bouch of Darlington, and Mr. T. Hawkesley of London, under the management of Mr. J. Hannah, of Middlesbrough, the resident engineer. This reservoir was capable of delivering 500,000 gallons of water per day, and had a storage capacity of 305 million gallons. The work was completed in 1877.

In 1894 the demand for water having very considerably increased, the Company obtained powers to construct three additional Reservoirs across the Hisehope, Eudon and Feldon Burns, respectively, and the Company's limits of supply were again extended. The Reservoir at Hisehope was constructed with a storage capacity of 106 million gallons, but the powers in respect of the other two reservoirs were allowed to lapse.

The Weardale and Shildon District Waterworks Company was incorporated in 1866 to meet the requirements of those districts situated in the southern part of the County, and was empowered to construct Impounding Reservoirs at Waskerley and Tunstall. The former was completed in 1872 with a storage capacity of 450 million gallons, and the latter in 1879 with a storage capacity of 520 million gallons.

Further powers for construction of additional Works, including several Service Reservoirs, were authorised under the Company's 1875 and 1879 Acts.

By the year 1900 it became necessary for the Consett Company to purchase water from the Weardale Company in order to enable them to meet the requirements of their District. In these circumstances the Directors of both Companies (many of whom were interested in both Undertakings) sought the advice of their Consulting Engineers as to the best course to be pursued to ensure the safety of both areas of supply.

The Consett Company were advised to seek Powers to construct a Pumping Station at Presser by means of which additional water would be obtained from streams in that neighbourhood, and the Reservoir at Feldon which had been authorised in 1894. The Weardale Company were advised to construct the Reservoir at Bishop Oak which had been authorised under their 1875 Act, and a further Reservoir at Burnhope. It was at this stage that the project of constructing an Impounding Reservoir at Burnhope was first put forward.

Bills were prepared and presented to Parliament by both the Companies, embodying these proposals, and at the same time Powers were included for the amalgamation of both Companies under the title of the Weardale and Consett Water Company. Of these Works, which were duly authorised by Parliament in 1902, effect was only given to that referring to the construction of the Pumping Station at Presser, and the Powers conferred in respect of the other Works were allowed to lapse.

Due to the serious drought which occurred in 1913 the needs for obtaining additional water were so urgent that it became necessary to promote a further Bill in 1915 reviving the lapsed Powers for the construction of the Burnhope Reservoir. These revived Powers provided that its construction should commence within five years from the passing of the Act, and the time for its completion was fixed at fifteen years from that date, but due to the Great War its construction was completely postponed.

Under the same Act (1915) the Company was authorised to construct an Intake and Weir across the Burnhope Burn, to intercept the waters of that stream, and a line of pipes to convey the waters thus intercepted to connect with their existing system of supply, pending the construction of the Burnhope Reservoir.

The Burnhope Reservoir was eventually completed, much greater in size, in 1937 and the demand from the North West of the Board's area is so great that the bulk of the water is now supplied from Burnhope and Waskerley Reservoirs.

The water from the earlier works, including the springs and Smiddy Shaw Reservoir, was conveyed to the Ironworks and to the town by a 12-inch diameter cast iron pipe. In 1897 “slow-sand” filters were built at Honey Hill, about one mile north-west of Smiddy Shaw Reservoir, on the route of the 12-inch main, and another 12-inch main was laid therefrom to take the filtered water into Consett. The old 12-inch main was then used to carry unfiltered water to the Consett Iron Company, as it does to this day.

In 1911 the first “rapid gravity” filter plant in the world was built at Honey Hill and this was followed some 25 years later by a “pressure filter” plant to deal with the greatly increased demands for water. All these plants will be replaced in about 12 years time by a new automatic rapid gravity plant now being built on a nearby site. The principle of all these filters is the same in that the water passes through a layer of about three feet of sand leaving behind in the top layers of the sand sediment and other fine impurities. The old “slow sand” filters allowed water to pass through only very slowly, took up a lot of space, were difficult to clean, and they could not remove the brown colour from the water. The newer “rapid” filters and “pressure filters” took up less space and were easier to clean and produced a clearer water. The new automatic plant is of very latest type designed to produce clear, colourless water at an average rate of seven million gallons a day.

TRANSPORT

Travel by Stage Coach

IN 1801, the farm on the north bank of the Derwent at Allansford used to be known as Castle Inn, and before the road widening scheme, rings could be seen in the walls. These were relics of the days when the Inn was a regular stop for the stage coach from Catterick to Edinburgh. Recent alterations to the farm have revealed traces of the old stables.

Extract from:

CARY'S

New Itinerary,

or an

Accurate Delineation

of the

GREAT ROADS

Both direct and Cross throughout ENGLAND AND WALES.

The Number of Houfes and Inhabitants contained in each town, and thofe Inns which fupply Poft horfes and carriages.

(Published 1815)

Page 435

To Catterick Bridge

Cross the Swale and on 1. to Richmond, 3m.; a little further, on r. to Yarm 17.

Black Bull Inn.

Three Tuns.

On r. to Darlington, 8½ m.; on 1. to Bowes, 15½ .

Cross the Tees R. which on 1. rises in Milbourn Forest, passes through Barnard Castle, and on r. through Yarm, Stockton and etc., thence into the sea.

Pierce Bridge-Cross.

On r. to Darlington 5m.; Durham 20, and Edinburgh, by Berwick, 156¼ on 1. to

Barnard Castle 12¾.

Royal Oak Inn.

West Auckland Cross. on r. to Durham 13½ m. on 1. to Barnard Castle, 11½.

Cross the river Wear which on 1. rises at Wearhead passes through Wolsingham, and on r. through Durham and enters the sea at Sunderland.

Witton le Wear.

Harperley Lane Head.

Cold Rowley.

Allen's Ford, Castle Inn

Green Head Inn.

Unthank.

Riding-Crown and Hammer

Corbridge.

Wheatsheaf Inn.

Collell.

Tone Pit Inn.

Trough End.

Elisha.

Burness-Church.

Enter Scotland at the Carter Fell.

Doveford-Bridge.

Jedburgh.

Ancrum.

St. Boswell's Green.

Newton.

Dry Grange or Fly Bridge.

Lauder-Bull Inn.

Carfra Mill.

Channel Kirk-Cross Keys.

Falla.

Castertown Haugh Head-King's Head Inn.

Path Head-Cross Keys.

Dalkeith.

Lugton.

Malsford.

Edinburgh. G.P.O.

FIRST ROADS IN CONSETT

IN 1772 and 1779 Acts of Parliament were passed dividing up the common land and making provision for development of roads, quarries, and wells. This was carried out by Commissioners, who drew up a plan dated 13th June, 1781. On this plan was shown the present Front Street, Medomsley Road, to the Hat and Feather, a road from Leadgate to Shotley Bridge via No. 1, Shotley Bridge to Newcastle, and Shotley Bridge to Medomsley, in addition to such roads as the old Roman road from Leadgate to Ebchester.

Extract from the Lanchester Award

And we do hereby assign, set out and appoint another public highway 60 ft. in breadth in, through and over the said moors and commons beginning at or leading out of the said Durham and Hexham road at Watling Street over or along the said moors or common South Westwards into and across the said Shotley Bridge and Durham road till it enters into a communication with the same Stanhope and Newcastle road at or near the south west angle of the second more improvable allotment hereinafter set out to the said William Fewster as the same is now by Stakes and Landmarks staked and set out, which we shall hereinafter refer to and call by the name of Medomsley and Stanhope road.

And we do hereby order, direct and appoint that the said last mentioned public highway shall forever be maintained and kept in repair as hereinafter is mentioned.

On this plan Anthony Wilkinson was to hold lands in the centre of Consett. His possessions amounted to 81 acres, 2 roods, 37 perches, and for this he paid an annual rent of £1 7s. 3d.

RAILWAYS

Hownes Gill

THE upper part of the Stanhope and Tyne Railways was opened at 12 noon on the 15th May, 1834, and in 1854 the North Eastern Railway Co., took over the Railway. Rowley was then the only station in North West Durham, and the only building there was a small but standing on the Tow Law side of the track, half of which was used by the Station Master as an office, and the other half for the use of the general public. The passenger train started from Hownes Gill at that time, before the bridge was built, and this meant that anyone from Consett who wished to go to Darlington had either to take a horse and trap to Rowley Station and pay 6d. toll, as a toll gate existed there, or walk to Hownes Gill, descend the three hundred steps down the side of the ravine, and then ascend the three hundred steps up the other side, to where the train was waiting. Eventually the train would move slowly away, preceded by a man with a flag, either on foot or on horseback, and it was his job to move cattle or sheep off the line. From Rowley the train proceeded to Nanny Meyers at Bank Foot, where it halted and the passengers were at liberty to leave the train and go into the public house, the “Railway Inn,” to have a drink while the train crew checked the couplings on the carriages. When all the passengers were aboard again the train would set off up the hill to Waskerley, and then down into Weardale. In those days the railway company was most accommodating. If the train was chugging along, and someone was seen running to catch it, it conveniently stopped and waited for them to get on.

The rise and development of the North-Eastern Railway

(W. W. Tomlinson)

In November 1831, William Wallis of Westoe leased the coal seams under West Consett and in partnership with Cuthbert Rippon of Stanhope Castle, and William Harrison of Monkwearmouth Grange, he formed a Company to work the coal at Medomsley and the limestone at Stanhope-a project that involved the construction of a railway between those two places with an extension to the mouth of the Tyne. The first locomotive placed on the line at South Shields was built by Robert Stephenson and Company. In September 1834, 100 wagons of Medomsley coal were sent down the line for shipment in the brig, “Sally”.

A further extension was built in 1834, connecting Annfield Plain and Stanhope, but the opening celebrations were unhappily marred by a fateful accident. Four wagons crammed with workmen were started from Weatherhill before the clutch had been released from the drum. There was a sudden jerk, and the shackles snapped. The wagons rushed headlong down the first slope and would have continued much further had not a young man, connected with the railway, switched the runaway set into a siding, where four loaded wagons were standing. In the collison, several persons were injured, two men and one boy fatally.

In 1840, the Company faced bankruptcy and involved Robert Stephenson in its difficulties, because he had been prevailed upon to accept shares in the Company in lieu of £1,000 due to him. As he was the only man of considerable substance in the Company, which was not a limited liability company-he automatically became responsible to the full extent of his estate. After much anxiety, the crisis passed, and in 1842, he was elected Chairman of the Carr House to South Shields Railway.

All the early lines were constructed for mineral traffic, but in the '50's some passenger accommodation was provided. A trip by the Wear and Derwent branches of the Stockton and Darlington Railway over the elevated tract of moorland lying between Crook and Cold Rowley may have been attended with a certain amount of discomfort. Two composite carriages, fitted up with outside handbrakes, were attached to a number of mineral wagons, and drawn up the Sunniside incline by a stationary engine driving a wire cable. From the top of the incline, the train was hauled by a locomotive at a speed limited to 15 miles an hour to Waskerley Park Junction. The line was a single one, with a siding or passing place every 1,500 yards. From Waskerley the wagons were detached and ran loose down Nanny Meyers Slope behind two or three loaded mineral wagons before being coupled to another engine for the remainder of the distance to Cold Rowley. There were no signals or points' men on any part of the journey. When it was necessary to enter a siding, the fireman had to jump off the engine, attend to the switches, and then catch up with the train. No van was provided for the guard who, not infrequently at weekends when the carriages happened to be very full, had to ride outside on the buffer. A few horse-drawn trains also remained up to 1854. One into Ferryhill was started by the horse, which then jumped into a Dandy cart towed at the rear, and rode behind to the next stop.

In 1854, the North-Eastern Railway took over all the local lines which were widely extended until the 1950's and '60's when the competition of road transport led to the closing down of many passenger lines.

THE VENTURE COACH

MORE than 60 years ago, the maroon and yellow coach owned by Mr. Lewis Priestman, who drove it himself, travelled as a stage-coach from Newcastle to Shotley Bridge. It also covered the Harrogate to Scarborough road, and returned the following day, a journey necessitating the use of 70 horses and frequent changes of the four-horse teams. The coach then travelled to Scarborough from Bridlington and back before being used locally for the Shotley Bridge to Blanchland run.

The coach was so punctual that people could set their clocks by it. A squad of eight men could change the team of horses in two minutes. It is interesting that the same coloured horses were always used in these teams. Generally, the horses were bought at Liverpool Mart from America, 70 horses bought in as many minutes being no uncommon occurrence.

VENTURE TRANSPORT COMPANY

ONE of the major operators in the Consett area, Venture Transport, had its beginnings in 1912, operated by five brothers named Reed, who soon after the first World War, joined forces with Messrs. Harrison and Richardson, and ran under the joint name of Venture and Reed Brothers Limited. They pooled their receipts, and this successful arrangement led to the merger in 1938 when the company became Venture Transport Limited. Companies taken over by Venture Transport and its predecessors included Walker's bus service of Edmondbyers, Clydesdale's bus service of Chopwell, the Yellow bus company of Consett, Robson Bros. of High Spen, Bessford Services of High Spen, Parker's bus service of Chopwell, and the C. and E. Bus Company Ltd. of Stanley. The present maintenance premises at Blackhill were bought from the old North-Eastern Breweries. The company operate approximately 100 buses and eight taxis. The name of the company was derived from the Venture stage coach operated by the late Mr. Priestman, who ran a service between Shotley Bridge and Blanchland as late as 1939.

NORTHERN GENERAL TRANSPORT COMPANY

THE Company began to operate from a Chester-le-Street depot in 1913. At that time it owned 16 vehicles and in the course of the year, it carried a million and a quarter passengers. It expanded very rapidly. By 1923, it owned 172 vehicles, by 1933, 386 vehicles, and by 1943, 550 vehicles. A survey shows that by 1947 its services covered 19,000,000 miles a year and carried 109,000,000 passengers. Since that time there has been a steadily maintained increase in passengers and services until by 1963 an estimated yearly figure might be about 150,000,000 passengers. To keep this vast network of services running additional depots have been built at Stanley, Consett, Sunderland and Birtley as well as a great coach-building assembly centre at Bensham.

During the two world wars Company activities were seriously affected. In 1914 the War Department commandeered 28 out of 54 vehicles, and the number of services had to be cut down from thirteen to seven and eventually five. In 1939 as a result of the Second World War 130 vehicles were taken over for National Service and an additional 25 were converted into ambulances. On this occasion however, old stock was brought back into service to maintain normal transport facilities and to assist the war effort.

A striking feature has been the development of tourism. At first one-day tours ran from the district to Keswick and Blackpool and these proved to be so popular that they were quickly succeeded by seven, nine, and fourteen day tours to every corner of the British Isles and, in 1963 to eight European countries. Coach tours like these had become an integral part of the holiday industry and of the activities of local residents by 1963.

CONSETT BRANCH LIBRARY

By H. A. Hodges

FROM cramped premises above a grocer's shop in Middle Street to a well sited, two-storey building in Victoria Road-thus has the development of Consett Library kept pace with that of the town. As the service has grown, so too has the number of people necessary to administer it, until now, in contrast to the original staff of three (librarian and two assistants), the establishment consists of a librarian, eight assistants, four part-time assistants and a Travelling Library driver.

When the library first opened on 3^rd November, 1936, a serious drawback from the point of view of the public was the flight of steep, narrow stairs that had to be climbed. These were the cause of more than one accident and bottlenecks were frequent. Despite this inconvenience, however, and the ever present aroma of bacon from the shop below, the volume of business continued to increase. This is well illustrated by the fact that in 1947 it became necessary to transfer the children's section from the corner it occupied in the adult library, and the upper floor was converted into a very pleasant junior library, with murals by a local artist and its own entrance and exit.

Although the inadequacy of the premises was recognised, post-war building restrictions helped delay plans for a new library, and it was not until July 1959 that the present spacious building was opened. In the meantime library facilities in the district had been extended-since 1952 a Travelling Library based on Consett has been paying fortnightly visits to the farms and houses of rural North-West Durham, and part-time branch libraries were established at Lanchester, Leadgate and Shotley Bridge.

There can be no doubt that the new library was necessary and welcome. While the almost overwhelming rush of the first few days obviously could not last, there has nevertheless been a steady and most gratifying increase in borrowing over the last four years. More than 297,000 books were borrowed in the year 1962-63 (compared with 133,000 in 1937-38), so that now Consett has one of the busiest branch libraries in the Durham County system.

CONSETT FIRE BRIGADE

IN the early days of the town, the Fire Brigade was the joint responsibility of the local council and the water board. In 1910 the only equipment they had was a hose on a handreel, which was mounted on wheels, and was pulled by the firemen them-selves. The hose was fixed to fire hydrants which were painted red, and stood in convenient places throughout the town. In 1925 a fire escape was bought, but seldom used. In those days, the greatest problem was water pressure. At the fire at Templetown, when the old roller skating rink was burned down, the pressure was so low, that when the hoses were turned on, water merely trickled out of the end of the pipes. The morning after this fire, police went round all the schools, and recovered many hundreds of pairs of skates, which they took away in wheel-barrows.

When the fire alarm was raised, a large bell rang in the house of Mr. H. Bryant of Hartington Street, who in turn had to run round to Hysope Terrace to collect members of the water board, and then on to the Crescent, to collect other members of the Brigade. Fred Hargreaves was one of the early chiefs of the fire brigade, and he was followed by Tom Hutton. There were only six members to begin with, but in 1930 this number rose to 18. Some of the original firemen were: Messrs. T. Moore, J. Henderson, M. Hodgson, A. Curruthers, J. Donnison, R. Jeimeson, T. Tindle, J. Turnbull, J. Harley, A. Love, and J. Hewitt. In 1930 the town bought its first fire engine, and this helped to solve the problem of pressure.

One of the most dramatic fires took place when the old Tivoli dance hall was destroyed. This was on the site of the present Rex cinema, and consisted of a large billiard hall on top of a dance hall, in front of which was a group of shops. The fire started in one of the shops, and in a matter of minutes the whole front of the building was ablaze. Men playing billiards upstairs, had to escape by the back staircase, and the billiard and snooker balls were still left lying on the tables. The heat was so intense that the slate beds of the tables cracked with such force that the billiard balls were hurled through the roof of the burning building. As one onlooker remarked, “They looked like table tennis balls in a shooting gallery”.

In 1937, the ranks of the local Fire Services were swelled by the recruitment of Auxiliary firemen, it being apparent to the Government that war was likely within two or three years.

Fireman Robert Baird, who joined the A.F.S. in 1939, is still a serving member of the Fire Service at Consett. He remembers that the Fire Brigade was still operating from the old Council yard in Hartington Street when he joined. The Brigade was then using the fire engine bought in 1930. Another member of the early A.F.S. was George Rose who only recently retired and who is now working at the C.I.C. Hostel in Blackhill.

After the nationalisation of the Fire Service a fire station was built in Park Avenue to accommodate the increased establishment and improved equipment.

As a result of the sometimes bitter lessons learned during the big fire blitzs, this nationalisation took place, integrating all fire brigades in England, Scotland and Wales, in August 1941, and Consett Brigade became a unit of the new Service, in a similar manner to which it is now a unit of the Durham County Fire Brigade.

In May 1948, denationalisation took place and the Consett unit was handed back to a local authority, not however this time to Consett Council, but to the Durham County Council, when it became part of the newly formed Durham County Fire Brigade and being known as 'A.9. Consett'.

This station continued to operate from the premises in Park Avenue from 1948 to 1961, attending on average 200 calls a year, until in the latter year, the modern station in Delves Terrace was opened.

This station which is also the Headquarters of the officer in charge of `A' Division of the County Fire Brigade, Divisional Officer W. Tozer, is manned and operated by 18 whole-time firemen with seven Junior Officers under a Station Officer, plus twelve retained or part-time men who are called out when required by call bells and siren. Two modern fire engines are stationed at Consett, carrying between them 650 gallons of water and much equipment including a 50 ft. steel fire escape, breathing apparatus and resuscitation apparatus. In addition, a four-wheel drive vehicle, fitted with a small winch is provided for the use of the Station -Officer. A fire engine capable of delivering 900 gallons of water a minute is also stationed at Consett and is manned by the A.F.S. personnel.

The station provides fire cover for places as far apart as Hamsterley Colliery and Edmundbyers and responds to between 250 and 300 calls of all kinds a year.

The officers and men who man the station must, in this modern age, have a sound working knowledge of many trades, and must amongst other things understand the problems and dangers of radio active substances and many of the complicated processes associated with modern industry.

They must be prepared at a moment's notice to assist the public in a hundred and one ways, apart from dealing with fires, from extricating persons trapped in vehicles after road accidents to alleviating distress from flooding and other disasters, and can be said to be in every sense `Public Servants'.

MINISTRY OF LABOUR - CONSETT EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE

ESSENTIALLY the Exchange provides an employment service for employers and workpeople, and also makes payments to those of the latter who are unemployed and qualify for them. The first Labour Exchanges (as they were then called) in Great Britain were opened by the Board of Trade on 1st February, 1910, 61 in number. Today there are well over 1,000, administered by the Ministry of Labour since its formation in 1917. Consett office began to operate in 1919, using the old Masonic Hall on the first floor at the juncture of Wesley and Middle Streets. The existing Crown building at the corner of Victoria Road and Mason Street opened in 1931.

In the very early days registers were small, since until 1920 only a limited number of trades were state-insured against unemployment. Consett's must have been at its lowest figure when a certain disabled ex-service man, subsequently to serve in the Exchange for many years, was the one and only claimant; he used to tell how he opened the safe and paid himself. To relieve the unemployment which shortly followed the 1914-18 war “out-of-work donations” were paid, and associated with the strikes of 1921-1926 were times of heavy pressure for the “Bureau” as it came to be colloquially known. Then the acute depression of 1929 and the '30's so grossly inflated the registers that the “dole queue” became an accepted feature of the urban scene, 2,683 were unemployed in mid-1932. From 1936-37 “guns before butter” once again in continental Europe stimulated British industry and accordingly the Consett unemployed registers fell appreciably (663 in June, 1937) until the “peace in our time” 1938 message from Munich arrested activities to such an extent that so many men engaged in the local coal, steel and ancillary trades were put on short-time that the Exchange itself had insufficient room to cope with them all and had to be supplemented for a while by the Avenue Sunday school hall. In December of that year 4,142 men and women were unemployed.

At this time also was launched by the Ministry a general drive for voluntary National Service, applications for enrolment being made to the Exchange. With the Military Training Act 1939 the Exchange embarked on 3^rd June that year upon what proved to be the first of many registrations of men for service in the Armed Forces. Following the outbreak of war the words “and National Service” were added to the Ministry's title and remained there until 1959. Conscription ended in 1960.

Throughout the war years the Exchange continued to play its allotted part in the mobilisation of men and women for the Forces, Civil Defence and Industry; operating the many and various statutory labour controls, labour preference systems, training schemes and workers' welfare arrangements.

With the cessation of hostilities came the gradual release of men and women from the Forces and other forms of war effort, and the redistribution of labour to peace-time production. The Exchange began to render a Resettlement Advice Service and many provisions were brought into play, such as the Reinstatement in Civil Employment Act and schemes for Interrupted Apprenticeships, Vocational Training, Further Education and Training, Business Training, Resettlement Grants, Industrial Rehabilitation, Training and Resettlement of Disabled Persons and Overseas Settlement.

For several years after the war certain labour controls continued, with a view to retaining and channelling men into work of national importance. Many will remember the necessity to have a card from the Exchange in order to change their job. As the economy gained momentum there began the period of “full employment” when the problem of the Exchange was to find workers to fill vacant situations. Local citizens will recollect numbers of immigrant workers from various parts of the British Isles and even a party from Italy. Side by side proceeded the task of resettling disabled persons who were not able to do the jobs which were open. Often this was achieved in co-operation with the local hospital, voluntary organisations, sympathetic employers, and by use of the stepping-stones of industrial rehabilitation and vocational training. There were some occasions when the unemployed registers rose a little, as after the Korean War, but by and large the “dole queues” were not seen outdoors again until 1962-63 when the general economic run-down and the long and severe winter gave rise respectively to the C.I.Co.'s work-sharing scheme and heavy unemployment amongst constructional workers. At 11^th February, 1963, 1,097 men and 148 women were unemployed, and at 12^th August, 286 men and 97 women. During the four weeks ended 7^th August, the Exchange found local employment for 101 men and 11 women.

Connected with the Exchange throughout its existence have been statutory tribunals, panels and advisory committees composed of local people nominated by both . sides of industry and various bodies such as local authorities and voluntary organisations whose scope is concerned with employment. Currently there are two committees at Consett, the Local Employment Committee which gives the Minister the benefit of its local knowledge and helps to spread information about the work of the Ministry, and the Disablement Advisory Committee which performs a similar function with special reference to the problems of disablement and appoints panels to deal with particular aspects.

In the post-war period the Exchange has undertaken certain additional work for other government departments, the most widely known perhaps being passport applications.

It can well be imagined therefore that over the years a substantial portion of the adult population has, for one reason or another, passed through the doors of this solid-looking red-brick building. Older visitors in more recent times might have observed the changed make-up of the staff; the 1914-18 ex-service men who formed the bulk of this from the early days of the Ministry's expansion and through the difficult war years have almost all retired, and their younger replacements include a high representation of the opposite sex. As in other spheres the fair ones have shown they can hold their own. One and all, however, realise that by the nature of the services they administer they are unable to meet everyone's requirements; but nevertheless they like to feel that they have a real appreciation of the problems brought by the public whom they serve, and that there are many in the community who can say that their contacts with the Exchange have been worthwhile.

CONSETT GENERAL POST OFFICE

RECORDS go back to 1897, when Consett was a Rural Sub Post Office. A Mr. Thomas Dunne was appointed Sub Postmaster in September of that year at a salary of £85 per year. He was responsible for maintaining a continuous telephone service throughout the night, and was paid an additional 3d. for each disturbance he suffered in doing this. He died in August 1909, and the following year the Office became a Crown Post Office.

Up to 1961, Consett Post Office occupied rented premises in Front Street, and in 1944 a further building was rented in Anne Street. It is interesting that these premises were first of all a pickle factory, then a salt factory, and finally a band hall before the Post Office took over.

New premises in Victoria Road, specially designed for Post Office work, were opened in June 1961 by Councillor J. R. Sudder, the Chairman of the Council. This new building was necessary to deal with the increased amount of business. In 1927, 11 postmen and postwomen dealt with 40,000 letters and 800 parcels per week, whereas in 1963, 41 postmen and postwomen handle 163,000 letters, and 2,200 parcels in the same time. In 1903 there were only three members of staff serving at the counter, in 1927, the number had risen to six, and now ten members are required.

Prior to 1944 deliveries were concentrated in the Consett area, but between 1944 and 1951 more delivery areas were transferred to the Consett Office and now the whole of the area as far as Ebchester, Whittonstall, Kiln Pit Hill, Blanchland, Townfield, Waskerley, Knitsley, Iveston, Leadgate and Medomsley are served from this office.

Deliveries in the outlying districts necessitate the use of motor vehicles, and due to the adverse climate and steep banks, Consett is one of the few areas employing a Diesel Land Rover. To maintain this fleet of vehicles a new Post Office Workshop was built and brought into use in 1961.

Telephone in the Consett Area

The first record that can be ,traced of telephones in the Consett area is in 1892 when two subscribers had telephones from the Northern District National Telephone Company. These subscribers were: -

Murray, J. G., Mount Pleasant.

Murray, J., 21 Middle Street.

In 1893 the first Consett telephone exchange was opened with 15 lines. A Post Office Telephone Directory dated 1907 shows 48 names in the Consett area, some subscribers, however, rented more than one line.

A new exchange was opened in the Sub Post Office premises Front Street in 1913. This had three switchboard operating positions and 24-hour service was maintained by the employment of a Mr. W. R. Proud as a caretaker operator.

The present exchange in John Street was opened on 18^th April, 1931, and at that date had four operating positions with 235 lines. Since then seven extensions to the equipment have been necessary and there are now ten operating positions with just over 1,000 exchange lines.

The present manually operated exchange looks like continuing in service until 1965 when a new automatic exchange with Subscribers Trunk Dialling facilities will be opened. The new exchange will also include subscribers at present using the Shotley Bridge Exchange.

CHAPTER FIVE

THE ROMANCE OF MEDICINE

As the oft maligned National Health Service enters the sixteenth year of its inception, the general public are fortunate in living in an era of startling, almost miraculous, medical discoveries which have altered the whole pattern of both disease and treatment. In addition, in this year of 1963 the lay person has the advantage of intensive health education, which through the media of books, films, and particularly television, has broken down the ignorance and superstition of old time medicine. Words like slipped discs, fibrositis, gastroenteritis, or vertigo are now used in an average vocabulary in ordinary conversation. This education has heightened the pre-existing intense fascination amongst the general public in respect of any matter appertaining to disease or its cure.

The original unit of Medicine, the General Practitioner, still plays a major part in the health of the community, but now he is ably supported by advanced Hospital and Specialist facilities. So it is at present in Consett. An up to date General Hospital at Shotley Bridge, a Maternity Hospital at Blackhill, a Chest Clinic at Villa Real, a Sanitorium at Maiden Law, fifteen General Practitioners, district nurses, midwives, health visitors, ambulances and other ancillary services serving a total population of 40,000, with all units working in one co-ordinated scheme.

This present highly organised state of affairs, with its advances in treatment and lay enlightenment, is a far cry from the standard of medicine existing one hundred or more years ago, when limited facilities and knowledge of disease rendered cures either heroic or crude, and end results poor. To keep a correct perspective however, it is as well to realise that Consettonians in the year 2063 will probably look back then at our present inadequate standard of medicine with equal tolerance and pity.

It is proposed in this chapter to trace the progress of health in the Urban District of Consett from the founding of the town prior to 1840. This will be discussed in two separate parts. Firstly the advance of General Practice and secondly the development of the Hospital Services in the area.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF GENERAL PRACTICE

ANY attempt to trace the history of General Practice health in the Consett community is immediately fraught with difficulties. Records are either elusive or difficult to substantiate, and without the help of a Victorian Mrs. Dale to assist with her medical diary, material has had to be gleaned from three main sources.

Firstly, access has been allowed for the study of Medical Officer of Health reports, for Consett district from the year 1880, and as these yearly accounts of health were of medical authorship, it is reasonable to assume that they are both authentic and accurate. Secondly, a certain amount of reliance has had to be made on press reports dating back over a hundred years. Finally, by direct contact with older members of the community, interesting details have been discovered about individual Consett Medical personalities.

It will be appreciated that this story of health in the Consett home will be of necessity partial and abstract, in contrast to the complete and concrete facts in the History of the Hospital Services. In an attempt to achieve a cross sectional study, seven stages of General Practice life will be considered, under the headings (1) Pre-1860. (2) The 1880's. (3) 1901. (4) 1911. (5) Between the wars. (6) 1948. (7) The present.

Pre 1860

Unfortunately little is known of this particular period. The only semi-medical reference to be found in the press records refers to the death of a small girl who was run over by a cart at Medomsley, thereby proving that traffic problems were not unknown even in those more leisurely days.

Swiss Cottage in Shotley Bridge was occupied by a Dr. James Sanderson and it is known that Dr. Nichol was an assistant in Blackhaill, but certainly the best remembered name was that of Dr. John Renton. This gentleman appears to have earned his fame not only by virtue of his Medical Practice, but by his great interest in local affairs. He was Chairman of the Promoters of the Shotley Bridge Town Hall scheme, a member of the Board of Directors of Shotley Gasworks, and a prominent member of the Church, and indeed a Memorial to him can be seen to this day in one of the windows of St. Cuthbert's Church, Benfieldside.

Although many doctors at that time did their own dispensing, it is interesting to note that these fortunate Consett and district practitioners were relieved of some of their work by the establishing of at least one Pharmaceutical chemist's shop in Front Street, Consett.

The 1880's

General Practice at this time was dominated by the Renton brothers, who with the aid of several competent assistants, ran an extensive practice throughout Consett, Blackhill and Leadgate. William, the eldest son of Dr. John Renton, who had founded the practice earlier in the century; was Medical Officer of Health for Consett and surgeon in charge of the recently built Consett Iron Company Infirmary in Parliament Street, Consett. His brother George was renowned not only for his position as Medical Officer of Health for Leadgate, but for his diverse activities in community life. He was a member of the Benfieldside Board, captain of Consett Cricket Club, and occasionally “trod the boards” in local amateur dramatic productions. The names of the two Rentons were to be found almost weekly in the local newspapers. The most lurid report perhaps is quoted as follows “In a domestic quarrel at Blackhill, a woman butchered her husband with a knife in the groins, so that a portion of the intestines protruded. Dr. William Renton was called, he quickly mounted and brought Dr. O'Donnell his assistant, and then Dr. George Renton arrived. The doctors were obliged to call in the police to maintain peace and quiet in the house”. Surprisingly enough the man recovered so it must be assumed that even in those days the gentlemen of the press were occasionally guilty of some measure of exaggeration.

Many other examples of violence, which today would probably be given headline treatment, were to be found among the small print, in the main body of the newspaper. At East Castle in 1882 a man, so incensed by having snowballs thrown at him by a crowd of youths, picked up an iron drag and hit an 18-year-old boy over the head, killing him instantly. A labourer hanged himself in Shotley Bridge and a painter who fell from his ladder whilst painting the school at Consett died from a fractured skull. A schoolboy returning to Templetown grasped an overhanging icicle, and precipitated a fall of snow which unfortunately broke his thigh, whilst a butcher travelling along Medomsley Road was suddenly thrown from his horse when the roadway collapsed. At Blackhill a baby was given Laudanum for colic, and died. This drug, an opium derivative, could then be purchased direct from the local chemist. Now it is scheduled as a dangerous drug and is only allowed on medical prescription.

One tragic report of the deaths of three children (a girl and twins) under 16 months and all belonging to the same family, was counterbalanced within a week by the announcement of the birth of triplets to the wife of a Leadgate miner. Although the birth of triplets is still fairly uncommon today, the successful delivery was something of a triumph when it is considered that no official body of midwives was in operation in the town, and deliveries were mainly made by handy but unqualified lay women, who had become experienced through practice. Frequently doctors were not consulted due to the inability of the expectant parents to pay the medical fees. Probably the birth of these triplets would have been completely unexpected, and this would account for the babies having been born at home instead of at the Princess Mary Hospital in Newcastle, the nearest specialist Maternity Hospital at that time.

A high birth rate at this time was a major factor in general overcrowding in Consett. There were families then occupying two small rooms which in addition housed as many as six lodgers. The beds vacated by the day shift men were not cooled before they were occupied by the night shift men! Woe betide any work-man who changed his shift for the day! Many of the Consett houses had only two rooms unconnected by a stairway, access to the upper room being made by utilisation of a seven foot ladder. The absence of a fireplace, the presence of only one tiny window, and the subsequent lack of ventilation in these houses, meant that it was impossible to isolate or prevent the spread of common infectious diseases like Scarlet Fever. It is not surprising that 164 cases, with 25 deaths, were recorded of this disease in 1880. At Leadgate where the old squares once stood there was only one outside tap to every 48 houses. One could imagine the queues on wash-days. Closets at this time were of the old earth type, and most of the gaunt unslightly ashpits still remained uncovered, so it was inevitable that bowel infections were prevalent.

Medicine in the 1880's seemed to be a constant battle against overcrowding, poverty and poor sanitation. It was not surprising that this state of affairs depressed many of the Consett inhabitants. If conditions were overpowering, one solution was immediately obvious-emigration. Mr. James Daly, of Shakespeare Street, Consett could offer berths, Newcastle to America every Tuesday for an inclusive charge of £4 10s. 0d.

1901

A great deal of information can be gleaned from the study of the local Medical Officer of Health's report for 1901. In addition, as this was a census year, it is reasonable to assume that the statistics would be accurate.

Population ... ... 9694

Number Inhabited Houses ... 1824

Average Pop. /House ... 5.3

Births ... ... ... 325

Deaths ... ... ... 177

Infant Deaths (under 1 yr.) ... 62

Here interpretation of these figures produces some startling facts. One out of every three deaths (62/177) in Consett town occurred in infants under one year. If the number of infants deaths (62) is compared with the live births (325) it can be seen that one out of every five babies would not have lived to celebrate its first birthday party. One might wonder how modern parents would react to such a depressing expected mortality.

It will also be noted that the average number of people occupying a house in 1901 was 5.3, almost double the present day figure. This was aggravated by trade depression and the scarcity of work at the time, and often two families crowded together in one house in an attempt to save rent. This general overcrowding partly explained the high portion ,of tuberculosis in the death chart, this disease being second only to lung infections (pneumonia and bronchitis) as a cause of death. When allied to poverty, poor ventilation and lack of a Chest Clinic or a local Sanitorium, it is not surprising that tuberculosis spread to more than one member of a family. There was no follow-up of contacts as in the present time, a factor which has assisted in the control of spread of the disease.

The sanitary facilities were still crude, and very few water closets were in operation.. A hot dry summer in 1901 resulted in an outbreak of 19 cases of typhoid fever during the year.

Doctors MacIntyre, Renton, Bratton and Shannon were well remembered names in medical practice at this time. From the turn of the century with major surgery still requiring transfer to Newcastle, it was to be noted in the address books these doctors were referred to, not as physicians or practitioners, but as surgeons, and full well they had to live up to the subtle distinction. Minor surgery, for example tonsillectomy or circumcision, was performed by these gentlemen on the back kitchen table, and occasionally one heard of even greater surgical feats like strangulated hernia operations being successfully carried out in similar surroundings very far removed from a modern operating theatre. The doctors at the time may not have had all the present day advantages of antibiotics, antiseptics, asepsis or anaesthesia, but they were certainly not lacking in courage.

1911

In 1911 the National Insurance Act was introduced, and in this year there were eleven General Practitioners on the Insurance Register, serving the Medical needs of the district. Drs. Ralph Renton, Bratton, MacIntyre, Grainger and McElroy in Consett; Drs. Allen and Murray at Blackhill, Dr. McKenzie at Leadgate, Dr. Turley at Shotley Bridge and Drs. Anderson and Smith at Medomsley. Although the census population of Consett was given at 11,209, it is as well to remember that Benfieldside, Blackhill and Leadgate only amalgamated to form the present Consett Council just before the second war. An estimated population for all areas covered by these medical practices would probably be about 30,000, so that each of the eleven doctors would be looking after approximately three thousand patients, a figure which compares equally with his modern Consett counterpart. It will be appreciated however, that the amount of work carried out by doctors in 1911 was considerably less than in the post-1948 years, because the controlling factor fifty years ago was the doctor's fee. Patients could ill afford the cost of a surgery attendance or visit, and consequently many would procrastinate often with serious consequence. Any patient attending the surgery in 1911 would be unlikely to encounter the crowded waiting rooms so prevalent today. The principal mode of medical transport was the horse, and the pony and trap was widely used, one doctor keeping his in a livery stable in Front Street where Stockton's shop now stands. When snow conditions prevailed, Dr. Grainger would arrive `just in time' by sleigh and later when the motor car appeared on the scene, one of the first vehicles in the area belonged to Dr. MacIntyre.

1919-1939

Much of the information in this section has been provided from records of Dr. J. G. Walker, Medical Officer of Health for Consett for most of this period. In the two decades between the wars many improvements and advances were made in both public health and medicine in Consett. This was in spite of the difficult background of the 1920's, when post-war depression, the unfortunate coal strike of 1921 and labour disputes in 1926 produced a steady rise in unemployment in the area during these years. Poverty ensued, and overcrowding became a major problem. Of 1,301 houses inspected by Council officials at this time, 377 were over-populated, and 226 had more than eight inhabitants residing in each home. On the credit side however, sanitation improved; district nursing facilities became available; qualified midwives, three initially, but increased to five within two years, were operating full time; health visitors made their initial appearances and practitioners themselves were able to utilise a new service at Newcastle. This enabled them to use the Pathological and Bacteriological Departments for sputum testing and throat swab reports, and facilitated the early diagnosis of both tuberculosis and diphtheria.

The tuberculosis problem, which had appeared to be improving, met with a new setback. One-third of all cases, who had experienced considerable benefit from Sanitorium treatment, all at great expense to the County, were found on follow-up by Health Visitors to be inadequately housed, and the old problem of overcrowding caused many relapses.

Diphtheria in the thirties was a source of fear to adult and child alike, and assumed epidemic proportions at this time. There were 45 cases in 1930 and 84 cases in 1934, seven of which succumbed to the disease. One of these deaths had particular poignancy in the area. The well beloved Dr. Murray Taylor, locum to Dr. McIntyre, contacted the disease and tragically died in 1934 at the age of 32, only two weeks before the opening of his new surgery at Leadgate.

The pattern of the causes of death, from study of the Registrar's report, showed at this time a trend which has continued to this day. A new killer headed the list in Consett-heart disease-which accounted for 20% of all deaths. In addition the cancer mortality began to rise and this could be attributable to three main causes. Firstly, better diagnosis resulted in more accurate death certificates, and many a fatality previously ascribed to pneumonia or bronchitis was found on investigation to be only a terminal event in an underlying cancer of the lung. Secondly, as many diseases were conquered, the expectation of life was increased and this meant that more survivors would be potential cancer risks. Finally, medical education was in its infancy, and a little knowledge became a dangerous handicap. Fear caused procrastination in reporting symptoms to the doctor which could have been of significance. The increase in the cancer mortality rate therefore was more apparent than real.

1948

This eventful year saw the introduction of the National Health Service, and the whole concept of medical care was altered. Again, as in 1911, there were eleven general practitioners in the area on the new Executive Council list. Many of these doctors served the community for a considerable period. Dr. McKenzie, the only surviving practising doctor from 1911, had moved his headquarters from Leadgate to Parliament Street, Consett. The late Dr. George Ewen, who first came to Leadgate as a locum for six weeks just after the first world war, faithfully served the village for almost forty years, beloved by all the inhabitants. Two other “veterans” Dr. K. M. Macdonald who served Consett from 1924 until his retirement in 1962 and Dr. C. L. Laurent, who still continues in practice although well into his seventies, are still with us. Drs. W. G. H. and R. B. Allen, S. F. Breakey, Grey, Hutchinson, Jones, and Lyons completed the eleven names looking after the everyday medical care of the population of Consett and District at this time.

Present Day

The most useful method of describing modern Medicine in Consett is to compare the year ending 31st December, 1961 with that of 1901 described previously.

1901 1961

Births 325 692

Deaths 177 441

Infant Deaths (under 1 yr.) 62 10

Population 9,694 38,720

Number of Inhabited Houses 1,824 11,998

Average per House 5.3 3.2

Only one in forty-four deaths (10/441) occurred in babies under one year, compared with the 1901 figures of one in three, and the present day risk of a child dying in the first year of life is one in seventy, a staggering improvement on the original figures of one in five.

The overcrowding factor has settled considerably, although it must be remembered that with conquest of disease, the average length of span of life has been increased and there are many more old people in the community. The death of either husband or wife in this category results in a higher percentage of people living on their own, and this of course reduces the average number of inhabitants per house.

The sanitary improvements in the area are taken for granted, but it is interesting to note that in this modern age, although there are now over 14,000 water closets in the area, there are still in existence in Consett, 79 ash closets and privies.

The major causes of death in Consett have altered appreciably since 1901. Out of 441, 53% were ascribed to cardiovascular (heart) disorder and almost half of these, ninety-nine to be precise, were attributable to that major scourge of present day medicine-coronary thrombosis. Cancers are now in second place, causing 73 deaths, and the main cause of these was due to cancer of the lung. Bronchitis remains a dreadful problem in the area, but more so in the field of ill health and loss of work amongst the miners.

The epidemic pattern of the town has altered. The last case of diphtheria was reported in 1952. Scarlet Fever rarely makes a troublesome appearance, but measles produces a large number of cases, usually every two years, amongst the local children. Smallpox is non-existent at present, and with whooping cough immunisation, this disease is seen much less frequently. As one batch of diseases are conquered however, new and sinister outbreaks take their place. A few years ago there was an outbreak of dysentery, fortunately not serious. Poliomylitis has only occasionally raised its ugly head, and more troublesome have been the major influenza epidemics, particularly the Asian variety, which created havoc in the population, and mortality amongst the elderly, feeble or debilitated.

For both comparison and completion, there are now fourteen Practitioners in the area serving a population of 40,000. Drs. Grey, Jones, Hutchinson, Jack, R. Macdonald, Chapman, and Laurent at Consett, Drs. Lawrence and Forsyth at Leadgate, Drs. Wood, Wraith, R. Breakey and F. W. B. Breakey at Blackhill, and Dr. W. G. H. Allen at Shotley Bridge. A fifteenth, Dr. W. Davidson tragically died in 1963 at the age of 39 years. The average number of patients per doctor is almost 3,000 and compares with the 1911 and 1948 figures given previously.

An interesting medical experiment was carried out in 1953 amongst a number of general practitioners in Consett and Leadgate, who combined together to form a Group Practice. A Health Centre was erected, one of the first to be privately built in the country, and this aroused considerable interest at the Ministry of Health. The National Health Service Act had envisaged the provision of Local Authority Health Centres for the use of all doctors in each area, but the expected rise in the rates involved curtailed many of the ambitious schemes.

The remainder of the general practitioners in the district retain their own individuality, and continue to practise their traditionally high standard of medicine. Many previously rival doctors now have arrangements for mutual aid, almost group practices in miniature. This has resulted in a termination of the former state of medical antagonism, when doctors were in direct opposition and vying for patients. Nowadays, medical co-operation is particularly noticeable in Consett and District, where amiable relations exist between all the practitioners.

A recent innovation in medicine in Great Britain has been the attempt of certain doctors to organise an appointment system for their .patients, and in Consett and district a few practitioners are experimenting with this form of practice. Only time and experience will tell whether this system is popular with local inhabitants.

THE HOSPITAL SERVICES

THE modern Consett General Practitioner examines his patient and a diagnosis is determined. It might be acute appendicitis, or a case of perforated duodenal ulcer, or perhaps one of a hundred different medical conditions warranting emergency surgery. Admission to Hospital is arranged and an ambulance conveys the patient to Shotley Bridge General Hospital, which, being sited only three miles from Consett, results in the operation being performed with a minimum of delay. This standard procedure tends to be taken for granted by the average Consett inhabitant.

Contrast this state of affairs with the problems besetting the early Victorian Medical counterpart. The diagnosis could be the same, but the facilities were vastly different. There were no local Hospitals capable of dealing with Surgical cases, and the motorised vehicle had yet to be invented. The doctor had to look as far afield as Newcastle Infirmary for admission of his patient, who then had to be transported by horse drawn vehicle, more often an open-topped butcher cart, on the thirteen mile journey to the city. The opening of the local railway station in 1867 facilitated travel in so much as the patient could then undertake the major part of the journey by train.

1870 Lanchester Union (Lee Hill) Hospital

The siting of Hospitals in the district is of comparatively recent origin, and as far as can be determined the first to be built was erected at Lanchester in 1870, as a detached building adjacent to the workhouse, which at that time had been in existence thirty-one years. The overall cost, including building and purchase of extra land, was £7,000. Accommodation was available for fifty patients and the affairs of the Workhouse and Hospital were controlled by a Board of twenty-eight Guardians.

The Workhouse buildings, no longer needed for their original purpose, were annexed by the Hospital section for use as extra wards. The result of this incorporation is the present day Lee Hill Hospital, which can now accommodate 307 patients instead of the original fifty. The beds are allocated as follows: -

Orthopaedic ... ...	28
Psychiatric ... ...	44
Chronic Sick ... ...	173
Part III Accommodation	62
	307

Part III Accommodation requires further explanation. This is the answer to a Social rather than a Medical problem. It is utilised by ambulant people not requiring active Medical treatment and is occupied by elderly members of the community needing care and attention which they are unable to obtain in their own environment. It hence resembles the original Workhouse scheme in function.

Basically the prime function of the Lee Hill Hospital is for the nursing and treatment of long term sick patients. Unfortunately there still exists amongst the older members of the Consett Community a natural aversion to admission to Lee Hill, as it is still regarded by them as the “Old Workhouse”. This, with its implied stigmata of poverty and family desertion, was a most undesirable abode to local inhabitants. Nowadays however, with Specialist supervision, with increased facilities, and with a slight reduction in the average age group of inpatients, Lee Hill plays a necessary and vital part in the health of the Community.

1879, The Consett Iron Co. Infirmary

The Consett Iron Company was responsible for the first Infirmary in Consett itself. This was erected in 1879 in Parliament Street, exclusively for the use and benefit of employees of the firm, and provided accommodation for twenty patients. Dr. Renton was Physician in charge and a trained nurse acted as Matron. “Trade” was obviously brisk and accidents numerous because in 1881 an appeal was made to the general public for old clean linen, not as might be expected to use as bedding, but to tear up and use as wound dressings! The Hospital no longer functions as a Medical establishment, being taken over in 1958 as the headquarters of Consett Y.M.C.A.

1882, The Villa Real Isolation Hospital

On January 28th, 1881 the Board of Lanchester Guardians met to consider the possibility of erecting a Hospital for the isolation of infectious diseases. At this time, Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria and Smallpox were relatively common and trouble some, and their high infectivity always rendered a major and disastrous outbreak of one of them a distinct possibility. Consett Practitioners had the almost impossible task of isolating cases in overcrowded homes. In 1882 therefore 1½ acres of land opposite Carrhouse Brickworks was purchased for the fair and reasonable sum of £150. A major setback prevented immediate building. Coal was found beneath the site, and under the terms of the agreement, the owner Lords of the Manor had full power to work any minerals present, without giving compensation. Two alternatives became obvious to the Board of Guardians. Either the coal could be purchased, at a prohibitive cost of about £500, or else building could be delayed until the seam had been worked and the ground had resettled. Lack of funds resulted in the latter solution, and erection of the Hospital was delayed. Originally the building was known as Leadgate Isolation Hospital, the name being changed to Villa Real after the First World War.

The Hospital dealt primarily with Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria cases, and in case of epidemics two other local infectious diseases Hospitals, Langley Park and Tanfield, also became available, should the demand for beds become too high. The authority in charge of the combined Hospitals at the turn of the century was known as the Lanchester Joint Hospital Board, and this remained the controlling body until the advent of the National Health Service in 1948.

In 1939 the construction of a new central Isolation Hospital to replace the existing ones at Villa Real, Langley Park and Tanfield, was begun at Maiden Law. Due to the outbreak of war in the September of that year building ceased and plans to close Villa Real were abandoned. Indeed the total number of buildings on the original plan have not been erected even to this day. In 1941 the Hospital at Maiden Law was brought into use, not as was at first intended as an Isolation Hospital, but as a Children's Emergency Hospital and it continued to function as such until 1945 when it was at last allowed to be used for its original purpose. This rendered the old Villa Real Hospital redundant, but the building was not allowed to fade into antiquity. .

On the 10^th February, 1953 Durham County Council leased to the North West Durham Hospital Management Committee (the new controlling body which in 1948 replaced the Lanchester Joint Hospital Board) the West Wing of the old Hospital as the Consett Chest Clinic. The remainder of the old building was, and is still, utilised as an Occupational Centre for about 30 Mentally Handicapped Children. In addition the local branch of the Consett Ambulance Centre was appropriately sited in the grounds of the old Villa Real Hospital. The County Ambulance Headquarters were in Durham City, but the main depot for Consett district has recently been transferred from Villa Real to Stanley, a decision which excited considerable adverse comment from Consett inhabitants in the local press. Though built almost eighty years ago, the old Villa Real Hospital still serves a triple purpose. An active Chest Clinic, a most worthwhile Mentally Handicapped School, and a perpetually busy Ambulance Sub-Station ensures a long and useful existence for the old establishment.

1903, Howden Bank (Maiden Law) Smallpox Hospital

Early in 1902 the Medical Officer of Health for Consett, Dr. A. D. M. MacIntyre, being worried about the possibility of an outbreak of Smallpox in the area, suggested in his annual report that the Lanchester Joint Hospital Board should provide a special Hospital in some central position exclusively for the isolation of this disease. Chaos due to cross infection would result if cases of Scarlet Fever and Small pox were congregated together in one ward. To the Board's credit, prompt action ensued. Within a year, in 1903, a permanent Smallpox Hospital, known as Howden Bank or Maiden Law Smallpox Hospital had been erected at Mawsfield, Maiden Law. This was a galvanised iron building on the opposite side of the road to the present Sanitorium. In this instance combined Medical foresight and administrative action was rewarded because in 1903 an outbreak of twenty-two cases of Smallpox occurred and these were removed directly to the new Hospital.

In 1906 Tuberculosis was a major problem in Consett. Great difficulty occurred in admitting cases to Stanhope Sanitorium, which was at that time the nearest establishment for this disease. It was hoped that the County Authorities would undertake the erection of a local public Sanitorium. By 1906 the Smallpox epidemic having subsided, the vacant Howden Bank Smallpox Hospital was temporarily converted to a small Sanitorium and this afforded an interim solution to the problem. Patients on admission were obliged to pay 12s. 6d. a week, as a proportion of the cost of treatment.

Between the two wars Howden Bank reverted to its original use for Smallpox cases. After the Second World War, with the virtual disappearance of Smallpox, the Hospital was sold to Laing & Co. and was used as a clothing factory. While in use in this capacity, the building was destroyed by fire.

To summarise the situation in Consett and district so far, there existed by 1910 a Workhouse Hospital at Lanchester, an Iron Company Infirmary at Consett, an Isolation Hospital at Leadgate (Villa Real), and Howden Bank Smallpox Hospital and a Sanitorium. It is difficult to realise that just over fifty years ago, Consett, with its population of 30,000 had still no facilities for Surgical or Hospital Maternity work, and had to rely on transfer of cases to either Newcastle or Durham.

1911, The Richard Murray Hospital

In 1911 Richard Murray, J.P., of Benfieldside, endowed the Hospital at Blackhill which still bears his name. A Board of Governors and Trustees was appointed and arrangements were made for a Hospital to be built for the benefit of the poor people of the district. The overall cost was nearly £10,000. The Hospital was completed, furnished and equipped in 1914 and by August 18^th of that year, although not formally opened, it was placed at the disposal of the War Office authorities, for the treatment of war casualties. The following bed accommodation was originally planned--8 male, 8 female, 8 cots, 2 convalescent and 1 private, but on handing over to the military authorities, the capacity was increased from 27 to 48 by packing the wards with extra beds.

In October, 1916 a disagreement between the War Office on the one hand and the Matron and V.A.D. on the other resulted in the immediate closure of the Hospital. It must have been extremely galling to the local inhabitants and Trustees to note that for the remaining three years of the war, their brand new Hospital was unavailable to the general public.

In February 1919 tentative proposals were put forward by the Durham County Council regarding the commencement of Maternity Clinics at the Hospital and eventually agreement was made with the Trustees which resulted (with the sanction of the Ministry of Health) in the lease and use of the Hospital for this purpose. By the 1st October, 1921, seven years after its original completion, Consett had at long last a small Hospital, under the care of General Practitioners and Part-time Specialists. Evidence that the 1916 closure had been effected in extreme haste was forthcoming as much of the bedding and sheets were found exactly as they had been left five years previously.

After 27 years as a local Surgical and Maternity Unit, the Richard Murray Hospital was handed over in 1948 to the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board under the management of the North West Durham Management Committee, and was completely converted to a Maternity Hospital. In fact it remains to this day the only Hospital in Consett and district dealing with Maternity care. New facilities have been added and a recent innovation was the provision of a 12 bedded Premature Babies' Unit in 1962.

The comparative statistics for the year of 1949 and 1962 are interesting and shows the increasing numbers of mothers now preferring to have their babies in Hospital.

	1949	1962
Births ...	335	823
Outpatients	1,486	8,861
Inpatients	390	1,364

Seeing that there is now accommodation for only 32 patients at a time it would appear that the present day turnover of cases is considerably greater, and this would account for the shorter time spent by mothers in the Hospital.

The Richard Murray Hospital is quite inadequate for the needs of the area, and it is to be hoped that extra maternity beds will be provided in the not too distant future.

1913, Consett Chest Clinic

In order to provide Clinic facilities for persons with Chest diseases in the Consett area, Durham Council leased Number 11 East Parade, Consett from 6^th August, 1913, and this remained the sole medical tuberculosis centre in Consett for close on forty years. The premises were quite inadequate and on 10^th February, 1953 the Chest Clinic was transferred to the West Wing of the former Villa Real Isolation Hospital. This latter building was completely modernised and adapted with proper examination and X-ray facilities and central heating. It is now used for Clinics, Open X-ray Sessions, and contact follow-up of patients.

1939, Maiden Law Hospital

As explained previously, Maiden Law Hospital was originally built as a central Isolation Department to replace the existing establishments at Villa Real, Langley Park and Tanfield. Although building commenced in 1939, it did not achieve its original function as an Infectious Diseases Hospital until 1945! With the development of M. & B., Penicillin, and Antibiotics, the number of admissions of Whooping Cough, Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever became drastically reduced. Consequently Maiden Law was no longer utilised in this capacity, and this aspect of its use was transferred to the control of Chester-le-Street Isolation Hospital, which now serves an extremely large area of County Durham including Consett.

With the development of the Chest Clinic at Villa Real, it became necessary to have a Hospital dealing with the Medical in-patient treatment of chest diseases, in particular tuberculosis, and very soon Maiden Law's prime function was that of a small Sanitorium. Here was an ideal site for the long term bed rest so necessary for this disease. There were however, no facilities for major surgical treatment of tuberculosis and these cases still had to be admitted to Wolsingham, Poole, or Seaham Hall.

As modern treatment controls tuberculosis, the number of admissions for this disease are being reduced, and this has enabled one of the wards to be used as a Convalescent Department for cases from Shotley Bridge Hospital. In addition there has always been a 30 bedded Ear, Nose and Throat Department, an offshoot of Dryburn Hospital and recently a 24-bedded Orthopaedic Ward has been centred here.

Shotley Bridge General Hospital

It is extremely difficult to accurately date Shotley Bridge Hospital. It has been functioning as a Hospital continuously since 1940, although the date of its building extends back some fifty years. The original site of about 52 acres, known as Whinney House Farm, was purchased on the 5^th March, 1909 from the Shotley Lodge Estates by Gateshead Guardians of the Poor, for the sole purpose of erecting a Poor Law Institution. This was completed and in use in 1914. In 1919 the buildings were leased to the Ministry of Pensions as a Hospital for the treatment of war casualties. On the 24^th November, 1926, the land and buildings were acquired by the City and County of Newcastle to be used as a Mental Deficiency Institution known as Shotley Bridge Colony.

At the outbreak of the Second World War temporary arrangements were made for Shotley Bridge Colony again to be used as an Emergency Hospital, for H.M. Forces, providing accommodation for 896 patients. To cater for these numbers, work began in 1939 on the erection of the huts on the hillside above the main building. The mental patients were evacuated from the main blocks and a nucleus of nursing staff was established. The first floor of Ward Block B was converted into temporary emergency operating theatres, and by May 1940 these were soon working to capacity as convoys of casualties arrived from France. It is interesting to note that some Consettonians still retain the use of the word “Emergency” Hospital when referring to Shotley Bridge rather than give it the full and proper title of Shotley Bridge General Hospital.

After the war it was assumed that Shotley Bridge Hospital would revert to its original role as a Mental Colony, but Newcastle Health Committee felt that there was an outstanding need for a General Hospital in the district. After many deputations had been made to the Ministry of Health, officialdom finally relented and the Hospital was retained.

With the advent of the National Health Service in 1948, Shotley Bridge and four other Hospitals in the area came under the new jurisdiction of the North West Durham Hospital Management Committee. Since 1948 Shotley Bridge Hospital has become the third largest hospital in the Newcastle region, catering for a population of 145,000. The Hospital Board and Committee have embarked upon a policy of rebuilding and modernisation. New Operating Theatres, Out-Patients Departments and 24 hour Emergency and Casualty services have been introduced. The whole of the hospital equipment has been brought up to the standard required of a modern General Hospital.

A variety of cases, from appendicitis to pneumonia, fibroids to burns, fractures to physiotherapy, heart operations to radiotherapy for cancer can all be treated here, illustrating how wide is the scope of the hospital facilities. Only Ophthalmic,

Psychiatric and Paediatric cases have to travel to Newcastle or Durham for emergency treatment. Due to modern techniques, the number of beds available for in-patient care has been reduced from the 1940 figure of 896 to the present 1963 figure of 529. Eight hundred and seven staff are regularly employed by the hospital. The 529 beds are subdivided in a manner which at first sight appears curious.

Thoracic Surgery	114	Radiotherapy ...	50
Surgery ...	108	Plastic Surgery ...	45
Medical	94	Gynaecological ...	43
Orthopaedic	71	Paediatrics ...	4

In the average General Hospital most of the beds are allotted to Surgery and Medical cases. The reason for the difference here is that whereas Shotley Bridge Hospital caters for the local areas of Consett and Stanley, the Thoracic Surgical Unit is known as a Regional Speciality. It is the main centre dealing with chest and heart operations in the whole of the North East, and its territory covers the counties of Northumberland, Durham, Cumberland, Westmorland and the North Riding of Yorkshire. It would hence be in order for patients from as far afield as Bamburgh, Seaham Harbour, Cockermouth, Appleby or Middlesbrough to be lying in adjacent beds in the present Thoracic Surgical Unit at any one time. Similarly both the Radiotherapy and the Plastic Departments have an unusually high percentage of beds, because here again they are speciality services catering for a wider area than Consett and Stanley.

The amount of medical work carried out at Shotley Bridge Hospital is phenomenal. Figures comparing 1949, conveniently taken because this was the first full year after the commencement of the National Health Service, with the current 1962 figures make interesting reading.

	1949	1962 (Capacity 592)

Average Occupancy daily	311	410
Total In-patients	3,998	8,448
Total Out-patients	7,028	24,000
Total Casualties	3,550	22,341

It can be seen that many more beds are being occupied at any one time in 1962, although the average occupancy is still over a hundred less than the maximum

number available. This is of great help to the general practitioner, who is able to admit his cases with the minimum of trouble, a factor in direct contrast to Newcastle Hospitals, where admission of a patient to Hospital is extremely difficult.

The turnover of In-patients has doubled, so that the average time stay in hospital is much reduced. This is probably due to modern drug advances, where the conquest of certain disease has hastened the recovery rate.

The rise in Out-patients consultation can mainly be attributable to the increase of Follow-up Clinics, particularly for the diabetic, but it is not quite so easy to explain the tremendous amount of work, almost seven times the 1949 figure, which now falls on the Casualty Service.

Analysis of the Hospital Staff reveals the following division of employees.

Medical 70

Nursing 364

Admin. and Clerical 30

Profess. and Technical ... ...	...	51
Works and Maintenance ... ...	...	34
Laundry, Cleaners and Caterers, etc.	...	258
Total		807
Average Occupancy Daily ...	...	410

It would appear from these figures that the 410 patients are being looked after by 364 nurses, almost a private nurse to each hospital bed occupant! The same In. Patients have 70 Medical Staff responsible for their welfare, so that one doctor looks after only six patients. This latter figure of six compares with the 3,000 patients regularly looked after daily by the Consett General Practitioner. These figures prove how easy it is to record statistics to the pleasure of some and the discomfort of others, and they bear no relationship to the active conditions involved. The Hospital Medical Staff, particularly the Housemen, often work almost a 24-hour shift, and even the most overworked general practitioner would have to admit that he does not work that proportion harder than his Hospital counterpart!

To complete the saga of the Hospital it can be recorded that one of the most recent advances has been the development of a Helicopter Service. At the request of either the local General Practitioner or the police, patients have been transported direct from their homes by these machines. Twice during this 1962-1963 winter atrocious weather conditions have been overcome with ease, when snow-blocked roads have prevented the ambulances from performing their usual function.

One piece of information received about Shotley Bridge Hospital had to be reluctantly discarded. Recently it has been found necessary to replace certain flooring in the Wards. Rumours had it that the original flooring had been set at slightly different levels when the Hospital was a Mental Deficiency Home, for the sole purpose of warning the nurses. Should any mental patient attempt to escape in the middle of the night, the creaking of the floorboards would immediately alert the staff and the patient could be restrained. On full investigation this topic of news could not be substantiated and a headline story in embryo was lost for ever.

Conclusion

Attempts have been made in the previous paragraphs to trace the development of both the Hospital and the Home Health Services for the district of Consett over the past hundred years. The article is intended as a general survey and is obviously not a complete account. It is hoped that it will serve as a partial record for historians who might be interested in the health of Consett and district in the twenty-first century. The reader is left with one final interesting statistic. The connecting link between the General Practitioner, his patient, and the Hospital is now the Ambulance Service. In 1961, according to the Medical Officer of Health report, the Consett Ambulances travelled 115,940 miles in 3,670 journeys. According to the geography books, the distance around the earth at the equator is 25,000 miles, and so it can be truthfully said that they “Travel round the world in eighty days!”

CHAPTER SIX

CHURCHES

The Avenue Methodist Church, Consett

FROM 1845, Primitive Methodist Services were held in the Trafalgar Street church, until 1865, when a new Chapel was erected in Front Street. Again the church expanded, and the present Avenue site, 1,600 square yards, generously offered by the Consett Iron Company for £250 was acquired for building yet larger premises. The cost of the land was met by purchasers, who demanding no deeds, bought plots at 3s. 6d. per square yard.

Architects, Davidson and Sons of Newcastle planned the site in two parts, the Church on the southern part, and the school on the northern. The church was built in cruciform, Gothic style with a tower. It has seating accommodation for 600 and the school hall 400. Messrs. Taylor and Sons were the builders and the total cost was £7,400. On June 28^th, 1913, Mrs. E. J. George gave the opening address.

A casket, containing messages from each department of the church, was sealed in 1938 by Sir E. J. George, and opened by his son Mr F. P. George as part of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations in 1963.

The Baptist Church, Blackhill

In the early years of the eighteenth century meeting houses were built at Hamsterley in Weardale, and at Cold Rowley. It was as a result of the enthusiasm of the Rowley Pastor - The Rev. E. le-Fevre - that a site for a church was obtained in 1851 at Highgate. At this stage membership was restricted to baptised believers and the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered once a month to members only. Church discipline was very strict and exclusions were not uncommon. Evangelistic Campaigns were regularly arranged and membership increased steadily. By 1898 a Christian Endeavour Society attracted many young people to the Church although it seems their behaviour did not always meet with the approval of their elders. A minute of the period invites “Some of the Members to sit at the top of the gallery on Sunday evenings to show an example to the young members how to behave”. A “Brotherhood Meeting” and the “Women's Bright Hour” extended community activities. In 1925 a new Church was built by local financial assistance, and by various enterprises the debt from the new Church and all its amenities was completely liquidated by 1950.

Ministers: -

Rev. E. le Fevre	1851-1852
Rev. G. Whitehead	1853-1864
Rev. J. Brooks	1864-1876
Rev. J. Wilson	1877-1878
Rev. E. W. Jenkins	1878-1901
Rev. A. Waugh	1902-1908
Rev. F. Bennett	1909-1917
Rev. J. Walker	1918-1923
Rev. J. Dow	1925-1930
Rev. A. R. Halliday	1931-1935
Rev. H. J. Blosse	1937-1943
Rev. W. H. Wragg	1944-1951
Rev. R. Hirst	1951 -

Brooms Roman Catholic Church of Saints Mary and Joseph

In 1590 Lady Catherine Neville was imprisoned in Durham gaol for receiving and aiding seminary priests at her home at Brooms. Despite persecution the faith continued, and in 1748, the first Brooms parish was set up at Pontop Hall, the first priest being a Jesuit, Father Thomas Leckonby. By 1750, his parishioners numbered 145. In 1794 the Rev. Father Eyre was appointed priest, and at Brooms a church and presbytery were being built.

The French Revolution affected the history of Brooms in two ways. First, Church students from French Colleges returned to England, and were received at Pontop Hall. They soon moved to Crook Hall and set up a college which was eventually moved to Ushaw in 1808. Secondly, 15 emigrant French priests in 1796 were given shelter at the “New Chapel” at Brooms, then barely habitable and not actually opened until 1801. They stayed until 1802 when they left for their native land. During this period, two had died and lie buried in the cemetery-a link between France and Brooms.

The new church, designed by E. W. Pugent, in early English style was built in 1869. Bishop Chadwick sang Pontifical High Mass October 25th. Under the guidance of Canon Kearney a school for 400 pupils was built in 1863.

Castleside Parish Church, St. John the Evangelist

The establishment of the Church at Castleside goes back over 100 years, when the spiritual needs of the Church of England worshippers were ministered to by the Rev. Leslie Farrar. Services were held in the old parochial school near the Vicarage. In 1859, because of his wife's ill-health Mr. Farrar and his family moved to Australia. When Mr. Farrar returned five years later, the large parish of Lanchester had been split up into several parishes including that of Castleside. The people of Castleside petitioned the crown to send them Mr. Farrar and he accepted the living offered him by the Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston.

The Parish consisted of 180 people only, when the church was built of local stone in 1867. It is a reproduction of a church in Switzerland, which Ewan Christian, a famous London architect had seen in 1865. An inscription on the plan of the church hanging in the vestry, states that “the incorporated society for promoting the enlargement, building, and repairing of churches and chapels, granted £35 towards building this church”. It bears Mr. Farrar's signature.

It is interesting and perhaps consolatory to know that on the 8th March, 1867, after consecrating the church, Dr. Baring, Bishop of Durham, was unable to continue homeward in his carriage further than High Stoop, because of snow, and completed his journey on a snow-plough.

A vestry was added to the original design some years later, and in 1948 a beautiful canopied altar was installed as a memorial to those killed in the Second World War.

The marriage register which was used when the church was first built, is still in use today.

Christ Church, Parish Church of Consett.

Following the formation of the parish in 1862, Christ Church was erected in Parliament Street at a cost of £3,200 in 1866. Built of stone in the Norman style, it seats 700, and has a massive square tower 70 feet high at the West end. Six bells were installed in 1885, and two further bells were added in 1891. In 1932, choir and clergy vestries were added and the north aisle was converted into a side chapel in 1953. The church hall was opened in 1883.

The first living valued at £300 was held by the Rev. F. Steggall. A witness to Consett Parish Church's early association with missionary work is the stained glass window which bears the inscription “David Samuel Remington, church worker - lay missionary church society, died at Rabal, East Africa, 28^th April, 1875, aged 29 years”.

Church of Saint Pius X, Roman Catholic Church, Moorside.

The Roman Catholic community in the area first worshipped in a building at The Grove, Consett, which served the dual purpose of school and chapel. A more central site was obtained at Moorside in 1954, and a church and presbytery erected.

The church is the only one in the diocese dedicated to Pope Pius X who was a simple and lovable person, in many respects similar to the late Pope John. The architect, a local man, Mr. Tony Rossi, designing his first church has embodied something of this character in his building. Messrs. Gallacher of Blackhill were the builders, the cost being about £30,000.

An excellent wood statue of Pope Pius X stands in the church. It was carved by an Austrian artist, as also were the beautiful relief carvings of the Stations of the Cross, around the church. Two shades of wood are used most effectively behind the altar, and the benches are of African oak.

The cost of the organ was defrayed by the members of the choir themselves. Father Higgins is the first parish priest.

Consett Baptist Church

On the 2nd September, 1865, an advertisement appeared in the Consett Guardian which read “that in the Primitive Methodist old Chapel, Trafalgar Street, Consett, now in the hands of the Baptist Denomination, English services will be conducted every Sunday and Tuesday evening”. The same issue reported that “On Sunday last, Mr. Thomas Hardy occupied the pulpit and preached an eloquent and powerful sermon, Revelations 6 to 10, to a very respectable congregation”.

A Welsh Baptist Church situated in Trafalgar Street, ceased to function about this time. A Glasgow student Mr. Duncan McGregor became first minister to the English Baptists, and from the 30^th June, 1867 the Music Hall was engaged for services. The Town Hall eventually became the home of the Church, the first mention of this being in a minute of 11th August, 1867.

The Church became separated from Rowley and Highgate 14^th November, 1869, and Mr. W. M. Middleton appointed Pastor on that date.

Palm Sunday, 1873 saw the opening of an iron building-an innovation to the district. The iron Church continued in use until the 31^st December, 1905 when Mr. W. Golightly conducted the closing service. While a new church was being built on the same site, Ox Place, services were held in the Co-operative Hall, January 1906 to February 1907.

Earlier a site for a permanent church had been obtained in the area of Aynsley Terrace, then undeveloped, but when the local authorities laid out the streets, insufficient land remained. The Ox Place site appears to be now on the edge of the town, owing to the subsequent demolition of Puddlers' Row and Consett Terrace.

The present church, an ornate brick building, was opened by Mr. Gurney, of Newcastle on 6th February, 1907. It was built by Messrs. Guthrie of Darlington, to the plans of G. Baines of London. An organ was obtained in 1909, thanks to the generosity of Andrew Carnegie, and Mrs. Burlinson, a member of the Church.

Sunday School buildings were opened on the 20^th December, 1913, by Miss George, daughter of Councillor E. J. George, who made the opening speech. Messrs. Baines were again the architects, Messrs. Ayton and Sons of Blackhill were the builders. Sub contractors included Mr. J. Tulley, Messrs. Urwin and Sons, Messrs. Liddle and Sons, and Mr. T. Cook, all local firms.

Schemes to raise money included a 5,000 shilling scheme, initiated by Mr. J. T. Little, and by November 27^th, 1929, the church was free from debt.

Consett Road Methodist Church, Castleside

This chapel was built in 1884 and cost only £1,000, the low cost being due to the fact that much of the labour was given by the members. Previous to this chapel being built, the Primitive Methodists worshipped in what is now Claremont House, a dwelling house at the lower end of Front Street. Opened on the 22nd October, 1842, the inside measurements were 30 feet by 21 feet, and there were only eight pews, the cost being £80. William Bacon Earl was credited with being the inspiring force behind its founding, and when Hugh Bourne, one of the great apostles and founders of the Primitive Methodist movement, passed through Castleside after taking part in the opening of Salem Chapel, Knitsley, on the 21^st August, 1842, he stayed for one night with Mr. W. B. Earl.

Seventy or eighty years ago, a popular event in Methodist endeavours, was the annual camp meeting, when, weather permitting, members paraded through the village, singing hymns, and extending cordial invitations to all classes and creeds, to join them. They later retired to a hill at “Castle Hills” farm, where an open-air meeting was addressed by various speakers, from an improvised platform.

Ebchester Methodist Church

A group of ardent Methodists erected the first Chapel at the foot of Station Bank, on the site of the old blacksmith's shop. The land and building were purchased from the Sherburn Hospital Trust in 1931. Unfortunately many accidents occurred on Station Bank and the building was seriously damaged in 1953 when a lorry load of fire bricks lost control on the lower slopes. Eventually the County Council purchased the site for a road widening project and a new church had its foundation stone laid by Mr. and Mrs. F. B. George on December 8^th 1956. The faith and enthusiasm of 34 willing members who improvised many schemes to raise the money was rewarded at the official opening by Mr. J. E. Walker on July 6th, 1957. The same kind of dedicated endeavour secured the installation of a new electric organ in 1961.

The Friends' Meeting House, Shotley Bridge

For many years the Quakers had a small, simple Meeting House at Snows Green. They also owned two cottages at the top of what is now Church Bank, where it is believed meetings were held until comparatively recently. Their Burial Ground was also on this site and the last funeral to be conducted was well within living memory.

The Gospel Hall, Front Street, Consett

Though the Christians commonly called “Christian Brethren,” or “Open Brethren,” have maintained a Christian Witness and worshipped to God in the above chapel for 50 years, their historical record in the town goes back 86 years to the year 1877, when a certain Christian named Thomas McIlroy, began evangelistic work in Consett.

1877 to 1892, gospel meetings and services were held in various rented premises and 1892 the Assembly (as it was then called), moved to an old Wesleyan Chapel. By the year 1912 the Assembly had grown numerically to 130 adults, and 300 scholars attending Sunday School, so that it became expedient to find a larger building to accommodate the gatherings, and in 1913 the old Primitive Methodist Chapel, situated at the bottom of Front Street, was taken over.

The Grove Methodist Church

It has the distinction of being the first Methodist Church to be built in the area since the amalgamation of Methodist Churches.

Thanks to the foresight of two laymen in Blackhill, Mr. K. Clough and Mr. J. Muir, B.Sc., who realised the potential of the area, The Grove Methodist Church was built in 1938. Built on modern lines in red brick, it will seat about 150. The cost was about £2,150, and this was paid off in five years.

Iveston Methodist Church

A small Wesleyan Chapel was built in the ancient village of Iveston in 1837. Opened by the Reverend J. Everett, the crowd was so great that Henry Brown, a local preacher, preached to the people outside. Weekly services and a Sunday School still continue. Methodist services were originally held in one of the cottages in the village.

Medomsley Church

This Church is dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. It originally possessed a low, almost flat roof, but in the extensive restoration of 1878 this was replaced by a pointed roof of grey slates.

Externally the church has little architectural ornamentation, a cote with two bells on the west end being the only distinguishing feature. Both the pulpit and the lectern are built from oak taken from the original roof. In the Chancel are several early English grave covers whose inscriptions in “Gothic Characters” - now largely obliterated - indicate that the Church may reach back as far as the twelfth century. In the churchyard too, there are several grave covers, notably one to John Stevenson, lord and master of Byerside, who was buried at night in September, 1639. At one time it was customary to bring the dead at night by torchlight; the Clavering Household Book of 1714 contains such a charge under “Funeral Expenses”. Clearly this Church is a very ancient monument.

Methodist Church, Leadgate

In 1955, the Watling Street and Front Street Societies amalgamated to form the Leadgate Methodist Church. Built by Messrs. Williamson, the church of brick and concrete, seating some 260 people was completed in May, 1961 at Pont Head. Costing about £24,000, of which £14,000 was raised by the Leadgate people, the building at present is dual purpose, serving as Church and hall.

On the 25th March, 1846, the Rev. Thomas Stokoe of Shotley Bridge, superintendent preacher of the Methodist connection in this district, wrote in the prescribed form to the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Durham, and his Registrar, “I do hereby certify, that a school-room belonging to the Derwent Iron Company, situated at Leadgate in the County of Durham, is intended forthwith to be used as a place of worship, by an assembly or congregation of Protestants, and I do hereby require you to register and record the same”. The room mentioned was probably in the region of the present Haven, and the early Wesleyans certainly worshipped there. For many years a successful Wesleyan day school was carried on at Bottle Bank, this ceasing to function when the present County School opened in 1908. The Front Street Wesleyan Church was opened in 1849, and considerably enlarged in 1874, but the exact date of the opening is not known. The Sunday School was opened in 1890.

The genesis of Watling Street Primitive Methodist Church was missions from the Shotley Bridge Church, held in the home of Mr. G. Hawden in Watling Street. In 1857, it was decided to build a Chapel, and in July 1860 this was opened in Durham Road. The Chapel soon proved to be too small, and a start was made to build a new Church on the Watling Street site. This was opened in 1874. The site valued at £34, was given by Mr. Hawden, and expenditure on the church amounted to £1,395 7s. 10d.

The Methodist Churches, Blackhill and Shotley Bridge

In 1849-52 the Methodist Circuit stretched from Crawcrook to Tow Law, and from Tantobie to Blanchland. It was served by roads described as “about the roughest in Christendom,” and was supervised by two Ministers. Both John and Charles Wesley preached in the region-in Newcastle, Tanfield, Greenside and Blanchland-in the period 1740-50. John Brown, a farmer, at Tanfield Haugh, became the first local preacher in the North of England.

Methodist Services were held in Shotley Bridge in the late eighteenth century in a room near the Flour Mill. A very humble Church was built in 1814 in a garden given by Christopher Pley the Swordmaker, whose ancestors were the victims of religious persecution in Germany. It was described as “little bigger than a third-class carriage,” but it was enlarged in 1839 and replaced by a much more commodious “Chapel on the Hillside” in 1855, shortly after the foundation of the Shotley Bridge Circuit in 1849.

Cottage worship began in Blackhill about 1840 in a house opposite the modern Durham Road Chapel. A small chapel was built in Derwent Street in 1849, but was superceded in 1872 by the much bigger Chapel in Durham Road. The original church was sold to the Good Templars and still remains in use as a Women's Institute. The sturdy independence of the Methodists has built up an enthusiastic community in which family loyalty plays a most powerful part.

Middle Street Methodist Church

The first Wesleyan Church in Consett, was built in Front Street in 1849, at a cost of £300. Later, in 1871, it was rebuilt with galleries at a cost of £1,600. Wesleyan day schools were also built at this time in Gibson Street.

The second chapel soon proved to be too small, and at a public meeting there on October 20th, 1890, with Alderman Jenkins, General Manager of Consett Iron Company in the chair, a scheme was launched to build a more commodious church At this meeting it was announced that in response to appeals £1,657 was promised

Planned by Messrs. Lamb, Armstrong and Knowles the present church built in late Gothic style, was opened on the 22^nd June, 1893, and on July 1^st, 1896, the Sunday School premises were opened. The site in Middle Street, was offered by the Consett Iron Company Limited for the low figure of £750. The church cost about £6,500 and will seat about 950 people, while the lecture hall will seat 600. The Sunday School cost £4,000.

With the opening of the new church, a decision was made that all seats were to be free. Previously pews could be rented, and as most were taken up in this way very few seats were thus available for occasional worshippers.

The Middle Street Methodist Church is known to many throughout the North and indeed much further afield, because its spacious halls and rooms have housed many musical festivals, competitions, and concerts.

Our Lady o f the Rose, Shotley Bridge

In 1949 a new parish was established at Shotley Bridge, and Father John Kelly, D.D., became the first parish priest. For a time Mass was said each Sunday in the King's Head Hotel, but in 1952 the new church was completed. It was blessed by His Lordship the Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Joseph McCormack.

St. Aidan's Church, Blackhill

In 1884 an Order in Council created the Ecclesiastical District of St. Aidan Blackhill. In 1885 the Church of St. Aidan was consecrated by the celebrated Bishop Lightfoot. The Tower and Spire was added in 1904 and the North Transept and Organ Chamber in 1904 and 1905. A Memorial Peal of eight bells was rung for the first time on Christmas Day 1922 by St. Aidan's own band. Between 1897-1943 St. Aidan's had as many as eleven Assistant Curates. The Encumbents have been: -

Rev. T. J. Storey	1885-1918
Canon Jenkin Jones	1918-1953
Rev. C. H. Beaglehole	1954-1957
Rev. C. J. W. King	1957-1961
Rev. A. E. Bowker	1961-

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

The original Presbyterian Church was opened in Turner Street in 1860, but the present Church in Durham Road was made possible by the gift of a site and considerable financial assistance from the Annandale family. It was opened in 187 and the dedicatory service was performed by the Rev. Principal John Cairns, D.D. This was the culmination of a meeting in 1857 when three persons resolved to endeavour to found a Presbyterian Church in the locality - a Church which succeeded in 1921 in raising £1,000 by a Bazaar organised to extend its facilities.

Its Ministers have been:

Rev. W. Lauder	1859-1869
Rev. A. A. Baillie	1869-1911
Rev. John Mitchell	1911-1920
Rev. Thomas Mitchell	1920-1929
Rev. Robert Steen	1930-1939
Rev. C. Lawrence	1939-1948
Rev. H. W. J. Powell	1949-1956
Rev. A. J. G. Walker, M.A.	1958-

St. Cuthbert's Anglican Church, Shotley Bridge

In 1837 there were only four Churches - Ebchester, Esh, Lanchester and Medomsley, in the Rural Deanery of Lanchester. Collierley (or Harelaw), was the first Church erected since the Reformation (about 1550) in this part of Durham, followed by St. Cuthbert's, Benfieldside, in 1850. It was from a design of John Dobson, architect for the Central Station, Grey Street and St. Thomas's in Newcastle. It has a spire 130 feet high and a tower in which a clock was mounted by public subscription in 1874. By 1884 it had a peal of six bells which were re-hung in the late 1950's. Its Incumbents have been: -

Rev. F. B. T. Thompson	1847 - 1881
Canon G. H. Ross-Lewin	1881 - 1913
Rev. H. A. Mackenzie	1914 - 1931
Rev. A. A. Wynne-Wilson	1936 - 1938
Rev. E. H. Fenwick	1938 - 1958
Rev. Ian Robertson	1960 -

St. Ebba's Anglican Church, Ebchester

Authorities in archeology disagree about the date of the Church's origin. From the crude and primitive appearance of some of its features it might be described as Pre-Conquest, but most feel it belongs to the early Norman period. Undoubtedly the walls which are of great thickness have been constructed from stones obtained from the ramparts of the famous Roman Camp at Ebchester. The edifice underwent a thorough restoration in 1876, but still retains many of its architectural characteristics from other days, like the two very narrow and short lancet windows on each side of the West window which is thought may have been leper windows. The Church proudly preserves a register which dates back to 1619. The Living was formerly in the gift of the Master and Bretheren of Sherburn Hospital.

St. Ives' Parish Church, Leadgate

The parish of Leadgate was formed in 1863 from the parishes of Lanchester and Medomsley. In 1867 the Church dedicated to St. Ives, it remaining the only church of that name in the Northern province, was built of local stone won from nearby quarries at a cost of £2,500. The church, seating about 500, is of some architectural merit. It is well furnished, the accoustics are excellent, and with the formation of a large choir of some 40 voices, the church became known colloquially as the “Pitman's Cathedral”. The vicarage stood before the church was built and was originally a manor house belonging to the Dunn family.

St. Mary's, Blackhill

Canon Kearney who served the old Chapel at Brooms sought for long to obtain a site on which to build a Church. In a Tablet of 1854 we read “A piece of land could not be purchased, even by a Protestant, without allowing the insertion in the Deeds of a clause preventing the alienation of any portion of it to a Catholic”.

Slowly a more tolerant spirit grew and in 1854 the foundation stone of a new church was laid by Bishop Hogarth. A year later, when nearing completion, the church was destroyed by storms of wind and rain. The undismayed Canon Kearney and his parishioners made a new start and in 1857 St. Mary's Church was opened and the first Sermon was preached by Cardinal Wiseman, Archbishop of Westminster.

1860 Father Thomas Smith.

1885 Father James Foran.

1900 Canon Gillow.

1916 Canon O'Donoghue.

1926 Father Kay.

1927 Father John Holiday.

1943 Father Hugh McCartan.

St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Consett

In the 1870's two Catholic schools were built in Consett, the area then being part of the St. Mary's parish, Blackhill, until in 1926, it was made a separate parish. The old senior school was converted into a church at the opening of the new schools in Stanley Street, and this served until the new church was built in 1959.

The architect for the present church was Mr. Anthony Rossi, a parishioner of St. Patrick's and the builders were John Cummings and Sons of Sunderland. It was built to seat just over 500 people, but a feature of the benches is that they have extensions at each end to give additional seating of three persons per bench.

The old senior school which had been used as a church, has now been converted into a Parochial Hall for use by the various organisations in the parish, and the old Presbytery, Oban House, in Medomsley Road is now used as an overflow for the senior school owing to the large increase in the number of pupils. The new Presbytery has been built attached to the church.

Rowley Baptist Church

The history of the Rowley Baptist Church goes back to the troubled times of the 17th century.

It is possible that meetings were held at Rowley by the Derwent section of the church as early as 1652, since “Maynefield” there, was in possession of the Jopling family, some of whom were known to be Baptists. Then, no doubt, following the Conventical Act of 1664, which virtually prohibited noncomformist services, it was a useful meeting-place because of its remoteness and elevation.

The exact date is not known, but by 1717 a meeting house had been erected at Cold Rowley as it was then known. The building accounts survive, but unfortunately are undated. The original chapel was built for £33 3s. 3d. and William Carr who preached alternately at Rowley and Hamsterley, had collected £26 7s. 6d., thus the first building debt was £6 15s. 9d. The present building dates from 1823, when the old church was pulled down. At that time it was still in a farmyard without a proper road, and a stable, where the minister's pony was kept, adjoined the church. In 1848, a cottage was built over the stables, and for many years the church let this at £2 per annum. To increase the seating capacity of the church, the partition dividing the vestry from the chapel was removed in 1864, and a new vestry was made from part of the stable. Baptisms still took place in local streams and rivers-weather permitting, until 1874 when a Baptistry was made. About 1900 a Sunday School was added. The Church will hold 100 people, and now serves a scattered farming community.

John Ward, an elder of the Church who lived at Calf Hall, Muggleswick and one who had been suspected of taking part in meetings to further the so-called Muggleswick plot of 1653, died in 1717, aged 87, and lies buried in Muggleswick churchyard. His tombstone still stands with the inscription, “Here lies the body of John Ward, minister of the Gospel who rested from his labours, the 15^th day of August, A.D. 1717, in ye 87^th year of his age”.

He who lies underneath this stone,

To many once was Deare,

But now his Soul to Heaven gone,

God's praises to sing there.

Another to be accused of participation in the plot was Henry Angus, of Raw House. He became known as the Patriarch and his descendants have done much for the Baptist cause in North-West Durham and elsewhere.

Rowley is a family Church with a tradition of long service. Mr. Jasper Toward was secretary 1925-1961. Miss Ethel Leybourne, daughter of George Leyboume, a previous organist, was organist for nearly 30 years. In 1927 Mr. Andrew Angus received a diploma for 50 years of service to the Rowley Sunday School. 1930 saw a presentation to Mr. J. W. Golightly for more than 50 years of service to the Church. Mr. Joseph Angus, at 88 years of age, resigned from the office of treasurer in 1937, after serving 36 years, and in 1946, Mr. Iley was appointed life deacon in appreciation of his long service to the church.

The Salvation Army, Consett

The movement began in Consett in March, 1878, as a Christian Mission Station as the Salvation Army was then known. The first leaders were two young ladies, Miss Jackson, and Miss Agar. Meetings were first held in an old theatre in Trafalgar Street, and later in Daly's Hall, Middle Street, the present Civic Hall, until the Hall in Sherburn Terrace was opened in 1901. The Hall seats 500, and the Sunday School 200.

The honour of having formed the first Salvation Army band in the world, belongs to Consett. It was started in 1879. Quoting from the foreword to the 70th Anniversary Souvenir Programme of 1949, “The name of Consett has been made world famous, by the fact that it was the birthplace of the first Salvation Corps band. The band was formed of men who had become identified with the Army in the town. One of the bandsmen, Ned Lennox, was appointed the first bandmaster, and he taught the men in the kitchen of his little cottage in Puddlers' Row. He also arranged the simple tunes used by the band. The instrumentation included a large circular bass, and an outsized slide trombone which was probably the first ever to be used in the Salvation Army. Great interest was aroused when the bandsmen appeared in their first uniforms consisting of pillbox hats and open fronts with black bows. The men were in the main employed in the local iron-works, and despite the long, hard, twelve hour shifts, were often to be found giving their services in the surrounding districts. General William Booth used the band on several of his Northern campaigns. Throughout the past 70 years, the band has functioned continuously and today finds it largely composed of the second and third generations, worthily upholding the traditions of those early pioneers. To be the first of the present great number of Salvation Army musicians numbering over 1,000 bands with 40,000 bandsmen, giving voluntary service all over the world, is something to be proud of.

The present bandmaster, Mr. W. A. Carruthers, worthily maintains a family association with the band since its inception.

Salvation Army, The Grove

Started in 1927 on this growing housing estate, meetings were first held in a house lent by the Consett Iron Company. A corner site at Deneburn Terrace was donated by Mr. and Mrs. J. Walton, in memory of their son Bramwell who was killed during the 1914-1918 World War, and the present hall was erected in 1932 to seat 150. Lieutenant Henderson was the first officer in charge.

Salvation Army, Leadgate

This corps was formed in June 1924, by Lieutenant Fensom, the hall being an old building on the Bottle Bank site. In October 1936, the present building behind Front Street was opened. It has a seating capacity of 250.

Watergate Methodist Church, Castleside

The name Castleside was derived from a farmstead which stood near the centre of the village as it is today, and Watergate was the name of one or two houses, which stood on the south side.

The original preaching place for the first Methodist Society in this locality was Coalgate, a solitary farmhouse on the bleak moors of Muggleswick Park. Christopher Hopper, Joseph Benson, and other pioneer ministers of Methodism have preached and lodged at Coalgate. The bed on which they slept, and the Bible and hymn book used by them were sacredly preserved in the old thatched house. Dene Howl Farm occupied at that time by Mr. T. Elliott, was another of the preaching places. The quarterly meetings of the Hexham circuit were repeatedly held at Dene Howl.

The seeds of Methodism were sown in the locality by John Wesley himself, who, we are told, left Newcastle, on the 1st June, 1772, on a tour of the Dales. He passed through Watergate and enquired into the state of the Society. He said “I closely examined them, twenty in all, ten men, eight women and two children. Of one man, and one or two women I stood in doubt, the experience of the rest was clear, particularly that of the children, Margaret Spencer, aged 141 years, and Sally Blackburn a year younger”. Wesley then travelled through Dene Howl on his way to Wolsingham.

In 1803, the first Watergate Chapel was built at a cost of £250. As the village grew, more spacious accommodation was required, and in July 1877, Mr. Robert Dickinson of Shotley Bridge laid the foundation stone of a new Chapel. Corner stones of the present chapel were also laid by Mrs. Cleminson of Bishop Auckland, Mrs. Walton, Stanhope House, and Mrs. Muse of Castleside. A collection at the meeting realized £67. The Rev. Richard Roberts of London opened the new Chapel, built at a total cost of £1,368 9s. 6d., on the 11th April, 1878. The debt was liquidated by February, 1883. The old chapel has since been used as a Sunday School.

CHAPTER SEVEN

VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS

THE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S CLUB OF CONSETT

CONSETT Business and Professional Women's Club was founded in 1941, largely because Miss Amelia Dryden, already a member of a similar club in Newcastle, felt the time had come to enable the business and professional women of Consett to know one another and to discuss those problems common to all gainfully employed women at that time. The founder president, Miss Emily Lowe at that time Matron of the E. F. Peille County Convalescent Home, and the first secretary Miss Agnes McKay, herself a company secretary, saw the club through its teething troubles. Soon, members came from all walks of life, and their varied experience and different points of view, created a lively group.

Since then, much useful work has been done by the club, both locally and nationally. A survey of this district carried out in 1943 and 1944, showed the lack of variety in opportunities for the training and employment of girls and women. This was widely noted, and no doubt assisted the Council in its efforts to attract light industries. A second survey, ten years later, showed the position to be greatly improved.

One of the aims of the Federation is to encourage women to be active in all that affects the community, hence the interest members have always taken in local government. Consett Club is justly proud that one of the few women on Consett Council, Councillor Mary Walker, is a lively member of the club.

To meet the need for accommodation in the time of the housing shortage, the National Federation formed its own Housing Society to provide flats for members to rent. Miss McKay did valuable work in this formation, and the society now owns many valuable properties.

Two members have been Divisional Chairmen, and in 1961, the first Vice-President of the Federation was Miss McKay, and the National President, Miss Graham, quite a record for one club. In the twenty-two years of its existence, the club has given stimulation to its members, service to the district, and helped to make the name of Consett widely known.

CONSETT AND DISTRICT NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB

A CLUB called the Blackhill and District Naturalists' Field Society was founded in 1899 and pursued for a few years the study of several branches of Natural History under the leadership of E. Cellan Jones, the Principal of Consett Technical Institute, Edwin Taylor, B.Sc., the Rev. J. Hudson Barker, M.A., James Caygill and others. This club was active for about seven years then declined and practically ceased to function. A few enthusiastic members then formed a new society known as the Consett and Derwent Valley Research and Naturalists' Field Club. In 1907 the President of the club was Joseph Brown and the Vice-Presidents were J. T. Muir, James Caygill and J. D. Brown. This society flourished for several years holding Winter Lectures in the Co-operative Hall, Consett and rambles and excursions organised in summer to places in the Derwent Valley.

In 1924 the affairs of the society were wound up and the present club was formed, taking the title of Consett and District Naturalists' Field Club. The Chairman was J. D. Brown and the Secretary was Charles E. Almond. The club became affiliated to the Northern Naturalists' Union and in 1949 the Treasurer of the club, J. J. Robson, was elected President of the Union, a yearly office.

'The organisation has played a very important role in the cultural and social activities of the district and flourished tremendously under the keen leadership and unbounded enthusiasm of William Ellerington who held the office of Secretary for nearly thirty years before resigning in 1957. He was ably assisted by T. Hutton, Surveyor to Consett Council, who filled the office of Organising Secretary for summer meetings for many years. Field studies in the Derwent Valley and other interesting places in the county and neighbouring counties are still carried out and the organised excursions are very popular, whilst at the winter lectures a high average attendance is maintained.

The present General Secretary is F. Bell and the Organising Secretary for summer outings is G. Evans, both enthusiastic workers in the interests of the club. There are nearly two hundred members. The Treasurer, J. J. Robson has held office for twenty-five years. The only founder member of the club is Harry Scott.

CONSETT SHOW

THE Parks', Allotments' and Open Spaces' Committees of the Consett Council called a Town's Meeting in early 1948 to consider staging a Show with the purpose of endeavouring to stimulate interest in the production of home food production. So many organisations were represented that it was agreed to present the first Show in September 1948 and to include sections representing various cultural organisations in the District. This effort under the Chairmanship of Coun. J. W. Wilkinson and the Organising Secretaries. R. P. Jope and M. Coupland, was an outstanding success. During the 16 years the Show has been held, many National Horticultural Trade Exhibitors have been represented. In 1956 it was necessary to transfer the venue from Sherburn Park to Belle Vue Park in order to stage the extra exhibits.

The Consett Iron Company Ltd., have consistently supported the Council in this effort and many of their stands have been of National Exhibition standard.

In 1956 the Management Committee arranged a competition to select local artistes to represent Consett in the B.B.C.'s Top Town competition and this team had the honour of winning the Regional competition at Blackpool.

The Council Show Committee then decided in 1960 to stage an Exhibiton of every Industry in the area and in conjunction with this display, issued a booklet containing a short history of each local firm.

The Agricultural and Horticultural sections still remain the main attractions and the quality of the exhibits has increased over the years.

It is felt that this show portrays the various cultural and industrial activities of its area, and it is expected to continue to do so for many years to come.

CONSETT AND DISTRICT ROUND TABLE

In the 1930's, a movement of young professional and business men was growing in this country. This was based on Rotary principles. The accent was on fellowship amongst its members, service to the community, and youth. Its motto was Adopt, Adapt, and Improve, which was an extract from a speech made by the Prince of Wales (Edward VIII).

The war brought the growth of the organization to a standstill, but once hostilities ceased, the Round Table movement regained its impetus, and is now an important part of National and International social life, and community service.

In 1948 a Table was formed in Consett. The new Table was sponsored by Durham Round Table, who were helped by Consett Rotary Club. The Charter dinner was held in December, 1948, the Founder Chairman being Mr. A. R. K. White. The other members at that time were: A. Askew, L. Atkinson, N. Bell, D. Bowes, F. C. Christopher, H. Comforth, Dr. K. T. Grey, W. Goudie, E. Henderson, H. H. Hilman, G. B. Lancaster, G. W. Logan, D. Lose, J. R. Matthew, R. Marshall, R. McKay, H. L. Nicholson, J. N. T. Pape, D. Ridgley, T. G. Scorer, K. Spratt, R. C. E. Trewhitt, E. Williams, and G. Wood. The only remaining member at the present time is D. Bowes, the others having reached the retirement age limit of 40.

The charitable efforts by the Table since its formation have included work for the blind, the aged and the very young. The children of Dr. Barnardo's Home, Shotley Bridge have had many outings through the efforts of the Tablers. At the time of the Hungarian Uprising, and its subsequent suppression the Table raised large sums of money to help the refugees. The Table was instrumental in forming the Society for the parents of mentally handicapped children. Although this was not a monetary service it has proved to be one of the most rewarding that the Table has performed. It brought together parents of mentally handicapped children to talk over their difficulties and be of help to each other. The fact that they were able to talk to people in a similar position as themselves has been of great mutual benefit.

In 1961, the Table completed its biggest charitable effort when it presented to the town, a “Meals on wheels” van, for the distribution of hot dinners to the aged and disabled.

The money for this charity work has been raised in many ways and the fire-works display, the balloon race and the soapbox derby have become a part of the Consett scene.

A few of the Tablers are now members of the Consett Rotary Club, and some were Founder Members of the Consett Lions' Club. Although the membership is constantly changing, the new young members bring in fresh blood and new ideas, thus the Table cannot stagnate and the basic principles and high ideals are still upheld.

As well as the efforts devoted to charitable causes, the Tablers enjoy fellowship within the Club, through their fortnightly meetings, their dances and numerous other social events.

	Past Chairmen
1948	A. R. K. White	1956	W. Goudie
1949	J. R. Matthew	1957	W. R. Gibbeson
1950	N. T. J. Pape	1958	T. Reed
1951	H. H. Hillman	1959	R. S. Pace
1952	Dr. K. T. Grey	1960	J. G. Taylor
1953	R. C. E. Trewhitt	1961	Dr. F. W. B. Breakey
1954	E. Henderson	1962	J. Robson
1955	A. St. J. Lemon	1963	Dr. G. B. Lawrence

CONSETT BOYS CLUB

FOUNDED in 1928 by members of the Consett Branch of Toc H and housed initially in premises in Middle Street, this was followed by a tenancy in Wesley Street and thence to the present Club Rooms in 1931, which at that time was known as the old Globe Theatre.

Since those early days the appearance of the Club Rooms have been vastly improved, modern heating and lighting having been installed, thus ensuring a large gathering of members nightly throughout the winter months.

The coaching and tuition has proceeded on very smooth and efficient no member finds himself unoccupied on any evening of attendance. The Club's performances both locally and nationally have been standard and prospects for the future appear to be extremely good.

In June, 1931 the Club was affiliated to the National Association of Boys’ Clubs.

The aims and objects of the Club are as follows: -

(a) To keep boys fit by giving them plenty of physical training, boxing, running, swimming, cycling, cricket and other athletic exercises.

(b) To provide boys with facilities for indoor recreation, so that they can enjoy a game of billiards, table tennis, chess, darts, draughts, etc., with lads of their own age.

(c) To develop creative qualities in young people by the provision of classes in crafts, drama, and other worthwhile activities.

(d) To impress upon our members the necessity of taking a full share in the duties of future citizens. This we endeavour to do by means of discussion groups, lectures on important topics of the day and educational films.

The present Chairman is Dr. K. M. Macdonald and it is worth noting that he has been so ever since the Club first started. Other officials in those early days were Bert. Robson, C. W. Russell who was secretary until 1943, G. Patrick, Vice chairman of the management committee, and F. Fenwick, all of whom are now deceased.

The officials for 1963 are as follows: Chairman, Dr. K. M. Macdonald; Vice-chairman, Chief Inspector H. Bramley; Honorary Secretary/ Treasurer, Mr. E. Julsing; Honorary Assistant Secretary, Mr. E. Westgarth.

CONSETT BRANCH OF THE BRITISH LEGION

THE Consett Branch of the British Legion came into being on 12th March, 1928 as a result of a meeting held in the Black Horse Hotel, Consett. It was formed to safeguard the interests of all men and women who served in H.M. Forces, their widows, dependants and families. It is the only body of men and women in Consett organised for that purpose. The founder President was Capt. J. Barrow who held that position until his death in October, 1953. He was succeeded by the present President, Major A. G. Henderson. They are the only two men who have held that position since the inception of the Branch. The membership was never higher than 110 until the end of hostilities in 1945, when it rose to 320. The Branch Headquarters in Trafalgar Street had been requisitioned by the Army for the duration of the Second World War and Consett Iron Company had generously granted facilities at the Hostel, Berryedge Road during this period to enable the Branch to hold meetings and other functions weekly. In 1946 they obtained the use of rooms at the rear of the Railway Hotel, Albert Road, where, with the help of many good friends and voluntary workers, they were able to carry out the rehabilitation of those men and women returning from the Forces. It was soon realised however that if they were to retain and increase the membership they would have to make an effort to obtain their own premises. With a mere £200 in Branch Funds this seemed a far distant dream. It was 1950 when they were given the opportunity of purchasing the old Council Chambers at Palm Lodge, Palmerston Street, Consett, for £2,000, but the deposit required was £500, which meant that a further £300 was required. It was decided that members be asked to purchase 600 shares of 10/- units, and despite the fact that there would be no interest payable on redemption, they were disposed of in ten days. The building was placed under the trusteeship of British Legion Headquarters in Pall Mall, London, and a club was formed in 1951. The Branch now has a membership of slightly more than 1,000 and the club membership is nearly 800. The mortgage has now been paid off and the 10/- shares refunded to the members where requested.

There are many social activities in the Branch. The Pipe Band won the North-East England Scottish Pipe Band Association Championship in 1962 and the Small Bore Rifle Team were winners of the Durham County Small Bore Rifle League in the same year. The Branch are well represented on the Durham County Committee. The Branch Chairman, Mr. M. Connor is County Vice-Chairman, the Branch Pensions Officer, Mr. E. Walker, is County Secretary, and Mr. J. Easton is County Standard Bearer.

President, Major A. G. Henderson; Vice-Presidents, E. Atkinson, Esq., J.P., Lt.-Col. S. W. Warwick, G.M.T.D., D.L., H. Bradley, Esq., Lt.-Col. F. B. George, Major C. Huntingdon, J. E. Marr, Esq., Dr. K. M. McDonald, C. A. Nash, Esq., Major P. A. Ross, Wing-Commander R. L. Richmond, O.B.E., N. Lee, Esq.; Chairman, M. Connor; Branch Padre, Rev. Leslie Armstrong; Hon. Treasurer, Thos. A. Simeson; Hon. Branch Secretary, G. Hope.

CONSETT CITIZENS' CLUB

THE Club was established with the generous help of the American Federation of Labour and the Congress of Industrial Organizations through the British War Relief Society of the United States of America and was opened by Samuel D. Berger, First Secretary and Consul of the American Embassy.

The initial plan submitted by J. B. Twemlow, M.B.E., Director of Durham County Community Service Council, A. R. K. White, T.D. and W. E. Westgarth, M.B.E., was subsequently approved by the donors.

The Club was expected to provide facilities to promote Cultural and Recreational Development, and to date members have found the Club's activities beneficial to their general well being.

It would be true to say that the Club has made a valuable contribution to the cultural and recreational activities within the Urban area. One Club activity in particular, namely the choir, under its conductor W. E. Westgarth, has aroused nation wide interest in the township, and has resulted in performances on radio and television. Several pantomimes have also been produced all with notable success.

Membership is open to all young men and women from age 17 and new members are always welcome. Any young person seeking, (a) opportunity for making new friends, (b) recreational and cultural facilities; (c) a meeting place; (d) venue for community service; will find the Club admirably equipped to satisfy such aspirations.

CONSETT MUSIC FESTIVAL

THE Festival was inaugurated in 1923 to encourage musical talent-both vocal and instrumental-and elocution in the locality. Its first Chairman was Mr. J. W. Elliot; Mr. Robert Russell was Treasurer, and Mr. Harry Fletcher Secretary, an appointment which he held for 25 years. For 39 years the Festival was held in the Hall of Middle Street Methodist Church, but it has recently moved to the Hall of the Consett Technical College.

Many distinguished adjudicators have visited the district to pass judgement on its competitors. Among them David Wilcox, the organist of Worcester Cathedral, Dr. Cook, Dr. Staton, and Dr. Sidney Northcote are especially happily remembered. Sterling service has been rendered by Mr. Charles Davison, Mr. Jim Palliser, and Mrs. Elsie Surtees as accompanists, and by Miss M. E. Pearson as Elocution Secretary. Four of the original founder members remain in 1963 to assist the Festival, Mr. Charles Davison, Mr. J. A. Rodwell, O.B.E., Mr. Talbot Hedley, and Mr. Russell.

The Society's present President is Mr. J. A. Rodwell, and its Secretary Mr. Alan Robson.

CONSETT PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CLUB

THE Consett Physically Handicapped Club was formed on 2nd April, 1957, as the “dream child” of Mrs. Brittain and her son Leo, with the encouragement and help of Mrs. D. Parry, the Durham County Welfare Organiser.

The original founder members also included Mr. Robert Parker, who was elected treasurer; Miss Dorothy Young, secretary; Miss Nancy Taylor, Miss Joy Naisby, and Mr. Eddie Monaghan.

Out of the faith, courage, and enthusiasm of this little group of workers, has arisen a happy, virile club, of physically handicapped persons, who have come to terms with physical disability and have proved, as anyone who visits the club can testify, the strength of the human spirit to match the human need.

The first weekly meetings were held in the Consett Avenue Methodist Church Hall, and activities included basketry, leatherwork, and simple crafts, as well as a variety of social activities.

Mr. R. Parker, better known to his friends as “Robbie” Parker, himself a paraplegic as the result of a serious colliery accident, soon became recognised as an inspiring and capable leader, tireless in his efforts to assist other club members in their special problems, and to further the cause of the physically handicapped of his own area.

With the loyal support of his wife and family, together with other “friends,” he has guided the club to a proud place amongst the Physically Handicapped Clubs of the County of Durham.

On 4^th December, 1958, “The Consett and District Branch of the Durham County Association for the Welfare of the Physically Handicapped,” was formed, with Mrs. J. Robinson as chairman, Mrs. I. Young as treasurer, and Mrs. D. K. Smith as secretary. Amongst other objectives it was “to act as a co-ordinating body for all organisations interested in the welfare of the physically handicapped in the area”.

As a result of this new development, liaison with the Durham County Health and Welfare Organisations, the Consett Urban District Council, Local Medical Services, and Local Welfare Organisations in the Consett area, has been made closer to the advantage of all concerned and especially to Consett's own Physically Handicapped Club.

Membership of the Club has increased to such an extent that even facilities kindly provided at the Y.M.C.A. Buildings, Consett, to which the club moved some time ago, are strained to meet present needs.

Many individuals and many organisations in the Consett area help the club, some by assisting with the transport of members to and from the club. Members of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade especially, because of their special skills in handling disabled persons, have made the weekly visit to the club a physical possibility for some of the latest mobile of the physically handicapped, and have also made possible a wide variety of outings.

The Consett Physically Handicapped Club is a lively and happy club, largely self supporting, sturdily independent, and one of which the people of Consett are justly proud.

Many well wishers look forward to the day when the club will have specially designed and equipped premises of its own, so that physically handicapped persons may meet there at any time, and where guests from similar clubs or other organisations may be entertained.

The history of this club is still in the making, and the people of Consett will not fail their less fortunate sisters and brothers.

CONSETT ROTARY CLUB

INITIATED in 1942, its founder President was Mr. Talbot Hedley, and the late Jim Ferguson and J. W. Wicks were responsible for the secretarial work. The club is a member of Rotary International. Its objectives are to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and in particular: -

1. Development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service.

2. High ethical standards in business and professions.

3. The application of the ideal of service by every Rotarian to his personal business and community life.

4. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship united in the ideal of service.

Officials in 1963: President, Harold Cavey, Secretary, A. R. K. White; Assistant Secretary, R. P. Jope.

CONSETT Y.M.C.A. AND WOMEN'S AUXILIARY

THE Y.M.C.A. but in Sherburn Terrace, 150 feet long and 30 feet wide, was brought to Consett from Gosforth in 1919 where it had been used by the Army during the 1914-1918 War. The women formed a working party on the 1st October, 1925.

The Women's Auxiliary was formed on the 23rd January, 1928, with 13 members. Miss H. Kirk was Chairman, and Miss E. Turnbull was Secretary. Subscriptions were voluntary, and money raised each week was passed over to the Y.M.C.A. Secretary for local funds. There were debates and discussions once a month between the ladies and men members. A Gymnasium class was formed with approximately 20 members under the leadership of Mrs. Dunn of Blackhill. There were demonstrations and speakers who gave various talks of interest. The ladies arranged the teas each week for the cricket teams.

During the war, the women ran the canteen for soldiers stationed in Consett. A knitting party was formed which met in private houses. Parcels were made up and sent to men serving in the Forces.

Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal came to Consett on November the 10^th, 1954 to receive purses for the new building. In 1958 she came again to open the new building which had been obtained by the generosity of the Consett Iron Company.

The Women's Auxiliary hand over to the Consett Y.M.C.A. an average of £200 a year towards the running of the club.

The first Y.M.C.A. Committee consisted of Messrs. John Elliot, Talbot Hedley, F. Hargreaves, Peter Cameron, George Dibley, Newton Watson, E. Turnbull, Huntley, Walton, Brown; and Smith.

General Secretaries of the Y.M.C.A. from 1919 include: Messrs. Winsford, Pearson, W. E. Blair, Rev. Armstrong, W. Bell, Aris, S. Ayre, S. Guy, C. Gardiner, J. Stevens, and F. V. Woodfield.

Past Chairmen have been the Rev. W. H. Wragg, Rev. F. Trout, Mr. T. Martindale, and the present Chairman is Mr. H. R. Snowball.

The present premises in Parliament Street will shortly be extended to include another large hall, with stage, and seating for 300. There are also plans for dressing rooms, kitchen and store, and this will greatly extend the scope of the local association.

At present activities for boys include gymnastics, football, cricket, table tennis, badminton, model building, and indoor games. The girls receive instruction in hairdressing, cake decorating, dressmaking, and also enjoy badminton, a record group, club swinging, and public speaking and quiz competitions.

Some of the members have been honoured by being chosen as representatives at International Conferences, B. Ward in Vienna, A. Hall in Russia, J. Turnbull in France. There are opportunities for boys and girls to enjoy camping and canoeing at Ryton, where the Club owns two sailing boats and six canoes.

The junior girls have given displays of vaulting, matwork and self defence, and a display team of club swinging is always willing to give demonstrations to raise money for charity.

The present Advisory Committee consists of Messrs. H. R. Snowball, T. Martindale, J. Watson, N. Heaviside, J. J. Farnsworth, E. Cuthbertson, J. R. Goodrum, W. G. Barrett, A. Bainbridge, Chief Inspector H. Bramley, B. Ward, Rev. L. Armstrong, R. G. Knowles, Mrs. E. Bainbridge, Mrs. R. E. Borthwick, Mr. W. A. Whitfield (Treasurer), Miss J. Mawson, Mr. Carr Humphries, and Mr. H. Davis.

Special mention should be made of the voluntary helpers, whose regular enthusiastic work is so vital to the welfare of the Club.

THE DERWENT VALLEY FLOWER CLUB

FOUNDED in October, 1962, its aim is to encourage, and foster the art of flower arranging, by monthly talks, demonstrations and practical sessions. By staging exhibitions, in co-operation with other organizations, the club has helped to raise money for local charities.

Original committee: Mrs. G. Lawrence (Chairman); Mrs. H. Hutchinson (Secretary); Mrs. W. G. Barrett (Treasurer).

Committee: Mrs. F. George, Mrs. K. Murray, Mrs. M. Hornsby, Mrs. J. Binnie.

This is the first Floral Art Club to be formed in the district, and it is hoped that its activities will do much to create enthusiasm for the art of flower arranging.

THE LION'S CLUB OF CONSETT

WHO are the Lions? This was a question asked when in the Autumn of 1962 a number of business and professional men met to consider the formation of a new Service Club in the area.

Lions' International was founded in the United States in 1917 when a group of hitherto independent clubs responded to an ideal laid before them by a young insurance man, Melvin Jones.

The ideal was one of service as a group to their fellow men without regard to politics, religion, race, or in any way the personal interests of the members. The conference adopted as its name and emblem the Lion (seen by the founders as a symbol representing their ideals of strength, activity, courage and integrity) and was known from the outset as the International Association of Lions' Clubs or simply “Lions International”.

It is the largest Service Club organization in the world with more than 677,900 members in 17,592 clubs in 124 countries or geographical locations on six continents.

After three exploratory meetings in Consett an invitation was received and accepted to attend a meeting of the Lions' Club of Darlington at Scotch Corner Hotel on 13^th December, 1962. It was at this meeting that the Consett contingent unanimously agreed to form the Lions' Club of Consett.

The members elected Dr. G. B. Lawrence as President, Dr. J. I. M. Forsyth Secretary, and Mr. Stan Howe, Treasurer.

The Club immediately took action in providing practical and personal service to the community and in particular in trying to alleviate the suffering and hardship of individuals and groups who were not otherwise catered for by state or national institutions. A wide variety of activities has been undertaken. The provision of transport, the visiting of old and lonely people; outings for young and old; the collection of discarded spectacles for shipment to India; promoting projects for the benefit of local charities; undertaking the research and publication of “The Consett Story”.

Whilst not suggesting that there is necessarily anything new in many of the activities undertaken, the Lions' Clubs throughout the world are striving to play their part alongside the many other organizations for the general benefit of the community and the greater prosperity and peace of the world at large through international co-operation and understanding.

The Consett Club received its Charter on Friday, 25^th October, 1963 and the following gentlemen were recorded as Charter members: - Ernie Aitken, Les Askew, Walter Barrett, Alan Britton, Alan Coombes, Michael Dickinson, Don Eastwood, Charles Foster, Ray Fielding, Dr. Ian Forsyth, Ian Hamilton, Freddie Headley, Dr. Hall Hutchinson, Stan Howe, Bill I'Anson, John Irvine, Jim Jennison, George Kershaw, Dr. Gerry Lawrence, Vince Leadbitter, Bert Lee, Ron Marshall, Arthur Muir, Barry Millhouse, George Nash, Edward Reed, Tom Reed, Rod Richardson, Terry Sharp, Tom Scorer, Alan Watcham, Frank Wearmouth, Will Westgarth, Edwin Williams, Maurice Whitfield, Joe Whitfield.

NATIONAL SAVINGS MOVEMENT

THIS was started in Consett in 1916, when its secretary was R. B. Barrett. The Savings Movement was continued in the schools between the wars, but was greatly extended at the outbreak of the Second World War, when “Bert” Barrett was still secretary, and the Chairman was W. Derbyshire.

In 1941 Mr. W. E. Westgarth, now M.B.E., was elected campaign secretary. He was appointed Secretary of the committee in 1944, a position which he still holds. The present Chairman is Mr. G. M. Nave, and the District Commissioner up to 1963 was Mr. T. Martindale. This position he held for more than 20 years, and the success of the movement locally, must in no small measure be accredited to him and his unfailing enthusiasm.

Emphasis must be laid upon the tremendous assistance given to the movement by Consett Iron Company, and in particular the example set by the General Managers, Mr. H. Boot, Mr. R. Alsop, and Mr. F. B. George, and all the Trade Union leaders.

NATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN

NORTHWEST DURHAM BRANCH

Extract from "The Child's Guardian" for December, 1888: -

A very successful meeting, to consider the question of founding a branch of the Society in the town, was held in the National Schools, Consett. The Rev. F. Steggall, Vicar of Consett, presided.

The Chairman said the meeting was of a most important character and probably quite new in its aims to the majority of the people present. The Society existed for the purpose of discovering cruelty, and unhappily, there were thousands of such cases wholly unknown to the general public. The revelations which the Society had brought to light showed that in other places people had had no idea of the great amount of torture to which some children were subjected, all of which facts ought to make them give serious consideration to the question of forming a branch of the Society in Consett.

Dr. George Renton (Consett) said that, as Medical Officer of the district, cases had come under his notice where such a Society as had been described would have been a great value.

Mr. T. L. Gledstone and other gentlemen gave short addresses bearing upon the subject before the meeting.

It was proposed by Dr. Renton that an Aid Committee of the London Society be formed for Consett and district.

The Resolution was seconded by Mr. J. W. Davison and supported by Messrs. G. D. Powell, William Raw and G. T. Hyden. A strong Committee was formed; Mr. W. Wiles was elected Honorary Secretary and Mr. Gledstone the Treasurer.

The Rev. T. Stenhouse, Curate of Medomsley, took a prominent part in forming this Committee and also in forming the Committees of Durham and Sunderland. Mr. Stenhouse was a most valuable friend in the mining districts of the North.

Until a resident Inspector was appointed in 1933, the case work was dealt with by the Durham Inspector.

North-West Durham Branch: Present President, Mrs. F. B. George. Consett Ladies' Committee: Chairman, Mrs. F. B. George; Vice-Chairman, Mrs. S. J. Murray.

The above Committee hold an Annual Dinner Dance each October for N.S.P.C.C. Funds. There is also an annual house-to-house collection held each Spring.

WOMEN'S VOLUNTARY SERVICE

CONSETT W.V.S. Centre was formed in July 1938 with Mrs. Mary MacDonald as leader. During the Second World War, the Centre issued Ration Books, Gas Masks, collected aluminium salvage, did mending for members of the Forces, ran a Canteen in the Toc H, helped with billeting, welcomed the men from Dunkirk with meals and arranged billets for them. They also manned Rest Centres and issued " Bundles for Britain " from America, and Canada.

After the war, things were quiet. In 1958 Mrs. Mary Billings took over the Centre. Many projects were started, chiropody for the Over 60's, Trolley Shop at Maiden Law Hospital, Court Canteen, Adoption of Refugees, Visiting at Glenroyd House for Old People, and visiting the Handicapped Persons' Club.

One of the big moments was when the Round Table provided a Mini-Van and the W. V .S. started to deliver Meals on Wheels, in conjunction with the Old People's Welfare Committee. The service started with 24 meals delivered twice weekly, and this year the service has doubled.

In June 1962, Mrs. Billings left the district, and Mrs. Constance Ross took over.

W.V.S. for Civil Defence is its full title, and Consett Centre is active in this work. In 1962 they won the County Cup for Care of Homeless, and in 1963 were runners-up.

One-in-Five talks have been given to many organizations to pass on to housewives knowledge of how to protect their homes and families in case of nuclear attack

CHAPTER EIGHT

SPORT

BENFIELDSIDE TENNIS CLUB

THE club is situated midway between Blackhill and Shotley Bridge, on the opposite side of the road from Church Bank. One of its great advantages is its privacy and pleasant situation.

It was established on Tuesday evening, April 7th, 1893, at a meeting held in the Commercial Hotel, Shotley Bridge. Those present were Messrs. J. Marshall, M. Richley, J. R. Taylor, F. Walker, G. Edwards, T. Green, R. Heymer, W. H. Hooper, J. T. Symington, and J. H. Coupland.

The land was rented from Mr. Richard Murray at a yearly cost of £3 for the half acre. Mr. J. R. Symington was the first secretary and treasurer, and Mr. M. Richley was appointed the first Chairman.

Some of the initial purchases were as follows: -

1 set of tennis posts ........................ 10/6

1 tennis net ................................ 12/-

1 dozen balls ................................. 7/6

Minute book (still in use) .................. 6d.

Lawn mower and roller ............... £l / 2 / 8

By 1894 two courts were in operation, and in 1899 shelter was provided for the members. Membership was by invitation only. In 1894 it cost the 11 members 19/- each to join, and the groundsman was paid £2 per annum. Matches were then arranged with other local clubs, and Mr. J. E. Davison was for many years team captain. Mr. F. B. George and Mr. A. A. Swordy gave many years of service as Presidents, and Mr. R. Eltringham and Mr. J. Osborne followed on as Secretaries.

During the Second World War, membership dropped to 17, but after the war it steadily rose to between 40 and 50, and with the addition of a new hard court in 1961, and the formation of a junior section, more than 100 members are now with the club.

Present Officials

President: Mr. A. W. Reed; Vice-Presidents: Mr. S. W. Smith and Mr. S. L. Nicholson; Treasurer: Mr. W. A. Whitfield; Secretary: Mr. A. Robinson; Assistant Secretary: Mr. J. Stroud; Captain: Mr. H. A. Jones; Ladies' Captain: Miss N. Farnsworth; Executive Committee: Miss D. B. Jones, Mrs. M. I. Lamb, Mrs. J. Nave, Messrs. W. G. Barrett, J. B. Bowie, P. Milburn, and D. Eastwood.

THE BRAES OF DERWENT HUNT

The Hunt celebrated its centenary in 1954, although the country had been hunted for many years before 1854 under other names. It seems certain that Anthony Humble of Prudhoe hunted this district before 1783, perhaps even as early as 1743. In recent years, two names are outstanding, those of Mr. Lewis Priestman, and Mr. G. A. Cowen. Mr. Priestman died in 1945, after 49 years as Master. His son, Major Jack Priestman, had been his huntsman from 1920 to 1939, in which time-in a district notoriously difficult for hunting foxes-1,293 were killed. Mr. G. A. Cowen followed his first Meet on foot in 1911, rode his first pony hunt in 1912, was Secretary of the Hunt from 1938 to 1945, and became Master after Mr. Priestman's death in 1945. His family had been intimately associated with the Hunt since its inception and his interest in the sport had led him to hunt with 40 different packs in England and Ireland. He is still one of the best-known figures in the district and his book “The Braes of Derwent Hunt” stamps him as a leading authority on the subject in the North of England.

CONSETT AMATEUR SWIMMING CLUB

It was first formed as a result of a public meeting in the Civic Hall, in September 1962, when Mrs. I. Williamson was in the chair. The first committee consisted of: Police-Superintendent W. R. Atkinson (Chairman); Police-Inspector J. Robson (Secretary); J. Veitch (Treasurer); W. R. Ritchie (Gala Secretary); Mrs. D. Robson, Mrs. S. Frost, Mrs. D. McWilliams, and Messrs. H. Oliver, J. Proud, P. Little, P. Thompson, and J. Rippon.

The first Gala was held on the 14th June, 1963, and the second on the 12th October. More than 12 trophies were presented by prominent citizens and organizations, and all winners of the events in the first Gala received some form of trophy, either cups or plaques.

The aim of the club is to foster interest in swimming, life-saving and water polo, and inter-club competitive swimming should begin in 1964. More than 650 juniors and 250 seniors are now members, making Consett Club probably one of the largest in the country. Mention must be made of the many swimming coaches who give of their time on Tuesday and Friday evenings to encourage and train the younger members of the club.

CONSETT AND DISTRICT CRICKET CLUB

A distinguished old Consett cricketer-Mr. George Hamilton-still recalls when the club played its matches in Consett Park where the bandstand used to be. This was in 1893, before the Blackfyne ground became the home of this most successful club. The ground was levelled and enlarged and equipped with a splendid pavilion mainly by voluntary effort. None played a greater part in this formative period than the President, Mr. Joseph Eltringham. Between 1929 and 1961, the team was the winner of the Championship of the A Division of the Tyneside Senior League on 12 occasions; in the B Division, the second team championship has been won four times.

Comparatively recent professionals like Cyril Whetton, Jack Coulson, Jack Latchford, and Clifford Wilson, recall many happy and exciting memories. They had the support of many talented players, but skippers like “Big Joe” Eltringham, Alf. Oliver, and Roxby Surtees, set and maintained a very high standard. The club's proud record is their reward. For over 70 years it has been renowned for its prolific scoring, though it also boasted the record low score of eleven runs against North Durham at Gateshead.

The support of Consett Iron Company has always been most generous: in recent years it has been vital to the club. The magnificent equipment of the ground at Blackfyne, which is now regularly used by the County team, is the product of the enlightened co-operation of the Company.

CONSETT AND DISTRICT GOLF CLUB

The Consett and District Golf Club was formed on the 19th May, 1911 with the following elected as Officers and Committee: President, George Ainsworth, Esq.; Chairman, Edward J. George, Esq.; Honorary Secretary, John Turnbull, Esq.; Captain, John Turnbull, Esq.; Honorary Treasurer, Robert E. Kirsopp, Esq.; Committee, Messrs. E. J. George, F. O. Kirkup, R. Park, Capt. J. E. Parker, J. E. Thorpe, W. Ramsay, J. M. Nicholson, Rev. F. Rickaby, J. Inglis, Rev. E. J. Cordon, Dr. W. Bratton and Dr. R. S. Renton.

Through the years the Presidency and Chairmanship of the Club have been ably carried out by Sir Edward George, Messrs. A. Alsop, H. Boot, and S. Bates. The present President and Chairman are Mr. F. B. George and G. F. Ewan respectively, all of whom had, or now occupy managerial positions with the Consett Iron Co. Ltd., who continue to have an unfailing interest in the welfare of the Club.

In its early days the Golf Club consisted of nine holes and a further three holes were added later. The Club House was situated on the site now known as Tower Cottages.

Mr. J. W. Harrison was engaged as the Club professional, a position which he maintained until 1922, when he left the Club. He was succeeded by Mr. J. Temperley, who still continues to give loyal service with 40 years to his credit.

The wish to have a full 18 holes course and a new club house became a reality, when in 1924, in accordance with plans prepared by Mr. Harry Vardon, a very well known champion professional golfer in his day, a full course became available for play. Furthermore a club house was built in Elmfield Road, pleasantly situated to overlook the Derwent Valley and the Northumberland hills. It is claimed by many to have the finest view in the County. To meet further needs more improvements were made to the club house towards the end of 1961.

During the years of war 1939-1945, part of the course was taken over for agricultural purposes. After the cessation of hostilities it was eventually restored to its full playing capacity when fresh holes were constructed. It can now be considered one of the best golf courses in the county, a statement which is borne out by the number of visitors, booking of Field Days by golfing societies, together with the Inter-County matches and the County venues which take place from time to time.

Competitions held by both lady and gentlemen members, are keenly contested. Entries are made into County competitions from time to time with some small measure of success.

In 1947 a team composed of gentlemen members won the Second Division of the Durham County Championship. The ladies' pair won the Scout Gold Cup in 1949, a high honour in the Durham and Northumberland Ladies' Section.

Individual honours were achieved in 1953 when Mr. P. Thubron won the Durham County Match Play Competition and in 1962, H. Ashby, Jnr., won the Durham County Boys' Championship. This year he won the Durham Amateur County Championship and at the age of 17 years is the youngest player ever to do so. He has recently played for Durham County and joins David Atkinson, another young player, who was awarded his County colours having established himself as a regular County player over the last two or three years.

Many young members show promise and it is hoped that further honours will be achieved by them in the field of golf.

Social activities during the winter months include parties, dances and games.

Officials, 1963

President, Mr. F. B. George; Chairman, Mr. G. F. Ewan; Captain, Mr. S. Unsworth; Vice-captain, Mr. G. T. Atkinson, Snr.; Greens' manager, Dr. B. Breakey; House manager, Mr. M. W. Armstrong; Hon. Secretary, Mr. R. D. Williams; Hon. Assistant Secretary, Mr. R. W. Spanton; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. T. W. Ellison; Auditors, Mr. J. H. Ritson, Mr. R. Lyon.

General Committee, 1963

Mr. H. Ashby, Snr., G. T. Atkinson, Jnr., P. Ballan, R. Dalkin, F. D. Dobson, W. Johnson, D. C. Muir, G. Oliver, S. C. Pearson, H. G. Taylor, D. Wainwright, F. Wardle, A. Whitfield.

CONSETT FOOTBALL CLUB

by W. Vince

This was originally known as Consett Celtic, and played in the Northern Alliance League. In 1926 the Northern Alliance League was amalgamated with the North Eastern League. The club played on the old Vicarage Field until the land was required for works' development after the war. This left the club without a ground, but by the generosity of Consett Rugby Club, it was able to move to Leadgate Eden ground. During this time there, Belle Vue ground was commenced. The original move to obtain a site there was by George Wright, and helped by a tremendously enthusiastic band of supporters, the building began to grow. It was practically all voluntary labour. To pay for material, four players were sold to League clubs, and special efforts by the Supporters' Club brought the total to more than £5,000.

Personalities

In 1939 the Chairman was Jim Farthing, and the man to follow him was Ned English. The Secretary at that time was Alan Hayes. During the war years the team consisted almost completely of guest players who were stationed nearby in H.M. Forces, and who came from many famous clubs. Some of these stars included Jim Barron of Blackburn, Boyes of Everton, Taylor of Everton, Wallbanks of Millwall, Spuhler of Sunderland, and Albert, the only local boy. There were also two famous Scottish internationals, and great work was done in those days by Mr. Hymen Sandler in securing and transporting these players to and from the matches. Members of the management committee were Oscar Telford, Joe Mason (still on the committee after 23 years), George Stobbart, Jack Best, treasurer W. Vince, Bob and John McKinney, John Lishman Tucker, and following Ned English as chair-man, came Bill Spratt, the present President of the club.

Some of the outstanding personalities connected with the construction of the new building were George Wright, noted for his powers of organizing, Joe Mason, Jack Best, P.c. Ronnie Allen, Tim Walton, Jack Stephenson in charge of concreting, and many more volunteers too numerous to mention. Jack Kennedy was secretary at that time, and concentrated on building up the team for the new ground. The first game was against Sunderland Reserves. The trustees for the Belle Vue ground are W. Spratt, J. L. Tucker, R. Whinney, and H. Cavey, and the ground is run on a seven year lease. It has now been renewed twice.

Some of the players who were outstanding and were transferred for considerable transfer fees were John Langlands, Tommy Lumley, Jim Rankin, and Ronnie Cairns. Other fine players over the years have been Albert Juliussen, Jimmy Moir, Bob Lowery, Joe Wilson, Albert Watson, Kevin Hewitson, Jackie Boyd, Bryce Ross, and many others.

Having previously been a semi-professional club, it is now reverting to amateur status, and for the first time participating in the F.A. Amateur Cup.

The present officials are: W. Spratt (President), A. Askew (Chairman), J. Walton (Treasurer), W. Vince (Secretary), and the management committee includes H. Cornforth, L. Graham, and N. Wilkinson.

The Supporters' Club which does such great work, has as its chairman Mr. B. Liddle; Vice-chairman, Jim Corr, G. Hope, and Mrs. R. Hall, and Mrs. Gibson in charge of catering arrangements.

CONSETT RUGBY CLUB

by T. W. Brewis

Rugby has been played in this district since 1890. There was a team at this time at Shotley Bridge and the games were played on the “Slonks”. There was also Blackhill Rovers R.F.C. consisting of the following players: J. W. Askew, G. R. Sayers, G. Davison, J. G. Hewitson, G. L. Aitken, A. McGhee, A. J. Ward, M. Hobday, T. Elliott, A. Taylor, J. G. Askew, R. W. Stobbs, J. Aitken, J. Struthers, A. Struthers, J. T. Brown, E. Robson, G. Smailes (captain), W. H. Brown, and E. McElrue. One can imagine the `derby ' game between these two clubs, being a hard, tough affair.

Just before the First World War, a team was playing in the vicinity of the present Consett Cricket Club ground. Dr. Bratton was President at this period, and P. Freeman, treasurer; A. N. Burkett was secretary. The team was chosen from: W. Walton, J. W. Ridley, C. E. Ayton, E. C. Brown, P. Freeman, T. Lumley, A. C. Kent, N. Sayers, S. Carver, J. Childs, Rev. H. S. S. Jackson (captain), E. H. Davies, E. Frere, E. R. Little, R. W. Stobbs, F. Waites, A. N. Burkett, and Dr. W. Bratton.

A meeting was held on the 14th September, 1923 in the Commercial Hotel, Consett (now the Braes), and the present Consett and District Rugby Football Club was formed. Present at this meeting were Messrs. P. Freeman, C. Taylor, J. Ross, E. Young, E. Barker, C. Reynolds, J. B. Richardson, R. Stephenson, R. Stobbs, P. B. Robinson, J. Greenwood, J. Scott, and G. A. Hunter. The ground was at Quarry Drift, near the C.I.C. Slag Heap. The headquarters were the Burns Hotel or Scotch Arms, Blackhill. In 1925 the club moved to Number One (now Elsdon Gardens), and then in 1929 to Queens Road (now the cemetery). The club was disbanded during the Second World War, and reformed in 1946. Once again the difficulty of a ground arose, but thanks to Crookhall Colliery Welfare, a ground was acquired at Delves Lane. From there the club moved to the Eden Colliery Welfare ground at Leadgate, and then to Dixon Street, Blackfyne, and finally to the present ground at Belle Vue Park, Consett.

The future of the present club is very bright ineed, three teams turning out each Saturday during the playing season. County caps have been awarded to Jack Ross, and Vic Pontin, trials to R. Lee, W. Morgan, and J. Kelman.

Mention should be made of members past and present who have given such faithful service to rugby in the district . . . to name but a few: Major Dixon, Major Mangles, Captain Barrow, J. Osborne, Harry Elliott, A. Gargett, N. Westgarth (23 years as player, secretary and treasurer), “Miff” Morgan, J. Freek, Martin Huntley, A. Swinburne (County referee), L. Angus, T. W. Brewis, V. Gates, J. Forster, J. and A. Tucker, R. Tyerman, and J. and E. Taws.

CRICKET, 1930

We wonder how many happy memories are revived by this triumphant Consett cricket team of 1930, given in its usual batting order: Alf. Oliver (captain), Harry Foggon, Billy Foggon, Alf. Headley, Bert. Ayton, Leslie Ayton, Jack Coulson, Tom Ellison, Harry Dyson, Bill Howgate, Frank Jackson.

This was the age too, of great “enemies”, Billy MacKay, Joe Bruce, Stan Hall, Walter Hetherton, Jim Allen. Long in our flowing cups will these names be remembered.

THE DERWENT ANGLING ASSOCIATION

by J. Jeffrey

At a Public Meeting, held at the Town Hall, Shotley Bridge, on Tuesday, May 9^th, 1865, to consider the Proprietry of forming an Association for the Protection of Fish in the River Derwent, with Thomas Wilson, Esquire, Shotley Hall, in the chair, it was resolved: -

1. That an Association be formed for the Protection of Fish in the River Derwent and its Tributaries and that the Association be called “The Derwent Angling Association”.

2. That Mr. Wilson, of Shotley Hall, be elected President; and the following gentlemen, with the President, form a Provisional Committee to carry out the resolutions of this Meeting:

Mr. John Annandale, Mr. Thomas Ramsay, Mr. G. Peile, Mr. T. Richardson, Mr. W. Renton, the Revds. Mr. Cundill, Mr. Featherstonhaugh and Mr. Thirlwell; Mr. A. Town (Hon. Treas.), and the Rev. F. B. Thompson and Mr. Booth (Hon. Secretaries).

3. That a Subscription List be now opened, and subscriptions solicited towards the Funds of the Association.

During August, 1865 a letter was circulated to the various Riparian Owners asking for their support in the formation of the Association, with a copy of the proposed Rules.

It is interesting to note that on the 9^th of May, 1867 Mr. Booth made application to the Chief Constable of Northumberland for an additional constable to take charge of the River Derwent. Permission was granted from the Quarter Sessions and on the 12^th June, 1867, P.C. Taylor arrived and was given instructions. On the 27^th September the same year the Chief Constable was requested to withdraw the additional constable.

The first large trout was reported as having been seen by Mr. Donkin Stobbs, of Lintz Colliery, Burnopfield. This trout which was caught by Mr. James Weedy measured 20 inches long and weighed 22 lbs.

In a letter to the Consett Guardian in October, 1868, Mr. Stobbs stated that having fished the Tyne, Wear, Tees and Eden he found that the trout in the Derwent were the best of all. It was obvious that the formation of the Association had halted the wholesale poisoning of fish which had prevailed in former years. (Mr. Annandale had already promised a handsome reward for anyone who could give information about the theft of poison from his Paper Mills at Shotley Bridge).

In the year 1886 grayling were first introduced into the river. One hundred yearlings were obtained from Guildford. Attempts to introduce Salmon have been foiled by the weirs at Swalwell and Lintzford. Although larger trout are reputed to have been caught, the largest trout recorded in the Minutes of the Association, was a brown trout weighing 3 lb. 1 oz. caught by Mr. Harry Golightly in the Stile Pool, below Allensford, on the 15^th April, 1947. A fish which possibly could have been a trout, was caught by Mr. Bell of Westwood, in The Sneap, during April, 1885. It weighed 6 3/4 lbs. and was over 26 inches long. There has been a continual fight against pollution since before the year 1900. Since the formation of the Association the Riparian Owners have always charged the lowest nominal rental and it is through their generosity during the years that the Derwent Angling Association has continued to flourish.

President: Mr. V. H. Jackson; Chairman: Mr. T. S. Winter; Vice-Presidents: Mr. A. R. K. White, Mrs. J. B. Walker, Mr. E. Oliver, Mr. T. H. Milburn; Hon. Secretary: Mr. J. Jeffrey; Hon. Treasurer: Mr. K. Fenwick; Committee: Mr. J. Nesbitt, Mr. W. Lawson, Mr. P. Smith, Mr. R. D. Waters, Mr. G. Nesbitt, Mr. J. Allerston, Dr. Harbinson, Mr. R. Watchman, Mr. T. Taverner, Mr. H. Walton, Mr. W. Hallcro, Mr. D. Coulson.

THE DERWENT VALLEY SCHOOLS' FOOTBALL LEAGUE

by Mr. S. W. Smith

On May 9^th, 1910, a meeting was held at the Temperance Hotel, Ebchester, of representatives from Benfieldside, Chopwell, Hamsterley Colliery, High Westwood and Rowlands Gill schools. Mr. Young of Chopwell was chairman and the league was formed, with Mr. S. W. Smith of Hamsterley Colliery as secretary pro tem. At the next meeting on June 7th the above teams were joined by Medomsley Edge, Consett Technical Juniors, and Westwood R.C., and officials were elected. These were: Chairman, Mr. F. Young, of Chopwell; Vice-chairman, Mr. F. Allan, of Benfieldside; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. H. Mitchell, of High Westwood, and Hon. Secretary, Mr. S. W. Smith. Blackhill St. Mary's team became members just before the season started.

The first champions of the league were Rowlands Gill under Mr. T. W. Graham, and Benfieldside were runners-up. Of the officials and secretaries of those days only a few are still alive. The secretary, Mr. S. W. Smith, is serving as a Councillor at Consett, Father Tuohey is a Priest in the Midlands and Mr. F. Braim is in retirement in the Consett area.

In the early days travelling was only by train or on foot, and boys used to walk two or three miles, play a game and then walk back home again. It was all taken as a matter of course, and proved the enthusiasm of the players. Teachers also refereed those games and later played themselves in senior leagues in the afternoon. The league grew and from 1912 had to operate in two divisions, the champions being decided on points between top teams of the Divisions. Many exciting Divisional finals were held, particularly between High Spen and Brooms R.C. in 1912-1913, and between Benfieldside and Blackhall Mill in 1921.

The first World War came and Mr. T. Minks, Mr. F. Allen and Mr. E. Taylor were killed in action, but later the threads were taken up again and the League flourished. In 1924 the Valley entered the 1st Round Proper of the English Shield and defeated Bolton away. In the season 1936-1937 the Valley made history by entering the Semi-final of the Shield on defeating Swansea at Leadgate after a postponement due to heavy snow-fall, and in the 1938-1939 season the Valley once more reached the Semi-final losing to Chesterfield. This was a remarkable feat for a small league of a few scattered schools.

Between the wars the prestige of the League was enhanced by the prowess of Chopwell under Mr. Wesley Bolton, and High Spen under Mr. Newark Smith. In 1931, High Spen won all the major cups for Durham and Northumberland whilst Chopwell held the Londonderry Schools' Cup for four successive years, and the Northumberland and Durham Cup for three successive years.

Charities were not forgotten and in 1921, the Consett Iron Company presented a cup for competition on behalf of the Derwent Valley Aged Miners' Homes. Through this competition nearly £1,000 has been raised. Through the Eden Cup competition, money was also raised for Eden Aged Miners' Homes and all schools entered freely into the efforts.

Over the years the County Association has played boys from the Valley and between G. Elsdon of Rowlands Gill who played in the first Durham County team in 1911, and G. Gulley from Consett Grammar School who played in 1962, a long list exists of boys honoured with County caps. Space will not allow of the list of honours received, but in the 1937-1938, and 1938-1939 seasons, the Valley provided five members of the County team.

Internationally too, the Valley boys were honoured. W. Reed of Benfieldside, W. Little of Chopwell, N. Penrose of Leadgate C. of E. and K. Storey of Chopwell played for England, whilst W. Brown of High Westwood, L. Hall of Benfieldside, A. Purvis and J. Boyd of High Westwood, G. Mendham of Hookergate, and G. Gulley of Consett Grammar School had international trials.

Chairmen over the years have been Messrs. F. Young, A. E. Allison, J. H. Best, J. Greenwood, W. Bolton, and Mr. J. Kelly, while for many years Mr. D. Johnson was a faithful Vice-chairman. Treasurers were Messrs. H. Mitchell, H. Moore, N. Smith, S. Breen, and R. T. Gardner. There have only been three Secretaries, Mr. S. W. Smith, Mr. R. C. Richardson, and Mr. K. Jones, the first two having served for 37 and 12 years respectively.

The League continues to flourish and the present officials and secretaries preserved the old traditions and spirit of the League, and many years of pleasure and success lie ahead.

DERWENT VALLEY HOCKEY CLUB

Some observations by an old player

During the early 1890's a Hockey Club was formed by a few well known local gentlemen, and a playing field was available near the River Derwent, behind the Crown and Crossed Swords, Shotley Bridge, known as “The Slonks,” thus the club took the title of The Derwent Valley Hockey Club.

The membership was never large, consisting of not more than 13 or 14 who were all players. The captain was T. D. Dales, Headmaster of Medomsley School, a well known and popular local athlete, having played cricket for Medomsley and Consett. His son Hugh L. Dales, although not a hockey player, gained fame as a cricketer and eventually played for Middlesex as their opening batsman. T.D. as captain was usually referred to by the friendly title of “Bossy Dales”. He was ably supported by a loyal band of players amongst whom can be recalled J. E. Thorp, H. Wattsford, Capt. Parker, J. M. Nicholson, P. Douglass, C. Foreman, Joe Todd, W. A. Raw, and goalkeeper Joe Spencer.

During the heyday of the original team much success was achieved, and various players, particularly Thorpe and Wattsford frequently played for the Durham County team.

After about 12 to 15 years the dispersal of members and perhaps because of “Anno Domini,” replacements became necessary. These were mostly found by members and friends of Consett and District Cricket Club, including P. Freeman and Sanderson (of Midland Bank staff), W. Walton, a speedy outside-right, George and Joseph Hamilton, J. J. and C. Eltringham, T. Morland, C. Ayton, together with the evergreen H. Wattsford as captain, forming a valuable link between the original and new teams.

Fixtures were all friendly, there being no leagues, and there was much friendly rivalry as well as some surprise when visiting teams were beaten by a “small village team”. Among the clubs played some were “very high class” e.g. Medicals, Newcastle, St. George's, Harton, Sunderland, Durham, Tynemouth, etc. Many enjoyable games were played with Lanchester who also ran a Ladies' Section.

The formation of a Rugby Club coached and captained by the Rev. F. S. Jackson, Curate of St. Cuthbert's Church, gradually absorbed the hockey team after a happy and successful existence of about eight years.

The mention of Lanchester above recalls a novel game played with that team who loaned some of their ladies to D.V.H.C. for a match between two mixed teams. This was a new experience for us and we were frustrated and intrigued by Lanchester's goalkeeper, a charming lady who stopped several shots by spreading her feet allowing her long skirt to reach the ground and thus keep the ball out of the net. After some discussion (privately) the centre-forward took the ball up the field, and when near the goal did not shoot but left the ball to the inside-right while the centre-forward slightly raised the skirt with his stick, and a goal was scored whilst the goalie screamed and the spectators laughed. A stern warning by the referee prevented a repetition.

EBCHESTER AMATEUR ROWING CLUB

by R. W. Bewley

A family named Stewart moved from Scotswood to Milkwell Burn in the year 1872. There were three sons in the family, John, Harry and William. The eldest son John, was a sculler of no mean ability. They brought with them their boat, named " The Spinnithorne ", and placed it on the water at Milkwell Bum. A little while later they removed to Blackhall Mill, where the first handicap was rowed, the prize being a gold scarf-pin, which was won by a rower named Pyle. Then their boat was brought from Blackhall Mill and placed on the dam at Ebchester. To show the keenness of the family to foster the art of sculling, they carried the boat from Blackhall Mill and back again. As they obtained more confidence, the boat was placed under some trees in summer-time, and in the winter was housed in a barn belonging to Mr. Edward Dixon.

Then it was that others took up the sport, and the Ebchester Rowing Club was formed. The first President was Mr. Bullerwell, a schoolmaster at Hamsterley Colliery. After the formation of the club, a boat-house was built and the first handicap arranged in 1878, being won by William Hardy of Whickham. The membership increased, and they obtained permission from the landowners on the Northumberland side of the river to take away part of the embankment. The second boat-house was opened on the 2nd December, 1899, by Mr. Jos. Brown, a tradesman in the village, and the present one was built in 1957. In 1906, due to a decrease in the number of members, the club found itself in financial difficulties, with a debt of £44 standing against them, but they rallied round and managed to pay this off in less than two years. During the First World War, no less than 59 members gave their services to King and country. Considering the size of the village, this was no mean achievement.

Some of the pioneers and prominent members of the club include: Messrs. Harry Stewart, William Stewart, John and S. Stewart, W. Hardy, W. Milburn, W. Milligan, Commander Anderson, J. M. Nicholson, A. Milburn (with 44 years' service), W. Fairlamb, I. Bewley, Angus, Holmes and Pattinson.

Before the Second World War, the Club purchased the land and presented it to the National Trust. The Club at present has a membership of 42. There is a total of seven boats kept in the club-house, six sculling, and one four-oared, as well as several privately owned canoes. Two regattas are held each year, and the Derwent Canoe race held annually from Ebchester to Scotswood Bridge is an exciting event. The record for this race is 1 hour 25 minutes 20 seconds, held by J. M. Rohleder of Manchester Canoe Club. This was an exceptionally fast time, due mainly to the fact that the river was in full flood.

The present committee consists of: R. W. Bewley, Secretary and Treasurer, R. G. Beveridge, Chairman; K. Dickinson, Captain; T. Batson, Vice-Captain, Messrs. R. Gardner, A. Beveridge, and C. Stephenson.

JACK CARR

Born in Leadgate, Jack Carr became a legend. Wherever he played crowds gathered to enjoy his astonishing hitting and his opponents crept as far away from his flailing bat as decency would allow. He once hit a cover drive in a local County match at Blackfyne which rebounded from the pavilion wall down the slope to the very feet of the mortified bowler. Once, on the same ground, he hit a six which came to earth a cricket pitch length beyond the pay-box entrance. I have seen him mishit a six over cover and we all delighted in the spectacle of members of a famous Australian side pretending to climb up the score box at Ashbrooke as he walked to the wicket.

He was, of course, a fine off-spinner who often created havoc among the enemy. It was not often that a player so eminent as J. B. Hobbs came to play in Durham. He once did and all Durham cricketers assembled at Chester-le-Street for the treat. Jack bowled him for a duck. In fairness it must be added that Hobbs, a renowned humourist, remarked that he never saw the ball because he was hypnotised by Jack's outsize feet.

Only those who didn't know him ever played him at Darts-for a small Port always-because he was so tall that he only needed to lean forward to be within an incredibly short distance of the double he needed, and he had a great capacity for Port.

He still walks over cricket fields and stirs golden memories wherever he goes. We are proud to salute him.

LEADGATE CRICKET CLUB

by Mr. W. Archer

The club was formed approximately 90 years ago, and began playing on a field near Bunker Hill Farm. Under the leadership of Mr. Brears, a well-known village schoolmaster, it moved to Leadgate Park near the Church of England School.

Some 70 years ago Mr. J. Bell became secretary and the club acquired its present ground. It was at this ground that the well-known County cricketer, John Carr (who was to represent Durham County for 23 seasons) made his first regular league appearances in a very successful team composed of such stalwarts as Frank (Stonewall) Jackson, Tom Bartle and Jim Boustead.

The pendulum swung and the club passed through a lean period, but thanks to men like Les Westhorp and J. B. Barron (who was known to sit all day at the gate to collect 2s. 6d. entrance money), they carried on to more successful times.

The year 1941 was a turning point when with the signing of Jack Latchford as professional, combined with the talent of Jack Ross, Maurice Elliot, William Brown, Andrew Welch and John Cromarty, they had a number of most successful seasons, and played regularly to packed grounds. Continuing in this vein they next signed Albert Atkinson as professional and built up a team of local youngsters. This team had great success in cup competitions over the following five seasons. In 1951 they won six cups with the help of players like Barry Bromley, John Cranney, Reg Bell, Norman Pearson, Jack Thompson, Eric Topham, John Day and Eric Oxley.

Leadgate has always been a cradle of good cricketers, and even after providing several players for Consett, and others as professionals to various clubs, still talent is being found and trained. The work goes on today under the leadership of President Mr. Jim Boustead, Chairman Mr. William Oxley, Treasurer Mr. K. Day, Secretary Mr. Wilf Archer, and their reward is to know that good cricket can still be found in Leadgate.

SHOTLEY BRIDGE CRICKET CLUB

The club was founded in 1888 and played a number of friendly matches with local teams each year. From 1921 to 1960 it was a member of the North West Durham League, winning the “C” division championship in 1921, the “B” division championship in 1922, and the “A” division championship in 1949. In 1954 it won the Symington Cup, in 1959 the Walton Bowl, and the Samuel Trophy, and in 1960 it retained the Samuel Trophy. In 1960 the club was elected to the Tyneside Senior League, and in 1962 its junior team shared the first place in the Tyneside Junior League Championship.

Mr. William Wilson was treasurer of the Club for 45 years, from its inception, and Mr. G. R. Clarkson was Secretary from 1929 to 1959. The Spa ground was originally owned by Dr. Henry Peile before it passed into the possession of the Surtees family-a great name in Shotley Bridge cricket circles.

The officials in 1963 are: President, W. Roxby Surtees; Chairman, Mr. E. R. Blench; Secretary, Mr. A. I. Barnett; Treasurer, Mr. F. W. Askew. .

SHOTLEY BRIDGE TENNIS CLUB

Set amidst the sylvan beauty of the Spa Grounds, and on the banks of the River Derwent, is to be found the home of the Shotley Bridge Tennis Club, one of the oldest in either Durham, Northumberland or Cumberland.

With a history dating back to the days of the crinoline, and ankle length tennis frocks, cumbersome no doubt by present day standards, and hardly conducive to fast and efficient tennis, it should be borne in mind, that Lawn Tennis as played in the eighteen hundreds was a most sedate and courtly game, and without doubt in that era proved to be as satisfying then as it is at the present time.

The racquets themselves were usually of very solid construction with weights up to 16 and 17 ozs. as against the present type of laminated constructed frame, and average weight of 13½ ozs., and they invariably had fish-tailed handles.

Earliest records show that the Tennis Club consisted of one lawn court without the usual netting surrounds, together with the use of a nearby stone cottage which served as a Pavilion for both the Tennis and near neighbours the Cricket Club, whose batsmen had to cross the tennis court on their journey to the wicket.

Earliest subscriptions were 3/- per season, tennis balls could be obtained at 2s. 6d. per dozen, and with tallow candles at 4d. per dozen, it is reasonable to assume that the lighting of the premises in those days, at least presented no great strain on club funds.

For reasons only too obvious, one hesitates to name old members who pioneered the Club in those early and often financially difficult years, but Dr. Peile an early owner of the Spa Grounds, and the families of Annandale, Wilson, Allen, Barclay, Bruce, Dixon, Surtees, Williamson, Forster, are only a few of a long list who by their diligence and love of the game were responsible for early successes.

Previously amalgamated with the Cricket Club, the Tennis Club became a separate identity in 1929 and during the past 40 years in particular the Club has continued to prosper, and has at the present time at its disposal three of the finest hard courts to be found in the County, and a Pavilion recently modernised and with amenities of which they can feel justly proud. Youth is well provided for in a membership of 80, some members travelling from as far afield as Newcastle.

It is of interest to note the long serving members of the present era, of which W. E. Smith at 75 years of age still plays, and indeed during the current season this 75 years “young man” was featured in the local press, jumping the net-he has been with the Club for 41 years. Together with Bob Lishman, club captain for many years, and now a life member, Jack Ballan, Joe Morgan, and late Jos. W. Caygill, chairman, the present secretary K. G. Tate with 29 years in this capacity is a comparative youngster in a Club where it is common to find Committee members with 30 or more years service.

The Club owes much to the Surtees family, present owners of the Spa, who by their generosity have made it possible for the lengthy continuity of the Tennis Club.

THE WEARDALE BEAGLES

Formed in May, 1950, the Weardale Beagles revived a tradition of hare-hunting in the valleys of the Wear and Derwent by the Wear Valley Beagles which had been in existence from about 1860 until the outbreak of World War Il. They also hunt in mid and North-West Durham in the `country' of the Durham Foot Harriers who ceased hunting in 1939. This `country' is on loan to the Weardale Beagles from Lady Furness, the former Master of the Durham Foot Harriers, and the Founder President of the Weardale Beagles.

'The first Master was Mr. R. E. Johnson from Stanhope who held office from May 1950 until September 1953, when he was succeeded by Mr. J. W. Thompson of Viewly Hill, Tow Law. The Hunt is now under the control of Mr. Gordon Smales of Allensford and Mr. Norman Welch of Washington Village, and the 15 couple of hounds are kennelled at Stanhope, where they are under the care of Mr. J. R. B. P. Tweddle.

Hunts are held each Saturday and Wednesday from late September till mid-March, with meets arranged within reach of such centres as Stanhope, Tow Law, Lanchester, Consett and Durham City. Only foot followers are permitted, and occasional visitors who are not members are always welcome. The Hon. Secretary is Mrs. Smales and the Hon. Treasurer is Mrs. Waggott of Kimblesworth Grange, Chester-le-Street. A list of hunting appointments is published twice weekly in the Northern Echo and in The Journal.

CHAPTER NINE

MISCELLANY

THE BURNT ARM: A TALE OF A BROKEN VOW

IN the middle of the eighteenth century there lived at Ebchester Hill, a gentleman named Robert Johnson, whose son Cuthbert married without his consent. This action so offended the parent that he made a vow that he would leave nothing whatever to his son, and in the heat of passion he expressed a wish that his right arm might be burned off if he failed to keep that vow.

Circumstances arose however, that made the old man alter his mind, and he finally left everything to the son. Shortly after he had made his final will he died. Before the body was placed in a coffin the relatives observed a disagreeable smell, and finding the room full of smoke, they examined the corpse, and discovered the right arm nearly burned off. The body was slowly smouldering and the horrified relatives hastily put the remains into the coffin, and nailed it down. A noise of crackling and burning was heard from within the coffin, so it was hastily carried to Ebchester churchyard and there buried.

This story is also noticed by John Wesley, in one of his published works, and he adds some minor details. He states that the body was buried near the steeple in “Abchester” churchyard. Those who attended the funeral observed the steeple to shake, and had luckily got out of the way, just two minutes before part of it fell.

The entries of the burial register at Ebchester for the year of Johnson's death are missing, and thus we have no chance of being able to learn whether anything of more than ordinary occurrence was recorded at the time of his burial.

THE EBCHESTER MONEY CHEST

NEAR the village of Ebchester, according to belief, there exists a cave in which is concealed a large iron chest full of Roman money, and a subterranean passage from the village is supposed to lead to this cave. The money chest is said to have been left by the Romans when they quitted Britain, and a large crow is carved on its lid. In the third decade of the nineteenth century an old man who was resident in the village, and who profoundly believed the story, and who frequently used to dream about this hidden fortune, set to work, and sunk shafts in different parts of the village without success.

THE DERWENT VALLEY GIANTS

THERE were in the olden days of the Derwent Valley three brothers, all giants, great men and tall, named Cor, Ben and Con, who were said to have lived in a cave at Corbridge in Northumberland, and Benfieldside, and Consett respectively, and to have been the possessors, in common, of a large hammer, which each, at a whistle, could throw nine miles. When any of the brothers wanted to use this tool, this was the way it was conveyed, but on one occasion, Con, who had become blind, let it slip, and it made a hollow dene, or hole in the ground near Consett, called Howden, and which remains to this day. Con is supposed to have lived in a cave in Howen's Gill, and is generally believed to be buried there.

There is another traditionary account of the Derwent Valley Giants, differing from that already given. In it their names are given as Con, Ben, and Mug, and their names are perpetuated in the place names of Consett, Benfieldside, and Muggleswick. They are supposed to have lived about nine hundred years ago. Laurence Goodchild, the blind scholar of Sunderland, has written of their exploits in a ballad called the “Durham Giants,” written many years ago.

“The first was Con-from him Conside

Is named until this day,

His brother Ben to Benfieldside

Bequeathed his name for aye.

And Mug their mighty kinsman was

A swarthy wight and tall

The name gave he to Muggleswick Moor

Where stood his castle wall.

Now when their holds these giants built

They hammer had but one,

They heaved it round from man to man

When each his work was done.

Their size ye well may guess, when in

The boot that Mug did wear,

A greyhound bitch her suckling whelps

Did hide, as men declare.

Their eyes were like the burning coal,

They were bristled from head to heel,

No wight might stand their heavy hand

Though clad in coat of steel.

On Christian flesh they daily fed,

Their drink was Christian blood,

And the delicate limbs of a Christian child

To them was dainty food.

Their teeth stood out like tusks of boar

The bleeding prey to rend,

Their shaggy hair like Norway bear

Did down their back descend;

Their clubs were pine trees strong and straight

Uprooted by their might;

They wielded them, with mickle din,

In many a furious fight.

Whole scores of men, and women too,

By them for meat were slain,

Till Con was with an arrow broad

Shot through at Annfield Plain,

And Ben his brother, void of ruth-

By Launcelot's sword fell he,

Though he waged his fray, the live-long day

On the hill of Medomsley.

And Mug their kinsman, while to sin,

He wooed a beautious nun,

In wassail drowned fell fast asleep

And soon his race was run;

For like that lady in Holy Writ

Who the Paynim captain slew,

That nun with a spike of iron pierced

His temples through and through.”

THE GRAVE WOOD

This was a thickly-wooded ravine between Middle Knitsley and High House, about a mile distant, takes its name from a curious and almost tragic event in which a Mr. Robert Mitcheson played a conspicuous part. Being at Wolsingham Market one day, he noticed that a man, of gentlemanly exterior, was narrowly watching his movements. On his return to the hostelry where his horse was being cared for, he discovered that the stranger's steed occupied the same stable, and being fully convinced that the fellow meant to follow and rob him, he communicated his suspicions to the ostler. Shortly after Mitcheson left, the stranger asked for his horse, but the ostler purposely delayed his departure as long as he could. Within a few miles of home, Mitcheson heard a horse galloping on the road behind him. His usual route lay past High House and through the Dene, but the night being dark he kept to the Turnpike, and returned home by way of Five-Lane-Ends and Knitsley Mill. Being well mounted he kept ahead of the other steed, whose rider was the stranger that he had met at market that day, and who continued the pursuit to the very door of the stable. It was generally believed that the man had accomplices, and that they intended to rob and murder Mr. Mitcheson, for a few days afterwards a grave, six feet deep and of similar length, was discovered in the wood.

THE HEDLEY KOW

THIS Kow was a “bogie” which haunted the area around Ebchester. The Kow did nobody any serious injury, but merely took delight in frightening people. To an old woman, gathering sticks by the hedge side, he would appear as a truss of straw lying on the road. If, as was natural, the dame was tempted to take possession of the “fad,” her load in carrying it home would become so heavy that she would be obliged to lay it down. The straw would then appear as if alive, and away it would shuffle before her along the road, swinging first to one side and then the other. At last with a sound like the rushing wind, it would wholly vanish from her sight.

Two men, went out one night to meet their sweethearts. On arriving at the appointed place, they saw, as they supposed, the two girls walking a short distance before them. The girls continued to walk onwards for two or three miles, and the young men to follow without being able to overtake them. They quickened their pace, but the girls still kept before them; and at length the pair found themselves up to their knees in a mire, the girls suddenly disappearing with a most unfeminine shriek of laughter. The young men now perceived that they had been beguiled by the Hedley Kow.

A farmer of the name of Forster, who lived nearby, went out into the field very early one morning, as he intended driving into Newcastle, so as to be there as soon as the shops were opened. In the dim light, he caught as he believed, his own grey horse, and harnessed it with his own hands. But, after yoking the beast to the cart, and getting upon the shaft to drive away, the horse (which was not a horse at all, but the Kow) slipped away from the harness, setting up a great noise as he flung up his heels, and scoured away like mad out of the farmyard.

THE “GREY LADY ” OF SHOTLEY BRIDGE

HER origin is not known, but she has many times been seen, the last appearance being in 1939 near Peile Home, when two local men followed her down the “Cut” and onto the main Shotley Bridge - Snows Green Road. There she glided across to the far wall and vanished.

HOWEN'S GILL BRIDGE

THIS was built in 1856 to carry a single line of traffic across the Gill. Its length is 700 feet, and its height 175 feet, 60 feet higher than the High Level Bridge at Newcastle. Each of the 12 arches has a span of 50 feet, and the structure contains 3,500,000 bricks. The bridge is barrel-shaped, which means that it is arched at the top and also at the bottom. The work of construction was completed in 15 months, and the cost of the bridge was £14,000. Thomas Bouch was the architect and John Anderson was the building contractor. During the construction of it, sailors were employed to erect the scaffolding.

Before it was opened in 1857, the travelling trains were, by means of a stationary engine, of twenty-five horse power, placed at the bottom, made to travel down one side of the chasm, and mount the opposite one. Dr. Granville who visited the place in 1840, thus described this interesting and original mode of conveyance. “The train of waggons,” he writes, “loaded with lead or lime, proceeding from Stanhope in the western district or another train coming from Newcastle in the opposite direction with coals, having reached the termination of the level ground on either side of the ravine, is suddenly stopped, and the foremost wagon (for only one at a time can be operated upon) being unyoked, is turned upon a circle, with its side towards the precipice, and slided forward and fixed into a moveable platform. The latter is waiting on the very brink of the precipice, resting upon the rails with its four wheels, the two former of which being of larger diameter than the hind ones, cause the said platform to continue in a horizontal position while sliding down the incline, or ascending the other opposite, with its loaded wagon”.

HOWEN'S GILL CAVES

THESE are not of natural formation as many people are led to believe but were worked by Mr. Jasper Kell, builder and contractor of Castleside, between the years 1830 and 1879. They were the result of a rush of orders for stone, and in order to obtain the material quickly, stonemen from the Derwent Iron Company quarried out the stone from the bottom in order to obtain the best quality, instead of working the layers from the top as was the usual custom. Stone from this source was used to build the High Level Bridge at Newcastle.

MAD MADDISON

ONE of the most notorious characters who lived in the Derwent Valley, Mad Maddison, was a member of a local family who for many centuries held lands in the valley and surrounding neighbourhood. His proper name was Ralph Maddison but he was such an eccentric and wicked character, that his Christian name was seldom given to him.

He lived immediately opposite the village of Shotley Bridge, on the left bank of the Derwent, in a good plain house which stood upon the site of the mansion of Derwent Dene. He was the owner of considerable estates in the neighbourhood and for some time acted as a sort of warden. It may be that in his excursions against the border thieves and mosstroopers he acquired some of their habits and learnt to practise their villainies.

On one occasion, when the River Derwent was in flood, and the fords near Shotley Bridge (for this was before the bridge was erected) impassable to any except on horseback, an old woman came to the river bank. She was anxious to cross, and was delighted when Mad Maddison rode up and offered to carry her over. When they reached the middle of the river however, he pushed her into the flood, and heartily laughing at his action, left her to sink or swim. The poor woman was carried a long way down the river before she was able to gain the shore, and it was with difficulty that she recovered from the effects of her exposure.

One day when Maddison and his son-in-law had been drinking in the Bridge-End public house at Shotley Bridge, the latter became unsteady on his legs, and Mad Maddison put him backwards on his horse, and placed a bunch of thorns beneath, where they could cause the greatest irritation. Then the animal was allowed to go free, and the infuriated beast darted across the river, with its rider clinging to its back. It galloped right past Shotley Hall towards Black Hedley, near which place it threw and killed the unfortunate man. The widow who was said to have been a most beautiful woman, married again soon after, but her father, either because he did not approve of the match, or out of some fit of madness, attempted the life of the second husband by shooting at him. Fortunately, he missed his mark, or he may have gone to the gallows earlier than he did.

Destruction by fire seems to have been a favourite practice of Maddison's. He burned Espershields to the ground, and it was said that when he did this, he was in a quandary whether to burn it or Cronkley first. He also burnt a house in Benfieldside in March, 1678, belonging to John Raw, and at about the same time destroyed the stable at Nun's House near Iveston.

In 1661 he was prosecuted by his son-in-law, John Elrington, for arson and larceny, and was sentenced to be burnt in the hand for the first crime. This only increased the feud between them, and Elrington was obliged to seek protection from the Justices of Assizes at Newcastle.

On the 16^th September, 1694, Maddison in a quarrel, killed one Atkinson, who was Laird of Cannyside Wood. Dreading the result of his crime, Maddison fled from his residence near Shotley Bridge, on his famous grey horse, evidently with the intention of making for the Cumberland wastes, where he might be safe. On entering Muggleswick Park, however, his favourite and long-tried steed, for the first time in its life refused to answer to spur and rein, and stood perfectly still. Finding that his horse refused to go any further, he dismounted and fled into an adjoining wood, where he hid himself in the hollow trunk of an old yew tree. There he was found, and was dragged off to Durham, to be tried and sentenced to death.

THOMAS RAW, THE MOSS TROOPER

“How rich the wood, how green the grassy mound,

Where sleeps the once indomitable Raw,

And where, asylumed safe, he gazed around,

And, toiling through the scenes surrounding, saw

The coming plunder, or the searching law!

What though unconsecrated memory

May hold a thousand feebler souls in awe?

He slumbers there beneath his chosen tree,

And who wherever laid, may sleep more sound than he?”

BARRASS.-The Derwent Valley.

ANOTHER famous mosstrooper was Thomas Raw, who lived on the farm at Wharnley Burn, on the south side of the Derwent, above Allansford. He was a member of a family who had for several generations lived in that neighbourhood.

It seems he was the last of the race of desperadoes, who, during the troubled times of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, lived in contempt and defiance of the law. He managed to evade the law, but he seemed to be shunned by his more honest and less reckless neighbours. His activities however, brought him into disfavour with the church, and he was publicly excommunicated, the prohibition which expelled him from the communion of the church and Christian fellowship being read out in all the churches in the Derwent Valley, between Hunstanworth and Blanchland, and Medomsley and Whittonstall, and in the district between Hexham and Slaley and Stanhope and Wolsingham, and also in the market places of Hexham, Stanhope and Wolsingham.

Being thus refused burial in consecrated ground, Raw, long before he died, chose a place under a tree in a field on the crest of the hill near his house, and there requested his friends to bury him on his death. This spot commands a view of all the surrounding approaches, and is said to have been the place where Raw spent much time in watching the approach of pursuers, or officers of the law, who could easily be detected at some considerable distance, and thus Raw had time to make his escape.

He died in January 1714, and his remains were duly interred in the spot which he had chosen, and some time after, a neat freestone slab was erected over the grave. For many years an old woman named Nelly Wilkinson, who acted as housekeeper to George Raw, a descendant of the moss-trooper, was in the habit of crossing over to the burial place of her master's ancestor, and scrubbing the grave cover every weekend. On this account the stone had a smooth polished appearance. In accordance with a wish of George Raw's will, this old lady continued to occupy a room at the west end of the house at Wharnley Burn free of rent, until her death.

Wharnley Burn, which was formerly the property of the Raw family, passed into the hands of John Emmerson of Willow Green, near Frosterley, who had the headstone removed to his farm at Steeley near Satley, and inserted in the wall of the western gable of what was the old farmhouse.

STIRLING OF STIRLING's BRIDGE

BETWEEN Healeyfield and Muggleswick the waters of the Hisehope and Horsleyhope Burns unite in a deep dene, near what is called Combe Bridges, and a short distance further on the combined streams join the river Derwent. A little above this place is the site of Stirling's Bridge, where, according to local tradition, a brave warrior of that name defended the passage across the river, against a body of moss-troopers. The bridge in question was only a temporary affair, consisting of a couple of large trees laid side by side across the river, affording a useful means of passage for travellers on foot, as the only permanent bridge was at Allansford, much further down.

The moss-troopers had successfully crossed the Derwent, and had pillaged and plundered many houses on the south side of the river, burning the buildings and massacring some of the inhabitants. On their return with their spoil, they were seen by Stirling, whose house was one of the many they had broken into, and he determined to prevent them from recrossing the Derwent, and if possible, keep them at bay until some of the plundered farmers were able to come up and attack them. The river was flooded at the time, and this crossing was their only means of escape. He managed to hold them off for some length of time, and even to break up the bridge to prevent their escape. He then escaped into the woods on the north bank. Some of the moss-troopers seeing Stirling's action, set off to Allansford, and crossing the stone bridge, took him in the rear, intending to kill him for his interference. They were disappointed however, for Stirling, seeing that his retreat was cut off, jumped into the flooded river and was drowned.

TOMMY THOMPSON

THE hermit of Allansford, Tommy Thompson, was born at Stanhope about the year 1857. Tommy was sexton there for 20 years, later moving to the Consett area where he was employed in the steel works from 1900 until 1925, when he was displaced due to the depression in the steel trade at that time. It was while he was at Consett, that he took up residence in a small cottage at the south end of the bridge. Later when he was more advanced in years, he found the rent of the cottage too much for his scanty income, and Tommy was forced to leave. Being an independent and rather eccentric sort of man, he chose to live the life of a hermit in the woods he loved so well at Allansford. 1929 found him living in a small corrugated iron but near Hole House, his companions being a dog, three cats and six Chinchilla rabbits. His rent was 2/- a week. His coffin was made by Mr. Milner of Consett Road, Castleside, shortly after Tommy had had an accident from which he was not expected to recover. Again he asserted his independence, for so as to not incur anyone any expense at his death, he had his coffin made while he was still alive, and he kept it under his bed, although for long periods he often slept in it, while his bed was damn in winter time.

BRICK OVEN BROWN BREAD

IT was the custom for the women of Allansford to gather once a week, and bake their wholesome “Brick Oven Brown Bread” in a communal stone oven.

Before the erection of the first Church in Consett, worshippers were allowed the use of the top house in Hartington Street for their devotions. The Company slightly altered the building to meet their needs.

A well-known Consettonian, Edward Hutchinson, joiner, erected swimming and other baths on the site of the premises at present used by the Co-operative Society. The morning the baths were opened, a look of anguish passed over poor Hutchinson's face when the weight of water cracked the sides of the pool. The baths were not as successful as was expected, and the owner used to say that the luxury his establishment afforded was the only one that the people of Consett denied themselves.

In an accident involving a train and a private car, at a level crossing at Delves Lane, the car was crushed between the train and the signal box. The lone passenger in the back seat of the car looked with horror as the half-shaft appeared vertically through the seat beside him. So great was his shock that he ran all the way home, and was unable to speak for three days.

Consett Round Table are modifying and equipping a 'bus given to them by Venture Transport. This will be presented to Consett Physically Handicapped Club, so members will be able to travel to and from their meetings. The cost of the alterations will be in the region of £400.

A local schoolboy confessed that the punishment he received at school was not as severe as that meted out to him at home. Apparently his mother used a broom handle.

At midnight on Friday, 18th December, 1959 there passed through Castleside a lady whose name became known in almost every home in the land . . . Dr. Barbara Moore, on her attempted marathon walk from Edinburgh to London. Shortly before reaching Castleside she was knocked down by a car at Riding Mill.

The Leyboume family can trace their connection with this district back for the last 600 years.

At Watergate near Castleside, a mill for the refining of Lead was erected before 1800. In 1827 the owners were T. Featherstone and Co. of Newcastle and its annual production was then about 2,000 bings of pig-lead and a small proportion of silver, a bing being 8 cwts. In 1856 the mill was owned by M. Byers and Co., and later J. Walton and Co., and it was from the lead smelters who resided in and around Castleside that the “Smelters' Arms” was so named.

The houses which were a continuation of Puddlers Row, were called Consett Terrace, but were better known as “Blackleg Row,” as they housed the workers from South Wales, who were brought to the district when employees of the Derwent Iron Company went on strike for more pay.

One of the first radio sets in the area was built for Mr. E. Atkinson, in the early 1920's. It consisted of 13 monster valves set on top of a converted sideboard. As it was the principle in those days to keep all wires as far away from each other as possible, the whole of the interior of the sideboard was used. It was capable of running down a car battery in the course of a single evening.

In July 1925, the Annfield Plain Co-operative van was driving down the street between Dacre Gardens and Sherburn Terrace, when a hole, more than 5 feet deep, 20 feet long, and the whole width of the road appeared behind it.

When the first Co-operative Stores in Consett were burnt down, the butcher, in attempt to salvage as much of his stock as possible, hurriedly swathed himself in sausages.

When silent films first came to the area, most of the older inhabitants were unable to read the captions underneath. The youths of the district being more educated, used to read them out aloud, but any long words that proved too difficult for them were missed out, and the expression “Sma' coal” was substituted. The resultant commentary was most interesting.

The famous Allendale Wolf escaped from private grounds at Shotley Bridge, in December, 1904, and did so much damage to sheep in the district that hunts were organized to effect its capture. Hundreds turned out and the chase continued for days without avail. After about 40 sheep had fallen its victims, the news was received of its destruction on the railway near Cumwhinton, the animal having been found cut in two.

In March 1881, Mr. Potts, a draper in Middle Street, had a large clock mounted on top of his shop. It had a massive cast-iron horizontal frame, and the wheels were of hard gun metal. The clock had one dial three feet in diameter, decorated with gilt and glazed with best opal glass. The clock became a Consett byword, for when Mr. Potts died, the clock also ceased to function, despite all the efforts of the local clock repairers. This was the origin of the saying, “You're like Potts' clock, you've stopped!”

MR. JOHN GLEDSTONE

IT was to Mr. Gledstone's unwearied zeal and disinterested efforts that the district is in a great measure indebted for a supply of water. In 1878, a public fountain was erected in his honour at Consett, the ceremony of unveiling it being performed on the 22^nd of April of that year by Wm. Jenkins, Esq., J.P., in the presence of Gledstone's fellow-townsmen, and all the leading inhabitants of the district. The design of the fountain, which formed a prominent object in the main thoroughfare of the town, was early Gothic. It was 18 feet high, and on three sides were white marble basins, supported by richly-carved corbels. On the panel facing west was the following inscription, in imperishable letters: “Erected by a grateful public, in honour of John Gledstone, originator of the Consett Water Works Scheme, 1878”. Mr. Gledstone, who was amongst the earliest residents of Consett, was secretary to the Water Company for many years. He died after a life of usefulness, December the 28^th, 1879, at the ripe age of 74 years.

WILLIAM JENKINS

THE man to whom in a great measure the prosperity of Consett is due, was the Welshman, Mr. William Jenkins. He received his training in the Dowlah Works. He heard of the struggles experienced at Consett, and after being induced to pay a visit to the district and carefully studying its natural resources and history decided that there was a bright future for the area. This was in spite of the current opinion that Consett, lacking the advantages of a sea-board or river frontage would be outpaced by the iron manufacturing towns of the North East coast

Having very little capital to play with, Mr. Jenkins wisely determined to make the most of the material at his command. His main aim was to make the work of the men under his command lighter. Standing before flaming furnaces, and handling hot iron and heavy plates for twelve hours at a stretch taxed to the uttermost the strength of the workmen. In many cases the heaviest work was removed by the introduction of steam power. No working man ever laid aside his coat, to do harder work than turning hot plates in a rolling mill. After doing such work for an hour in a morning, the men could not perform their other duties, and by relieving men of this sort of toil, he succeeded, by the accumulative labour of years, to win for Consett the foremost place among the steel and iron manufacturing firms world.

JOSHUA LAX

IN the realm of the Arts, this man became almost as well known as the sculptor Lough. As a poet he enjoyed at least a considerable local reputation. First the owner of a hardware store in Shotley Bridge, and then the manager of the village branch of the North-Eastern Bank, it seems clear that his main interests lay rather in the world of imaginative creation than in these more practical pursuits. His output was extensive and his power of description, which had full play in his enthusiasm for the beauty of the countryside round Shotley Bridge, was exceptional. More than that, his insight into the emotions and passions of man excited poetic fancies and a power of language strongly reminiscent of the more illustrious Lakeland poets-even of Keats himself. The following poem is a fair representation of his skill as a versifier, and the depth of thought which converted the versifier into poet. It is but one poem from a selection of his poems, in which so many local people had faith, that no less than 200 subscribed to put them into permanent book form.

The Passion's Power

Perhaps the youth whose ardent flame,

Dropp'd this warm verse as heaven the dew,

Linked to some soft enraptur'ng name,

Experience knew.

Perchance the form he most adored,

(Which for his own he fondly sighed),

Ere all its sweetness was explored,

Had droop'd and died.

And left the memory of its joy

Untouched, unsullied by despair,

Mingled of sorrow with the boy,

To flourish there.

That memory, too, he fondly cherished,

And fearful lest the passion fade,

He woo'd and won, ere it had perished,

Some other maid.

But had he loved some faithless fair,

Who laughed at all his bosom bore,

His heart had languished in despair,

And loved no more.

JOHN GRAHAM LOUGH

JOHN LOUGH was a sculptor, and was born at Greenhead, about three miles from Shotley Bridge. He followed the plough when he was a boy, and afterwards served his apprenticeship as a stonemason at Shotley Field. On reaching manhood, he went to London to seek fortune in the world of art. His journey there forms an interesting episode in his life. He persuaded the captain of a collier which was just sailing for London, to take him on board, offering him a guinea for his passage money, but on their arrival the captain refused to take a farthing. At Lough's request the same Captain took him to the British Museum, where he saw what he had long wished to see, the Elgin Marbles. The captain insisted on Lough returning and sleeping on board his vessel as long as it was detained in the docks, and he tried to persuade Lough to return home with him, adding, “it shall cost you nothing to go back with me to canny Newcastle”. This was in 1824, and Lough was then twenty-six years of age.

In spite of the captain's powers of persuasion, Lough decided to stay in London, and rented a humble lodging in an obscure first floor in Burleigh Street, above a greengrocer's shop, and there commenced to mould his colossal statue of “Milo”, which was destined to immortalise its author, and bring scores of patrons from the best ranks of society, amongst the first being the great general who never lost a battle or a gun, and who restored the peace of Europe in 1815 - Lord Wellington.

While Lough was engaged on modelling Milo, he found that the room in which he was working was too small for the figure, and he could not use his chisel on the upper part of the statue with sufficient freedom. Nothing daunted, he broke through the ceiling of the room and made himself sufficient space to continue to work. The owner of the property objected strongly, and began to take legal proceedings to prevent this damage. Mr. Brougham, later Lord Brougham, went to look at the Milo, and was so impressed with what he saw, that he told his friends about it, and soon the whole street where Lough's room was situated, was lined with the carriages of ladies and gentlemen, who had come to view his work. A subscription was organised for him, and through orders which began to arrive, the basis of his fortune was laid.

Lough's early days in London were times of great poverty. He ate no meat for more than three months, and every day at dinner time, when he used to feel the need of food, he used to lie down until it passed. He continually felt faint, and latterly began to perceive that he was growing idiotic. He had only one bushel and a half of coals the whole winter, and used to lie down by his clay model of the immortal figure, damp as it was, and shiver till he fell asleep.

Milo was the celebrated Italian wrestler, so prodigiously strong that he carried a bull on his shoulders and killed it with his fist. The manner of his death is depicted in the sculpting. He is endeavouring to divide an oak, which he has already split with iron wedges, when the wedges slip down, and the oak closes upon his left wrist, in which position he is discovered and devoured by wild beasts.

THOMAS DENT SIMPSON

BELIEVED to be the town's oldest inhabitant, in 1954 the death took place of Mr. Thomas Dent Simpson (91), 21, Albert Road, Consett. Mr. Dent who had lived in the town all his life was a founder member of the Consett Gospel Hall.

He started work at the age of 12 at Consett Iron Company as an engine lad, and retired as a boilerman at the age of 77. His life was devoted to the service of the poor and needy. He travelled to all parts of the area giving assistance. Mr. Simpson was a familiar figure in the old Middle Street market and later on the Consett Market Square, where he sold books on religion. He served as a member at the Gospel Hall for over 70 years, and was the last living founder member. One of Mr. Simpson's most treasured possessions was a shoehorn in old fashioned style, which was made from a portion of the first steel tapped by Consett Iron Company. This treasure was handed on to one of his best friends, Mr. R. Logan.

The year 1919 saw the passing of Castleside's then oldest standard in the person of Lambert Hall, only son of Thomas Hall, of Castleside, at the age of 83 years. He was a shoemaker by trade, but for many years was village postman and was an outstanding example of physical endurance in his daily marathon of about 27 miles, when but little of the neighbouring town of Consett existed, and Castleside much less in significance. Lambert Hall in the course of his duties in the collection and delivery of letters and postal packets, left Castleside each morning for Blackhill, where he collected his load thence to Shotley Bridge, via Allansford to Castleside and Healeyfield then on to Muggleswick, Edmondbyers, Carterway Heads, Shotley Field, and down to Shotley Bridge and he signed off at Blackhill and returned at night to his home at Castleside. These were long days, and he received little pay, but he still found time to be a crack runner and keen sportsman.

No story of Consett would be complete without mention of some of the personalities, past and present, not already referred to, who have helped to make Consett what it is today.

We remember names such as George Minto, Albert and Mosy Bridgewater, Tommy Lister, Vic Hindmarsh, Edward Abbott, Ned Lamb, Joe Walton, Dick Heckles, John Smith, `Spen' Hornsby, George Tindle, Davy Scott, Percy Humphry, Madame Hall, Flossie Askew. Teddy Ling, Johnny Nixon, Deighton Reed, Joe Wray, Coward Klee, Lloyd Clarence, Hughie Dales, Tommy Graham, John Barron, Bobby French, Gladys Maddison, Ella Charlton, Mary Richardson, Jack Wicks, Captain Dickie, David Adams, W. Stones, Humphrey Hetherington, Tommy Lancaster, Harry Yager, Jack Jarvis, Tom Bell, Big Bill Stoddart, and “Ducks” Thoburn.

To people such as these, and to all those who made the supreme sacrifice in two World Wars, we dedicate this book.