Cornforth Lane going towards Coxhoe. Doctor Oliver had he's Surgery on the left; further up on the left was Adamson's the butchers. Below the main street of Coxhoe, Jameson's sweet shop is seen on the left, right through the War years they kept a good window display of Chocolates and sweets which were just not available at that time. Lower on the left is the Primary school and St. Mary's Church. On the other side of the road busses were available to most areas:

Above St. Mary's Church, consecrated by Charles Baring (Bishop of Durham) May 14th. 1868. Has no isle at the north side and is lacking a tower and steeple. Below the 'Working Men's Club', and further down, Mr Iceton's 'Avenue Picture House'

Above Coxhoe Hall gatehouse which led to the Hall along a wonderful avenue of trees of every description; also blue bells and all kinds of shrubs. In summer the area was a wash with colour. At Easter families brought their children for walks in their best clothing. Below the old Blacksmith's shop which is now the Working Men's Club:

The decline of mining and modern housing availability made the 'Long Row', surplus to requirements. Sadly houses were demolished and along with them memories of years of sweat and tears. Below the end of 'Long Row', made way for the new Catholic Church of 'St. Joseph's', in 1966. This replaced old 'St. Joseph's', Church which was demolished at Cornforth, because of subsidence. The newChurch seats 400 and there is also a priests house. The Catholics in the area including my family, saved hard to finance the project:

Wonderful picture of 'Coxhoe Hall' steeped in History. Elizabeth Barrett Browning was born here and christened close by at Kelloe St. Helens Church. The Hall was built in 1725 by John Burdon the creator of Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield. Below the road leading to the Gatehouse. The Hall was a well known meeting place for friends:

The Black Horse Hotel' I took this photograph a week before it was pulled down to make way for houses. My brother Len and his wife Margaret had their wedding reception here. It was mainly a Farmers pub. Below Coxhoe Railway station; passengers went as far as Hartlepool. It was very busy especially in the summer months:

J. & A. Wilson LTD. Were high class drapers and outfitters based at Coxhoe. The shop was always immaculate and the staff dressed accordingly. When my mother sent me to the shop I was always aware of the wonderful aromas, because of the high class goods sold. Below they had one of the earliest Ford's with solid tyres in the present day worth a fortune; it would seem especially purchased for the business. It was also noted they had their own petrol pump at the side of the building:

A nice view of 'Cornforth Lane', 'Whitfield Chemist' on the right, next door was 'Younghusband Newsagent' the Newsagent's having many owners over the years. Below the 'Village Hall', showing the monument to the men of the area who lost their lives in battle. As a boy I played snooker and skittles here with friends. Many weekly dances were held for all ages & where many people met their future partners:

Two very early photographs showing the area just below the mineral railway line. The 'Old Red Lion', just on the right; with Jack Shut I attended on Friday nights to strike the pigeon clock's before the birds were sent away to race. Further down on the right is the 'Tyne Side' which in later years was made into a house and where I began my married life. Below showing the 'Long Row', left and Post Office on the right. 'Wilson's', outfitters and 'Suttons', bakers. On Good Fridays people waited patiently for Hot Cross Buns:

Above south of the Cross Roads; the 'Red Lion', on the right. Generally called 'The Widows', the Pub has had many Landlords, including my friend Jack Jones who served with the 'DLI', in Korea. Directly across the road was 'Pickering's', Farm; now a new housing estate. Below 'Hudson & Brown', the local Garage. The father and son were brilliant motor engineers. People came long distances for repairs & for advice on cars:

Above Coxhoe around 1950 more & more cars began to appear, pubs & Clubs did a roaring trade as the Collieries & Coke ovens prospered. Power Stations used as much coal as they could get. There is unfortunately a price to pay for everything, below 95, The Grove, Coxhoe; with major structural problems. During the night the gable end came away from the house; caused by Colliery workings below. This was the house where I was born. Tommy Lee from Coxhoe lived in the house at the time of the incident:

The Co-operative Committee probably Coxhoe which was combined with West Cornforth. They were all looking rather important. They actually were, they had to run the stores efficiently on behalf of their members which meant most citizens of the day. Below it would seem a day out for the members of the club. The bus being an early 'Pullman', I don’t seem to know anyone but possibly Frank Taylor, second from right at the bottom. Frank was a Filler at Thrislington:

Above the Post Office, Methodist Church and part of the Co-Operative taken in 1905. The Church is a brilliantly constructed building with a massive roof. The faith and Religion of the attendees must have been tremendous; many tradesmen being part of the congregation. To save the cash to build the Church must also have been a great effort: Below Carnival time with the Queen and attendants. This particular year it was Jenny Heppel who supplied the picture. When I was eight I was an attendant with a very beautiful young lady Sheila Smith; the King & Queen that particular year were Blanch Attlee and Dickie Blenkinsop, who really looked after us and were a wonderful couple. I had a top hat on. Sheila was like a little princess; I cant remember seeing her since that day:

One of the best known Hotels in Coxhoe. 'The Railway Hotel', I have many pleasant memories of the pub and back room. The beer was always near perfect. The front of the building and surrounding the windows & Doors were a marble effect finnish.. The windows were also finished very professional. There was always something happening at the pub especially weekends. Below the 'Vicarage', in the summer months there were garden parties held. The boys Brigade gave exhibitions on exercise techniques mainly over a vaulting horse. I have received an E/Mail from Edward Walker who lived at Coxhoe in the 60s. His father was in the police and lived at Coxhoe. He was in the Boys Brigade. The Vicarage also had an orchard with a large variety of fruit trees:

Above a view of Coxhoe from the Quarry Banks. Below Coxhoe Front Street. It would seem that cars were driving on the right side of the road. The 'Working Men's Club', is starting to take shape; also the 'Avenue Picture House'. Gas lamps can be seen in the street piped from the local gas works. On the right bill boards can be seen outside the shop which was then a Chemist Shop and is now Ladbrokes Bookmakers. A sign post is evident; the village is central for most areas: