COXHOE 2

Gods Country 

By

BERNARD McCORMICK

FOREWORD 

After the publication of the first book in the series 'Coxhoe', I was amazed at the interest. Ex. Coxhoe people and now living away from the area were contacting me mainly to give them a mention in the books with regard to sharing with the community their memories of their precious up-bringing in the Coxhoe area. Mainly because of this I decided to complete other volumes; I intend devote as much as possible to people of Coxhoe and ex. people from the area. Robin Walton wrote a 'History of Coxhoe' some years ago charting the early history of the area; I have tried to record where he left off and also bring to the notice of the reader many people who were raised in the area and proud of the fact. Many had interesting positions many are just ordinary nice people who have wonderful memories of their family and childhood. All have a nice story to tell.

I was further surprised at ex-Coxhoe area people who have served us in the forces in both world wars and many campaigns since the war. One man in particular Jack (Chew) Robinson who had a very distinguished career starting in the first World War where he won the Military Medal and the DSO. For some reason I had never even heard of Jack until talking to Ronnie Taylor about him recently even though being born in Coxhoe. Jack came from Kelloe two miles east of Coxhoe; was an extremely brave and hard man who fought in France until the full hostilities ceased; anyone doing this had to be some kind of a 'Superman' even to survive a day under-fire over that period was amazing. His grandson Jack Turton whom I contacted on the internet and who now lives at Coxhoe has kindly allowed me to include Jack's story in the present book.

I have included a short history of the 'Clarence Railway', in the book which I think is very relevant to the area. The Clarence Company was the brainchild of Christopher Tennant who had Coxhoe in mind when he concentrated on South Durham as an alternative to the S/D Railway. The area around Coxhoe had three Collieries at this time including William Hedley's 'Crowtrees Colliery'. Tennant's Railway would most certainly have been the premier Railway but for the Northumberland and Durham miners strike in 1831. This gave the 'Pease's', the monopoly, buying up one Colliery after another and transporting the coal via. their S/D Railway to their Stockton Docks and away from the Port of Clarence. I have also compiled a nice mini history on 'Coxhoe Working Mens Club', when I have worked closely with Mr. Geoff Atkinson the Secretary to produce this. Geoff lent me many old photographs of many members who have now sadly passed away and they will inspire many memories from Coxhoe people

Finally I have included many of our older groups who attended Cornforth Lane School; with as many names as possible, I hope they include parents of present families and I would welcome other photographs for the third and final volume. In conclusion I have endeavoured to produce the book as reasonable as possible at the same price, even with rising costs:

B. McCormick

above longstanding Coxhoe Friends L/R Billy Riddell, Len Robinson, Norman Robson and Alan Hudson:

 

Christopher Tennant

CLARENCE RAILWAY

The Clarence Railway was very much associated with Coxhoe and the Coxhoe people of the time; the names of pubs like the ‘Clarence Villa’, and the ‘Railway Hotel’, point to the connection, streets also show just how important it was to the area. I have decided to write a small history of the Company; heading the second book in the Coxhoe series.

Christopher Tennant founded the railway in 1828. Tennant appeared to be unlucky that his early undertakings ideas and proposals never fully materialised, because he could easily have replaced the Pease’s and the S & D Railway as the premier railway of the age.

Tennant was always fearlessly apposed to Pease control; whenever they put forward an idea he countered with an alternative scheme. Around 1815 Tennant knowing that as the coal industry expanded transporting this coal to Docks and the coal markets were very necessary. Tennant was a successful Stockton Merchant; he put forward a revolutionary scheme for a canal to be routed via. Rushyford and well north of Darlington and the Pease family. Tennant actually paid for his own survey; the canal would ship coal from the Auckland coalfields. The estimate for the venture was £205.283. In general it was thought that the proposition was sound and it was endorsed by all of the people that mattered in the area at a meeting in Stockton. Tennant led a deputation to London hoping to raise four fifths of the cost after which Parliament Authorisation would be forthcoming.

The Pease family and their backers were livid and they put forward an alternative scheme. The Counter Proposal was also for a canal scheme with further improvements to Tennant's scheme, in that Piercebridge, Yarm and Croft would be included in the route. The task of Surveying and costing the project was given to George Coverton a successful engineer of his day. Some time elapsed then Coverton reported back with a much-changed plan. George had done some soul searching repeatedly covering the route of the canal, finally he reported back to the Pease’s. Coverton’s estimate was £124,000; his proposal was for 27 miles of continuous railway line covering the Auckland Collieries, and the other areas as proposed. Tennant's scheme was thrown out costing him a great deal of personal finance and he was very disappointed but his determination and spirit was still very evident. By 1827 the S&D was just about established there shares were making £160 and were going from strength to Strength after initial teething problems.

Around 1828 Tennant re-surfaced forming a Railway Company called the ‘Clarence Railway’, the objects of the Company was transport coal from coal mining areas at this time mainly South Durham areas Coxhoe being very important to their operation. One of their main expansion programmes was to buy up viable Collieries to guarantee their haulage; to aid them in this venture the ‘Joint Stocks Coal Company’, formed the ‘Durham County Coal Company’, to do this, using Joints Stocks experts and Viewers to buy up Collieries before the Pease’s could expand into the area. The Clarence Company was in direct opposition to the S&D at Port Clarence, the S& D, exported from the Tees at Stockton.

It was noticeable on the Seal of the Clarence while showing rail track it also showed the coal wagons drawn by a horse a Ship was also evident. Up to the years 1831 the Clarence and S&D prospered. Jealousy and greed by southern coal owners surfaced and effected trade from The Tees docks tremendously. At this time there was also an attempt to create a branch line from S&D by the Clarence and this was backed by Parliament. There was another factor effecting S&D and that was the Tees docks at Stockton badly needed dredging and deepening to make it more navigable to larger shipping. These factors again gave Tennant and the Clarence breathing space and they prospered. Pits at Spennymoor, Page Bank and others in the area were now part of their operation.

The Tyne & Wear miners strike changed Tennants fortunes again; this strike advanced the S&D and port of Stockton by twenty years. Joseph Pease became Member of Parliament for South West Durham when he rejected two re-routing schemes by the Clarence Railway, which would of again come to Tennants aid. Eventually the Clarence Railway amalgamated with the S&D making a powerful joint Company. It was noted that this amalgamation happened after the death of Christopher Tennant in 1839. In 1854 Improvements were made to deepen the channel of the river Tees and improving the channel from Stockton to the sea. It was ironic that a ‘Joint Stocks’, Company had failed to raise the finance to complete this contract. Joseph was nominated as Chairman of a Committee nominated by the Admiralty and by 1854 a channel was created having three feet of water low tide and fifteen feet at high tide. This allowed large ships to enter the Port.

he was very disappointed but his determination and spirit was still very evident. By 1827 the S &D was just about established, their shares were making £160 and were going from strength to Strength after initial teething problems.

Around 1828 Tennant re-surfaced forming a Railway Company called the ‘Clarence Railway’, the objects of the Company were to transport coal from coal mining areas at this time mainly south Durham areas; Coxhoe being very important to their operation. One of their main expansion programmes were to buy up viable Collieries to guarantee their haulage; to aid them in this venture the ‘Joint Stocks Coal Company’, formed the ‘Durham County Coal Company’, using Joints Stocks experts and Viewers to buy up Collieries before the Pease’s could expand into the area. The Clarence Company was in direct opposition to the S & D; who, exported from the Tees at Stockton. It was noticeable on the Seal of the Clarence while showing rail track it also showed the coal wagons drawn by a horse, a ship was also evident. Up to the years 1831 the Clarence and S & D prospered.

Opposition to S&D Railway. Jealousy and greed by Southern coal owners surfaced and effected trade from the 'Tees Docks' tremendously. At this time there was also an attempt to create a branch line from S & D by the Clarence and this was backed by Parliament. There was another factor effecting S & D Railways and that was the Tees Docks at Stockton; it badly needed dredging and deepening to make it more navigable to larger shipping. These factors again gave Tennant and the Clarence breathing space and they prospered. Pits at Spennymoor, Page Bank and others in the area were now part of the Clarence operation.

Joseph Pease took evasive action to change S & D fortunes and the Tyne & Wear miners strike in 1831also changed Tennant's fortunes again; this strike advanced the S & D and port of Stockton by twenty years. Joseph Pease became Member of Parliament for South West Durham when he rejected two re-routing schemes by the Clarence Railway, which almost ruined Tennant. Eventually the Clarence Railway amalgamated with the S &D making a powerful joint Company. It was noted that this amalgamation happened after the death of Christopher Tennant in 1839. In 1854 improvements were made to deepen the channel of the river Tees and improving the channel from Stockton to the sea. It was ironic that a ‘Joint Stocks’, Company had failed to raise the finance to complete this contract. Joseph Pease was nominated as Chairman of the Port Committee by the Admiralty and by 1854 a channel was created having three feet of water low tide and fifteen feet at high tide. This allowed large ships to enter the Port:

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. David Galloway

With the growth of the Methodist Religion in the 17th. Century there appeared many ‘Lay Preachers’, from all walks of life. Their sermons were stirring, many were good singers poets & painters, most just plain God fearing people; all believed strongly in the scriptures and that God had a big say in all of our destinies. Leaders such as John Wesley inspired all, and it gave ordinary people a feeling of hope in times of despair especially working in the pits at this time. All areas had Lay Preacher Circuits, where these brilliant people worked to a roster walking to that particular Methodist Church to preach the word of God. Many famous people joined

 

these ranks; most for example Joseph Pease had business and other careers but felt a calling to preach to the faithful in these hard times. Because of the general lack of entertainment the Methodist religion thrived, people flocked to hear what different preachers had to say about God and life in general; it was also an alternative to alcohol which was a big problem in these times. One of these people was David Galloway who originated from Coxhoe, later living in the Cassop, Quarrington Hill areas. David preached on the Thornley Methodist circuit. Mr. Galloway

was grandfather and great grandfather to many well known Coxhoe people such as John & Joyce Malcolm, John was the son of Jack and Elsie Malcolm, Joan Woodward ne Malcolm; also well known Coxhoe people like Joe Johnson who was part of the Galloway family I felt that Coxhoe people would be interested in reading a short biography of this amazing man which I have including in the book.

Mr. David Galloway was born in an area called ‘California’, Coxhoe. His family were of Scottish extraction. Because of work David’s family moved to the Cassop and Quarrington Hill areas and where they remained for a number of years. At the age of twelve David started work as a trapper boy at East Hetton Colliery (Kelloe); his responsibilities were to open and shut air doors as putters came through with full and empty tubs of coal. The shifts were long and arduous ten hours working ten shifts a fortnight; like many other miners he never saw the light of day until the weekend. At the time of the terrible inundation at Kelloe in 1897 David Gallaway was in the Harvey at the time of the flooding and it was by sheer good fortune that he came from the area by the correct route to the shaft thus saving his life.

In the eighteenth century in Northern England it was extremely hard to get any sort of education most relied on the intelligence of fathers and mothers and other ministers, for knowledge, others found this just impossible to advance them selves at all; especially without money. David Galloway felt that to advance his knowledge & Education he had to work hard in the short time he had spare after working at the Colliery. he collected scrap, rags, and iron and sold it for a small profit with one thing in mind and that was to find money to educate himself; the education, which he treasured. David Galloway was never far away from Coxhoe; although living most of his life in Cassop, then Quarrington Hill. In April 1890 David married Miss Maria Austen of Coxhoe and they started a family. He had been married some years, before he strongly felt that he could pass on his knowledge of the Scriptures to his fellow man and the faithful at his local ‘Methodist Chapel’ at Quarrington Hill and after a short period people flocked to hear him preach.

At this time the Methodist Church across the north of England was flourishing especially charismatic high profile preachers such as John Wesley from time to time other good preachers came from America and elsewhere; people flocked to the Churches, even queuing for entrance. David Galloway’s preaching was as good as any and he walked miles to various Churches on the circuit. At times David walked as far as ten miles

 

to Spennymoor, Witton Gilbert and even as far as the Coastal areas. Every town and village had their own churches and chapels and as the religion grew there was a genuine and caring attitude in Communities, brought about by religious teaching of the scriptures and the word of God; by people the likes of James Galloway and other lay preachers. .

In July 1954 a ‘Northern Echo’, correspondent, asked his attitude to preaching, when he interviewed Mr. Galloway. He replied that a man can have all of the scholarships and teaching & education in the world but it would never compete with reading the bible, adding “A man can do a lot of things but if he doesn’t know Gods word, he may as well not preach”. Mr. Galloway went on to say that there was a trend in modern preaching which was away from biblical truth. This is not a good sign and is the cause of much confusion and uncertainty in the Church. Mr. Galloway talked about the high pressures of modern life when other organizations competed for people’s time and service. Adding that this contributed to reduced Church attendances and the demise of Christianity in general.

Mr. Galloway was a keen Gardner and he won many shows for his produce, such as leeks & Vegetables. In the year of the Coronation of King Edward 7th. he won the Championship Cup at Edinburgh. At home his walls are tastefully decorated with oil, & water colour paintings; there is even a pencil drawing of Durham Cathedral and an oil painting of Glencoe in Scotland all splendidly completed by himself. His other great interest was ‘Kylie’, Highland Cattle pictures, together with the Highland background that were very popular at this time they were as good as his Scottish ancestors could produce many years previously.

In April 1954 at the age of 84 Mr. Galloway was still preaching to the faithful; he was the oldest octogenarian local preacher on the Thornley circuit. He lived happily at 5, Belle View, Quarrington Hill. Up to that date he had given 60 years service to the Methodist religion, he had also served as Sunday school teacher & Superintendent; this as well as being a Trustee and being a member of he Methodist Leaders Meeting. The remarkable thing about this amazing man is he still looked forward to preaching and teaching the word of God on the Thornley Circuit even at the age of 84:

Mr. Galloway in his lifetime wrote many poems and verse one such poem was ‘Revival at Quarrington Hill’ very well written by him; I have included selected verses.

REVIVAL AT QUARRINGTON HILL

By David Galloway 1922

Dear Friends if you listen a story I will tell,

How sinful men & woman were snatched from lowest hell;

The churches they were empty, the word of god despised,

Some said the Good Old Bible would have to be revised.

Some said the story of the Cross, had lost its powers to save,

Men from the pit of sin gave a hope beyond the grave.

You need not fret about your sins, the scoffers often said;

But seek to see a bit of Life, eat and drink instead.

So things stood, when a faithful few, who knew and loved the Lord

Met together one Saturday night, with one accord,

They believed the promise of God, ask and ye shall receive,

For God will always listen, to those who will believe?

We sang the hymns of Jesus, and the Cross of Calvary,

Of Jesus Christ who came, to set poor sinners free;

How his blood cleanses every stain, & washes white as snow,

Whosoever believes, to Heaven at last will go.

One brother spoke from verse five in Joshua chapter three,

He sanctified and to morrow wonders ye will see;

And so we prayed and believed in Jesus the Sinners Friend;

Who promised to supply our needs, and guide us to the end?

One Sunday night we met again, to see the work begun,

The Preacher spoke from verse five, Romans Chapter one,

I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, life is free,

It is the power of God to save, to you and me.

So we sang from day to day, there is power in the blood,

The preacher spoke the word of life, so easy understood,

Of Jesus Christ the Son of God, who died on Calvary;

If people only would believe, they would from sin be free.

 

 

 

 

 Memories

Around Coxhoe 

 

 Doris Taylor nee Marr. Above Doris with her husband, daughter in law Ann & Granddaughter Victoria:

Doris was typical of a Coxhoe lady having been brought up in a Works house with only basic amenities. She recordered her life as a young girl and wrote about this over a 5-year period in 1984-1989. This will create many memories of similar experiences of a high percentage of Coxhoe women. Life was so hard in them days but as Doris mentions family love and care were all that mattered. This created a basic guide to family standards for her future off-spring and created a good basic guide to family character and good name. She likened her life in many ways to the writing’s of Catharine Cookson (there were many ladies like Doris at this time who read her stories of hard times in our region); saying that she was an honest and lovely person. In many ways I would think that Doris’s early life was as hard as Cookson’s. She lived at 'Stocks Row', an area very important not only to Coxhoe but also the North of England; she even remembers the dead being brought from Kelloe Pit passed her house at Stocks Row.

Doris Taylor was taken to Joint Stock’s Row as a baby her father being a Quarryman; basically he was right on the job. The rent at the time for the Quarry House was 6/2p a week, which was deducted from dad's wage. Doris was aware of her Dad's little secret hide away in the netty as she says, and where he sometimes had 2/- hidden away, for a pint and a packet of tabs. Doris mentions in notes of her memories that she certainly knew hard times but she always thanked God for two loving parents.

One of the major assets in the family at that time was the garden which dad cultivated; this was the family pantry and where everything was grown allowing us to survive. Leek’s boiled one night with baked potatoes, another meal was potatoes boiled in their skins with boiled beet and butter. The butter was actually made by putting milk and salt into a large glass and shaking it until you could not shake anymore and your arm ached. The reward was the gradual formation of the butter and it spurred you on. A cut of bacon also made all the difference mam bought six penny worth of bacon pieces from the Co-Op and within a very short time there were bacon and ham pies, custards, home baked bread, stotty cakes, brown bread. All were baked in the coal-fired oven. This was a feed fit for a King. Every Friday evening everyone knew they were in for a feast, this was Panacalty day. The meal was cooked over the fire, the ingredients of which was a family sized tin of tomatoes, 4 ½.p tin of corned beef and of course the potatoes. There was no running water at home myself and Peggy (sister) carried it before school. It was brought from a windmill field; two pails were carried with a girth over the shoulders; this lasted mam all day, but after school more were needed.

Over the road from Stocks Row were the ‘Quarry Banks’, and occasionally branches from trees or even the whole trees were blown over and Dad sawed the branches, Peggy and I stocked them up at the house. This made us happy because we knew that as winter came we would at least be warm. Even though there were many Collieries in Coxhoe coal was hard to come by, even though it was only 3/6 a bag. Coal duff was bought as a substitute when we moistened and made it into balls. This burnt for hours and kept us all warm.

Toys to play with were just not available; I had one doll, which I loved. One day I lost its hat, I looked in mam’s special cupboard where I found a cardboard box. Inside I found this wonderful doll dressed in nurses uniform. I could not contain my excitement thinking that Santa had came to me early; I grabbed the doll and ran to mam. I quickly learnt who Santa Claus was. Mam was busy black-leading the fireplace; I was the one that got black leaded !! ‘I got a good wallop’. I still got the beautiful doll for Christmas. I helped out where I possibly could at Stocks Row, especially for the lady who lived next door. The house at one time was a pub and it had large stone floors; with my bucket and scrubbing brush I scrubbed these floors. I then did the same at two earth toilets nearby. The lady was a Yorkshire woman and afterwards said “your pays on’t table” there were two-penny pieces, which paid for my film matinee at the ‘Gem Cinema’.

Doris said that she can still picture Dad coming home from the Quarry with his trousers tied at the knees; she went on to say “I loved every bit of him”. Every Easter we got paste eggs, chocolate was out of the question. Our Peggy found a pound note outside of a salesroom. We handed it in to the ‘Police Station’, when they said, that if it was not claimed within three month’s then it was Peggy’s.

A year later to our surprise Peggy was given the note, I got a chocolate egg from ‘Woolworth’s’, and the rest was shared with family and friends. It was a great pleasure doing something for the rest of the family and our friends, we were such a loving family and had some wonderful friends, especially the family next door who had seven children I loved everyone of them individually and would stay at the house for hours. The lady made lovely Yorkshire Puddings, in many ways better than mam's, dare I say.

All of the family including Doris joined the ‘Salvation Army’, meetings were held in the old stables; Mrs. Gibbons pudding tins were spoiled using them as tambourines. Saturdays were Matinee days at the Gem Cinema two pence bought us a packet of monkey nuts and entrance. The film was always continued next week at a crucial period. Christmas came around our main presents were a three penny piece, an orange & apple a few sweets and a comic. Sometime Mam, Peggy and I got a lift to Quarrington Hill with a lady who lived nearby and who sold certain goods. Our Butcher called at the house with meat, he was Mr. Picken. Quarrington Hill, Co-Op also called, but Sherburn Hill could not manage because of the hill at Stocks Row. There was a railway crossing near to our house and accidents were frequent; mam usually gave first aid until the Horse Ambulance could take them to Durham.

Dad went off to the First World War in 1914 and mam kept herself busy knitting socks for the soldiers. One Sunday night we arrived back at Coxhoe from Hordon on the train at Coxhoe Station. When we arrived at the Pottery we were told that our house at Stocks Row had been bombed. On arrival at the house we were all very tired and went straight to bed. Next morning Peggy and Mam were covered with soot. Apparently a Zeppelin had bombed the works chimney. We were all covered in soot but thankfully all alive. After the war we all had to go for a bag of cakes and a Celebration mug. At Stocks Row we were lucky because we were on two lists and received these, from both Parishes.

22 November 1984

Just after Ken’s birthday, he is now 48. Doris spoke of watching fire works on November 5th. Dad had bought a five-shilling box of fireworks, which included Catharine and spinning wheels. Dad fixed some wood for these on the house wall. Peg was now married and lived at Durham. We visited often and took Joe; to see her.

(Doris was writing her innermost thoughts, talking about watching her children and grandchildren grow up). She goes on to say that Christine and Ronnie both had a little titter at her and she was sure that they were taking the Mickey. Doris went on to say that she is glad the year has came to an end; poor Peg has gone she has lost her life long friend for 47 years, Nellie Carr, and to make it worse her poor little dog had died. (Doris was feeling a little down) She looks back at the joyous occasions with them, it gave her great pleasure knowing & loving them; saying the well-known phrase, “ it was better to have loved and lost than never having

loved before”. Trying to lift her spirit she adds but these times are hard to bear and then learn to smile again “roll on tomorrow things might get a little better”.

June 1986

Doris mentions that she suffered as a child health wise, she says she was left everything except money. Mam gave her most things to help her problem ‘Thermogenic Wool', a Habit shirt, always slipped over her head and tied at each end. I took Cod Liver Oil and malt every day, large bottles of emulsion; your body never saw daylight or night. If you showed your knees it was “put your clothes down”. At the seaside keep your clothes on and put your knickers over the top and go and plodge. No bathing costume!! The first one that I had was when I was 17 in 1928 and I still had to keep my coat on, over the top of it. Even so, there were also many funny and happy times with parents. Dad kept hens. When they started clucking we were told to bring four house bricks and put them in a square. Put a grass piece between the bricks then cover with straw. They then went to the farm to get some good fertilised eggs; these were put into the nest and it was wonderful to see the hen arrange the eggs with her beak. Water and food were left with her but she usually did not have the time to eat; she was so busy sitting. She had to be lifted on and off and most times she did not like it. My happiest moment was when we took a basin of cold water usually after three weeks and dipped them into the water; movement was felt, then a little yellow beak appeared in a little crack then the chick itself appeared. The chicks were put into a basket with a piece of blanket and each hatched chick put in. We then took them in the warm house, sprinkled their beaks with oatmeal to learn them to eat. Our black cat sat near to the chicks and we told her not to touch them. The engine driver Mr. Newton gave me two baby rabbits whose mother had died. We reared them and they were very tame; sometimes they ate dad’s carrot tops.

I once went to see a lady who had just had a baby. The nurse had called to the house; I asked her if I could buy a baby, she said yes and I asked how much, she smiled saying seven and six. I saved all of my coppers and soon I had five shilling. One day I visited my grandmother who lived near to the cricket field. Mr. Ogden lived close by in a Caravan. He had a black curly dog that had three pups. I loved these pups and Mr. Ogden asked how much money I had. I told him five shillings and he accepted this for one of the pups. Because I had saved that money I felt that that pup was my very own.

When I was seventeen I worked at Oldham, Lancashire in service, I travelled all that way for ten shilling a week; and part had to be sent home to mam. I had to clean the home and look after the children, other girls travelled to the cotton mills and earned better money, and they were dressed in shawls and wore clogs. My poor brother Joe worked every day in a Garage for seven and six each week; he was so small he had to stand on a box to serve the petrol. Little lads just like Joe walked from the bottom of Coxhoe to Kelloe Pit via. Joint Stocks Row. They car

ried their bait in a little white cloth bag with jam or cheese sandwiches; your heart ached for them. Doris remembered eighteen people who were burnt to death in Kelloe Pit. Pit heaps fell in, and they brought the bodies from the pit down Stocks Row bank draped in black. One of the boys mother was Mrs. Gibson, who lived near to us, another boys mam was Mrs. Coatham from Coxhoe Square; also Albert Robinson' s two sons, they were all buried at Coxhoe Church Yard without even a cross. Doris also remembers her Mam and Grandma going over the hills to the Workhouse. They cried for days and we grumble!! According to Doris there were many more lived at Coxhoe had to do this because of being destitute; but she did not want to say their names. (This was quite normal especially in the North East & especially when husbands, fathers and sons went off to fight for their Country)

4th. October 1986

Doris was friendly with Peggy Spinks and her sister and the main conversation were mam's and dad's and what we did. Peggy said that I should visit Beamish Museum but I don’t need to do that my memories are real and I can remember further back than any Museum. Mam got a pair of black Irons, an old man had made them and gave her them as a wedding present. There were two Lions, two sheep dogs and two lambs; the Blacksmith must have been very clever to make them. Mam black-leaded them weekly. When mam moved to 116, The Grove, mother said "Doris", "one of them Lions is yours"; I thought I had the very thing for keeping my door open. When mam saw what I was using it for, she quickly took it back.

Doris spoke about the weekend she married; she started the following week with two and sixpence. Sally Anderson who had a shop in the Avenue helped her out, mainly with cheap shopping, tea being two pence, onions one penny, bread four pence; the two and sixpence lasted me. Mam said put an order in with Brough’s who comes on Thursday and you don’t have to pay until the following Friday. We managed to survive; work was very short in 1930, three days work and three days dole. Our first baby was born and he always got his biscuit tin; three kinds of wafers lasted him a week. We got two rabbits each week; pie-crusts were made with plenty of vegetables. Although money was very short, fish and chips were only three pence.

The Second World War began and Dick joined the ‘Home Guard’, goodness knows what he would have done if anyone came from behind bushes. One day Dick spotted five or six German bombers coming overhead. There was a great big bang nearby. I was busy making sandwiches and tea so we took these under the stairs. Dad said we would be safe there, and at least we would not go hungry. When mam lived next door to Cooksons dad tried his gas mask on, when he went to the lav. Elsie and Mary Cookson saw him and ran into the house, shouting that a funny man had just gone into Mrs. Marr’s toilet. We all had a good laugh. We also laughed when the war was over, we carried tables and chairs on to the green; each

family boiled a kettle and cooked, serving all with a good tea. All Blackgate came alive goodness knows where all of the people came from. We danced all night along Durham Road and we were too excited to sleep.

Life at home was never dull the milk man once tied my back door so I could not get in, having to take everything through the front door. I put jam on the door handle knowing fully that he would be the next one to get hold of it and he had a terrible job removing it. The coalhouse near to the house caused a lot of dust, I asked my husband to build me a shed for the coal. I scrubbed the coalhouse and gave it five coats of paint and fitted some nice oil-cloth. I quickly realised that it was not such a good idea, as in the winter I had further to carry the coal. When the coal man came I asked him to put me three bags in the original coalhouse; he remarked that this was the cleanest coalhouse that he had ever seen. Doris thought to her self that she must have been daft; “never mind I was born like that” remarking to herself.

1st. January 1989

I feel full of joy it’s the first day of 1989, I hope this year is as good as last; someone must be watching over me. I’ve taken no harm for another year; I've got a good family all married with good wives and good homes. I went to Bill & Nora’s and Steven called, (Kens Son) he stooped to give me a kiss. Once I was tall, I'm a midget now.! Victoria, Ron’s daughter will be calling soon to take me to Sedgefield for New Years dinner. I’ve got to pinch myself wondering if this is all happening. Christine and Chris. and children came to let the New Year in. It makes you think just how you are going to cope. They all enjoyed being here but were soon ready for bed. I have just met a little boy who wished me a happy New Year. I gave him some of my twenty pence’s out of my pleasure pot. Now I am getting old, seventy nine coming up (work never killed anyone) I have much to look forward to …If I cough I get a bottle of Whisky, a few cans of beer and a bottle of Sherry so I hope I keep on coughing.

These memories linger on and it’s grand to have a good sense of humour. If you don’t laugh you would cry. I have found that it doesn’t do~~like the song goes ‘Laugh and the world laughs with you’.

‘Cry and you cry alone’.

John Chew Robinson, DCM MM, achieved a rare distinction in The Great War – he survived. The average life of an infantry soldier serving on the Western Front was measured in weeks. John Robinson, although he was wounded, served almost continuously from September 1915 until the cessation of hostilities. John Chew (Chew being his mother’s maiden name) was a front-line soldier, a man who faced death daily and whose personal courage was formerly recognised on two separate occasions for which he won two of his country’s highest awards for gallantry. He was also mentioned in dispatches and would have won the supreme honour – the Victoria Cross – had the officer who had proposed to recommend it, not been killed.

John Robinson was born on June 23rd, 1892 at 4, Factory Street, Darlaston, Staffordshire the third of eight children born to Arthur and Harriet Robinson. John’s father, a screw forger by profession, moved his family to Hartlepool County Durham in 1896 and it was in the northeast that young John grew up and went to school. John’s father was a harsh man who frequently beat him until, eventually, John ran away from home. He joined some fairground people in the Trimdon area and moved with them to Spennymoor where a Mr. Bland, the local cobbler, who took the runaway boy into his home, & befriended him. His father searched for him and finally tracked him down, demanding that his son return home. Mindful of the treatment young John had experienced, Mr. Bland refused to hand him over and threatened to go to the police with the details of Arthur Robinson’s cruelty to his son.

On leaving school John found work as a miner at East Hetton Colliery. Coal, along with steel and shipbuilding were the region’s principal

sources of employment. During his working life John would work at two other collieries in the Durham coalfields – Wheatley Hill and Thornley. He was still a miner when, on April 11th, 1914 he married a twenty-one year old local girl, Martha Marr at Quarrington Hill, County Durham. The young couple set up home and prepared for their life together blissfully ignorant of the storm clouds gathering over Europe. A month after war broke out the 14th (Service) battalion of the Durham Light Infantry was formed at Newcastle. Within weeks John Robinson travelled to the city to join them. The battalion began training and on the 11th of September 1915 it landed at Boulogne as part of 18th Brigade, 6th Division.

The battalion saw action in the Ypres sector before being ordered to the Somme where they arrived on August 11, 1916. They took part in the attack on The Quadrilateral on September 18th and stormed their objectives. They moved around the sector taking up positions at Lesboeufs, Méaulte, Ville-sur-Ancre and Trônes Wood. They attacked the trench system known as Rainbow and Shine trenches, taking them under heavy bombardment, C Company taking Rainbow and B Company (including John Robinson) successfully assaulting Shine. It was on the Somme that John won his Military Medal. He was by then a Sergeant and the award was listed in the London Gazette dated October 27th, 1916.

Later in the war he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. By that time he was acting Company Sergeant-Major. The citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his company under heavy fire, displaying great courage and determination. Later he led a patrol and obtained most valuable information. He set a splendid example throughout. On February 1st, 1918 the 14th (Service) battalion, Durham Light Infantry was disbanded in France. John Robinson transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers becoming a Regimental Sergeant-Major. He was still serving with them in April 1920.

On demobilisation he returned home to resume his career as a miner. During his war service he had received severe leg wounds caused by shrapnel, a piece of which he kept as a souvenir. He was still receiving treatment for his wound in the early months of the Second World War. Two of John’s younger brothers also served in The Great War, Joseph (with the Durham Light Infantry) and Arthur, a stoker in the Royal Navy. Arthur died aged twenty-one on November 7th, 1918 – just four days before the armistice. During the Second World War John served for a time with the Home Guard based at Coxhoe Hall, which became a POW camp for Italian

prisoners. Later, he became a Prison Officer spending part of his service at Durham Prison.

During his lifetime John was able to witness at first hand history in the making. He did so at Ypres and on the Somme. He was to do so again at the end of the Second World War when the Prison Service sent him to London. On the night of December 18th, 1945 John sat in the condemned cell at Wandsworth Prison with John Amery who was facing the death penalty for treason. He had pleaded guilty to eight counts of high treason. The following morning, December 19th, Amery was hanged.

On January 3rd 1946, John was once again involved with a hanging. He was one of the escorts leading William Joyce to the gallows. Joyce, better known as Lord Haw Haw, was a former member of the British Union of Fascists who defected to Germany at the outbreak of the Second World War. He spent those years broadcasting Nazi propaganda in English to radio listeners in Britain. I well remember hearing his sneering drawl opening each broadcast with the words – "Germany calling…Germany calling". During his time at Wandsworth Prison John Robinson met Albert Pierrpoint, who was for many years Britain’s official executioner and sent both Amery and Joyce to their deaths. Soon after these events John Robinson left the Prison Service and returned to the northeast and again to mining. He was once again back in the industry where he had started his working life over forty years earlier. He remained a miner until his retirement.

John devoted his final years to his two great passions – his family and gardening. He took great pride in his allotment, built his own greenhouse and grew prize vegetables, specialising in cultivating leeks, which he grew for show. John died from Coronary thrombosis on October 14th, 1970 at home, 2 School Avenue in the village of Kelloe in his beloved County Durham. John Robinson was typical of a breed of men now so rare as to be virtually extinct. Men from humble backgrounds who took responsibility for their lives and for the lives of those who depended on them. Men who worked tirelessly at physically demanding and often dangerous occupations and who came forward in their thousands when danger threatened their homeland. Men who went unquestioningly over the top to almost certain death time after time.

As Shakespeare said: "He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again”

 

 

Harry Wilson (Junior)

Harry lives at ‘Bogma Avenue’, Coxhoe; having originally lived at Bowburn. In the fifties I worked with his father Harry, who was a stone man in the Hutton Seam at Bowburn. At this time Harry and young Harry took an interest in the boxing myself and George Rowland were involved in; some days George & I called at the Wilson’s home where we were always made welcome especially by Harry’s mam & dad who would not let us leave without something to eat or drink.

Over the past years young Harry has done remarkably well and his achievements for Charity have been tremendous. Harry is ‘Durham Town Hall’ janitor and takes tourists and visitors on guided tours of the Town Hall; he is very informative and knows the History of the establishment by heart. He also looks after, with others, the current elected ‘Mayors’. Harry has also sadly had some downturns in life, his mother and father passed away and Harry’s loving partner ‘Mary Anne’, died of Breast Cancer; after which there after, he concentrated his efforts to Cancer charities inspired by the death of his loving partner.

Coxhoe people as well as Harry’s daughter Joanne gives a helping hand with his efforts by organising Discos, Raffles and other events. Shirley & Steve and the regulars at the 'Cricketers Hotel’, help also with the families efforts. Tracey (daughter in law) joined the efforts of Joanne in the fundraising. Tracey sadly also lost her husband, Harry’s son David in a Motorcar accident. So tragedy has never been far away for all of the family.

Although the tragedies have not been hard to bear, Harry and the family don’t let it get them down and they remain optimistic. They are determined as ever to generate money for Cancer research. Even Harry’s grandchildren Emily and Laura encourage and help their granddad and mam and are very proud of them. Harry recently has been honoured for being basically a good guide and Janitor for visitors. One day Harry gave Gerry Vale, Chief Executive from the Guildhall at London a guided tour. He was so impressed that he bestowed on to Harry one of the highest honours the ‘Freedom of London’ and he added that Harry was a genuine man and a great servant to the City of Durham. Harry was very proud saying that it makes everything worthwhile. (Florence Nightingale, Benjamin Disraeli, Nelson Mandela and Princess Diana all have the honour; it dates back to medieval times of 1237 and was used for fund raising).

 

 

 

Left the Coxhoe Workingmen's Club taken at night time. The club boldly showing the Newcastle Company Logo and not 'Federation' showing plainly they are not indebted to 'Federation Breweries '

 Coxhoe Workingmen's Club was incorporated in 1910 one year after the terrible disaster at Stanley Colliery. Originally the Club consisted of a one storey Blacksmith's shop. Basically it took the early members and Management board fourteen years to get the Club off the ground. It was 1934 when a terraced property adjacent to the existing premises became available and from this period the Club prospered. In 1937 three years after acquisition of the property it was renamed 'New Club'; when the two properties were blended together.

The Club at the time being supplied by 'Federation Breweries' slowly began to progress. The Club was extremely lucky that good quality Committee, Officials and Stewards came forward over the years, they are noted as follows earliest first; Secretaries Jack Gilmore, Tommy Stanworth, Dave Hughes, Whit Anderson, Marshal Haliman, Jimmy Ord, Billy Longstaff, Kieth Eltringham, Charlie Ord, Kieth Ord, John Keelty (1992-1997). Chairmen. Jack Calvett, Jimmy Wilson, J. Tippling, George Hillerby, Gerry Ingledew served until 1992 when Geoff Atkinson took over the reigns until 1997, Tony Rowe, 1997-1998, Gerry Ingledew 1998-2000. Treasurers Jimmy Ingham, Fred Wesgarth, Freddy Bell, Ray Bryan. Stewards; Alf Kingston, Jack Lawson, Sid Frisby, Alf Kingston, Jimmy Ord, Billy Banks, Dickie Ball, John Scott, Alan Obron, Ronnie Hall. George Arkwright, along with others had spells on Committee and as doorman. G. Arkwright, Billy Carr, L. Mason were founder members of the 'Buster', which still runs today with 170 members. Most other Clubs in the North of England are sadly in decline and are simply not progressing while Coxhoe goes from strength to strength. In June 1999 with careful forward planning; the Management Board decided to move the account from Federation to 'Newcastle Breweries'. This happened to be sound business sense and followed Market trends for modern quality keg beers such as 'John Smith's' smooth, and also modern Lagers for the younger members. The Committee knowing that due to the present price of a pint of beer and easy taxation a good pint of beer was paramount. This began to attract members back to the Club together with new members from modern housing developments that began to appear in the area. This also contributed to a healthy profit in the trading account; one half year alone in 2003 produced a net profit of £39,000 on behalf of the members.

The objects of the Club operate obviously for the good of the Membership and the Club goes out of its way to achieve this by reducing the beer regular for Club members, they also do what they can for the older Members by way of trips and entertainment. The Club also has a healthy interest in the Games Section and takes an interest in the achievements of the youth of the area. Over the years young members have been sponsored by the Club and have done well. The Present Officials & Committee are Steward Keith Ord, served from 1992 to present, Secretary Geoff Atkinson, 1997-present (second term). Chairman Nigel Ord 2000 to present, Treasurer Colin Wood 1998 to present Committee Mick Hill (vice Chairman), Jack Bradley, Colin Robson, (Concert Secretary), Steven Neale, Kevin Lawson, Tony Robson, David Wynne (sports secretary).

Early Club Members:

 

 

 

 

 

 If you have enjoyed my book 'Coxhoe 2' or have any pictures stories or comments please E/Mail me at bmccormick@bermac.co.uk Or just E/Mail me for a chat.