COXHOE 3

Gods Country

 By

BERNARD McCORMICK

 FOREWORD

In many ways The third edition to the volume of Coxhoe books is probably the most important. I have included a mini-history of the Village Hall, which is very important to most Coxhoe people. I have also taken advantage of material sent by Mrs. Marjorie Marshall ne. Wheeler who made available photograph’s etc. of mainly ’St. Mary’s Church’, which she used in a ‘Thesis’, in her College days many years ago. This enabled me to add a section on ‘St. Mary’s Church’. Jili Jackman has been in touch via. E/Mail Jili was the Granddaughter of Fred Jackman who had a Plumbers business at 100, Blackgate, Coxhoe. and is featured in the book. The most difficult job for me was putting it all together editing it and producing three value for money books of our past and young lives at Coxhoe.

Law & Order is very important to any community and over the years Coxhoe has been lucky to have good Police presence based in the village. Mr. Jimmy Johnson was a long standing servant where he was awarded the ‘Wilkinson Trophy’ for bravery. Jimmy settled in Coxhoe and retired here.

Most of Coxhoe Industrial involvement was based at ‘Steetley Quarries’, as mining went into decline and I have again featured photographs and an outline of Coxhoe people who worked for the Company. I have also included photographs of as many Coxhoe people as possible in this edition.

Bobby Bateson was a brilliant strong, feather weight boxer who was bred and born in the village; I have been lucky enough to acquire a copy of his fight record which was very impressive and which I have included in the book. I was also lucky enough to also obtain from Maxi Walsh (Chairman & Editor of (‘Ring Wise’, Magazine) a brief synopsis of Pat Gorman’s life with his fight record, the famous bantam weight who challenged Johnny King for the ‘British Bantamweight Championship’, Pat lived and died within two miles of Coxhoe; I am very indebted to Maxi for the information on Bobby & Pat.

I have enjoyed every minute of producing this volume of books and I hope that in some way I have recalled pleasant memories of many Coxhoe & ex. Coxhoe people. I would very much welcome any feedback or comment from the books; I have received some photographs of Kelloe & Bowburn and may have to produce a book on the district. I intend also putting some photograph’s of Coxhoe on a ‘Web Site’, with also a comment and news section which will be updated monthly. I have found many families of Coxhoe people live abroad or in the South of England. Any events or news of Coxhoe can be posted on the site; I will monitor interest; if there is interest? I will go ahead & arrange this. My details will be in the books for contact & most school children through normal lessons have access to Computers & the Internet these days.

Lastly I am indebted to Ronnie Taylor who over the years has built up a fine collection of photographic memories from the area and has now made these available to all, in the books. Ronnie is proud of his and his family association with Coxhoe and always keeps in touch as far as he can with other people from the area. These photograph’s at the end of the day only contributed to part of the material used in the books after contributions by other people; especially John Chisholm who also has a fine collection of early maps and artefacts on the Coxhoe area. Other people who were part of well known families have also been in touch mainly having many pleasant memories of their families in the area. Most contributed extra material so that this particular book has more pages and is better value with the price as normal:

  

This drift mine was very close to the Passenger Rail way line and south of an area of beck’s or water feeders which years previously existed to drive ‘Water Mills’. As the Century progressed all mining ceased, indeed the ‘Hare and Hounds’, or ‘Garmondsway’, was the last shaft Colliery to survive. Experienced miners from the area acquired work at neighbouring Collieries.

As shown in the area Strata the area around Coxhoe was rich in minerals, especially Limestone and there are Companies who process the stone & thus employ many men from the village. Coxhoe W.H. Station, which is the old terminus of the Clarence Railway, runs from Ferryhill. This is said to be the shortest branch line of the old North East Railway. There was an Hotel called ‘The Railway Tavern’. This doubled as a Railway booking office and coaching station. To the rear of the Hotel was an old ‘Ball Alley’ that was well known in the district and where many Championship games were played.

A Toll Gate existed south of the village ‘Blackgate’. A toll was claimed for proceeding north through the gate. This was a direct route to Durham.

 Half a mile east of the village on the Coxhoe – Kelloe road through a wonderful avenue of trees ‘Coxhoe Hall’, appeared in all of its Gothic splendour. It was a fairy tale building which was built by the creator of Hardwick Hall and gardens John Burdon. (This Hall lake and gardens also magnificent). The Hall was built in 1725 but the land has been occupied since Roman times.The fireplaces & Plasterwork was exquisite. The towers & facade were castellated. At the entrance, the staircase & reception rooms 

  

The Bishop of Lindisfarne Eadred about this period acted on a dream in which St. Cuthbert appeared to him. The Danes were persuaded to accept Gormund as their King. Gormund later made his peace with ‘Alfred the Great’. Who made him Governor of Northumbria?

After the Norman Conquest the land at present known as Garmondsway was given to one of the followers of ‘William the Norman’, and he adopted the name ‘Garmondsway’ for himself. Reference is made to the locality in the Bolden Book that was compiled in 1183 when Hugh Putsey was Bishop of Durham. The owners of the land at Garmondsway, ‘Ralph De Garmondsway’ about this period was involved in a dispute with regard to land against two other people. The prelate promised to defray the whole of his costs in exchange for his Vil. Of Garmondsway. The transaction went ahead and the Bishop devoted the income from his new possession to the upkeep of the Hospital he had built at Sherburn.

As some recompense to the impoverished Knight, Pudsey transferred him to Sadberge which he had just bought from Richard 1st. Pudsey gave him possession of an estate at Sadberge. The lands at Garmondsway contain valuable minerals and lime stone deposits. These minerals are a source of income and wealth to the Coxhoe area and are still owned by Sherburn Hospital.

Coxhoe Hall

Sale of Coxhoe Hall

On 16th. September 1938 Coxhoe Hall came up at Public Auction (For Sale). This was the birth place of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The Hall and grounds was sold for a total of £4,470. The sale was actually put forward as three lots and held at the ‘Three Tuns’, Durham City. 1/ The Hall its self. 2/ three cottages and 20 acres of grassland to the north of Coxhoe-Kelloe road. This was sold for a mere £420 3/ The third part was 86 acres of grassland and included the ‘Mill Farm’. This lot went for £2250. The Purchaser was Messrs. ’Trimdon Estates’ and the Auctioneers were T. Murray Limited. It was unbelievable that the beautiful Hall where Elizabeth Barrett Browning was born was sold for £1,800.

The Hall was an early Georgian residence of great Historical importance. The internal decoration walls and ceiling were magnificently completed by French Prisoners of war who were there after the ‘Peninsular War’. Mr. Murray said the Hall was rather large for modern living but said the surrounding land would most certainly be developed for housing etc. in the future:

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coxhoe Policeman Jimmy Johnson

Even before Jimmy Johnson joined the Police Force, he had risked his life in the ‘Merchant Navy’, sailing in support of the Russian convoys. Jimmy was torpedoed then his ship struck a mine; each time he was ditched and had to swim for his life.

P.C. Jimmy Johnson spent 20 years of his Police Career at Coxhoe. Jimmy policed Coxhoe, as would early members of the Police Force basically on the beat and certainly not in any form of Panda Car. Jimmy was the last of a dying breed; cutbacks mean that Coxhoe no longer needs any Police attention. Jimmy was born in South Shields, where his family were hardy sea faring people. As a Constable he served in Jarrow then Seaham Harbour. Both postings taught him patience and restraint. Eventually arriving at Coxhoe still a young Bobby at approx. 33 now he had a young wife Margaret who they say was the guiding force in the partnership.

Jimmy settled into his new job at Coxhoe and very soon made friends. Jimmy swears that Margaret was a much better Policeman than he was; she answered the door 24 hours each day when on duty sometimes to unsavoury characters. Jimmy is not without fame he was awarded the

Awarded the ‘Matthew Wilkinson Trophy’, for bringing credit to the Police Force when he rescued a man from a derelict building which had collapsed round him. Later the Citation said that the Constable had shown complete disregard for his own safety; when keeping people away from the building, as it was completely unsafe. One of Jimmy’s strangest duties was the yearly duty at ‘Metal Bridge’, where he had to be seen guarding the bridge as the ‘Royal Train’, travelled to Balmoral; the train always seemed to pass at 3 A.M. when completely foggy at Christmas time; the duty was very necessary according to his chiefs.

Jimmy preferred the old system of Policing basically this allows you to get to the heart of any problem and taking appropriate action, this is far better that going in to a problem blind without knowing any facts. Jimmy went on to say “Motor cars aren’t the answer”, “close harmony contact with the general public is the way forward”, “you get to know people better this way and far better than using cars”. Jimmy believes strongly in clipping a young tear away round the ear, then telling his parents. “I have not taken one single juvenile to Court in my career”, he went on to say; “Alas these days this procedure is impossible to follow due to Police Disciplinary procedures in force today”.

There have also been downturns in his career I suppose, which go hand in hand with the job; one such incident was finding a person who lived on his own and had been dead for three months. People had thought he was in Hospital; it was terrible to find him and see the results. Jimmy also over the years had to lock up friends mainly for their own benefit for all of this he still retained them as friends all knew he had completed his duties.

These days Jimmy is in a period of adjustment he felt that 53 was too young to retire but feels his hobbies of bowling and being in the Police Choir aren’t enough to take up all of his retirement hours. Sometimes he takes it on himself to walk all of the way to Durham to socialise with his ex-Colleagues who’s conversation and company he now misses. All of his family did well in varied careers such as a ’Librarian’, and Malcolm (son) following him into the ‘Police Force’, & attaining the rank of Inspector.; Jimmy says that he has missed Policing in the village and he has made many friends in particular Eunice Ball wife of the one time Club Steward and many more. Margaret his wife remarked that his police activity made her proud of him and it was lovely to hear people commenting on feeling safe when he was on the beat. Jimmy was always a fair copper some years ago after I came out of the army I owned a young Boxer dog called Roy. Later after getting married, my wife and myself did not have a great lot of time for the dog because of work. During the day sometimes he ran loose and took a fancy to Meggy Knights chickens at the Grove. Jimmy contacted me saying that he was prepared to take the dog off me as company on his beat, the other alternative was a fine. I knew that he would care for the dog and I was pleased with the arrangement: so allowed him to take the dog:

P.C. Billy Shiel was a Coxhoe bobby in 1940. The young policeman was murdered at Coxhoe when he cornered two burglars who were breaking into the local Co-Operative store. Billy showed tremendous courage when the men jumped through the front window of the shop; the young constable cornered them on some waste ground. One of the men pulled a gun and fired at Billy. Sadly the young Constable died the following day at Hospital; not before, while creased with pain, giving a complete description of the two men. This information led to the arrest of two men and some time later Police hater Vincent Ostler [24] was hanged for his murder.

Later at the turn of the Century the young P.C. is being considered for a bravery award; his daughter Barbara Ravell from Norton was overjoyed at the news. House Builders Barrett's are also considering calling one of the streets in their new developments at Coxhoe after P.C. Shiel. 

Coxhoe Village Hall

Coxhoe Village Hall association gave a progress report on the Village Hall, after the end of both World Wars. This report was very comprehensive and as follows.

The Village Hall history goes back to 1910. It was first known as ‘Coxhoe Social & Literary Institute’. It was infact four small cottages, which was purchased by the Committee and were positioned directly in front of the present building and known as Shop Close.

Local people of Coxhoe had no facilities for any functions be it dances or even social evenings. All that existed was a reading room at West Parade. This was actually the home of Joseph McNally; two rooms were available and included one with a bagatelle table. Many local business people attended mainly for companionship and to wind down after the business stresses of the day. Tot Heron (blacksmith), Fred Seeberb (butcher), Charlie Brown (wagon way man) and Robert Robinson (local farmer). At the time in Coxhoe twenty seven public houses for the sale of alcohol were in existence; this was a worrying fact especially for many families, the pubs & Hotels ranged from the ‘Clarence Villa’, in Durham road to Coxhoe Bridge railway Station; at the very far south of the villa

An alternative to this past-time was badly needed. Four cottages were purchased for £110, the local Colliery Manager John Ramsey of West Hetton Lodge; Coxhoe offered a loan toward the cost of buying billiard tables. In the autumn of 1910 the Institute opened. There was an election of Trustees, Thomas Ramsey, (overseer), James Pallister (shop keeper), Samuel Lancaster (check way man), William Carr (butcher), William Bell (builder), Nicholas Gent Bell (property agent), Thomas Husband Booth (confectioner), Rev. David Fleming (St. Mary’s) John Cook (school master), Albert Brighouse (Quarry Manager), Thomas Kingston (Postmaster).

The area covered by the cottages was 67 ½ X 39; this was divided into a large room for billiards & snooker. There was also a room at either end for games and reading. The first Secretary was W.H. Smith and the caretaker was Tom Hall. By 1913 the Committee were making ambitious plans for new premises especially as the current cost of membership was only 2p. A week.

Woman began to take an active interest in the institute, among them Miss M.M. Wood she thought that the project was a brilliant idea and where woman folk as well as men could spend their leisure hours. Whist drives, Concerts were arranged from which funds were added to the balance left by ‘The welcoming home fund’. On the 2nd. April 1932 Miss Wood, Mr. T.A. Saint of Garmondsway on behalf of Raisby Quarry, Mr. Brighouse, Mr. R. S. Tate, and Mr. Moses, laid April 1932 foundation stones. Building work began at the rear of the old building; the assembly hall, stage, anterooms, kitchen and supper rooms were built later. The first costing was £1800, leaving a debit balance of £300 out of funds already raised.

Miss Wood was determined that funds would be raised to complete the work on the supper room and kitchen; the rest of the work was actually completed by 1933, including the upstairs room for three billiard and snooker tables. By 1938 the hall and stage was finished mainly due to the generosity of Miss Wood; this wonderful lady made sure with her very large donation that her friends and colleagues of Coxhoe over the last years would finally have their ‘Village Hall’. Trustees were again elected.

Miss M.M. Wood and Mr. J.P. Wood had been generous in their own ways to the Village Hall; both died before 1938 but will be always be remembered with affection by the Coxhoe people. One of the highlights of the dance floor it is the most advanced there existed. People travelled long distances just to dance on the floor, especially has it also attracted many big bands to play at the Hall. Mr. Lilley was an amazing man; in the First World War he had last an arm in the hostilities. This did not deter him

from doing anything and he competed and sometimes beat the best players at Billiards at the Institute. Mr. Lilley did not let any task beat him and he was elected Secretary, he even found the time to run ‘St. Marys’, youth football team with helpers such as Harry Wears & Mr. Cart. He spent many years in this post and his efforts were tireless in his quest to organize and raise funds to pay overheads at the Hall. He arranged dancing classes for the Coxhoe people; this was invaluable especially for the young and people that could not dance. Whist drives, Concerts and functions of every description were organized and thoroughly enjoyed. During the war years many soldiers were stationed at Coxhoe Hall they were made to feel at home and they attended many of the functions.

The Second World War started with a bang the ‘Village Hall’s’, most loved Secretary Mr. Lilley died in 1947; he had given everything to make the project a success. Moral dropped badly people had learned mainly to forget about the Hall knowing fully that everything could be left to Him. After this period there was a series of Secretaries the longest service

was from Mr. Smith. Funds for the Hall had all but dried up; Mr. Leckie about this time had suggested membership of the Association of ‘Village Halls’ this would be a safeguard. The War years finally came to an end and loved ones returned to the area. Many functions had been arranged for them, which without the ‘Village Hall’ would have been impossible.

By 1960 there was obvious financial problems and a meeting was arranged with the Coxhoe and area population. This was very well attended and there seemed much concern. The meeting opened and the present Chairman informed the meeting promptly of the dire and serious problems facing the Institute; the present overdraft facility had reached £750 and the receipts were all but alarming. A further meeting was held and a new Secretary was elected this was Mr. A. Mohan; he had been effectively doing the work over the past month’s as Mr. Smith had been ill and now had to go into Hospital. It was also reported that the Institute was now a member of the ‘Village Hall Association’, and also that a new Treasurer was now part of the overall set up, he was Mr. E. Wallace of Martins Bank. Everyone consolidated and worked hard to reduce this overdraft. Industry played a major part with donations from the Quarries, and Collieries. After seven month’s the treasurer reported back to the members saying the overdraft was now clear.

Durham County Education Committee ordered equipment for the Institute to be on permanence loan for £500; they also gave aid by way of a grant for special and essential repair work to be carried out. The other sections were doing well especially the ‘Old Time Dancing Club’; this had been founded in 1949 and functioned really well. The ladies worked miracles making curtains out of their own material, mainly to brighten the place up after the repairs had been completed. After the electrical and modernization work had been carried out the whole premises was painted.

Mr. Wallace retired as treasurer and Mr. Summerbell of Martins took over; Mr. Younghusband took over as Secretary after M. H. Mahon retired. Under Mr. Younghusband’s term of office it was found that the dance floor required replacing. The cost for this was £850 taking into account the original joist and springs were sound. Once again Durham County Council came forward with a grant for this work. At this time member sections worked magnificently and funds were forthcoming to purchase a new sound system and tiling of the supper room. All in all the joint efforts were tremendous especially from the ladies section; they were in their thirty eighth year and their present Secretary Jennie Patterson had personally served them twenty eight years, while Mrs. K. Miller had served twenty one years. The garden and Handicapped sections both needed mentioning, as did the Youth Club. The present Youth Leader is Mr.John Egglestone; he is also now Secretary of the ‘Village Hall’, and under his guidance it functions well.

 

 

L/R Mr. W. Pattison, Mr. John Chisholm, (Crusher Attendant), Sir Guy Ropner, (Chairman of Raisby Quarries). The latter was presenting gold watches for long service awards to Mr. Pattison and Mr Chisholm for 50 years service at the Quarry.

Both began work at the Quarry when only fourteen years old. Mr. Chisholm worked initially in the Weigh Office. He was also a very experienced First Aid Attendant. John qualified in his ‘St. John’s Ambulance’ certificate in 1926. He has received 14 medals up to 1941; he also ran ambulance classes in West Cornforth for many years.

Billy Pattison John’s long term Quarry work-mate became his brother in law after marrying his sister Hannah in 1934. Billy Pattison (Quarry Forman), for ten years began work on Rope wagons when getting badly injured. He returned as a plate layer and was quickly promoted to Foreman. Mr. Patrick Miller (Managing Director) remarked that more mobility exists between jobs after his appointment and Chris Moody assistant Quarry Manager remarked that Billy was the Quarries oldest ever Forman. Mr. Chisholm, [63] lives at 47 Green Crescent, Coxhoe and retires in June next year. Mr. Pattison [63] lives at the Avenue, Coxhoe and he retires in November next year:

 

Mr.‘Nathanial Herdman Pattison Chisholm’ was a prominent member of the John Thompson (Kelloe)lodge of the RAOB. After five years he was the founder member of the John P. Taylor(Coxhoe Bridge) lodge. In 1923 he was elected the Provincial Grand Primo of the South Durham Province.

Mr. Pattison was a native of Bishop Middleham. He started work at ‘Raisby Quarry’ when he was very young becoming Works Foreman. He served in this post for thirty two years.

At the age of 58 Mr. Pattison died. Apparently it was one of the largest funerals to be held at Coxhoe and it was well represented by members of the Order of Buffaloes. The service was held at St. Mary’s Church and the service was conducted by the Reverend D.R. Evans. The RAOB service at the graveside was conducted by Mr. W.W. Coates from West Hartlepool.

The Mourners were many and from a varied part of the community and also business and Industry. Mr. Pattison had been City Secretary since the formation of the RAOB in this area. All of his family originate from ’Garmondsway’, where there is an independent Community which has existed for a great number of years. The main mourners as noted were Mrs. Pattison (widow), Mr. & Mrs. W. Pattison, Messrs. J.N.T. & John Pattison, (Garmondsway), sons and daughters. Mr. & Mrs. J. Todd (Garmondsway), Mr. & Mrs. Chisholm, Cornforth Lane. Mr. & Mrs. R. Hudson, (Sedgefield), Mr. Mrs H. Shepherd, (Leeds), daughters and sons in law. Other members of the Pattison & Chisholm family were all represented including Mr. W. Chisholm the Photographers of Front Street, Coxhoe. Mr. T.A. Saint represented Raisby Quarry, Mr. J. Wrightson (Coxhoe Parish Council), J. Frost, B. Mohon, J. Jemeson T. Potts, , W. Bell, W. Stokell, R. Swinbank, A. Race, W. Robson, E. Pope, (Vane Tempast), J.W. Cameron (Easington Village), J. Swales (Flower of Normandy), J.H. Redden, (South West Durham ) province. Sir.. J. Wilkinson ,(Fishburn), Sir I. Levey, (West Hartlepool). There were hundreds of other mourners too vast to mention ; this shows the size of the RAOB in the area: