Cornforth Memories
Been playing around with http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/sidebyside.cfm…. The old map (1888-1913) clearly shows the footpath to the Jubilee Bridge( which in my day was built of wood). The footpath passes through the area where the slag heaps left from the iron work days were. As kids we called this area the ‘Rockies’, having heard about the American mountain range from Roy Rogers films seen at the Regent Cinerma. Can anyone else rember this are of Cornforth?
Bill Black
My grands Fred Parkin had the farm down ther railway cottage he used to chase the kids off with his stick I’m 64 now so that was a long time ago but we went over jubilee bridge to get ther
Like · Reply · 2 · 23 January at 13:00
Ken Brown The old bugger shot at us with a bird gun as we ran across the tracks(!) after scrumping his apples!
Like · Reply · 1 · 23 January at 15:08
Jean Robinson Ha ha that’s him he would off sold u some
I do but I had it in my head that the JB was green and metal I must have first gone there from the mid fifties to mid sixties. The map is great by the way.
Like · Reply · 23 January at 13:01
Bill Black yep, my time would be late fourties, early /mid fifties. I have it in the back of my mind metal structure replacing wooden one, but have no idea when it was done.
Like · Reply · 1 · 23 January at 13:55
Dennis Christison it was wood upto the early sixties,many spells gathered over the years
Like · Reply · 1 · 23 January at 19:19
Dennis Christison For spells please read ‘Spelks’
Like · Reply · 23 January at 19:21
Bill Black I think we all knew what you were referring too, having shared the same experience
I thought it was blue cos din it get blue bridge I cud b wrong
Like · Reply · 1 · 23 January at 13:04
Dennis Christison I spent my early teenage years on the jubilee bridge loco spotting,often saw Fred chasing the kids,as an innocent I was never one of them. Sadly it would not be as interesting now
Like · Reply · 1 · 23 January at 13:44
Jean Robinson I can remember the trains goin under the bridge gettin covered in smoke
“The Rockies” is Avery good description of this waste land.We used to run up & down these grey shale hills these were surrounded by thorny shrubs.Bill was a cowboy we were Enid Blytons Famous Five.We were always in a group & we would play many an hour.If I remember correctly the bridge was steel with wooden latts.
Like · Reply · 1 · 23 January at 15:30
Jean Grafton Joe said he can rember Fred parkin with his double barrel all I can say he must have had good apples
Like · Reply · 3 · 23 January at 18:10
Alan Robson Spent many happy days at the old wooden jubilee bridge and the metal one. Does anyone remember the short but deep ponds around the old iron works slag heaps we called the newt ponds. I remember them well as my brother George nearly drowned in one when …**See more
Like · Reply · 1 · 23 January at 18:50 · Edited
Bill Black I can remember the small pounds and the circular constructions ( think there was two) never knew what they were or what they were built for? Wasn’t it a great area and era to grow up in. Kids today, for all the worldly goodies that money can buy really are not getting the great experiences that we had.
It was a fantastic.place Bill and yes there were two of them circular constructions. You are right kids are not getting any of the fun we had and all free. We lived down the woods and loved standing in the smoke when the engines passed under the jubilee bridge .
Like · Reply · 1 · 23 January at 19:11
View more replies
Write a reply…
Andy Denholm Heah its brilliant to look and compare, learnt a few thinks looking at them old and new.
Like · Reply · 24 January at 18:15
Eleanor Williams Looking back we walked alot.Sometimes bread & jam for a snack & we were always gathering something, Primroses Bluebells,blackberries,strawberries & rosehips.
Like · Reply · 2 · 24 January at 18:27
Jean Grafton It was a lovely wood Eleanor Joe used to show me the knewts under logs skylarks singing and every butterfly you can name I am so thankful that I grew up in this lovely time we all had nowt but we had such fun xx
Like · Reply · 2 · 24 January at 18:38
Eleanor Williams We will have to go for a walk down the wood when we get some spare time.
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 January at 19:25
Bill Black we used to build rafts that we floated on the duff beds. Can you imgaine the risk assessment forms that would need to be completed nowadays. Life is so clinical now, all these young folkes comming out of law school have to make a living!!!
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 January at 19:49
Andy Denholm ohhhh yes indeed
Like · Reply · 24 January at 19:57
Write a reply…
Bill Black Although I left Doggie in 1968, would love to do something for the young folk of Doggie, But what??????????
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 January at 19:52
Andy Denholm Mmmmm write ali your memories down speak to Julie Leitheiser
Like · Reply · 24 January at 19:58
Write a reply…
Bill Black If you look at the 1937-61 os ,map you can see Priceies Pond, Just at the bottom of the pit heap. The incline from the pit, remember trying to jump on the trucks as they trundled down towards Ferryhill( attached to the very large cable)
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 January at 20:25
Andy Denholm See Bill what you are telling us is priceless it all needs writing down…
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 January at 20:27
Write a reply…
Bill Black Andy, whistle I appreciate what you are saying, its all about time slots Mine was late fourties early/mid Fifties. And so to write up would need to define these time slots (i think!) and that might not be easy!
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 January at 20:35 · Edited
Andy Denholm a story of my youth…thats covers it but I understand what you mean…I couldnt name years just various memories
Like · Reply · 24 January at 20:38
Bill Black yep, goalong with that
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 January at 20:40
View more replies
Write a reply…
A few random things crossed my mind about growing up in Doggie.
Smart & Brown’s trips either Blackpool or Scarborough 70 plus coaches £1 got there 11:00 left after 23:00 Lots of alcohol & a few always got left behind (£80 for a cab)
… See more
LikeShow More Reactions
Comment
22 Andy Denholm, Christine Read and 20 others
Comments
View 10 more comments
David Riseley Don’t forget the frozen milk on the doorstep that the birds had pecked the tops off.
Like · Reply · 1 · 19 January at 07:27
Sharon Conley Ord replied · 2 Replies
Ian Martin Fitzgerald Donkey wood plastic sacks half filled with snow so your bum was freezing worth it though once snow was compacted on hill it was excellent we used to try and slide down one side then up the other. In summer tartan swing broke my arm on that. Bet this brings back few memories
Like · Reply · 1 · 19 January at 08:55
Write a comment…
Margaret Sowerby
17 January at 18:31
A blast from the past!!
LikeShow More Reactions
Comment
18 You, Andy Denholm, Anna Johnston and 15 others
Comments
View 2 more comments
Andy Denholm Dogs are chipped to owners so this is far more useful as owners can notify dog wardens and chip provider, so an audit trail, dog collars can be removed.
Like · Reply · 18 January at 08:49
Keith Sutton replied · 2 Replies
Joanne Dyce Should still have to pay for a licence stop the idiots having ‘status’ dogs. They should be pets and nothing else in my opinion.
Like · Reply · 1 · 18 January at 22:51
Write a comment…
Wild Rover me Dad drove me mad ! Lol saying that I have sung it myself loads of times in my adult years ha ha
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 13:25 · Edited
Alison Cockburn Patsy cline was all I use to hear lol
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 13:30
Andy Denholm What like flash backs too lol
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 13:31
Write a reply…
Anna Johnston Beautiful Dreamer, Heart of my Heart…When they begin the Beguin,
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 13:31
Julie Leitheiser I had a memory of this published in our paper- Dad was always singing - I recall You Belong To Me- he was singing it once was I was small as we went across the Tyne Bridge - we had the story about Moses in the bulrushes the next week and I drew a pictu…**See more
Like · Reply · 5 · 14 January at 13:36
Anna Johnston All of the above especially Nat King Cole. My parents also loved opera so all the famous arias.i can’t listen to them at all because I cry but they gave me lovely memories.
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 13:39 · Edited
Dennis Christison ‘Sally’ sang by Gracie Fields had my dad in tears every time he heard it, l also liked Reg Dixon singing ‘Confidentially’.Stanley Hollaway also had many great monologues
Unlike · Reply · 2 · 14 January at 13:46
Lesley Johnston Anything by Nat King Cole or Kay Starr also Kitty Kallen singing Little things mean a lot
Unlike · Reply · 2 · 14 January at 13:50
Andy Denholm Nothing like a bit Nat King Cole
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 13:57
Write a reply…
Lesley Johnston Dads later favourites were Dinah Washington and Brook Benton
Unlike · Reply · 2 · 14 January at 13:51
Diane-Ron Inglis Please release me let me go,,,,think Englebert Humperdink, its the only song I remember my mam singing as she was doing the houseworke…memories x
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 14:24
Jean Roxby my gran always san kay sara as she cuddled u to sleep ny my dad would stand behind the bar n sing distant drums still got a tape of him singing it happy memorys of loved 1s no longer with us xx
Like · Reply · 3 · 14 January at 14:26
Kathleen Wakes I remember you , the little boy who santa clause forgot, and Jim reeves welcome to my world, I love you because, and one called little tin soldier xx
Like · Reply · 14 January at 14:33 · Edited
David Riseley I remember listening to the wireless yes wireless not the radio every Sunday, family favourites or something like that but I remember them playing requests for our overseas forces.
Like · Reply · 2 · 14 January at 14:33
Andy Denholm Child memories never forgotten… priceless
Like · Reply · 2 · 14 January at 14:39
Write a reply…
Kevin Jackson Showing your age now Dave
Like · Reply · 2 · 14 January at 14:36
Christine Read my Dad loved Ken Dodd and Harry Secombe also Slim Whitman but when he had a couple of Pints and Rum and Pep he would sing anything
Like · Reply · 3 · 14 January at 14:40 · Edited
Albert Woods Loved listening to Two way family favourites on Sundays….my mam joining in songs she knew ( almost all of them)..Que sera sera stands out… Family legend says as a baby I would only sleep when my sad sang Waltzing Matilda….both are still favouritesof mine
Like · Reply · 4 · 14 January at 14:47
Albert Woods Should read when my dad sang….
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 14:48
Eleanor Williams Lily Marlane Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag, but the one that I remember most is Go to sleep my darling close your pretty eyes.Mam used to sing this to little ones as she rocked away in her chair.
Like · Reply · 3 · 14 January at 15:21
Anna Johnston My dad sang go to sleep to me too.
Like · Reply · 2 · 14 January at 16:53
Write a reply…
Bev Bowman Paul Simon..you can call me al 😀
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 15:38
Margaret Sowerby My dad didn’t sing but played his mouth organ whenever he’d been to the vic or the club( still have it ) mam was slim Whitman Doris Day .
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 16:23
Eve Grimes Harry secombe russ conway the bachelers shirley bassy my dad used to sing cushy butterfield to me lol x
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 17:05
Valerie Pattison Only God can make a tree
Like · Reply · 14 January at 17:49
Andy Denholm Don’t get that Valerie you posted on wrong post?
Like · Reply · 14 January at 18:01
Valerie Pattison Probably. It was a ‘songs your dad used to sing’
Like · Reply · 14 January at 18:02
View more replies
Write a reply…
Jean Grafton My dad sang all the time he was born nineteen eleven so it was songs from that era old wooden cross Nellie dene and opera drove us up the wall I sing like dad when I’m happy but not opera loved him so much
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 18:22
Jacqueline Curle My dad used to sing I’ll Take you home again Kathleen but put Jacqueline instead of Kathleen I thought I was the bees knees I loved him so much
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 18:45
Andy Denholm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X66cIgdcfGs
I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen - Josef Locke
youtube.com
Like · Reply · 14 January at 19:00
Write a reply…
Lesley Johnston Still remember the words of The little boy that Santa Claus forgot it was sung by Nat King Cole
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 18:57
Andy Denholm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgCNbfbQltQ
Nat King Cole / The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot
youtube.com
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 18:59
Lesley Johnston Got it on cd here now
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 19:08
View more replies
Write a reply…
Ann Lumsdon Dad singing ‘It’s a long way to Tipperary’ ‘There’s a long, long lane a-winding’ ‘Pack up your troubles’ in the car. The others were ‘There was a green hill’. With Mum it was mainly Scottish folk songs.
Unlike · Reply · 2 · 14 January at 20:08
Loraine Nattrass Maddison Jim Reeves - He’ll Have To Go!
Like · Reply · 2 · 14 January at 23:05
Andy Denholm Oh no me Dad blasted them when he had a few shandies lol
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 23:06
Write a reply…
Julie Leitheiser
Like · Reply · 1 · 14 January at 23:24
Kevin Mason Mam anything by Harry Secombe Nana Val Dunican
Like · Reply · 15 January at 10:24
Peter Mason https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrXp6gn2gzc
Sting - Cushie Butterfield (1999)
Words by George Ridley (1834-1864) (From For Our Children: 10th Anniversary,…
youtube.com
Like · Reply · 2 · 15 January at 12:46
Sandra Greenwood My dad, Harry Taylor, sang in the clubs and I used to have to learn the words to the latest songs of the 50/60’s and sing them to him, usually in the car, so he could perform them on stage. Even now I hear a tune and I am word perfect, if a bit off tune.
Like · Reply · 1 · 17 January at 22:00
Julie Leitheiser Can’t sing won’t sing … except to our grandchildren .. songs dad sung to us … one was called Susanna’s a funiful sow- have you made that up nana? No .. but great grandad might have done .. U tubed it …several versions some madder than others … kids laughed themselves to sleep x
Like · Reply · 2 · 20 January at 15:08
Ken Brown How about this - me (lead vocal) and our band ‘Patchy Fogg’ enjoy…..
Like · Reply · 20 January at 16:15
Ken Brown https://soundcloud.com/ken-brown-13/byker-hill-patchy-fogg
Byker Hill - Patchy Fogg
This is me on lead as the token Geordie (?). Always…
Save
| soundcloud.com | By ken-brown-13 |
Like · Reply · 2 · 20 January at 16:16
Andy Denholm Wow Ken that’s fantastic keep sharing
Like · Reply · 1 · 21 January at 08:31
Julie Leitheiser In awe
Like · Reply · 1 · 21 January at 16:38
Write a reply…
Vicar Gary 40 shades of green and a boy named sue
Unlike · Reply · 2 · 21 January at 10:53
Ben Addison my grandad always sung bye bye blackbird and run rabbit run
Unlike · Reply · 3 · 21 January at 13:27
Maureen Chapman My parents always listened to Sing something simple on a Sunday afternoon.
Unlike · Reply · 2 · 22 January at 08:31
Lesley Sutherland My dad used to sing ‘My love is like a red, red rose’ to my mum.
Unlike · Reply · 1 · 22 January at 08:43
Write a comment…
How about this for a starter Cornforth Born and Bred So life began for me early on the 15th May 1945, I was born in a downstairs flat in Ryhope Street where my parents lived, in the mining village of West Cornforth. (I should mention from the outset that West Cornforth was known in the area as Doggie, in the first part of the 20th century there were iron works adjacent to the village and it is said that the village got its nickname from the dog iron that was produced there). A lady who lived in the flat above mum and dad had walked to the neighbouring village of Coxhoe to get the midwife who delivered me into the world. (This lady was to become my God Mother and play a big part in my life as I grew up) Although I did not know it at the time, two others had preceded me into the world courtesy of mum & dad. Norman by nine and Audrey by six years. Mother had seen the doctor once though out her confinement, that had been to confirm the pregnancy and book the midwife! Dad was born and brought up in West Cornforth, a miner at the local pit, officially called Thrislington, he had worked down the pit since leaving school at the age of fourteen. Dad had been one of thirteen; grandad Black had been Chlorine gased in the Great War (having been awarded the Military Cross for bravery) and grandmother had been left to bring up the family by her-self. Dad was in a protected occupation during the 2 world war, however he was a corporal in the Home Guard, ‘Dad’s Army’ and used to tell me of how the trained in Doggie woods, I can remember seeing a service medal which he received for this! Growing up in Doggie was great. I started school in the Nursey in 1949, moving onto my first year in 1950.
Like · Reply · 2 · 24 January at 21:06
Andy Denholm Bill Black Amazing ….
Like · Reply · 24 January at 21:08
Bill Black ok I’ll build on that.
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 January at 21:09
Andy Denholm Bill I could read stories like this all day honestly
Like · Reply · 24 January at 21:10
Andy Denholm
Eleanor Williams I remember waiting for the trucks to pass to cross the line to go to the rope swing.We used to collect frog spawn from Pricey’s pond and once made a dam
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 January at 20:36
Julie Leitheiser And bulrushes and newts
Like · Reply · 1 · 24 January at 22:58
Alan Robson That brings back a lot of memories Bill I remember there was usually a gang of us trying to jump on the trucks on the incline as they were going up. Loaded trucks going down on one side as the empties came up. There was two levels of rails at the bottom and a high wall between each level where we would climb up the metal ladders that were set into the side of the brickwork. Also the pond at the duff where me and my friend Peter Stoddart deceided to borrow a bath tin from one of the allotments and sail on it. Also borrowed an oil lamp from the gates on the railway crossing so we could do it in the dark. Mad part is we couldnt swim at the time. My brother George grassed us up and my Dad came down shouting. We paddled to the other side and run like hell through the brambles . I still have the scars. Lol Also one winter when the pond was frozen over a gang of us were in the middle on the ice and i remember seeing all the cracks appear before it broke and a lot of us went straight through. I believe I owe my life to Joe Grafton that day as I am sure he was the one that dragged me out. Will have to ask him when I go to Doggie. Also days of sliding down the massive pit heap on pieces of rubber belting. Great times. Best stop before I bore too many people lol
Like · Reply · 3 · 25 January at 07:56 · Edited
Andy Denholm replied · 1 Reply
Sandra Greenwood Really interesting, especially as the old map shows a place called Butcher’s Race, which is one of the places of residence on my family tree. It is where part of the Laverick family lived at one point. Around 1870/80 from memory.
Like · Reply · 1 · 3 hrs
Sandra Greenwood replied · 2 Replies · 1 hr
Write a comment…