Month: May 2022

Nights Out In Consett

A Memory of Consett.

I have some wonderful memories of nights out in Consett in the sixties.

There was a pub called the Masons Arms run by Kevin and Ina Kearney and the barmaid Jenny, I think. It served the most beautiful beer in the world or so we thought, Tuckers ales.

On a weekend it would be filled with all sorts of characters, Army Sam, Wilf Patta, Vince Blacky, Willy Dicken, Phil Terry, all supping those big creamy pints, and the girls would join us as well – Julia, Celia, Fred, Cath, Angela – I could go on but they were special.

The juke box would be blasting out Beatles, Stones, Dylan, Animals and a few Irish rebel songs Kevin had secreted in the juke box under different names.

Such happy times. From there to the Brit , same thing only the beer was Vaux {yuk]. A few in there and then on to the Mount Pleasant as long as Jenny let you in.

The occasional band would be playing, mostly rubbish but you did get the odd one that was good but by that time of night who cared.

The final port of call was that trendy night club opposite the Freemasons, Bottos. There were always fights on in there but that was part of life in Consett and woe betide anyone from Stanley. A taxi home and do it all again the next day. Happy memories God bless, Sam

Source a memory added to Francis Frith website – see link

https://www.francisfrith.com/consett/nights-out-in-consett_memory-36331

What are your memories of nights out in Consett? please comment or get in touch to share

The HCSW project team would be delighted to hear how, where and on what did you spend your wages

Did you work in the Wages department?

When was your first pay packet?

Did you buy your first car or house?

Did you dance the night away at one of the dance halls or clubs?

Drinking in the local pubs?

Holidays?

Hobbies like pigeon racing. allotments and vegetable shows, crafts or amateur dramatics?

Please do share your memories, stories and any pictures

#localhistorymonth

#memories

#historyofconsettsteelworks

Peter Brabham shared on Flickr this great image with notes below

Unknown 9F on Consett Iron Ore train near Beamish in March 1966 by John Wiltshire

A gem of a shot scanned off a 35mm Kodachrome slide in the John Wiltshire collection. I worked about a mile away from this spot in 1984 and saw the odd class 37 going up to Consett which had just closed at that time.

18 years earlier it was one of the greatest spots in the Uk to watch the heavy Iron Ore trains working up gradient to Consett Steel works high up on the Moors pulled by the 9F heavy freight locos and often banked at the rear by another loco.

So what images do you have hidden away in albums or drawers?

The HCSW project would be delighted to see and share them both on the website and our social media groups. We will also share with other local Heritage group

These types of images are social and industrial history, we are only the custodians we need to share them for us all now but also for future generations to come

The HCSW project team would like to take the opportunity of Local History Month 2022 to ask all to consider sharing their memories and pictures of working at or around the Steelworks

Various “projects” are happening including the Digital Voice Consett History Club every Wednesday until 22nd June at Citizens House

Richard Eyers Faces of the Works – Richard would be delighted to discuss photographing you as part of his project which all being well will lead to an exhibition in due course

Also pictures and building drawings will also help the Mapping group with mapping the site including 3D images which will be shared at events

Steve Shields will be giving a talk about his time on the Consett Railway on Sat 23rd July at Consett Park Bowls club all welcome

Memories and pictures will be shared with credit to local heritage groups too

So please do comment or email the HCSW project team- we look forward to hearing from you

Steelworks Mapping Project

Peter Jack Shaw heads up the Community Mapping project to read all about it click on the above link

If this of interest then please get in contact as this is Facebook group and there will be some up coming activities to get involved in

Also look out for a chance to see some the outputs of the groups at events and talks

https://alangodfreymaps.co.uk/consett.htm is link to the 3 maps from Alan Godfrey who are based in Leadgate

HCSW project team are delighted to be able thanks to Alan Godfrey Maps to offer a small discount on maps from them so if you would like a Consett or other maps do get in touch

Research – Peter and team would also be delighted to see and scan any building drawings and also if anyone has any pictures of the inside of the General Offices that would be also welcome to see

Jonathan Richardson

Around 1842 Jonathan Richardson embarked on the creation of Shotley Park, a country house set in extensive grounds on the hillside between Snow’s Green and Shotley Spa. He was a Quaker banker and businessman, who promoted Shotley Spa and the Derwent Ironworks. He died on Christmas Day 1871.

https://shotleybridgevillagetrust.com/plaques/shotley-park/

source Shotley Bridge Village Trust

Shotley Bridge’s most distinguished Quaker was Jonathan Richardson who promoted the Shotley Spa mineral waters and pleasure ground as well as the Derwent Ironworks, which later developed into the Consett Steel Company. He lived at Shotley Park.

https://shotleybridgevillagetrust.com/plaques/old-quaker-meeting-house/

A couple of documents kindly shared by Christopher Thompson

https://www.facebook.com/groups/514469112794199/posts/532905157617261/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/514469112794199/posts/532908480950262/

Also a great read is this “paper” by Elizabeth O’Donnell

https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=quakerstudies

https://www.christianity.com/church/denominations/the-quakers-7-things-about-their-history-beliefs.html

The HCSW project team would be delighted to hear from anyone with any additional information on the Quakers and relationship to the Steelworks

https://consettmagazine.com/2012/12/03/consett-memories-gone-by-26254/

#localhistorymonth

@consett magazine

#historyofconsettsteelworks

#consett

Saturday 23rd July date for your diaries

A Talk on life on the Consett Area Railways by ex guard Steve Shields

11am start at Consett Bowls Club in Consett and Blackhill park

https://www.facebook.com/events/329521269278549/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A%5B%7B%22surface%22%3A%22group%22%7D%5D%7D

Thanks to the committee of Consett Bowls Club we will be holding this event in their clubhouse with refreshments available.

We will be asking for small donation (suggested £3) to support future events by the History of Consett Steelworks project

https://consettmagazine.com/2013/08/02/the-consett-iron-works-18700/

#localhistorymonth @consettmagazine