Annitsford, Dudley and Fordley History Society

Round the corner are the Bradshaws, John and Cecilia (Cissie). I remember them near the end of their lives living in Annitsford Miner's Cottages opposite the Irish Club. Cissie was a very kind woman and John a very handsome man, always smartly dressed. He was born in Co Mayo in Ireland and they are both buried in St John's Churchyard, Annitsford.
The Grieves (Grieves Row) live at no 6, the Waughs at no 12 and the Landreths at no 17.

The Foggets live at no 19 Railway Row, Dudley.

The 1939 census tells us Jack Parker lives with his family at 26 Railway Row in Dudley. When a woman got married they went back into the originals and scratched her maiden name out, sadly. You can still see the names though.

Remembrance Sunday- War stories. Everything was recorded in local papers including when men became Prisoners of War. I can't find anything else on Jack Parker so far. He would've probably been a POW until the War ended or perhaps didn't make it home at all.

Remembrance Sunday, Berwick on Tweed.

1909 and its reported that a comic costume match was to be played between Annitsford & Dudley Rovers - 2 goal draw. It was to raise funds for the first local school children's Treat.

Following on with the football theme- local football leagues were very popular. In 1908 Annitsford St John's (Church) play Dudley Rovers. Also Burradon Athletic against West Moor. The games and results were reported in the local newspapers.

A nice little football artifact I found on my travels. England v Scotland in March 1966 - just a few months before the same team won the 1966 World Cup.

Paying tribute to North East football legends, the Charltons. Bobby died recently and Jack died in 2020. There's a new book out about the brothers- Two Brothers, the Life and Times of Bobby and Jackie Charlton.
Their mother Cissie wrote a book published in 1988 with the foreword by a very unlikely Barbara Cartland who was a fan of the footballers.

The 106th Seghill Gala - Saturday 3rd June at Welfare Park

This is what your ganny's house looked like in the 1940s and beyond.

Blyth Battery Goes to War last Sat and Sun. Wonder what this creepy dummy is thinking?

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

First World War
Gunner Thomas Grey of Front St, Annitsford- gassed in 1915

First World War
Seaman John R Goodman RND of Dudley- gassed.

Remembrance Sunday - Second World War.
Seaman George Parker of Front Street, Annitsford, killed in action aged 21 on HMS Curaçao. He had been in the services for 5 years and was engaged to be married.
So many young lives of that generation wiped out.

Not forgetting the Pope's visit to Ireland in 1979

Did anyone else's family collect stamps and coin sets of important dates in the life of the Royal Family. The Queen Mother's 80th, the Queens Silver Jubilee etc.

When ci******es were good for you!

Picture Post Coronation souvenir editions 1953 complete with fantastic adverts. Some brands are older than you think.

RIP Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the second, the end of an era. (Own postcard found in my cupboard).

Here is young Patrick enjoying La Dolce Vita in Rome with RonnieThompson and Matty Dodds in 1956.

Remembering Patrick Love from Annitsford, who passed away recently aged 86.

R.I.P Edward Love who has died only a couple a few weeks from his 96th birthday. Edward was born In Dudley and the family moved to Annitsford. He moved up to Scotland when he married Margaret Kennedy. Here they are on their wedding day with Best Man, Geordie Watson.

Meanwhile, in Annitsford, there's a Christmas Day shooting! Miner Patrick McAudrey was charged with unlawfully (is it ever lawful?) shooting Miner Matthew Neary. Three shots were aimed but none hit the target. He was disarmed by the crowd. They were probably best pals the next day!

Meanwhile, in Dec 1887 in the Evening Chronicle- you can look up your stocks and shares on the London Stock Exchange, be amazed that electric lighting has been introduced on American trains, check the departures and arrivals on the Tyne.
Also, a man was run over by a horse owned by a Mr Purvis of Westmoor.

*Dudley Hotel Darts Team were playing the Blue Bell Inn, West Cramlington in the District Darts League.
*Blyth Co-Op has 5 shopping days to Christmas and the off licence is open until 8pm at night, surprisingly.
*Dudley Colliery had an output of 5,105 tons that week. Don't suppose the mines closed for Christmas!

Christmas time in Dudley 1949.
Dudley Jottings-
*There's a talk at the Dudley Women's Institute about a 3 day train journey in Australia, 'only £8'.
*The Womens Co- Op League had a talk about the devolution of the pound!
*Dudley Co-Op Education Committee started a discussion group.
*Dudley and District Social Club had a group of young men called the Nitwits!

Happy Christmas.