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Debbie Twiddy (nee Bowman), who was born at Backworth, Newcastle upon Tyne in 1964 reminisces about the past.
I have lived in Shiremoor district all my life, but the area is now changing. Until twenty years ago (1982) the area was dominated by the coal mines. Every family has someone who worked in the mines, or in a supporting role to the collieries.
But in the early seventies they started closing the local mines that I remember well, first the Fenwick Colliery at Holywell where my father worked, and then the Eccles Colliery at Backworth closed and that was the end of the mines in what is now North Tyneside.
For years the mines had helped to keep the local childrens' Gala afloat, giving them free use of NCB (National Coal Board) lorries, etc when needed. The Childrens' Treat is a great event in this area.....
On the first Saturday in July all the children used to dress in their 'Sunday Best' and march behind bands to a field near to the old Backworth Station(also now gone).
There they would receive a box of cakes for tea and be able to join in the games and races. After that they would ride on the amusements. At least until they almost brought up the cakes they had just eaten!
Then, very tired, they would walk home, calling in at Massey's Fish and Chips on the way. It stayed open all day on Treat Day, and you could smell fish and chips for miles!
Sadly, this year (2002) looks as if it could be the last for the Children's Treat. They are going to build a Metro Station in the field that is used and it doesn't look like there is going to be an alternative field offered by the Duke of Northumberland who owns the site.
Also, the family feeling has now gone from Shiremoor. Once everyone knew or was related to everyone who lived here, but in the last 10 years those days have gone.
I now have 2 children of my own, but I don't know how much longer we will be living here, for the area has gone so far down I am considering moving away.
Reading this back it sounds like the rantings of some poor old person, but I am sure that anyone who has ever lived in a mining village will know how I feel.
I have recently joined a few websites looking for old friends from school, for they are scattered all over the world. Even one dancing at La Scala in Milan would you believe. (The real Billy Elliot!)
Debbie Twiddy, Shiremoor, 2002
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To add a comment you must first login or join for free, up in the top left corner.| Comments | | Fenwick colliery | Posted
30 Aug 2006
19:59
By AndrewDouglas | I'm currently researching everything to do with Fenwick Colliery, trying to record as much as possible before its all lost, including the buildings still standing, I'm sure "One North East" would love to demolish them and hide our great past to make the land suitable to build some flats or another call centre.
Please email me if you have any informationon andrew.douglas1156@btinternet.com
regards
andrew | | Childrens Treat | Posted
06 Jul 2009
12:36
By g4bim | Dear Debbie
I have just read with great empathy and sadness your words on 'The Disappearing Children’s Treat' I am sorry that it took me 7 years to reach your comments.
Last week (4th July 2009), I visited Backworth and toured the areas I remembered when I was a child in the 1950's. There was not much left that I recognised, just 'Annie Browns Corner', 'Deuchars', the Co-Op building and the Church, even the School which my Mother and her brothers and sisters attended has now gone.
My Mother Lena Auld, was born in Percy Street, Backworth in 1915, one of a family of 11 children, with seven males, Colliery workers all their lives in Backworth and the close surrounding area. In the 1940's part of the family moved down to London in search of work, however being born in North London, I spent many summer holidays as a child in Shiremoor, Seghill, Backworth, Forest Hall and Whitley Bay, and remember those times with great affection and happiness.
I still feel a very strong affinity with Northumberland but now find it painful and upsetting to see what has happened to the area in the name of what? Progress....??
Where have those days of honesty, caring, consideration and strong family values gone. Its been a strange kind of progress has it not.
If you or anyone else would like to share their views or reminisce my E-Mail address is g4bim@btinternet.com
Peter Bentley
Isle of Wight | | Small World | Posted
21 Apr 2010
16:43
By craighew | Hi Debbie,
I too was dismayed to read your account. I came across it whilst looking up old links to the Children's treat.
My brother (Bryan) is the Billy Elliott your refer to, very proud of him and what he's achieved.
take care | | Backworth | Posted
24 Aug 2010
23:25
By geordiegal | Dear Debbie and Peter, I just found this website while playing on the computer. You both mention the school is no longer in Backworth, I was raised in that school from a very early age until I was 17yrs old and my father Mr. Moy the caretaker was given the new school in South Wellfield. I visited there again last year and was so taken aback to see my home all gone and new homes in the place of mine. Yes the Coop store is still there and the butchers house next door to the store, Annie Browns sweet shop which we visited every sunday, after church. It wasn't the village I was hoping to show to my daughter, but times move on. I do remember the treat march, being children of the caretaker my sister and I were always given extra chores for the school. I had a very happy childhood in Backworth and would love to know more about my friends from school. I danced with the Bartonian formation dance team, and loved olde tyme ballroom dancing. I left South Wellfield in 1957, for Canada,and 1961 came to California where I still live. I would love to hear from anyone from the area, its hard to reach former friends as cell phone numbers are not listed in the phone books. At heart I am still a georgie gal and would like nothing better than have a cup and tea and scones any time of the day. | | Hi Debbie | Posted
21 Nov 2010
19:22
By kibbles | I moved away from Shiremoor about 26 years ago and I do miss the old days living there, I have fond memories of Shiremoor treat, our box of cakes and our ice cream.I recently returned to Shire and I could not believe the change in the area,I speak to friends from James ave, hugh ave, Charles ave and the local area and we look back on those days with much fondness, playing cannon, british bull dog, hide&seek bugger the cat. I also speak to Bryan who was my ballroom dance partner at Shiremoor community centre, Did anyone go to the dance classes at the community centre??? My dad worked for Browns garage for many years I think this is long gone now. My mum and dad used to go to the Shiremoor British Legion every weekend and watch the turn on a saturday night. Looking back now we lived in a nice place with nice people,if only we could turn back the clocks.I have a frog in my throat just thinking of my childhood. | | Hello Debbie | Posted
22 Nov 2010
21:13
By valandpaul | I am Valerie Campbell (nee Purvis), I lived in Shiremoor for 36 yrs, as you know Debbie, we went to school together. I remember the children's treat like it was yesterday. Waiting with eager anticipation for our cake ticket at school, getting dressed up on the saturday morning, and as we got older going to the fair on the night time with our firends.......oh happy days.
I now live in the Lake district, with my childhood sweetheart and my two sons. Hello to everyone from Shiremoor who enjoyed the treat and the community spirit there used to be. Take care x |
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