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]]>Leadgate Park Football Club Championship Game
The Championship Of Leadgate Saturday 25th October 1890 between the Leadgate Park Football Club and the Leadgate Exiles Football ClubSupporters Interest
The Size Of The Crowd
On reaching the field on Saturday, I was agreeably surprised to see such a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters waiting for admission. Access to the ground was challenging and not at all organised with safety in mind. The management has not done due diligence into the arrangements for such a large crowd. The process of taking the money at the gate was slow and painful to the four thousand spectators, some of whom would be unable to see the kick-off. The gate was a splendid one, Between £14 and £15 being taken-undoubtedly a “record” in this district.Kick-Off
When the teams faced each other, the Exiles (who appeared in all green jersey) looked the heavier, especially in the back department. Leadgate Park Football Club won the toss, and the exiles kicked off with a slight wind against them. For the first few minutes, the play was rather even; then the Exiles made a combined run, ending in the ball being sent behind for a goal-kick. After the goal-kick; Robson got the ball and after having taken it some distance, passed to Burnhope, who in turn put it to Haggeratone; Hunter receiving from the latter, gave the ball to Wattsford, who shot the leather over the bar. The lead up to this move involved some of the most skilful steps up to now in the game. After some loose play, the Exiles’ left-wing got possession, which ended in the ball going through the posts; but the goal was not allowed for off-side. The Exiles were not to be denied a win today. They upped their efforts and came with a grand run on the part of the forwards, the ball again was shot between the posts for a goal. The genuineness of the goal could not be denied. They did not remain in possession of the lead very long. W.McGee having missed his kick, allowed Leadgate Park Football Club’s forwards to score somewhat easily. Half-time found the teams on level terms-one goal each.Half Time
On re-starting, the game for a time was even, but after a quarter-of-an-hour’s play the Exiles showed their superior strength, and Thompson placed his team a goal to the good. The Park forwards fell off a lot at this period and were never dangerous afterwards. The Exiles thus reversed last season’s result, winning by two goals to one.Player’s Statistics
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]]>Brooms Infants St. Ives Road Leadgate Village Early 1950s
For you who want to know the names of the children in this photo where they are? Click on the image to enlarge it and enjoy it.
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]]>LEADGATE PARISH
Leadgate Parish was formed in 1863 from the parishes of Lanchester and Medomsley and comprised the township of Iveston with the hamlet of Crook Hall and village of Leadgate. The area was 4,000 acres, and the total population of the parish was estimated at 4,900.
Iveston Township
Iveston Township, which comprised the greater portion of Leadgate Village and the hamlet of Crook Hall, had an area of 1,925 acres, valued in the county rate at £9,552. The land belonged principally to the Hon. Rev. Warren Napier-Clavering, who held the manorial rights, George Nicholson, Esq., E. W. E. Balleny, Esq., J.P., John Thompson, John Moore (Executors of), and the Consett Iron Company.
Iveston had a population in 1801 of 251; in 1811, 214; in 1821, 238; in 1831, 212; in 1841, 448; in 1851, in consequence of the opening of new collieries and ironstone works, it had increased to 2,500; in 1861 which we could say was the birth of our Leadgate Parish. The population was 3,327; in 1871, 3,495, in 1881, 4,035; and in 1891, 4,188 souls.
From the Boldon Book, we learn that Iveston paid two marks, provided a milch cow, ploughed one acre and a half of the lord’s land at Lanchester, attended the great chase with two greyhounds, and undertook the carriage of wine with a wain of eight oxen.
Soon after, the old records, relating to this place, mention a family of the local name; and previous to Hatfield’s Survey, Iveston became the property of Kepier Hospital.
After the suppression of the monastic establishments, John Cockburn sold the manor of Iveston to John Heath. The heir to this family married into the Tempests, with whose descendants, the Londonderry’s, the estate remained. The manor court was still held, and the land being held by copy of court rule.
From an early date, Iveston had been intimately interested in the coal industry. The colliery here was mentioned in the court rolls as far back as 1611 when a project was formed for sinking a “cole pitt” to which all the villagers were expected to contribute. There were, however, one or two who objected, whereupon the jurors agreed that “whosoever refuseth to contribute to the sinking of ye pitt, shall have no part in ye coles gotten there”. For this leave of working the coal a yearly rent of 6s. 8d. was paid to the lord of the manor.
The Eden Colliery In Leadgate Parish
The Eden Colliery in Leadgate Parish was owned by the Consett Iron Company, was now working the Hutton and the Main coal seams. This pit had been working for about fifty years. The first-named seam was met at a depth of 30 feet, and had an average thickness of seven feet six inches of workable coal, and contained a band of from seven to nine inches wide, and about one foot of bad coal at the foot of the lower section. Six feet below the bad coal was the Low Hutton seam, which had not yet been worked. The Main coal was 30 feet below the Hutton and averages four feet of clean coal. Besides the above seams, there existed the Towneley, Hodge, Hand and the Tilly, all more or less thin. The Busty, which had not yet been opened out, lies at a depth of 210 feet below the Main coal and gives a thickness of five feet. The output, which amounted to 5,500 tons per fortnight, was almost entirely used for making gas for the steel furnaces, the remainder, about one-ninth, being disposed of by land sale. The number of men and boys employed was 261. The Iveston Colliery was not at present being worked, though there was a small land-sale worked near the village, the coal royalty having been left by one of the Claverings for the people of Iveston manor, who were only required to pay the cost of leading and getting of the coal.
A powerful duplex pumping engine had been placed at the pumping shaft, situated to the east of Iveston, which raised the water from the Royalty, below water level, to the Consett Iron Works.
Iveston Village, in early documents termed Iseton and Itheston, was undoubtedly an ancient place. It occupied an exposed and elevated situation, three miles north-west from Lanchester, and one mile south-east from Leadgate Parish.
Leadgate Parish
Leadgate Parish was a large and populous village, stretched along the turnpike road between Consett and Dipton, thirteen miles west by south of Newcastle, and one and a half east of Consett. Leadgate is said to have got its name from the old custom of carrying lead by pack ponies and donkeys from the west as far as Ledyiate near the east end of what was now known as Leadgate. At this gate which was a toll gate, the burdens were exchanged for a load of coal. The inhabitants were entirely of the mining class, and chiefly in the employ of the Consett Iron Company. It was part of the Leadgate Parish Local Board district, which was formed in 1866, embracing nearly the whole of Iveston township, and a portion of Medomsley township in Leadgate Parish. An excellent supply of water was provided by the Consett Water Company, and the principal thoroughfares were lighted with gas.
Crookhall and Estate
Crookhall and Estate. The Hall was a large rectangular mansion of stone and formerly stood within spacious grounds. It was now, however, unoccupied and neglected, and was fast falling into ruins. For many years it was the seat and property of the Bakers, after which it stood empty for a considerable time.
From 1794 to 1808 it was the abode of a small community of English Catholic students, who fled from Douay owing to the excesses of the French Revolutionists, and here they remained till the present Ushaw College was founded.
This estate was entered in the Boldon Book as freehold, at which time it was held by the De-la-Leys, lords of Witton, who soon after the date of the first record, made it over to the church of Durham. When Bishop Hatfield occupied the estate it was in the possession of the Kirkleys, from whom the Thorntons received it, and through the last-named, it came to the Lumleys. In 1588 it was acquired by the Shaftoes, and fifty years later George Baker, Esq., bought it. It then belonged to the Consett Iron Company.
Leadgate Parish Schools
The National School
Leadgate Parish National School adjoined the church on the west and was a mixed school, comprising two large rooms with one classroom. It was erected originally as a Catholic school and was enlarged in 1891 for £900, the accommodation is for 291. It was attended by an average of 214. The infant school is situated at the west end of the village, in a building which served as a chapel of ease before the formation of the parish and building of the present church. Here provision was made for 250 children, there was an average attendance of 156.
Catholic Schools adjoined the church and were good stone buildings, erected about 1863. They were for mixed and infants, and provided for 400 children, and were under the control of the Sisters of St. Paul.
The British School, Iveston, was off very old foundation and was supported by the voluntary efforts of the people. It was then held in a good stone building, which would accommodate about 150 children.
The Wesleyan School was held in a good stone building, originally erected by the Consett Iron Company, but turned over to this body about 1870.
During its first ten years, it had been considerably enlarged. It was a mixed school, having accommodation for 260, and being attended by an average of 230.
Leadgate Parish Co-operative Hall
The Co-operative Hall was a fine large room, well fitted, and lighted by electricity. It ran the length of the Co-operative business premises, and would seat 600 people, being well adapted for entertainments, and was the largest hall in the village.
Leadgate Parish Miners Hall
Miners’ Hall. This was first built as a Methodist Free Church in 1875, from which body it was purchased by the miners.
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]]>The Roxy Project
This Roxy Project is a family-led initiative and in the absence of any grants being secured, has only very limited private funding sources to complete it. The Roxy project is envisaged and designed around the opportunity for members of the public, from both the unskilled sector, right through to the professional, giving a chance for life changes. The main premise of the project is around the arts for young people and the disabled in society. The remit also includes working with those in society who wish to run their own small businesses in the area of the arts and recreation, with others who wish to engage at a hobby level, only status. The Roxy Project will have a special emphasis placed on the creation of an in-house management team, drawn from those in society with disabilities.The principal building design is constructed for theatre, in order that performing groups (perhaps individuals) can work to develop and or exploit their skills within the performing arts disciplines (examples: – dance, singing, acting, technical theatre skills etc.
These disciplines outlined, form only the core activities for stage and we hope to attract those from young playwrights, musicians, bands, as well as those with a technical background, gaining skills in operating lighting, sound, recording equipment, plus live internet coverage, Web design, costume design, costume hire, etc etc. Perhaps, even teaching.
The Roxy Project venue will hire out space in the theatre area; rehearsal rooms and or the coffee bar either on an hourly or weekly/hourly contractual bases.
This will, in turn, set the project towards maximum building usage (day and evening), thus reducing the overall running costs for the building as a whole and improving the competitiveness of the building hire rates available. The object and focus of the finished scheme will be on establishing a venue that is self-sustaining, without a need for grants being required once it is up and running.The main initial group focus will be on the following areas, in order to begin maximizing the building’s potential.
a. Children’s in-house theatre drama and dance school.b. Amateur group hires.
c. Businesses for conferencing hires.
d. Self-employed business groups, requiring business space for meeting, rehearsals, activities, etc. hire.
e. Clubs for hobby members affiliated with a specific group (Participation).
- Support services for all groups from our in-house management team.
- Theatre hires, for other amateur and professional productions group.
The Roxy Project Building Itself & Leadgate
As many local residents of Leadgate will know, the Roxy was a picture hall from its construction in the early 1930’s, going on to be a bingo hall for about a decade, I am told. To my certain knowledge, more than twenty – eight years have passed since the last film was shown there, perhaps even longer. I am told the first film ever shown was “Samba the Elephant Boy”. The site prior to the construction of the cinema had eight small cottages on it. We exposed some of their foundations in the course of the work, along with the old street drains. These cottages were demolished when the Consett film company put up their new cinema. Incidentally, if you are interested they also built the Empire in Consett and the Plaza Consett. The latter having now been demolished to make way for new retail outlets. As many will know, the Empire is still a cinema and theatre venue in Consett, still popular and now run by the local authority. The creation of something entirely new, like the Roxy Project, is not out of place for Leadgate, as in years gone by Leadgate created one of the first Urban District Councils around to provide facilities for its people. ———————————————————————————————- The Roxy project is a conversion of the former Roxy cinema from its present design usage, into what is laid out below. The building was constructed as I said in the 1930s and is in the “Art Décor Style”, with the re-development conversion to be sympathetic to this era both externally and within the new theatre area, box office, lobbies, and passages areas, etc. However, the new Roxy Project rehearsal rooms, new toilets, and changing areas will be very different, having a very modern and up to date feel by contrast. The purpose of this very deliberate design brief was chosen to give each area its own distinctive design and ambiance. Thus creating an atmosphere for the 21st century within rehearsal areas etc. and going back to the 1930s if you have come to watch a show in the new theatre. Old married with the new, with the standards and comfort to match that is expected today. Standards I might tell you have changed greatly over the passage of years. Would it surprise you if I was to tell you that none of the previous toilets in the building had even a facility to wash your hands? It doesn’t bear thinking about. The term recycling comes into its own within this building’s development, as we reuse everything and anything possible, but still, strive to achieve the required standard for the work being completed. We have had quite a few generous donations of second-hand goods and materials that would otherwise have been on there way to the tip, and my thanks go out to those people, who know who they are. You may have read a couple of years ago in the press when we had the lead stolen from our roof, the culprit was caught and given a police caution, however little comfort for the damaged caused It could have devastated some of the new work inside, but luckily it didn’t rain and we were able to carry out repairs with materials that have no value to a thief or scrap dealer. One kind lady from down south sent us a donation after reading about it on the internet. The Proposed Areas are: –- A 360-seat theatre venue over two levels (lower stalls and new upper circle), together with three changing areas and an orchestra pit. (Both floors accessible by wheelchair if required).
- Three large rehearsal rooms, spread over two floors.
- A new coffee bar area in the old projection room.
- New toilet facilities;
- In the new foyer area (A disabled WC), plus male and female WC’s.
- On the two further floor levels (upper circle & new coffee bar area), male and female W.C’s.
- Backstage male and female WC’s.
- The provision of a new disabled person’s ramp at the front entrance, together with a disabled person’s lift in the foyer area, to access all floor levels within the building.
- Disabled access to the backstage area, inclusive of a stairlift to the stage. Thus allowing free movement for disabled people unassisted to the associated changing facility areas (to and from the stage).
- The re-working of areas backstage for a small kitchen, boiler room, power room and three changing rooms, (with one specifically designed for disabled children).
- A sound and lighting room to facilitate the running of shows etc.
- Office space for the in-house management team.
The Roxy Project Leadgate County Durham
The Roxy project is a privately funded community project with a concept, based on the arts, theatre dance, song, acting, bands, playwrights, etc. etc. but not exclusively so, as it will offer space to hire at an hourly charge for a variety of uses and other business in addition to the arts, etc. When the Roxy Project is eventually complete it will embrace new types of relationships between people and groups, leading in some cases from what may start with a person as a volunteer, progressing into self-employment within a structured framework. It’s all a bit too complicated to explain in a short paragraph, but essentially what you build as a volunteer may end up resulting in a means to earn a living with what you’ve created, or you may just do it for the love and fun of it, along with hobby groups. The concept of this initiative is I think new and is based not around profit, but people, their development and with the intention to enhance/ add to existing facilities in the area, not to compete with them. ———————————————————————————————- So now I’ve given you just a taste of things to come, in the words of the Rolling Stones song “Please Let Me Introduce Myself”. I always think it is good to introduce yourself when you meet a person, however, that’s a little harder when it’s on the World Wide Web. So here goes, my name is Keith and this is my baby so to speak, along with other members of my family. The theatre is not my passion but that of my family, I am a builder and have been for over fifty years, so yes I am a bit long in the tooth by now. Many people in the area are more likely to know my wife, rather than me. I told my wife when we bought the building it was too big a project for one person and that I would need help. That was fifteen years ago now. We worked the Roxy Project and developed the initial concept to fit into the building along with obtaining planning and building regulations approvals for the project. I’ve joked with a couple of the building officers that they will probably retire on this job and as for myself, I should have already done so. At the same time as going for the various approvals, I redeveloped the Roxy shop, which is attached to the Roxy and my wife ran it for over ten years, building it into the successful business it is today. Today the business has new owners who continue to build on the success and quality of the food they serve. When I am approached by people enquiring about the building and its development, normally the first question asked, is do we have a lottery grant? The answer is no and apart from a small income stream for the project, plus some kind donations (usually second-hand material). We have to date been unsuccessful in attracting even a single grant, but we plough on regardless. We have ploughed back the proceeds of the business sale into the project with the employment a man re-training as a joiner, now in his second year. The project always has the capability to ruin us, but if I can only get it to fly, it will be fantastic for the area and fantastic for people of all ages, giving an opportunity to many, many people, and entertainment for others. People sometimes ask me if I feel a need to give something back and quite honestly the answer is no, but I still love work and I just love to see the creation of opportunity for others to develop the skills they don’t even know they already possess. ———————————————————————————————- On the info included separately, you can read of the initial concepts for The Roxy Project to build an in-house management team from the disabled in society, giving them the opportunity to start in a voluntary capacity and through mentor-ship develop into a highly professional team, who can work in the running and development of other new fledgling businesses. In business, success leads to success and I would expect this fledgling business to outgrow the space provided for them in our building. Too many forget or don’t understand the very steep learning curve when you choose the route of self-employment. You may be brilliant at what you do, but the management, regulation, finance, and guidance about how best to advance and develop your skills are a total mystery to most and result in the staggering failure rate of new start up’s. More than 50% in the first five years and only 1% of businesses large and small still exist after 30 years. So why the disabled in society, well for one there are some very intelligent and qualified people who struggle to ever get a job, never mind the chance to develop their skills. My own brother is just such a person who in his whole life has gone from the job market to retirement and never had a job. It’s a waste for society and most definitely a waste in these individuals’ lives. If you fit into this group of people and would like to inquire or even give this a go, I would love to hear from you. Be warned my time is limited and not being a wiz on the computer it can take me time to respond. For more than two years I have looked for a forum as a point of contact, even speaking to organizations as far away as London. Most can give me chapter and verse about disabled entitlements, benefits, and rights, etc. but none a forum for advertising or speaking about work. If I wanted to join a gardening club I’d be able to find more outlets. In the original design of our building a small office was deliberately included in the initial brief for this very purpose and along with other design features will take the building past the essential DDA requirements, we will be able to get disabled people to all floors including the theatre upper circle. If you read this and know someone who may be interested, tell them, or maybe just share it on your Facebook page with all your friends. Another idea that has been in the melting pot for some time is to attract interest from older men and women who miss the aspect of some purpose in their lives, to work in a voluntary capacity in the role of training a young person in their particular skill. The concept is for a man/ woman to work with a boy/ girl to provide them with an opportunity to gain essential skills with which to develop a start in the world of work. This would require funding from possibly the local authority, college, or a sponsor and be set up with the backing of a college-based apprenticeship in order that a suitable qualification could be obtained at the end of two years of training. If we could get a level of interest in this type of scheme other businesses may also come on board to deliver the various aspects of each trade as required. But, and it is a big but, this would require coordination, which could be developed through the management team talked about. Just a thought, maybe more pie in the sky. I hope you enjoyed reading. Yeh still naive even after retirement age, but successful in business for almost forty years. Signing off Keith. (Time to put the trumpet away). Should anything in these pages be of interest or you would like to help in any small way with The Roxy Project, then we would be happy to hear from you? Please share our information with like-minded people on your Facebook or Twitter. Start as a builder and end up a musician.The post The Roxy Project appeared first on Leadgate Village.
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]]>Leadgate Railway Station
THE SITE OF THE OLD RAILWAY YARDGeology
The 1st geological survey of 1832 (Ref A) is the base point for the excavation and research that underpin this report. It is a little different from the 1st OS of 1861 (Reference B), save that it identifies the crops of coal and to a lesser extent ironstones that characterize the area. There is no evidence of igneous formations, intrusive or extrusive, close to the surface although the Whin Sill obviously occurs at a greater depth. The last Geological Survey (Reference H) shows the site to be essentially “made”, although the immediately surrounding surface topography is remarkably unchanged. The made and occurs throughout the whole of the Old Station Yard and Leadgate Railway Station is deepest at the NNE of the site, where bedrock occurs at depth on average of 9 metres. To the SSW of the site i.e. adjacent to the existing rear boundary wall of St Ives Road, itself built upon the remnants of an earlier wall; bedrock is encountered very close to the surface once the overburden has been removed. This overburden runs along the whole length of the boundary wall and is all that remains of the rail embankment. It is up to 4 meters high in places, highest to the East, and shallowest to the West. Made up of coal waste below present surface level, it also contains substantial quantities of very old, domestic refuse, typically non-degradable pottery, and glass, the earliest pieces of which date back to circa 1822. Evaluation of the quantities and patterns of pottery recovered, as well as types of old bottles, indicate at least 3 phases of major infilling and building-up as well as regular, continuous tipping of lesser quantities by occupants of St Ives Road and the former Old East House, a former Inn on the Turnpike Road (a private house owned by the Dunn family circa 1780) which pre-dates main construction of later houses, including Clifton House (circa 1854).Leadgate Railway Station and Railway Yard.
The first phase probably occurred around 1823 when the embankment was created in order to carry the mineral railway, the second around 1880 when the line was upgraded and the last around 1910 when the railway yard was created. The last created the raised land terrace required supporting Leadgate Railway Station and railway yard. The majority of the site was excavated by SUSTRANS in the ’80s in order to recover the construction material that contained low-grade coal and shale fill. However, the 10-meter strip running along the St Ives boundary wall remained largely untouched.Leadgate Railway Station and Village Boundary Wall
The boundary wall itself was built no earlier than 1822 and is likely contemporary along most of its length with the construction of the railway embankment. Substantial parts of it remain visible above ground. Indeed, it can be viewed in places inside the boundary wall from within the residents’ back yards and gardens, which are below the level of the site. Adjacent to Clifton House where the excavation took place to a depth of 2 meters, for example, the footings had still not been reached. The wall is also constructed in readily recognizable local sandstone, containing a particular form of brachiopod fossil (from the Harvey Marine Band). This outcrops locally and is easily worked, the upper layers especially being fractured along identifiable bedding planes. The gangs of navvies likely quarried it specifically for this purpose before the trench was backfilled and embankment created. The evidence to support this is in the fact that the depth of infill along the whole length of the boundary wall is considerably below the bedrock exposed during excavation, which occurs, on average, 3 The gangs of navvies likely quarried it specifically for this purpose before the trench was backfilled and embankment created. The evidence to support this is in the fact that the depth of infill along the whole length of the boundary wall is considerably below the bedrock exposed during excavation, which occurs, on average, 3 meters from the wall. Indeed, Clifton House is built of the same stone, as was East House, St Ives Church, and likely the whole of St Ives Road. Further evidence to support this and suggest the methods employed by the gangs of navvies rests in the cross-section of the excavation. The immediately underlying stratigraphy is typical of the region, a succession of Upper Carboniferous, sedimentary rocks laid down since the Silesian era. These have been exploited for at least 5 centuries for the economically important coal measures, which locally outcrop, and to a lesser extent the interspacing ironstones. Thus the surface topography has been substantially changed by successive extraction and infilling as well as subsidence and collapse following pit mining, though not below the Old Station Yard site, better known as Leadgate Railway Station. It is clear from excavation to a depth of 2.2 meters immediately adjacent to the rear boundary wall of Clifton House that the major part of the site is made up of compacted coal waste on overlying sandstone.Archaeology and Social History
St Ives Road dates back to 1834; before that, it was a turnpike paralleling the railway track as far as the Jolly Drovers and the site of the Eden Pit. When the public toilets next to the Surgery are demolished, this will once more expose a corner of the engine house, as well as The Old Forge. Both these were built around 1820, as was the old wall which separated the railway from the houses on St Ives. The Coach and Horses was the first house on St Ives Road apart from the Old East House, now demolished. In June 1854 Clifton House – now No 17 St Ives Road was built by Joseph Nicholson. Between 1854 and 1858 the remaining space between Clifton House and the Coach and Horses was built, the separate houses being terraced with their neighbors. Beyond the East House, more houses were built toward the Jolly Drovers. On the other side of the road, the remainder of St Ives Road was developed. All this building was completed by no later than 1858. The Old Forge (No 3-4 Watling St), like the building opposite (The Chinese) and the whole complex behind Fosters Butchers, also dates back to the 1830’s, as does most of Front St. What’s left is worth restoring and keeping. It should be incorporated into the fabric of any future development – not demolished. Cleaned up, the old random stone complements the village and shows it off for what it used to be before the post-1960’s ravages. It’s worth recording for posterity and makes a link back to their ancestors for the families of Leadgate. It might even help to restore some sense of civic pride and stop people littering. Written by Mr. David ShieldThe post Leadgate Railway Station appeared first on Leadgate Village.
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]]>Those who attended the Methodist Church in the front street will enjoy this video leading up to the opening of the new Methodist Church in Tyne Avenue.
A lot of you will recognize family and friends in this wonderful piece of Leadgate history. If you have any comments about this video please feel free to share them with us.
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]]>The post Eden Colliery Memories From Sixteen Year Old Boy appeared first on Leadgate Village.
]]>The Eden Colliery by Ron Ellis was situated at Leadgate 10.5 miles South West of Newcastle.
“This was the Colliery I started my working life at, as an apprentice electrician at sixteen years of age in 1950.
At that time there were nearly one thousand men employed.The pit was opened in 1844 and had four owners prior to 1950, the latter one being The National Coal Board. There were two shafts; the main one was the Eden which was used for drawing coal and man riding, the other shaft situated at Stoney Heap, about one mile from the Eden was the up-cast shaft, this shaft was used for man-riding and materials.
The coal seems worked were the Townley, the Busty and the Brockwell, there was also a drift entrance between the Eden and Stoney Heap, they worked the Hutton and the Little coal seams; the coal from the drift was pulled out in tubs by means of a rope haulage system on the heap-stead at the Eden.
Looking back to 1844 after the pit opened the winding and haulage of coal from the mine was driven by steam power and the transport of coal by chaldren wagon.
Severn in the morning I turned up for work in my new boiler suit (overalls) which I had worn most of the day before; my first job was to keep the workshop fire going. This was an easy task working at a coal mine, also to keep the workshop clean and tidy.
Just starting work I was not allowed to go underground before doing underground training. An apprenticeship then lasted five years so at the age of twenty-one seemed a long way off. I would get an increase in my wage over the next five years after which I would be a competent electrician. My first wage packet was handed over to my Mother and she would hand me back pocket money.
After completing my underground training at the Morrison Busty North Pit which lasted thirteen weeks, I could now work down the pit but only supervised by a qualified electrician. After another year I went to Sheffield for three months on an electrical course; having caught the train at Newcastle with a suitcase that was nearly bigger than me was an exciting time for me. I must say the training and opportunities to further your education given by the National Coal Board were first class.
Having reached twenty one I was sent on another course to Sheffield which was a mechanisation course for one month, after which I now had the responsibility of looking after the mine, above and below ground. I also had to start working three shifts which were 7.00am – 2.30pm, 4.00pm – 11.30pm and 11.00 – 7.00am. The thought of working the 4 pm till 11.30 pm shift did not please me as this interfered with my social life. However, a workmate came to the rescue as he hated the 11 pm to 7 am shift we agreed to swap; this swap lasted for four years until I married.
Looking back it was a backbreaking job in the mines as all the cables and machinery was so heavy, you could often walk for a mile with your back bent carrying a heavy tool bag and test instrument before you got to your place of work. As an example, I was called to a breakdown on a coal cutter on a coal face no higher than sixteen inches and one hundred yards long. To reach the cutter you had to crawl along on your stomach, pushing a heavy tool bag and test instrument in front of you, then you had to find the fault and repair it by yourself, lying flat out with a small light on your head was no easy task.
By 1980 the coal reserves were exhausted and the mine closed but I had left ten years earlier for pastures new”.
Here’s a video of memories of the “EDEN COLLIERY”
From A
Our thanks go to Arnold Parkin the (late) Bob Howard and “Leadgate and District Local History Association” for this Video presentation.
Fifty years into the working life of the “EDEN COLLIERY”
The Eden Colliery, by the Consett Iron Company, is now working the Hutton and the Main coal seams. This pit has been working for about fifty years. The first named seam is met at a depth of 30 feet, and has an average thickness of 7 feet 6 inches of workable coal, and contains a band of stone 7 to 9 inches thick, and about 1 foot of bad coal at the foot of the lower section. Six feet below the bad coal is met by the Low Hutton seam, which has not yet been worked. The Main coal is 30 feet below the Hutton, and averages 4 feet of clean coal. Besides the above seams, there exist the Townley, Hodge, Hand, and the Tilley, all more or less thin. The Busty, which has not yet been opened out, lies at a depth of 210 feet below the Main coal and gives a thickness of 5 feet. The output, which amounts to 5500 tons per fortnight, is almost entirely used for making gas for the steel furnaces, the remainder, about one-ninth, being disposed of by land sale. The number of men and boys employed is 261.
Some Interesting Dates In The Life Of The “Eden Colliery”
The most famous of the early mine Managers, Hedley, had a street of houses named after him when the two pit rows were built next to South Medomsley Colliery in 1906.
Probably the worst pit disaster happened at the Colliery on 7 November 1927 when John Davison 74, Andrew Dixon 49, and his son Robert 17, were killed by an explosion of firedamp about half a mile from the Eden shaft bottom. They were working in the Towneley seam which until that time had been recognised as free from firedamp. Allegedly, a degree of complacency had crept in and following an investigation by the Mines Inspectorate the Manager, Under Manager and a Deputy were ordered to pay £32-15s in fines and costs for their negligence. Not a lot to pay for 3 lives!
The railway link between the Eden Colliery and South Medomsley Colliery closed in 1964 and was dismantled in 1965.
The Eden Colliery closed on 18th July 1980 having mined under Billingside for 136 years. An Andy Goldsworthy earth maze sculpture now stands where the main buildings stood.
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Knitsley: Knitsley station was situated on the Lanchester Valley Branch. This viaduct could be found a further one and a half miles east of the station, half-way to Lanchester village. Work on the branch began in February 1861, using stone brought in from Benton Quarry, (North of Newcastle) for several large bridges.
Knitsley Burn and its sharp approach curves were a constant worry to the “North Eastern Railway”. By 1915, the viaduct was in need of major repairs and a decision was taken to turn it into an embankment with the use of colliery slag and spent (used) ballast. This lengthy operation can be seen in progress depicted in the photo during the year 1919 – and note the underpass ramparts built-in 
readiness for the “fill” to be placed.
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]]>Leadgate Workmen’s Social Club was actually in existence in 1906, but not registered.
It was located in the basement of NO 4 and 5 St. Ives Road, next door to what we new as Tilney’s Post Office.
When Tilney’s secured this property and was clearing the basement, old documents and invoices were found relating to the club.
After checking the deeds of the properties,(with kind permission from Fred Tilney), it was found that 2 and 3, St Ives Road was owned by the Rowland family till 1899 then sold to John Cambell, then eventually to Tilney’s.
The club rented the basement of 4 and 5, St Ives Road from John Cambell and after researching with elderly residents of Leadgate and our oldest member, Ernie Finch, born 1909, they remember their parents referring to the club as being in the basement of this address during the year of 1906
The club moved across the road to 33, St Ives Road in 1907 and again rented this property from John Cambell. After checking our deeds, it was found that the club purchased this property in 1914.
Two Clubs in Village
In 1907 there were two clubs in the village, as verified from Durham C.I.U. and also confirmed by an old copy of listings of all working men’s clubs in the country. This was given to the club from Tommy Turnbull, being inside of his father’s wallet, showing his original associate card and old passcards.
The two clubs listed were Leadgate Victory Club and Leadgate Workmen’s Club.
Both clubs were listed as being at St Ives Road, but again after researching through peoples recollections, it is commonly agreed that Leadgate Victory Club was situated somewhere near Blythe House( in the vicinity of the old Central Garage)
It was also confirmed that the steward of the club was a “Clifford”, Jimmy Clifford’s Grandfather. (Jimmy Clifford was a well-known Landlord of the “Golden Lion” for many years)
Unfortunately, the Victory Club only remained open for a couple of years.
“Leadgate Workmen’s Club” remained and as previously stated, registered with Durham County Branch of the C.I.U.in July 1907 and added to its title, it was now named “Leadgate Workmen’s Social Club and Institute Ltd.”
Club Registration
In 1914 the club registered with the industrial and Provident Societies which was very important as this gave the club mutual society status, which meant that any profits made by the club were kept for the benefit of its members and not taxed by the Government. (A unique benefit which many past Governments have tried to change.)
Early Days In The Club
In 1914 the club bought 33 St Ives Road. The club in these days was very basic, consisting of a Pot-Bellied stove in its centre and floor lined with sawdust, as was normal for this period. (Old balance sheets show sawdust being listed as an expenditure for the club.) In the early years the club was not just a drinking establishment, but a place where they could meet and discuss events controlling their lives. Books and newspapers were provided free to keep them informed and educated and no doubt, helped them form the foundations for the various unions which were to develop in the coming years.
Enlarging the Club
In 1954, No. 32 St Ives Road was bought and two properties were converted to form a larger club. The steward’s accommodation being upstairs and downstairs consisting of the main bar with small games and T.V. lounge, concert room and a small mixed lounge.
Club Improvements
The club stayed like this till 1974 when major improvements were then made. The stewards quarters were converted into a large lounge and No.1 New Watling Street was purchased for the stewards living accommodation. The bar and concert room were both extended and new toilet facilities provided.
The Club Fire
Many small changes and refurbishments have been made in the club since this date, but the most significant was in March 1999. when due to a fire in the concert room, £87,000 worth of damage was caused by smoke and fire damage. The club went through a major re-fit and refurbishment, at a cost of £184.000, making it one of the finest clubs in the Consett area.
The Stewardess
The club has had many stewards during its 100years, but there was a period when it had a stewardess, and that was in the period of 1935 till 1945 when Mrs Wilson ran the club and was known as Wilson’s club.
We once again have a stewardess, Karen Burnham, who was recently appointed in our centenary year, July 2007
Officials of Leadgate W.M.S.Club 1907-2007
The club has had many committeemen helping to run the club over 100 years, many well known and long-serving, but unfortunately, too many to list here. I have managed to list many of the officials who ran the club, unfortunately, there are gaps prior to 1944, as many old records of minutes were lost during the refurbishment in 1954.
Secretary
J.H.Milburn 1907-?
L.Jeffrey 1940-1954
F.A.Davison 1954-1969
R.Murray 1969-1975
J.Shield 1975-1981
C.Pearson 1981-1981
A. Thompson 1981-1984
J.Edwards 1984-2015
T. Morris 2015-18
J Keeler 2018-
Chairman/m
J.Coulson 1930-1940
J.R.Parker 1940-1941
A.Crowther 1941-1943
A.Geldard 1943-1945
A.Finch 1945-1959
A.Geldard 1959-1960
C.Watson 1960-1961
A.Finch 1961-1969
N.Graham 1969-1971
J.Lambert 1971-2015
Mrs.J.Cox 2015-
Treasurer
B.Bailey 1930-1940
R.Scarr 1940-1944
J.R.Parker 1944-1950
F.A.Davison 1950-1954
J.F.Morriss 1954-1969
J.Marley 1969-1981
D.Rowell 1981-2007?
This History of leadgate Workmen’s Social Club and Institute LTD). was compiled by Mr J. Edwards to whom we thank sincerely.
Leadgate and District Historical Society
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I have broadened my horizons with this next video to take in our near neighbour and good friend “CONSETT” Please leave a “COMMENT” and “SHARE” with your family and friends. In fact, if you know anybody who would like to watch these videos but haven’t access to a computer or the internet why not invite them round for a cuppa and watch them together. Just left-click on the video below, relax and enjoy.
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