Nostalgic memories of Gateshead's local history
Share your own memories of Gateshead and read what others have said
For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our web site to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was when the photographs in our archive were taken. From brief one-liners explaining a little bit more about the image depicted, to great, in-depth accounts of a childhood when things were rather different than today (and everything inbetween!). We've had many contributors recognising themselves or loved ones in our photographs.
Why not add your memory today and become part of our Memories Community to help others in the future delve back into their past.
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Displaying Memories 41 - 50 of 54 in total
My name is Carol Cook (maiden name Turner) and my mam is called Pat Turner (maiden name Wightman). I grew up in McAdam Street, Bensham, Gateshead and have a lot of special memories from there. Sadly half the street is currently in process of demolition, ready to build new houses where the old flats were... I am 38 (39 very soon!) and my mam is 64 in June. I'm looking to contact a Mr Alan Bull who knew my mam, Pat Wightman, whose mother was Ellen Wightman (or Nellie, as she was fondly known as).
My grandmother used to tell me stories of Gateshead days when I was a kid, for example Tommy-on-the Bridge, area Bottle Bank, apparently was a permanent fixture in those days, he stood on the Swing Bridge, might have been begging. Coffee Johnny, either called that because of his colour or because he sold tea or coffee in the same area. Skint Fart the Grosser, had grocer's shop of Railway Terrace, I used to ...see more
I was born in 89 Abbot Street, just off Sunderland Road, in 1932, then we moved to the Gateshead end of Redheugh Bridge. When the Second World War started we moved to 20 Brussel Street. The Davidson family lived in the flat above us, Andi went to Rose Street School for a short time. My sister Alice and I were evacuated to Saltburn by the Sea for a while. We always went to the Rats pictures to see George ...see more
I was born at 65 Southey Street, Sunderland Road in 1934. My family, the Towns family, had lived there for years. I went to Sunderland Road School and two of my teachers, Flintoff and Comway, taught my uncles. On leaving school I worked as an office boy at Clarke Chapmans, St James Road. As school kid me and my mates used to stand on St James bridge, at 5 o'clock when the factory came out, it ...see more
I was born on Palmer Street in October 45. My father of the same name of George Smith was recently killed in Germany and left his little family living with his parents in the Windmill Hills. I have a picture of all of the residents of the neigbourhood on VE day in the school yard at the top of Palmer Street and just below Bensham Road. There were decorations and cakes and streamers. ...see more
I was first introduced to Saltwell Park in 1963 whilst attending Gateshead Technical College, what a beautiful place, I thought. Since then I have made many trips to the park with my children, and now grandchildren, and each time my thoughts wander to times gone by and as I look arround I think of all the people who have spent their time walking and enjoying the many sights to see in this lovely place. Reminders ...see more
I was born in Nottingham and came to live in Gateshead when I was 4 years old. My mother was in the W.R.A.C and met my father when she was stationed down there. He was a Waiter in the Crown Hotel in Bawtry and was originally from Derbyshire. They were married in 1942 had me and my brother and decided to move to Gateshead. My mother was homesick for her family.
I remember as though it were yesterday...my ...see more
I went to Brighton Avenue Infants, Juniors and Senior School from 1954 - 1962 and I hated it.
Lovely old building some say. You've got to be kidding!
Does anyone remember "Botcherby", the morris dancing nut who was Head of the boys Senior School? He would be locked up these days for what he got up to with his "special" boys.
No, I'm glad it's gone.
I grew up in and lived in Bensham for the first 26 years of my life, albeit the last 5 of those years were spent in the Merchant Navy as a sea-going engineer.
My first school was Chester Place School which was across the road from the Bensham picture house. I was evacuated to Askgrigg Yorkshire from Chester Place School in 1939, on coming back in 1942 I went to Brighton Avenue school until I passed the ...see more
My memory relates to the years 1946-ish to 1960 but I couldn't get all that in at the top!
I was born in 1943 at 148 Somerset Street, an 'upstairs house' which we would now call a maisonette, the home of my paternal grandmother Mary Alice Peacock. This 'house' consisted of a 'kitchen', scullery, bedroom and outside toilet in a tiny back yard.
Sadly my mother died when I was 10 ...see more