Guestbook : Wheatley Hill History Club Durham

While you are here, why not sign our guestbook ?

130 entries.

Doreen Huntley (nee Armstrong) wrote on August 16, 2015

Howe or Armstrong history - I was born at 2 Office Villas in the pit yard at Thornley and my family (father Wilfred Armstrong, mother Emily Armstrong (nee Howe)) moved to 22 East View, Wheatley Hill in 1960. I have many fond memories of playing in the quarry (didn't realise how lucky I was seeing all the limestone flowers and butterflies at the time) and walking to Trimdon (to see my Aunt) and Wingate/Station Town (to visit my Gran). If anyone has information about my fathers family (Armstrong - all miners I think) or mothers family (Howe - her father William Howe died in an road accident I believe in 1922) I'd be very grateful. My mothers grandmother (Howe) became a spiritualist in the early 20's following the death of her son in this accident. Great site guys, brought back lots of memories for me. Saw my first film (Dumbo) at the 'Royalty'.

George Hetherington wrote on July 28, 2015

Thornley born - Although I am now almost 84, and have lived in Durham for my life, I was born in Thornley (Hill House, opposite the Catholic Church) and later moved down to Office Villas, which was actually in the pit yard, where my father Henry (Harry) was colliery joiner. In 1937 we moved to Sherburn Hill as my father became undertaker at the 'Store'. I had relatives in Wheatley Hill for many years..Cousin Ken Hetherington drove the G&B buses, and cousins Leo, Peter, May and Jean Robinson were in Stockton Street, next door to Arsenal footballer Teddy Carr. For a while I was helping out at the Dramatic Society under producer Vera Fairclough. All are now gone of course but Thornley and Wheatley Hill I still think of as my home patch.

Eddie Cooper wrote on April 26, 2015

1950s - I lived in No. 4 Third street in the so called Dardanelles from 1950 to 1962 when I married and left Wheatley Hill. I well remember wandering free and safe as a young boy down the dog track fields over the gassy gutter and into sandy beach near Bonzies pond where most years we were able to see a Kingfisher and many other wild animals which seemed so profuse in them days. Happy memories "Thanks Wheatley Hill"|My next door neighbour was Benny Harvey one the one side and the Richard Robson on the other. I had many friends back then and remember them all.

Sharon Armstrong wrote on April 3, 2015

anyone have any pictures of the onion family - does anyone have any piccys of the Ionian family from thornley please they would like to share ??? Many many thanks xxxx

victor malcolm craggs wrote on November 5, 2014

family history - i know very little about my family history.Thank you for this snippet.

Alan Simpson wrote on August 26, 2014

Old Times. - I was born in Wheatley Hill in 1934 and for many years lived in Jack Lawson Terrace. My father, Alf, was an engineer at the colliery and later had a bike shop in the old 'Tin Shop' next to the Royalty Cinema. I went to school there and passed the old Scholarship exam, getting a place at Welfield Grammar School in 1946. We moved to Wingate a couple of years later where my father ran Wingate Garage. I remember happy times despite the war - playing down the 'Gassy Gutter';|sledging down Cain Terrace in winter (a great sledge run); 'Tatie Picking' on Gregory's farm; blackberrying in the old quarry - happy days. I wonder if there are any of my old friends still out there. Like to hear from you if there are.

John Hardy wrote on July 31, 2014

Memories - I lived in Gowland Terrace with my 5 brothers until we moved to South Wales in 1966. Have fond memories of my childhood there

Mary Smith nee Marley wrote on June 21, 2014

Wheatley Hill - Hi,|I lived on 5th st up til i was 7/8 yrs old so 1966/67 i remember Tony Howe and Gillian Ainscough just wondering if they are still around. Also looking for anything related to the Marley's and Cooper's (w/hill n thornley) would be nice to get some old photo's have seen a few on another website as Eunice Cooper and my Uncle Bob Marley were getting married ||Cheers||Mary

Jeanette parkin wrote on April 1, 2014

Friends@family - I left wheatley hill nearly 40 years ago and am wondering if anyone remembers me as it would be really nice to catch up.

History Club wrote on February 24, 2014

SOCIAL MEDIA - Check out our Facebook and Twitter pages - updated regularly with photos and events

Eddie Cooper wrote on December 11, 2013

Fred Bartram and Frank Burrel - I have Just seen John Worthingtons message about the Bartram family emigrating and Remember Fred well as he Frank Burrel and I occasionally went around together.|I also remember John as we went to the... Read more

Brian Murray wrote on November 3, 2013

Irene Alderton - Would anyone who knows irene I think she is called Dahl now but she lived in Wordsworth avenue in 1962 please give her my e mail adress and ask her to get in touch as 51 years... Read more

john worthington wrote on October 21, 2013

freddie bartram with family to australia - having just seen this message brought me memories of seeing the Bartam family standing waiting for a bus at Fletchers shop, opposite vincents corner,leaving wheatley hill on a saturday morning over 50 years ago.I remember asking Freddie where are you going?he said we're going to Australia,see you,I went to school with Freddie and Billy.

ann price miles was hancock was hill wrote on August 10, 2013

annie and alice hutchinson - annie and alice hutchinson were my great aunts i have a photo of annie hutchinson there was also lizzie jack and joe he was my grandfather

jea wrote on July 19, 2013

family - I saw a photograph of the person who adopted me and gave me her surname.But get no responce from them or the quinns.Also i found my real brother which is brilliant as he was a major secret.If anyone... Read more