Mel Morpeth

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@JHCPAL Yep, you're right, here is the photo of the cutting the ribbon to open the bridge. (The fine chap on the left with the splendid 'tache was my great grand uncle Andrew McHugh a JP and auctioneer from Choppington)

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@JHCPAL I reckon Stayshun is quite close

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@CarolinePo75107 Pleased that you like it, I took it in the 1970’s there are quite a few more of mine around the raas and on t’internet.

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@neheritagelib In 1887 a cinder track was built around the Rec. and during the races illegal money changed hands on the regular annual Ashington cycle race a crowd of 2,000
people paid 6d to watch, although many miners stood on the Rec Bridge so that they could watch without paying their 6d.

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@neheritagelib Do you know about the silver cup for cycling at the Rec. in 1890? called the ‘The Millons Cup’ It was only raced for a few times as the rules changed between amateur and professional cycling.
the Millons Challenge Cup for 1 mile amateur race
(Scratch) to be won twice Sept. 1890

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@JHCPAL Me too!

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@WitchesKitchen @spike1003 @JHCPAL Aye me too, about 1964

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@JHCPAL @neheritagelib

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@spike1003 @JHCPAL From Newbiggin Pit lads practicing their Rappers dance c1920 ish

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@JHCPAL @Plasmadreamer From 1930

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@JHCPAL @Plasmadreamer Try this then!

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@JHCPAL The nearest Ashington Dene as I could find near the Wansbeck!

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@JHCPAL From 1931

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@spike1003 @WitchesKitchen @TyneSnapper

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@JHCPAL @Baroness_Nichol You knew that a Candyman was the bailiff who ordered Coal Miners from their houses during Strikes, but did you know they were also called "a bum bailiffs" also vendors up at the Toon who sold sweets called "Dandy Candy - 3 sticks for a penny.

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@JHCPAL Actually Nat appeared at the Odeon Gateshead on 11th April 1954. But in 1909 Stan Jefferson (later Laurel) played at the Ashington Miners Theatre, 1916 Gracie Field, 1925 Bud Flanagan, and 1928 George Formby all played at the Pavilion.

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@JHCPAL @n_docs Not forgetting Hayden Letch north of Ashington and south of Ellington. In 1919 this Letch was the main sewage route (in a very poor sewage system) out of Ashington, where just below Dene House Farm there were major Typhoid outbreaks.

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@TyneSnapper @JHCPAL I think they were chicken shaped wooden bowling pins that you tried to knock them all over by a small ball.

[Mel Morpeth @MelMorpeth]

@JHCPAL The block contest is still used on fun fairs, where various sized wooden cubes were placed, punters then paid money for a number of wooden rings. Their aim was to through the rings over the cubes. If they landed over them completely then you won a prize.