1921 - DURHAM DIRECTORY - Wheatley Hill, a colliery district and parish, is 1 mile west from Thornley and 8 east from Durham. The parish church of All Saints is a building of brick, and was erected in 1873-74. A church hall was built in 1914 with accommodation for 250 people. The Primitive Methodist chapel here, erected in 1873, is a structure of red and white brick, and has 200 sittings. There is also a Wesleyan chapel, with 150 sittings. The population in 1911 was 5,625.
Public Elementary Schools
Wheatley Hill (mixed), built in 1877 & enlarged in 1880, 1904, & 1912 for 606 seniors; Thomas Henry Arnold, master; Miss E.F. Berry, mistress.
Catholic (mixed), John Bonar, master.
Post, M.O. & T. & Public Telephone Call Office, Wheatley Hill (letters should have co. Durham added) - Ernest Knight, sub-postmaster.
Police Station, William Oliver, sergeant in charge, & 5 constables.
Private Residents
Casey Rev. Philip Thomas (vicar)
Ryan Emanuel James, The Knoll
Commercial Residents
Armstrong William Horace, M.P.S. chemist
Atkinson Wm. J. brick & tile maker
Baldasara Angelo, confectioner
Barclay Bank Limited (sub-branch), open Tuesdays from 10 to 10-30 a.m.; draw on head office, 54 Lombard street, London EC3
Buchanan James, hairdresser
Cairn Joseph & Sons, boot repairers
Cash Trading Stores, grocer
Colliery Institute (Geo. Scrafton, sec)
Dunn George, fancy draper
Dunn Ralph, farmer
Etherington John Ralph, newsagent
Foster Brothers, drapers
Graham William, blacksmith
Gregory Robert, cartage contractor
Haswell Co-operative Provision Society Limited
Haswell Mary (Mrs.), stationer
Hedley John, butcher
Hodgson John, newsagent
Kaers John, fried fish dealer
Kilbourn Alfred, shopkeeper
Knight Earnest, grocer & post office
Laws Matthew, newsagent
Leggett Edgar, shopkeeper
Lough & Barker, boot repairers
Lindsay Robert, farmer, High Crowhouse farm
McMillan John, butcher
Meadow Dairy Co Ltd, butter merchants
Miners' Hall (Frank Quinn, sec)
Moore Hetty & Minnie (Misses), confectioners
Nixon William & Sons, grocers
Oswald John, boot maker
Prior William, insurance agent
Robinson John Robert, Colliery hotel
Robinson Robert, draper
Ryan Emanuel James, M.D.McGill, L.R.C.P. & S.Edin. Surgeon, & medical officer for Thornley district, Easington union, The Knoll
Scott James Tait, clothier
Searle Geo. Thos. Artificial teeth manufacturer
Sherburn Hill Co-operative Society Limited, provision merchants
Smithson Robert M.P.S.
Somerville-Woodiwis William L.D.S., dentist (attends Mondays)
Storey James, farmer, Low Crow house
Terry George Edward, fruiterer
Terry William, grocer
Thackrey Walter, hairdresser
Thompson Hy. Jas., boot & shoe dealer
Thompson Robert, greengrocer
Tonks John, ironmonger
Turnbull Stephen, insurance agent
Usher Matthew, insurance agent
Vincent Robert & Son, cycle dealer
Voocht William, Nimmo hotel
Ward John Thomas, Colliery hotel
Weardale Steel, Coal & Coke Co Ltd
Wheatley Hill Constitutional Club (William Elliot, sec)
Wheatley Palace Theatre (George Johnson, manager)
Wilson Walter Limited, grocers
Workmen's Social Club & Institute Limited (Vincent Mills, sec)
Young L., confectioner
1920-21 - CIU National Billiards Champions
S. Parr (Abertillery Social) beat R.Winter (Wheatley Hill) 500-122
1923 - Gillet Brothers and John Joseph Baker start first bus services.
1923 - JUBILEE OF PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH - Speech by Peter Lee on the 50th Anniversary of the Patton Street Primitive Methodist Church
The following commemorative stones were laid at each of the Aged Miners Homes on June 9th 1923: -
1 Aged Miners Homes - Capt J E Rogerson M.P. J.P.
2 Aged Miners Homes - J H B Forster ESQ J.P.
3 Aged Miners Homes - G Rhymer ESQ
4 Aged Miners Homes - Dr E J Ryan
5 Aged Miners Homes - Mrs. J Butterfield in memory of her father the late John Wilson M.P.
6 Aged Miners Homes - M Barrass ESQ J.P.
7 Aged Miners Homes - W B Charlton ESQ
8 Aged Miners Homes - C Forster ESQ
9 Aged Miners Homes - R Errington ESQ
10 Aged Miners Homes - J Faulkner ESQ
11 Aged Miners Homes - R Trueman ESQ
12 Aged Miners Homes - A Baldasera ESQ
The following commemorative stones were laid at each of the Aged Miners Homes on April 4th 1925: -
13 Aged Miners Homes - Jas Robson ESQ O.B.E. J.P.
14 Aged Miners Homes - J A Simpson ESQ
15 Aged Miners Homes - J T Scott ESQ
16 Aged Miners Homes - Mrs. Baldasera
17 Aged Miners Homes - Wheatley Hill Constitutional Staff
18 Aged Miners Homes - Sherburn Hill Co-operative Society
21 Aged Miners Homes - Haswell Co-operative Society
22 Aged Miners Homes - W? Richardson ESQ
23 Aged Miners Homes - Miss M Charlton
24 Aged Miners Homes - G Burns ESQ
25 Aged Miners Homes - W S Hedley ESQ
26 Aged Miners Homes - Capt W Dewhurst
1925 - (P.P.P.) The boom in the coal trade consequent upon the first world war saw Wheatley Hill Colliery develop rapidly.
The pit's "Low Main Best" was adjudged the equal of any coal in the country and was always in demand on the London market for steam and domestic purposes. High wages were earned at Wheatley Hill in these immediate post-war years and more and more men were taken on. The village began to grow rapidly and extended westward away from the pithead and the grime.
To provide further accomodation for their workmen, the owners, the Weardale Coal Company, sponsored and subsidised a house-purchasing scheme. They built 72, neat and trim terraced houses on what was then the complete extremity of the village. These they offered to their workmen at a very advantageous rate. A weekly sum was to be kept off the prospective owner's wages for a period of 14 years.
There was no rush to take advantage of the scheme. The miners' inbred suspicion of the owners caused them to smell rats that were not there.
However, the dwellings, still known as the "Scheme Houses" proved a wonderful investment to those who did have the necessary foresight. They have appreciated in value quite substantially over the years from there original value.
1925 Proceedings taken against occupiers of wooden huts.
1925 - DURHAM DIRECTORY - Wheatley Hill, a colliery district and parish is 1 mile west from Thornley and 8 east from Durham. The parish church of All Saints is a building of brick, and was erected in 1873-74. A church hall was built in 1914, with accommodation for 250 people. The Primitive Methodist chapel here, erected in 1873, is a structure of red and white brick, and has 200 sittings. There is also a Wesleyan chapel, with 150 sittings. The population in 1921 was 6,205.
Post, M.O., T. & T.E.D. Office, Wheatley Hill (letters should have co. Durham added). - Ernest Knight, sub-postmaster
Police Station, Jacob Featonby, sergeant in charge & 5 constables.
Public Elementary Schools
Wheatley Hill (mixed), built in 1877 & enlarged in 1880, 1904, & 1912 for 606 seniors; Thomas Henry Arnold, master; Miss E.F. Berry, mistress.
Roman Catholic (mixed); John Bonar, master
Private Residents
Casey Rev. Philip Thomas (vicar)
Russell George R. C., M.A., M.B. Valdigarth
Ryan Emanuel James, The Knoll
Simpson Joseph, West house
Commercial Residents
Atkinson Brothers, butchers
Atkinson Wm. T. brick & tile maker
Baldasara Angelo, confectioner
Barclay & Company Limited (sub-branch), open Tuesday from 10 to 10-30 a.m.; sat 11a.m. To 1p.m.; head office, 54 Lombard street, London EC 3
Buchanan James, hairdresser
Burns George, brick manufacturer, Crowhouses
Cairns Joseph, boot repairer
Carr Walter Wilson, farmer, High Crowhouse farm
Colliery Institute (Geo. Scrafton, sec)
Colvine Hilda (Mrs.), stationer
Dunn Margret (Mrs.), confectioner
Elliot George, farmer
English Henry A. D. Nimmo hotel
Foster Mary J. (Mrs.), draper
Graham William, blacksmith
Gregory William, cartage contractor
Hamilton John, hairdresser
Haswell Co-operative Society Limited
Hedley William S. butcher
Hodgson John, newsagent
Humble Robert, baker
Hutton Lucy, milliner
Jordan Thomas, motor proprietor
Kaers John, fried fish dealer
Knight Earnest, grocer & post office
Leggett Edgar, shopkeeper
Lough James, boot repairer
McMillan John, butcher
Meadow Dairy Co Ltd, butter merchants
Miners' Hall (John Hedley, sec)
Moore Hetty (Miss), confectioners
Nixon John, grocer
Oswald John, boot maker
Page & Taylor, motor proprietor
Ramsden George, auctioneer
Ramsden Mary (Mrs.), shopkeeper
Robinson Margaret (Mrs.), draper
Russell George R.C., M.A., M.B., C.M. Aberd, physician
Ryan Emanuel James M.D.McGill, L.R.C.P. & S.Edin., L.R.F.P. & S. Glas. Surgeon, & medical officer for Thornley district, Easington union, The Knoll
Scott J T & Sons Ltd, clothiers
Searle George Thomas, dentist
Sherburn Hill Co-operative Society Limited, provision merchants
Smithson Roland M.P.S.
Stoker William, assistant overseer & clerk to the Parish Council
Storey James, farmer, Low Crowhouse
Taylors' Drug Co Ltd. chemists
Temperley John, confectioner
Terry Ralph, fruiterer
Terry William, grocer
Thackrey Walter, hairdresser
Thompson Hy. Jas., boot & shoe dealer
Thompson Robert, greengrocer
Tonks Brothers, ironmonger
Tucker William, confectioner
Usher Matthew, insurance agent
Vincent Robert & Son, cycle dealers
Weardale Steel, Coal & Coke Co Ltd
Wheatley Hill Constitutional Club (Joseph Simpson, sec)
Wheatley Hill Demobilised & Discharged Soldiers' & Sailors' Society (Isaac Griffiths, sec)
Wheatley Palace Theatre (Jacob Hatchey, manager)
Willson Walter Limited, grocers
Wilson Christopher, dairy
Wilson Thomas, shopkeeper
Winter Robert Thomas, Colliery hotel (Moon's hotel)
Workmen's Social Club & Institute Limited (Vincent Mills, sec)
1926 - NURSES HOME OPENED
News of this reached Wheatley Hill and a body of men 300 strong hurried over to the scene and stoned the "black-legs" causing them to leave their work and flee down the track. The Wheatley Hill strikers remained in proud possession of the railway, within half an hour a bus load of police arrived. These proved to be "specials" in ill fitting and non-descript uniforms.
They had the appearance of undergraduates out for a lark. Armed with batons they advanced upon the striking miners. They were met with a heavy fusilade of stones.
The "specials" turned tail, retreating to their bus and departed hurriedly, but not before every window in the bus had been shattered. The Wheatley Hill men were cock-a-hoop; this was the revolution.
However, at 2.30 p.m., Superintendent Benett arrived with a stong force of regular policemen. The Superintendent plainly meant business. He ordered his me to charge, and charge they did. The strikers were put to flight, heads were broken and arrests were made. Subsequently four men were charged with riotous behaviour. They were fined £20, or given the option of three months imprisonment.
The men were saved from prison, the Miners' Lodge paid the fines. That same week the strikers also erected a road block at Wheatley Hill Lane Ends, where the Hartlepool-Durham road(A181) skirts the village. Cars and lorries were force to stop and explain their business. If the strikers were satisfied the vehicles were allowed to proceed. A large black sedan was halted. Out of it jumped Superintendent Benett and a posse of plain clothes police.
Once more the strikers fled. Three men were apprehended and subsequently fined £10, with the option of two months.
Once more the Miners' Lodge paid the fines. A third incident took place at the Fir Tree Cross Roads, a body of Wheatley Hill strikers clashed with a similar body from Wingate. The Wheatley Hill men chided the Wingate men on their lack of action during the strike. Angry words were exchanged, there were minor scuffles, but before anything more serious developed a flying squad car arrived. A Wheatley Hill man threatened the police pretending to have a fire-arm in his pocket. He was arrested for the second time in two days and was fined £10, or three months. He was again saved from prison by the Miners' Lodge.
The General Strike lasted for ten days then the miners were betrayed. For six months they went it alone until finally hunger and despair drove nearly a quarter of the men back to the pits. No-one thought of blacklegging in Wheatley Hill. He would have been a foolhardy man to have tried it.
During the Strike my father and his father would go to the Soup Kitchen for breakfast and dinner, after he had school. It would consist of home made bread and jam as well as a mug of cocoa for breakfast and soup and more home made bread for dinner.
1926 - WELFARE PARK SCHEME
1927 - LIGHTNING STRUCK CAGE ROPE
1928 - LAST HANDBALL ALLEY IN ENGLAND BUILT
1929 - DURHAM DIRECTORY - Wheatley Hill, colliery district and ecclesiastic parish 1 mile west from Thornley q.v.; also included in Shadforth, q.v.; Post and Tel. Off.; pop, 6,205.
Atkinson Jn. butcher
Atkinson Robert butcher
Atkinson Wm. T. brick & tile maker
Baldasera Angelo, confectioner
Barclay Bank Ltd (sub-branch), open Tuesday from 10a.m. to 2-45p.m.; Fri 10a.m. to 11-15a.m.); head office, 54 Lombard street, London EC 3
Best Wm. (Mrs.), confectioner
Boughen Philip F. grocer, Patton St
Bowes Eva (Miss), shopkeeper, Patton St
Buchanan James, hairdresser
Buck George C. fried fish dealer, Cemetery rd
Burns George, brick manufacturer, Crowshouses
Carr Walter Wilson, farmer, High Crowhouse farm
Chapman William, butcher, Patton St
Colliery Institute (Geo. Scrafton, sec)
Colvine Hilda (Mrs.), general dealer
Dawson Thomas, fried fish dealer
Dunn Margaret (Mrs.), confectioner
English Henry A. D. Nimmo hotel
Ford Jas & Edward, fried fish dealer
Fletcher W. & H. confectioners
Fletcher W. & R. Ltd. butcher
Foster Mary J. (Mrs.), draper
Goyns William S, boot repairer
Gregory William, cartage contractor
Hamilton John, hairdresser
Hardwick Rt, blacksmith
Harrison Gloris (Miss), ladies hairdresser
Haswell Co-operative Society Limited T N 4
Hedley William S. butcher
Hodgson John, newsagent T N 17
Hutton Lucy, ladies' outfitter
Johson Percy, draper, Church St
Kirk William, fruiterer Church St
Knight Earnest, stationer & post office
Lambert Lawrence, boot repairer
Lawson David, dentist (attends), 15 Granville ter
Leggett Edgar, shopkeeper
Liddle Jn. optician (attends), Church St
Lincoln Wm Edgar, insurance agent
McCarthy Arth, confectioner
Meadow Dairy Co Ltd, butter merchants
Miners' Hall (John Hedley, sec)
Moore Hetty (Miss), confectioner
Nicholson Mary Gertrude (Mrs.), draper
Nixon & Co grocers, Church St
Nixon John, grocer
Oswald John, boot maker
Richardson Evelyn (Miss), ladies' hairdresser
Richardson L & S, hairdressers
Robinson Jn, fried fish dealer, Church St
Robinson Rt (exors of), drapers
Robson Robert W. boot repairer
Russell Geo R.C., M.B., C.M. Aberd, physician.
Ryan Emanuel James M.D.McGill, L.R.C.P. & S.Edin., L.R.F.P. & S. Glas., surgeon, & medical officer for Thornley district, Easington Union, The Knoll.
Scott J T & Sons Ltd, clothiers
Searle George Thomas, dentist
Sherburn Hill Co-operative Society Limited, provision merchants
Simpson Sydney, insurance agent, Weardale St
Smiles Sarah (Mrs.), confectioner
Smithson Roland M.P.S. chemist
Stoker William, rating officer & clerk to the Parish Council
Storey James, farmer, Low Crowhouse
Summers Sarah Annie (Miss), confectioner. Patton St
Taylor & Jordan, motor engineers
Taylor Sydney, insurance agent
Taylors' Drug Co Ltd. chemists
Temperley John, grocer
Terry Ralph, fruiterer
Terry William, grocer
Thackrey Walter, hairdresser
Thompson Hy. Jas., boot & shoe dealer
Thompson Robert, greengrocer
Tonks Brothers, ironmongers
Tonks & Burnell, motor engineers
Tucker William, confectioner
Usher Matthew, insurance agent
Vincent Robert & Son, cycle dealers
Weardale Steel, Coal & Coke Co Ltd
Wheatley Hill Constitutional Club (Albert Dunn, sec) TN Thornley 13
Wheatley Hill Nursing Association
Wheatley Hill Workmen's Club & Institute (Thomas Storey, sec.) Crows Houses
Wheatley Palace Theatre (J Hateley & Co. proprietors) TN Thornley 9
Williams' Bazaar Stores, Church St
Willson Walter Limited, grocers
Wilson Thomas, shopkeeper
Winnard Margt. (Mrs.), confectioner. Cemetery rd
Winter Robert Thomas, Colliery hotel (Moon's hotel)
THE TIMES, MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1929
MINERS AND ABSENTEEISM
A special sitting of the Castle Eden Bench (Co Durham) was held on Saturday to hear summonses against 547 miners employed at Wheatley Hill Colliery, against whom the Weardale Steel, Coal, and Coke Company, owners of the colliery, claimed damages, for wrongful absence from work on September 30. Mr. C. Charlton, for the colliery owners, said that since the issue of the summonses the men had admitted a breach of contract and had agreed to compensate the company by paying 6s each. He asked that the summonses be withdrawn. The Bench agreed, the CHAIRMAN remarking that this result was very satisfactory.
News In Brief
Frederick Alderton, stated to have been seven years treasurer of the Wheatley Hill branch of the Durham Miners' Association, was at Castle Eden yesterday committed for trail, on bail, to Durham Quarter Sessions on a charge of converting to his own use £400 entrusted to him on behalf of the branch.
Alderton pleaded “Guilty”
Wheatley Hill Women's Institute was formed in November 1930 and has 30 years of good work behind it. During the war the Institute helped to entertain the village by giving dramatic plays and comedies. Members took evacuee children from other areas into their homes. Some of these children are still with us today, having grown into manhood and womanhood and are now good citizens of Wheatley Hill. Members of The Women's Institute have also adopted patients in the Sedgefield Mental Hospital who have no relatives, and regularly visit these poor unfortunate people to give help and comfort wherever possible.
1930 Slum clearances - Houses involved: -357, Families involved: - 371. (M.M.)
1931 - WELFARE HALL & PAVILION
A commemorative stone was laid during construction with the following: - 'This stone was laid on June 21st 1930 by M. Barrass ESQ J.P.
1933 - LAST HANDBALL CHAMPIONSHIP OF ENGLAND PLAYED
1934 - DURHAM DIRECTORY - Wheatley Hill, colliery district and ecclesiastic parish 1 mile west from Thornley; included in Shadforth,; Post and Tel. Off.; pop, 6,886.
Private Residents
Casey Rev. Philip Thomas (vicar), Vicarage
McLean William Gordon M.B., Ch, B.Glas. Valdigarth
Ryan Emanuel James, M.D., C.M. The Knoll
Simpson Joseph, Church villa
Commercial
(Marked thus * farm 150 acres or over.)
Atkinson Jn. butcher
Atkinson Wm. T. brick & tile maker
Baldasera & Sons, confectioners
Baldasera Peter, confectioner
Barclay Bank Limited (sub-branch), (open Tuesday from 1 to 3-30p.m.; Fri 10 to 11-15a.m.); head office, 54 Lombard street, London EC 3
Bell R.T. painter
Blakemore N.S., hairdresser
Boughen Philip F. grocer, Patton St
Burns George, brick manufacturer, Crowshouses
Carr May (Mrs.), confectioner
Chipchase Vera (Miss), ladies hairdresser
Clarke Matthew Benj. Cycle agent
Colliery Institute (Geo. Scrafton, sec)
Colvine Hilda (Mrs.), general dealer
Drake Philip Fras. Xavier M.B., Ch.B.Glas. Surgeon
Dunn Margaret (Mrs.), confectioner
English Henry A. D. Nimmo hotel
Fletcher W. & R. Ltd. butcher
Ford Elizabeth A (Mrs.), fried fish dealer
Foster Mary J. (Mrs.), draper
*Gallon George, farmer, High Crowhouse farm
Goyns William S, boot repairer
Gregory Wm. farmer
Hamilton John, hairdresser
Haswell Co-operative Society Limited T N 4
Hedley William S. butcher
Hewitt R, fried fish dealer. Cemetery rd
Hodgson John, newsagent T N 17
Howe Frederick, insurance agent
Hunt P. W. watchmaker (attends Thurs. 1 to 5-30p.m.)
Hutton Lucy, ladies' outfitter
Jordan Thomas, motor engineer
Kirk William, fruiterer
Knight Earnest, stationer & post office
Knowles J. hairdresser
Lambert Lawrence, boot repairer
Latham Lawrence, dairyman
Lawson David, dentist (attends Wednesday), 15 Granville ter
Liddle Jn. optician (attends), Church St
Lincoln Wm. Edgar, insurance agent
Linton Thomas J. Wingate tavern
Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society Ltd, (P. Naughton, district manager)
Long Jn W. dairyman
Luke Jas. Shopkeeper
McCartney L. (Mrs.), confectioner
McLean William Gordon M.B., Ch.B.Glas. Surgeon Valdigarth. T N 6
Meadow Dairy Co Ltd, butter merchants
Miners' Hall (E. Cain, sec)
Miners Hall Cinema (Mrs. M.G. Snaith)
Mitchell Lawrence, boot repairer
Moore Hetty (Miss), confectioner
Moore's Stores Ltd. grocers
Newell Harry, confectioner
Newman F. & Sons Ltd. grocers
Nicholson Mary Gertrude (Mrs.), draper
Nixon & Co grocers, Church St
Noble Frederick, fried fish dealer
Oswald John, boot maker
Readshaw V. motor haulage contractor, Cemetery rd
Richardson L & S, hairdressers
Richie George, builder
Robinson Agnes (Mrs.), fried fish dealer, Church St
Robson Robert W. boot repairer
Ryan Emanuel James M.D.McGill, L.R.C.P. & S.Edin., L.R.F.P. & S. Glas. (firm, Ryan & Gray), surgeon, & medical officer for Thornley district, Easington Area Guardians Committee, The Knoll. T N 23
Sanderson Jn Jas, farmer, Low Crow ho
Scott J T & Sons Ltd, clothiers
Searle George Thomas, dentist, The Avenue. T N 8
Sherburn Hill Co-operative Provision Society Limited, provision merchants
Smiles Sarah (Mrs.), confectioner
Smith Elsie (Miss), shopkeeper
Smith Thomas William, fried fish dealer
Smithson Roland M.P.S. chemist
Stoker William, rating officer & clerk to the Parish Council
Taylor Percy, baker
Taylor Sydney, insurance agent
Taylors' Drug Co Ltd. chemists
Temperley John, grocer
Thompson Hy. Jas., boot & shoe dealer
Thompson Robert, greengrocer
Thubron J. chimneysweeper
Tonks George, ironmongers
Tonks & Burnell, motor engineers
*Towler George, farmer, Greenhills farm
Tucker William, china dealer
Vincent Robert & Son, ironmongers
Weardale Steel, Coal & Coke Co Ltd
Wheatley Hill Constitutional Club (Robert Cowling, sec) TN Thornley 13
Wheatley Hill Nursing Association
Wheatley Hill Workmen's Club & Institute (Thomas Storey, sec.), Crows Houses
Wheatley Palace Theatre (J Hateley & Co. proprietors) TN Thornley 9
Williams Bazaar Stores, Church St
Willson Walter Limited, grocers
Wilson Thomas, shopkeeper
Winnard D & M, confectioners. Cemetery rd
Winter Robert Thomas, Colliery inn (Moon's hotel)
Youll Robert, blacksmith
1935 - 2nd WHEATLEY HILL SCOUT TROOP FORMED
1938 - NEW WORKMEN'S CLUB
1938 - REGAL CINEMA OPENED
1938 - PALACE RENAMED THE ROYALTY
1938 - HOLIDAY CREDITS, 1938 FROM WEARDALE STEEL, COAL & COKE CO. LTD.
Private Residents
Casey Rev. Philip Thomas (vicar), Vicarage
McLean William Gordon M.B., Ch,B.Glas. Valdigarth
Ryan Mrs. The Knoll
Simpson Joseph Austin, Weardale house
Commercial
(Marked thus * farm 150 acres or over.)
Allen & Co. furniture dealers, Front St. Thornley 54
Atkinson Jn. butcher
Atkinson Wm. T. brick & tile maker
Baldasera & Sons, confectioners Front St
Baldasera Peter, confectioner Front St
Barclay Bank Limited (sub-branch), (open Tuesday from 1 to 3-30p.m.; Fri 10 to 11-15a.m.); head office, 54 Lombard street, London EC 3
Bell Robert.Thomas. Painter, 21 Alexandra ter
Blakemore N.S., hairdresser
Bullock Jennie (Mrs.), shopkeeper. Westlea, Cemetery rd
Carter A. (Mrs.) shopkeeper. 27 Granville ter
Chipchase Rita (Miss), ladies hairdresser, 21 Alexandra terrace
Clarke Matthew Benj. Cycle agent, Front St
Colliery Inn (Rt Winter)
Colliery Institute (Geo. Scrafton, sec)
Colvine Hilda (Mrs.), general dealer, Front St
Dowson Albert Cecil, furniture remover, 5 Gable ter
Dunn Sarah (Miss), confectioner. 2 Thornley rd
Fletcher W. & R. Ltd. butchers, Front St
Ford Elizabeth A (Mrs.), fried fish dealer. 10 Alexandra ter
Galley's fruiterers. Front St
Graham Jane (Miss), shopkeeper
Graves Jennie (Mrs.), confectioner. Front St
Gray Alex. Pirie M.B., B.Ch.Aber. Surgeon & medical officer for Thornley District Easington Area Guardians Committee (surgery), The Knoll. Thornley 33
Goyns William S, boot repairer
Hamilton John, hairdresser. Front St
Haswell Co-operative Society Limited T N 4
Hedley William S. butcher, Front St
Henderson Mildred (Miss), ladies' hairdresser. 5 Thornley rd
Heron Thomas, shopkeeper. 8 Thornley rd
Hodgson John, news agent, Front St. (T N 17) & Cemetery rd
Howe Frederick C. insurance agent. 4 Gable ter
Hunt P. W. watchmaker (attends Thurs. 1 to 5-30p.m.)
Hutchinson Emma (Miss), shopkeeper. 22 Wingate lane
Hutton Lucy, (Mrs. C. Haddock, proprietress) ladies' outfitter & ladies' hairdresser, Corner house
Jordan Thomas, motor engineer
Jordison George, fried fish dealer. 7 Alexandra ter
King Matthew, boot repairer
Kirk William, fruiterer
Knight Mary Isobel (Mrs.), stationer & post office. Thornley 10
Knowles John. hairdresser, Front St
Lambert Lawrence, boot repairer
Latham Lawrence, dairyman
Lawson David, dentist (attends Wednesday), 2 Front St
Liddle Jn. optician (attends), Church St
Lincoln Wm. Edgar, insurance agent
Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society Ltd, (P. Naughton, district manager). Thornley 51
McCartney L. (Mrs.), confectioner
McLean William Gordon M.B., Ch.B.Glas. Surgeon Valdigarth. T N 6
Meadow Dairy Co Ltd, butter merchants. Front St
Million Catherine (Mrs.), shopkeeper
Miners' Hall (E. Cain, sec)
Miners' Hall Cinema (Snaith's Pictures)
Mitchell Lawrence, boot repairer. Church St
Moore Hetty (Miss), confectioner. 5 Alexandra ter
Moore's Stores Ltd. grocers. Front St
Newman F. & Sons Ltd. grocers Front St. Thornley 28
Nicholson Mary Gertrude (Mrs.), draper, Front St
Nimmo Hotel (William C. Brown), Front St
Nixon & Co grocers, Church St
Ord George, insurance agent, Swaledale, Durham rd
Oswald John Thompson, boot dealer, Front St
Richardson L & S, hairdressers 20 Granville ter
Ringtons Ltd. tea merchants; head office, Algernon rd Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Richie George, builder
Robinson Agnes (Mrs.), fried fish dealer, Church St
Robin Hannah (Miss), shopkeeper, Front St
Robson Reginald S., shopkeeper, 8 Alexandra ter
Robson Robert W. boot repairer, 6 Alexandra ter
Robertson Danl. S. Insurance agent, 26 Granville ter
Scott J T & Sons Ltd, clothiers
Searle George Thomas, dentist, The Avenue. T N 8
Sherburn Hill Co-operative Provision Society Limited, provision merchants
Smiles Sarah (Mrs.), confectioner
Smith Hy, oil merchant
Smithson Roland, chemist, Front St
Steel Ellen (Mrs.), shopkeeper Ard????, Wingate lane
Stoker William, rating officer & clerk to the Parish Council
Swinburne Mrs., baker, Front St
Taylor Sydney, insurance agent, 4 Church St
Taylors' Drug Co Ltd. chemists, Front St
Temperley John, grocer, Front St
Thompson Eliz. Ellen (Mrs.), boot & shoe dealer, Front St
Thompson Robert, greengrocer
Thubron J. chimneysweeper
Tonks Eliz (Mrs.), ironmongers
*Towler George, farmer, Greenhills farm
Tucker William, general dealer, Front St
Vincent Robert & Son, ironmongers, Front St
Weardale Steel, Coal & Coke Co Ltd
Wheatley Hill Constitutional Club (Robert Cowling, sec) TN Thornley 13
Wheatley Hill Nursing Association
Wheatley Hill Workmen's Club & Institute (Thomas Storey, sec.), Crow Houses
Wheatley Palace Theatre (J Hateley & Co. proprietors) TN Thornley 9
Williams Bazaar Stores, Church St
Willson Walter Limited, grocers, Alexandra ter & Church St
Wingate Tavern (Edward Bellerby)
Winnard D & M, confectioners. Cemetery rd
Youll Robert, blacksmith, Front St
1939 - The shaft Low Main was worked out.(P.P.P.)
1939 - Saturday 16th September Official opening of Pithead Baths.
1940 94 houses completed - new building. (M.M.)
1942 - COLLIERY CANTEEN
During the Second World War, along with the surrounding villages, Wheatley Hill sent her young men folk to fight for freedom, and those left at home did wonderful work in such organizations as the Home Guard, Fire Fighting Services, St. John's Ambulance, Air Raid Wardens and Special Police. In 1940 when Germany commenced her blitz on England, during a daylight air raid hundreds of incendiary bombs were dropped on Wheatley Hill and the services mentioned did a great job, putting out the fires so quickly that very little damage was done. A Mr. William Prentice who joined the Special Police in 1939 is still carrying on the good work in 1960 and is now a sergeant of the Specials.
1943 Scabies - Medical officers report dated Feb 1944. (M.M.)
1947 - WEARDALE STEEL COAL & COKE CO. LTD HANDED COLLIERY OVER TO N.C.B.
1949 - Accident at Thornley Colliery kills three Wheatley Hill men.
1949 - NO 1 PIT CLOSED BECAUSE OF FLOOD DANGER FROM THORNLEY
1950 - E. CAIN, CHECKWEIGHMAN, INVITED TO NIGERIA AS LABOUR ADVISOR
1952 - Wheatley Hill and Thornley, only collieries to achieve their respective weekly coal targets. (Newspaper Clipping)
1953 - MAIN COAL SEAMS, GREENHILL'S DISTRICT, EXHAUSTED
1953 - CORONATION HOTEL
1954 - METHODIST CHURCH JUBILEE HANDBOOK
In Wheatley Hill there is a strong Women's Section of the British Legion who do a lot of good work for the "Lord Haig Fund" and every year arrange an Armistice Day Parade.
Also doing good work in the village is a small body of women who have formed a branch of the "Guide Dogs for the Blind Association." They have already raise enough money to pay for two dogs to be trained as guide dogs, and are well on the way to pay for a third.
And so to the present day where we find the village of Wheatley Hill a prosperous and I hope a happy mining community. In closing I only hope that this short history I have written will give some interesting information, and also some pleasure to those who read it.
1956/7/8 - Sixty Minutes Cleaners fire -A girl at the Sixty Minute Cleaner went to collect paraffin for the heater in the shop from the co-op garage opposite the Royalty Cinema and was given petrol by a new employee, by mistake!! As a result there was a fire and the girl was killed. The name of the girl was called Grace Ashford. She is shown on the 1949 school photograph (Page 5 of People Pictures) in the middle row on the far right.
1961 - Clearance Order No 164 for clearing the houses at Wingate Lane
From an article in the Sunderland Echo dated 24th January 1964
Mr.
J. Robson, electrical engineer; Mr. F. Richardson, colliery manager, and Mr. J.
Wanless, mechanical engineer, pictured (top) examine part of the 90-year-old
engine. Bottom, Mr. Bobby Jordain, rope examiner, screws down a grease cap. Also
seen is part of the original signaling gear.
Pit Winding Engine 90 Years Old And Still Going Strong
Some of the most modern mining equipment in the world is installed in
collieries throughout County Durham, but working alongside are machines that are
almost as old as the pits themselves.
One of the most interesting is the winding engine at Wheatley Hill
Colliery, which for 90 years has been responsible for powering cages that take
miners underground, and in its lifetime has hauled millions of tons of coal to
the surface.
Believed to be the only one of its type left in the country, the machine
is unusual because its cylinders are mounted vertically instead of horizontally,
the normal method.
It bears the legend “Dunlop and Meredith, West Hartlepool, 1874” but
no one has yet been able to recall the makers or where they carried out their
business in the town.
Also unknown is the machines early history for it was not until 1900 that
it was installed at Wheatley Hill Colliery in the winding engine house built for
the purpose. It came with its foundation of sandstone blocks, obviously
“tailored” to fit the machine and which still bear the numbering from which
it is possible to reconstruct the foundations.
A joy to any steam engine enthusiast, the massive machine has twin
cylinders with drop inlet and Corliss exhaust valves and works at a pressure of
150lb to the square inch.
Its 1,600 h.p. is used on 1,500 “winds” a week, a 20ft. connection
rod being driven by piston which has a 3ft. bore and a 6ft. stroke. The 5¾ in.
circumference steel wire winding rope, which hauls the cages, goes round a 20ft.
diameter winding drum.
“It’s a fine piece of machinery but it took a little getting used
to,” says winding engineman Mr. Bob Blacklock who has worked at Wheatley Hill
for 14 years.
Through the natural wear and tear of the years some parts have been
replaced and others added to conform with modern regulations, but for the most
part the machine is the same as it was fashioned by West Hartlepool craftsmen in
1874, just five years after Wheatley Hill pit was sunk.
Proud of the machine, which has served the pit so well for 64 years, is
the manager, Mr. F. Richarson, whose mechanical engineer, Mr. J. E. Wanless, is
directly responsible for the maintenance of the machine.
Says Mr. Richardson: “It has been a good servant to Wheatley Hill and
is a lasting tribute to the men who made it.”
1964 - 99 NEW HOUSES PLANNED FOR SOUTH OF WINGATE LANE
1965 - CHILD WELFARE CENTRE OCCUPIES SCHOOL HOUSE
1965 - 48 REDUNDANT MINERS PAID OFF
1967 Population - 5473, Number of houses - 3725, Area in acres (including Wingate and Deaf Hill) - 4570. (M.M.)
1968 - COLLIERY CLOSED
When Wheatley Hill closes
tomorrow, it will be the 11th pit to be closed in the North-East
since the start of February, writes the Mail Industrial Reporter.
And a 12th pit will
be closed at the end of the month. This will be Brusselton – also in the
National Coal Board’s South Durham area.
This rate of close-downs, is one
of the reasons for Durham County Council’s concern over the future employment
of men in the county. When the council tried to convey its anxiety to Mr. Fred
Lee, Minister with responsibility for the North, last month, he replied that
existing Government policies for providing new industry were expected to meet
future needs.
But the County Council and the
National Union of Mineworkers are not so sure about the future and would like a
more energetic approach to the attraction of new industry. The union wants a
check on closures until this alternative work is available.
Most of the 490 miners at
Wheatley Hill have been provided with alternative work in other pits, but 114
men will be redundant after tomorrow’s closure. Many of these are over 60
years old.
In response to a Mail inquiry
today, the National Coal Board said that 322 men were being placed at Blackhall
and Easington pits and 46 would be engaged on salvage work at Wheatley Hill.
A spokesman said some men had
not yet been interviewed because of illness or other reasons.
The shut-down of the
100-year-old Wheatley Hill Colliery has been forced on the Coal Board because it
has reached the end of its economically workable reserves. The colliery has been
made worse by a deterioration in the quality of the coal at a time when the
board is faced with a declining market.
The list of pits closed this
year in the North-East is: Hamsterley, Byersmoor, Ravensworth Park, Trimdon
Grange, North Walbottle, Handon Hold, Bedlington D, Brandon Pit House, Emma,
Cambois, and now Wheatley Hill, with Brusselton at the end of the month.
Durham County Council and the
N.U.M. fear that the rate of closures will continue unless there is a change of
Government policy.
(A special report with pictures, covering the Wheatley Hill closure will appear in tomorrow night’s Mail. The series, based on the history of the colliery will continue on Tuesday)
Grim-faced pitmen will walk
through the gates of Wheatley Hill Colliery at five o’clock this evening and
the cage, which has carried the men to and from the coalface for almost 100
years, will grind to a halt.
Then the closure announcement
was made in February it was expected that only an eighth of the men would be
offered alternative jobs. But Lodge secretary, Mr. Anthony Wharrier, a pitman
for 44 years, announced that after negotiations with Coal Board officials, 320
men had been placed at other collieries.
One of the redundant men is Mr.
Arthur Walker, 40, of Durham Street, Wheatley Hill, who has worked at the pit
for 25 years, and can neither read nor write.
He said: “ I have no job to go
to and I don’t know what I am going to do. I live with my mother and father
who are both elderly and they are very worried.”
Busy cleaning pit lamps was Mr.
Steve Woodley, 58, of North Street, Wheatley Hill. Mr. Woodley, who worked 33
years underground before becoming a lampman two years ago, is also being made
redundant.
“I became ill two years ago
and thought I would have to finish work, but they found me a lighter job so I
can’t grumble,” he said.
Easington – bound is Mr.
Edward Readshaw, 49, a coal hewer, of Liddle Terrace, Wheatley Hill. He said:
“I am very pleased I am being transferred. There are no jobs to get round
here.”
Although the pit officially
closes today, the Lodge banner has not been laid up. Tomorrow with the Wheatley
Hill Miners’ Lodge Band, it will head the procession at the Easington
Divisional Labour Party May Day demonstration.
It is expected the banner will
also be paraded at Durham Miners’ Gala Day in July.
Bibliography
Mostly Mining - William Moyers
The History and Antiquities of the County of Palatine of Durham - Robert Surtees
History of Durham - 1894 - Francis Whellan & Co
Kelly's Directory of Durham 1914
Kelly's Directory of Durham and Northumberland 1925
Kelly's Directory of Durham and Northumberland 1929
Kelly's Directory of Durham and Northumberland 1890
Kelly's Directory of Durham 1902
Kelly's Directory of Durham 1921
Kelly's Directory of Durham and Northumberland 1934
Kelly's Directory of Durham and Northumberland 1938
Durham Directory 1911
Durham Directory 1912
Durham Directory 1913
Durham Directory 1914
Durham Directory 1916
School Books at County Records Office
The London Gazette, Tuesday 18th August 1914
The London Gazette, Friday 27th November 1914
British Records Association Deposit 984(Durham University Library - A&SC)
Mawson's deposits (Durham University Library - A&SC)
Greenslade deeds (Durham University Library - A&SC)
A History of The Durham Miners' Association 1870-1904 by Alderman John Wilson, J.P.
East Durham Heritage Trails and Walkways – East Durham Community Arts and Easington District Council
People Past and Present(P.P.P.) - Easington District Council