Newspaper Articles

Sample of News Articles from the 19th and 20th Centuries:

The Newcastle Courant, Saturday, February 28, 1824; Issue 7690

On Saturday night last, about ten o’clock, Wm. Pearson, deputy overman, was attacked by two men as he was going home from Chester-le-Street to New Lambton, between the New-bridge and Houghton Gate. Two tinkers, who left a public house at Houghton Gate, are suspected. After searching his pockets, and finding nothing, they suffered him to depart. He fortunately had put his watch and 4s 6d in silver, into his stocking before he left Chester-le-Street

The Newcastle Courant, Saturday, August 7, 1830; Issue 8115

Caution – a person who calls himself James Potter, a sand moulder by trade, has left his lodgings at Houghton Gate, near Lumley Forge Ironworks, where he has been working about a month, taking with him one new linen shirt, one pair of stockings and nine shillings in silver, borrowed from his landlord, Armstrong Blacklock; and different sums to the amount of £1, which he borrowed from his fellow workmen, before he de-camped. He is about five feet six inches high, red hair curled in front, speaks the south country dialect, was seen in Newcastle a few days ago – Chester-le-Street, July 22, 1830.

Daily News (London, England), Tuesday, August 15, 1854; Issue 2570

Lambton Castle – it is reported that the stately and beautiful mansion of Lambton Castle is in a critical state owing to some of the main walls having sunk to a serious extent and affording reasons for caution, if not for alarm. It is believed that the workings of a neighbouring colliery have been carried out under the entire house – Sunderland Herald

Northern Echo (Darlington, England), Tuesday, October 31, 1882; Issue 3968

Boy drowned near Fence Houses. A little fellow, Joseph Wood, son of Mr Jas. Wood, brickmaker at Lambton Colliery Works, was drowned near Fence Houses on Friday last and his body was recovered yesterday, near Primrose Hill.

Northern Echo, Saturday, February 17, 1894; Issue 7480

Railway fatality at Fencehouses. On Thursday, at the north end of Fencehouses Railway Station, Joseph Haswell (9), son of John Haswell, miner, residing at Fencehouses, was knocked down by an approaching passenger excursion train and received such injuries that he died about 20 minutes after, his body being in a very mangled state. Mr Coroner Maynard held an inquest on Friday at the Fencehouses Station Hotel touching the death of the child. F. Featherstone, Middlesbrough, the driver of the train, which was an excursion from Saltburn to Newcastle, stated that he saw the child upon the line in front of the train and blew his whistle but the child failed to hear and before he had time to stop the train, the engine caught the child. F. Gibbon, fireman, corroborated and the jury returned a verdict of “accidental death through trespassing on the railway”, the driver and fireman being exonerated from all blame.

The Newcastle Weekly Courant, Saturday, December 8, 1894; Issue 11473

The Bishop of Durham at Burnmoor. On Saturday afternoon, the Lord Bishop of Durham attended at the village of Burnmoor, near Fence Houses, to consecrate a piece of land which has been added to the churchyard, and for burial purposes. The plot of ground was the gift of the Earl of Durham. The Bishop, who was accompanied by his chaplain, was met at the church by the Rev Canon Norman, Rector, the churchwardens of the Parish and others. After a procession round the ground, all present entered the church, where the Bishop delivered an address. Later in the afternoon, a tea and work stall were held in the school room at the village, in aid of the church funds.

Northern Echo, Tuesday, October 30, 1900; Issue 9562

Painful incident at Fence Houses. On Saturday during the prevalence of the storm in the Fence Houses district, a painful incident took place. The rain flooded into the house of a family named College and in which the husband, W. College was lying dead in his coffin, and before the latter could be removed, the water reached up to the bed, the house being on a low gradient. The deceased was subsequently removed to the residence of his son at New Lambton.

December 24^th, 1915, Chester-le-Street Chronicle and District Advertiser

Burnmoor Nursing Association. At the annual meeting of the Burnmoor and Chilton Moor Nursing Association held at Fence Houses, under the presidency of Mr J. Sharp, Councillor J. Davison presented his 7^th annual report. The total contributions amounted to £127 17s 9d and there was a balance from last year of £142 8s 2d. The expenditure amounted to £122 7s 11d, leaving a balance in hand of £147 18s. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr J. Sharp; secretary, Coun. J. Davison; treasurer, Mr J.S. Renshaw; committee, Mrs Sharp, Mrs Reynolds, Mrs Davison, Mrs Baker, Mrs H. Stobart, Mrs Fenwick, Mrs Needham, Miss E. Colling, Mr T.C. Johns, Mr J.G. Graham, Mr F.W. Hall, Mr A.H. Redshaw, E. Corfield, J. Gilson, W. Jopling and R. Turner.

The Times, Saturday, Mar 18, 1922; pg. 18; Issue 42983; col D

The Bankruptcy Act 1914. Receiving Orders. Lister J.H., lately residing and carrying on business at 18 Front Street, Fence Houses, Durham, fruiterer, general dealer and pork butcher. Court - Durham.

The Advocate, Burnie, Tazmania, April 8, 1929

Enormous death duties. The deaths of the third and fourth Earls of Durham (who were twin brothers) within four months of each other have brought home to the public the devastating effect of death duties on great English estates. When the third Earl died last September, the value of his estate was roughly estimated at £2,000,000. Probate has not yet been obtained, but on that valuation, death duties would amount to about £700,000. Following the death of the fourth Earl, further duties have to be paid. It was stated that, after taking into consideration the concession made when deaths occur within a year of each other, this means a payment to the state of an additional £250,000. Thus, in about four months, a great territorial estate has been halved in value. Of the original £2,000,000, the Chancellor of the Exchequer through the death duties confiscates £950,000. It was stated after the death of the third Earl that Lambton Castle, Durham, would be closed and houses in Grosvenor Square, W., and near Newmarket, sold. A member of the family said: “It means that the great estate will have to be broken up to satisfy the requirements of Whitehall. When the new Earl closes Lambton Castle, hundreds of people will be thrown out of employment. There will be distress in many happy homes among people who have served the Lambton family for generations”.

Sunderland Echo, March 13, 1934

Burnmoor Mothers’ Banner. A banner was dedicated at Burnmoor Parish Church yesterday by the Rector (the Rev A.J. Gadd). It was subscribed for by members of Burnmoor Mothers’ Union, including the Dowager Countess of Durham. The Rev W.G. Battersby, Rector of Penshaw, gave an address. Mrs Coulson suggested and it was agreed that the members subscribe towards the cost of a new altar frontal. Officers were elected as follow:- President, Mrs A.J. Gadd; treasurer, Mrs T. Gelson; enrolling member and secretary, Mrs W. Coulson; committee, Mesdames R. Allison, L. Swinney, T. Barnes, W. Blake, F. Blake, R. Cunningham, E. Rowe, S. Weallans, J. Wakefield, R. Seuburn jun., J. Stark, R. Gray sen. and R. Lee.

Durham Chronicle, June 14, 1940

Fence Houses Hero. Mr and Mrs Thomas Beveridge of 10 Lilac Square, Burnmoor, have received official notice that their son, Signaller Robert William Beveridge, was killed in France on May15. He was 28 and a reservist and joined the 2^nd Battalion of the D.L.I. at the outbreak of war. He was at home on leave in February. He is the first man from the Fence Houses district to have lost his life in the present war. Three others are missing but there had not been any official news of them.

Durham Chronicle, June 16, 1944

The 76^th anniversary of Burnmoor Parish Church was celebrated on Sunday. The church was built by the Second Earl of Durham and dedicated to S. Barnabas. The Rev A.J. Gadd preached on “St Barnabas the generous” at mattins. In the afternoon, the 22^nd annual sportsmen’s service was held, when the attendance was a record and the collection was £7 17s 6d. for the blinded sportsmen’s section of St. Dunstan’s. Mr H.C. Ferens, captain of the Durham City Cricket Club, who has read the lesson at all the 22 services , was again present. Mr James W. Armstrong, of Spennymoor, and a former choirboy at the church, sang “Bless This House” and “The Blind Ploughman”. Mr F.G. Fennell was organist. Mr J. M. Willis, chairman of Burnmoor Cricket Club, was accompanied by many local players as well as some from Philadelphia and Chester-le-Street Clubs. Other organisations represented were Lumley 6^th Pit Ambulance Brigade and Cadets, Woodstone Home Guards, the Fence Houses and Dubmire branches of the British legion, Fence Houses and Burnmoor Special Constables, New Lambton Bowling Club, Woodstone Football Club, Fence Houses and District Old-Age Pensioners Association, the Lambton Miners’ Lodge, the Fence Houses Salvation Army and Burnmoor Scouts, etc. Flowers for the altar were sent by Mr and Mrs F. Taylor, of Woodstone Terrace, in memory of their son, Lieut. J.W. Taylor, who died of wounds in Italy. The preacher was the Rev Gordon R. Berriman, Gateshead.

Durham Chronicle, November 8, 1946

New Lambton footballer. Nineteen year old Jack Hartis (New Lambton) is the talk of football fans in Southport. He is keeping goal for a local team, Crossmans, who are operating in the Southport and District League and who are greatly fancied for carrying off championship honours. Standing 6ft 1in and weighing 11½ stones, he is taking the eye of many clubs who have been trying to secure his services. He has been giving many brilliant displays but all clubs have been disappointed when failing to secure his signature, as Jack is already on amateur forms for Chelsea, with whom he has been connected for the past three years. Jack is well known in football circles around Fence Houses, as he formerly played for Lumley Juniors and also Fence Houses Y.M.C.A. He is presently serving as a corporal in the R.A.F. at Kirkham, Lancs. Educated at Chester-le-Street Grammar School, from where he went straight into the Forces. Jack is popular with all who know him and when out of the Forces, is hoping to become a gym instructor.

Durham Chronicle, February 27, 1950

Funeral of Mr A.J. Gray – Land Agent to the Earl of Durham. Death occurred at his home, Bowes House, Fence Houses, early last Thursday morning of Mr A.J. Gray, Land Agent to the Earl of Durham. Mr Gray, who was 74, succeeded to the position in 1909, on the death of his Uncle, Mr John Tully. Prior to the nationalisation of the mines, Mr Gray was also land agent for Lambton, Hetton and Joicey Colliery Co., Wearmouth Coal Co. and Washington Coal Co. In his younger days, Mr Gray was a keen sportsman, being one of the pioneers of tennis in the county; he was also a player in the old Burnmoor football eleven. He has been connected with Burnmoor Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club all his life. He is survived by his wife, three sons and a daughter. Interment took place on Saturday at Burnmoor Parish Church following a service conducted by the Rector (Rev A.J. Gadd) with Mr F.G. Fennell at the organ. In addition to the family mourners present were the Earl of Durham, Viscount and Viscountess Lambton and Col and Mrs H.M. Stobart. Mining and family interests were represented by Mr A. Kirkup sen., Mr A. Kirkup jun., Messrs H. and A.H. Kellett, Col J. Turnbull, Col T.A. Bradford, Mr T.A. Parrington, Messrs W. Weightman, F. Potts, H.B. McLaren, T. Langton, A. Langton, J. Langton, John Langton, R.R. Barkes, J.N.O. Rogers, S. Robinson, J.H. Nicholson, H.A. Booth, Geo and A. McCall, J. and S. Taylor, A. H. Fennell, J. Oliver, M.W. Keenlyside, R. Taylor, F.J. Ryde, W.L. and S.L. Dryden, W. Minto, R.H. Middleton, J. Walker, T.T. Jamieson, H. Lawland, W.T. Westen, E. and J. Robson, Dr A.C. Brown, Dr and Mrs Blaiklock, Mr and Mrs W. Chrystal, Pro R.W. Wheldon, Mr F. Kirtley, M. Robertson, Mrs J.W. Renwick, Messrs G. and W.S. Renwick, Mr G.H. Cook, (Chief Constable) and Supt. Smith of Sunderland Police.

The Times, Tuesday, Aug 02, 1960; pg. 10; Issue 54839; col F

Continental System for Level Crossing. Durham, Aug. 1. A Continental-type warning system, incorporating red flashing lights and ringing bells has been approved by Durham County Council’s Highways and Bridges Committee for a level crossing near Fence Houses, Co. Durham. The crossing, on a National Coal Board mineral line, has gates at present which are manually operated and it is top be widened. The gates will be dispensed with and under the continental system, the train crew will have to stop before the crossing and operate a plunger. This will cause the bells to ring and the lights to flash. Once the train is over the crossing, the circuit will switch off automatically. The Committee have approved the installation of the system “as soon as this can legally be done”.

The Times, Thursday, Jan 28, 1965; pg. 6; Issue 56231; col B

No reprieve. Four hundred and fifty miners at Lambton Colliery, Fence Houses, Co. Durham, were told yesterday by Dr W. Reid, chairman of Northumberland and Durham Divisional Coal Board that there is to be no reprieve for the 150 year old pit, which is to close at the end of February. On Monday, when Lambton miners marched to Seaham to see Lord Robens, chairman of the N.C.B., they were told the pit was being subsidized by £250,000 a year. In a statement yesterday, Dr Reid said the miners would be transferred to other pits.