Information Requests.

Many of our Heritage Group Members have particular areas of local history which they are especially interested in. Some have been researching for several years, whereas others have only recently discovered a subject which warrants further investigation.
Although there is often a wealth of information out there to access, with only time and effort being a restricting factor, there are inevitably those subjects where no matter how thorough the researcher might be, there is little in the way of documents, photographs or memories still available in circulation.
All we are asking is for you to contact us through the MAIL FORM page of this website, if you are willing to help with any of the following subjects, no matter how minor you feel your information might be, as every piece of detail can lead to further avenues of research.
In this way, we can all help to preserve the knowledge and the details of our local heritage.

Thank you – Chester-le-Street Heritage Group.

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Chester Fire Brigade

One of our Members is researching Chester-le-Street U.D.C Fire Brigade PRE 1949. Any information is requested, and would be gratefully received, regarding the U.D.C.Fire Station located in the Council Yard in Bullion Lane, the AFS and NFS at Chester-le-Street, personnel and equipment. Any documents or photographs which may be copied would be returned and acknowledged. Also any anecdotal information regarding major fires or incidents would be welcome, together information in connection with fire cover in Chester-le-Street during 18thC & 19thC also needed. Lets get our local heroes into print.!! Please contact us through the MAIL FORM section of this Website if you have any information - Thank You. Newker House 1949 - HQ Durham County Fire Brigade

Victoria School

Victoria School 1967 Victoria School closed in 1968, but only a couple of photographs appear to exist, mainly Group Photographs of Pupils. One of our Members is currently researching the history of Victoria School and would appreciate any information, photographs or contact with ex. Colleagues or Pupils. Can you remember any of the Teachers shown in the photograph below. It was taken at Harry Ward's Retirement Party in July 1968 in the Lambton Arms Car Park. Please contact us through the MAIL FORM section of this Website if you have any information - Thank You. ______________________________________________

Harry Ward's Retirement Party 1968 ___________________________________

H. Young (Motors) Ltd.,

H. Young's Showroom c1965 Although not too far in the distant past, there seems to be little recorded about H. Young (Motors) Ltd., who at one time were one of the largest employers in Chester-le-Street. Initially, starting up on the Front Street at approximately where the IN-SHOPS are now located, they then moved to the area where Chicago Rock is located. They also had branches at Newcastle, Sunderland, Darlington and Easington, before taking over the old Horners Factory premises (known as Studilux Works - Foundry Lane). So, can you help with any information, old photographs or may be you were an ex-employee and can recall happy memories of one of the last family run firms of this size in the town. All documents and photos will be handled with great care, copied (with your permission) and returned immediately. It is also intended that all contributors with be regularly informed of the progress of this project. Please contact us through the MAIL FORM section of this Website if you have any information - Thank You. ________________________________________

Where was this photo taken?

The photograph shown below was taken in June 1930 on Race Wednesday of Henry Witherspoon, but where in Chester-le-Street do you think he was standing? Please contact us through the MAIL FORM section of this Website if you have any suggestions - Thank You.

North East War Memorials Project

The North East War Memorials Project are currently researching the War Memorial located at Pelton School.

The following names are taken from a Dedication Service Brochure, but they are not all listed on
the Memorial Stone which is now located beside the entrance to the New School:

F Brown...................J D Hogden
F Carradus................R Kelly
R Cockburn................J H Liddle
G Frost...................J Little
R Gordon..................J G Lynch
N Goundry.................G Mason
A S Gray..................G R Nesbitt
P Gray....................G Nicholson
J Hall....................F Oakes
R Hall....................T Samms
J Hardy...................R Scarth
G Harrison................L Shaw
J Turnbull................R Wilson
J W Evans.

One anomaly is that J.D. Hogden in the Brochure, is shown as J.D. Hogdon on the Memorial Stone.

Another question is, does anyone know if the original Memorial Stone was replaced and if so, when?

Pelton School War Memorial. Also, we would like to be able to provide the Christian Names and any other details of the following casualties: J. Hall, J. Hardy, and R. Wilson. If you have any information, please email Dorothy Hall at dorothy@newmp.org.uk or telephone 0191-3883667. Thank You.