 Thursday, November 30, 2006Autumn in the park West Park Glorious swathe of autumn colours as leaves surround the Edwardian band stand in the West Park, South Shields. Map Wednesday, November 29, 2006The other pond Whitburn Village Back in October I posted a picture of the village pond in Cleadon, and mentioned the fact that we only have two village ponds in South Tyneside. This is the other one in Whitburn. Oddly, I found no ducks at either! Map Tuesday, November 28, 2006Watching the Tyne go by Dolly Peel This is the statue to commemorate Dolly Peel (1783 - 1857), she stands guard on the old ballast hills on River Drive, South Shields. She was known as a fish wife, but was also a smuggler, poet and story teller and served in the Napoleonic wars. She lived in Shadwell Street in South Shields and on numerous occasions hid her husband from press gangs. She was a great favourite of Robert Ingham, the town's first MP. Billy Gofton was the sculpture and the statue was unveiled in 1987. Map Monday, November 27, 2006The train now arriving.............. South Shields Metro Station A rather dismal and damp scene at the Metro Station on Sunday as a few shoppers come to town, they weren't keen on standing in the rain. I found out yesterday that the day after Thanksgiving in the USA is known as Black Friday, a day when retailers traditionally go into the black (financially). This is because it is a HUGE shopping day, the first shopping day of the Christmas season, I wonder if we should have an "official" first day of the season here? Map Sunday, November 26, 2006After the match! Self portrait (ish) After a long hard week in the Corner Shop, I decided to relax by going to South Shields Snooker Centre to watch my favourite football team (Sunderland) playing an away match at Wolverhampton Wanderers. The match was broadcast live via satellite and quite a few of us were there to generate a little atmosphere. Of course, we enjoyed a few pints of beer as well. My father took the photograph. Map Saturday, November 25, 2006Pan the messenger South Shields Town Hall This statue of Pan (the messenger) stands above his copper domed cupola directly above the Council debating chamber at South Shields Town Hall. Full meetings of South Tyneside District Council take place here every six weeks. We have 54 councillors representing 18 wards across two Parliamentary Constituencies (South Shields and Jarrow.) The chamber is one of the most ornate in the North of England with hand carved oak paneled walls, leather upholstered oak seating, and stained glass windows, and a canopied raised dais for the Mayor, who chairs the meetings. Map Friday, November 24, 2006The Lake A peaceful country park This is the lake at Hardiwick Hall Country Park just outside of Sedgefield, County Durham. There is a large stately house there and the park is filled with "follies" (fake ruined castles etc.) It's a great place to take the children, both in summer and winter with lots of adventure trails and playgrounds, there is also good provision of tables and chairs for a picnic. Less than fourty minutes drive away too! Map Thursday, November 23, 2006The car park No cars today! One of the problems with having a car park so close to the beach occurs in winter, North winds, driving rain, and high tides combine to cause this flooding. This view across the car park looks towards the South Pier and the Volunteer Life Brigade Watch House. It was taken late afternoon as the sun was setting, creating these wonderful warm colours. You can read more about this car park in Curly's Corner Shop, the blog! Map Wednesday, November 22, 2006Bloomin' Bob Flower seller. This chap is very popular in the Market Place at weekends and on Mondays. He sells barrow loads of flowers to passers by. Map Tuesday, November 21, 2006Artwork Door Colourful door. This is the entrance door for South Tyneside Arts Studio in Beach Road, South Shields, pretty colourful huh? They are moving soon to a new building, hope they decorate it just as well as the old one. The current building used to be South Shields' only Synagogue. Map Monday, November 20, 2006Sky Car Smart Car I was rather amused to see this advertising stunt in South Shields Market Place. No doubt some of you will have seen these tiny little plastic coated "Smart" cars, but did they have this much "In Car Entertainment"? It was complete with a plasma screen T.V. in the back, sub-woofer and associated speakers in the front and a sattelite dish on the top! Map Sunday, November 19, 2006Rocks and sky Graham Sands. Here's a complete change of scenery for today, a picture taken from Graham Sands, South Shields, situated just behind Trow Rocks and looking north towards Tynemouth. The weather was relatively bright but with a sharp biting breeze, winter is definately on the way! Map Saturday, November 18, 2006Catherine Cookson Dame Catherine Cookson (1906 - 1998) Catherine Cookson, the world renowned authoress, was born in Leam Lane, South Shields and wrote over 100 books which sold over 120 million copies and were translated into at least 20 languages. You can read more about her - here This is a picture of a Catherine Cookson exhibit in South Shields Museum and Art Gallery, it is a reconstruction of the small terraced house in William Black Street, Jarrow where she lived in around 1912. You will note that there is provision for cooking, eating, and sleeping, all in the one room! Map Friday, November 17, 2006Abide With Me Salvation Army The band of the Salvation Army Citadel in Wawn Street, South Shields, provided the music for the hymns. If you look really close you might find a picture of me in this cornet! Map. Thursday, November 16, 2006Old Soldiers Never Die Veteran This old campaigner looks lost in thought during the service at the Cenotaph, Westoe, South Shields. The service was conducted by the Revd. Paul Kennedy, Vicar of St. Michael and all Angels, Westoe. Map. Wednesday, November 15, 2006The Mayoress Alice Malcolm Alice is the Mayoress of South Tyneside, her son Ed is the Mayor, the two led the Borough's tributes to our war dead on Remembrance Sunday. Map Tuesday, November 14, 2006Old Sea Dog Merchant Seaman We must remember that many lives were lost in wars, and amongst them were many merchant seamen in the convoys that kept Europe supplied. This veteran, Ken Elsy, wears his medals with pride. Map Monday, November 13, 2006Pipes and Drums Remembrance Sunday Last week I featured a series of pictures from Jarrow, South Tyneside. I started this week on the theme of the Armistice and Remembrance Sunday and I will continue to present a series of pictures from the event all this week, partially because of the importance of the event, and partially because I'm pleased with the quality of some of the pictures. This is the South Tyneside Pipe and Drum band leading the parade up the incline of Westoe Road, South Shields towards the Cenotaph. Map. Sunday, November 12, 2006Field of dreams. Remembrance Sunday Today in the U.K. we celebrate Remembrance Sunday, the closest day to the Armistice of 11.11.1918. A day to recall the sacrifices of our young men and women who gave their lives in the defence of our freedoms and liberty. This may not have been only in the two great wars fought mainly on European soil, but also elsewhere, and additionally in the major conflicts since 1945. The Suez crisis, Korea, the Falklands campaign, Northern Ireland, the former Yugoslavia, and more recently the two Gulf wars, as well as other regional conflicts around the world. We stand in silence for two minutes at 11.00 a.m. to contemplate their deeds, their sacrifice, and our loss. We do not send our young men and women into battle zones lightly, we do it because, as a nation, we believe strongly in the value and correctness of the action, history will be the guiding judge of how right or wrong our decisions were. However, those who chose to pursue a career in the armed forces, and merchant navy did so of a noble intention, for Queen and country, none went looking for valour or heroics, just to do a job to the best of their ability in the belief that they were acting of the highest intentions. We use a poppy now as the symbolic representation of the flowering youth who gave their lives that we may enjoy freedom of thought, expression, and liberty, without the threat of tyranny and oppression. A reminder that history has many lessons to teach us, if only we have the will to learn. These poppies were photographed in a field near Malton in North Yorkshire. I think that the picture shows a representation of hope in the future. Map Saturday, November 11, 2006Red and Blue "Star of Hope" This little red boat is named Star of Hope and I found her moored along with a few others near the bank of the River Tyne close to the riverside park in Jarrow. (The Ektachrome transparency was created with Photoshop.) Map Friday, November 10, 2006Yellow and blue Autumn berries Yes, we are now moving towards wintertime as these autumn berries on a tree in Jarrow's riverside park contrast strongly against the blue of a clear sky. Map Thursday, November 09, 2006Charles Mark Palmer Jarrow's great benefactor Charles Mark Palmer was born in South Shields and went on to become a merchant, a shipowner, shipbuilder, and social benefactor to the people of Jarrow. He became their first Mayor and Member of Parliament, and was responsible, also, for the building of two hospitals. You can see a detailed account of his life's work - here This statue to Palmer is erected in Jarrow's riverside park and continues a small series of Jarrow pictures started yesterday. Map Wednesday, November 08, 2006Ancient and Modern Tyne Tunnel ventilation shaft A reproduction gas lamp stands sentinel in front of the air ventilation shaft for the Tyne Tunnel in Jarrow. Ventilation is essential to clear away the exhaust fumes from the thousands of cars and lorries who use the tunnel every day. The Tyne Tunnel carries the A19 trunk road deep under the bed of the River Tyne and motorists pay a toll at the North end for passing through, you can view the tunnel's webcams - here This is the start of a small series of pictures taken in Jarrow. Map Tuesday, November 07, 2006Have you got the time? Manhattans, Mile End Road. This public house opposite the Scotia and a few yards up Mile End Road, used to be called The Sportsman's Bar, and the clock outside is a relic of the latter. I think they liked it so much they decided to keep it. Comes in handy when the bar staff have to call: "Time ladies and gentlemen please!" Map Monday, November 06, 2006Guy Fawkes Night The big beach party! South Shields staged it's annual Guy Fawkes Night fireworks extravaganza last night when thousands turned up to watch a pyrotechnics show on the beach. Set on the dunes behind the Sundial public house and with free car parking along the sea front virtually half of the town arrived. Needless to say, getting away was a huge problem! Map Sunday, November 05, 2006"The Lights" The Scotia. This public house has stood in this location for many years and is a traditional Geordie pub, selling a variety of ales, wines, and spirits. Why have I titled this post "The Lights" you may ask? Well, many years ago when we used to allow cars, and buses to drive through the town centre, this was an important cross roads, right in the centre of town. Mile End Road, Ocean Road, King Street, and Fowler Street all meet here, and we had traffic lights at this point to control the flow of traffic. It was a popular place for pedestrians to meet each other, and to this day, if we want to meet someone down town we will say: "Meet you at the lights!" Map Saturday, November 04, 2006Twin pieces Naval guns (part ll) This is another picture of the two guns mounted on The Lawe, South Shields. In the distance we can see Knott's Flats in Tynemouth. Map Friday, November 03, 2006Lookout Naval gun. This gun is mounted on the Lawe, South Shields, and is one of a pair looking out over the Mouth of the Tyne. They were not put there as defensive pieces but were mounted as 'prizes'. I went there today to refresh my memory about how these naval guns arrived in South Shields. There used to be a plaque describing their history, but sadly, it is no longer there. They were either captured in battle, or salvaged from a wrecked ship that floundered at the mouth of the Tyne. I'm sorry but I can't remember the history of them. Map Thursday, November 02, 2006Water works Cleadon tower. Although we are in an urban environment we still have a small smattering of farms and agriculture here. This farmer's field on the southern boundary falls from Cleadon Hills where there was an old water works, the former pumping station was housed in the tower in the distance. Map. Wednesday, November 01, 2006Hallow'een in South Shields Hallow'een, breaking the rules! It is only in the last two or three years that we have, in this country, followed some of the American traditions associated with this festival. It seems, that it is no longer celebrated as the Christian Feast of All Hallows, but has become yet another 'commercial opportunity'. Pumpkins have only recently been used to make lanterns with, in the past we always used turnips (or 'snadgies' as we called them). Trick or treat is now the norm with hosts of children, supervised in most cases by parents, trawling the streets knocking on doors in the hope of collecting masses of sweets and confectionery (candy). Personally, I'm beginning to think it makes for lots of greedy little gluttons. I'm breaking the rules today to show you a small collection of images of how yesterday evening went in South Shields, - and to show off my prowess at carving a pumpkin! Click on the thumbnails to enlarge.     |
About Me
Born in 1956, I'm a retailer, father and husband, with two young children a son born in 1997 and a daughter in 2001. I am also a former borough Councillor who has had his passion for people and politics reawakened recently. One photo per day, please see the archives for previous posts
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