7 replies to this topic

[Hillbilly]

Well... progress on the old family tree is very slow and painful.

I THINK I have tracked down my grandfathers birth to 1912. His place of birth is recorded as "Willow Bridge, Scotland Gate, Bedlington"

I was wondering if anyone has any pictured of Willow bridge and the houses there from around this time? Or if anyone has relatives that were born there? As I understand it it is the houses just over the 'Willow Bridge' before you get to the speed camera as you enter Choppington.

[Cympil]

Found this, it`s title Willow Bridge, Choppington. I don`t know the date of the photograph though, although it looks like it could be around the year you`re looking for.

[Hillbilly]

Cheers Cympil... hasn't changed much really!! In fact I am sure that bloke walking over the bridge with the briefcase still drinks in the Monkey
Any more photo's welcome

[Barton Rafie]

Hi, just discovered this photograph which was taken about 1950. The train was a miners Picnic day special, which was travelling to Morpeth.

The station, which is now all gone, was at the top of the bank.(opposite direction to the speed camera of course) The track is also now a single track.

The building on the left was definately the ticket office, whilst I think the building on the right belong to the railway, maybe the station master. I suspect these buildings were there when the photo below was taken.

[Hillbilly]

Great picture Barton Rafie... bet there aren't too many pics of choppington station still knocking around - what a find!!

Thanks and keep them coming!!

[Barton Rafie]

I think the station closed to passenger trains after the war, but was open for special trains, such as the Morpeth Picnic day specials.

There was also a train on New Year’s Day to Morpeth, which had the train connection to Edinburgh for the professional sprint handicap at Powerhall.

Professional running was very a popular sport in Choppington, which held its own sprint handicap with bookies etc. Joe Ball, Blyth won one year and went on to win Powerhall which was the Mecca for running in those days.

I seem also to recall the station being used as a collection point for the baskets, which contained the racing pigeon. The baskets were transported by rail to far off places. I think the pigeon guys used to meet in the Lord Clyde.

[Barton Rafie]

I understand this photo of Choppington Station was taken in the early 1900's. The track was single then, later increased to a double track, then back to it's present single track.

Note the 4 gas lights (I assume they were gas !!!) at either side of the gates. There does not appear to be any street lights, so it must been quite spooky walking around at night time.

The building beyond the signal, was the railway ticket office and the bus stop to far off places, like Ashington.

Attached Thumbnails

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[johndawsonjune1955]

During the first World War the Zeppelin came over here and dropped incendiary devices. No one was hurt, but buildings, including the Railway Taven and Lord Clyde, had there windows shattered by the explosions. There was a huge crater left at the side of the road and in a field a little further up on the right on your way to Bedlington.
That Zeppelin was seen by fishermen just off Blyth hovering waiting to move and do damage and kill.
If i find my eye-witness story i will post its very interesting.