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Hello Paul! Welcome to the forum. Look at the 1947 map which I posted above a couple of years ago. Howard Row was built in two blocks, with several years inbetween. The first block, the oldest of the Howard pit houses, is nearest the pit head and is where your father was born at nr.7 The numbers ran from 1-22 starting at the pit and going towards the social club. Your family may have lived there quite a while as there is a Lucas family at that address in 1911. I was born in 1947 at the other end of the street but have no memory of how it was because the family was möved to alternative accommodation shortly afterwards so that the houses could be demolished. I know, that at 3 yo I was still living the alternaive accommodation but the family must have returned to the newer colliery houses shortly after, because I started school at Netherton Infants at the age of 4½ in 1951. We lived then in Third Street. By then Howard Row and Yard Row no longer existed.They then seem to have been demolished a few years as the sites were overgrown with grass and bushes - a favourite playground area! The sites of the two blocks of Howard Row can be clearly seen in the ariel photo running north from the letter M up to the pit. Howard Row, nrs 1-22 were the smallest of the colliery houses with only two rooms. Yard Row consisted also of two rooms . The odd house had three rooms but this was because the residents built make-shift lean-toos over the outer areas However, the second block of Howard Row, nearest the social club was built with three rooms. Residents, even here increased some houses to four rooms using the same ingenuity as in Yard Row. As I said previously, I never saw these houses so yhe information I can offer is only what I've heard from older family members about living conditions in Howard Row.(my oldest siste was 20 years older than me). In his book on Netherton, Evan Martin shares this photo of Howard Row, presumably the gap between the two blooks. In the gallery you can find this photo which is reportedly of Clifton Row. I played with school friend in Clifton Row and can't remember it being as delapidated as this. Clifton Row was the newer, more modern of the pit rows before First-Third Street were built. I think this is Yard Row or even Howard Row. Both rows were built to the same plan I believe.

He used to be called Kitty Brewster by us but his actual name was Roy. He did have a loud/rough voice. I think he talked a lot. He was a mate of Morris Pattie at one time. Possibly because he lived in the same area/street.

Well that sorts that out! Lol

My dad was Ernie Gurney the butcher next door to The Gardner’s Arms. My Mum and Dad were in business in Bedlington from 1954. My dad went to work as Manager in the meat department in Laws Stores in 1978 until he died suddenly in October 1979. My Mum ran the shop but also had a very successful outside Catering business. She continued to live in the family house until her death in June 1995. I have two brothers and a sister and we were all brought up there. I remember Ned Metcalf and his wife ‘ Ginny’ as he called her very well. They had no children and they were very fond of me. He was a strict old man but he would let me talk to him and his wife but above all, I was always with his dogs. I remember going to The One O’ Clock show with him and meeting Jackie Collins.....well I was told it was her. When something like Pathe News that used to be on at the cinemas came to make a film about the dogs, Ned said he’d only do it if They Baird’ came. I was filmed with the dogs and walked them up and down the path beside the War Memorial. I remember the film crew gave me lots of money for being a good girl and my elder brother Allan who was there watching and myself bought ice cream for the family at Bacci’s on the way home. I was also in The Blyth News when one of the dogs had a particularly good litter of pups.

I still get emails about these, on my old PC, that I hardly ever check. Couldn't remember my password for this site and the PC blocks this forum. After much faffing about I'm back in. Can't believe I didn't recognise Tommy Percy, it was he who gave me lessons all those years ago, I used to go to his house every week and remember his lovely wife bringing tea and biscuits. Nice to see more names added though.

Slightly pedantic but no. 9 is Margaret JOISCE, my aunt who passed away when she was very young. My dad is enjoying looking through these photos, thank you for posting them!

Thanks for your reply-just remembered no.2 the principle cornet player was called Trevor-so sorry no surname. No recollection of no. 4. probably a borrowed player-quite common to play for another band. At that time I was playing for Dunston silver band-Durham county youth band, Buradon Band, Felling band and Whickham comp.school band-as I had just turned 15 at the time.

@george.atkinson. - names updated. I assume you have copies of the photos that you are on? The member - Bandsman1966 (Biff's son) that posted the photos hasn't visited the group since November 1st 2018. Any names I have added since Bandsman1966 visited have been from ex Netherton Colliery people that are members of the local Facebook groups.

Hi, I have been meaning to contact you with some information about this photo for a while. I am no. 8 George Atkinson. No. 2 was the principle solo corner player-sorry can't remember his name. No.8 George Atkinson solo cornet. No.17 was called Vivien, Tenor Horn. (sorry can't remember her surname) No.21 was Brian Harding B flat bass. No.22 was Ian Lambs father. No.23 was a representative of Brentford Nylons. By the time this was taken Joe Grant had left the band (think he went to Ashington) Hope this is of some help 🎺🎺🎺🎺

Dorothy Sadler has identified No 10 - Bob Kennedy.👍

4 Mr Smart Woodwork & Metalwork (Mr Kitson did not join school until 2 years later approx.) 10 Mrs Code (Coad??) 11 Miss Taylor Latin 13 Miss Pollard Religious Education 16 Miss Hope P.E. 17 Mrs Brown School Secretary Miss Elliot Maths

did you find one to test?

She was Miss MacLean when I started there in 1958 but married (McDonald) I think about 18 months later.

@Paul Lucas - I had never seen an image of Howard row posted on this site or any of the local Facebook groups. There are two albums in the Gallery on Netherton/Nedderton. Yesterday Malcolm Davison, Facebook group Bygone Bedlington, posted a photo of his grandmother outside Howard row in 1913. I have added his photo to the Gallery album - 'Netherton/Nedderton old photos 2'

Photo - 1913 - from Malcolm Davison - Facebook group Bygone Bedlington. Photo is of Malcolm's grandmother holding his father with neighbour Mrs Fitzgerald. Malcolm's grandmother lived in No 26 Howard Row.

@Jojo - photo without any text.

@Jojo - No 4 updated. I'm assuming your dad managed to buy a copy, if not I can post a copy without the names for you to download.

No 6 is Neil Clark and possibly Shirley Sissons for no 19

I was confused with your comment about someone called JDJ Metcalf being the prominent and well respected breeder of Bedlington Terriers. As you state in your comment on your photo, the character you are referring to is Ned Metcalf. Jane D J Metcalf was Ned's wife and it would appear that the licence for the Gardeners Arms was in her name, as can be seen on the pub sign in your great photos of the pub. (I got this information from the 1939 census.)

Jimmy Halliday with his family.