Below is a photo from a family album taken in 1962. Notice in the back ground Bill and Ben the Flower Pot Men. These were made in response to a popular children’s television programme. They were put out each Spring and stored away in Winter. A new version of Bill and Ben was created a few years ago and are regular visitors to the café on the green.
The image below is a photograph showing Blyth War Memorials. The Celtic cross on the left is to commemorate the fallen from the Boar War. It was originally located at the junction of Bridge Street and Freehold Street. It was designed by Morrison and McLean of Gateshead and was unveiled on 22 July 1903 by Lord Ridley. The monument was then moved to Ridley Park in 1950.
The cenotaph on the right is to commemorate the fallen from WW1. This was originally sited outside the Thomas Knight Memorial Hospital on Beaconsfield Street. In 1950 this was then moved to Ridley Park.
The centre memorial commemorates those who died in WW2, along with new memorials which were created to incorporate the names of those not on the original memorials and also to commemorate those who have died in conflicts after 1945.
In June 2018 work commenced on the restoration and refurbishment of the war memorials. The parade area was paved and the steps re-laid in granite. An accessible path was added from the parade area to the top of the Cenotaph. In 2019 new lighting was installed.
As a child I was a member of the Girl Guides and every Remembrance Day we would march from St Cuthbert’s church down to the cenotaph carrying the Girl Guide Flag to show our respect.
I have always considered Ridley Park to be a wonderful place, a place that holds dear memories to me and my family. I hope you have enjoyed a brief snapshot and hopefully it may encourage you to visit.