My name is Chris, and I’m a new archivist at Northumberland Archives. I was born in Ashington and grew up in Warkworth. When I was 18, I left the rural and sedate surroundings of Northumberland for the bright lights and glamour of, well, Leicester. After graduating I moved to Sheffield, where I worked for the University of Sheffield library for 18 years in several varied roles. For eight years I was based in Special Collections where I was an archivist, Special Collections and Digital Preservation Coordinator, and Digital Preservation Manager.
For many people who move away from home, the idea of one day returning is very often appealing but I would suggest that for those born and bred in Northumberland, or the Northeast in general, the pull of ‘hyem’ is even stronger. And so, despite being quite content in Sheffield, when the opportunity arose earlier this year to return to my native Northeast with family in tow, it was an easy decision to make.
It’s no exaggeration to say that growing up in Northumberland played a huge part in my decision to become an archivist; it’s hard to not take at least a small interest in history and heritage when there’s an imposing sight of Warkworth castle on your doorstop; conjuring images of knights and medieval battles and then in later years, providing a more interesting site to hang around after school than the standard bus stops on offer to most teenagers. Whilst at university, I managed to keep this link to Northumberland’s castles and history by taking jobs at both Chillingham and Alnwick castles during the summer vacations.
Warkworth Castle – NRO 01872/25
Over the years, like many people living away from home, I often found that returning for visits was a slightly strange experience, where things seemed both familiar but slightly alien at the same time. And in fact, that experience of old and new has in a way extended to my first month in post at the archive. I’ve been comforted by the recognizable; the place names of parish registers that I remember from summer holiday days out, the family names from the important estate papers in our collections that our school Houses were named after (from memory I think I was in Deleval house at Amble Middle School). Even spotting the cover of a Blyth Spartans program from a match I very likely attended with my Grandad in 1994 was a wonderful memory. But for all the familiar names and places in the archive there are far more completely new things to take on board; coming from an academic archive background means that many of the types of documents we hold at Woodhorn are relatively new to me, my palaeography (reading old handwriting) skills are somewhat rusty and in fact there is a huge amount of the county of which my knowledge is either out of date, long forgotten, or currently non-existent! So, while the place names are familiar and the archival practices and procedures are those I’m used to, I’m under no illusions as to how much there is to learn, or indeed re-learn. But this so far has been a welcome challenge and one I’m very much enjoying. One month in and I can say that thus far, the decision to ‘come hyem’ has certainly proven to be a good one.
How rare is it to find records of coal owners compensating a woman for loss of wages as a result of injury or compensating her family as a result of her death? Well…The Mines and Collieries Act 1842, prohibited women and girls of any age from working underground. So, why do we, in Northumberland Archives have records of three women who appear in the compensation books of the mine owners?
Well imagine the scene…you start digging a hole in the ground in search of coal, the soil is heavy and claggy, in fact you realise that it is clay that you are trudging through. Clay isn’t just a waste material it can be used to make bricks. Which is why many pits in Northumberland had brick works as part of their commercial enterprise. And this is how the first woman we will look at came to be working at Seghill pit in 19261.
The record we hold is the Northumberland Coal Owners Mutual Protection Association Minutes, it details the case of Eleanor Urwin Baxter, Brick setter (a worker who arranges raw bricks for firing in a kiln.)
Her case goes over three volumes and says that she;
“Received injuries to her right hand on June 26th 1926 through an explosion. The hand was subsequently amputated. Compensation was paid at the full rate up to November 8th 1926, when Baxter having been supplied with an artificial hand, undertook work at a wage equal to that at the date of accident.”
The record can seem very matter of fact when dealing with such a shocking and traumatic event. It goes on to tell of Eleanor, some three years later seeking the help of Messers. Sutton, Cheshire and Thompson solicitors, to seek further compensation as;
“she had occasionally been thrown off, [work] owing to her injury, without compensation.”
The mine owners association doctor was requested to give his findings so on July 5th 1929, Dr W E Hume reported as follows;
“This girl says that she has had a hard winter, and has apparently become gradually worn out. She seems to have worked steadily for 2 ½ years and is now in somewhat a depressed state. She says she has to lift heavy weights and carry them on the stump of her right forearm. I think that her present breakdown must be regarded as a sequel of the accident, and that she should be given another month’s rest. I think she will then be able to return to light work.”
The record states that;
“In view of this report, the management arranged for the payment of compensation at the full rate with arrears.”
Collieries had other side operations too, as we can see from the case of our next woman.
“Backworth Colliery- Evelyn P. Stewart, 23, farm girl. Received injuries to her left foot on 9th December 1943 through her foot becoming engaged in the “feeder” of the thrasher. The foot was subsequently amputated.”
In a communication dated 31st December 1943 the management wrote as follows;
“The thrashing of a stack had just been completed and cleaning down was in progress when Stewart put her foot on a revolving drum and her foot was drawn into the machine. It should be mentioned that the feeding in operation had not ceased as the machine was being cleaned down of all grain and unthrashed corn. The wooden lid covering the drum has to be put down after feeding in, operations cease and the machine has been cleaned down. The thrashing machine is a Marshall owned by us and the name of the person in charge was Mathew Ridley of East Farm, Shiremoor. When the machine is thrashing it is necessary for the drum to be exposed otherwise the corn would not get through.”
Dr RJ Willan reported on the 11th January 1944 as follows;
“As a result of the accident she has lost the left foot and half of the left leg. She cannot work. It will be some time before an artificial limb can be fitted.”
Messers Sebag Cohen and Co Solicitors on behalf of Evelyn claimed damages at Common Law or alternatively compensation under the Workmen’s Compensation Acts 1925 to 1943
The decision on her compensation claim reads- “Claim for damages at common law to be resisted.”
The record ends there and does not explain why the claim was to be resisted, however looking on the British Newspaper Archive website (which is free for all visitors to use in our search room) we found two newspaper reports, first the Blyth News and Ashington Post, dated 24th February 1944.
“Unfenced Thresher Charges Dismissed”
It reports that Evelyn was carried into court by a police officer where Backworth Collieries Ltd were summonsed for allowing the use of an unfenced threshing machine. The paper states that Evelyn was using the machine for the first time and was blind in her left eye. Enquiries were made and witnesses were called, but the court found that Backworth Collieries Ltd were “not liable in any way”
Her case was also reported in the Evening Chronicle where they reported that the accident occurred in her first hour’s duty on the machine. Representing Backworth Collieries Ltd Mr J.W. Jackson said that “the girl was inexperienced and whilst the accident was regrettable it was due to her own negligence.”
Obviously, we would question the result of this hearing now and it is notable that Evelyn appears to have been unrepresented. If she had been represented her solicitors may have questioned whether it was reasonable to expect someone with partial vision to carry out such a dangerous task. They may have asked whether any training was given and queried the nature of any warnings that were issued of the dangers of using such machinery.
We hold all manner of things in the archive including diagrams of now obsolete farm machinery, such as the rather beautiful one below of a threshing machine c. 1800.
SANT/BEQ/28/1/3/171
Our third and final woman is Mary Ann Kelly who worked at Ashington farm, which was then owned by Ashington Coal Company Ltd.
“Mary Ann Kelly, 22, Byre Woman at farm” (A byre woman is a woman who looks after cows)
“Died September 28th 1915 of heart failure due to injuries received whilst cycling in Ashington Dene”
We hold copies of many Ordnance Survey maps in the archive and the 3rd Edition (1924) shows Ashington farm, but there is no record of Ashington dene. There are several other denes, namely Whitefield Dene, Blackclose Dene and the charmingly named Climbing Tree Dene. The closest to her place of work however is Well Head Dene. Ashington was originally called ‘Aescen-denu’ which is an Anglo-Saxon name that means ‘valley overgrown with ash trees’. Well Head Dene may well have been ‘aescen-denu’ from which Ashington takes its name.
As part of the investigation by the mine owners they sought details of the earnings of the deceased and her family, it reads;
Name
Age
Ave earnings during last 12 weeks
Occupation
Remarks
Mary Ann Kelly
22
£0 9s. 6d.
Byre woman
Gave earnings to parents
Father
51
£1 7s. 5d.
Hewer & Hawker
No profit on Hawking
Mother
48
—
Sweet Shop
—
Sister
21
£0 7s. 6d.
Byre woman
—
Brother
19
—
In Army
Allots 12s. 6d. per week to mother
Brother
14
—
Hawker
—
Brother
12
—
—
—
Brother
10
—
—
—
Brother
7
—
—
—
Mary Ann’s father, working as a hewer would have been aware of the compensation scheme and put in the claim for compensation. The table shows how badly needed Mary Ann’s wages were and it perhaps explains her father’s rather hopeful attempt at getting some money for the family?
The record shows “the claim was to be resisted.”
No further information is given in the compensation record.
Using the British Newspaper Archive website again, however, gives more information. The Newcastle Daily Journal dated 29 September 1915 tells us that Mary Ann lived at Stakeford Lane, Choppington. She had left the farm to cycle home and had been “run into by a motorcyclist and knocked off her machine…she was found in the Dene which is ten foot below the level of the road”.
The motorcyclist was never found.
NRO 5283/C/14/3
The stone buildings of Ashington farm, the farm where Mary Ann worked still stand today on Wansbeck Road, just past the junction with Shire Farm Grove. There is a blue plaque on the wall installed by Wansbeck District Council and Belway Homes (North East) which reads “Ashington farm restored and converted 1999-2000 the original settlement of Ashington began here.”
So Eleanor the brick setter at Seghill Colliery claimed compensation successfully but needed to employ the help of a firm of solicitors. She was severely injured and we have evidence that it affected her mental health as well as her physical health.
Evelyn the farm woman at Backworth Colliery’s Shiremoor East Farm claimed compensation but was unfortunately unsuccessful, she too was severely injured and may have found it very difficult to obtain work as a result of her injuries.
Mary Ann, byre woman at Ashington farm sadly lost her life, albeit away from her place of work, her father claimed compensation but was unsuccessful.
According to the Health and Safety Executive 142 workers in Great Britain were killed at work in 2020/21. The number of non-fatal accidents for the same period was 0.4 million.
These are shocking figures and show that work is still a place of risk for so many people.
1 1926 was of course the year of the general strike, it started on the 4th May that year and whilst the “general” part of the strike did not last very long the miners held out after other trades had returned to work. Unfortunately, the strike did not bring the very much needed increase in wages and in fact the miners returned to work for less money and longer working days. Perhaps Eleanor was given work at the brick works because of the strike?
Frank Cook (30), of 17 Walkergate, Berwick was charged with unlawfully assaulting and beating Pte. George Brown, K.O.S.B., Berwick, on July 26th. Cook pleaded not guilty.
Brown explained that he was owing Cook some £7 for cigarettes, and Cook took him into the rifle room by himself and assaulted him when he refused to pay him the money.
Mr H. R. Peters, appearing for Cook, cross examined Brown, asked brown if there had not been repeated attempts by Brown to get the money, which Cook did not deny.
Dr Fraser gave evidence that when he was called to see him he found Brown bleeding from the nose, lips, and left ear. The most serious matter was a serious contusion over the bone that leads to the brain. He sent him to the Infirmary and kept him there for a week. He was that day just fir to appear.
Corpl. Johnson, from the Barracks, said he found Brown lying on the floor. He had been locked up in the rifle room and was in an unconscious state. He stayed with him till the civil policeman came. He only saw Cook leaving the rifle room.
Sergt. Midlemiss gave evidence of finding Brown on the floor of the rifle room as described.
BRO 1636-8-22 Berwick Barracks
Frank Cook said Brown was in the habit of coming to his shop for cigarettes. He was responsible for paying for them. They were sold to him at the full price. He got fairly large quantities. At first he paid regularly, but gradually the amount owing grew, until it reached £6 18s 8d,and he was still sending for cigarettes. Brown then did his best to avoid him, and ceased to come to the shop. Eventually Cook heard that he was about to go on draft leave, so he went to the barracks, and he charged him with avoiding him. A week before the assault he got an I.O.U. from him, as he said various men were owing him money. On the 26th he got permission from Capt. Lake to see Private Brown, who was there on parade with the draft, and was fetched. They went I to the rifle room. There was a Yale lock on the door and the door closed “quite unconscious to him.” Brown had £6 13s on him and he asked him to pay £5, but he flatly refused. Both, said Cook, got angry. Brown made a wild endeavour to reach a rifle and a bayonet and the fight started. After a time Brown told Cook that he was the better man, and he would pay him £5.
Mr Peters, for the defence, said what had happened was only what men of the world would expect in such a case. Brown had been playing an old soldier’s game, and as he had got the worst of it, he was now trying to get back on Cook through the law.
The magistrates retired and on coming in the Mayor announced that they had considered the case and they found him guilty of assault and battery. They had nothing to do with what led up to the quarrel, but he had taken the wrong way to settle it. He would be fined £2 or one month’s imprisonment.
LOCAL NEWS
On July 21st, Mr R. H. Dodds had a call from a visitor to the town, Mr James Tinto, who was accompanied by a fisherman. Mr Tinto had been along at Dodd’s well with some friends and had seen something splashing about in a pool, which they found to be a young seal the ebbing tide had left stranded. When they got up to it the seal was trying to make its way back to the sea over the rocks, but they killed it with their walking sticks. With the help of the fisherman, they had taken it down to the salmon house, and now had called for their reward. As Mr Dodds gives 5s for a cormorant they no doubt thought that there was a fortune in a young seal, almost 4 feet long. However, an arrangement, satisfactory to both sides, was come to.
An inquest was held at Mr Peter’s office, Ravensdown, at 12 o’clock on Tuesday, concerning the sudden death of Iris Burgon, of 37 Church Street, aged two months and three weeks. On Monday morning at 5 o’clock the mother got up and gave the child which was sleeping separately in a crib, a bottle of milk. To all appearance the child was in her usual health. At 7 o’clock, the father, as was his custom, went to take the little thing out of the crib and put it beside its mother, and before lifting it he found it apparently dead. He at once informed the police and went for the doctor. A post-mortem was held by Dr on Monday. Pneumonia of the right lung was found to have been the cause of death. The child was well nourished. The Coroner’s verdict was in accordance with the medical evidence.
NORHAM HORSESHOW AND GAMES
SPLENDID ANIMALS SHOWN
CUPS GO TO NESBIT HILL AND GALAGATE
In these days of ever increasing motor traffic, when horses seem to be going off the roads, the splendid turnout of Clydesdales at Norham’s annual horse show on Saturday last proved that our countryside still breeds horses and takes a pride in breeding only of the best. There was not a bad horse on the ground. Many of them have already proved their qualities by successful competition in wider fields and will do so again without a doubt. With Alnwick and Dumfries winners in the entries competition was naturally keen and standard high.
BRO 515-179 Norham Castle, harvest time.
The only bad feature about the show was the weather, whose vagaries reduced the spectators to about half last year’s numbers. To begin with, in the early morning there was a good hour’s heavy rain when many exhibitors from a distance were making a start to get to the show yard by 10.30 a.m. for the judging. Then the sun shone, and with every appearance of a fine day preparations were pushed forward. The judges got busy and were getting well through with their task, when about noon rain fell in torrents, a regular thunder plump. For a short while the judges carried on, but were forced to seek the shelter of a hedge, and the decorated horses had to be taken from their stands in search of shelter under trees. The officials began to shake their heads and predict a “wash-out” for Norham Horse Show and to talk gloomily of debt. Gradually, however the rain lightened, the judges got agoing again, and bye-and-bye the sun came out to cheer the officials and with the winds help to dry up the soaking wet grass. And a good crowd turned up after all and generally proclaimed the show one of the best, and the Committee hope to pay their way.
FOOTBALL
BERWICK RANGERS’ PLAYER-MANAGER
Berwick Rangers’ Committee have appointed Peter Nellies, late of the Heart of Midlothian and Scotland, as player-manager of the club. The salary is not disclosed, but we understand this noted player has been secured on very favourable terms to the club. Peter was chosen out of a short leet of four, and it is interesting to note that amongst other applicants were several who have had a prominent connection with First League football.
The new player-manager will start his work practically at once. He is meeting the players this week and will arrange for taking their training in hand and having a practice game when he can spot likely talent. Nellies has been employed as a chauffeur recently, and he will follow that occupation in Berwick.
Originally a full back, Nellies blossomed forth as a half-back while with his only senior team, the heart of Midlothian. He has played for Scotland on various occasions, but his head could always fit his cap. A very modest and genuine player is “Peter.” Last year he was playing in second League football for King’s Park.
GLENDALE PETTY SESSIONS
SEPARATION ORDER GRANTED
Alexander Shiel, Glanton, labourer, was charged with unlawfully and wilfully neglecting to provide reasonable maintenance for his wife and children, and by such neglect causing her on the 8th of July to leave him and live apart from him.
Mr M. Wade, Alnwick who appeared on behalf of Mrs Shiel, explained that his client was married on February 13th, 1909 and had three children of the marriage, but they had never been happy owing to her husband’s relations with other women. She was a very tidy woman, and was now in the Workhouse at Wooler.
Sarah Shiel was sworn, and examined by Mr Wade, said she was married on February 13th,1909. She had three children by the marriage, Bryda 13 years, Esther 11 years, and Alexander James 9 years. She made application for a separation order on the 9th December, 1920, at the Glendale Court, for persistent cruelty and the case was dismissed. From then up to the 12th April her husband had never lived with her, and he had never given her any money for food and clothing during that period. She made application to the Guardians for relief, and received 25s a week, which was paid up to 12th April. Her husband returned then. He was not working but he was receiving 23s from the dole, and she got 10s a week from the Guardians. He never tried to get work. He said he would not work when he was getting dole. He gave her all the money he was receiving then. In June last the dole was stopped and she applied again to the Guardians and was allowed 25s a week for the children and herself. Her husband again said there was no need to work when the Guardians were paying. On the 24th June the Guardians discontinued outdoor relief. Her husband then got work for a fortnight. I that time she received £2 5s, which was to pay a bill standing at Mr Hill’s shop, Bowsden, for groceries received when he was staying with her.
BRO 2619-241 Wooler High Street.
By Mr Middlemiss- he told her to pay the bill with the money. He had never given her any money besides that.
By Mr Wade- He was working at Whittingham as far as she knew. On the 8th July there was no food or money in the house, and she was that day admitted in to the Wooler Workhouse, and had been there ever since.
Mr T. A. Robson, Relieving Officer of Glendale, said that Mrs Shiel had applied for temporary relief. He investigated the case and relief was granted, and a total of £102 4s 4d had been paid.
By Mr Middlemas- There had been no interval in which they had not paid something. When Shiel was on the dole they did not pay so much. He had never received any money from the husband. He only saw Shiel once in the house, and he said that he was not working.
Shiel, on being asked if he had any questions to put, said he wished the case to be adjourned for a month, as Mr H. Percy, Alnwick, who had taken it up, was not able to attend that day.
Mr Middlemas – Why did you not ask this before?
Mr Wade- He has heard all my evidence now.
Shiel – I was never listening to the evidence.
The bench retired, and on returning notified that as notice had not been given they had decided not to adjourn the case.
Accused refused to be sworn, and Mr Middlemas informed him he could say what he liked. Shiel then said the house was kept open for them all the time.
By Mr wade- he was working for the County Council at Moor House, and his wages were £1 18s a week.
The Bench again retired, and after a lengthy absence, the Chairman said that they had decided to grant a separation order, and Shiel would have to pay 15s a week, the wife to have the custody of the children. He would also have to pay the cost.
