General

In 2020 we are experiencing reduced services on the buses, underground, trains and no planes are flying. Back in 1918, an anonymous Gosforth resident wrote to the Newcastle Journal: “Complaining about the conditions on the trams, they were overcrowded and not ventilated. We are told not to use these cars, but to many this is an impossibility!” (6 November 1918)

A medical man wrote to the Newcastle Journal (25 November 1918) signing his letter ‘A Sufferer’, He states that he had 40 cases in his country district all which were traced back to the village dances and that “…something ought to be done to stop these.”

Dr Eustace Hill, Medical Officer of Health for Durham, wrote in the same newspaper that to prevent the spread of infection it was important that at funerals the coffin should not be taken into the building, but left outside in the open air during the service. This practice was observed when the deceased had smallpox, scarlet fever and diphtheria and should be done for influenza cases.

Outside the North East one statistic that was frightening was that on the 31 October 1918 the Registrar General reported the deaths in the last week were 4482. For the London area only! 2225 in Greater London; 1256 in the County of London and 969 in the outer ring!

Robert Purvis was born in about 1794, the son of a weaver, Thomas, from Angerton.   Although his father taught him to weave, he never took to it. He tried other trades, but decided to settle on smuggling as his chosen career.

In 1828 he was met on Longhorsley Moor by an exciseman named Williamson from Morpeth. The casks that Purvis was carrying were captured, but he himself managed to escape. Purvis realised that his personal freedom was now in peril; he bought a horse from the money he had made and hid at his brother’s house. Occasionally he would return to Angerton to visit his father, and one time excisemen were there waiting. He managed to escape through a window, wearing only his shirt and drawers, hiding in a pond until they disappeared.

In 1829 he attended a fox hunt at Thornton Moor.  Again, the excisemen tried to capture him, but “putting spurs to his mare” he quickly escaped, leaving his would-be captors far behind. Purvis now decided it would be best to leave; he sold his horse and prepared to emigrate to America.

He was on his way to Shields with a friend when Williamson again caught up with him, this time in Bedlington. He hid in a nearby cottage, but the mistress of the house gave away his presence and he managed to escape through a window, again. Purvis and his friend swapped their clothing and when the excisemen were in view, his friend made a run for it and was captured. 

Purvis managed to get to Shields, and boarded a boat. In America he settled, married and became successful in agriculture. He died in about 1840. Sadly we do not know the outcome of the loyal friend who was captured.

Below is a more recent shot, as you can see the paddling pool has been removed and replaced with a splash park.  In the summer months there are sprinklers and water fountains for children to play with which proves very popular.

Below is how it is today, in total contrast to the photo above due to the current Coronavirus situation. No families or children playing, just deserted.

You will notice in the background of picture 2, the bandstand. Many military and colliery bands played here on a Sunday afternoon and evening. Performances were advertised in the local papers.   Unfortunately in 1967 this was removed and later replaced by a rose garden. The rose garden was constructed with financial help from members of the Blyth Round Table and was opened by the mayor in 1970.

Below is the Park House as it is today. It hasn’t changed very much at all apart from the noticeable solar panels on the roof. My good friend Amanda lived here as her father was the park keeper – Mr Short.