Originally known as Whitley (meaning white lea or pasture land), the whole area in the 12th century was owned by the Prior of Tynemouth. Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the Priory lands and estate were enclosed and divided up, except for the area now known as Whitley Links, which to this day remains as open land.
During the early 19th century, Whitley Links was strewn with colliery heaps and ironstone workings which had become thickly overgrown with gorse. Most of the work of clearing and levelling the area, resulting ultimately in the current green expanse, was initiated by Whitley Bay Golf Club whose members began using the Links in October 1890.
A document was also drawn up during that year between the Duke of Northumberland and the local Board of Health, allowing stint holders the right to graze cattle on the land between the 13th of May and the 11th of November each year.
The Links takes its name from the original nine hole golf course, which was situated on this narrow strip of land along the coast, with the clubhouse once being positioned opposite the end of Marine Avenue. The course moved on several occasions, eventually finding its present venue at Briardene in 1954.
One of the most prominent features located opposite Whitley Links was the Prudhoe Memorial Convalescent Homes, built in 1867, which will be the subject of a future article.
For a period of time in the 19th century, the northern end of The Links was used as a soldiers’ camp and firing range, and from 1907 the Whitley and Monkseaton Urban District Council began to landscape and lay out various new paths and walkways, including Panama Dip, the Sunken Gardens and the Bandstand, as well as the Empress Gardens.
It is interesting to note that Whitley Links is subject to a restrictive covenant placed upon it in 1929 by Lord Hastings, when it was sold to the then Whitley Bay Town Council. This effectively restricts any form of development work from taking place on the land, as well as outlining further limits on its use. A widely held view is that the Links is a treasured and unique resource, tranquil, beautiful, and completely unsuitable for any building development.
One of the peculiar restrictions and by-laws dating from 1899 actually bans all wheeled vehicles from the Links, with offenders facing a penalty of £2 or the option of a public flogging. Fortunately the regulation is not actively enforced, so wheelchair users, parents with prams or children on pushbikes are safe from prosecution – and, of course, the council grass-cutters can carry on work as normal!

by Charlie Steel © 2016

Further reading for many of Charlie’s articles can be found in his books: ‘Monkseaton Village’ (Vol. 1 & 2), ‘North Shields Public Houses, Inns & Taverns’ (Part 1 & 2), ‘Tynemouth Remembered’ and ’Whitley Bay Remembered’ (Part 1 & 2) , all published by Summerhill Books.

More information on www.monkseaton.info and on the Monkseaton Village Facebook Page.

Going to work for many of us is fairly mundane, and the prospect of being injured or killed rarely crosses our minds. There are professions, however, where death or serious injury is a daily hazard.

It is a fact that commercial fishing is still the UK’s toughest and most dangerous peacetime occupation. There are currently around 12,000 fishermen in the UK, and while there is evidence that fatalities have declined over recent years, the number of serious injuries suffered by fishing crew still remains high. Over the years thousands of fishermen have lost their lives at sea, and amongst these there are many who have sailed through Tynemouth Piers never to return.

There are over 30 principal fishing ports in the UK, with North Shields being widely recognised as the biggest prawn landing port in England. Many of these ports have memorials to remember those fishermen who have died at sea, yet North Shields is without one. Henry Howard is a retired local fisherman who was born in Dublin and fished out of Eire for 25 years, principally in the notoriously dangerous waters off Iceland and the Russian coast. Henry moved to the North East in the 1960s, and for a number of years worked on trawlers sailing out of North Shields and it was he who first raised the idea of erecting a local memorial in 2015.

From there the ‘North Shields Fishermen’s Heritage Project’ was born. Although Henry is the emotional heart of the project, a number of dedicated community based volunteers have been recruited to help realise his dream of creating a permanent and fitting memorial to those fishermen who have sailed from the port of North Shields and have perished at sea just doing their job.

The project, which is based at the Old Low Light Heritage Centre in North Shields, already has the support and backing of much of the community as well as that of North Tyneside Council, the Fishermen’s Mission, the Association of Retired Fishermen and many local businesses.

A site has been identified close to North Shields Fish Quay and it is proposed that the memorial be erected there as a piece of ‘Destination Art’ – something people will travel to see. It will be a fitting tribute to all our fishermen who have been lost at sea.

Designs have been submitted by local sculptors and people can view and vote for their favourite on our website, www.nsfhp.org.uk/vote, until October 17th.

Project volunteers are working on various initiatives with local schools and community groups to help raise the estimated £75,000 needed to achieve our goal. If you would like to help us, and raise the profile of our rich fishing heritage, please visit our website www.nsfhp.org.uk or email us at nsfhproject@gmail.com.

To keep up to date with our progress, follow us on Twitter @nsfh_project or search on Facebook for North Shields Fishermens Heritage Project.

by Charlie Steel © 2016

Further reading for many of Charlie’s articles can be found in his books: ‘Monkseaton Village’ (Vol. 1 & 2), ‘North Shields Public Houses, Inns & Taverns’ (Part 1 & 2), ‘Tynemouth Remembered’ and ’Whitley Bay Remembered’ (Part 1 & 2) , all published by Summerhill Books.

More information on www.monkseaton.info and on the Monkseaton Village Facebook Page.

Prior to the 1870s there was no seafront road connecting Whitley Bay and Cullercoats; the route along the seafront between these points was simply a narrow and hazardous track, situated close to the cliff edge, with the only buildings of significance being Whitley Manor House along with a row of six houses known as Whitley Park Terrace, which were situated on what became the site of the Spanish City.

In 1893, work began to lay out the new upper promenade road between East Parade and Rockcliffe, including landscaping work to create the ‘Corkscrew Stairs’ near the Esplanade, which led to the beach on the seaward side.

When work was completed, the official opening of the Promenade took place on Saturday 27th May 1911. The ceremony was performed by the Duke of Northumberland, after which he walked several dignitaries and council members to Rockcliffe School for afternoon tea.

A few years later, work began on laying out the new Southern Lower Promenade, which runs from a point opposite the Esplanade to Table Rocks. It was opened in June 1932 and incorporated a large paddling pool.

The Northern Lower Promenade was constructed in 1914 with a northward extension from Panama Dip being added in 1926. Some features of this promenade included an interesting art deco style drinking fountain, erected in 1937 to commemorate the coronation of King George VI, and a design set into the paving stones depicting the four cardinal points of the compasses.

Substantial shelters were built and, in June 1936, 25 wooden chalets were erected and let out by the council to visitors and holidaymakers at a rent of £15 per year. They were built on circular concrete bases which enabled them to be manually rotated to engage the maximum amount of sunshine. With the onset of World War 2, access to the beach was restricted, and in 1940 the military authorities requisitioned all the chalets and paid the council £1,520 compensation.

In succeeding years, a number of proposals were brought forward to replace the chalets, which were rebuilt in 1959 with a further 25 added in 1960. They were removed in 1990 due to increasing vandalism.

In 1922, the Central Lower Promenade was constructed and stretches from a point near Watts Slope to the Corkscrew Stairs. This promenade incorporated a number of retail units which served the needs of the many beachgoers and holidaymakers, though in recent years these units fell into disuse. Structural surveys in 2010 indicated concerns for the stability of the overhead pavement and, despite many protests, a controversial demolition programme began in 2015. The area is still awaiting improvement work.

by Charlie Steel © 2016

Further reading for many of Charlie’s articles can be found in his books: ‘Monkseaton Village’ (Vol. 1 & 2), ‘North Shields Public Houses, Inns & Taverns’ (Part 1 & 2), ‘Tynemouth Remembered’ and ’Whitley Bay Remembered’ (Part 1 & 2) , all published by Summerhill Books.

More information on www.monkseaton.info and on the Monkseaton Village Facebook Page.

A room looking into the courtyard of Delaval Hall is known as ‘The Ghost Chamber’ and, at its window, the ‘White Lady’ is said to keep her melancholy vigil at sunset, looking for her absent Lord.

There is a story that in 1774, among the numerous visitors to Delaval Hall, a Duchess from the South of England was accompanied by an unknown fair lady who attracted the attention of the young Lord John Delaval. It soon became known that the fair visitor and young Lord John were engaged.

This met with the disapproval of his father, Lord Delaval, as he wanted his only son and heir to be allied to a more powerful and wealthy family. He therefore gave orders for his son to join his regiment in Lincolnshire, and not to return until he was sent for, on the assumption that the prolonged absence would cool his ardour for the lady.

His son obeyed, but not before he pledged his love to the fair visitor, and declared that when he did return they were to marry.

Lord John had not been gone for many weeks when news came that he had developed an illness, and had died suddenly. The last male heir to the Delaval’s was now dead!

During the first weeks of young Lord John’s absence, the health of the fair lady gave cause for alarm, which necessitated her to maintain a prolonged stay at the Hall. When news of Lord John’s death reached the lady, her health deteriorated further and her mind began to wander.

Over the months that followed, she was frequently seen looking from one of the windows in her room, and when questioned as to what she was looking for, her reply was always the same: “For the return of Lord Delaval to his home”. She could not be comforted, and at nights when all was silent, she would wander from her room to the windows, which commanded the best views of the Avenue. Here she was frequently seen dressed in white, gazing into the darkness and wringing her hands in grief.

As her health slowly failed, death put an end to her sorrowful vigils, and she was carried south by her relatives to be laid to rest. It is fabled that she died of a broken heart.

Her name is unknown, but the memory of the faithful and beautiful white lady is still kept by her form, which can be seen only at certain times of the year.

It is a fact that when the sun sinks in the west, casting a halo over the tops of the Cheviot Hills, or when a full moon sheds its light over the trees which guard the Hall, thus casting a shadow of the nearby Lady Chapel onto the south front of the former ruins, if you look very carefully, you will then be able to see “The White Lady” gazing from the windows of the first floor of the east wing of Seaton Delaval Hall.

by Charlie Steel © 2016

Further reading for many of Charlie’s articles can be found in his books: ‘Monkseaton Village’ (Vol. 1 & 2), ‘North Shields Public Houses, Inns & Taverns’ (Part 1 & 2), ‘Tynemouth Remembered’ and ’Whitley Bay Remembered’ (Part 1 & 2) , all published by Summerhill Books.

More information on www.monkseaton.info and on the Monkseaton Village Facebook Page.

Victor Noble Rainbird was a prominent local artist who was born on 12th December 1887 at 49 Sidney Street, North Shields. From 1917 to 1933 his home was at 71 West Percy Street, which is now marked with a blue plaque to mark his residency there.

Rainbird painted in oil and watercolour and was also a stained glass window designer. He attended Armstrong College, Newcastle, during which time he began to exhibit on Tyneside before moving on to study at the Royal College of Art and, later, the Royal Academy of Arts in London.

When the Great War broke out in 1914, he joined the Northumberland Fusiliers as a private soldier. He was posted overseas and served on the western front at Ypres, Passchendale, Vimy Ridge and Armentieres. He later joined the Northumberland Fusiliers, 34th Division and, in connection with field observation, prepared drawings for headquarters in the Somme’s front line.

After a short break in England, he returned to France to take part in the retirements on the Somme Front, and was made a non-commissioned officer in charge of a company of Lewis gunners in shock troop training. He ended his war career as a corporal with the Durham Light Infantry.

There is no doubt that Rainbird was badly affected by his war experiences, during which time he had been the victim of an enemy gas attack. It is believed he suffered from what is now termed ‘Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder’, or shell shock as it was then known.

On being demobbed, Rainbird returned to North Shields and set up as a professional artist, exhibiting his works at various galleries throughout the country.

During the years following the war he encountered serious alcohol problems, and on at least one occasion was arrested and fined for being drunk and incapable. It can only be speculated as to how his experiences during the war were a contributory factor to this.

Common works that Rainbird executed are of the sea, seafront and streets in and around North Shields. He produced and sold paintings in large numbers to pay his way through life, using inferior materials and selling them to pub landlords for a drink or two. He would often set out several boards on a table and paint in sky, foreground and details before adding a title and his signature, all in a very short space of time.

Rainbird moved to Otto Street, Sunderland around 1934 and died there on the 8th March 1936 aged 48 following a short illness. He was brought home to North Shields and was laid to rest in a pauper’s grave in Preston Cemetery.

The Victor Noble Rainbird exhibition ‘From Dark to Light’ ran for three months last year at the Old Low Lights Heritage Centre, North Shields, with over £6,500 raised by donations and receipts from catalogue, card and print sales. A memorial service was held at Christ Church on 8th March 2016, followed by the unveiling of a Memorial Sculpture at Preston Cemetery, North Shields on the artist’s unmarked grave in recognition of his life and amazing talent.

by Charlie Steel © 2016

Further reading for many of Charlie’s articles can be found in his books: ‘Monkseaton Village’ (Vol. 1 & 2), ‘North Shields Public Houses, Inns & Taverns’ (Part 1 & 2), ‘Tynemouth Remembered’ and ’Whitley Bay Remembered’ (Part 1 & 2) , all published by Summerhill Books.

More information on www.monkseaton.info and on the Monkseaton Village Facebook Page.