Continuing the theme of the origin of street names from last month’s article (most of which bore a connection to the Duke of Northumberland), Colbeck Terrace was named after a Mr Christopher Colbeck, an agent to Hugh Percy, 3rd Duke of Northumberland, who took responsibility for much of his Grace’s Tindale Estates, whilst nearby Huntingdon Place derives its name from Francis Hastings, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon and a political supporter of John Dudley, the 1st Duke of Northumberland.
Moving on, there are three other streets in the area – Northumberland Terrace, Tynemouth Terrace and Tynemouth Place – which are simply general derivations of the obvious i.e. Northumberland and Tynemouth, with nearby Collingwood Terrace referring to Admiral Lord Collingwood whose monument sits close to the end of that street. Surprisingly, there are only two streets in Tynemouth which bear reference to the Castle and Priory, namely Priors Terrace and St. Oswins Place (St. Oswin being one of the three kings buried within the Priory grounds).
To the north of Tynemouth Village, there are other streets e.g. Abbey Drive, which are related to the Priory, however Monks Way and Monkstone Crescent actually connect to the legend of the Monks Stone which stood nearby (Roundabout Tynemouth – July 2011). Monkhouse Avenue on nearby Marden Estate is likely to share a similar connection.
Spittle Dene Mill (or Tynemouth Mill) was once a prominent landmark in the area and was situated in fields to the west of Holy Saviours Church, close to the present junction of Mill Grove and Dene Road. As a result, when the land was developed for housing, many of the nearby streets made reference to the mill when they were named, as Mill Grove, Millfield Grove, Millfield Gardens, Milldene Avenue and Millview Drive.
Closer detailed analysis indicates Millfield is derived from the actual field in which the mill stood, Milldene (from the generalised area i.e. Spittle Dene), and Millview (a general reference point).
Kennersdene, the longer street to the east of the Broadway takes its name from Kenner’s Dene, a small burn which once ran from nearby Kennersdene Farm to follow the path of the lower section of Beach Road, with an outlet flowing into the sea at a point more or less opposite the present Park Hotel. This burn has since been culverted. Kennersdene Farm itself is believed to date back to the 1700s and was demolished soon after the Second World War to make way for the present housing. It was originally situated on the site of what is now the junction of Kennersdene and Aldenham Gardens.
Two modern street names, Parkside and Parkside Crescent, derive their respective names from their proximity with Tynemouth Park on Grand Parade.
Manor Terrace (later re-named as Manor Road) and Manorway derive from the old Tynemouth Manor House which once stood nearby (Roundabout Tynemouth – July 2012)
A lesser-known road in Tynemouth Village is called Silver Street, which is little more than a narrow lane running off Front Street to connect with Percy Street. The origins of the name are uncertain though it is likely that it may have derived from a nearby silversmith’s trade or business in the distant past.
by Charlie Steel © 2014
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) and ‘Tynemouth Remembered’ all published by Summerhill Books.
More information on www.monkseaton.info and on the Monkseaton Village Facebook Page.