‘Miles of Golden Curving Sand’ is how the coastline, immediately to the south of St. Mary’s Island, Whitley Bay, was once described on a postmark during its latter heydays of the 1960s.
This was a simple and honest marketing description of a beautiful area which has been loved and cherished by visitors throughout the years. Sadly, the sun has now set on those bustling, ice-cream and candyfloss days by the sea. The beaches are quieter, the promenades are less crowded and the Kiss-me-Quick hats have long since blown away.
Charlie Steel’s new book ‘Whitley Bay Remembered – Part 1’, recalls the glory days of the coastline when its tourist draw was immense. The Spanish City Fairground, The Empress Ballroom, cinemas and theatres, cafés, Punch & Judy shows, bands and sideshows, seaside entertainers, shuggy boats, donkey rides, and of course the beautiful beach, which has attracted residents and visitors from far and wide since the early 1900s.
The town was once saturated with quality and cost-effective accommodation, offering bed and breakfast to the thousands of holidaymakers who flocked to the town.
This was once a bustling area, which has been loved by generations of families and visitors over the years. Those days have vanished into the distant past, but as the reader browses through this new book, it may help revive some of those long-lost memories and happy seaside days.
After a short introductory talk by Charlie and his publisher, Andrew Clark, the book will be officially launched at 6pm on Tuesday 27th October at Whitley Bay Library (Customer First Centre) on York Road. Copies will then be available for sale at a cost of £9.99 each.
This book will be followed up in the Spring of 2016 with ‘Whitley Bay Remembered – Part 2’, which gives an overview of Whitley Village and the town centre from its early beginnings up to the present day.
by Charlie Steel © 2015
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) , all published by Summerhill Books.
More information on www.monkseaton.info and on the Monkseaton Village Facebook Page.