anonymous horseman
Father worked on farm at Burnopfield. At four moved to Eden Hill Farm. Missed school, preferred working on the farm. Hirings at Newcastle and conditions of employment for agricultural workers. 1940 moved from horse to tractor, Pockerley farm. Wages and perks. Ploughing competitions. Building a stack. Seasonal jobs at Pockerley. Farm building. German prisoners of war. Left Pockerley for Causey farm. Horsekeeper at Mary Pit. Pockerley hard work, soil condition. Beamish Hall.

Voices of the Durham coast and Denes
Memories relating to specific spots along the Castle Eden Dene and nearby coastline, with ambient sound. Notably - venturing into the Dene as children. Seeing wildlife. Working for Colonel Burdon. Legends about the Devil's lapstone, ghosts, a "witch". Water supply. Suicide from the viaduct. Burying shoes in the sand. Pitch and toss schools. The beach, black with coal, could pick it up, some lived in beach shacks. Met future husband

Albert Allen
Father a sinker. Early houses in Hesleden. Father had got a certificate for working on Newcastle bridge, but threw it in fire as “can’t eat it” – also laid railway lines. Labourers worked hard, moved often. First death at Blackhall Colliery was his brother – how it happened in detail, lamp nearly out of electricity – neck broken, brought out on flat cart, seeing body laid out. Father came home on leave from World War One, locked up by police and escorted back to navy because wanted to stay for funeral – meanwhile his crew had all died, so life saved by this leave. Got nothing from colliery. Co...