Lobley Hill

Born in Burdon Street, in the middle of Gateshead Town Centre, them moved to Leazes Street just next to it. Moved to Woodburn Gardens, Lobley Hill in 1957 when the houses were first built. Went to Lobley Hill Infant and Junior School until passing the 11+ to go to Gateshead Boys Grammar School in 1963, now living in Whickham for the past 30 years. Married to Pauline (Lynch) for the past 37 years, who lived in Redwood Gardens. Three children, Daniel (33, married to Louise, one grandson Dylan), Mark (31) and Lucy (26) and, since 1979, have run my own Typesetting Company (Printing trade) on the Team Valley producing the typesetting for academic books for publishers who sell them to schools. Have great memories of my time in Lobley Hill and my Dad was a well known character and also the local Chiropodist who first had his surgery in Knightside Gardens and then built one on the back of our house. Mam (Ethel) and Dad (Bill) now gone, but our Geoff lives on Lobley Hill Bank in the posh houses.

I am involved with Whickham Fellside Youth Football Club and we play our games at Watergate in Lobley Hill. I well remember this as the original pit. The railway line at the back of our house ran to the Dunston Staites; the pits closure and the slag heaps that were created and were subsequently landscaped into the magnificent Watergate Park.

Still in contact and see several old friends and people from Lobley Hill and both schools I attended. Love to speak to anyone about the old times and I must say we were fortunate to be brought up in an area that was safe and secure, I have great memories of happy Lobley Hill times!