Loved old Byker,was born in Albion Row in the old boxer Benny Sharkey's house,in the back lane were Shaftoe's the fruit people and Mr Green the coal man,I could spend all day on my own wandering between the two,having an apple in Shaftoe's than on to Mr Green's to explore his workshop above the garage.Lovely video brought back many happy memories!
Just seen Byker park. The "rocks" between the park and the bowling green. 45 years ago, but I can still remember someone would shout "Gadjie" and we'd all run like hell!
i was born there- outside loo, no heaters or bath but a tin tub filled with hot water, terrible winters, it was only 1975, it wasn't luxury but you never got robbed, and people did more than say "hello"
shields road was my mams favourite place when she was young she would meet all her friends at the coffee & cream cafe that is sadly long gone now........
Worked at hawthorne leslie on the river there when I left school,it was disgraceful the way the gov pulled the plug on shipbuilding and marine engine industry.Things I remember was royal oak and locomotive pubs, the jiffy cafe that did stotty cakes and the chip shop on raby Street that cooked everything in dripping
Shields road aways meant Woolworths, Parishes and the wet fish shop where my dad would buy crabs legs.I remember the bank at the bottom of Salisbury St, the wooden stairs, the Domestos factory and Granny's Park where the paths were laid with gravestones.
I was just about to post something similar .Shields Rd was a fav shopping are for mam & dad in the 60's .I think a friend's mam & dad were publicans in the Raby pub in the 70's
Brilliant piece. Managed to portray the essential changes required with the difficulties encompassed. Most of my direct family come from Byker and my parents made an incredibly brave decision to move to Newton Aycliffe in 1964 for work and better housing. But we were never away from from the place as we were and still are very close. This hits the button perfectly. Many thanks
I was born in Heaton just behind Shields Road, but lived for years in Byker. Kirk Street. I wooed the girls around there and fell in love many times. Had my first REAL hangover there, but had many since. Took my first job there at Hardy and Johnson Wood Yard on Brinkburn Street, then Presto supermarket on Shields Road. Never had much money but it didnt stop me having a great time.
I loved old Byker, I hate new Byker. The building of the Byker Wall, meant to me the loss of so much in Byker. You can never get that back. It is gone forever. Thank you very much for showing this.
Byker was perhaps one of the first settlements to appear in Newcastle and may be a Viking settlement. The name Byker can be by(town) ker kjær-dear kjærby(dear town) You have the river beside it called Ouseburn which is Norwegian for mouth of the river. It is ironic that it was a Norwegian architect who designed the wall! Lovely video thank you!
@@MrBoutland yes Lucy was my mam its lovely to hear from someone who remembers them do you remember my nana as well I think she worked in the Glendale pub on Shields road ?x
so much could have been saved the houses here are just like the ones in jesmond built strong and could have been updated but oh no lets build the byker wall what a mess
Sadly it is the same for many places today. Keep the old memories alive. I no longer live in Newcastle, not from choice, and wish every day I could find a way back; I would even put up with all its imperfections, knowing that the ghosts of old Newcastle surely linger there.
Good video. The council has always had the policy of ripping down solid properties to build new cardboard houses. The've done the same in the west end, instead of tackling the rennovations and anti social problems head on. I agree that the Wall is a eyesore. Looks like we're stuck with it, as its listed/protected or something isnt it?
Bye that brings back some memories ! I worked for stanley millar on the top part of the wall, seems like a long time ago now. i was only 20 yrs old at the time and we had so many good times. I will never forget the old Byker
Maybe but aren't many in other places (e.g. Jesmond) still going strong? Also they surely represent(ed) easy conversion to houses that can / could have contain(ed) all modern amenities. Debates of this sort are still raging in many cities. Conversion / restoration or rebuild - communities should be retained along with facilities and landmark buildings that provide a sense of identity and place.
Great video and music - tragic loss of community and houses that could have been renovated - crimes of 60s planners - wilf burns et al - and their patronising arrogance - video no longer plays on kindle as it used to - can this be fixed?
i agree totaly but in gatesheads case yjey puled down our get carter car park got rid off cheap cafe's etc to build a bigger tesco and where i live dunston the rocket another owen luder project could have made into luxury flats 2 landmarks gone, but i agree byker was different should have kept community and houses
No litter, no graffiti, people had pride. Not the pride they go on about today, but real pride in their appearance. I miss these days, it was a real community.
The demolition of old byker was an absolute travesty. If all the houses and pubs & hotels had been modernised from the INSIDE and everything left as it was, the streets etc, old byker would be a national treasure today. Not enough respect and thought for the past history of so much of old Newcastle, has resulted in a town that cannot even see it’s history any more.
My Grandfather was born in Scott Road, Elswick in 1898 and then moved to Tamworth Rd, Byker. Managed to get some old maps and then saw your video. Glad he isn't around to see what happened, hopefully it wouldn't happen now. Many thanks.
I think my mam worked in a furniture store ,Geo Wilkes & sons.I have a feeling it was on or just off Shields Rd ( in the 50's ) . I've not been able to find out anything about it
Another fine example of "architectural vandalism". The other local example being Eldon Square . Our architectural and cultural heritage ripped apart by corrupt politicians and businessmen, and brain fade architects.
Does anyone have any idea where FELL ROAD in Byker was - or where it was in relation to what's there now? I'm trying to build up a picture of my fathers childhood and that's where he was born. Appreciate any help.
why oh why could the old houses were not renovated and brought up to standerd beats me Byker wall is a tip im sorry to say Planners should hang there heads in shame
People are calling them houses but they weren't houses they were Tyneside flats. Cold damp and dingy. There are lots of them left and they aren't popular places to live.
