Ushaw Moor Memories

Further up Station Road, in Ushaw Villas, were two talented young footballers, namely Philip Stoddard and David Maddocks. It was more like a football academy. I keep using that spelling of David’s surname but I am aware that the correct spelling might be Maddox. Norman Ferguson lived somewhere in that area as well and he was perhaps the only one of that generation to later play at a more senior level [Northern League I believe]. We were both in the forward line of the Durham and District Boys’ team. He was a better player than me. Ushaw Moor had a very successful junior team in the early 60s, managed by Mr Dawson. It was known as Dawson’s Dynamos.

The Ushaw Villas boys were not bad at cricket, never mind football. I recall them beating a combined Whitehouse Court and Bracken Court team [which I played for] in an informally dressed, but nevertheless serious “test match” held on the green at Bracken Court. Norman Ferguson caught and bowled me at the cost of a few runs; I learnt from that and only once more would I be dismissed in that fashion, when Cranny, the Consett captain, got me out in the same way. We usually beat Oakridge Road, although John Vasey has reminded me that I once played for a draw against them in the pouring rain, when they needed just one more wicket to beat us. Why did we not just claim the draw?  Rain should have stopped play! On that pitch a top edge [with a ball delivered from the south end] would have gone through Mrs Jackson’s window, whereas a pull shot, from a batsman at the north end, would have gone through the window of Mr Burns.   

I watched Ushaw Moor cricket team quite often and can remember players such as Raymond Ayre and Gordon Thompson. I studied Gordon, the opening batsman, closely and learnt from it. Years earlier, Dick Hope, when captain of Ushaw Moor, had several spats with an opposing player called Trotter. I believe that Trotter was a school teacher and probably a councillor as well. Grandfather Hope was a fair and intelligent man and would not put up with nonsense.

I remember finding a purse in about 1956; it the village centre. It had about three shillings and nine pennies in it, which was a fair amount of money in those days. I handed it in at the police house and heard no more about it. I was hoping for a reward but I would not have had a right to it just for being honest.

Ushaw Moor County School – what can I say about that? I was useless at woodwork and much preferred history. I was very pleased to be handed the red and white football team strip. My debut, as a left back, was away against Waterhouses School Team; the pitch was in a wretched state owing to heavy rain but I survived [2-2] despite having to mark Weirs, the fast winger, who went on to win an FA Amateur cup winner’s medal with Crook Town in the mid sixties. Titchy Thompson was a bit of a terror at school and I put that down to the fact that he was not very tall [the Hitler theory].When Vicar Welby died in 1958 all the pupils were lined up at the school fence as a mark of respect when his funeral cortege passed by. I still hold him in very high regard.

Grandfather Hope lived at 2 South View, next to the pit. Christmas time there was always special for me. Coal miners worked unbelievably hard and deserved to enjoy the festivities. Every member of the family was in good humour, including my uncle, Tommy Carse, who was always a good laugh. Of course it was the women who did most of the work at Christmas to ensure that it was jolly. One Christmas my grandmother lovingly provided me with a Newcastle football strip; she thought that I supported Newcastle and had no idea of my allegiance to Derby County, who play in white shirts [without stripes] and black shorts.

My great grandfather, George Hope [1879-1936] lived in Ushaw Moor and was a winding engineman at the colliery. He was an avid sportsman as well as a scout for Derby County. I am told that he was in some way responsible for Derby signing Sammy Crooks from Durham City. I understand that the great Charlie Buchan regularly visited his house; I suppose that was due to George’s scouting activities. He missed being a top referee [division 1, now Premier League] by one vote.

Great aunt Lizzie Hope had a fish shop in Temperance Terrace in the 1930s. I thought that I would throw that in.

My family moved to 42 Whitehouse Court in 1954. Both of our immediate neighbours were called Pinkney but it was the one who had a son called Neville that saved three years old Colin Albone’s life in about 1957. Colin, my stepbrother, was choking on a Holland toffee and was going very blue when my mother ran into Mr Pinkney’s house to ask for help. Mr Pinkney came without delay and after initially being gentle put his hand right down Colin’s throat and clawed the toffee out along with considerable blood. It was not technical expertise but my word it was a life saver and we are all eternally grateful to Mr Pinkney. At the outset of that incident young Neville was proposing to run over to New Brancepeth to get Dr Millyard but it would have been too late for the doctor to do anything effective. Neville did very well at school; he achieved five GCE passes, which in those days was very commendable. I believe that he went on to work for the local council. Colin Albone became a very talented local professional cricketer and in a cup semi final made 50 or so runs against Ushaw Moor before helping South Moor to beat Esh Winning in the final.

It is time to write about Ushaw Moor Modern. Form 4A [1959/60] were once accused of being snobs by a teacher who thought we were anti social towards lower forms. That was a surprise to many of us and we were a bit indignant. In any case in the context of the educational system at that time it strikes me as funny that any form in a secondary modern school could be snobby!  The late Harry Barlow’s teaching of maths had a profound influence on my career. I was able to pass various nationally recognised exams after leaving school because he had given me a head start with maths. I liked English teacher Mr “Wobble Gobble” Hewitson very much, but my English results at that time were disappointing. I did not find his teaching of Buchan’s Thirty Nine Steps very inspirational, but no doubt some of that was down to me. In part one I referred to teacher George Hill – during a football match between the school teaching staff and the school first team I accidentally tripped him up and he   needed prolonged treatment. We won 4-1 which was not impressive.   

Well that is it. I wish Paul Clough all the best with the website and encourage you all to write an article or two. If it is the case that you have not used a computer yet may I suggest that you ask a younger member of the family to help you.

 Wilf Bell