A new view of Burt Street, the Gladstone Arms and one families time there.
A Blyth resident has has shared an image with us which shows members of her family standing outside the Gladstone Arms in Burt Street in Cowpen Quay.
Lisa Wilkinson, who owns the photograph told us that the image shows her great grandfather Benjamin Hyde who is standing on the far right and was the licensee of the Gladstone, the license being granted on November the 3rd 1911. His license was renewed in 1912, 1913 and again on the 6th of February 1914. Benjamin sadly died on May 13th 1914 in the pub.
He had previously been the Steward at the Newsham and New Delaval Social Club, having been a coal miner before he changed career. Benjamin was born in Cambois on February the 14th 1877. One half of the first twins to be born in the village with his brother Walter.
On the left of the image is Benjamin's wife Eliza Jane Hyde (nee Poll) who was born in Cowpen Quay on January 3rd 1878.
After Benjamin's death, Eliza Jane moved back to New Delaval and opened two shops, EJ Hyde Fried Fish and EJ Hyde General Dealers at 41 and 42 Lennox Terrace, later to be renamed 801 and 803 Plessey Road, both demolished in the 50's.
Lisa's father grew up in the chip shop, though by then it was no longer operating, he did recall that the frying range had been removed but the serving counters were still there.
The two people in the centre of the family could be Eliza's parents but Lisa can't be sure. If you look closely at one the upstairs windows, you can see some children watching the photographer taking the photo, some people see two but Lisa thinks there's three.
It's possible the children could be Eliza and Benjamin's children but again we can't be 100% certain.
The image is a fascinating insight into a long lost pub in an area that played such an important role in Blyth's history. Most of us will have only ever seen the couple of photo's that seem to exist of Burt Street from this era, this image is striking in that it shows both the pub and Burt Street in it's prime, no litter, clean paths and some beautiful glasswork on the pub itself. so thank you Lisa for sharing.
The photo above shows Eliza's general dealers shop in Lennox Terrace in new Delaval. The shop became no's 801 - 803 Plessey Road and it was demolished in the 1950's. The people standing in the doorway are three of Benjamin and Eliza's children. Benjamin on the left, born 1909, his sister Mary Hannah who was born in 1914 and their brother Walter on the right who was born in the Gladstone in 1912.
Benjamin and Eliza are buried together in Cowpen cemetery. The inscription on the headstone reads "Treasured memories of our dear father and mother Benjamin Hyde died 13th May 1914, aged 37 years. Eliza Jane Hyde, died 13th Feb 1939, aged 61 years."
Lisa's family have also shared a series of news paper articles they have found which document Benjamin and his wife's time at the Gladstone. Including events and some tribulations, as well as the report in the local press of his death at such a young age.
The Gladstone shown on the far right of the image above.
Burt Street still exists today but none of the buildings from this era remain. Today the street is only accessible from Albert Street. The Gladstone stood more or less behind the car in the image above. It closed around 1974 and was demolished shortly after.
Above.. The Gladstone Arms shortly after it closed and was demolished in the 1970's.
Click the image above for a full size enhanced image.