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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.