The Postcard
A postally unused postcard that was published by Hills of Sunderland. Thee card has a divided back.
Westoe Village
Westoe was originally a village near South Shields, Tyne & Wear, England, but has since become part of the town, and is now used to refer to the area of the town where the village once was.
The earliest recorded mention of Westoe is in 1072, which refers to a group of seven farms.
In the late 19th. and early 20th. centuries, the village of Westoe was around one mile south of South Shields, and was gradually absorbed into the urban sprawl extending from the centre of the town.
Westoe Village consists of Georgian and Victorian houses, many having been built by business leaders of the town, including those who owned mines and shipyards. It is now considered one of the most exclusive areas of South Shields.
Westoe Colliery was one of many coal mines in the area. Opened in 1909, it operated until May 1993, when it was the last pit of its kind on Tyneside to close. The site of the colliery has since been cleared and redeveloped into Westoe Crown Village.
Westoe Cemetery was opened in 1857, and is now closed to new graves (although existing family graves can still be used). Notable local-born physician Dr. Thomas Winterbottom, as well as barrister and politician Robert Ingham, are buried in the cemetery.
Westoe became locally famous as the inspiration for a popular painting, Westoe Netty, which illustrates a local public toilet (Netty is a Geordie dialect word for toilet). The original toilet was built in 1890 near a railway bridge on Chichester Road. To allow for regeneration, it was dismantled and put into storage in 1996. In 2008, the toilet was rebuilt as a permanent exhibit at the Beamish Museum.
Westoe had its own brewery, the Westoe Brewery, which stood on Dunelm Street from the 19th. century, and although the exact date of origin is not apparent, it features on the 1915 Ordnance Survey maps (it is also reported to feature on the 1895 copy).
The brewery continued under the ownership of Robert Henderson until 1907, when Joseph Johnson acquired it, and in 1924 merged it with the City Brewery from Durham. In 1938, the company became Westoe Breweries Limited, and in 1946 became public.
The breweries were taken over by Hammond United Breweries in 1960, and closed sometime between then and the 2000's.
In 2004, the Jarrow Brewing Company purchased the former Chameleon pub on Claypath Lane, reopening it as The Maltings in May 2005. They expanded their microbrewery output by installing a facility below the pub, producing 100 barrels a week. The company included in its beers, Westoe IPA and Westoe Netty Special.
On the 27th. September 2018, the company was dissolved.
The annual Westoe Village village fair has musical entertainment, refreshments and games. A host of charity and voluntary organisations have stalls with tombolas, raffles and displays, including the Rotary Club of South Tyneside and South Shields Local History Group.
Westoe Rugby Football Club, which was established in 1875, is one of the oldest organisations still in the Westoe area today. The club has continuously occupied its original ground, directly opposite Westoe Village, since its establishment, and is today one of the local community hubs of the area.
Robert Readhead was a local businessman, and was the eldest son of John Readhead, who founded John Readhead and Sons Limited, a noted local shipwright and marine engineering firm. Joining his father's business as an apprentice, Readhead stuck with the firm and eventually became one of the directors, retiring from active involvement in 1909 to take a larger community role - something he continued for the next 40 years (including four years spent as mayor).
In 1921, Readhead donated the land on which the Robert Readhead park lies to the town in thanksgiving for peace. The park was opened on the 18th. May 1923. Nowadays, the park has a bowls club (which includes a bowling pavilion), tennis courts, and a small children's play area.
Notable residents of Westoe include:
-- Elinor Brent-Dyer, author of the Chalet School books;
born in South Shields; attended school in Westoe.
-- Catherine Cookson , author, lived at Tyne Dock,
South Shields and would have visited Westoe,
although she was not a resident. It was the backdrop
for a number of her romance novels.
-- William Fox, four time Prime Minister of New Zealand.
-- Robert Ingham, twice MP for South Shields, lived at
Westoe House.
-- Joe McElderry, winner of The X Factor in 2009, pop/classical crossover singer and model; born and
grew up in Westoe, and still lives nearby.
-- Livingston Middlemost, born in Westoe; first-class
cricketer.
-- Dame Flora Robson, actress; nominated for an
Oscar for her role in Saratoga Trunk.
-- Andrew Stoddart, born in Westoe; played international cricket for England and rugby union for England and the British Isles; Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1893.
