Memorial Details
Memorial
Colliery Institute 1914-18
Reference
C36.06
Place
CHOPPINGTON
Map ref
NZ 260853
Original Location
Scotland Gate
Which war
1914-18
Dedication, Creation or Publication date
Opened Saturday March 31st 1923 (?24th April 1923) by Mr. F.C. Hallowes, agent of Bebside Coal Co. and Choppington Colliery.
Memorial Description
Colliery Institute and Hall, comprising a large room on the top floor for concerts, and downstairs a billiards room and news room, etc. Heated by hot water and with electric light. Over the entrance was a marble slab bearing the inscription.
Materials used
Red brick building.
Inscription
1923 Choppington Colliery War Memorial 1914-1919
Names
None.
Who commissioned
War Memorial Committee
Cost
£7,000
How money was raised
Erected jointly by owners and workmen of the Colliery. Site given by Coal Coy. with a supply of materials to the value of £500, £750 from Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation Scheme (CISWO)
Present condition
Completely rebuilt in 2000.
Sculptor, Artist or Designer
Ald. George Dunn, engineer to the Coal Co.
Notes
1. Mr. Norman Brown reports that he has a certificate which was presented to Mr. Joseph Yeaman by the Choppington Colliery War Memorial Committee for services rendered in connection with the Memorial in April 1923.
2. Addresses at the unveiling were given John Cairns, M.P.; Andrew McHugh, County Councillor; Rev.J. Burdon, Vicar of Choppington;
3. At a ceremony on April 7th 1923, Ald. Geo. Dunn, Architect, was presented with and easy chair and silver coffee pot and jug. Mr.Yeames, Clerk of Works, was given a gold watch.
4. A parchment Roll of Honour was proposed.
5. Structural problems were met in the 1950s which meant that 20% of the building, including the southern end of the building and the main entrance had to be demolished. This was when the inscription above the doorway was removed and subsequently lost.
6. The old hall was completely rebuilt with Lottery funding in 2000.
2. Addresses at the unveiling were given John Cairns, M.P.; Andrew McHugh, County Councillor; Rev.J. Burdon, Vicar of Choppington;
3. At a ceremony on April 7th 1923, Ald. Geo. Dunn, Architect, was presented with and easy chair and silver coffee pot and jug. Mr.Yeames, Clerk of Works, was given a gold watch.
4. A parchment Roll of Honour was proposed.
5. Structural problems were met in the 1950s which meant that 20% of the building, including the southern end of the building and the main entrance had to be demolished. This was when the inscription above the doorway was removed and subsequently lost.
6. The old hall was completely rebuilt with Lottery funding in 2000.
Newspaper cuttings, photos or archival material
Photo of old building: J. Brown
Morpeth Herald 23/06/1922 reports proposals for a monument; 20/04/1923 reports opening; 20/02/1925 advertises for names for a parchment Roll of Honour.
Alnwick & County Gazette 21/08/1920 reports that building is going up.
Newcastle Daily Journal 19/08/1920 reports that institute is in course of erection.
Northern Echo 21/08/1920 announces that the institute will be built at Scotland Gate.
Illustrated Chronicle 02/04/1923 reports official opening.
North Mail 19/08/1920 reports hall in process of erection.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 07/04/1923 reports opening.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 21/06/1922 reports unveiling.
History of Choppington Welfare Centre by John Dawson.
Bedlington Revisited Feb 2003 and March 2003, published by Six Townships Publications.
Morpeth Herald 23/06/1922 reports proposals for a monument; 20/04/1923 reports opening; 20/02/1925 advertises for names for a parchment Roll of Honour.
Alnwick & County Gazette 21/08/1920 reports that building is going up.
Newcastle Daily Journal 19/08/1920 reports that institute is in course of erection.
Northern Echo 21/08/1920 announces that the institute will be built at Scotland Gate.
Illustrated Chronicle 02/04/1923 reports official opening.
North Mail 19/08/1920 reports hall in process of erection.
Newcastle Weekly Chronicle 07/04/1923 reports opening.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle 21/06/1922 reports unveiling.
History of Choppington Welfare Centre by John Dawson.
Bedlington Revisited Feb 2003 and March 2003, published by Six Townships Publications.
Links to Source Material :
Research acknowledgements
J. Brown; Michael Newrick; Morris Robinson; John Dawson; Dorothy Hall
Research In Progress
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Colliery Institute 1914-18 (C36.06)
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Parish Notes
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