Pavilion 1914-18 Newsham Park

New Delaval Park

1914-18

Pavilion opened November 1921 by Lieut.Col. Pollard.

Former Army hut

Pavilion cost £1,500.

10 acres of land were given by Seaton Delaval Coal Co. for the park.
There was a levy on miners’ pay.
Public subscription

Erected by Mr. R. Tebbles of Blyth helped by Mr. Beaney of Seaton Delaval Coal,Company.

Pavilion and sports field.

1. The site became a miners’ welfare scheme in the 1920s, but has recently been purchased by Blyth Valley Council for community purposes.

2. This was part of a war memorial scheme by the directors of the Seaton Delaval Coal Company.

3. After all costs, the balance was distributed to relatives of the fallen. £4 was given to each widow; £1 to each child; £4 to widowed mothers of unmarried sons; £2 to mothers of married sons; £3 to each ex-serviceman who had lost an eye or a limb.

4. “They were to have four acres of land for a recreation ground, providing for tennis, bowling, football, and also a monument with the names of the soldiers who had fallen in the war. The pavilion was not expected to be used for dancing alone, but for the fullest possible use by the inhabitants of the locality.”

5. The Seaton Delaval Coal Company had been very generous to the local people, due to Lieut. Col. Pollard. On the occasion of the opening of the pavilion, he was given a ‘smoker’s companion’, and his wife was given a silver bonbon dish.

Photos: Tony Harding; Robert Preston

Blyth News
03/11/1919 gives a detailed report of the opening
(available on the British Newspaper Archive)

Illustrated Chronicle
03/11/1919 reports opening of Memorial Club
03/08/1921 states that this was part of a larger scheme.

Morpeth Herald
07/11/1919 reports proposals;
04/02/1921 reports on the finances.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
12/04/1919 briefly reports proposals;

North Mail
03/11/1919 briefly reports opening.

Janet Brown;
Jack Tait;
Dorothy Hall

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk