Cottages 1914-18 1939-45 Village

Off A694 Shotley Bridge Village DH8 0HP

a. 1914-18
b. Subsequent conflicts.
c. 1939-45

a. (1914-18)
Opened 7th September 1921 by Mrs. F. Priestman. The plaque was unveiled by Col. W.H. Ritson.
New Plaque dedicated 9/11/2014

b. (Following restoration) 1992

c. (1939-45) Dedicated 10/11/2013

Fine white brick building, sandstone plaques.

Shotley Bridge Recognition Fund

Public subscription. The Piele family gave the site and ‘handsome donations’. Over £4,000 was raised.

Built by J.R. Surtees

a.
(Original)
These cottages were
erected in memory of
men from this neighbourhood
who fell in the Great War
1914-1919.
(Names)

(2014)
These cottages were
erected in memory of
men from this neighbourhood
who died as a result of
service in the Great War

b.
The restoration of
these cottages in 1992
is dedicated to the
memory of those
service personnel
from the area who
have given their lives
in worldwide conflict
since the end of the
Great War in defence of
freedom.
They will be
remembered always.

c.
Dedicated to the men from the Community of Shotley Bridge
who lost their lives in the Second World War 1939 to 1945
(Names)

Cottages, row of three, terraced, two storeyed. Brick built.

A plaque approx. 60 inches high x 36 inches wide (152cms x 91cms) is inserted into the wall at window level between two windows on the right of the front.

It has a wide, plain raised border.

The names are incised in two rows, the dedication in Roman capitals and the names in sans serif capitals.

In the right front garden is a stone approx. 48 inches high by 24 inches wide (122cms x 61cms) with the edges left rough, telling the story of the restoration in memory of the dead in all conflicts since the Great War.

The lettering is incised in Roman capitals and painted black.

In the left front garden is a stone with a dedication for 1939-45 and three columns of names all incised and blackened using Times Roman capitals throughout.

1. The suggestion of cottages was made by Miss Piele. Francis Priestman was elected Chairman of the Fund and Mr. Joseph Surtees was secretary. In 1922 the Trustees were: Dr. He. Peile, Mr. J.L. Priestman, Mr. L.Priestman, Miss Helen Peile, Mr. J.W. Forster. Mr. J.H. Wardhaugh and Mr. Jos. Surtees.

2. After the war, the cottages were occupied by disabled soldiers and a war widow.

3. Suggestions for the use of the building after restoration were:
(i) Museum centred on the swordmakers of Shotley Bridge;
(ii) art gallery;
(iii) Old People’s homes.

4. In his address, Col. Ritson said that in 1914, a “send off” fund was formed for local departing and returning soldiers. They sent 291 men to the army, of whom 7 had won honours. These had been given either a gold watch or an illuminated address.
In December 1918, they received from Dr. Peile on behalf of his family the sum of £1,200 and they determined to create a memorial.
Members of the Priestman family donated £1,500. The sum of £2,780 was earmarked for cottages, which finally cost £3,311 and were administered by a Trust committee. Money was set aside for maintenance.

5. 1992 Having stood empty for ten years and been subjected to vandalism, the Shotley Village Trust took in hand the task of refurbishing the cottages. They were due for demolition, but were saved by an outcry from the Trust members.

6. The Shotley Bridge War Memorial Cottages Trust now looks after the houses.

Shotley Bridge Memorial
Shotley Bridge War Memorial Cottages

Photos: J. Brown; Dorothy Hall

Blaydon Courier
17/09/1921 reports opening;

Consett and Stanley Guardian
16/09/1921 reports opening.

Consett Guardian
16/09/1921 reports opening

Illustrated Chronicle
08/09/1921 reports official opening with photos.

Newcastle Daily Chronicle
08/09/1921 reports opening.

Newcastle Weekly Chronicle
10/09/1921 reports opening.

Northern Echo
10/11/2013 reports WW2 dedication:
09/11/2014 reports new WW1 plaque.

Newspaper cutting re outcry against demolition in local free Consett newspaper undated but about June 1989

History of Derwent Flour Mill Society Ltd., Shotley Bridge Jubilee 1872 – 1922 G.T. Hyden, JP., Pelaw on Tyne Co-operative Wholesale Society’s Printing Works, 1922 P.67 gives some details.

Lloyd Langley;
J. Brown;
Dorothy Hall;
Russell Black;
Fitzhugh Collection, Middleton in Teesdale

The names on local Shotley Bridge War Memorials are being researched by Dave Wright.

Contact: wrightphotographic@hotmail.co.uk