Railway Station.
At the far end the Victorian station buildings and clock tower from 1879 are waiting demolition, overhead the single span iron/glass roof bombed in 1940 has been completely removed and canopies are being erected over each platform. "Peregrine", a magnificent Pacific, built 1949 is blowing steam and about to leave with its passengers, perhaps to Kings Cross 4½ hrs away, while a modern Diesel local throbs alongside An era is ending and 100 years of history are in this one photo. Within one more generation the whole station will be submerged under shops, the Diesel will have become the electric Metro and the Pacific just a source of wonder in a museum.
Caption, Len Charlton.
Bishopwearmouth Green. The Green was the original village green, surrounded by houses and adjacent to St Michael's Church. From the Green, Chester road ran West to Chester-le-St, Stockton Road ran South to Stockton and Low Rd ran North towards High St and the river. The original Durham Rd branched off from Chester Rd. Until the 1960s the Green could still be identified and visualised as the old "town centre" but roadworks and university buildings have changed the landscape and the green is now part of the gardens round St Michael's.
Photo N Kirtlan, info Len Charlton.
Middle Street, off Crowtree Rd.Middle St was a mixture of old properties, some residential, some business that had grown up between old HighSt West and Blandford St.
Markets came and went but one, Jacky Whites dating from 1930s has survived within the Bridges Centre and the grid of lanes and decrepit buildings of those days has disappeared into a largely pedestrianised shopping area round "The Bridges"
Photo N Kirtlan. Info Len Charlton.
View down Middle St from Crowtree Rd. Peter's Army and Navy Stores at right. Middle St ran parallel to High St West from Union St up to Crowtree Rd where this photo was taken. also see SDTC 048
Photo N Kirtlan, info Len Charlton.
