General Chat

Hi Dave.The same thing at Beamish a schoolteacher wacking his cane on the desk scarying the kids.What came across to me was what a hard life they led.The coal mine we went into.You had to bend right over to get in,you couldnt straighten up.The man at the coal face had to lie done to dig out the coal.It was awful just being in there for a short time.No wonder many died young with pit collapses etc.

I agree, Margaret. It's a great place. Strangely it was just yesterday that I came across the piece of paper which my daughter signed with her name, with a pen dipped into 'proper' ink, when she was 'in school' there, several years ago. At the end of our day we took the tram for a view of the whole site. If we are up North, I would certainly go again.

Anyone been there.Its an outdoor working museum.People dressed up in costume and carrying on conversation as they are "working".You interact by asking questions.Beamish is not far from Gateshead and its set in the grounds of a stately home.It has a farm,coal mine,railway station,Victorian village,school house,manor house 1600c I think also an 1800c one.victorian fairground and more.Remember the old co-op and the overhead devise for paying your money which disappeared upstairs and came back with your change.The Catherine Cookson dramas have been made there.On visiting the village we went into the dentist.There were a lot of school kids asking questions.The dentist said if a girl wasnt married by 21 the father would take her to the dentist to have all her teeth pulled out to make her more marriageable as she wouldnt cost her husband money lol.No wonder they broke their necks to get married young.If anyone is up that way its a great day out and you do need a full day.Great history lesson for the kids and marvellous for those who enjoy old things.