Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
[ Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum' ]

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'Down Shields' again

Posted by Norman Dunn on 9/2/2025, 10:00 am

This lovely old photo was taken just yards from where most people remember. 'Minchellas Ice Cream parlour on Ocean rd

Re: 'Down Shields' again

Posted by Mac C on 9/2/2025, 10:32 am, in reply to "'Down Shields' again"

Judging by the ladies hats and dress lengths my guess would be mid 20's.
And although I was only a nipper in the late 40's I swear that I recall that the Economic Bus Co still ran some of the model shown.

Re: 'Down Shields' again

Posted by Norman on 9/2/2025, 11:57 am, in reply to "Re: 'Down Shields' again"

When I was serving my NCB engineering apprenticeship I had to attend Whitburn Area Workshops on courses. I didnt have my motorbike at the time so I used to get the Economic Bus from Ocean Rd to Whitburn every day.That was 1963 so they were still running then Mac.

Re: 'Down Shields' again for Norman

Posted by Mac C on 9/2/2025, 12:13 pm, in reply to "Re: 'Down Shields' again"

It was the bus model I was referring to.
The company ran buses until 1975.

Re: 'Down Shields' again for Norman

Posted by David Henley on 9/2/2025, 1:02 pm, in reply to "Re: 'Down Shields' again for Norman"

Mitchell's had a shop in Newcastle as well , any photos of that? Fine products!

Re: 'Down Shields' again

Posted by Geordieboy ns on 10/2/2025, 12:02 am, in reply to "Re: 'Down Shields' again"

Another classic oldy, thank you Norman. I didn't ride the Economic Bus very often, they were cold rattley and noisy,only one person operator and fare collector, BUT for what ever reason I always thought of them as a special bus vs the other buses.

The old buses How many miles did they do

Posted by Allan Campbell on 9/2/2025, 7:59 pm, in reply to "'Down Shields' again"

I would not have thought of this but there was a Tanker Lorry going for sale at Mathewson's auction and they said that it have done 2.5 million miles.

I see Atlantian buses doing the School run with “C” plates. Goodness knows how many miles they have done.

My son’s Mercedes van, it’s 2 years old and has reached 200,000 miles.

Yesterday I saw a car like my Sorento, but a 2017 model had 185,000 on the clock.

Until now I changed my cars at about 59,000 or less, my Sorento has now 105,000 and going strong.

The best that I have known about is Toyota pickups, a local gardener sold his at 240,000 and he only changed it because he won a contract and bought 3 new models.

The lifetime of cars has increased tremendously if looked after!

Allan C.

Re: 'Down Shields' again

Posted by Geordieboy ns on 10/2/2025, 1:14 pm, in reply to "'Down Shields' again"

The advert on the front of the tram, Hartley Marmalade, at one time there used to be a armalade with the brand emblam of a Gollÿwog on the label, the product may have survived but the emblam probably long banned.

Re: 'Down Shields' again for G'boy

Posted by Mac C on 10/2/2025, 4:43 pm, in reply to "Re: 'Down Shields' again"

Yes it was Robertsons logo at the time.

Down Shields Again

Posted by Geordieboy ns on 12/2/2025, 12:03 am, in reply to "Re: 'Down Shields' again for G'boy"

I have a Gollywog doll about 4 inches long identical to what used to be on the mamalade jars.

Re: Down Shields Again

Posted by Sheila on 12/2/2025, 8:34 am, in reply to " Down Shields Again"

GB, my daughter was given as a birth gift in 1967. No one thought it was wrong and you could buy them in the shops. I remember he had black and white stripped trousers and a red jacket.

Re: Down Shields Again

Posted by Geordieboy ns on 12/2/2025, 9:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Down Shields Again"

Sheila, you've described the one I have. Mine was hanging ,as an ornament, on a Christmas tree.

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[ Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum' ]

Rules! No Party Politics,swearing,derogatory remarks or we will delete. Anyone sharing our content on Face Book must credit 'Hebburn and our Neighbours'.