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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Ship Models

Posted by Tony Scott on 17/5/2025, 1:52 pm

One Sunday in the early 1950s my mother cut her hand causing a lot of bleeding. My Dad wrapped her hand in a tea towel, picked up my baby sister, told me to hold Mum's uninjured hand & off we set to walk to the infirmary in Ellison Hall, next to St John's church. I was amazed to find, in the reception room, many superb models of ships, presumably built by Palmers.

In 1974 my wife & I had recently returned from 2 years in Singapore with my parents 1st grandchild, unfortunately Robin burnt one of his hands on his Grandmother's very hot radiator. My wife & I rushed him to the same infirmary & I was astounded to find the reception room bare! I asked about the ship models but none of the staff knew what I was talking about. Can anyone shed any light, please?

Both casualties recovered fully.

Re: Ship Models

Posted by Norman Dunn on 17/5/2025, 2:05 pm, in reply to "Ship Models"

Welcome to the Forum Tony.
Hopefully some of the Newtown regulars might remember your Scott family
Hebburn Infirmary closed down many many years ago, but not sure what year. As a young lad I often had to go there to get cuts and grazes sorted and Iodine put on

. I remember thinking 'How will we manage without an Infirmary'?

Re Ship Models

Posted by Tina on 17/5/2025, 3:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Ship Models"

I remember as a child, seeing and being awestruck by the models. I was asking my Mam & Dad about them recently. Dad clearly remembered them at the Infirmary but I was sure sure I used to see them circa (1967/72 ) on display in big windows in hut like buildings that were at the back of the bowling greens in Hebburn Park.
Was it my imagination?

Re: Re Ship Models

Posted by Joseph on 17/5/2025, 5:25 pm, in reply to "Re Ship Models"

Wouldn't surprise me if they were center pieces in a few councilors homes.

Re: Re Ship Models

Posted by Brian on 17/5/2025, 7:47 pm, in reply to "Re Ship Models"

They was definitely some in the veterans building at the bowling green. My grandad used to go for a game of dominoes.

Re: Re Ship Models

Posted by Stan Wears on 17/5/2025, 8:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Re Ship Models"

Betty Young was Walter Wears sister. Her husband Bill made warships to scale like those you mention. When he died, Betty and I tried to give them away to museums etc but they weren't interested.Many were scrapped after Betty died. Sad really...

Ship Models at JGS

Posted by Mac Cummings on 18/5/2025, 9:56 am, in reply to "Re: Re Ship Models"

There were a couple of magnificent models in the 50's on the top corridor at JGS by the Woodwork Room.
I wonder what happened to them? They probably sufferred the same fate as the school building and its educational values which were sacrificed on the altar of "comprehensives"

Re: Ship Models

Posted by Irene Errington on 18/5/2025, 8:46 am, in reply to "Ship Models"

Hi Tony
My uncle Bill and Auntie jenny and cousin Marion sadly they have all passed and had great friends called Scott and they had a son called Tony i wondered if you could be that person I am 78 and Tony was about my age I remember he was in the RAF.

For Irene

Posted by Norman on 18/5/2025, 9:23 am, in reply to "Re: Ship Models"

Hi Irene,
You will be correct.Tony was born 1947,lived in Charles St & went to the Newtown School. He found my board a few days ago after getting intouch to buy a 'Good old Hebburn book'.

Re: For Irene

Posted by Tony Scott on 18/5/2025, 9:42 am, in reply to "For Irene"

I am Irene but I'm afraid I don't know your name. Bill & Jenny were always very kind to my sister & me.

Re: For Irene

Posted by Irene Errington on 18/5/2025, 11:43 am, in reply to "Re: For Irene"

Hi Tony
I am uncle Bill’s niece my maiden name was Irene Wilson I have a sister Joan my father was Eddie Wilson I can remember your mam and dad I cannot remember your father name but your mam was Hilda, I can remember you visiting my Aunt and uncle and obviously I remember that you joined the RAF.
My mam was called Irene she is still alive but lives in a care home now she is 99 gone March.
Hope you are keeping well
Take care
Irene x

Re: For Tony Scott

Posted by Malcolm on 18/5/2025, 11:24 pm, in reply to "Re: For Irene"

As you were ex-RAF, may I ask where & when you served?
I'm also ex-RAF 1974-1993.

For: Malcolm

Posted by Sheila on 19/5/2025, 9:09 am, in reply to "Re: For Tony Scott"

Malcolm my cousins husband was a flight engineer on Nimrods. He was in the RAF from the 1950’s , their last posting was
St Maughan Cornwall. I used to think what an exciting life my cousin lived, seeing the world.

Re: For: Sheila

Posted by Malcolm on 19/5/2025, 6:30 pm, in reply to "For: Malcolm"

All things are relative, Sheila.

A flight engineer on Nimrods, so take off at 08:00 hours, fly a 14 hour patrol over, say, the western approaches, before landing back where you started!

I was slightly luckier then most, as an Aircraft Engineer, posted every few years, onto a different aircraft type each time. Worked on about 12 different types in 20 years.

Keeps you on your toes!!

Re: For: Sheila

Posted by Sheila on 19/5/2025, 6:57 pm, in reply to "Re: For: Sheila"

Malcolm his whole RAF career was not on Nimrods, that was his last posting before retiring. I know they were in what was then called Aden, and the far East. Scampton and Lynham. . He actually build his own house in Newquay, so they must have been there a while. It’s so long ago and sadly they are no longer with us, for me to ask.

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