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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Walking to school

Posted by Alan Young on 21/3/2026, 5:51 pm

I have happy memories walking down Tennant Street to the Newtown School every day for many years. Passing the CO-OP , Issy Johnstons paper shop, the cobblers, the Pawn shop then danbys and then Riches stopping to longingly look at the bikes. Then I remember Flynes the cobbler, the wool shop, Alfie Gibsons the record shop, the ice cream shop, and then a general dealers on the the corner - I think it was Charles Street. Crossing over to a green grocer and then a wallpaper and decorators - was it called Welchs ? - and that was only one side of Tennant street - So much history and memories that could be told about one street in Hebburn - I think many 'Posters' on the board could tell many more.

Re: Walking to school

Posted by Stan Wears on 21/3/2026, 6:17 pm, in reply to "Walking to school"

Lets go! The pawn shop was owned by a miss Davison a big lady with light brown hair. Alf Gibson played guitar, sold records, tv's and sometimes guitars and amps. He was assisted by Mary his wife and Alma his daughter. Fords wet fish shop near the co-op was a sight with goldfish in green stagnant water. He ended up in the co-op. Bone's barbers was opposite. Flynn the cobbler was Tommy and he was a great pianist too. Gordon Byers had a fruit and veg shop and he was a brilliant gymnast.
In the co-op fruit shop was a ginger lady called Mrs. Morrison. Little Martin looked after the grocers and across the road was shoe lady Peggy complete with cigarette holder,blonde hair and red high heels! A real"tick shop"!

Re: Walking to school Alf Gibson's

Posted by Mac Cummings on 22/3/2026, 10:17 am, in reply to "Re: Walking to school"

Yes Alf sold records. Remember the club where you paid 2/6 a week in installments to get the latest record.
He did allsorts....including making or having made the band fronts for my Dad's Orchestra in the 50s like these pictured.
He had a shop in Jarrow. Corner of York St/BB Road and then later next to Abel's on Albert Road.
Dexy will remember it!
Do I recollect that he also opened a shop in South Shields opposite the Town Hall where he did TV's and similar?

dedupe music playlist text list

Re: Walking to school Alf Gibson's

Posted by Stan Wears on 22/3/2026, 11:05 am, in reply to "Re: Walking to school Alf Gibson's"

Thanks Mac. Now theres something I didn't know ! What was your dad's band called ?

Re: Walking to school Alf Gibson's

Posted by Norman Dunn on 22/3/2026, 11:46 am, in reply to "Re: Walking to school Alf Gibson's"

Here is Mac's dad's Band Stan.

For Norman and Stan et al

Posted by Mac C on 23/3/2026, 11:05 am, in reply to "Re: Walking to school Alf Gibson's"

Thanks for posting that picture from my library Norman.
The Harold Cummings Band operated in various forms from trio upwards. The image is of it as a sextet.
But for bigger posher events it became an orchestra. They were regulars at the Old Assembly Rooms (and similar) for events like the Masonic Annual Dinner Dances.
It was sometimes also known as The Harry Vasey Band.
For Hebburn during Wartime and the 40's Friday night was always the Hebburn Ambulance Hall.
It was rare for him to have a night off such was the popularity of dancing in those days!!

Re: For Norman and Stan et al

Posted by Norman on 23/3/2026, 11:41 am, in reply to "For Norman and Stan et al"

Thanks for the piece of history about your dad's band Mac. As you say Dancing was very popular in those days and on into the 60s.

Re: Walking to school

Posted by Mac Hardy on 22/3/2026, 12:00 pm, in reply to "Walking to school"

Did you live in Tennant Street Alan, we used to live at 102, a lovely big house.

Re: Walking to school

Posted by Alan Young on 22/3/2026, 1:32 pm, in reply to "Re: Walking to school"

No Mac- we lived in Kent Avenue. I remember Jamisons shop at the top and the Rodgers live in the house attached, then a small field and then the New Town club. I also remember the Riches and the Frasers living at that top end.

Re: Walking to school

Posted by Stan Wears on 22/3/2026, 3:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Walking to school"

Brilliant photo!

Re: Walking to school

Posted by Stan Wears on 24/3/2026, 10:48 am, in reply to "Re: Walking to school"

Mac, your father would have known Alf Gibson, John Lamb, Dicky Daiken and Jackson Rowan. I heard a story about Dicky Daiken who tried to get on a double decker bus with his double bass! The conductor refused to let him on and it caused a riot!

Re: Walking to school

Posted by Elizabeth on 31/3/2026, 6:54 pm, in reply to "Re: Walking to school"

I remember my Dad, Bob Goodall knew Alf Gibson. dad was a guitarist. After he was demobbed , he worked at Reyroles and by 1947 we all moved to York. I never forget my early Hebburn years, hard though they were, it served me well for my adult life I always say" you can take the girl out of Hebburn, but you can't take Hebburn out of the girl!!

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