Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
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Did you ever go to Saltwell Park?

Posted by Norman Dunn on 25/6/2026, 9:51 am

The beautiful Saltwell Park in Gateshead was just a few miles from Hebburn and a lovely place to go for a day out.
As I've said previously Hebburn Council could have utilised the lake nearest our Park like the Ellison family did. It was their private Boating Lake in the late 1800s but only for their wealthy guests & family..

Re: Did you ever go to Saltwell Park?

Posted by George on 25/6/2026, 11:22 am, in reply to "Did you ever go to Saltwell Park?"

As with most municipal parks and open spaces, Saltwell has suffered from funding difficulties. This year the park is celebrating it's 150th anniversary and tremendous efforts have brought the park back to something like its former glory. Amidst much devastating structural changes in Gateshead, Saltwell Park stands out as the beauty in the beast. Yes Norman, I have visited this park many times in my fairly long lifetime and tomorrow I will be showing the place off to a party of 20 or so ramblers from Morpeth. There is no place quite like it.

Re: Did you ever go to Saltwell Park?

Posted by George on 27/6/2026, 11:10 am, in reply to "Re: Did you ever go to Saltwell Park?"

80 years ago, on Easter Sunday, as a nine year old boy I experienced a day to remember at Saltwell Park. Dressed in my Sunday best of brown suit (complete with waistcoat), I fell into the lake while fishing for minnows. Carrying my jam jar with my catch, I boarded the tram to take me home. A pool of water ran from me along both lengths of the bench seat. This sort of irritated the other passengers. I can clearly remember not being able to get my hands into my soaked pockets to get my penny fare. Eventually reaching home, my mother went berserk. Not with delight as her only son had escaped being drowned. No because she hadn't yet paid the first installment off the "ticket" for my fancy 3 piece suit. My catch in the jam - jar went down the toilet - and me - sent to bed

Mum's were like that sometimes.

A record turnout of Morpeth Ramblers for yesterday's Gateshead Meander. It was a fascinating day as we fortunately missed the thunderstorm. Those who had never seen Saltwell Park before were simply amazed. Here was this paradise in the middle of South Tyneside's madness. I felt proud of this town I can still call "home".

Re: Did you ever go to Saltwell Park?

Posted by Malcolm on 27/6/2026, 10:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Did you ever go to Saltwell Park?"

Loved that story, George. And yes, I guess Mams were like that, sometimes!

Re: Saltwell Park and my waistcoat .

Posted by George on 28/6/2026, 10:50 am, in reply to "Re: Did you ever go to Saltwell Park?"

As my mum wrenched my sodden clothes from me, I can clearly see my little waist coat flying across the room to land on top of the wall mounted grandmother clock. There it remained for quite some time - certainly a few weeks.
Many years later, my mum and I would still find time to laugh at this episode in my life. Mums can be fierce but nobody loves you more than her.

Re: Saltwell Park and my waistcoat .

Posted by Sheila on 28/6/2026, 2:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Saltwell Park and my waistcoat . "

Very true George, I can take any nastiness from people, but hurt my girls, it’s like a knife in my heart.

Re: Saltwell Park and my waistcoat .

Posted by Liz Dance on 28/6/2026, 3:24 pm, in reply to "Re: Saltwell Park and my waistcoat . "

Saltwell Park was always a delight to visit when a child, now when passing Saltwell Patk it is usually en route to a Cremation at Saltwell Crematorium, I hate that place, nice photo though Norman.

Re: Saltwell Park and my waistcoat .

Posted by Maria on 28/6/2026, 5:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Saltwell Park and my waistcoat . "

Son has been today to Salt well park with the little one .There was something on for the children .They like it I think he said two cafes .Nice to hear where they can take family so near home.

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