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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Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago

Posted by norman Dunn on 31/8/2026, 4:00 pm

A nice colour one to try and cheer the board up.

Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago

Posted by AJG on 31/8/2026, 8:20 pm, in reply to "Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago"

I don't think I have seen that photo before - it's a nice one!

Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago

Posted by Malcolm on 31/8/2026, 10:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago"

And 1964, the year we left Hebburn!

I always wish that I had seen at least ONE launch of a ship onto the Tyne, they look so magnificent!

Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago

Posted by Jackie W on 31/8/2026, 10:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago"

It was quite an experience Malcolm. If memory serves we had the afternoon off school at Park View and Dad took my brother and me to see the launch of Esso Northumbria.
I've not spotted us on those photos Norman. Don't think I haven't tried. My Dad usually stood out as he was tall.
There were lots of people and there were big waves that washed over our side that would've been a problem for the ones standing at the edge had they not been moved back!
The cars look very interesting on this one.

Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago

Posted by Malcolm on 1/9/2026, 7:52 am, in reply to "Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago"

The point about the cars made me look again, and below the "m" in FORUM, looks to be a Bedford Dormobile, which my Dad had....could well be his, as they weren't that common!

Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago

Posted by Jackie W on 1/9/2026, 8:32 am, in reply to "Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago"

That’s lovely Malcolm!

Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago

Posted by AJG on 1/9/2026, 7:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago"

Nice!

I had forgotten all about Bedford vans. I remember Commer vans as well, now that I think about it.

Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago

Posted by Malcolm on 1/9/2026, 9:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago"

My Dads' Bedford Dormobile was amazing, to me, anyway.
It wasn't a camper van, but it had: drivers seat (obviously) front passenger seat, for two. This tipped forward, access to three more seats. The middle of the three lift & swing, access to the back, two bench seats, running front to back, and also accessible from the rear doors.

Brilliant for a family of ten, happy days on camping trips all over the country, from Aberdeen to Devon.

Oh, and the Registration Plate, was 762 GHN....

Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago

Posted by Liz Dance on 1/9/2026, 8:27 pm, in reply to "Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago"

Used to love to watch the launches from RB Harrison’s Shipyard, I always wondered if one launch might be misjudged and smash into the shipyard.

Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago

Posted by Bob Smith on 2/9/2026, 8:38 am, in reply to "Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago"

The year I started at Leslies.
I was there till 1976 and over the time I was there the car park shown flooded a couple of times leaving cars flooded. A new car park was created after the demolition of nearby streets. Can’t remember any launch where the ship hit the opposite bank but they did tow Hebburn ferry landing away for the area for the duration.

Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago - for Bob

Posted by Liz Dance on 2/9/2026, 10:28 am, in reply to "Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago"

Bob, it never happened but I always wondered if it could happen.

Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago - for Bob

Posted by Mac Hardy on 2/9/2026, 10:45 am, in reply to "Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago - for Bob"

Liz, Drag chains were fitted to the hull of the ship being launched to prevent it from hitting the opposite bank !

Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago - for Bob

Posted by Liz Dance on 2/9/2026, 11:23 am, in reply to "Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago - for Bob"

Thanks for that Mac, thing is watching these launches from the opposite side and seeing this massive hulk of a ship heading your way, it was a bit nerve racking I can assure you, especially when you are younger!!

Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago - for Liz

Posted by Bob Smith on 3/9/2026, 10:00 am, in reply to "Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago - for Bob"

Liz - the launches from Swans simply had drag chains attached to the forward end that stopped the ship before being handled by tugs. The launches from Leslie’s were different. The drag chains were fitted to one side at the aft end which slowed and turned the ships simultaneously so that they came to a stop lengthwise with the river.

Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago - for Liz

Posted by Norman on 3/9/2026, 10:31 am, in reply to "Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago - for Liz"

Ive always thought how could a massive ship weighing many many tons slide into the river?

Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago - for Bob

Posted by Liz Dance on 3/9/2026, 11:11 am, in reply to "Re: Start of week Header photo from 62 years ago - for Liz"

Bob, thank you for the information so interesting, so much to think about for the launch of a ship, such a pity the Tyne doesn’t build ships any longer.

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

Rules! No bad language or derogatory remarks or we will delete. Anyone sharing our content on Face Book must credit 'Hebburn and our Neighbours'.