Catalogue

A social history of the area around Byers Green, Page Bank, Newfield, Todhills and Binchester villages, with personal recollections of George Underwood, J. Swinburn, John Fielden Loxley, Joseph Lascelles, Hannah Todd, Harry Wilkinson, Andrew Harle of Byers Green; Bill Lynn and Fred Curry, Page Bank; Dora Tulip, George Blenkiron, F. Mallaby, Gordon Edgar, William Willis of Newfield; c.2002 Includes: ground plan of St. Andrew's church hall and institute, Newfield, c.2002; map of Seldom Seen and Never Seen, Newfield, c.2002; map of Todhills, c.1940; sketch of the brickworks and quarry, c.2002; map of Binchester, with key, c.2002

A Brief Introduction of a Mining Village, Byers Green, by William L. and Greta Colley, n.d., 1980s Includes: monumental inscriptions; Methodist Chapel, High Street; biographies of John Swinburn, Joseph Lascelles, Harry Wilkinson, Hannah Todd; Byers Green Colliery; bus services; brickworks, National School; Old Hall; village streets; football; Workingmen's Club and Institute; pigeon racing; Royal Oak Public House; Post Office; residents; allotments; war memorial. St. Peter's Church, 1979; residents, 1980

Souvenir handbook of centenary anniversary services to be held at Byers Green Methodist Church, 20, 26 and 27 October 1985

Notes on Byers Green brass band between 1919 and 1922, compiled by J. Scarrett, 1981

Notes on Byers Green National School between 1845 and 1914, the boat house, and Bell's Farm and brickworks, n.d., 1988

Photocopy of the plan of the Auckland coal district, County Durham, the fifth in a series of plans of the Great Northern Coalfield by John Thomas William Bell, civil engineer and surveyor, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1852; copy made, 1980s No scale

Personal stereo tape player and headphones

Compilation photograph of a portrait of Thomas Wright, of the church, of the observation tower and of the gravestone, c.1987

Photograph of the front page of The Explication of a Diagram Entitled a Synopsis of the Universe, by Thomas Wright, n.d.

Photograph of the front page of An original theory or new hypothesis of the universe¿ by Thomas Wright, n.d.

Photograph of the deer house, Bishop Auckland, 1991

Photograph of St Andrew's Church, South Church, where Thomas Wright and his daughter are buried, c.1987

Copy of the Thomas Wright Memorial Plaque Fund, listing subscribers, and amounts donated, 23 October 1985

Photograph of the unveiling of Thomas Wright's memorial plaque at Hallgarth Bungalow, Byers Green, by Dr. Michael Hoskins of Cambridge University, 27 April 1987

Photograph of William Colley, local historian, and Professor R. Ellis of Durham University Physics Department, standing next to the Thomas Wright memorial plaque at Hallgarth Bungalow, Byers Green, 27 April 1987

Photograph taken at the unveiling of the Thomas Wright memorial plaque, Hallgarth Bungalow, Byers Green, 27 April 1987

Photograph of Stanley Wardle and Doris Wardle, standing by the Thomas Wright memorial plaque, Hallgarth Bungalow, Byers Green, 27 April 1987

Newspaper cutting, taken from the Northern Echo, concerning the award of an honorary doctorate on Sir Arnold Wolfendale by Durham University, 28 June 2001

Photograph of William Colley; Keith Murry of Durham County Council; David Townsend of Wear Valley Council; Dr. M Tooley of Durham University; and Mrs. Tooley; in front of Thomas Wright's observation tower, Westerton, 1 July 1991

Photograph of Professor G.D. Rochester, Durham University Physics Department; William Colley; Professor R. Ellis, Durham University Physics Department; and A. Von Bradshaw, Master of Van Mildert College, Durham; standing beside the Thomas Wright memorial plaque, 27 April 1987

Photograph of Nuthall Temple, Nottinghamshire, designed by Thomas Wright of Byers Green, n.d.

A brief introduction to the life of Thomas Wright, n.d.

Photograph of a lectern, used for the Byers Green social history exhibition, built by local historian William Colley, 22 May 1982

Photograph of Mr. and Mrs. S. Chaplin who opened the social history exhibition of Byers Green, held in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 22 May 1982

Photograph of Mrs. Irene Chaplin and her husband, Sid Chaplin, being presented with a bottle of wine by William Colley at the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 22 May 1982

Photograph of Mrs. Rebecca Hannah Colley, Mrs. Greta Colley, William Colley, and Mrs. Sadie Littlejohns at the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 22 May 1982

Photograph of Gail Armstrong, Graham Green, Shaun O'Dowd, and Robert Nunn, at the exhibition of social history held in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 22 May 1982

Photograph of C. Chapman and John Storey, at the exhibition of social history held in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 22 May 1982

Photograph of Robert Nunn, William Colley and Rev. Gordon Harper at the social history exhibition at the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 22 May 1982

Photograph of Councillor William Waters viewing the photographs at the social history exhibition at the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 22 May 1982

Photograph of people (named) looking through photographs at the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 22 May 1982

Photograph of people looking at the displays at the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 22 May 1982

Photograph of people (named) looking at the displays at the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 22 May 1982

Photograph of the welcome poster for the social history exhibition, 28 May 1983

Photograph of children (named) at the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Photograph of Mr. Colley and Mrs. Courtney Shaw, Mayoress of Spennymoor, at the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Photograph of Mr. Colley and Mrs. Courtney Shaw, Mayoress of Spennymoor, at the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Photograph of Duane Nunn of Middlestone Moor, displaying his contribution of photographs and model ships, to the social history exhibition, in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Photograph of Second World War model aeroplanes by William Colley, displayed at the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Photograph of people looking at the displays in the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Photograph of people looking at the displays in the social history exhibition, in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Photograph of people, including Mr. and Mrs. L. Watts and Mrs. Courtney Shaw, looking at the displays in the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Photograph of L. Waters, Mrs. D. Storey, Judy Storey and Robert Nunn looking at the displays in the social history exhibition, in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Photograph of Duane and Robert Nunn looking at displays in the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Photograph of Mrs G. Bulman, Mrs. Courtney Shaw, Mayoress of Spennymoor, George Bulman, and Mr. Lightly looking at the displays in the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Photograph of Mrs. Courtney Shaw, Mayoress of Spennymoor, handing a £5 voucher, a second prize won by Charlotte Waterman, to Mrs G. Waters, at the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Photograph of Mrs. Courtney Shaw, Mayoress of Spennymoor, reading the poems written by Byers Green School pupils, at the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Photograph of Andrew Tinkler, receiving a prize from the Mayoress of Spennymoor, at the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Photograph of Neil Morris receiving his prize from the Mayoress of Spennymoor at the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Photograph of Robert Nunn, Mrs. G. Colley, Mrs. Courtney Shaw and W. Colley, looking at displays in the social history exhibition, in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Photograph of two ladies, (Mrs. G. Waters on right) serving refreshments at the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Photograph of Mr. and Mrs. Colley, looking at the social history exhibition in the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 28 May 1983

Aerial photograph of Low West Thickley Farm and buildings, Shildon, n.d.

Newspaper cutting, "Bill aims to put the old and new in focus" from Hob Gossip, vol. 8. no. 4, the newspaper for employees of Thorn Industries, Spennymoor, May 1986

Newspaper cutting from the Northern Echo, entitled "Bill puts village back on map", n.d., 1980s

Newspaper cuttings from the Northern Echo, entitled "Bill puts Byers Green on record - for posterity", 25 May 1982; "Phoenix Village goes on show", 30 May 1983, and "Village could be in print", 1985

Copy of a membership list for Spennymoor Probus Club, 1992

Letters from W. Willis to William Colley, concerning the slide show on the "social history of Newfield, held at an unspecified church, September 1987 and January 1988

Newspaper cutting, "Bill puts village back on the map", from Northern Echo, May 1983; and a letter from E. Parling, secretary of Sunnybrow Women's Institiute, to W.M. Colley, concerning his talks, 16 August 1988

Newspaper cuttings from the Northern Echo, entitled 'Alternative Tourist Sites', 'Village History', 'Honoured at Last', 'Bill's work goes on the shelves', and 'Tour film plan', 25 April 1987 - 20 March 1988

Notice for Binchester Social History Slide Show, 2 December, n. y.; notice for a charity football match, 26 February 1986; notice for Byers Green social history slide show, 30 October 1985, and 5 February [19 ]; and newspaper cutting from the Northern Echo anouncing a coffee evening at Binchester, 5 February 1990; and a newspaper cutting from the Northern Echo describing a new book by Mr. Colley, 20 March 1989

Darlington Historical Society programme, 1987/1988

Notice relating to a poem competition for children aged, between 8 and 13, residing in Byers Green, 31 March 1983, notes of winners of each category subsequently added in manuscript

Letter from Margaret Pearson, Oakenshaw W.I., to W Colley, thanking him for the slide show on 30 October, 31 October 1985

Letter from Oakenshaw W.I., to W. Colley, reminding him of the meeting on 15 June and giving him directions to the village hall, Oakenshaw, 1 June 1987

Letter from Sunnybrow W.I. to Mr. Colley, concerning the meeting on 21 October and giving him directions to the community centre, Oakenshaw, 17 September 1987

Notice concerning the exhibition of the Community Project, 'A photographic record of Byers Green and district' by William Colley, 11 - 30 May 1984

Photograph of William Colley with his book on Byers Green, n.d., 1980s

Newspaper cutting from the Wear Valley Advertiser, "Death and Suffering in Lessons from Life" with photographs of Mr. Colley and school children from Spennymoor, North Road, Junior School, 29 September 1994

Newspaper cutting from The Times, concerning a talk given by Sir Percy Craddock on 3 October at the Oxford and Cambridge University Club, 4 October 1996

Newspaper cutting from the Stockton and Darlington Times, "Village Life - Now a Matter of Record", 21 December 1991

Newspaper cutting from the Northern Echo, "Astronomer's Model Home", n.d.

Newspaper cutting from the Northern Echo, "The Story of Byers Green - by Billy", 12 July 1985

Newspaper cutting from the Sunday Sun, "History Man's Labour of Love", 29 January 1984

Photograph of Mr. Colley holding an index to his slide collection displayed in boxes on the table behind him, n.d.

Photograph of the poster advertising "A Village Community" a photographic record of the Byers Green district, on display at Darlington Art Gallery, 11 - 30 May 1984

Newspaper cutting from the Northern Echo, "Bill building up history in 3D for future generations" including photograph of William Colley with his model of Todhills Brickworks, 20 October 2000

Newspaper cutting from Northern Echo, "Plate praises astronomer to the heavens", including a photograph of William Colley holding a plate detailing Thomas Wright's achievements, 26 January 2000

List of comments from members of the public, who visited an exhibition at Bishop Auckland Town Hall Library, 17 - 24 November 1994

List of comments from members of the public who visited the social history exhibition at the Parish Hall, Byers Green, 17 June 1995

List of comments from members of the public who visited the exhibition on South West Durham Allotments, "A Way of Life", at Spennymoor Library, 5 June 2000

Newspaper cutting (possibly from the Moor News), "History Fills Parish Hall", an exhibition at Byers Green, 22 May 1982

Photograph of a crucifix made by W. Colley for All Saints' Church, Eppleton, Easter 1991

Photocopy of a newspaper cutting from the Sunday Times, "In memory of a towering talent" an article on Thomas Wright with a photograph of the tower and Mr. Wardle and W. Colley, 7 July 1991

Letter from John Keavey, Editor of the Industrial Heritage Magazine, to W. Colley concerning the sale of W. Colley's recently published books on the pit villages of South West Durham, n.d.

Letter from D. Hodgson, Secretary of the Village Hall Committee, Byers Green, to W. Colley, concerning the hire of the hall on 22 May 1982 for the social history exhibition, 16 December 1981

Copy letter from W. Colley to the Village Hall Committee, concerning the hire of the hall for an exhibition, 29 October 1981

Letter from D. Hodgson, Secretary of the Village Hall Committee, to W. Colley concerning the hire of the village hall onf 22 May 1982, for an exhibition, and mentioning admission charges, 26 October 1981

Letter from W. Willis to Bill (Colley) concerning the slide show, and the successful fundraising at Newfield, 20 February 1989

Photocopy of a newspaper cutting from the Stockton and Darlington Times "Village Life - now a matter of record" with a photograph of Mr. Colley, 21 December 1991

Newspaper cutting from the Northern Echo, inviting local charities to publish W. Colley's material, 5 December 1991

Letter from P. Waters, Secretary of the Parish Hall, Byers Green, to Mr. Colley, mentioning hire charges and confirming a booking for 21 May 1983, n.d., 1983

Letter from W. Willis, property steward of the Methodist Church, Newfield, to W. Colley, thanking him for the slide show evening, 29 May 1991

Compliment slip from A.G. Wales, Bishop Auckland Town Hall, to Mr. Colley acknowledging the receipt of a video, 29 July 1994

Notice of a film show of a charity football match presented by W. Colley on 26 February 1986

Video of the unveiling of the plaque to Thomas Wright, 27 April 1987; of the alterations to Binchester Village new road, 2002; 'Local History' supplied by the British Broadcasting Corporation, 2002