New Record Office at Woodhorn

[Irene B]

I went there today and there is lots of space, lots of Microfilm readers and the staff are as helpful as ever BUT be prepared to pay £2 for parking, and walk a long way to the ugly modern building (nowhere on the map you are given will you find the words Archives or Record Office).

I do wonder which idiot planner decided to put a children's play area just outside the automatic doors to the study room.  As they move around the doors open and there is a cold draught and a lot of noise.

[SallyF]

Hi Ireneb,

I was wondering if anyone had been yet.  Sounds ok, apart from the play area. 

I must make time to travel up sometime soon.

Sally

[Trini]

Hi Ireneb,

It sounds like an absolute nightmare to get to for those of us relying on public transport

Trini.

[Irene B]

I did see a bus there, but I'm not sure where it came from.

Irene B

[Trini]

Irene B.

Apparently, one must take a bus to Ashington bus station, and then have to take a bus from there.  Not sure of the frequency, but it still sounds like a nightmare......

Trini.

ps.  Oh for some city or town-based record offices..............

[sallysmum]

Sounds steep - £2 for parking.  Is that all day and is there ample parking?  Not knowing the area, is it easy to find?

Sallysmum

[Michael Dixon]

New local bus, "A6" runs half-hourly, on the quarters, from Ashington Bus Station,(ABS),  directly into the Centre.
£1 single, £1.50 return ( Journey time about 6/7 mins)

Service starts from ABS at 7.45 am, then 8.15 then 1/2 hourly until 12.15. Then gap, then restarts at 13.45, then again 1/2 hrly until after well after closing time at 4pm.

I think the stand is the one adjacent to the Rohan Kanhia pub, on Woodhorn Road ( which is where buses from Newcastle, X31 X32 etc, offload)

I was there yesterday (Sunday) but walked ( about 30 mins each way, ) cos I did not know about this bus.

About quarter of filmreaders occupied.

Michael Dixon
Newcastle

[Irene B]

£2 is for all day, but if you are a regular visitor it gets expensive.  If you want to visit the 'free' museum be prepared to pay £6.95 to see the mine and £4.95 for the behind the scenes tour.  Beamish seems quite cheap!

There is a cafe. 

If you go up the spine road head towards Lynemouth/Woodhorn then it is signposted.  If you come from the north (Ellington) again head towards Lynemouth/Woodhorn.  Look for the brown signs.  Archives are signposted outside, it is only once you get there that you are left to your own devices

Irene B

[Pialba]

Oh! dear, all your letters regarding the new Woodhorn Records Office, is daunting. I am hoping to visit there whe I come to England in March to June next year, and was going to go to  Woodhorn when I was visiting a cousin in Ashington. Hopefully by then, the "teething problems" may have worked themselves out, and things are a bit more workable and "people friendly".
Irene B. I notice your are researching the name Ridley in Northumberland. Whereabouts in Northumberland is your Ridley. I am trying to find information on a John Ridley born about 1837 at Haltwhistle who married an Isabell/Isabella Bird. I think John was a cousin of a Charlton Ridley and may have had a sister Julie, not sure, as Charlton and Julia were the witnesses of John and Isabel at their marriage.
Twiggy