I was born in Bebside colliery village (138 Front St, 1941) Authorities moved us out circa 1952,
on the closure of the pit, to Cowpen Estate ( from midden and earth closet to two flushing
toilets.)
One of my playmates was a Jimmie Liddle/Liddell, whose father lived in the farmhouse and
farmed the surrounding fields. The farm employed one hind.
I frequently stayed at the farm, with the gang, usually in a tent, near the cow biers.
I walked along Front St (previously named Front Row, Cowpen Row, Cowpen Lane)about 4 wks ago. The house that I now know as Cowpen High House still stands but in a ruined state.
Named Cowpen HH because it stood in the area of Cowpen, one of the 5 Townships that
comprised the parish of Horton. ( Bebside was another Township
of Horton, but Bebside colliery was sited within Cowpen Township, not Bebside Township)
You mentioned Errington Street, which in the day lead into the colliery yard. Previously named
West Row.
In my day Bebside Furnace* Rd was referred to as Furnace Lonnen. The "furnace" was a small
overspill community for miners. Farmer cultivated the fields between Furnace and colliery village.
* The renowned Bedlington Iron works had works on the Bebside bank of River Blyth, building railway locos, as well as on Bedlington side, producing railway lines.
Maps on Communities Northumberland showing Cowpen High House
Armstrong's 1769
http://communities.northumberland.gov.uk/0068 Fryers 1820
http://communities.northumberland.gov.uk/0071 Greenwood's 1828
http://communities.northumberland.gov.uk/006972FS.htm Michael
PS Oops... hamfisted me can only transmit the Greenwood map !
