Bill Raine

We moved in to 29 Bailey Rise on the morning of Saturday 19th April 1952. During the day, three other families moved into street and two more the following day. Our surroundings were a building site, with the roads and pavements still under construction. In those early days cars were an extremely rare sight in the street. The only vehicles we saw were delivery vans from Sherburn Hill Co-op, Taylors the bakers from Shotton Colliery, coal delivery wagons from Horden Colliery, and the Dustmen Andrew Ford. Milk was delivered from Forbes at Little Thorpe and Howard’s at Horden Hall Farm.

The “square” opposite our front door was our first playground. Here we played football and cricket, using a dustbin lid supported on two bricks as the stumps, rounders, and a myriad of other games. The woods surrounding The Whitehouse, or the “Big House” as we called it, were also a favourite with us. At that time, much of the fencing was missing around the grass tennis court. The old walled garden was overgrown and the south facing greenhouse/ orangery was derelict. There was a little central fountain and fishpond in the half-moon walled rose garden and the crazy paved walkways were still in place with steps and columned entrance walls. This was our place to make camp, to climb, to find insects and play.

As we got older, we ventured further from home. The surrounding denes, “The Dead Valley” that was an old quarry and the site of Yohden Saxon settlement, Shotton Hall pond, and the newt ponds, past the Methodist church, became new playgrounds of adventure. “The Mile Pipe” that led to Castle Eden from North Blunts Dene was walked as a test. In many places, that pipe is tens of feet above the Dene floor and the stream feeding into Castle Eden Beck.

I can recall my mother sitting me on the wall as we watched the official opening of Eden Hall Infants School. Very soon after I started at that school under the watchful eye of Miss Moses. Her father was manager at the Horden Co-op Store. Mrs. Summerbell was the head mistress. My next teacher was Mrs. Rowe. Her granddaughter Jacqueline was in the class. One of my classmates was George Burrell, who was the first mace carrier for Peterlee Emeralds Jazz Band, along with his then girlfriend whom he later married. They emigrated to Canada and George became a senior stylist for the famous hair salon Vidal Sasoon. He was trained in America by Paul Raymond (“Mr Teasy Weezy”) before moving up the ladder of success. Another classmate was Raymond Minhinnet, whose mother and father were killed by a gas escape in their house. Ray was only spared due to sleeping with an open window.

After passing the 11+ I was given a place at Durham Johnson Grammar School, so everyday had to catch the bus from Robson Avenue, and later Crawford Avenue. John Hill, who got on the school bus at the same stop told me about the Boys Brigade. His parents ran it out of the Gym behind The Whitehouse. It was great, as my circle of friends expanded. Saturday mornings were band practice. This was at the old farm behind Manor Way. We called it Jacques’s Farm, after the old man who lived there. He was over six feet tall and quite gaunt, with a big flowing beard and piercing eyes. Probably due to the noise, band practice then moved to the field behind Morton Square. This expanse of cleared land used to have a farm close to where the Moorcock Pub now stands.

There was more to the Boys’ Brigade than just being in the band. I gained several certificates, including my Scripture Knowledge Certificate, the Arts & Crafts Certificate in Country Dancing, and another for baking.

My mother took these photographs of the Queen’s visit. I was in my final year at Edenhall Junior School. Both the Infants and Juniors were given Union Jack flags to wave as we lined up on both sides of the road along Eden Lane. I’d managed to weave my way through the crowd and ended up standing on the footpath in front of The Whitehouse. I was literally within touching distance of the Queen as she walked back to her car to leave. I remember I was waving my flag frantically when she looked directly at me and smiled. I still have the flag.

The Whitehouse was a hub of community life. It housed the Doctor’s surgeries, (Dr Trotter was ours), a dentist, (Neil Jones), Peterlee Branch Library, as well as serving as a community centre. The Scouts and Cubs started there in the old garage. There was the Ballroom Dancing School, the Caledonian Society, the Badminton Club. The Salvation Army, Photography Club, Model Making Club, Railway Club, Drama Group, Choir practice, a WRVS, the Mormons, and a few others, came and went. The stable block was knocked through and converted to a point 22 Rifle range. A new entrance room was built between the stable block and the garage, as well as a gym in the old garden. The annual Peterlee Festival was a “showcase” for the organisations and clubs that used The Whitehouse.

The Peterlee branch of the British Legion was formed in the Workingman’s Club (‘The Big Club’) on Surtees Road. Their ambition was to have their own building, which eventually happened in 1965-1966 when the old Eden Hall Farm at the top of Ellison’s Bank was purchased. My Father, Norman Raine, was Branch and Club chairman of the British Legion for over ten years. Douglas (Dougie) Nicholson was the Secretary and James (Tot Wroe) was the Treasurer.