Swalwell History

Chronology

Various details of events throughout the recorded history of Swalwell with my own odd comment.

1186 The Swalwell area is first mentioned in The Boldon Book - the Northern equivalent of the Domesday Book, where its (rateable) value is listed as 16 Shillings (80p). And then we slept for 400 years.........!

1629 William Smith of Durham alienates the land of Swalwell to John Clavering, Alderman of Newcastle and his son James. (and we have remained aliens ever since).

1640 A coaching house is built on Hexham Road. Later it becomes the village post office and of late, the Angel B & B. It is the oldest remaining structure in Swalwell and was built without foundations.

1707 Sir Ambrose Crowley establishes his metal works in Swalwell.

17-- First school is opened. (with effects still to be seen!).

1715 The Great Fire of Swalwell (well not quite - the local wood yard caught fire!)

1717 Freemasons' lodge founded. (which explains why even today Swalwellers shake hands between their legs!).

1747 John Wesley first preached at Swalwell. He returned in 1757and 1759. (and still never found his wallet!).

1748 William Shield, musician and composer, born. Later appointed Master of the King's music.

1750 Presbyterian church built on Market Lane. (Ebenezer Chapel).

1758 Swalwell Hoppings which had been held on Whit Monday for several years had for this year an advertisement proclaiming sports such as; `Dancing for Ribands, Grinning for tobacco, women running for smocks, foot races for men, ass races (? I'm saying nothing!!) and a man who would eat a live cockerel, feathers entrails and all. (still done regularly after a good Saturday night session in the Highlander) What a shame the hoppings have ended!.
('Buckle-mouthed Jock' won Grinning for Tobacco and 'Slavering Nell' won the race for the smock, well, at least one year!! - see Swalwell Hoppings song on the Swalwell Music page)

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1759 On the 30th March , an unfortunate affair happened at Swalwell. A press-gang went thither in quest of men, but the inhabitants (Crowley's Crew) gave them a severe drubbing. The next night the gang returned, and another scuffle took place. One William MOFFAT, a barber, was seized, and Mr BELL, one of the chief inhabitants, received five stabs with a sword in different parts of his body in consequence of which he died. Some others, on both sides, were dangerously wounded, including the midshipman who headed the gang. MOFFAT made his escape, but a reward of £20 having been offered for his apprehension, he was arrested at Whitehaven by a man named OSBORN, alias Captain Death, so nick-named for his performance in singing a celebrated ditty relating to the captain of the Terrible privateer whose servant he had formerly been. MOFFAT was lodged in Carlisle gaol, and afterwards brought to Durham, where he was tried at the assizes in August 1759 but acquitted

1760 Clavering Bridge is constructed over the River Derwent at Selbey's Ford.

1771 Swalwell is devastated by a flood which also swept away a bridge in Newcastle.

1775 Charleton Nesbitt, wood engraver, born.

1780 Crowley's Workhouse built.

1782 Crowley's works bought by Milligan & Co. (Later closed and re-opened by Ridley & Co).

1810 Crucible steel manufacturing is introduced into Swalwell - but too late - Sheffield had already stolen the lead.

1815 Wesleyan Methodist Chapel built.

1817 The artist Turner visits Swalwell and paints a picture of the Dam Head for the Earl of Strathmore (Gibside Estate). Held by the Tate Gallery in London (Turner's sketchbook).

1822 Keelmen's strike.

1829 Death of William Shield.

1830 'Snowball's' Brickworks established by G.H.Ramsay.

1831 Swalwell is flooded again!! - (now I know why they built all the new houses above Clavering Road instead of the Waterside).

1831 During the Reform campaign the men of Swalwell turned out in support of the reformers. At a demonstration at Durham in October, Charles Attwood heard of a plan to break up a reformist meeting organized a force of three hundred men from the Swalwell district. Armed with oak saplings from Gibside**, Crowley's Crew (employees of Sir Ambrose Crowley) dealt effectively with the agitators and the meeting was held without any hindrance.
(** I believe these are now referred to as Sunderland supporters.)

1838 Death of Charlton Nesbit in London.

1839 Axwell Park Colliery opened.

1875 Swalwell Board School opened on Market Lane, next to Presbyterian Church.

1876 Crowley's steelworks are sold to Ridley & Co after 170 years presence in Swalwell.

189- Margaret Dryburgh (famous missionary and Japanese POW) resides in Swalwell and attends Swalwell school.

1893 The Holy Trinity Church opens its doors.

1898 New Presbyterian Hall of Worship built on site opposite Ebenezer Chapel Junction of Napier Road and Market Lane).

1902 Swalwell Social Club founded and is located in the White House at the foot of Whickham Bank..

1911 Metal works finally closed.

1923 Adamsez of Scotswood buy out Snowball's brickworks.

1926 Coke ovens built near Winlaton Mill.

1928 Shopping and Carnival week.

1940 Henry Pit closes down due to flooding.

195- Due to flooding in 1831, buildings around the Waterside were demolished.

1954 Axwell Park Colliery closed.

1962 Fire Station constructed in the Greenfields area of Swalwell on Market Lane.

1962 Centenary celebration of Blaydon Races held at Blaydon Rugby Club.

1969 Ramsay's Brickworks closed down.

1986 Opening of Metro Centre.

1986 Swalwell school on Market Lane closes after 111 years and moves to new premises on Coalway Lane.

1999 Swalwell reaches the Internet courtesy of Michael Gallagher.

2002 Spencer's Buildings, Foundry Lane, previously 'listed' buildings, are demolished after a fire gutted their interior.

2005 The foundations of Sir Ambrose Crowley's iron works off Front Street were excavated, photographed and measured by an archaeological team prior to being demolished to provide the foundations for a new Lidl supermarket. Well there you go, commerce taking precedence over heritage and history....!!! (Pics HERE)

2011 Swalwell Club is severely damaged by a fire.

SUPPORT A VERY WORTHY CAUSE

2003 Swalwell life reaches a new level of depravity following the decision of a GERMAN lady (a certain Ms. Frauenau) to open a SEX DUNGEON in the village. The 'dungeon' will only be charging 100 pounds per 'disciplinary' session so it is unlikely that any of Swalwell's hostelry regulars will be taking her up on her services!

2004 Despite local opposition, the SEX DUNGEON is finally opened assisted apparently by the intervention of the then Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott. And there was little old me thinking this kind of thing was only of interest to Conservative MPs.......Bad Boy.!!

2006 The Sex Dungeon closes due to lack of customers. Now why does that not surprise me?