A postcard view of the Beaumont’s smelt mill at Allen Mill. Mainly constructed 1835-40, by 1847 it comprised two calcining furnaces, six roasting furnaces, nine ore-hearths, two reverberatory furnaces, one reducing furnace, four refining furnaces, one slag hearth and a separating house with 18 Pattinson pots. Later the smelt mill was connected to the nearby Hexham … read more
Killhope Lead mine – building and water wheel. Work started on the Horse Level of Park Level Mine in 1853 and closed around 1910. For a few short years in the 1870s, the mine at Killhope was one of the richest in the whole of Britain. To help separate out the lead ore from waste, … read more
The ‘old’ chimney (built c.1808) pictured before its partial collapse in 1990 after being being hit by lightning.
The ‘old’ chimney (constructed c.1808) on Dryburn Moor pictured after its partial collapse in 1990 after a lightning storm.
Re-building of the ‘old’ single chimney showing Wilf Fraser on the left with two others from Allendale
Ashleigh Hotel whilst under the management of Mr Giovanni Fortini (hotel proprietor 1973-1985)
The former Allendale railway station finding a new use as a caravan park from the 1960s onwards.
‘Ashleigh’ was built as a private house by Mr Matthew Lee, who inherited wealth from family ownership in Ashington Colliery. Hence, ‘Ash-Lee’. It was turned into a hotel in the 1950s, and later a residential care home.
The Smithy in the market square whilst Henry Dixon was blacksmith. In 2020, the site of the Forge art/gift shop. Allendale Town had at least two smithies at this time; Abe Bell had his blacksmith’s shop on Leadgate. A third – under the Martins – was located at Thornley Gate. By mid-20th century, Basil Fairlamb … read more
Forster’s Temperance Hotel, Allendale – this was later to become the Dale Hotel. To its right a shop that was the site of Allendale Post Office, under William Fairlamb, prior to 1900 when it moved across the Square to the present ‘Tea Rooms’ building.
Former Primitive Methodist chapel (Bethel) at ‘Dirt Pot’, Allenheads. Since converted into a privately run outdoor centre.
New Year’s Eve group stood in front of the old Allendale fire engine, behind the Golden Lion. Left to right: Tommy Shield and Joseph Bell, both firemen, unknown, Clifford Fairlamb, Basil Fairlamb (in white), June (née Simpson) Walker, five unknown, Leslie Coulson, Beth Shield, unknown.
Dorothy Lancaster leading a ride. At that time her riding school operated out of the King’s Head stables; it moved to Pods Bank in Thornley Gate in the early 1960s. The Allendale Co-op Drapery opened in 1937 – formerly the site of the Fosters’ house ‘West View’. The garage behind was used for storing vehicles. Parked … read more
Dorothy Lancaster (later Lowery, 1925-2018) teaching pony riding. People in picture are Mrs Graham, Judith, Alistair on the pony and Elsbeth. The picture has been taken outside the Lychgate and Allendale cinema (housed in the Church hall at that time) is to the left.
