As a newly formed History Society it
was our specific objective to collect
and build up an archive collection of
photographs, maps, documentation and
any other items of historical
interest. Our members and indeed the
community responded with great
enthusiasm, we quickly amassed a huge
collection of archive material. All
photographs were re-photographed onto
35mm slide and written works onto
computer disks. Those members who were
willing, were assigned projects to
research a designated area or subject
and to deliver the results of that
research to the Society archives for
future use. We had hoped to produce
a book but thought that we may
struggle to collect enough
information, little did we know.
In 1997 we were introduced to Andrew
Clark, a young man who was the North
East Editor of publishers Chalford
(now Tempus) a Gloucestershire based
company. Andrew helped us compile and
published our first book ‘Byermoor,
Marley Hill & Sunniside’. It was a
resounding success, a complete sell
out and Tempus have only recently
carried out a re-print. Andrew Clark
eventually joined his family
publishing business, Seaham based ‘The
Peoples History’. In 1998 he agreed to
publish our second book ‘The Turnpike
Road’, followed in 2002 with our third
book ‘Burnopfield & The Turnpike Road
Revisited’. Those two books also
proved to be a huge success and along
with book one sold in their thousands
around the world. Copies are available
in the Gateshead Libraries and some
Durham Libraries.
There is the possibility of yet
another book but that will depend on
the volume and the originality of any
further material. We are always
grateful for any assistance members of
the community can give in our
continuous search for previously
unseen photographs, or indeed any form
of useful additional information
relating to our local history. All
original photographs or documentation
will be copied and returned undamaged
to the owners.
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