Durham

Lovegreen and Loftus families - the ferry

I am descended from Robert Lovegreen, a shoemaker in Framwellgate.  The Lovegreen family, and subsequently the Loftus family (Martin Loftus having married Margaret Lovegreen) ran the rowing boat ferry across the river wear from Framwellgate to the Sands.  This ferry ceased around the second world war.  Is there anyone out there who remembers the families or the ferry?  I have tried without success to find a photo of the ferry - does anyone have one?

I was always told that Lovegreen Street was built by one of the family.   If anyone has any information about the street, or any old photos of it, I would love to hear your memories.

The Lovegreen family were descended from Andreas Lofgren.  They ...read more here
Contributed by cathy armstrong

Arrival in Durham

This the view one saw when arriving in Durham by train from Kings Cross, but nowadays most of the little houses between the station and the city have vanished. The heart of the city lies in a horseshoe-shaped bend in the River Wear, and on the left in the picture is the Castle, and on the right the Norman Cathedral, both of which were part of my life when I attended Durham University from 1956-1959. In those days the city was small, with 3.000 inhabitants, and we 1.500 students considerably swelled the population at term time. Nowadays there are far more students and colleges.
Contributed by Diana Dioszeghy

first memory of Durham

My first memories of Durham is being taken be my aunty Audrey and uncle Alan. They had instructions to buy my sister and I a tartan skirt from the market. I remember having a boat ride on the river Wear.
Durham is my 'Tara', the place where I need to return to to get my inner peace restored.
Contributed by katy hatton

My dad's barber shop

My dad had a barber shop near there if I remember correctly.
Contributed by Ken Howey

SILVER STREET

SOME OF MY ANCESTORS LIVED AT 9 SILVER ST JUST OVER THE BRIDGE FROM FRAMWELLGATE
JAMES ROBERT THURLOW WAS A LEATHER CUTTER AND CURRIER BUT LATER BECAME THE OWNER OF THE WEAR BREWERY AT FRAMWELLGATE WATERSIDE
Contributed by ISABELLA ADAMS

Daily walk to lectures

While I was at Durham University I attended St. Mary's College, on the opposite side of the River Wear from the City centre, and every day I had to walk across this bridge over the river, which was strictly a footbridge. The only car allowed to cross it was the ancient one owned by the Chancellor Sir James Duff. Through the central arch can be seen an old mill, which was turned into an archaeology department while I was at the University.
Contributed by Diana Dioszeghy

River Wear

This is the famous and wellbeloved view of the Cathedral with the three towers - one can climb the central tower - the Galilee Chapel and houses occupied by Cathedral officials as seen from Prebends Bridge and the bank of the River Wear, which I saw and enjoyed every day while I was at University. Beneath the Cathedral is the old mill which was later made into the archaeology department.
Contributed by Diana Dioszeghy

St Godrics

My grandfather,  John Benjamin Slack, was the organist at St Godric's Church for many many years before he died in 1924.  The house visible on the photo at the end of the road is 67 North Road - this was where  my great great grandfather Richard Lindsley and his family lived in the 1880s.  It looks just the same today!
Contributed by Alison Bacon

JAMES THURLOW

JAMES THURLOW WAS MY GT GT GT GT GRANDFATHER, BORN 1752 .HE DIED 1820 AND WAS BURIED IN THE CHURCHYARD OF ST MARY THE LESS WITH HIS FIRST WIFE MARY WHO DIED 1803, AND SARAH , HIS DAUGHTER BY HIS SECOND WIFE MARGARET
THIS CHURCHYARD WAS RESERVED FOR TRADESPEOPLE AND NOTABLES, AND JAMES WAS AN INNKEEPER, AT "THE HORNS" MILLBURNGATE, WHICH WAS DEMOLISHED BEFORE THE NEW SHOPPING CENTRE WAS BUILT
Contributed by ISABELLA ADAMS

Walk to Palace Green

While at University my daily walk led me up Dun Cow Lane, on the left of this photo. In 1956 the railings in front of the houses had all disappeared. The ancient church of St.Mary-le-Bow was built of sandstone, and as it stood on a rather draughty and exposed corner, the soft stone suffered badly from wind erosion - I can remember the big holes which eventually formed in the ashlars. Later it was closed because it became unsafe. I don't know whether it has since been restored and reopened, because I haven't been back to Durham since 1973.
Contributed by Diana Dioszeghy

Student dances and exams

In the great hall of the town hall we had the Saturday evening dances or "hops", and also took exams, so this view brings back many memories!
Contributed by Diana Dioszeghy

Student balls

While I was at University all the balls were held in this wonderful hall, and seeing it in this picture certainly brings back pleasant memories. Somewhere I still have my ball cards. Underneath it was a crypt, or undercroft, where the student societies held some of their meetings.
Contributed by Diana Dioszeghy

Court cases

As I was reading politics, I and my fellow students were advised to go and listen to court cases held in the Shire Hall. I remember doing so at least once, and it was most impressive. on the right had side of the picture can be seen the Castle keep. Students at University College had rooms in this keep.
Contributed by Diana Dioszeghy

University days

This was one of the streets I walked along when going to the lecture rooms on Palace Green. On the left is No.1, the large house belonging to St.John's Theological College, and on the right is the arched entrance to the Cathedral close.
Contributed by Diana Dioszeghy

My time at University, 1956-59

In these lecture rooms, built of stone, I attended most lectures. I don't expect the rooms are used for this purpose now, because the number of students has vastly increased since my days. On the left is the Castle keep, and in the foreground is the well-kept lawn of Palace Green.
Contributed by Diana Dioszeghy

FAMILY TREE

MY GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER LIVED AT 9 SILVER ST.HIS DAUGHTER ELIZABETH WAS BORN THERE IN 1846. 5 YEARS AGO I VISITED THE SHOP WHICH STANDS THERE NOW AND THEY TOOK ME ROUND THE PREMISES AND SHOWED ME WHERE THE FAMILY WOULD LIVE BACK THEN. THE ORIGINAL POLISHED WOOD STAIR BANISTER WAS STILL THERE, AND I RAN MY HAND OVER THE PLACE WHERE MY ANCESTORS RAN THEIR HANDS, AND IT WAS VERY MOVING FOR ME.I WAS SO GLAD THE HOUSE WAS STILL THERE.
JAMES ROBERT THURLOW WAS A LEATHER CUTTER AND CURRIER BUT LATER HE BECAME THE OWNER OF THE WEAR BREWERY FRAMWELLGATE WATERSIDE
Contributed by ISABELLA ADAMS

childhood

I lived near Durham from 1955 to 1972 when I went off to university. My mother lived in Belmont nearby until her death in 1994.
I remember well the funny little traffic control booth and Doggarts in the background. We always shopped in Doggarts and I was always fascinated by the way the money shot round the store in 'capsules' around the ceilings when you made a purchase. I went to the Grammar School up the road and in the early days queued for my bus to Belmont in the Market place.
Unfortunately I now have no reason to visit Durham - its a great place - jam packed full of history - which I dont think I appreciated as a ...read more here
Contributed by jean berry

Palace Green

This beautiful photo of the splendid Norman Cathedral was taken just before I started studying at the University, and brings back pleasant memories. In the foreground is Palace Green, a dignified lawn, and on the right can be seen the low Students' Union building and the building of the University Library, both of which I knew well..
Contributed by Diana Dioszeghy

My time at University

The market place is at the very centre of Durham City, and on the left of the picture can be seen the City Hall, where we not only had the Saturday night "hop", but also took exams. On the right is Doggatts Store where if I remember right, we had to buy our gowns, college blazers and scarves and squares ("mortarboards").
Contributed by Diana Dioszeghy