Finchale Priory
Finchale Priory maps (2 available)
Map of County Durham
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
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Finchale Priory books (1 available)
- 1 photos on Finchale Priory appear in 1 Frith books - View photos of Finchale Priory
- Read extracts and see photos from these books on Finchale Priory and County Durham
Finchale Priory memories
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You can also read memories of nearby places in County Durham below.
County Durham memories
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!
A memory of Durham contributed by Alison Bacon
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.
A memory of Durham 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.
A memory of Durham 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!
A memory of Durham contributed by Diana Dioszeghy
Extracts From Finchale Priory & County Durham books
The history of Finchale began in about 1115 when St Godric built himself a hermitage. In about 1150 a chapel dedicated to St John Baptist was added, and on the death of Godric in 1170 at the ripe old age of 105, the site was acquired by the Benedictines of Durham Priory. Before the end of the century Finchale had become a dependent house of about nine or ten monks. A large amount of building work was undertaken during the 13th and 14th centuries, and it appears that Finchale was used as a holiday centre by the monks of Durham. It was dissolved in 1538.
An extract from from"County Durham Photographic Memories".
Stockton was granted its market charter by Bishop Bek in 1310, but until the 1840s it consisted of little more than the High Street, a few side streets, and a quayside railhead for Stockton & Darlington Railway. On the right can be seen the parish church, which dates from 1712. Other 18th-century buildings were the Town House (1735) and the Customs House (1730).
An extract from from"County Durham Photographic Memories".
Billingham owes its development to the Great War, when a small chemical works opened nearby for the production of synthetic ammonia for use in explosives. Between the wars the population of Billingham rocketed as the works was expanded for the production of methanol, chemical fertilisers, and petrochemicals. The town centre was redeveloped from the late 1950s by Elder Lester & Partners; the Forum opened in 1967.
An extract from from"County Durham Photographic Memories".
In the 1950s Greatham consisted of little more than the High Street. In 1272 the Prior of Finchale founded a charity and a hospital here for ‘decayed priests’; the local vicar was usually appointed Master. Today the aged and needy do not necessarily have to have been clerics or their widows in order to benefit.
An extract from from"County Durham Photographic Memories".
The Green was, and still is, one of the more picturesque parts of Seaton Carew; the houses were mostly built in the early 19th century. In the corner, with the steep bargeboarded gables, stands Sylvern House, dating from 1864.
An extract from from"County Durham Photographic Memories".





