Felling, Gateshead: Tyneside’s Most Rundown Area?!

[@keithvaladdison8104]

I am 77 years old and now live on Vancouver Island but I grew up on Ellen Wilkinson Estate, Wardley. I went to school in Felling and my mam did all her grocery shopping on Felling High Street when I was young. It is heartbreaking to see the state of it now. Felling park was always immaculate my dad used the bowling green and the flowers were always beautiful. Once they started opening bigger stores on Split Crow Road the smaller shops on the high street disappeared which is such a shame.

[@TynesideLife]

Thank you for sharing Keith

[@peanutismint]

Hi Keith; I grew up up the hill in Windy Nook but now live just a ferry ride from you in Tacoma!

[@potta061]

@@peanutismintwindy nook here 🙋

[@sarahscraftyallsorts6482]

Wow I lived over that area 30 years ago when I was a silly girl and got married to a Gateshead lad at 19 lol that felling bank was a killer especially pushing a pram up from the metro as it was before you could get prams on a bus. Felling square used to be a thriving little place . Had a few nights in the Portland jubilee and blue bell. The shoplifting is just as bad in byker . I used to shop in the quick save . I took my son to a toddler group in the bottom of the high rise flats in the felling community centre. Am guessing Shaun starks been a naughty boy lol It’s very nostalgic seeing it all again there are a lot of nice folk that live there.

[@gregcoffell]

From the bottom end of the Felling and just wanna say cheers for coming along and shining a light on the area

[@dtfootball14]

As someone not from tyneside but who spends a lot of time there for footy among other reasons I am particularly enjoying these Gateshead/south Tyneside videos. I’ve either been to or passed through all the working class areas in Newcastle and North Tyneside that we all know about and get more attention (Byker, West End of Newcastle, Wallsend etc) and found them decent and misunderstood but I always pass through Felling, Jarrow, Pelaw, Heworth etc on the metro and they’ve always felt like anonymous metro stops to me as I’ve never been. Enjoyed seeing their stories

[@natvgerkin]

That was a real sad watch for me, been out of The Felling for almost 40 years. It used to be bustling up the high street and I loved growing up there, good community spirit and loads of green spaces for us kids to enjoy. Very sad to see this decline.

[@richardclair6718]

Felling park used to be the pride of Gateshead with amazing flower displays sad to see it now

[@LGlifeisgood]

I lived in that area around 30 year ago for over a year as a young man and apart from the boarded up flats it hasn’t changed much, even back then they had windows boarded up, the are had a drug and car theft problem, it was a crazy area with a lot of old people locked in their homes on a night time , it was a strange place that the local police and council abandoned, police would use stinger cars to catch car thieves, but didn’t do anything about the rampant drug problem, so for me I’m not surprised it looks like that and I expected it to look worse but lots of it hasn’t changed, lots of nice people who couldn’t move or sell their homes , great video brung back some old memories, hard time in my life ,

[@Flukey_1970]

Yes heart breaking story. I lived in a small village near Blyth called New Hartley for 17 years. They also suffered a pit disaster in January 1862 and resulted in the deaths of 204 men and children. Love these history videos keep em coming mate

[@mikethemusicman1978]

I'm from Felling Freddy, it is really bad. Crowhall Towers are coming down, when I don't know but it was supposed to come down in 2020 but that never came to fruition, I only noticed the bricks in Sir Godfrey Thompson Court about a week ago. I went to Thomas Hepburn Community School. I now work at Radio Tyneside serving the hospitals of Felling, Gateshead and Newcastle, they looked after me immensely and I'm so grateful to our NHS. I'll give you a mention on Radio Tyneside my friend, you have a new subscriber.

[@TynesideLife]

Thanks for sharing Mike and glad you enjoyed the video 👍🏻 it’s Eddy, not Freddy though 😅

[@mikethemusicman1978]

@@TynesideLife Sorry Eddy. I'm such a clown lol

[@michaelhall1818]

Great Video Eddie, i grew up in Pelaw in the 1960s and 70s and for me it was the best time of my life keep the great work up Eddie.

[@gemstarz2011]

Thanks for highlighting Felling park which is maintained by a hardworking group of volunteers, we're hosting an event at the end of the month to celebrate being awarded green flag status. There's also a lovely volunteer run community library halfway up the highstreet, just opposite the dance studio you mentioned 💚

[@TynesideLife]

Great work 🫡

[@peteylang3401]

Heartbreaking to see Felling like this now. Born and raised in the area. My Uncle actually lived in the flats with metal shutters early in the video. Used to be a cracking pub crawl through the Fell but most of them are closed now. The entire area needs massive investment. Whilst the Asda arriving did add convenience, it forced the majority of the surrounding shops to close.

[@iainkane2815]

Are you surprised? The leader of Gateshead council gets paid more than the prime minister. We are in the top 10 of the most expensive councils. The bureaucrats in charge are only looking after themselves and their mates and not us ‘the people’!!

[@ThomasHawes-q7f]

Another great video Eddie about felling it seems all run down didn't know they had a pit brilliant story 😊😊😊

[@TynesideLife]

👊🏻👍🏻

[@linkmort]

Thanks for this Eddy. I lived on Leam Lane at the time was addressed felling Co Durham. My sisters were in the Felling Hussars jazz band in the early 70s until the family moved to Washington. In 76 . I went to see a play about the Felling Pit disaster when I was 14 (1970) at Leam lane library. I was an army cadet when I was 13 (just a few months before I decided it wasn’t for me after army camp in Newark) which met on a Wednesday evening. It was whilst waiting for the bus home at 9pm outside station on Sunderland Road that we found out that Newcastle had won the fairs cup after 3-2 in Hungary ! Still waiting to win something ! 😢

[@insolentnik495]

The felling isn’t to bad. Could be worse places to live

[@bG-lp3yw]

Thanks for the video of Felling. I lived there from 1954 to 1980, it was sad to see the state of the place. I remember the way it was, the pubs by their original names, the Mallard for example was the Speed the Plough. Asda car park where Booth Street and Havelock Street stood. The High Street was a thriving street.

[@foodcyclemeals]

Thanks so much for sharing the amazing work our volunteers are doing Eddy

[@TynesideLife]

My pleasure. Thank you for letting me film

[@ponemark]

I lived in felling about 5 years, was ok back then but deteriating as drugs took hold. You missed the Victoria gym where Glen mccrory once trained and home to a wicked kickboxing and Juijitsu club. Also the fox a friendly pub I used to visit. Didnt think the duke of cumburland would ever close. They had a great buskers night with very talented players and karioke. Enjoyed the video and learned about the pit disaster, didnt know there was ever a mine there.

[@theguy2153]

I'm from Heworth. Lived here all my life. Never any trouble round here. Chris Waddle is from Felling or near - my dad used to play football with him when they were kids - I think he went to Bill Quay school. Know Felling very well, and had/have family living there now. Don't blame you or anything bc it would be pretty boring but you've not shown many semi detached housing estates in Felling just the rundown flats near shops. Felling is not rough to me although, I don't go there a night simply because I have no need. But my dad does drink there sometimes and has no issues. I walk around Heworth, Pelaw, Leam Lane at night and it's quiet as and it's right on door step to Felling. Yet If I went to Whickham or some place I'm not familiar with I'd be wary simply because I don't know the place.

[@BruceRenwick]

Chris Waddle lived in Pelaw, played in the same football team at Bill Quay Junior School. He was two years younger than the rest of us, and still the best player. His younger brother Joe was out goalkeeper

[@SWW_963]

Chris Waddle lived in a house at the start of Keir Hardie Avenue on the Ellen Wilkinson Estate in Wardley, right next to Pelaw Metro station...I was born just a little way along the street at my grandmother's house!

[@peanutismint]

Thanks for sharing Ed! My dad used to take us down Blockbuster video every Friday to rent a film or a game. When there were gigs on at Gateshead Stadium we used to go hang out around the back of Crowhall Towers; the sound would echo off the blocks just right and you could hear Rod Stewart perfectly 😂

[@grahamritchie7755]

Great video Eddy and hands off to the community workers who provide such an important service

[@micknufc5011]

Another great video eddy i was the one in the car that said hello to you yeah eddy felling used to be a nice place its changed now compaired what it was like there was loads of pubs if you went further down from the metro there was about 6 pubs down there but theres only 2 left open down that end now 👍

[@stephenjohnson5954]

Great video Eddie and great work from the lady at the food bank. There is also great work being done at Edberts house on St Edmonds’s drive on the high lanes. Working with the community to bring people together to improve the area.

[@iansterling6241]

Hi from Canada. Grew up in Felling in the 50s/60s. Lived about 100 yards from that graffitied wall. The pub at the bottom of the High Street was the Beeswing. As a teen I was in the Washington Glebe Colliery Band who practiced there on Sunday mornings. The bingo hall was the Palais cinema and the second cinema the Corona was opposite the old post office. Enjoying your channel a lot.

[@potta061]

Felling is still the best place on planet earth. Il never leave.

[@pauluss1053]

Hilton Valentine from The Animals was from Felling & also The Animals bassist Chas Chandler who went on to be manager for Jimi Hendrix & Slade

[@LynneLucas-k2y]

Hi Eddie, Thanks for all your interesting tour's around the North East. I now live in Perth, Western Australia, I've lived over here since 1982, so your little walks around the North East have become very special for us over here. I lived in the Felling area ( Leam Lane) around the 60s and 70s and like a few other folk on your site, I remember a few trips down the Felling High Street in it's heyday which was always a buzzing friendly area. Mam used to take me into a small café towards the bottom of the high street (can't remember the name) we used to sit in there having pie and peas, doesn't sound much now but those little treats with me Mam still stick in my mind. Shame to to see the place in the state it is in today. Hopefully for the locals things improve in the near future as I am sure there are still some wonderful people living in that area. Thanks again for the memories.

[@TynesideLife]

Thanks for sharing Lynne

[@amystewart311]

Was it called Dragones? I used to go there with my Grandad.

[@PhilPha]

Very informative as usual, appreciate all the time it takes to make them Eddy.

[@julieseee]

Absolute tragedy that children lost their lives, so sad that situations were so desperate that those children were in the mines in the first place, how tragic is that x

[@andymac900]

Great content, I love these vids but I wish i hadn't discovered them until you had a few more to watch as it seems like I have to wait forever till the next one

[@BABYCHAOS26]

ASDA has invested quite a bit in security to combat shop lifters, it’s even closed one of its exits so there’s now only one way in / out.

[@Gateshead-ghost-group2023]

I live in felling and it's sad to see it going down hill, but the people are lovely.

[@pauljukes2156]

Great video, I lived on Sunderland road, my wife lived just off split crow road, we moved to Fife 41 years ago but still go back to visit family, visited most of the now closed pubs In my time living there. I remember the high street as a thriving place, perhaps I;m looking back with rose coloured glasses. The pub now restaurant on Sunderland was called the Pear Tree. Re-Felling park the hard play area used to be a tennis court, played there most weekends. Thanks again brought back memories. Drive on people of Felling. Paul

[@da7336]

Great content as always, any chance of a Killingworth video and the history?

[@oldloafandyoung]

I used to know Felling very well. Was brought up in Redmayne Ct. It's really sad to see how run down the place is. Heartbreaking really. Many happy years spent in and around all the places you visited.

[@adamwatson450]

A close relative of mine runs Happy feet dance. She had to move up to Whitehills because of the kwiksave next door. Due to its really poor condition and that they’re both connected, she’d often go into work and the place was flooding and leaks were everywhere. Mould began appearing on the walls. She tried informing the council and the owner of the kwik save but they didn’t care. The felling high street is never open either from my experience, it’s a shame because years ago it used to be full of life and the place to be.

[@davidoneill9244]

Felling is the home of the once famous Felling Male Voice Choir. In the 1950s they won the most prestigious one off trophy & were crowned the British Champion Choir covering all choirs from male voice, female voice & mixed voice. The trophy was the Festival of Britain trophy & is currently in the hands of Tyne & Wear Council. It was presented to Mt Mearis by the then Princess Elizabeth. At that time the choir was conducted by the legendary Mr Tom Mearis & numbered about 100 singers. Over the years the choir went on to win innumerable trophies in the UK the most frequently won was the North of England Trophy at Blackpool Music Festival - now I believe defunct. The choir entered Llangollen International Eisteddfodd on many occasions with the best result Second. Over the years the choir toured extensively both in the UK & overseas with the most extensive being in Europe visiting The Netherlands (Assen), East Germany (Leipzig), West Germany (Laubuseschbach nr Frankfurt) & Rouen in France - Gateshead's twin city. In earlier years the choir had competed at Cork International Festival (1st place) as well as numerous visits to other choirs throughout the UK & including Wales. Sadly the choir is now a mere shadow of its former self & no longer in the premier male voice choir league.

[@margaretmaxted1133]

Pub Green Mandolin started as The Turf further along building now apartments was The Beeswing pub opposite also now apartments was Duke of Connaught pub Sir Godfrey Thomson assistant lecturer at Armstrong College. It was here he gained an interest in Educational Psychology and was brought up in Felling but born Carlisle - the flats are due for demolition as is Crowhall Towers. The Greyhound closed because its due for demolition which is why the Community Centre moved to present position which was the Old Welfare Hall original Greyhound Pub was halfway down the High Street. The job centre is now Lillyput Lane play centre (opposite end of where you thought) and opposite the library was The Half Way house pub now living accommodation.

[@craigcampbell3520]

Excellent as usual Eddie. As a Bensham lad, I spent a lot of time as a youngster in the 80's with my grandparents who lived in the row of Tyneside flats at the bottom of Split Crow Road, just down from where you were in Felling. I understand that they were saved from demolition to make way for new housing in the late 80's/early 90's due to the fact that they were among some of the first examples of Tyneside flats that were built in Gateshead - I'm happy to be corrected on this. I still have family in the area and I had a nostalgic walk around Deckham and Carr Hill a few months ago. It was unbelievable to see the general decline and as you mentioned in the video, tough on the countless decent people who still live there. I honestly can't see how these parts of Gateshead can ever be turned around, despite the incredible efforts of the volunteers like those in the video and those of yourself to raise awareness of the rich heritage of places like Felling that many people simply no longer care about. Drug and alcohol dependency and its related disorder is unfortunately the common denominator.

[@TynesideLife]

Thanks for sharing Craig 👍🏻

[@gordy3714]

Furthest part you went to along Sunderland Road was the Peartree, I think the big building on the corner was The Duke of Connaught, across the road from that was The Fellingate Club then Zoots nightclub. Across the road and along from the old police station was The Royal Turf, the one further along was The Beeswing. During the 70s and 80s it was a brilliant place to live. 👍

[@TynesideLife]

I bet! Cheers for that 👍🏻

[@LGlifeisgood]

Zoots become a old people’s home on sunderland rd

[@DebbieH5731]

OMG how sad to see the state its in. I moved back to the North East a couple of years ago after 30 years living in the Midlands. Ive been shocked at the decline of so many areas. I live near Sunderland now and to see the city itself now is truly heartbreaking. There's some regeneration happening along the river etc but the city centre is in an awful state. I dont know what the solution is but I hope things start to improve for the whole of the North East soon. Thanks for your videos, Eddy. I always enjoy them.

[@davidkeall2231]

1977 I was born in the QE hospital and my parents lived in the first flat above the Grey hound pub until the damp from the pub cellar rotted the floor and the TV fell through the floor and into the cellar. My parents then moved to Pensher street which was on the Nest estate alongside the old fold estate. My mother and father used to help run the Frairs goose watersports club on the river Tyne at the bottom of Green Lane. I went to Brandling primary school and then onto Heworth Grange comprehensive school. Ended up moving away from the area at the beginning of 1996 when I was 17 years old after my mother was murdered and have never been back, with no intention of ever going back

[@TynesideLife]

😵

[@SWW_963]

That was such a tragic end to your life there...The Old Fold Estate had a terrible reputation, so sorry for your loss.

[@NorthallertonMackem]

Hi Eddie, that was a very interesting talk. Pit disasters were way too frequent back then all over the North East. I heard you say you lived at Wardley. I lived at The Mews next to the garage after that little estate of 11 houses was built around 1987 - was there for 10 years. My local was The Black Bull but it's not there now. The ex Sunderland midfielder Mick Horswill used to run it for a while. Shame about Felling being so neglected. I think successive governments have focussed on levelling, rather than levelling up the North East. Hope there is some regeneration soon. It was done on the Quayside after the 80's, so why not Felling?

[@lalisismo]

Interesting video, thanks! My wife and I were welcomed in a home there for a week two years ago. We had never experienced such a warm and friendly welcome. So for whtat it's worth, for us, Felling is one of the best places we have ever stayed!

[@urbananarchy666]

any chance of a Beacon Lough east or wrekenton video and the history?

[@scotsdg2]

Sad times for the Felling, even in my younger days was a cracking place. The Duke of Northumberland was a great pub, Fri nite some live rock band would be in there great atmosphere, Felling had loads of bars, home on Leave stay local and could go out , no dramas and always have good crack on with everyone so welcoming...unfortunately now most bars have gone

[@davidmoore7665]

the old bat cave lol, watch a band and have a spliff

[@alanwalker3586]

Eddie whether you like it or not your videos not only capture current NE as it is right now, but important history and facts that most people were not aware of! these cameos remind me of that Finish Photographer who in pictures recorded Byker in its heyday(another of Eddie Videos 🙂) keep it up former Fenham resident now Mancunian

[@TynesideLife]

Cheers Alan 👊🏻👍🏻

[@1958Garry]

Another fascinating video Eddy. I'm very familiar with Felling. Went to Highfield Comprehensive School in the early 70's which was in Felling. In fact it was just up the road from the Community Centre (which used to be called the Welfare Club in the early 70's...and home to regular 'disco's' at the time...Skinhead hotspot!) But...a sorry state of affairs once again. Like Gateshead centre it's been left to rot basically. I remember it being quite nice back in the day. Felling bank was thriving...lots of shops and no real signs of the decay that has set in now. I remember Woolworths where the Nail and Beauty place is now. And that buliding was indeed a cinema way back. I don't reside in the North East anymore but was in Felling just the other day visiting my family in Wardley. Quite dispiriting nowadays, but some of it's old charm still comes through in places. The mining history you mentioned is fascinating too. I was brought up near Wardley Colliery (long gone) and went to the junior school next to it (also long gone). Incidentally, Chris Waddle was from Pelaw (not sure if he was actually born there) and later moved with his family to Keir Hardie Avenue in Wardley sometime in the 70's. I was good friends with his older brother Joe at the time. Thanks for the video on the place Eddy. Great work!

[@TynesideLife]

Thanks for sharing Garry

[@AndrewSmith-fj8jj]

Sadjis used to be the pair tree pub. My mother for 30 years used to live opposite those flats sir godfrey Thomson court you were actually stood (outside her house on the corner) untill 2 weeks ago when she died. Its not a bad place tbh in comparison

[@TynesideLife]

Sorry to hear that Andrew

[@jbr2704]

Lived here for a few years but all my family are from here. Theres a interesting grave at the graveyard where a family lost their life in a housefire and the gravestone is of the children in the bed

[@jbr2704]

Ps the old fold is still rough 😅

[@stevepearce1913]

You think that Felling Park is well maintained? As a retired groumdsman who also worked for Gateshead council I think that its shockingly neglected and could do with being strimmed and the grass cutiing. But due to cuts in the council's budget there sadly isn't the money available to look after our parks.

[@TynesideLife]

Looked great to me 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jeffreygraham1273]

Think it's looked over by a volunteers group who also put planters in the square !

[@TynesideLife]

@@jeffreygraham1273 yes I’ve received a message by one of the volunteers who look after the park 👍🏻

[@missflintstone74]

The pub was called The Pear Tree the one on Sunderland road

[@cultfiction3865]

I don't live too far from Felling but don't know the area much. Nice to see it though on here. It's good to learn a little of the history behind some of these places. Quite a few mining disasters back in the day. That's how it bred happy go lucky men. They knew every day might be their last so they found happiness in each moment

[@melonycrumpet]

My husband’s great grandad was a WW1 soldier, he fought at The Battle of the Somme and was awarded a military medal. He never spoke about the war apart from saying …it got me out of the pit for 4 years!

[@cultfiction3865]

@@melonycrumpet 😆😆 It's crazy to think he felt that way but it highlights what a dark dingy place the pits must have been back then. I once went down a pit and saw the tight small spaces some had to chip away in, and it made me shudder

[@MrJinkyjim1]

Eddie, I lived in the white houses next to the Peartree pub from 1953 until I joined the navy in 1966, my mam and dad used to drink in the snug at the peartree and the pub on the corner of Felling high street with the dome on top was the beeswing, where Felling Male Voice choir used to practice

[@TynesideLife]

☝️👍🏻

[@michaelryan6947]

Many thanks for the tour! Most of those pubs were great, Me Fatha used to drink in the Bay Horse, The Duke, Peartree...walking the dog up the "Bankie's", heartbreaking but thanks for letting me remember how it was.

[@amystewart311]

I used to walk up the 'Bankies' when I lived at the Old Fold and my friend lived at Deckham!!

[@libelle8124]

16:26 N. Bamling. That used to be Blockbuster Entertainment and I'm sure Bambling was across the street back then. There was a row of small shops, a Coop and a bank, before it all got knocked down for ASDA.

[@andyallom4357]

Chris Waddle went to Wardley Junior School, just up from Pelaw Station. A visit up to Felling High Street with me mam every now and again, was about it. I did visit the Job Centre and signed on at the Dole Office for a while back in the 80s

[@rookie_]

Are you sure as his book says Bill Quay then Heworth. I know the dinner lady was his mother, she would often comment when seeing us kicking a football around in the playground.

[@shineyrow9001]

Fascinating video. I used to live at Springwell Village and Felling/Heworth was part of my running route. Later I moved, and got a job teaching at Thomas Hepburn Community School in Felling. Some of the family names of those killed in the Felling Pit disaster still lived nearby and attended the school.

[@adam4030]

Can you go Wrekenton ? Love to know more about the railway lines all the way to Tanfield. Great video

[@davidhenley7985]

Great video, the Duke of Cumberland was my local hippy/Bikers bar.Happy date. The Haymarket pub in Newcastle.The Mayfair

[@keiththompson84]

Used to live at sir Godfrey Thomson court we got told they were all getting knocked down so everyone moved. The 2nd pub on Sunderland road was called the beeswing

[@colinryles7997]

Another great video, well done Eddie.

[@nzessmam]

That building opposite the former police station was the Felling council offices prior to the formation of Tyne and Wear.

[@Septicflow]

The council lad you spoke to was Billy Hardy, ex boxer. Lovely lad

[@muzzboy]

Eddie you missed the memorial for the pit disaster, it's just behind the blue circle, in the church grounds, has all the names and ages on. heart breaking.

[@muzzboy]

And I think Waddler went to the wee school on bill quay bridge, and then worked in the Pelaw sausage factory. been a few years since I was over that way though. great video though, love these walk-a-bouts

[@TynesideLife]

Bugger 😫

[@gazzy9136]

I have grand parents who have lived in the Felling their entire lives. Over the years of visiting them and thankfully still having them around now at 26, the area is massively run down in comparison. There used to be a pub right across their house years ago and it used to be crazy on the weekend sometimes when I slept around. Always police sirens passing by or going to the pub, people yelling... That pub been shut down for awhile now though and replaced with a corner shop, which I've noticed younger generations hanging around on bikes in masks and selling drugs Edit: they have also had their house broken into twice and that’s over quite recently years.

[@LeeStewart]

I lived in Wardley from the early 1990's to 2000 near the Heworth Golf Club. 6:51 There's a hall on Sunderland Road located near Felling Metro which now is owned by Age UK and used to be a youth club which I attended from 1999 to 2001. 7:24 That used to be a pub which was renovated in 2001. I actually had a kids party in that building. There used to be a Quick Save store where the ASDA store currently resides. I'd pass it all the time as in the late 80's, I lived in Leam Lane.

[@garysolly7038]

THE Felling as we call it Eddy is a shadow of it's former self no shops anymore on the high street loads of pubs and clubs closed (30 in 80s/90s) The building opposite the police station was our town hall when we had our own council before being annexed into GMBC also at Heworth Thomas Hepburn was buried there a local pitmen and union man they named comprehensive school after him which is just behind the welfare you visited the school is now closed as well .. Felling park is now ran by volunteers as Gateshead council can't afford to maintain it anymore.. Just down from the metro was flats and houses which they pulled down in 2010 still not built on its just wasteland now a whole community gone ...

[@ferrettable]

by far the best video of felling heworth fantastc thanks

[@paulgair7701]

Another great video yet again as per✊🏻

[@515ray]

all my family from the felling nothing but grat memories of the high street when I was a kid ,bustling and friendly , still drink in some of the bars now ! Another LABOUR GATESHEAD COUNCIL success story ..shame on them

[@michaellittle3892]

Quality eddie, grew up there in the 90s moved away in 2003 whe a joint the military 👌

[@TheBigT79]

Great video, Eddie. You missed a pearler when you missed the gym that Viv Graham trained at. Just onto Coldwell Lane on the left, just off the main high street. Videos of Viv in there from back in the day. Also, the Felling Snooker Club was frequented by Kevin Keegan & Terry Mac on Friday nights before home games in the early 80's. Keep up the good work, pal. 👍

[@philipcurry5618]

Atlantis.. probably the longest running gym in the northeast.. we still have the smith machine you can see viv training on in a video with Andy Web etc.

[@da90sReAlvloc]

​@@philipcurry5618 Viv Graham the gangster

[@davidrichardson6872]

Hi eddy. The mallard pub is well and truly still going. My ex girlfriend now friend. Works there to this day. Long story. But as a dunston guy. My parents moved To windy nook and I spent my youth in felling, before going back to my roots in dunston. Great memory recap. Cheers.

[@shaunmccarthy4472]

Opposite the mallard was the bee's wing pub,i used to meet my grandad there when he finished work,i would play pool,he would sit listening to his tape recorder with a half and half,and we would have a pickled egg each from the bar

[@Micky-Burns]

I grew up on these very streets and its not always been the shithole it is now

[@LeanneCrawford-m9j]

I lived just near to Felling metro , I went to brandling primary school till I was 10 years old, I loved living there. I lived just next to the metro station called The Avenue. I absolutely loved it , there used to be weddings n they used to drive up our street on the horses n throw money out the carriage. The pub opposite the mallard was called the beehive. And it was a lush place. I used to go up to the pork shop with my mam and brother n get a hotdogs sarnie dipped ! Lol iykyk. I lived there 11 years. Then moved to low fell. Worst thing we as a family ever did. Then in 2018 I had to move from deckham to Felling just the small flats behind the crowhall towers n community centre. And now I have to move again as my flats (harlequin Lodge) which has 4 sets of 5 story flats are being demolished. I'm actually upset as I know Felling like the back of my hand. And us fellingers are so down to earth and friendly. Every place has some awful ppl but believe me I'm 42 n we are great friendly ppl. It looks really bad as the gateshead council are demolishing all of Felling. But this has been going on for at least 10 years. They still haven't pulled crowhall towers down. So that is empty. So I font know why they don't put the homeless ppl in there. As nowt is happening yet.... anyways I'm a proud Felling lass. And it did used to be buzzing with a lot of good ppl in the past, and it's still a friendly place. And there are some lovely areas but you have just shown the bad places really like. Just tbh jlyou never shown the churches, Brandling school etc. Anyways thanks for showing my birth place. Alot of fantastic memories 😢❤❤❤❤ #felling4ever #fellinglass

[@TynesideLife]

Hi Leanne, thanks for sharing your great memories. In defence, I fid show Brandling School and I also showed the amazing volunteer meal facility at the end. Glad you enjoyed the video 😊

[@MichaelTate-m8u]

Interesting video Eddy. I don't know how but I never knew there was a Felling Park, I may visit there soon with my grandkids. It's such a shame that there are so many pubs and clubs closed down now in these types of areas and I hasten a guess that it all began around the smoking ban when smokers decided to have their favourite ale at home instead. Any Idea how many public houses have closed in Tyneside in the last 15yrs? I bet it's in the hundreds. Great video, thanks.

[@BrianWilliamson-x8p]

Felling park was beautiful when i was a kid growing up in the 70s. Its flower displays were always amazing and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was award winning. It was looked after by a park keeper, it had a free tennis court , a bowling green a bandstand and a play park with swings and the like for kids. It was well looked after I spent a lot of time there as a kid and used to take my son there when he was a kid. I was born in ‘ The Felling ‘ in the 60s and it was a buzzing proud community. It’s very sad to see it in this way. The pub opposite the Mallard was called the bees wing by the way, the green building was the Duke of Connaught and the restaurant just along from there was a pub called the pear tree.

[@MichaelTate-m8u]

@@BrianWilliamson-x8p Very interesting, thanks.

[@Jamie_A_Newcastle_Tenerife]

Great content as always Eddie! Well done. Would love to see a walk about video on Gosforth, Kenton, Fawdon ect. My home town and stomping ground when I lived in the Northeast 22 years ago.

[@Rick52527]

My sister used to live there had many a pub crawl there the portland bay horse and the greyhound was the best 3 its a shame to see how run down it became and greyhound now being shut they used to have bands on 😩

[@nzessmam]

In 2017 as part of felling master plan Gateshead Council produced a regeneration programme to include the demolition of St Oswald's Court, Crowhall Towers and Sir Godfrey Thomson Court and potentially other blocks ( I can’t honestly remember which) but sadly, due to the funding constraints, it looks as though this is going to take far far longer to carry out than was originally envisioned. So it’s anyone’s guess.

[@BruceRenwick]

You missed Carlisle Street from your tour of Felling. Runs north from the bottom of the High Street to the Felling bypass. The Old Fox is thriving, and has a great live music scene, and selection of real ales. The Wheat Sheaf is a fine community pub, and the oldest brewery tap in the North East (Big Lamp Brewery's original tap room ) and still involved with the pub. The Malting House was next, now a sad shell, fire damaged (twice arsonised), and The British Lion (niw a corner shop)

[@libelle8124]

Wasn't the rough estate Stoneygate? Love this video, so interesting with all the history.

[@robertlagan8441]

Yes

[@heatherboardman7004]

This is depressing. Lived there in the early 80's and it was bustling and everyone was friendly. Glad I moved out I feel for those who have to live there. What are the Council doing to Gateshead, it is the pits.

[@davidmoore7665]

going down that road with the green building takes you to the nest estate, the next turn on the right takes you to the old fold, the green mandarin used to be the turf, the next pub opposite the mallard was the beeswing, the old train station is supposed to be the oldest station in the country also when you come out of the park theres a nursery to the left which has one of the few post office stones with king george on it, wish id known you were in felling i could of filled you in on many historical things in felling born n bred here. sadjis was called the peartree, those flats were supposed to be demolished years ago.

[@leew6091]

Its pretty grim like. Lived in Felling for most of my life, and its never really been what you would call a nice place...but its grimmer than ever now. The Mallard was a mackem pub, not sure if it still is. The one opposite, with the old copper roof thing I think used to be the Beeswing. The Indian restaurant used to be The Pear Tree. The Portland Arms and The Blue Bell are rough as fook. There's a banging chippy just up from the Post Office, Carl Gills. Getting a bit expensive lately though.

[@anthdawson2320]

Cracking video Eddie.. lived near to town centre before I was 5 then moved to Leam Lane… my grandma used to work in that Beeswing Pub @leew6091 mentions many many years ago… sure that’s where she met my grandad in the 1930s ish!! Now live in sunny Jarra!

[@davidmoore7665]

dont know where you got the idea the mallard was a macem pub from bud, had my first pint in there in 86 lol, and a lot of the lads go in there after the toon have played ill check it out via a mate whos been going in there since 86.

[@craigswaddle2509]

​@davidmoore7665 I live 30 seconds away from it. It's ran by Lisa and Clarke, both Sunderland fans.

[@davidmoore7665]

@@craigswaddle2509 do they still do lock ins, never been in since the nineties, had a few laughs in there though

[@graemebubs2344]

Lol pressed the send button by mistake! I was going to say i was surprised you didn't mention the train crash at Felling in 1907. Also Crow Hall, about 2 min walk from Felling Square. I think thst goes back to the 1700s. I might give you a shout if i see you out with the dog. Keep up the good work.

[@TynesideLife]

Cheers Graeme 👍🏻

[@BABYCHAOS26]

The burnt out Kwik Save was originally Presto when it was first built back in the late 80’s and the Happy Feet Dance Studio has moved up to Whitehills due to the anti social behaviour of the toe rags in Felling. Apparently there was a mummified pigs head In Kwik Save and that’s why a lot of people used to break in and mooch about looking for it.

[@davidmoore7665]

kwik save wasnt presto it was wm low and built early eightys, they had a warehouse on nest road and this was the first place i ever applied for a job in 1985 which is still there and being used, we used to ride our bmx bikes in the car park, it was taken over by waverly vinters in early nineties, one of the lads from wm low got a job where i was working, all this area was my playground, great days they were bud.

[@JohnJBloomfield]

It was WmLow when it first opened then they were bought out

[@heatherboardman7004]

I lived in Felling in the 80's when I bought a pair of flats. When I told my dad he went ballistic. He also told me about the story of Scotch Hares during the war.

[@BruceRenwick]

Felling summary pretty spot on. The old pubs on Sunderland Road include the old Royal Turf (aka The Green Mandolin). Then the Beehive (now flats), The Collingwood (now offices), The Duke Of Connaught, just past the metro, and The Pear Tree (now Saji's). The old Pear Tree sign is still in Saji's back yard (smoking area).

[@CRAIG2427]

Hi Eddy, you should do a walk around of Killingworth. There was recently a sculpture put up of the Geordie Lamp you mentioned. Lots about George Stephenson in the area as well. Great video as always 👏

[@djbpm4007]

Eddy hope .ive subscribed to your channel .and the pub opp the blue bell .on felling high street used to be called the victoria jubilee .my granny n granda used to run this pub.also i was around 9 years old at the time.my dad was from felling . Crowhall towers u stood next to a have many memories from those days eddy. Thanks for your content .brung back some memories pal

[@TynesideLife]

Welcome aboard 👍🏻

[@jackbadabing5609]

Best bars in gateshead in my opinion and some really good solid houses in gateshead there

[@markritchie2455]

Im original from felling Eddie. It’s a shame to see it in its current state. It’s been totally neglected. Sign of the times regarding the pubs. There was loads at 1 time. That fancy building at the bottom of the high street was a pub.called the beeswing. The green and white one on Sunderland road was the royal turf at one point. Felling high street used to be packed back in the day. Loads of local businesses and shops. It was never the nicest place but full of good people. Shocking to see it the way it is now.

[@Andy-kg9ud]

8:02 the end house was me grandma's, was there a lot of weekends in the 70's, thanks for the video Eddie brought back many memories

[@stevecarr3019]

The same people have been sitting around Felling Square for decades smoking, drinking and drawing the dole while most of us have been paying for them. My dad told me years ago when I was a kid (67 now) that they would never do a proper days graft, he was right.

[@da90sReAlvloc]

My dad lived in felling he said it was ok, looks. Sh!t now tho, Good video Eddie stay safe 👍

[@christurnbull8202]

Great video Eddie! My dad used to play in the felling brass band 🎺Ever thought about venturing into Washington? How the old hall was the home of George Washington’s ancestors.

[@1AOR1]

The Duke of Cumberland was absolutely bouncing back in the 80 and 90s a lot of the biker lads used to go there

[@stephenharris7982]

The old fold isn't to bad now . Them flats in felling are getting knocked down soon but some people that own them are hanging on for a better offer from the council 😂 . I live not far down split crow Rd by the Shakespeare

[@libelle8124]

Oh, I remember the Swan under water after that horrific storm in 2012, was it?