Preface

Recently, whilst socialising with friends and discussing various subjects, including the past, one said to me, "Joe, everyone seems to be talking about the new millennium so why don’t you tell them about the one that is ending? You have lived in Dipton all of your life, worked in the Coal Industry for many years and been Councillor for Dipton and Burnopfield Ward for as long as I can remember - you know our past history inside out".

I smiled and said, "Maybe I shall - one day".

Upon reflection, he was right. I have always been an avid reader of history, including local history, whether written or passed on by word of mouth from past generations and having spent many hours on research, particularly in the County Council Archives, local libraries and with historians. In addition, I have witnessed possibly the greatest period of change in lifestyle and culture that this Country has ever known.

The following, therefore, is a journey back in time to days gone by in my community - a period where poverty was often extreme, when laughter and tears were close companions, wit and humour were spontaneous and common place, when the hand of friendship and assistance was readily and freely given, with community spirit plentiful and where everyone knew everyone in their communities. Hard times but kind times.

In general, the articles which follow deal with "ordinary" people from within my Ward, who have done things extraordinary well for the benefit of others, which gives rise to the title which I have chosen for these memories from the past - which is:

MY WARD? MY WORD!

Acknowledgements

Durham County Council - Arts, Libraries & Museums Department
County Record Office
1919-1945 Biographical Dictionary of the House of Commons
Beamish, the North of England Open Air Museum
Allison Johnston - Secretary
Lawrence Dunphy - nephew of Michael Brough
Stanley News
Durham Advertiser
County Chronicle