Tudhoe & Spennymoor Local History Society
Capture of Pretoria
(6th June 1900 Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
Spennymoor – The booming of a cannon, shortly after mid-day on Tuesday announced the entry of our soldiers into Pretoria. Business was at once suspended, and active steps were taken to commemorate the event in a loyal manner.
The Tudhoe Colliery workmen were the prime movers, and Mr J R Crone, chief manager, and Mr W R Dakers, viewer, Tudhoe Colliery, did everything possible to aid the celebration. The procession formed at the west end, and was headed by a numerous body of cyclists. All arrayed in appropriate costumes. Tudhoe, Tudhoe Grange, Mount Pleasant and Spennymoor, were each in turn perambulated, and en-route the utmost enthusiasm prevailed. Patriotic airs followed in quick succession, the National Anthem being prominent. The local tradesmen joined loyally in the movement. Mr Wm. Griffiths acted as leader of the procession.
Spennymoor
(6th June 1900 Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough)
The welcome news was received in Spennymoor with the greatest enthusiasm. Flags were displayed from all the buildings, and bunting was stretched across the streets in great profusion. All the church bells were rung and the blowing of buzzers was heard for many miles around. Bands of children soon began to parade the streets, and everybody seemed delighted.
A monster torchlight procession was organised by the Tudhoe Colliery miners, which started from the Black Horse Inn at 8pm. The procession was as follows:-
A large number of mounted men in various costumes, next followed a comical bicycle parade, then came a splendid model of a 100-pounder gun, drawn by a number of men in naval brigade costume. Boys’ Brigade and many in fancy costume followed, then a realistic representation of the ambulance, and others bearing a stretcher with model of a wounded soldier, then a good representation of Red Cross nurses, and last of all before the torch-bearers came Kruger in a cage, a splendid get up. The Sons of Temperance Brass Band then headed the torch-bearers, numbering nearly 1,000. The course of the procession lay through Tudhoe Colliery, Tudhoe Village, Durham-road, then through Spennymoor, and on to Mount Pleasant, where at the Vulcan Inn they all dispersed after giving ringing cheers for Marshall Roberts, Baden-Powell, soldiers of the queen, and concluded with the “National Anthem”. The streets were lined with thousands of enthusiastic people. The procession was a magnificent one, and the best of order prevailed throughout.
Later in the evening many effigies of Kruger, Seyn, and others were burnt, and numerous bon-fires were lit in all parts of the district. Enthusiastic crowds of people remained in the streets till the small hours of the morning. Tudhoe Colliery miners are giving the children a free tea on Saturday in honour of the British success. Spennymoor is to have a procession to-night, and they are making extensive preparations for the day when peace shall be proclaimed.
A Local Mafeking Hero
(13th June 1900 Northern Echo)
Last week’s “Graphic” contained a portrait of the Rev J M Peart, a native of Spennymoor, now of Mafeking, and one who has done excellent work in connection with the protection of the women’s and children’s laager during the long siege. Mr Peart’s parents reside in Spennymoor, and the fact that their son was reported to be engaged in this good work was a source of great satisfaction to them, because they have received no news from him since last October.
Rev J M Peart was in the Mafeking Town Guard.
Spennymoor - Returned from the War
(14th June 1900 Northern Echo)
Last evening Private George Elsdon, a reservist in the P.W.O. Regiment, arrived in Spennymoor from South Africa, after having been in several engagements. Pte Elsdon was invalided home about a month ago, and has just returned from Netley Hospital (photo). Before leaving for South Africa he was employed at the Weardale Iron and Coal Company’s signal cabin at Tudhoe Works.
Spennymoor - Celebrations
(21st June 1900 North Star Darlington)
At meetings held at Spennymoor and Evenwood it was decided to commemorate the termination of the war in South Africa by giving treats to the children. Among the other attractions at Spennymoor will be costume and bicycle parades.