How many locals or visitors knew that Ashington possessed one of the largest cellars in the country?

In the past, hundreds of people would stand and pass its walls and never realise. This cellar (pictured) was beneath the Grand Hotel and in 1932 William Harvey was the drayman. He first came to the premises in about 1916.

Mr Harvey had first worked as a drayman for four years with Bass & Co Ltd, then worked for 12 years with the Victoria Breweries.

One question I am often asked and indeed surprised by is 'What exactly is a proggie mat then?'.

I am surprised because I assume that everyone already knows what a proggie mat is. Then I realise that it is just one of those items or expressions that you grew up with totally unaware that there is another world beyond the borders of County Durham and Northumberland where people don't speak Geordie.

If you are a Geordie then you already know and no doubt your mother made them or had them made for her by a female relative, and it probably was the thing you wiped your feet on when you came in from the back yard or garden when your byeuts [boots] were aal covered in clarts.

Tanner Milburn, uncle of Jackie Milburn, England football international and Newcastle United centre-forward, died at his home in Laburnum Terrace, Ashington, in January 1949.

He was buried at Seaton Hirst churchyard. His four footballer sons, George, Jack, James and Stan, acted as underbearers.

The Milburn family in the 1950s

Tanner Milburn was a well-known sportsman, but his first and foremost love was football. His death, at the age of 62 years, was, therefore, a great loss to this sport.

I thought we would have a look at some history of Ashington sport. The following "random pluckings" make interesting reading.

Ashington began football in the North Eastern League in the 1914-15 season.

Ashington in 1914

In the previous season they were champions of the Northern Alliance, and before that, they were runners-up in 1905-06, 1910-11 and 1911-12.

Recalling players and events making up close links in local sporting history make interesting reading, and this month we thought we would look at that gallant Ashington sportsman, Dicky McFadden.

Although born in Scotland in February, 1891, Dicky McFadden was still very young when he moved to Ashington. He began working at Ashington Colliery at an early age and, as a junior footballer, he played for Ashington Black Watch and Hirst St John's.

His first professional engagement was with Newburn, but as Blyth Spartans meant more convenient travelling for him he signed for them at the start of the 1910-11 season.

Edward Main of Straker Terrace, Longhirst, near Morpeth, told his memories of old Ashington when he left work aged 65.

Early tradesmen from Ashington pit, 1923. Edward Main could well have known these men

He retired from Ashington Colliery in 1942 after 54 years of underground work.

A shocking double tragedy occurred, which was the first of its kind in the district of Ashington, in the early hours of Sunday, January 2, 1921, at Ellington. The victims were 51-year-old Edward Gardner Taylor and his 31-year-old wife Beatrice.

Taylor was a soldier when he met Beatrice, who was eventually to become his second wife. After leaving the Army he rejoined soon after the beginning of the First World War, and became a sergeant's instructor.

Ellington in 1900. This is how the area would have looked at the time of the murder, surrounded by fields and farming.

They came to Ellington to begin a new life together with Taylor's son from his previous marriage and two daughters, Norah and Lilian. Taylor, who was addicted to drink, soon got a job at nearby Ellington Colliery as a rolleywayman, underground. Jealousy and drink was a problem with the relationship and many heated arguments occurred.

It's interesting to look back at people's careers, and this month we thought of looking at Tom Scott of Ashington.

Tom retired after nearly 40 years, in February 1968, and was a familiar figure in the town doing his work as a council refuse foreman.

The old milk delivery method - by horse and cart in 1921

Tom supervised the cleanliness of Ashington's streets and would be seen dressed in his khaki overalls doing his job.

Death had been very busy in the little "island home" at Cambois during December 1924, three deaths having occurred within four days, two of whom were old standards, the other the son of a very old and respected leader of the Co-operative and Trades Union activities.

The late Mr Joshua Locke had died in 1920 at North Seaton Colliery while acting as under-manager. His son Joseph Locke died in a very tragic manner in November 1924, and had only been about five years working at Cambois School. He was respected by all classes, and his funeral was the largest that had ever left the village for the churchyard.

To say thanks and farewell to their large staff on the eve of nationalisation, the directors of the Ashington Coal Company Ltd entertained officials, including those of long service and in retirement, at the Station Hotel, Ashington on Monday, December 23, 1946.

The guests came from all the company's collieries, from the head office and from the Blyth shipping office. Sir Leonard Milburn, chairman of the company presided.

Harmony was provided by Mr Shephard, surface engineer, who sang The Sergeant Major, and Mr Arthur Tait, with a violin solo, both having to respond to enthusiastic encores.