Maughan's History of Blaydon

James Maughan (1882- 1958) was the son of a Stargate colliery worker.  He was employed as an articled clerk, having worked at both Addison Colliery and Ryton Council offices.  An accomplished musician, he was organist at Greenside and Hedgefield churches.  Having studied the history of the area all his life, he had a series of articles published in the Blaydon Courier from 1955-1957.

In 2005 , Blaydon Races Festival Committee, including his great-nephew John S. Maughan, received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which enabled them to print a selection of the articles in a series of three booklets.  The editor was Elsdon Watson, who has very kindly allowed us to scan copies of the booklets and make them available digitally, so that you can read them online, download to read on your device or print them.

Below you will find an index for the contents of each booklet, and then you can click on the cover image to read the booklet.

PART 1

Chapter 1: Early History; Reasons for Expansion; Water Supplies; Development based on Blaydon Burn

Chapter 2: Blaydon Brick Ovens at Horsecrofts; Bridge over Blaydon Burn; Gateshead and Hexham Turnpike; The River Tyne; The Gateshead and Hexham Canal.

Chapter 3: Arrival of the Railways

PART 2

Chapter 4: The Mechanics' Institute; Blaydon Races

Chapter 5: The Countess Arrives; Introduction of Street Lighting 1853; The Co-operative Movement

Chapter 6: Poll on Public Health Act 1859; Postal Arrangements; Blaydon Central Post Office

PART 3

Chapter 7: Sports and Amusements; Horse Racing

Chapter 8: Blaydon Burn

Chapter 9: St Cuthbert's Church; St Joseph's Catholic Church; Peth Head.

Read about the painting on the cover.