Newbiggin-by-the-Sea

Ten years after my initial visit, I decided to show John and Kassie my ancestral home town of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea (from which my maternal great-great-grandfather emigrated to Canada, leaving behind his widowed mother and maiden sister).

I'd told John a little of Newbiggin's history: from an important maritime centre in the 14th century, actively supporting Edward III in his campaigns against the Scots, it became a thriving fishing village in the 19th century, a little later on Northumberland's favourite seaside town, and finally a coal-mining community in the first half of the 20th century. Despite recent attempts to revitalize the community with the restoration of the old promenade, a new golf course, and a sea defence system (sadly, erosion caused the collapse of the bay into the sea early in the last century), Newbiggin is far from the bustling seaside resort town my great-great-great aunt describes in her letters to her brother, with its public houses, numerous shops, and lodging houses, one operated by herself, Miss Mary Charlton of Prospect Place (the house, after numerous transformations, is pictured at left with Kassie in the foreground).

Still, I think St. Bartholomew's Church on The Point at the north end of the bay as inspiring a sight as ever, surrounded by tombstones that appear to cling to the side of the cliff overlooking the sea. Unfortunately, it is difficult to close one's eyes to the Caravan park located at the north end of town or block from the ears the raucous sounds of loitering teenage boys.

Date of Our Last Visit: July 2002