FEEDBACK

Our loyal readers get in touch with us in multiple ways, from Facebook to phone calls, emails to good old traditional pen and paper. Whichever way you wish to get in touch, we love hearing from you. Here are some of your comments since the last edition. We look forward to hearing from you when you’ve read this one…

Email

I am writing apropos your article on the Enigma code (The Northumbrian 175). I was evacuated to Beadnell in 1940 from Newcastle, and at the age of seven saw a black twin-engined German aeroplane fly 50ft or less above our house. For a boy of seven, it was a thrill and I can still see the German with a leather helmet and goggles on his fore-head, holding on to a massive machine gun pointing my way, looking from side to side, obviously lost. It has been suggested this was Hess.

Name and address supplied

I am very disappointed in the information in the article concerning the end of the war (The Northumbrian 175) , because the war in the Far East continued until August 15, 1945.

My father was in the Northumberland Fusiliers, many of whom were captured by the Japanese at the fall of Singapore. He survived until August 1, 1944. I never met him as I was born after he sailed. They suffered greatly at the hand of their captors, however they have been known as the forgotten army for good reason.

I love to read The Northumbrian, however on this occasion I am very hurt by the fact the FEPOWs have been totally dismissed and the war in the Far East once again forgotten.

The article in itself was very interesting and will be read by many, so sad the date printed of the 75th anniversary of the end the war was not correct. Many of the Northumberlands where not regular soldiers, they were territorial volunteers.

Hazel Campbell, via email

The editor replies: Our apologies to Mrs Campbell and anyone who was similarly upset by our mistake. Indeed, we’re very well aware that the war in Japan continued for a further six months and thank Mrs Campbell for writing to point out our mistake. The FEPOWs are certainly not forgotten here at The Northumbrian, and we will mark VJ Day later in the year.

In the picture I am a photographer recently moved to Northumberland from London. I run my own family photography business - Anna Allan Photography. During the past month I’ve been at home and unable to take any clients for photoshoots, so I’ve been keeping myself busy photographing the spring lambs living in the field by my house. I thought you might like to use them. Anna Allan

www.annaallan.com

I am the fortunate recipient of The Northumbrian; a lovely Christmas present. I was delighted to get issue 175 and find it contained an article on Thomas Garbutt Knott, about whom I knew little. As a resident of Heddon-on-the-Wall, I am familiar with Knott Memorial Hall in the heart of our village, as featured in the photograph on page 25. However, I was dismayed to read at the beginning of the article (page 22) that it was placed in Wylam, and so I have felt moved to write a little part of the history of the Knott family in relation to our village. In 1906, James Knott moved to Close House and in 1918, the now Sir James Knott bought property in Heddon-on-the-Wall. Following the loss of two of his sons, Henry Basil and James Leadbitter, in the Great War, he created the Memorial Park in 1925 in the centre of Heddon. The village war memorial stands there inscribed with the names of Heddon men who died in the War, including the Knott brothers. Then Sir James supported the building of the Church of St James and St Basil in Fenham with its twin naves and memorial window reproduced on page 24 of the article. Sir James died in 1934 and the Knott Memorial Hall was built in memory of him and Lady Knott and gifted to the village by Thomas Garbutt. There is information on the internet and also on www.heddonhistory.weebly.com/sir-james-knott

Margaret Selman, via email

I was born & bred in Wallsend. My son now lives in Cardiff and a few years ago he and his sister were browsing in a second hand book shop in Cardiff when they came across the book - The History of the Parish of Wallsend by William Richardson. As I was approaching a significant birthday, they thought this an ideal present. Gratefully accepted, I immediately started thumbing through the pages. Under a chapter entitled Additional Biographical Notes, there was a section on Sir James Knott. I noticed at the bottom of the page a pencilled note indicating the death of his son Henry Basil Knott, which reads: ‘I helped carry this son over a mile from the trench and four of us stretcher bearers got a £5 note between us. The journey was hell itself. He died 2am in hospital on the 16th’ An addition to the article, but sadly there is no indication as to the author of the note, or how this book made its way from Wallsend to Cardiff.

Peter Blacklock, via email

Letters

Please find attached payment for 12 issues of The Northumbrian. I look forward to receiving it; it’s beautifully produced with lots of lovely, informative articles. The photographs are stunning.

B Etherington, Whitburn, Sunderland

The recent letters in issue 175 have prompted me to add our tributes. We have been avid readers of your magazine since Stewart Bonney’s mother first bought my husband a copy in 1992 (no. 20). He serviced her car at our garage for many years. The standard of writing and photography has never diminished. I have copies of every year since then. We are in our eighties but my daughter is carrying on the family tradition. Her birthday gift is always a subscription to The Northumbrian.

Margery and Douglas Barwen, Throckley, Newcastle

GET IN TOUCH We love hearing from you here at The Northumbrian HQ in Stocksfield, Northumberland. Here’s how to get in touch: Post: The Northumbrian, Offstone Publishing, Unit 1, Bearl Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7AL Email: editor@thenorthumbrian.co.uk Facebook: @NorthumbrianMagazine Phone: 01661 844 115

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