Industrial Pelaw of yesteryear is almost gone, but not quite. The rush to regenerate brown field sites by developers has not done the Pelaw area any favours. The Metro Station and sporadic 'new'  housing developments of differing styles and size (some look dated already) built on land that once was known as Pelaw Works gives the appearance of tired neglect. Small pockets of 'industrial' relics are scattered around the area still even though some of them are intrinsically adjacent too or part of new buildings and estates ( see the modern images pages) The Pelaw Inn PH is still thriving and the shops still seem to attract a lot of trade. An Aldi supermarket, sheltered housing for the elderly and a public library now occupy areas you may see in the photographs below. The old Co-op building still stands much altered at street level as does Croxdale House (without its attendant poplar trees which were felled in the summer) Wherever possible I will try and match the old images on this page with up to date photographs.

 

I don't know too much about this one ,only that I was told it was when they were building Hertfordshire House. The man on the right at the front was my Uncle Bob Slasor and next to him holding the jug is I think Doreen Stubbs who lived at 8 Standfield Gardens. I knew her well.. Photo: Ann Davidson

This was taken in the back lane between Heworth Ave; and Joycey street. Left to right Lizzie Slasor her sister Peggy and husband Bob Day possible the other man is Jack Wadsworth. (The Grand Cinema and latterly the Broadway Ballroom (Now demolished), can be seen in the background. (See photo below left) Photo: Ann Davidson

Circa mid 1920s. The Slasor family. At the back, Lizzie & Bob. At the front Marion (my Mam) & Peggy. Photo: Ann Davidson

This was taken outside 43 Heworth Avenue as is the other one.(left)I spent most of my childhood in the Avenue, though my home was in Wardley, I loved being part of the Avenue. Photo: Ann Davidson

Old postcard of Woodbine Terrace. Date unknown. Photo. My Collection.

The Flying Scotsman passing the 'Drysaltery' I may have been on that train as I travelled on it quite a lot when I was in the forces. c1950s. Photo: My Collection.

Pelaw Works in the background. Date unknown but probably the 1950s. Photo: My Collection.
 

The Grand Cinema situated on Queen Victoria Street in Pelaw was built in 1911. This photograph was taken, before closure as a cinema, on 20th July 1977, by local historian Frank Manders. The building remained in use as the ‘Broadway Ballroom’ but was demolished a few years ago. Bungalows now stand on the site. Photo: Gordon Stridiron.

The Broadway Ballroom closed in 1993. It was demolished in July 1999. These photographs taken by Gordon Stridiron on the 21st July of that year, record the sad end of a popular venue.

Top: The Ballroom silently awaits its fate. Bottom: The demolition squad arrives and the scaffolding goes up. 21st July. 1999.

The three bungalows named St Albans Villas were built on the cleared site. The first occupant moved into No1 in early March 1994.

 

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