Lowick Folk

We have gathered the memories of some local folk who kindly gave us permission to share them on our website. Below are summaries of them with the option to download the original document.

Jim Barber

This is a memoir written by Jim Barber about his childhood in Northumberland between 1908 and 1916. In it, he recounts his memories of growing up on his family’s farms, the details of which include descriptions of the farmhouses, the daily life of the people who lived and worked there, and the surrounding neighbourhood. Life before the Great War, as he describes it, was simple but also harsh, and he details the many changes in society that occurred during and after the war.

Frank Hall

This memoir is written by Frank Hall, who was born in Lowick, a small village a few miles from Berwick, in 1947. In it, he recounts his memories of growing up in a small farm cottage with no electricity or indoor toilets. The house had three bedrooms, a lounge, and a kitchen. His father worked on a local farm as a groom and pig man. Frank attended the local school and often got into mischief with his friends.

The Fairburn Family

This memoir, written by Hetha Bruce, recounts life in the village of Lowick, Northumberland, from 1936 to 2009. Hetha recalls childhood memories, including descriptions of local shops, the school, and village residents. It details how the war years changed Lowick, with many leaving for war work and evacuees arriving from Newcastle. The author describes various social activities and organizations in the village, and how it has changed over the years.

Please note that the memoir was written in 2009, so some of the information is out of date. For example, the author mentions that the Village Hall was awaiting refurbishment at that time, and that the school served a pensioners' lunch twice a week.

Elenor Bell

Written by Julie Gibbs in 2020, this is the story of Elenor Bell...

In the18th century Bowsden, Elenor Bell, a midwife, and her son John, were known for curing people with maniacal symptoms. A manuscript from 1789 lists individuals they cured. Elenor died in 1784 and her will sadly didn’t mention the recipe for curing madness so the origin of the recipe remains unknown.

J R Sim

This document, "I Remember Lowick from 1919" by Mr. J.R. Sim, offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of Lowick. It recounts the changes the village underwent, the landmarks that have disappeared, and the social customs of the time.

From descriptions of village life and social gatherings to accounts of changes in infrastructure and local characters, this text provides a unique window into Lowick's past.

Ronnie Howey

This document, titled "Lowick in the 1930s," offers a personal glimpse into village life during a challenging yet memorable time. Written by Ronnie Howey in 1995, it recounts daily routines, work, and the characters that populated Lowick. The author vividly describes a typical February morning, running errands, and working for a local farm. It also portrays the various businesses that thrived in Lowick, highlighting the village's self-sufficiency. The text also highlights unique characters like Jackie Murray and Jimmy Murray, adding colour to the social history of Lowick.