A Stroll Down

Washington Front Street

The Procession, having marched up Usworth Station Road, enters Front Street.

The Black Drape on the Lodge Banner is a sad reminder of one or more fatalities at the Colliery.
[ We're heading left to right. ]

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Usworth Station Road from Front Street

Some Years After The Top Picture.
The new road on the right is the first step in ending Station Road's role as the major thoroughfare to Sunderland.

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Front Street from Usworth Station Road

Some Years After The Previous Picture.
Note The Stile Inn, far left, and the empty site of the original Usworth Workingmen's Club - The Top Club.
Turn right, in front of the billboard, for Old's Shop and Usworth Colliery Welfare Park.

A Stroll Down

Washington Front Street

Our Journey starts at the Stile Inn ... a long time ago!

Roadworks on Front Street.
Very old picture of Stile Inn (left) looking towards the New Inn Corner.  Cooperative Terrace (right)

•   •   ◊   •   •

Looking back to the Stile Inn
Some Years Later

The Stile Inn and some sad looking shops opposite Cooperative Terrace.

A Stroll Down

Washington Front Street

Cooperative Terrace on Front Street.  The New Inn Corner and Victoria Road are in the distance.

A Stroll Down

Washington Front Street

Jones's Shopping Centre (left)  -  New Washington Post Office (right)  -  Victoria Road in the distance

•   •   ◊   •   •

Looking back to the Stile Inn

Jones's Shopping Centre - March Carpets - Trustee Savings Bank - Owen Brothers (Army / Navy Store)

Bamling's - Groceries, Flowers etc.

A Stroll Down

Washington Front Street

Bamlings, Goldfinch Wines & North Eastern Electricity Board

Looking down Front Street from Bamling's.   In the distance, Victoria Road leading to New Rows Chapel.
On the right, the third Shop down from the large lamp post is Sacco's.  It has a dark front.
On the left, Goldfinch Wines shop window is behind the man's head.

Goldfinch Wines on the left; the Blue Star of the Speculation Inn can be seen further down.
Note the small Side Street between the Van and the Tanker.
[ More on next Tab. ]

Always a smile at A. Sacco:  Café & Confectionery Shop
L-R: Tony Sacco, Anthony, Carl, Anna, Nichola Spain and Della Sacco.
[ Tony's shop was opposite The Speculation Inn ]

A Stroll Down

Washington Front Street

( Looking into the Side Street )

Alf's Bingo behind Goldfinch Wines & NEEB (mid-1960s).

Showmen's Campsite: at the rear of Bamling's and Goldfinch Wines.

It cost a 'Tanner' for a ride on The Waltzer.
[ Sadly, no picture! ]

A Stroll Down

Washington Front Street

( Back up Front Street to come down the other side. )

Looking Back to the Stile Inn

Front Street (1964):  Jones's Shop Clock and Robson's Window - looking towards the New Inn Corner.
The large building is The Elms.  Among others, it contained Dr Twomey's Surgery.

The Elms (entrance behind pole)
Note Ed Harvey's Barbers Shop.  It later became J.J. Docherty, Family Butcher.
This traditional Butcher's business closed in 2019 when its long-time owner - 'Billy The Butcher' - retired.
[ Billy Stubbings and I lived next door to each other in Usworth Green Prefabs. ]

A Stroll Down

Washington Front Street

Very Old Picture of Front Street leading to Victoria Road and New Rows Terraces
Can you recognise where 'later and current day' businesses are located?

Formerly The Speculation Inn.   Still known to regulars as 'The Spec'.

Jackson's 'Paper Shop'  &  The Foresters Arms
[ I was a 'paper lad' at Jackson's.  Morning & Teatime: up The Drive / South Ave - across Eskdale Crescent - down The Drive / North Avenue. ]

Walter Willson, groceries  -  J.J. Docherty, butcher  -  The Bird Inn  -  The New Inn
Lloyd's Bank (left) with a Dental Surgery upstairs.
[ This is an earlier location for Docherty's. ]

A Stroll Down

Washington Front Street

Looking up Front Street from The Bird Inn

Looking Down from 'The Spec'.
Left: Midland Bank & Speculation Inn's Blue Star.
Right: Lloyd's & Nat West Banks, Robson's, Frank Jones's (Optician), Fish & Chips and (off-picture) Sacco's.

Right to Left: Barclay's Bank, Noble's, Lloyd's Bank, Manor Road, Arndale House (shops),
Bus Station (hidden), Heworth Road and New Rows Chapel.

Looking back up Front Street from Victoria Road.
Manor Road (left)  -   Spout Lane (right)

Usworth Station Road

OS Map: 1949-1968