The Shocking Byker Wall Story: Now Tyneside’s Most Run Down Estate?

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  • čas přidán 9. 04. 2024

Komentáře • 833

  • @MichaelTaylor-ei7es
    @MichaelTaylor-ei7es Před měsícem +85

    Came across this. Thought here we go. Another Geordie self gratification video but it wasn’t. Superb video. Beautifully narrated. The London based media could learn lessons from this. Someone talking about a subject with extensive knowledge and done with in depth research. Thank you.

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před 29 dny +6

      Thank you so much Michael 🙏👊🏻

    • @Jen-ix2hg
      @Jen-ix2hg Před 25 dny +9

      @@TynesideLife I've commented elsewhere, but I'm sad you present a pretty one-sided view of Byker. I was a resident for a decade until last year and was gutted to leave. Byker has its challenges (largely because it has been chronically deprived of resources) but most people are golden - and the sense of community there is like no other I've experienced. If you fancied capturing another side of life to balance out your 'research' I can think of some good people and initiatives to connect you to!

    • @westynufc90
      @westynufc90 Před 2 dny

      So is it a shithole or not? ​@@Jen-ix2hg

  • @Northumbria-jl4bp
    @Northumbria-jl4bp Před měsícem +80

    I left ( sadly) no other future for me. I live now far away, but it is still so close to my heart. I miss the people I grew up with, the things we used to do, and the times we had. My life is nearly done now, and you know, the way things are going now in this country. Im glad.

    • @potta061
      @potta061 Před měsícem +25

      That made me smile and nearly cry reading your comment. Godbless you

    • @paulmurray750
      @paulmurray750 Před měsícem +15

      I fully agree, managed to move to the country to see my days out in my tiny bungalow.

    • @kaybee2930
      @kaybee2930 Před 29 dny +9

      Please don't say that. Your life is precious

    • @bigd5090
      @bigd5090 Před 14 dny +1

      Bless you! There is always hope. Geordies are a tough breed and I had the honour of living in Newcastle for 7 years. Byker and Walker will always be in my prayers.

    • @dexietyy7922
      @dexietyy7922 Před 12 dny +1

      I know how you feel I’m 23 and I don’t even want to live the rest of my life due to how nasty and horrible the world is now. And the way things are going

  • @desslone
    @desslone Před měsícem +53

    "Buildings don't make communities, People make communities"
    says it all really.

  • @Novacastrian
    @Novacastrian Před měsícem +60

    Well said Eddie,totally agree,I love how Sitkka-Lissa defends her home to the BBC snob,in trying to improve individual living standards councils both sides of the river ruined entire neighborhood’s, bath houses were common place back then,unimaginable for most people now!

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem +5

      Thank you Ewan 👍🏻

    • @StuartWhelan-up8vs
      @StuartWhelan-up8vs Před 29 dny +2

      Had to Google her name she is beautiful still going strong at 76 love the way she explaining what it was like to live there.

    • @Novacastrian
      @Novacastrian Před 29 dny +2

      @@StuartWhelan-up8vs
      She seems like an amazing woman, the full documentary about her on CZcams is well worth a watch!

    • @heathermcdougall8023
      @heathermcdougall8023 Před 26 dny +1

      TBH bath houses need to make a comeback, so many of us are so poor to cost of a bath is too much on the gas, especially through the winter, it's back to the old strip wash from the sink.

  • @MyScotty7
    @MyScotty7 Před měsícem +38

    Im from Middlesbrough and love watching these episodes of Newcastles history especially from the shipyards having once worked at Wallsend building oilrigs. I watch the parts of the estates with sadness and anger because like Middlesbrough our society/community has gone. Seeing them photos and videos of families is haunting to know its all gone and the community will never be the same its gone forever!

  • @davidashurst2600
    @davidashurst2600 Před měsícem +31

    I lived on bolam street as a baby with my mam n dad before it was demolished and turned into what is now the Byker wall . I have sent your documentary to my mam n dad and my brothers they will all lv it because we all spent so much time there . Epic stuff Eddie

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem +2

      Thank you David 👊🏻👍🏻

    • @jean2740
      @jean2740 Před 7 dny

      My dad went to Bolam Street school as a child ,he's long gone now, I don't know if the school is still there or not it was proper victoriana building

  • @WOLFIE-96B-UK
    @WOLFIE-96B-UK Před měsícem +28

    Outstanding video, but depressing. I grew up on a council estate, we weren't well off but growing up I remember people being happy. Everyone knew each other and there was a strong community spirit that's long gone these days.

    • @dixie3058
      @dixie3058 Před 22 dny +1

      In my street neighbours knew where each hid their door keys

    • @jean2740
      @jean2740 Před 7 dny

      Your so right the community spirits are well gone

  • @colinmccarthy7921
    @colinmccarthy7921 Před měsícem +34

    I was born in the Bonny City of
    Newcastle upon Tyne.My Mother
    was from Gosforth,and my
    Father was from Walker.I know
    Byker.I am proud to be a
    Geordie.Howay my Lads
    and Lasses.
    With Best Wishes to you All.
    ❤️😍🥰❤️.

    • @biffabacon-tj8lx
      @biffabacon-tj8lx Před 12 dny

      Hang on a second. I’m from walker. Whats your maa called?? 🫣

  • @turnfordguitars
    @turnfordguitars Před měsícem +22

    Shocking! I'd always been led to believe the byker wall was a social success story!
    This was a real eye opener! Well done 👍

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem +5

      Thank you Chris 🙏👊🏻

    • @jean2740
      @jean2740 Před 7 dny +1

      Oh it was lovely place for first dozen or so years , mostly byker folk lived in New Berlin wall.
      Then as they died off ,new younger one's moved in from places like cowgate, Benwell ,Elswick from every where ,and BANG !!it went rapidly down hill .
      And now ,well I wouldn't even think of going over that neck of the woods, as used to live a stones throw from there when I was younger, then my parents died ,they where born and bred over that way , .
      I hot out and moved right away fast as .

  • @derekclacton
    @derekclacton Před měsícem +41

    Great video and commentary, Eddy. I remember walking around the Byker estate with my parents in 1979 and taking photos, having an interest in architecture and planning. I got talking to an elderly lady who had just moved into a newly built house - first time she’d had a bathroom and inside toilet, let alone central heating. She was so thrilled to be there and so proud of her new home that she invited us in to have a look. Urban design is a very important aspect of what makes an area successful but ultimately people make places work - or not.

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem +5

      Thank you Derek ☝️👊🏻👍🏻

    • @lilacscentedfushias1852
      @lilacscentedfushias1852 Před 27 dny +2

      I’m in Yorkshire, we didn’t have central heating until I was about 10, I still remember having bed cardies and ice on the inside of windows. Just a gas fire & those horrible calor gas things. Before Christmas the heating was broke for 2 days, I don’t know how we coped before 😂 we don’t have a gas or electric fire though, but I don’t remember they giving out much heat. After the council did the heating it was great, you could go to friends’ houses abd you knew how to put their fire or heating on when instructed 😂

  • @Andy-fn3mj
    @Andy-fn3mj Před měsícem +59

    This is Eddie at his very best! Superb!

  • @ewanwood6921
    @ewanwood6921 Před 20 dny +5

    As someone who lives in the wall I think this would be the perfect video for explaining Byker to people who've never been.

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před 20 dny +1

      That’s appreciated thank you 🙏 👊🏻👍🏻

  • @andymac900
    @andymac900 Před měsícem +24

    Ahh man, this was to short yet utterly fascinating, when I see old footage like this it upsets me as it is not just Byker, I find the whole north east to be like this now, the dimese of the high St, and the post office and the end of the local pubs really has led the the end of "community" which was something the north east was know for, now no-one seems to work, we have refugees everywhere that keep to themselves and don't integrate and seem to have nasty drunks now not the old merry characters type drunks we used to have, people now just don't seem happy and would rather just hang around than try and be productive, anyhoo another great vid eddy thanks

  • @DavidSmith-gr9gd
    @DavidSmith-gr9gd Před měsícem +29

    Great video , brought back many memories of growing up in the 60’s . Shields Road was a busy area , two cinemas the Odeon (Blacks) and the Apollo at the other , Parishes department store with its own currency, Beavons and Blalocks and Toms bicycle shop , Ringtons tea factory et etc ,happy days

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem +1

      Thank you for sharing David 👍🏻

    • @mixedkebabwrap3461
      @mixedkebabwrap3461 Před 17 dny

      Tom's was amazing.

    • @jean2740
      @jean2740 Před 7 dny

      Yes I used to go to the pictures at the very bottom of shields Road with me friend ,oh it was a lovely friendly place ,a hood vibe ,everyone knew everyone on Sheila's Road ,thst was before it looks now, dirty rundown ,and hardly an English shop in sight.
      I've heard it's dangerous to walk on sheilds Road now for pick pockets, and druggies.

  • @misssusan1066
    @misssusan1066 Před měsícem +17

    Thank you for your post. My Grandma was from Byker , born in 1920's. She said Her dad played for the 1st Newcastle team and worked in the shipyard , before it was Utd. I've looked for records of his name but never found it. I was probably looking at the wrong team. Thank you.

  • @BoldonBigLad
    @BoldonBigLad Před měsícem +13

    Eddie, I just have to say your point about the difference between Poverty and being Poor really hit home. We are of a similar age, I was born in Jarrow in a council house and lived in a council house until I left home. I've done OK for myself but I have only happy memories of my youth because as you say I never knew we were poor, all my friends lived in similar houses, their dads did similar jobs and we pretty much all had the same.
    Now however I feel that has all changed, people literally have nothing. The rise of food banks and the collections at SJP on match day highlight that only too well.
    Great video Eddie, absolutely great and thank you for taking the time to make it.

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem +3

      That’s appreciated and thank you for sharing 🙏👊🏻👍🏻

    • @frankdux5693
      @frankdux5693 Před 25 dny

      How can anyone have sympathy for these people. They all got a free education and all the opportunities they needed to do something with themselves. If they chose to mess about at school, not take life seriously and continue down the road to nowhere that's on them.

    • @BoldonBigLad
      @BoldonBigLad Před 24 dny

      @@frankdux5693 If only life was that easy. My father worked in a Steel Mill. His job was hard and poorly paid, every day he drummed it into me that he didn't want me to follow him into that place. He encouraged me constantly, praised me when I did well and pulled me up when i messed around. Some people never get that support.

    • @robertlagan8441
      @robertlagan8441 Před 21 dnem

      BoldenBig Lad .. excellent comments. & in agreement.

    • @BoldonBigLad
      @BoldonBigLad Před 20 dny

      @@frankdux5693When I had 'opportunities' my father supported and encouraged me to take them. When I treat them lightly he let me know just how lucky I was to have them.
      He worked at a Steel Works as a labourer. It was hard, unsafe and low-paid work. He never wanted me to follow him into that environment. I didn't and have worked in Software Development all of my working life. Some people don't get that support, love, etc.

  • @stevecorbett3490
    @stevecorbett3490 Před měsícem +23

    I was born in 64 and lived my early years in one of those Byker terraced houses. Coal fire, outside toilet, freezing cold in the winter - and much of the summer. Did it do me any harm? Absolutely not. I was probably 6 when I moved to Fenham - so I saw both sides of our great city. 3 kids later, I live in London now, yet Newcastle, Byker, NUFC and all its warts. Is home and always will be. Superb video Eddie - brought back loads of memories. 👏👏👏

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem +2

      Thank you for sharing Steve 👊🏻👍🏻

    • @YouKnowTheDance
      @YouKnowTheDance Před měsícem

      London Is a bigger shit hole

    • @audie-cashstack-uk4881
      @audie-cashstack-uk4881 Před měsícem

      London now so another shithole then one far far far worse

    • @GaryFox-iy4jc
      @GaryFox-iy4jc Před 22 dny

      I was born in London... moved to Benwell in '79. Went to Rutherford. Moved to Walker and got the 39/40 every day there and back.

    • @jean2740
      @jean2740 Před 7 dny

      So your heart will always belong to newcastle is what your saying.
      I feel the same ,.
      Bit could never ever go back ,as its not my bonnie newcastle anymore, just beautifull beautifull memories of growing up there, and playing out ,eith all my lovely friends 😢😢😢😢😊

  • @simonmcmanus1397
    @simonmcmanus1397 Před 29 dny +6

    i used to get into Byker quite a lot in the late 80's and through the 90's. I had friends living down on Walker Road, and some up on Heaton Road. Walking around the area then was always a considered affair. It looks even worse now! Great video, please keep them coming Newcastle may becoming more run down but I will always feel it is my home

  • @DavidLayfield
    @DavidLayfield Před měsícem +15

    Beautiful video highlighting some very important details that often get missed. Loved the photographs of Sirkka… very powerful. I will look out her books of the photos she did of Byker back then and beyond.
    Cheers Eddy

  • @kenscott9569
    @kenscott9569 Před měsícem +17

    I think that’s one of the most emotional and well presented pieces of docujournalism I’ve ever seen. Well done Eddie, surely a book in you.

  • @wanderer4life
    @wanderer4life Před měsícem +10

    The young lady Sitkka didn't need loads of makeup to look stunning. I bet that interview made her one of the most protected residents in the neighbourhood with the way she defended the place and people and said she felt safe.

  • @Flukey_1970
    @Flukey_1970 Před měsícem +18

    Aye i grew up in a colliery house with a. Coal shed and outside toilet I remember many times shivering in coal dumped in the back lane lol.. Keep the content coming,mate i am in dry dock in the Freeman so trawling CZcams.

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem +7

      Hope you’re okay Martin 👍🏻

    • @steadynumber1
      @steadynumber1 Před měsícem +4

      I well recall the coal shed & outside loo/ potties under the bed. It was that way where I was born in Shildon too. Wishing you a full recovery.

  • @dango247
    @dango247 Před měsícem +10

    Could watch stuff like this all day . Very well put together. Please dooooo more

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem +1

      Thank you will do

    • @jean2740
      @jean2740 Před 7 dny +1

      Me to it's heart rending , the good memories ,it not the place I loved so much

  • @jayc6428
    @jayc6428 Před měsícem +11

    Beautiful point about being poor and in poverty, I grew up in Chopwell, still one of the lowest income communities in the whole UK, wouldn't have changed a thing about growing up there, fields, forests, football and friends, a great upbringing.

  • @SuzanneHansen-nr2ui
    @SuzanneHansen-nr2ui Před měsícem +9

    Ah love this one Eddie ❤️
    I lived in Graham House, just a few streets away from where you closed off the video. My ceiling leaked whenever it rained and there was no heating or hot water, I had to empty the air from the pipes from the boiler to get a sink full of hot water. The elderly lady in the flat above me said she hadn’t had hot water for over 20 years, I complained for a year to the council, they finally dug up all the main pipes at ground level and fixed it.
    You could just see the Tyne bridge from my balcony though, a beautiful view in all seasons.

  • @bootross255
    @bootross255 Před měsícem +15

    I vividly remember visiting an old Polish friend of my parents in his old Byker Victorian terrace house before it was pulled down. That would be in the late 1970's. Then we used to visit him in his new property in the Byker wall. I remember that it was modern & swish when they were first built, however by the early 1980's the whole estate had started to decline & it genuinely could feel slightly dangerous visiting him. Sad to say.

  • @TheGoodtimecrew
    @TheGoodtimecrew Před 28 dny +5

    Great video, well documented. It’s a real shame that some of the residents have no care for the area they live in and leave it as a dumping ground.
    I use to live on the estate around 15 year ago. We rented a privately owned house which was freshly refurbished. The house was lovely inside but outside it looked grim due to the run down area. Our new fence was stolen twice in a month by a neighbour across the street, stealing the fence panels throughout the night. Despite seeing them do it they had no respect for anyone and the police did nothing to help.
    We left shortly afterwards. Wouldn’t walk around there at night back then but I believe it’s a lot worse now. It’s a different world.
    I still work in Byker and still pass the wall on a daily basis but gladly I never have to venture in.

  • @TheShmelly
    @TheShmelly Před 21 dnem +4

    It’s incredible to see the stark contrast between Byker and Ouseburn which are just a stones throw from each other.
    Great video thanks for sharing

  • @LeeStewart
    @LeeStewart Před měsícem +11

    Through the Tyne and Wear homing system I viewed some flats and bedsits in Byker. One of them in the Byker Wall itself, prior to and after the pandemic. It’s not the most pleasant of places to live but given my living situation in 2020, I would’ve opted for one of them. Thankfully I opted for the place I’m living at now in Bensham, Gateshead.

  • @mecheng48
    @mecheng48 Před měsícem +5

    One of your best, Eddie. The old b&w photos are pure gold. Keep up the great work.

  • @BottleBri
    @BottleBri Před měsícem +4

    I think if the old streets & houses had just been MODERNISED in place- it’s hard to think that it wouldn’t have been BETTER than what’s there today- plus there would be HISTORY, Victorian pubs & hotels in the place. Proper streets and community. That place now, I wouldn’t even like to walk through it let alone live there.

    • @thelastemperor3704
      @thelastemperor3704 Před 9 dny

      Totally agree, we've seen countless examples of architects designing social housing projects that are utterly demoralising to look at and live in. I'm no expert but you've got to question how much of a factor the archetecture is in the rise in crime and anti social behaviour in these kinds of neighbourhoods.

  • @robertobee3198
    @robertobee3198 Před měsícem +3

    Fabulous photos of old Byker.

  • @GaryFox-iy4jc
    @GaryFox-iy4jc Před 22 dny +3

    As a 13 year old lad in 1979 I lived in Benwell and we had an outside toilet. The bath was newly installed and part of the kitchen.

  • @davidhodgson3901
    @davidhodgson3901 Před měsícem +4

    Sad. My nanna, auntie, uncle and cousin lived there. It was a lovely place back then.

  • @petertaylor3446
    @petertaylor3446 Před měsícem +8

    Aye it's sad seeing that place nowadays, it's gone way down from when I was younger, it was a busy shopping area you could go and see santa at parish's, the Fenwick of byker

    • @jean2740
      @jean2740 Před 7 dny

      Parishes store I loved that store

  • @johnyoung8017
    @johnyoung8017 Před měsícem +7

    Finished my bricklaying apprenticeship in 1981 on phase 3 of the development, Avondale Road. Main contractors were Stanley Millers Ltd. Locally based at Great Lime Road, Palmersville. I remember thinking that the gordy, wooden structures attached to the brickwork would age badly in appearance. Nevertheless, didn't think it would end up the way it has.

  • @ZinC1
    @ZinC1 Před měsícem +4

    Just discovered your channel the other day following your video on the Tyne Bridge. Really enjoy the little bits of history you provide, will be binging the rest of your stuff on Newcastle later. Keep it up.

  • @stephanblack4558
    @stephanblack4558 Před měsícem +4

    I grew up in Yorkshire in an old terraced house like many shown in this video and the sense of community was amazing, you could leave your door open 24/7 with no problem and kids could play in the streets and remain safe. Neighbours would feed kids playing in the streets , It might be a jam sandwich and a cup of water but we got fed by the local Mothers and if we never said thank you Mrs we got a slap.

  • @brendanmannion3192
    @brendanmannion3192 Před 27 dny +2

    Your best one yet Eddie. I watched the BBC documentary on Trish Murtha the other day. Amazing to think she and Srikka were documenting the West and East Ends of the city during the 70-80's, with both capturing the hearts being ripped out of two communities by the decline of the heavy industries and political change. Great work mate.

  • @ianjames9166
    @ianjames9166 Před měsícem +3

    Fascinating and informative as ever. Eddy. Surely it's only a matter of time before some TV news channel snaps you up as a roving reporter. Cheers mate.

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem +1

      Haha! Cheers Ian but even if they did I’d say no. I prefer being my own boss and a lone wolf 🐺 👊🏻

  • @da7336
    @da7336 Před měsícem +3

    This along with the west end video is the you’ve done by far, exceptional

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem +1

      Thank you 👊🏻👍🏻

    • @da7336
      @da7336 Před měsícem

      Meant to say the best you’ve done, documentary worthy

  • @eddietaylor1154
    @eddietaylor1154 Před 29 dny +3

    Hey Eddie, it’s Gayna. Started watching your video with no idea that it was you until your first piece to camera! Fantastic video and you have a new follower. Hope all is good with you 😊

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před 29 dny +1

      Wow! Hi Gayna! Lovely to hear from you! You still in?
      I was officially diagnosed as Autistic over 3 years ago, (which explains a lot!) 😅😬

    • @eddietaylor1154
      @eddietaylor1154 Před 25 dny

      @@TynesideLife I am still in, but am seconded at the moment and hoping to stay that way for as long as I can! Lovely to see your face on my screen, love the video's, you have found your calling. Be lovely to meet up for a chin wag some time 😊

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před 25 dny +1

      @@eddietaylor1154 drop me an email Gayna. enquiries@tynesidelife.com
      Don’t want to put my personal one on here

  • @HappyDays1892
    @HappyDays1892 Před měsícem +5

    As a Northumberland lad never knowing what it is like to live in Newcastle or Tyneside but feel a deep connection to the football club. These videos shine a light on our regions city. Thanks Eddie.

  • @anthonyclark8564
    @anthonyclark8564 Před měsícem +8

    Used to visit that estate a lot when I had my taxi. It had a bit of a reputation but I never had a pick of bother. Seems to have went back a little from then.. Another interesting vid.. its a 👍from me.

  • @jimmycburfield5997
    @jimmycburfield5997 Před měsícem +6

    Great video!
    What a brilliant insight into a fascinating area of a fine city.
    Those photos were amazing

  • @codsPompey
    @codsPompey Před měsícem +4

    Excellent video and commentary! Very professional! You have a great way of putting the history across. Enjoyed this very much. Many thanks.

  • @tameracingdriver
    @tameracingdriver Před měsícem +4

    This is brilliant, I've not seen some of this old footage before, great video, thanks for sharing 👍

  • @andrewturnbull8955
    @andrewturnbull8955 Před měsícem +6

    Ever seen 'Escape from New York'? Enough said...

  • @guycarr360
    @guycarr360 Před měsícem +4

    Cracking work Eddie, keep them coming.

  • @johnyoung8430
    @johnyoung8430 Před měsícem +6

    My grandfather and his 14 siblings and generations grew up in Byker. 142 Headlam street.

  • @kaybee2930
    @kaybee2930 Před 29 dny +3

    Local authorities & governments have destroyed this country. They have people so depressed. Bring back the 70's & 80's. We didn't have much, but my god, we were happy

  • @LeeStewart
    @LeeStewart Před měsícem +12

    I worked in the area in 2000 when I was 16 in an admin job nearby and I had to cut through that area to get to the shops and bank and it is a very intimidating place to be. I never felt safe back then and sadly that hasn’t changed. There needs to be sweeping changes in that area. More opportunities for work to reduce crime and degeneracy for young people. But as always, we’re the last people considered in Westminster.

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem +7

      Local problems are managed by local councils and other local authorities Lee

    • @no1baggiefan
      @no1baggiefan Před měsícem

      People always blame the government, its local councils who are responsible, people in the area keep on complaining but keep voting Labour, if people want change THEY have to change.

  • @T3RRAFORM
    @T3RRAFORM Před měsícem +6

    I remember going on a school trip to the Byker Wall estate in the early 80s. Not one of the best school trips I can remember. 😂

  • @---Adam
    @---Adam Před měsícem +3

    Great video. I did find a stark contrast in the shots of the street with the kid on the e-bike and Range Rovers 😂

  • @Northumberlandwoodlands
    @Northumberlandwoodlands Před měsícem +5

    Long live this channel Eddie...loving every minute.. cheers again

  • @Antacid420
    @Antacid420 Před měsícem +7

    Excellent vid eddy.
    I used to live in the wall .shipley walk and i lived doon st Lawrence square in the old flats.1997-2004.i loved it. anyhoo ..cheers bonny lad 👊

  • @Chrisheron78
    @Chrisheron78 Před měsícem +29

    Byker wall is horrific now. Absolutely horrific. I used to hang around there when I was a kid up until mid 90s..from those years onwards it has spiralled out of control with the selling of Swan Hunter shipyards, the uncontrolled influx of unskilled refugees from god knows where and zero investment in the police has let crime and drug dealing flourish. I walk through it now and again (I now live in Walker-not much better) and think to myself that my parents and grandparents went through wars and lean times all for nothing. Horrible place now. I feel so sorry for the elderly indigenous who worked their socks off all their lives and still live there.

    • @badofcheese
      @badofcheese Před měsícem +10

      I agree with much of what you say but I think it’s an oversimplification to place so much emphasis on ‘unskilled refugees’. Those people get stuffed into places deemed to be sh*tholes already. It’s not, in my opinion, their presence that leads to the decline of an area (though you could argue it accelerates it); more that them being housed there is a sign that things have already gone wrong.
      The failure to make any effort to replace the industries obliterated from the 60s through to the mid-nineties, or to retrain anyone who worked in them was the end for a lot of working class areas in cities across the North of England. The expansion of the welfare state in lieu of finding ways to offer people opportunities was shortsighted and possibly even more expensive. It created generational poverty and an underclass who are trapped by circumstances and condemned to live the same kind of lives as their parents and their own children.
      All very sad, very avoidable and all created from a callous disregard for the working classes by policy makers.

    • @Chrisheron78
      @Chrisheron78 Před měsícem +3

      @@badofcheese Agree with pretty much all of what you say, although you say I place 'so much emphasis on unskilled refugees'. I highlight that there are other issues also contributing to the areas decline. However placing those unskilled refugees in an area that already has pre existing socio economic issues really has not helped at all. My observation simply highlights the range of issues in the area contributing to its decline. Hopefully within our lifetime the area will see an uptick in skills and economic growth whatwith the investment in heavy industry on the banks of the Tyne in the east end. We can but live in hope.

    • @sbaby-kg8hn
      @sbaby-kg8hn Před měsícem +3

      What's your problem with immigrants? 🤔

    • @Chrisheron78
      @Chrisheron78 Před měsícem +3

      @@sbaby-kg8hn focus on my FULL comment. CLEARLY...you havent.

    • @NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot
      @NiktheEnglishGreekCypriot Před 7 dny

      @@sbaby-kg8hnbig problem with immigrants coming over on boats, all young men with mobile phones, coming to this country purely for free housing, food a free life that they really don’t deserve. It’s disgusting that they come here and are immediately housed, yet there’s people born and bred here who can’t get a flat or a house, generally you’re waiting 15 years for a council flat, yet come over on a boat and you immediately get one. They generally come here with no skills, no desire to integrate or work, currently they come here as Islamic extremists who will no doubt eventually cause problems in this country. Anyone with common sense can see the issues. Yet the woke liberals keep letting them in and are determined to ruin the country. Legal immigrants who work and integrate are fine. I’ll wait for the “British empire” response that has no bearing on the current issue

  • @StewartSteale
    @StewartSteale Před měsícem +10

    Most people got moved to Benton or Killingworth and never went back! Killingworth towers won awards thankfully they got knocked down but Killingworth was like a futuristic town in the 70s

    • @DavidSmith-gr9gd
      @DavidSmith-gr9gd Před měsícem +4

      And it had a Woolco !

    • @nymerianan4short314
      @nymerianan4short314 Před 26 dny +1

      Well I was brought up in killingworth and moved into the byker wall 😂 so clearly I didn't get the memo 😅

  • @geoffburlinson8909
    @geoffburlinson8909 Před měsícem +3

    Great video Eddie. Thanks for all your hard work putting this together. 👍👍👍

  • @malthorn568
    @malthorn568 Před měsícem +1

    Eddie this is absolutely brilliantly documented, the way you've captured the old and new life of Byker. I was 11 when we used to go and see me grandma on Avondale road. Thanks Eddie for helping keeping wor great history of a fantastic city.
    👍👍👍👍👍

  • @bonniedrasco8166
    @bonniedrasco8166 Před měsícem +3

    Great historical piece buddy, I’m going to subscribe because you definitely deserve all the support you should get

  • @martinheron7971
    @martinheron7971 Před měsícem +2

    Hi Eddie another great video having worked in byker for over 30 years there was a core of good byker people living there as I would call them salt of the earth however you always had a lot of bad tenants as😊 well I notice a big difference in the culture change when I went back to do so contracting work 2016 to 2019 alot of the good older generation had moved on or past and you are seeing the results now as you walk around. Keep up the good work eddie 😊

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem

      Thank you for sharing Martin 👊🏻👍🏻

  • @anthonywade4184
    @anthonywade4184 Před měsícem +4

    I remember playing 5-a-side football in about 1964/65 in the old Byker Reservoir for a youth club team based in Longbenton. I tried recently to find the reservoir on the map but found no trace. Happy days.

  • @pitstop1ish
    @pitstop1ish Před 29 dny +3

    Hi eddy just subscribed to your channel very informative and enjoyed this vid Was just wondering if you had any plans to to a pelaw vid know your from close to that area. I've lived here for nearly 20 year and seen it change massively in that time. Seen a few pics before I moved here and I know a famous get carter scene was filmed here where Malcolm who used to work in the DIY shop was in as a extra (his hands post office) cheers

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před 29 dny +1

      Cheers bud. I’ll have a think on it 👊🏻

  • @deeboal8643
    @deeboal8643 Před měsícem +2

    Very interesting video Eddie really enjoyed it thanks.

  • @jackyboiNUFC
    @jackyboiNUFC Před měsícem +2

    Great video as usual Eddie 👍🏻

  • @peterr11
    @peterr11 Před měsícem +2

    Great video Eddy, only ever been in the estate once so great to learn more about it.

  • @lukehope4484
    @lukehope4484 Před 8 dny +1

    Walked through this area to get to work for 18 months didn't know the history of the area cheers for the video dude

  • @jamiej779
    @jamiej779 Před měsícem +1

    Great Vlog Eddy, born in Molineux street 1957, a Byker boy, My Auntie Peg had a wool shop down Ruby street knew the wash house and baths well. Remember playing in the back lane and on the bomb sites. We moved up to High Heaton around 1963. Remember the wall going up as we always returned to shields road shopping. Keep your Vlogs coming

  • @marcusoreallly
    @marcusoreallly Před měsícem +7

    Great stuff, Eddy. Getting better and better. Hopefully, I'm retired soon like you to spend more time up in the northeast. You are crushing it. #nufc #tynesidelife

  • @CalTweedy
    @CalTweedy Před 28 dny +1

    Great video this man! I hadn’t seen your channel before but this seems to have popped up for a good few people. Really looking forward to seeing any more you do like this. Maybe The Ridges? Anyway well done, great stuff!

  • @davidashurst2600
    @davidashurst2600 Před měsícem +5

    Exceptional documentary Eddie so so good . Very interesting.

  • @AlexanderJonathan886
    @AlexanderJonathan886 Před měsícem +3

    Another great video.
    Would love to see one on heaton/chillingham road area, there are some old maps online showing it as farmland.

  • @ianlbates
    @ianlbates Před 29 dny +2

    amazing video eddie. I was always fascinated with byker growing up in the area. my favourite part of the metroline with spectacular views including the wall. but I was always intimidated when the metro actually stopped there and as a teenager in the 90s you would need to keep your head down to stop getting randomly started on. amazing to see the former pre-wall community.

  • @clint3362
    @clint3362 Před měsícem +4

    im a online supermarket driver..go there late at night. very dodgy was threatened by kids, dont look forward to delivering there

    • @jean2740
      @jean2740 Před 7 dny

      Take your life in your hands in East end

  • @TheMermaidsparkles
    @TheMermaidsparkles Před 29 dny +1

    Great video and very emotional. I used to have a relative who lived in the Byker Wall so would visit regularly as a kid. Even back then I was amazed by it. It was something I’d never seen before and to this day I still find the structure so fascinating. Thanks for the information behind it 😊

  • @Jamie_A_Newcastle_Tenerife
    @Jamie_A_Newcastle_Tenerife Před měsícem +2

    Bravo with the editing 👏🏻 wonderful watch Eddie.

  • @garyley4270
    @garyley4270 Před měsícem +1

    Well Eddy this is a really class video. I know the area from my time staying in Newcastle and have visited friends there since I moved away. You capture the feel of the place well. I like social history stuff and you do it well. I could write paragraphs but I don't think anyone would be particularly interested in what I have to say. So I'll just say well done for a fascinating video.

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem +1

      That’s really appreciated thank you Gary 🙏👊🏻👍🏻

  • @kevin4havis
    @kevin4havis Před měsícem +1

    Another very interesting video Eddy. My father was from the top of shields Road and became a Councillor for the East end and it was he that officially opened the bypass and there is a plaque to him on the bridge between the metro station and the wall. "Councillor Harry Thompson ". I found it really interesting about the mile castle at Brough Park. I spent a lot of time going to the speedway (dodging in I must add)
    Thanks for your efforts.

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem

      Ahh interesting stuff Kevin. You’re famous 😃
      Thanks for sharing 👊🏻👍🏻

  • @steadynumber1
    @steadynumber1 Před měsícem +3

    Whenever I hear of Byker Hill the folk song I first heard played by The High Level Ranters comes to mind. 'Ranting Lads,' the album it came from is well worth a listen also, for its other Durham & Northumberland folk songs. ❤

  • @listey
    @listey Před měsícem +15

    Your comments on poverty were very interesting. As you say people may have been poor but they were happy, fed and had electricity.
    I've been to some of the poorest countries in the world and had children begging me with both hands out for anything I could give them. I've always hated it since then when people describe themselves as "starving" because they're eating lunch an hour later than they normally would. Sorry went a bit off topic there...
    Fascinating video as always Eddy. Thank you for all the time you spend researching these topics and for bringing us the videos.

  • @marksenior6101
    @marksenior6101 Před měsícem +2

    Really interesting video Eddie. Love the local history

  • @geordienufc3132
    @geordienufc3132 Před měsícem +2

    Very informative, thanks.

  • @stephenbrown5844
    @stephenbrown5844 Před 10 dny

    Absolutely love my heritage,😘👍♥️♥️♥️🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 being a geordie and byker being just up the road,,, these photos depict my childhood and am very proud to come from Newcastle.... Beautiful programme 😎👌🇬🇧❤️❤️

  • @staceyjinuk9714
    @staceyjinuk9714 Před měsícem +1

    Wonderful photographs ❤
    I'm new to this area, Eddie, just moved to Ashington.
    Would like to know where the boundaries are? Where does Northumberland cover? And do you ever come this far north?
    Loving the channel by the way 🌹

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem

      Thank you 🙏 👍🏻
      You’ll be able to see the boundaries on Google maps 👍🏻

  • @TeamCGS2005
    @TeamCGS2005 Před 23 dny +1

    Thanks for the video. It's fascinating to find out about the history of Byker. What happened to Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen? Her photographs were absolutely incredible not only in terms of their composition, but how they're a time capsule of life back then.

  • @tynestreet4011
    @tynestreet4011 Před 28 dny +1

    I grew up in North Shields same time as you did in your neck of the woods. Really enjoyed this video and learned things I never knew 🙏

  • @Donna.M
    @Donna.M Před měsícem +3

    I live in ouseburn literally 10 mins away it has sadly declined my daughter had a friend who lived on the wall for years and she was always safe. Thanks for this tho Eddie very interesting 👍 👌

  • @stexoneoneone5386
    @stexoneoneone5386 Před měsícem +1

    Thanks Eddy for this, you've enhanced the bbc footage i was familiar with already with your own personable take, with empathy, sensetivity and care, as always. Looking forward to the much-awaited shipyards episode

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem

      That’s appreciated mate 🙏👊🏻👍🏻

  • @laikatravels
    @laikatravels Před měsícem +2

    Brilliant work 👏. Very interesting. Thanks for making this 👍

  • @robroy488
    @robroy488 Před 10 dny

    Really enjoyed this. My dad grew up in Benwell in the 50s and 60s and I liked seeing the old pictures of a similar area in Newcastle. Makes me appreciate how luxurious my life was in comparison. Great video, all the best.

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před 10 dny +1

      Have you seen my West End video Rob?

    • @robroy488
      @robroy488 Před 10 dny

      @TynesideLife just watched it mate! Now I'm onto the Mary Bell one, my mam remembers that case. Fascinating stuff, love the old footage. Really well made videos, just subbed.

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před 10 dny +1

      @@robroy488 cheers Rob 🙏

  • @michaelmcleod8598
    @michaelmcleod8598 Před dnem

    Great video, Many years ago, I worked in the old Byker swimming pool, which was built into the wall.

  • @user-qq1gz5hb2g
    @user-qq1gz5hb2g Před měsícem +1

    Thank you very informative and interesting.

  • @cheetaraneenja2465
    @cheetaraneenja2465 Před 12 dny

    Great video, thank you. I've had a fascination with Tyside and the slums since I was little as Im a Cookson fan lol. Thanks for sharing!

  • @MichaelAyden
    @MichaelAyden Před měsícem

    Really well done putting all of this together. I’m at West Denton lad originally and my family is from both the east and west side of Newcastle. I’ve been to the wall a few times. I now live in the south-west of England. It’s always good to be reminded of where I come from and have a walk down memory lane. I adore the nostalgia of our rich heritage and upbringing 🧭

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem

      Thanks for sharing Michael 👊🏻👍🏻

  • @micknufc5011
    @micknufc5011 Před měsícem +2

    Another great video eddie i use to knock around byker wall estate when i was a young lad had a good friend from there never any bother great place haha nd then i donr abit boxing over there above rons gym nd we use to run through byker wall nd get sticks nd stones chucked at us lol 😂😂

  • @JSC131
    @JSC131 Před měsícem +1

    Fantastic content im from South Wales and found this so 8ntresting I've been to Newcastle in the 80s and 90s were lovely people to me and my family. Just a quick question was some of material recorded in the likely lads film from the old area before it was demolished?.

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem +2

      Hi mate, thank you and not to my knowledge it wasn’t 👊🏻👍🏻

  • @chrisdooley1184
    @chrisdooley1184 Před 26 dny

    Fascinating video mate. I’m not very familiar with the area nor living in council estates/terraced houses but I’m eager to see more. I subscribed to follow this channel

  • @strongermedicine
    @strongermedicine Před měsícem +2

    Phenomenal video, great work

  • @TJRICHARDS-if9jl
    @TJRICHARDS-if9jl Před měsícem

    Another fantastic, excellent and historically informative video Eddie. Really interesting even for a southerner like me who’s followed NUFC for over 40 years since i met my wife ( a Darlington girl).
    It reminds me very much of similarities of 5:15 what things were like back then ( I’m 71 but still remember what it was like and all my parents and other family stories from back then in Peckham and Nunhead)
    They should have kept the well built Victorian terraces and spent the money better with rear or loft extensions to allow conversions with bathrooms.
    Same old story everywhere with those awful modern replacements. ah well….

    • @TynesideLife
      @TynesideLife  Před měsícem

      Thank you for sharing 👊🏻👍🏻