marker

Typical "Tyneside Flats" with front and rear views in one photo. On the right of the photo the two front doors are together. The right door was for the ground-floor flat. The left door was for the staircase to the upper flat. In Stanley, County Durham some designs had 4 front doors grouped together. In the centre of the photo is the rear view with an open staircase leading to the upper flat. Imagine coming down that staircase in the dark winter to visit the outside toilet. Each small back yard had its own back gate and coal house. There were chimney stacks for the living room and kitchen coal fires.

Is there any reason why the marker hasn't been maintained?

It is back in the bush and was discovered by Robin Ellins one day when he was building his house. I don't think any present day people know it's there or when it was put there. It's a fairly recent discovery.

Pretty special!

Thank you so much for posting this! Moïse le 1er Lessard ('Moses 1') was my great-great grandfather. He donated land in Flinton to the Catholic Church. His land is where St. John The Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, it's cemetery and manse now stand. His portrait is on display in the "Lessard Room" at St. John The Evangelist.