Monday 23rd April 2012 saw a talk by Cullercoats ladies, Hilary East and Hazel Graham, assisted at the computer, projector and sound system by Hilary's husband, Ian. Although mainly about the lives of the former fishwives, a whole spread of local history was interlaced with an entertainment of song and drama, and ended with a clog dance. It made for a very enjoyable evening for the Heddon crowd in the WI Hall. Surprisingly, it was their first public talk, although it clearly won't be their last. I can't possibly do justice to the wealth and variety of material the ladies covered, but hope the few items below will give a flavour.
"Will yer buy ma fresh fish"
Hilary East and Hazel Graham dressed as traditional Cullercoats fishwives outside Heddon WI. Photo courtesy of Ian East (2012).
 View north across Cullercoats Bay. Photo by A Curtis (2009). |  Life Brigade Watch House, Cullercoats. A Curtis (2009). |
© Copyright Andrew Curtis and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
'Cullercoats Bay'
In many strange lands o'er the ocean I've been,
And countless the beautiful sights I have seen,
But I'm a Tynesider, and proudly must say,
I've seen nothing finer than Cullercoats Bay.
The men go fishing, I've met by the score,
They spin the same yarns both abroad and ashore:
But give me the language that's spoken my way,
Sweet music to exiles from Cullercoats Bay.
I love the small houses where fisher-folk bide,
So neat, and so tidy, if you peep inside:
Fresh lobsters, and crabs at the doors they display,
And sell, canny-hinny, at Cullercoats Bay.
How well I remember those mates that I knew,
We talked on the Bank Top as sailormen do:
But when seas were raging, all ready were they,
To man the old lifeboat, at Cullercoats Bay.
And when I grow old, and go sailing no more,
I'll make for the harbour I fondly adore:
And there, in life's gloaming, with each passing day,
I'll thank the Almighty for Cullercoats Bay.
Written by John Gair “Jack” Robson (1885-1957)
In many strange lands o'er the ocean I've been,
And countless the beautiful sights I have seen,
But I'm a Tynesider, and proudly must say,
I've seen nothing finer than Cullercoats Bay.
The men go fishing, I've met by the score,
They spin the same yarns both abroad and ashore:
But give me the language that's spoken my way,
Sweet music to exiles from Cullercoats Bay.
I love the small houses where fisher-folk bide,
So neat, and so tidy, if you peep inside:
Fresh lobsters, and crabs at the doors they display,
And sell, canny-hinny, at Cullercoats Bay.
How well I remember those mates that I knew,
We talked on the Bank Top as sailormen do:
But when seas were raging, all ready were they,
To man the old lifeboat, at Cullercoats Bay.
And when I grow old, and go sailing no more,
I'll make for the harbour I fondly adore:
And there, in life's gloaming, with each passing day,
I'll thank the Almighty for Cullercoats Bay.
Written by John Gair “Jack” Robson (1885-1957)
'Fisherwomen, Cullercoats' by Winslow Homer (1881)
Winslow Homer (1836–1910) was an American landscape painter and printmaker, best known for his marine subjects. Homer spent two years (1881–1882) in Cullercoats as a prominent member of the local artists' community.
The coble is a type of open fishing boat which developed on the North East coast of England. Cullercoats today only has two fishermen; there were 189 on the census in 1871.
'James Denyer' coble fishing boat, Cullercoats. A Curtis (2009).
© Copyright Andrew Curtis and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
Links
Cullercoats history & links
Old photos from Newcastle Libraries Photostream on Flikr
Cullercoats Art Trail
Port of Tyne Writer in Residence - Kitty Hewlett (a Cullercoats fishwife)
By June Simpson
Cullercoats history & links
Old photos from Newcastle Libraries Photostream on Flikr
Cullercoats Art Trail
Port of Tyne Writer in Residence - Kitty Hewlett (a Cullercoats fishwife)
By June Simpson
RSS Feed
