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Jack Besford’s speech at the 1948 Northumberland Miners’ Picnic
Background to Jack Besford’s speech of 17th July 1948 A majority Labour government had been elected for the first time ever in July 1945. It faced no shortage of problems. Three quarters of a million houses had been destroyed or severely damaged by German bombing. The country faced record debt after having to finance six…
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Joan Besford (née Matthews) 1921-2019
Joan Matthews was born on 24th April 1921 at Westgate, Haltwhistle, Northumberland. Her parents were John Thompson Matthews (then aged 30) and Mary Elizabeth Teasdale Matthews (née Liddell) (then aged 28).
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Besford Water Tower
Besford Water Tower was built in the early 20th century to supply water to nearby Besford Court.
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Harry Hornsby (1909-1992)
Henry Charles Deamster Hornsby was born on 16th May 1909 at Pace Bush, Choppington, Northumberland. His parents were Demster Hornsby and Annie Hornsby (née Johnson).
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John Besford (1789-1825)
John Besford was the son of Robert Besford (1752-1837) and his second wife, Ann Besford (née Goodfellow). John was baptised on 3rd May 1789 at the parish church of St. John of Beverley, St. John Lee, Northumberland. St. John Lee is about 10 miles south of Hallington, where Robert and Ann were living at the…
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William Thompson Besford (1899-1997)
William Thompson Besford was the son of John Besford (1872-1954) and Mary Ann Besford (nee Thompson). He was born on 10th September 1899.
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Robert Bestford (1865-1935)
Robert Bestford was the son of George and Jane Bestford. He was baptised on 11th June 1865 at St. Giles Parish Church, Birtley, Northumberland.
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Matthew Wilkinson Bestford (1892-1978)
Matthew Wilkinson Bestford was born on 7th May 1892. He was the son of Robert Bestford (1865-1935) and his wife Phyllis Bestford (née Woodman).
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Thomas Besford (born 1900)
Thomas Besford was born on 11th June 1900, the son of Thomas Besford and Elizabeth Besford (née Train). Thomas was the brother of John Besford (1890-1916).
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George Besford (1871-1938)
George Besford was born on 15th January 1871 at Barrasford, Northumberland. He was baptised on 26th March 1871 at St. Michael and All Angels Parish Church, Warden.