Canny Old Blaydon

From the album 'A Legend Evermore'. This is a collection of nineteen songs telling the history of the Blaydon/Winlaton area of Tyneside. 'Winlaton Coal' is the first song then carry on through the playlist to hear the full story, ending with Summerhill Sunset.
The town of Blaydon grew rapidly from 1850 to 1900. It was a Victorian town with thriving shops and commerce. Nearby there was much industry and coal mining.
At the heart of the town was the Co-op (the Store). The man behind it was the charismatic Joe Cowen. It was the first in the north east.
In the late 1960s much of the central town and nearby terraced rows were the subject of compulsory purchase orders, clearance and demolition, to be replaced by the modern town of today. It is now 50 years ago but older folk still remember and talk about their old town with great fondness. There was a close knit community, everyone knew everyone. Canny Old Blaydon - happy days. Nice though to see the modern town thriving with its busy shops, ample parking and good transport links.
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