Stories of Leadgate

Leadgate Through Time

From the mid 1800s Leadgate has been a thriving community. Here, using photographs from the 19th, 20th and the early 21st century, we chart the changing face of our village.

Working in Leadgate

Apart from farming and retail the main source of employment in and around Leadgate was industrial. The Consett Iron Company being the primary employer in its mining and metal working environments. By the mid 19th Century the railways arrived, first the Stanhope and Tyne Railway followed by North East Railways who built a station in Leadgate in 1896.

Places of Worship

Leadgate being a community of around 4500, mainly working class villagers, had not only grand churches like St Ives (Church of England) and Our Lady and St Joseph (Catholic) but a wide variety of nonconformist Chapels and Halls of Worship, Primitive Methodist and Wesleyan being the largest.

Leadgate Schools

From the Victorian era schools flourished in villages, Leadgate was no exception. We have drawn on many sources to find them and where possible, delve into the history of these establishments.

Leadgate Pubs

Leadgate throughout the years had its fair share of Hotels, Hostelries and Public Houses. We have drawn on many sources to find them and where possible, delve into the history of these establishments.

Leadgate Cricket Club

The Club was formed in 1904, and began playing on a field near Bunker Hill Farm. Under the leadership of Mr Brears, a well-known village schoolmaster, it moved to Leadgate Park near the Church of England School and finally to Garden Place where the Club remains to this day.

Football in Leadgate

There have been many teams from Leadgate since football became established in England but the two largest of these, who played in the fledgling Football League were Leadgate Exiles & Leadgate Park.

Leadgate Bowls Club

The Leadgate Bowls Club has its pavilion and green on Eden Field. Bowls was a popular pastime across the North East and Leadgate Bowls Club was popular throughout the 20th Century.