A lifetime in Hunstanworth – Hilda Everitt
Hilda was born on January 30 1915, the second daughter of William and Elizabeth Armstrong. Apart from Hilda and elder sister Mary Jane, none of the other babies Elizabeth gave birth to survived past infancy – sadly a common occurrence in those days.
William was a Hunstanworth lead miner, like his father and grandfather before him. Hilda said when he first started work he travelled over to Rookhope with his week’s supplies in a bag or ‘poke’ over his shoulder, stayed there in the ‘lodging shop’ and walked back again; that was what life was like for lead miners.
At first the family lived next door to grandparents John and Meggie Armstrong at the end of Boltshope Park. One of Hilda’s earliest memories was her father William collecting her and her sister from school at Townfield during a severe blizzard, and taking them through the driving snow back up home on ‘The Park’, a daughter under each arm. When Hilda was about five years old, the family moved down into Hunstanworth where William became church sexton. Hilda remembered that one of her father’s roles as sexton was to be the “caller” when someone in the community died. He’d wear a black silk cap and walk to various points in the parish to announce – or “call” – someone’s death.
Hilda had fond memories of her time at Hunstanworth School, recalling the annual tea party at Newbiggin Hall and summer trips to the seaside. She was punished only once, when a boy in class, Ralph Patrick, passed her a note, which she was reading instead of listening to the teacher. She was a very able pupil though, and enjoyed partnering headmaster Mr Dewhirst at Whist in the village Reading Room.
Hilda’s father died when she was aged just 14; years of working in the dirt and dust of the mines had wrecked his lungs. He was one of a number of miners in Hunstanworth who all died within two years of one-another, a slow and painful death from sillicosis. Because of the bonus structure, miners were keen to get to work immediately after the blast the previous shift let off, not waiting for the dust to settle. Hilda said the family received 7/6d a week (35p) in compensation for her father’s death, and after 12 months the payments stopped.
Unable to take up a scholarship to grammar school after her father’s death, Hilda went into service in households in Cullercoats and Whitley Bay. Her daughter Brenda said Hilda would take full advantage of living so near the coast and would go for a dip in the sea every day.
Then she met Fred Everitt from Hedley on the Hill, cutting a dash on his motorbike at Baybridge; they married on July 15 1939 and spent the first year of married life living and working at The Angel Assembly Room in Blanchland, where social events and dances were held. The couple then moved to Low Garden House with baby daughter Brenda, aged six months, and finally in 1943 settled in their cosy end cottage next to St James’ Church, Hunstanworth where Hilda would live for the rest of her life. Son Peter came along in 1950 – born on a very hot summer’s day in the family’s front bedroom!
For more than 60 years, Hilda played a full part in the Hunstanworth community, serving as churchwarden at St James’ for many years, and chair of the local Women’s Institute. She provided stiff competition in the bakery classes of Blanchland and Hunstanworth Show’s Industrial tent.
Fred passed away in December 1992 after 53 years of happy marriage to Hilda.
In recent years Hilda had had several lengthy stays in hospital, and indeed had undergone surgery for a cancerous growth, but each time she had bounced back in her usual cheerful way, usually having met an old friend in the same ward, or having made a new friend in a fellow patient.
Even though she grew increasingly frail, with the kind support of neighbours and friends she was still able to enjoy an active social life. Hilda discovered at around 60 years of age that she had a talent with an easel and oil paints, and she regularly attended the weekly Art Club in Blanchland started by artist Pat Bailes in the 1960s. Today, many living room walls in varying parts of the world are adorned with a beautifully executed oil painting of a local scene by Hilda. She also loved to attend the monthly Silver Lining lunches in Blanchland to catch up with the local goings-on, and she was the winner of the Blanchland and Hunstanworth Show Best Floral Display trophy when the competition was re-introduced four years ago.
A particular delight for Hilda late in life was becoming a grandmother again at the age of 91 to little Ruby, son Peter and his partner Linley’s daughter. Ruby would often come round to Grandma’s house for a dish of ice cream while Dad worked in the vegetable garden.
Hilda’s final Christmas was packed full of enjoyment and activity; she spent time with Ruby, she attended a carol service at St James’ Church, she chatted with family, friends and neighbours as she always had. Her final illness was extremely brief and took her quickly – a kindness for her, but an immense loss for the people she leaves behind.
She leaves two children, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Much-loved resident of Hunstanworth, Hilda Everitt, died on New Year’s Day, 2009 at the age of 93 after a short illness.
