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Submitted By Geoff Robinson

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MEMORABLE DINNER 1856

In the fifties a factory was built by Hopper’s at Colliery Row, and with that came the provision of adequate facilities for the quick despatch of goods, a branch line being laid into the end of the factory, says Mr George Dawson, of Shiney Row. About the time of the Colliery Row venture Mr. Hopper suffered a bereavement in the death of his son who had actively identified himself with the work. When this new factory was completed the Marchioness of Londonderry performed the opening ceremony.

It was in a branch of the Hopper Works at Chilton Moor that a memorable dinner was given by the Marchioness on March 1^st, 1856, to the miners, harbourmen, quarrymen and railwaymen her Ladyship employed in the area. It was a large brick building, 200 feet long by 70 feet broad, and additional accommodation was required to provide for an assembly of 3000 people. A raised platform was erected at one end of the room, and a gallery at the other; and 30 large tables in three divisions were arranged. In the centre of the platform was a baron of beef weighing 168 pounds.

Provision for the feast consisted of eight fat bullocks and 15 sheep; a ton of plumb pudding, a ton and a half of bread, 100 bushels of potatoes and 50 barrels of strong beer. Earl Vane presided, and on his right were his Mother, the Marchioness, and The Countess Vane. The Marchioness delivered an eloquent address which was replied to by one of the older workmen, Mr James Cuthbertson. The events that day were talked of for many years.

An extract taken from Houghton le Spring A History by Frank H Rushford

TONGUE OF BIG BEN

The Co-Operative Society buildings formerly the site of Hopper Houses, home of George Hopper who founded the famous foundry and axle crank factory, long disappeared. These works extended from Sunderland Street to Hopper Square.

There used to be a wagon way-way from there passing by the Grey Horse lane across Newbottle Street to Hoppers other establishment at Colliery Row on a site now occupied by Messrs. George Graham Ltd. (now the B & S) Behind Mr. Hopper’s house there still remains the old forge and smith’s shop where the Tongue of Big Ben was made.

It seemed the original tongue of the famous clock at Westminster had not been satisfactory, cracking and splintering. This fact came to the notice of Sir George Elliott, the Member of Parliament for North Durham. He told the authority at Westminster that he knew where they could get a new Big Ben Tongue, and one morning the postman delivered a letter at Hoppers office in which there was a drawing of the tongue of Big Ben. Word was sent to the forge, and John Thornton, the forgeman, made the tongue and brought fame to himself and to Houghton. (Fence Houses) It is this same tongue which marks the hours we hear so frequently over the radio.

An extract taken from Houghton le Spring A History by Frank H Rushford