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Memories of Bill and Betty Oloman
Billy the youngest of four children to Mr and Mrs Oloman was born, in a house belonging to his grandparents, on the 22nd January 1922. Billy's grandfather was the coachman to Mr Hunter (of the Tyneside ship building family). The cottage was the Coachman's Cottage, Grange Farm, Burnthouse Lane. The Hunter's lived in a big house on Burnthouse Lane.
There was a fire at the big house. It was so badly damaged they did not bother to rebuild it. There was a small section which was habitable. An elderly brother and sister belonging to the Hunter family did stay there for a short time. They were quite elderly and died shortly after the fire. Billy said there were a number of houses along Burnthouse Lane including Laundry Cottage, Dinsdale House,(which was built by Blyths of Birtley Brickwork fame), Green Shutters and Appletree House.
Billy thought it quite amusing that his grandfather who was a teetotaller lived in a house which one day would become a pub.
Billy's father, William Oloman, was a time-served joiner and a clerk of works for various councils. During the war he worked as an assessor for the War Damage Commission.
Billy's father built a house on Grange Lane for his family to move into.This property is still standing and is near Westacres Avenue. The house was named 'Dryburgh' for Pastor William Dryburgh, who had been a Presbyterian Minister at the Ebenezer Chapel, Swalwell. The Oloman family, having been Presbyterians at one time, had great respect for this gentleman. Pastor William Dryburgh was the father of Margaret Dryburgh who had died in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp.(see People of Note,Swalwell)
Billy and Betty Roberts married in the Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin on the 17th November 1942. Unfortunately they would only have three days together before Billy had to rejoin his regiment. They would not see each other again until December 1945 when Billy came home for a month's leave.
Betty's father had come to Whickham to work as a manager at Easey's farm. The whole family had to help out. When Betty got older she drove the milk cart delivering milk. She was offered the job of Dairy Maid with a cottage to live in so was able to provide a home for Billy when he returned from the war. The cottage on Windy hill was demolished to make way for The Broadway.
Betty and Billy have one daughter Wendy who was born in 1947 and a couple of grandchildren.
Bill and Betty have lived for several years in Park Cottage, School Lane, Whickham. They have been prominent members of the community all their lives. In 2002 they will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary.
Park Cottage near the old
Parochial School buildingOnce confirmed into the Church of England, Billy became a very active member of the Parochial Church Council, Sides Person, Server, and Reader. Billy was Church Warden for St. Mary's for several years. Betty has always been a very active member of St. Mary's Parish Church, working on many things including several fundraising events.
Billy had the distinction of being the first Conservative Member on Whickham Urban District Council.
Billy Oloman died in Febraury 2007.