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Swalwell - Sands Cottage
On the banks of the River Derwent at Swalwell stood an old cottage which was built of wood boards, the cavity walls being filled with sawdust to act as insulation, and this was topped off by a pantile roof.
The cottage and two others of similar construction alongside, were built in 1832 to act as offices while the railway was being built from Scotswood to Blackhill and they were subsequently sold to a Mr. Lance Jobling for £10.
Mr Jobling's brother, Jack was the first occupier he had to give up his work at Vickers Armstrongs due to ill - health, and kept three cows to supplement his income - eventually ending up the owner of several farms in Sunniside area.
Unfortunately, old age caught up with the cottage, it lacked adequate drainage, the pantile roof sagged and leaked and visitors brushed their heads against the ceiling inside. It was only by frequent applications of tar to the wooden walls that dampness was kept to a minimum.
There was no electricity but there was gas. An unique feature was the heating of the bathwater - this was done by filling the bath with cold water and heating it by means of a gas ring under the bath. The last owners of the cottage, Mr Alexander Norrie and his wife, Margaret spent many happy years living there but could no longer maintain it, the Council condemned the property in 1969.
When Mr. and Mrs. Norrie were rehoused the cottage was demolished and another part of old Swalwell's history disappeared.