Next to Michael Kelly's Byron stood the Boilermakers Arms. Local Studies regular customer Mr Dunn researching pubs in the Wallsend area has looked into its history.

The first known licensee of the Boilermakers was James White in 1868.

In 1907 the report of Police Superintendent John Weddell of Gosforth, as notice was served on Margaret Peace for closure of Boilermakers Arms, stated that it had eight licensed premises on each side and four beer-houses only yards away.

Downstairs the front bar measured 16ft 10in by 15ft 7in with a back sitting room of just over 12 ft square, a wc and urinal in the back yard with stairs up to the cellar, which was built into the ballast hill to the rear.

The first floor housed the kitchen, bedroom and sitting room.

Wards Directory shows William Peace as landlord in 1885 who bought the residue of the lease in 1894. When he died in 1906, his sister became the tenant with her son, his wife and child.

Compensation of £177 was paid to her as the lease had 11 years left to run. They were taking a gross £16 per week with £3 per week profit and she paid her son a small salary to manage the house. By the 1930s the pub had been converted into a dwelling house and the school transferred to Howdon.

If anyone has further information please ask for local studies on (0191) 200 5424 or e-mail local.studies@northtyneside.gov.uk