Westoe

Westoe is a suburb of South Shields, Tyne & Wear, United Kingdom. The ward population taken at the 2011 census was 8,080.

History

Westoe was originally a village a mile south of South Shields, and was gradually absorbed into the urban sprawl extending from the centre of Shields at the end of the niineteenth century.

In contemporary usage the term "Westoe Village" refers to a specific quiet suburban East-West road in the Westoe area. It consists of Georgian and Victorian houses, many being built by Victorian business leaders in South Shields, including those who owned mines and shipyards. It is considered the most exclusive area in South Shields.

A number of houses which were once part of the historical village of Westoe are not considered to be part of Westoe Village. The paired early nineteenth century houses of Westoe Terrace have been absorbed into the late Victorian terrace of Dean Road.

Politics

Westoe is an electoral ward of South Tyneside Council, bordered to the north by Beacon and Bents ward, to the east by Horsley Hill ward, to the south by Harton ward, and to the west by Simonside and Rekendyke, and West Park, wards. In the 2007 local elections the ward returned three independent candidates.

Transport

The Westoe Road forms part of the A1018 road from South Shields to Seaham.

Westoe is served by the Chichester Metro station, the penultimate stop on the South Shields branch of the Tyne and Wear Metro rapid transit system.

Education

The South Shields campus of South Tyneside College is located immediately to the southern side of the road named Westoe Village.

Brewing

Westoe had its own brewery until the 1960s. The Jarrow Brewing Company of nearby Jarrow purchased the former Chameleon pub in Westoe, opening it as The Maltings. From 2006 they expanded their microbrewery output by installing a facility below this pub, producing 100 barrels a week. The company includes in its beers, Westoe IPA and Westoe Netty Special.

Sport

Westoe Rugby Football Club est. 1875, is the Village's oldest Rugby club.

Colliery

Westoe Colliery was one of many coal mines in the area.

The Westoe Netty

Westoe became locally famous as the inspiration for a popular picture, the Westoe Netty, illustrating a local public toilet. Netty is a Geordie dialect word for toilet. The original toilet was built in 1890 near the railway bridge. To allow for regeneration, it was dismantled and put into storage in 1996. In 2008 the toilet was rebuilt as a permanent exhibit at the Beamish Museum.

Former residents

• Catherine Cookson, author, spent time in Westoe in her youth. Westoe was the backdrop for a number of her romance novels
• Dame Flora Robson, actress. Nominated for an Oscar for her role in Saratoga Trunk.
• William Fox Three time Prime Minister of New Zealand.
• Elinor Brent-Dyer, author of the Chalet School books. She was born in South Shields and attended school in Westoe.
• Joe McElderry Winner of X Factor 2009. Pop/Classical Crossover singer and model. He was born and grew up in Westoe, still lives nearby and returns there often to visit family and friends.