User:Jesmond Dean

William John Allen (1887-1949) was born in Wingate Durham. His Cornish ancestors were part of the influx of Cornish miners and agricultural workers who migrated north during the 19th century. He was Colliery Deputy at North Walbottle and subsequently became Secretary of the Miners Union working from an office in Jesmond. Representing Northumberland Miners, William was a governor at the RVI between 1939-42. Notably he served 34 continuous years as councillor for Newburn District Council. He involved himself in local education and the social housing programme and during the Depression organised a soup kitchen for poor mining families. A plaque bearing his name to commemorate the first council housing in the district, is sited on 310 Stamfordham Road, on the corner of Windsor Crescent, Westerhope, Newcastle upon Tyne.   <Tyne and Wear Archives HO/RVI/2/3≥