BLYTH POST OFFICE (1894)
Freehold Street
Architect: John Golding
Year: 1894
Selected bibliographical references
Morpeth Journal 12 May 1894, p. 2
History
Opened: 7 May 1894
Closed: c.1913
Demolished
Year: 1894
Selected bibliographical references
Morpeth Journal 12 May 1894, p. 2
History
Opened: 7 May 1894
Closed: c.1913
Demolished
Building description
From: Morpeth Herald 12 May 1894, p. 2
The whole of the Blyth Post Office business was transferred last Monday from the old office to the fine commodious buildings which have recently been erected, and which, so far as details are concerned are not yet in a completed state. It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast exists between the old cramped place wherein the post office business was transacted, and the roomy and convenient edifice in which the business is to be transacted in future. Itis quite unnecessary enter into any description of the building with regard to its architecture, for the inhabitants of Blyth have, for a long time, had the opportunity of examining it; it is sufficient to here state that the structure forms one of the architectural features of the town. The folding doors, which are heavily glazed with stained glass, are the first things which are calculated to strike the eye of anyone entering the post office, and on emerging at the other side one cannot help instinctively looking downwards at the block-wooded floor which presents a very neat appearance. All the public business is carried on in a separate department from the business pertaining strictly to the officials themselves, the two portions of the building being divided by a screen. Perhaps some idea of the vast improvement in the place, as compared with the old office, will be gathered when it is stated that the length the public counter is 32 feet, while the old counter measured only 10 feet. The new office measures altogether 60 feet by 19 feet, while the dimensions of the old one were 23 by 15. An excellent arrangement is provided by which letters can be posted from the inside the office, well as by the usual outside letter box. There are two telephone silentiums — one for the use of the public, the other being reserved for the officials. At the other side of the screen which divides the ground floor, there is the sorting department, which contains a substantial facing table. In this room are the sorting racks for outward and inward mails. The sorting tables are fitted with the latest appliances, including falling racks and swivel racks. The whole of the work in this department is performed quite independently of the post office business proper. Leading from the sorting room is the postmen's department, where there is accommodation for twelve postmen. A most ingenious device is to observed in connection with the table in this room — namely, the swing stools, which, when not required, can be swung under the table by a mere touch. This convenient contrivance, though no means a new invention, was adopted in the Blyth office on the suggestion of Mr. James Scott, the postmaster. The postmen's room is fitted in very comfortable manner, an oven, fireplace, etc., being provided. On the same floor, directly underneath the stairs, is situated a closet or storeroom, in which is the battery for the linesman, and from which the various wires run underground to the instruments. Coming back again the other end of the office, we arrive at the postmaster's private room, which is situated opposite the counter where the public business is transacted. It presents rather a snug appearance, and one of the chief characteristics is the full volume of light with which it is filled. In this room is located the safe, and among the other fittings in the post office chief's sanctum is a handsome secretaire. It might be mentioned that the whole the fittings — which have cost something like £200 — have been provided by Mr. Scott himself, and great credit is due to him for the tasteful manner in which he has had the office fitted out. On the second floor is the store room, which has been fitted up with racks suitable for officials' stores of all kinds — mail-bags, baskets, &c. On the same floor is a cosy little sitting room which is intended for the use of the ladies, and which is fitted with a fireplace. There are two clocks in the new post office, the one which faces into the street and the other side into the interior, and also a clock placed in the sorting room. It is but fitting that a word or two should be said — even in this superficial sketch — is reference to the postmaster and the staff by when he is so ably assisted. The staff consists of 6 clerks, 9 postmen (7 town and 2 country), 3 messengers, and there is also attached to the office a linesman. The members of the staff possess the advantage of having the medical services of Dr. Newstead at their command in case of sickness. Mr. James Scott, the present postmaster, entered the service in 1874 as clerk in the Malton office, and remained in place until transferred in 1892 to the position which he now holds in Blyth. The architect for the new building was Mr. John Golding; Messrs. Simpson Bros, were the builders; Messrs. H. Boyd and W. Armstrong, Blyth, painters; the whole of the inside fittings, were executed by Mr. H. Bower, Blyth; and plumbing and gasfitting has been in the hands of Messrs. Sanderson and Co., Blyth.
From: Morpeth Herald 12 May 1894, p. 2
The whole of the Blyth Post Office business was transferred last Monday from the old office to the fine commodious buildings which have recently been erected, and which, so far as details are concerned are not yet in a completed state. It would be difficult to imagine a greater contrast exists between the old cramped place wherein the post office business was transacted, and the roomy and convenient edifice in which the business is to be transacted in future. Itis quite unnecessary enter into any description of the building with regard to its architecture, for the inhabitants of Blyth have, for a long time, had the opportunity of examining it; it is sufficient to here state that the structure forms one of the architectural features of the town. The folding doors, which are heavily glazed with stained glass, are the first things which are calculated to strike the eye of anyone entering the post office, and on emerging at the other side one cannot help instinctively looking downwards at the block-wooded floor which presents a very neat appearance. All the public business is carried on in a separate department from the business pertaining strictly to the officials themselves, the two portions of the building being divided by a screen. Perhaps some idea of the vast improvement in the place, as compared with the old office, will be gathered when it is stated that the length the public counter is 32 feet, while the old counter measured only 10 feet. The new office measures altogether 60 feet by 19 feet, while the dimensions of the old one were 23 by 15. An excellent arrangement is provided by which letters can be posted from the inside the office, well as by the usual outside letter box. There are two telephone silentiums — one for the use of the public, the other being reserved for the officials. At the other side of the screen which divides the ground floor, there is the sorting department, which contains a substantial facing table. In this room are the sorting racks for outward and inward mails. The sorting tables are fitted with the latest appliances, including falling racks and swivel racks. The whole of the work in this department is performed quite independently of the post office business proper. Leading from the sorting room is the postmen's department, where there is accommodation for twelve postmen. A most ingenious device is to observed in connection with the table in this room — namely, the swing stools, which, when not required, can be swung under the table by a mere touch. This convenient contrivance, though no means a new invention, was adopted in the Blyth office on the suggestion of Mr. James Scott, the postmaster. The postmen's room is fitted in very comfortable manner, an oven, fireplace, etc., being provided. On the same floor, directly underneath the stairs, is situated a closet or storeroom, in which is the battery for the linesman, and from which the various wires run underground to the instruments. Coming back again the other end of the office, we arrive at the postmaster's private room, which is situated opposite the counter where the public business is transacted. It presents rather a snug appearance, and one of the chief characteristics is the full volume of light with which it is filled. In this room is located the safe, and among the other fittings in the post office chief's sanctum is a handsome secretaire. It might be mentioned that the whole the fittings — which have cost something like £200 — have been provided by Mr. Scott himself, and great credit is due to him for the tasteful manner in which he has had the office fitted out. On the second floor is the store room, which has been fitted up with racks suitable for officials' stores of all kinds — mail-bags, baskets, &c. On the same floor is a cosy little sitting room which is intended for the use of the ladies, and which is fitted with a fireplace. There are two clocks in the new post office, the one which faces into the street and the other side into the interior, and also a clock placed in the sorting room. It is but fitting that a word or two should be said — even in this superficial sketch — is reference to the postmaster and the staff by when he is so ably assisted. The staff consists of 6 clerks, 9 postmen (7 town and 2 country), 3 messengers, and there is also attached to the office a linesman. The members of the staff possess the advantage of having the medical services of Dr. Newstead at their command in case of sickness. Mr. James Scott, the present postmaster, entered the service in 1874 as clerk in the Malton office, and remained in place until transferred in 1892 to the position which he now holds in Blyth. The architect for the new building was Mr. John Golding; Messrs. Simpson Bros, were the builders; Messrs. H. Boyd and W. Armstrong, Blyth, painters; the whole of the inside fittings, were executed by Mr. H. Bower, Blyth; and plumbing and gasfitting has been in the hands of Messrs. Sanderson and Co., Blyth.
