Incredibly, despite the full clearance of buildings here, Pandon Bank retains a certain similarity and it's easy to pick out where this large villa house stood. This was the site of the Home for Destitute Boys in the 19th century, but was previously Pandon House - home of sailmaker William Proctor and later George T Gibson - a respected Wesleyan Methodist and owner of Spital Tongues Colliery.

The Home for Destitute Boys was a refuge for children who suffered from the greatest levels of poverty and suffering, including orphans. There was very little state support, and often the responsibility for these young children fell on those who were kind enough to help. They moved in to this site by the late 1850s, primarily through the support of the Newcastle Shoeblack Brigade. You could sort of argue they were the social services of their day, helping kids who were begging and hungry on the streets by giving them a roof over their head and finding them a job (predominantly shoe shining/shoeblacking). It was hoped this would change the direction of their lives to become "creditable citizens".

Up to 50 boys aged 13-17 were housed here until 1921 - most from the workhouse, the "Cripples home", their parents "wretched homes" or orphanages. They were fed, supported and clothed by philanthropic contributions from the public, fundraised through dinners and general goodwill. Many of the kids went on to serve in the army and navy, and dinners were held for the old boys to testify their success.

Unfortunately, the house was wrecked just after WWI by a group of young men, and the residents were moved to another home on Westmorland Road. It was finally finished off by an arson attack in 1926, when it was in use as a printers. From there it was quickly redeveloped into more functional industrial buildings. Hmmm!