NEHL - The Crowley Hotel was named after the historic works over the road we've discussed extensively this week, and commenced operations in around 1893. In this year it was owned by a Mr Ralph Hepplewhite, a chain maker born here in 1817 and the son of a keelman. It will certainly have capitalised on the same trade - travellers and lodgers seeking work in the boomtown of paper mills, metal works and collieries around these parts.

From the outset it was kitted out with remnants from the old works. Its centrepiece was a "time gun", with a 2ft barrel fired with flint and steel. It was fired at 9pm every night for the watchman to commence his patrol over the complex. It was a custom abandoned in the 1820s, so evidently this gun was incredibly old and I do wonder where it has ended up.

It of course hosted the standard village functions too. Death inquests, vegetable shows, AGMs for various sports clubs and political societies. It too had its own quoits ground adjoining, and was the headquarters of the Axwell Rovers Harriers Running Club in the 1890s.

The Quoits ground will have stood to the rear of the hotel, with quite a clear enclosure for the hotel illustrated on the Ordnance Survey maps. It was used at least in the 1890s, with a match reported in the Consett Guardian.

This pub only operated until the 1930s, surprisingly. A removal license was obtained for the hotel, with a replacement intended to be erected on Cross Lane between here and Swalwell. As far as I recall from walking past, this still exists but closed.

From thereon there is no mention of this pub and was never demolished. The current building is the same one - same 5 windows, brickwork just with a small extension on the south side.