Jarrow tenants say farewell to building as last residents wait to be moved out

Past and present tenants of a South Tyneside sheltered accommodation will, today, be marking the end of an era.
Nolan Hall residents Grace Physick and Ken Darling.Nolan Hall residents Grace Physick and Ken Darling.
Nolan Hall residents Grace Physick and Ken Darling.

Nolan Hall, in Concorde Way, Jarrow is one of three units that are being decommissioned by the council.

Only a handful of residents remain at the property awaiting a move to their new home, while others have already been relocated.

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To mark the end of the accommodation, which has been home to hundreds of people since it opened in the late 1970s, those remaining have organised a party.

The get-together will feature singer Jess McConnell and others, who have been invited to sing a song or two.

Resident Grace Physick, who has lived there for the past seven years, said: “There used to be 30 of us here at one time, but over the past year people have been moving out because we knew the place was closing.

“There are only a few of us left who are waiting to be transferred to the new accommodation nearby.

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“We have had some great times here and also some sad times when people have died.

“We had heard rumours about the place closing down, but then they came and out new carpets down in the main room and give us all new tables so we didn’t think they were true.

“But then there was a meeting and we were told the next day the place was closing along with Martin Hall .

“We really didn’t want to leave but we were left no option. It will be sad to leave here but we are looking forward to moving into our new home.”

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The party is set to start at 5pm within the community room of the complex and is hoped as many tenants past and present and their families will be able to make it.

The grandmother added:“Hundreds of people have lived here over the years and this party is to give past and present tenants the chance to come together to say goodbye to the building.

“The place is going to be a big miss as people do have some really happy memories here.”

Along with Nolan Hall and Martin Hall, Croftside House, in Whitburn, was also marked for closure.

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The move followed an assessment of Housing Plus accommodation, which revealed the three complexes were no longer fit for purpose.

Former resident Ken Darling, who moved out to set up home in Birch Grove Sheltered Complex, will be returning to the complex for the party.

He said: “Since we were given the news of the closure people have just been moving out one by one.

“We are expecting a big turn-out on Saturday as a lot of people have some good memories from this place, I’m sure everyone will have a lovely time.”