Local landlord is 80 years old

Staff at Riverside North East enjoyed a triple 80th birthday celebration with tenants at St Anthonys sheltered scheme for the elderly in Walker.

Founded in 1928 as Newcastle Improvement Housing Trust, Riverside North East shared its birthday celebrations with one of St Anthonys most senior tenants - Mrs Catherine Clayton. And to make the hat-trick, the social landlords parent company The Riverside Group celebrates its 80th year on Merseyside.

As a resident of Walker for most of her life, Mrs Clayton witnessed many changes over the years. At one time you could buy everything you needed in the local shops in Walker without having to go into Newcastle. There was a local butcher, greengrocers and bakeries. Now all thats changed with the big supermarkets.

The youngest of seven children, Mrs Clayton moved from Anisford to Walker aged 28 when she married Arthur, a shipyard worker from Walker. At the time, Newcastle Improvement Housing Trust was helping to combat massive overcrowding in the city, providing housing for the poor and needy of the west end of Newcastle. Many of their tenants worked in the shipyard.

Director of Riverside, Steve Ward is also author of Newcastle and Whitley Housing Trust the first 75 years. Steve said: It was great to meet Cathy at the birthday celebration. She has spent the last three years with us at St Anthonys court as she is in pretty poor health. 1928 was quite a year the Tyne bridge was opened and women got the vote for the first time.

Average rent for tenants of Newcastle Improvement Housing was 2 shillings and sixpence (12 ½p) for a two-roomed flat or 10 shillings (50p) for a four-roomed property.

Steve added: In 1930 there was an investigation into poor housing conditions in Newcastle which unearthed some shocking facts. More than half the homes surveyed were occupied by more than one family and many shared a toilet with two or more families.