From Bell Villa to Belville Works

This building in Ponteland started life as one of detached villas erected on land owned by Matthew Bell of nearby Woolsington Hall. Most of the villas were built in 1826 but this and the neighbouring building which is now used as a vet's were built rather later around 1840.

The building may have had a commercial use from the very beginning as it was in two sections with a cartway leading to a yard at the rear. The cartway was later built over uniting the two structures but preserving the access through an arch.

In the 1930's it was the premises of J. Wallis, Baker and Confectioner who would give demonstrations of pastry making.

After the Second World War, the buildings were substantially altered and extended to the rear to become an engineering works known as the Belville Works.

Around 1984 the premises were taken over to house Newcastle Computer Services Ltd. (NCS) who help many of the North East's small and medium sized business to computerize. They moved out in 2008 and the building has struggled to find a new use ever since. The front car park and a collapsed front wall has been cordoned off by "temporary" fencing for the last 15 years making something of an eye-sore as a first impression for visitors entering the village.