Come meet the family . . . all 69 members who live in the SAME street

By Lizzie Smith at MailOnline.com
Last updated at 1:36 PM on 08th January 2009

In streets across Britain many people don't even know their neighbour's names.

But that certainly isn't a problem in Cotswold Gardens, Gateshead.

This small street is home to 69 members of the same family, ranging in age from four weeks to 76 years.

The Hall family have come to dominate the road since 76-year-old matriach Catherine settled there in 1958.



Mrs Hall had eight children, who went on to give her 35 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Six of her children and their families now dwell in the street, along with three uncles and a mother-in-law.

The Hall clan occupy more than 15 houses. But despite their dominance the unrelated neighbours don't feel left out - as they think the street should be renamed Hall Gardens.

When friends used to ask Mrs Hall why her brood was so big she would say television hadn't been invented back in her day. She passed away last month.

Now, in her honour, the family have vowed to stick together on the street - just as she would have wanted.

Daughter Marganne, 42, said: 'It was my mum and dad who held the whole family together. They taught us family was the most important thing, so we just didn't want to move away. Now I don't think we ever will.

'Special occasions are just mad really. It's like Central Station. If it's someone's birthday everyone just turns up at their house. And it's the same if someone is ill, we all go round to see if they need anything.

'We only try to buy presents for the children because otherwise it would cost us an absolute fortune, but we still manage the occasional gift.

'We're just an exceptionally close family. We love being around each other and helping each other out when someone needs it.'

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