St James’ Heritage & Environment Group

2019 Events Programme

Explore and celebrate the history of West Newcastle at St James’ Church and

West End Library.Talks, guided tours,

exhibitions and films

All events and activities are free of charge unless otherwise stated

Tuesday 8th January 2pmat St James’ Church The Big FreezeLocal author Andrew Clark recalls the harsh North East winters of 1941 and 1947, and the “Big Freeze” of 1963, with pictures of iced-up rivers and deep snow drifts, gales and floods.

Tuesday 15th January 2pm at St James’ ChurchSt James’ Church: 200 years of changeGuided tour of the historic church. Dress warmly!

Monday 21st January 1pmat West End Library

“City of Palaces”: how Richard Grainger changed Newcastle Olive Taylor will talk about the achievements of 19th century developer Richard Grainger in transforming the centre of Newcastle into one of the finest city centres in Europe.

Tuesday 5th February 2pm at St James’ Church The Lost Industries of West Newcastle’s RiversideA slide show about the variety of industries that used to cluster along the banks of the Tyne will be followed by a showing of our film “Riverside Voices” recording the memories of those who worked and lived there.

Monday 18th February 1pmat West End LibraryFinding Githa SowerbyAuthor Pat Riley will talk about the life and work of playwright Githa Sowerby and her family who lived in Benwell Towers a century ago.

Tuesday 5th March 2pm at St James’ ChurchThe Romans in Benwell: new discoveries in PendowerAlan Rushworth of the Archaeological Practice will talk about the findings of the 2017 excavations on the Pendower Estate where the civilian settlement used to stand.

Monday 18th March 1pm at West End LibraryLocal folklore and strange storiesDavid Silk will talk about some of the weird and wonderful folklore and ancient beliefs of North East England and the magical creatures that were believed to live in the ruined towers, ancient churches and desolate hills.

Tuesday 2nd April 2pm at St James’ ChurchWorshipping in the West EndA new slide show by West Newcastle Picture History Collection looking at the many churches and other places of worship in the west end, past and present.

Monday 15th April 1pm at West End LibraryVisitors to NewcastleAnthea Lang will talk about the variety of famous and infamous visitors Newcastle has received over the centuries, including the fireproof phenomenon Madame Girardelli, the Prince of Dwarfs Hervey Nano and the balloonist Vincenzo Lunardi.

Tuesday 7th May 2pmleaving from St James’ ChurchExploring Benwell LaneGuided tour exploring the history of Benwell Lane and the big houses and mansions that lined it. (Indoor talk if bad weather).

Tuesday 14th May 2pm at St James’ ChurchSummer Event Celebrate the tenth anniversary of St James’ Heritage & Environment Group by joining us for our Summer Event and Annual Meeting. There will be an illustrated talk about our work over the past ten years, the launch of our new booklet about the history of the graveyard followed by a strawberry cream tea. Free to all members: £2 for visitors.

Monday 20th May 11am – 3pm at West End LibraryStill and MovingFor Local History Month enjoy a special programme of slide shows and archive film. Refreshments provided.11am: Jimmy Forsyth and the Scotswood RoadWest Newcastle Picture History Collection will present a new slide show of images of the Scotswood Road from the camera of local photographer Jimmy Forsyth1pm: Tyneside LifeA selection of film material from the wonderful collection held by the North East Film Archive.

Tuesday 4th June 11.30 and 2pm at St James’ ChurchTransforming St James’ GraveyardTo mark our tenth birthday, we have two special tours of the graveyard and films and slide shows all day. Lunch is available between 12 - 1pm and afternoon tea at 3pm. 11.30am: Guided tour of the conservation work to the gravestones in 2016/17. 2pm: Guided tour showing the development of the graveyard since 1833.

Monday 17th June 1pm at West End LibraryNewcastle Graveyards West and East An introduction to the history of St James’ graveyard in Benwell, will be followed by an illustrated talk by Mike Greatbatch about the churchyard at St Ann’s Church, next to the Quayside.

Tuesday 2nd July 2pm at St James’ ChurchTrees of St James’ GraveyardGuided tour of the trees in the graveyard, including the folklore and religious significance connected with them.

Tuesday 9th July 2pm leaving from St James’ ChurchGone but not forgottenGuided tour of Benwell following the trail of places that have gone from the landscape but which are still part of local memory (Indoor alternative if weather bad).

Monday 15th July 1pm at West End LibraryThe Railway RevolutionLes Turnbull will give an illustrated talk about the impact of railway development on Tyneside during the 200 years before George and Robert Stephenson were in business.

Tuesday 6th August 2pmat St James’ ChurchSmell the FlowersGuided tour to look at the plants in the graveyard. Ten years ago there were no flowers and no boundary hedge, but ten years of hard work have changed that.

Tuesday 3rd September 2pm at St James’ ChurchPubs of the West EndSlide show from West Newcastle Picture History Collection’s treasure trove of old photographs of the west end.

Monday 16th September 1pm at West End Library Cinemas of Adelaide TerraceJohn Taberham will give an illustrated talk about the Adelaide, the Grand and the Majestic cinemas.

Friday 20th September 10.30am at St James’ ChurchCommunities in actionOur annual Local History Coffee Morning talk will focus on local struggles to resist the de-industrialisation of this area and improve the quality of life for its people.

Saturday 21st September 10.30am - 4pm at St James’ ChurchHeritage Open DayThe church will be open to visitors all day.11am: Church PeopleGuided tour of the graveyard focusing on people connected with the church who are buried there.

Tuesday 1st October 2pm at St James’ ChurchThe Stained Glass Windows of St James’ ChurchTake a close look at the stained glass windows in St James’ Church with Olive Taylor, and hear about the people commemorated on them.

Monday 21st October 1pm at West End LibraryThe Great Flood of NewcastleRosie Serdiville will talk about the terrible flood of 1761 which affected thousands of people and swept away the Tyne Bridge.

Tuesday 5th November 2pmat St James’ ChurchPendower Estate: Homes for HeroesThis year marks the hundredth anniversary of the beginning of Pendower Estate, built in the aftermath of the First World War. The talk will look at the history of Pendower, one of Newcastle’s first council estates.

Monday 18th November 1pm at West End LibraryNewcastle to Archangel: the Arctic Convoys rememberedJudith Green will show archive film and talk about the experiences of those who sailed on the Arctic Convoys during the Second World War, facing dangers and discomforts to bring supplies to Russia.

Tuesday 3rd December 2pmat St James’ Church Winter EventAn afternoon of seasonal cheer with history and craft activities, mulled wine and mince pies. Free to all members: £2 for visitors.

Friday 6th December 2pm at West End LibraryFilm Club Christmas eventJoin us for an afternoon of nostalgia and mince pies.

2019 Events

St James’ Church, NE15 6RR, is on Benwell Lane, next to the junction with Atkinson Road, Condercum Road and Adelaide Terrace. It is an important heritage building dating from 1833, designed by the renowned architect John Dobson.

The church is open to visitorsTuesdays between 12 noon to 4pm, and during special eventsThursdays between 9.30- 11.15am.Other times by arrangement.

The graveyard is open to visitors Tuesdays between 11am – 4pm. • Take a tour• Consult the burial records

Visit St James’ Church

Visit the Picture History Collection at the library. West Newcastle Picture History Collection have a unique collection of 20,000 photographs of places and people of the west end. Open Mondays 10am – 4pm.Email: wnphc@yahoo.co.uk www.westnewcastlepicturehistorycollection.wordpress.com

St James’ Heritage & Environment Group is an independent voluntary organisation committed to encouraging people of all ages to explore and celebrate the history of the west end of Newcastle through a programme of events, projects, exhibitions and publications. Contact: c/o Pendower Good Neighbour Project, 12/14 Sunnybank Avenue, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 6SD.

Website: www.stjamesheritage.com Email: stjamesbenwell@gmail.com

St James' Heritage & Environment Group

West End People and Places: Local History at the West End LibraryThe West End Library, NE4 9JH, is near the bottom of Condercum Road. New for 2019 – the library will host a programme of exhibitions and displays about the history of West Newcastle.

View our exhibitionNew for 2019 – Churches of the West End Past and Present

OUR VENUES