Over 60 people attended the Big Buddle Event on Monday 21st March. The sun shone brightly as we travelled to the Rising Sun Country Park in Wallsend where the audience enjoyed tea and scones before listening to a talk by Eric Turnbull about the importance of the Wallsend Collieries where John Buddle began his early career.  Leaving the park, we travelled to the site of Buddle’s home near the river at Wallsend and followed the route of his funeral procession into Newcastle.  Lunch was at the Mining Institute, where Dr Eric Wade talked about Buddle’s importance as a mining engineer and his influence in the development of the coal industry. Finally we ended up at St James’ Church where Buddle’s funeral service was held and visited his grave in the churchyard. Sitting in the church under a bust of Buddle himself, we heard about the ambitious plans to re-develop this building as a centre for heritage and culture before listening to a talk about John Buddle’s life and achievements from David Kidd.  Tea and cakes rounded off a really great day.