Here you will find links to our collection of publications and resources which you can view and download.
Click here for descriptions of these items …
1952 and all that
Our latest publication “1952 and All That”, which explores what life in Newcastle’s West End was like at the time Queen Elizabeth came to the throne, can be viewed by clicking on this link.
Ruth Nicholson’s Elswick
A new booklet from St James’ Heritage & Environment Group tells the story of the transformation of Elswick during the 19th century, from rural area to suburb of Newcastle, through the experience of one family. Ruth Nicholson, the eldest daughter of the vicar of St Stephen’s in Low Elswick, was a pioneer in the field of women and medicine. During the First World War she worked as a doctor near the frontline. The booklet contains a walk trail, visiting the sites of places connected with the Nicholson family, enabling you to explore 19th century Elswlck on foot or to follow the trail through the illustrated pages. You can download Ruth Nicholson’s Elswick by clicking here
Lost Industries
Quayside to Paradise – local author Michael Chaplin narrates our film about a journey along the Tyne from Newcastle Quayside to Paradise, telling the stories of the lost industries that used to occupy the riverbanks. – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4Z5-2MJkv4
The Gut is Great – John Taberham explores the lost industries of Lemington Gut amidst the mud and ruins of the post-industrial landscape – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUT8NR4-RgE
Hidden Nature Exhibition
St James’ Graveyard Benwell – A haven for wildlife
Local History in Lockdown
Our first booklet of word searches, crossword, quiz and interesting facts (March 2020)
Our second booklet of word searches, crossword, quiz and interesting facts (May 2020)
Our third booklet of word searches, crossword, quiz and interesting facts (June 2020)
Our fourth booklet of word searches, crossword, quiz and interesting facts (September 2020)
Our fifth booklet of word searches, crossword, quiz and interesting facts (December 2020)
Our sixth booklet of word searches, crossword, quiz and interesting facts (February 2021)
Pendower Puzzles – a new puzzle booklet focusing on the history of this west end estate
Our eighth booklet of word searches, crossword, quiz and interesting facts (May 2021)
Talks from Local History Month 2021
For Local History Month 2021 recorded four talks and a film about aspects of the history of Newcastle’s Outer West. Click on the talk below to open it in YouTube.
Canary Island
To Lemington by Rail
A Passage of Tyne
The Battle of Newburn: which side would you be on?
The Battle of Newburn: a view from the winning side
The May 2021 local history month programme of events can be found by clicking here
Talks from the Big Alternative Local History Event
Scot’s Wood: medieval Scotswood and its deer park, a talk by Rosie Serdiville – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLOFxHAysKI
The Survivors Tale, a talk by Ian Farrier – https://youtu.be/is9hkldItJw
What’s In A Name, a talk by Richard Bliss – https://youtu.be/ZKvFMhSsnAg
An 18th Century Newcastle Housekeeper, a talk by Sue Ward – https://youtu.be/MG_3ygQUR5w
The Grand and the Majestic: Memories of a childhood spent in the cinemas of Condercum Road, a talk by John Taberham – https://youtu.be/-qn9CE4iqpw
The full St James Heritage and Environment YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCePDTnx6zYkg9foHiF7z13Q/
Resources for schools
History Hunters: Local history resources
Environmental learning resources
Local history books
Remembering St Joseph’s Church
Newcastle’s Outer West (Newburn, Lemington, Bell’s Close and Sugley) in Maps and Photos
Scotswood through the years in Maps and Pictures
Benwell and Scotswood in the Early 20th Century
A Short History of St James’ Graveyard, Benwell
Elswick Through the Years in Maps and Pictures
Benwell Through the Years in Maps and Pictures
Never Felt So Good – Benwell and Scotswood in Felt
Built On Coal, The Story of Coal Mining in Benwell, Scotswood and Elswick
Men’s Lives in the West End – Booklet
A Guide to St James’ Graveyard
John Buddle – King of the Coal Trade
Richard Grainger and the West End of Newcastle
Bishop Arthur Thomas Lloyd – Third Bishop of Newcastle
The Boy and The Hall (published by Newcastle Community Heritage Project)
Pendower Estate – Homes For Heroes
Atkinson Road – A Century of Schools in Benwell
Heritage trails and guides
Newburn, Lemington, Bell’s Close and Sugley Heritage Trail
Benwell and Scotswood at the time of the First World War – Heritage Trail
St James’ Church Heritage Guide
Children’s Graveyard Challenge
War Graves and Memorials at St. James’ Church
Benwell’s Lost Coal Mines- A Walking Trail
Benwell’s Big Houses – A Heritage Walk
Condercum: from the Romans to the bankers
Exploring 19th Century Elswick
Benwell and Elswick – Walking Tour
Alang The Road: Heritage Trail
Benwell Churches Heritage Trail
Famous Historical Figures of the West End
Heritage Guides
– Elswick
– Benwell
– Denton Dene and Old Scotswood
– The Outer West areas of Newburn, Lemington, Sugley and Bells’ Close
Local History Month 2021
Films and audio recordings
Gannin’ Alang the Wall – This film follows the route of the Wall through Newcastle, starting at the fort of Segedunum just east of the city boundary and travelling west as far as Heddon just beyond the western boundary.
Restoring the Graveyard – In 2016 St James’ Heritage and Environment Group obtained a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund which enabled us to commission a specialist stonemason/conservator to work with us over a two-year period to repair and restore many of the damaged gravestones.
To see the section on removing moss, click here.
To see the section on repairing gravestones, click here.
To see the section on restoring the Buddle grave, click here.
To see the section on restoring the Grace grave, click here.
To see the section on removing graffiti, click here.
Riverside Voices: War and Peace on the Tyne – our new film about the history of industry along the West Newcastle riverside. This film was commissioned by St James’ Heritage & Environment Group as part of our First World War project funding by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The film was directed by local film-maker Adrin Neatrour.
Adelaide Terrace Memories- local voices
Stories from the Graveyard: telling the story of Benwell and Scotswood
This film is part of our project Bringing it back home: Benwell and Scotswood during the First World War funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund
Come with us on a trip down the Tyne from Newcastle Quayside to the North Sea
Blaydon Races 150th Anniversary – short film of the schools concert at St. James’ church
Stories in the Graveyard – download and listen to stories told by Chris Bostock
Heritage & Environment Group Newsletters
St James' Heritage and Environment Group 