Publications and Resources

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

World War 1 Resource Pack

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

West End at War

West End Stories

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

Waiting at the Pit Head

Women’s Lives

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

Remembering the Bond

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

Talks and Film Details

Outdoor Activities

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

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Bringing it Back Home: What the First World War meant to Benwell and Scotswood. Extract from a performance at Bridgewater  School, November 2014

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

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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

Men’s Lives in the West End

Stories in the Graveyard – download and listen to stories told by Chris Bostock

Heritage & Environment Group Newsletters

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