Wheelbarrow Race Circa 1973

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A Tale of Two Cinemas

 

 

Talk by John Matthews, 18th October 2012

Report by Margaret Appleby

John told a fascinating but sad story about the rise and fall of the Paramount and Odeon Cinemas in Newcastle. John is Vice Chair of the Tyneside Committee of the Northumberland & Newcastle Society and has been very involved in trying to save the Odeon for 10 years. Being in the construction industry all his life, John actually worked for the company Stanley Miller, who built the Paramount in 1931.

‘Movies’ arrived in London in 1891 and 5 years later in Newcastle. They were very basic black and white flickering pictures (hence the name – the flicks!) and were shown in various buildings as part of a variety performance. 1917 -1930 was the golden age of cinema construction across the country and in 1931 the Paramount was built in Newcastle. The architects were Beverly and Verity. The site was originally a garage which was cleared to build the cinema at a cost of £250,000.

As John’s talk was delivered with excellent accompanying pictures, we were able to see the true grandeur of the original building. Externally it was imposing buff stone with balconies, box office and a massive (57 ft) flashing Paramount sign – originally lit with 2500 light bulbs but later replaced with neon lights. Internally it was spectacular with terracotta silk panels on the walls, frescoes, chandeliers, ornate balustrades, deep seats, lovely carpet, orchestra pit and Wurlitzer. The stalls and circle held 2604 people. The curtains shimmered, fresh flowers were provided daily and the first film was shown in September 1931. In 1932 other buildings including the Carliol House, Fire and Police Stations were all built which enhanced the importance of this area of Newcastle. In 1939 Paramount sold the building and it became the Odeon.

The cinema continued throughout the 2nd World War and in the 60’s well known groups and stars visited, although in 1951 it had been refurbished and sadly the silk and frescoes painted over. Audience numbers fell with the advent of television so 3 screens were created in 1975 and the famous Paramount/Odeon sign was removed. The introduction of multiplexes in Gateshead and Manors further affected the Odeon and in 2001 the Odeon moved to the Gate. The building had been listed in 2000 but in later years it was delisted on appeal much to many people’s amazement as a part of Newcastle history was then at risk. The new owners were, and are now able to develop the site despite the sterling efforts of John Matthews and many others.

Many in the audience had fond memories of the Odeon and were fascinated but sad to hear John’s tale of two cinemas, which does not appear likely to have a happy ending.

The Building and Restoration of Durham Cathedral

A lecture by Rev Canon Dr Michael Jackson

Jointly hosted by Newcomen Society and Institution of Civil Engineers

NONE MEMBERS WELCOME - FREE ENTRY

October 10, 2012 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Durham Cathedral is the only cathedral in England to retain almost all of its Norman craftsmanship, and one of few to preserve the unity and integrity of its original design.  It is recognised both as an exemplar of the Romanesque architecture and as one of the world’s greatest cathedrals and together with Durham Castle it was inscribed as one of Britain's first World Heritage Sites.

Before taking up his present calling Canon Jackson was a practicing civil engineer in industry and, latterly, at the Dept of Civil Engineering in Newcastle. Thus, when a conference on how the cathedral was built was required to mark the ninth centenary of the Cathedral the Dean and Chapter asked him to organise it.

His talk draws on what was presented at that conference and the challenges that the builders faced.  Many of these will be familiar to today’s generation of engineers, such as the search for secure foundations, the logistics of supplying the necessary materials and the suspension of work when funds ran out.  Of particular interest is how the builders pioneered design innovations without the mathematical tools available to us today.

Discovery Museum
Education Room,
Blandford Square
Newcastle Upon Tyne

ANLHS Newsletter

ASSOCIATION OF NORTHUMBERLAND

LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETIES

Registered Charity no. 251179

NEWSLETTER AUTUMN 2012

THE DUKE’S ARCHIVIST

‘The Archives at Alnwick Castle and the Earls of Northumberland’ will be the subject of Chris Hunwick’s talk at our AGM.

Chris is the archivist for the Duke of Northumberland and we are delighted that he is to be our guest speaker as we have been trying to get him to one of our events for some time.

The AGM is to be held at 1.00 on Saturday 10^th

November 2012 and is being hosted by Mitford LHS at their Community Centre, on Fontside, just off the main road through the village. All Individual Members and members of Affiliated Societies are welcome to attend.

                              

THE FORGOTTEN WORKERS

In the 19^th century, Hinds (married Ploughmen) in Northumberland and the Borders had to provide another worker as part of their agreement with a farmer. That worker was known as the Bondager and could be identified by their distinctive costume.

The story of the hinds and Bondagers, written by Dinah Iredale author of the book ‘Bondagers’, published by Glendale LHS, is now the subject of a 40 minute film produced by Shadowcat Films. Incorporating both drama and documentary, the film brings 1866 vividly to life. This was a time when there was considerable agitation in the countryside about the system and Hinds were fighting for its abolition.

The documentary details have been meticulously researched and the film is set in Kirknewton, Westnewton and Paxton House. Further details can be found in the latest edition of ‘Tyne and Tweed’ or on line at www.shadowcatfilms.com and from where the DVD and Dinah’s excellent book can be obtained.

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SPEAKERS LIST

A new and fully updated list of local history speakers has now been published by ANLHS and sent to all Affiliated Societies. Preparing this new edition has been no easy task, so well done to our Treasurer Michael Thompson.

ANLHS AGM 2012

1.00 Saturday 10^th November

Mitford Community Centre

ALL WELCOME

TYNE AND TWEED (Autumn 2012)

In celebration of the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics, we have gone for a Bumper issue this time. The eleven main articles cover a wide variety of topics from the truth behind the oft asserted claim that Berwick changed hands 13 times before finally becoming English, to an account of how the Swarland Settlement provided a new chance for the poor of Newcastle and Gateshead during the Great Depression. Howard Cleeve has provided another instalment of his record of how Richard Grainger rebuilt central Newcastle in 1836/7, while Colin Wakeling looks at the destruction caused by the First World War Zeppelins. Features on men of note who had an influence on Northumbrian life include Armorer Donkin, Samuel Tibbs, James Jarvie and Graham Laidler (Pont of Punch) while our new section on local history societies had resulted in a fascinating tour round Longhorsley churchyard, just the thing for  a brisk autumn walk. A scandal at Bamburgh and a stranding at Blyth complete the mix.

Good reading, good exploring and a credit to Jane Bowen our Editor. If you are tempted to see some of what is described for yourselves copies can be purchased via your Local History Society (cover price £4.50) or direct from  ANLHS, c/o 30 Beverley Terrace, Cullercoats, North Shields, NE30 4NU (£6.00 including postage).

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COLLINGWOOD SOCIETY

Trafalgar Day 2012 will see the launch of the Collingwood Society.  A north-east based interest group, which is part of the legacy of the highly successful commemorative Collingwood 2010 Festival, the Society is dedicated to all things related to the Admiral.  

The inaugural Annual General Meeting of the Society will take place at 19.30 hrs. Thursday 1^st November 2012 at the Newcastle upon Tyne Trinity House in Broad Chare, just off the Quayside.   All are welcome to attend and to contribute to planning the future of the Society.

For more information, please contact Capt. Stephen Healy (trustee) on 0191-2159356.  

ANLHS PO BOX RIP

Please note that due to the substantial increase in costs, and the fact it was little used, ANLHS has discontinued its PO Box. Societies can now contact us via the Secretary at 30 Beverley Terrace, Cullercoats, North Shields, NE30 4NU, or e-mail localhistory@virginmedia.com . Alternatively you can use the ANLHS website at  http://www.anlhs.org.uk/ .

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Sunday 28^th October (11 – 4) Northumberland History Fair, Woodhorn Museum, Ashington.

Thursday 1^st November          Collingwood Society Inaugural AGM (see above).

Saturday 10^th November         ANLHS AGM, Mitford Community Centre (see above).

Saturday 2^nd March 2013        Members Group Meeting, St Nicholas Church Hall, S. Gosforth.

Saturday 11^th May 2013          Flodden 500 Study Day hosted by Norham and Ladykirk LHS.

Saturday 7^th Sept 2013           Round the County Day hosted by Mitford LHS.

Saturday 9^th November 2013 ANLHS AGM, venue to be confirmed.

Published and Printed by the Association of Northumberland Local History Societies.

Pont Island News 2012 just published

Pont Island News is published bi-annually by Ponteland local History Society and distributed free to members. Non members can purchase from the society at £3 per copy.

Battle of Flodden

DISCOVER THE BATTLE THAT   SHAPED OUR NATIONS

A beginners guide to the Battle of Flodden

Talk time at Wallington Hall presents Michael Thomson as he takes you through the events of the Battle of Flodden in 1513.  Find out what all the fuss is about so you can impress friends and relatives with your knowledge in the build up to the 500th anniversary of this great battle.

Monday 10th September, 10am- 2pm, £22 including coffee and lunch

Wallington, Cambo, nr Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 4AR

To avoid disappointment, please book events in advance on 01670 773600.

The story of a village school

The Story of a Village School

The story of a Village school is the history of Ponteland First School produced by local historian Muriel Sobo.
It is full of photographs, anecdotes and stories of its 93 year history from 1914 - 2007.

The Book costs £6 from the First School office or the Town Council Office or £7 by post from Muriel Sobo on 01661 871969

Proceeds from the book go the school PTA.