Rachel Parsons: Queen of the Machine - Discovery Museum 25 Apr 15

Rachel Parsons (1885–1956) was one of the most trailblazing women of her era, but she has disappeared from the pages of history – until now. The daughter and heir of Charles Parsons, inventor of the steam turbine, she was the first woman to study engineering at Cambridge and went on to become a director of the Parsons firm at Heaton. During the Great War, she taught hundreds of women to make munitions and later founded the Women’s Engineering Society.

The remarkable story of Rachel Parsons and the Parsons family is told by Henrietta Heald, author of William Armstrong, Magician of the North, a highly acclaimed biography of Baron Armstrong of Cragside.
11.30am-12.30pm. £4 per person; free for students with valid ID.
Please reserve a ticket by contacting Marleen Vincenten (0191) 277 2166 marleen.vincenten@twmuseums.org.uk or you can Book Online.

Those Who Refused: Conscientious Objectors in the First World War - Discovery Museum 18 Apr 15

In 1916, the Military Service Act first introduced conscription to Britain. Throughout the First World War, about 16,000 men conscientiously objected to military service, many with religious motives, including the Quakers.

During this talk, Dr André Keil from Durham University will discuss the perception and treatment of these conscientious objectors.
1-3pm. £4 per person; free for students with valid ID.
Please reserve a ticket by contacting Marleen Vincenten (0191) 277 2166 marleen.vincenten@twmuseums.org.uk or you can Book Online. 

Great War - Baking - meet at Discovery Museum

From trench cake to Anzac biscuits, each nation had its own treats for their men on the front line. Nigel Grant, head of Pastry and Baking at Newcastle College, will teach you how to prepare some tasty Great War bakes at the professional training kitchen of the Lifestyle Academy. A two-course lunch at the Academy's restaurant is also available.
Please meet us at Discovery Museum at 10.15am, from where we will walk to the Lifestyle Academy, which is a 5 minute walk away.
10.15am-1.30pm. Optional lunch 1.30-2.30pm. £10 per person (£15 with lunch)
Please reserve a ticket by contacting Marleen Vincenten (0191) 277 2166 marleen.vincenten@twmuseums.org.uk or you can Book Online

Parsons Marine Steam Turbines: From Destroyers to Dreadnoughts 1898-1918 at Segedunum

Geoff Horseman, Chief Turbine Engineer at Siemens and the keeper of the historic archive at the CA Parsons Works in Newcastle, will deliver this double talk, which coincides with the exhibition Coal, Ships and Zeppelins: North Tyneside in the First World War.

K Class Submarines: the Suicide Club
In 1913, it was decided to build submarines which were fast enough to keep pace with surface ships. These were powered by steam turbines to produce sufficient power and they were as large as modern nuclear submarines. The engines were a success but the submarines were an ill-conceived design in other regards. In this short talk, Geoff will describe the series of accidents and mishaps which led to these submarines becoming known as the ‘Kalamity Class’ and the ‘Suicide Club’.

Parsons Marine Steam Turbines: From Destroyers to Dreadnoughts 1898 - 1918
This talk will look at the evolution of the Parsons steam turbine for naval duty up to 1918. After the success of Turbinia, steam turbines were quickly adopted as the main engines for the fastest and most powerful ships in the navies of all major industrialised countries. This talk will describe how Parsons turbines evolved from rudimentary direct drive engines of 2,000hp to multi-cylinder geared turbines producing up to 100,000hp capable of propelling the largest battleships of WW1.
11am-12.30pm. £4 per person; free for students with valid ID.
Please reserve a ticket by contacting Marleen Vincenten (0191) 277 2166 marleen.vincenten@twmuseums.org.uk or you can Book Online.

Jeremiah Dixon (1733-1779): Artist, Scientist, and Adventurer

Public Lecture at Auckland Castle, County Durham

 

Wednesday 1 April 2015    

'Jeremiah Dixon (1733-1779): Artist, Scientist, and Adventurer'

 

Jonathan Peacock will explore the life and legacy of the hugely important local figure, Jeremiah Dixon. Born in Bishop Auckland to George Dixon, a well-to-do Quaker coalmine owner, Dixon has been largely forgotten in England and, more importantly, in the North East. But not only did he survey the present layout of the Park at Auckland Castle under Bishop Trevor and presented to Bishop Egerton in 1772, he lent his name to the Mason-Dixon line, one of Americas most famous boundaries and perhaps the best-known line on the planet after the Equator. It came to signify the border between the North and South, separating the free state of Pennsylvania from slave-owning Maryland. The term Dixie-Land is still recognised today as a reference to the southern states of America. Dixon died in 1779, still a young man at only 46 but one who in a dangerous age had travelled the world in pursuit of scientific excellence.

 

The lecture will start at 6.30pm in the Long Dining Room and will be followed by a drinks reception in our Throne Room.

 

Tickets for the lecture cost £6 and must be paid for in advance at Visitor Reception, or by calling 01388 743750.

 

If you have an Annual Pass (costing £15) lectures are free but please book your place in advance as spaces are limited. If you would like to purchase an Annual Pass, please call 01388 743750.

 

If you have any questions, please email enquiries@aucklandcastle.org or call 01388 743750.

 

For more information on Auckland Castles Public Lecture Series, see http://aucklandcastle.org/events/public

Castle Re-opening

The church in a changing Landscape