Death at Dawn

The real-life story of William Hunter comes to life in this performance to mark his anniversary.

Dates

Friday 26 February
Saturday 27 February
Monday 29 February
Tuesday 1 March
Wednesday 2 March

Visitor information

Performance times
All performances begin at 7.30pm.
There is an additional matinee performance on Saturday 27 February starting at 2.30pm.
Price
£10 per adult
£8 - concessions
Tickets can be bought online by clicking the link at the top of the page. You can also purchase from the museum shop or by calling the ticket hotline, (0191) 259 2743 Mon-Fri 9.30am - 4.30pm.
Location
The Great Hall

About

Based on the real-life story of William Hunter, Death at Dawn takes you into a world where an army shot its own men.
North Shields born Hunter was executed in France, 1916 for desertion and this poignant production tackles the subject head-on, 100 years on from his death.
The sudden death of the play's director Jackie Fielding last year aged 47 gives this award-winning play's revival an even greater poignancy. Performed as theatre-in-the-round with its original cast including four North East drama students, Death at Dawn is now directed by Jackie's friend Neil Armstrong.

Gertrude Bell and the ‘Woman Question’

A talk exploring the contradictions in Gertrude Bell’s life

Dates

Tuesday 23 February

Visitor information

5.30pm - 6.45pm
Speaker: Helen Berry, Professor of British History at Newcastle University and exhibition contributor.
Please note: this lecture will take place in the Curtis Auditorium, Herschel Building, Newcastle University
Free
No booking required
Part of the Extraordinary Gertrude Bell exhibition lecture programme

About

In conjunction with our new exhibition The Extraordinary Gertrude Bell, this lecture will explore the paradoxes and contradictions in Bell’s life from the perspective of women’s history.
A contemporary of T E Lawrence (‘Lawrence of Arabia’), until recently Bell has been little known beyond the specialist world of Middle Eastern archaeology, and yet her legacy is significant. Gertrude Bell played a major role in the political settlement that led to the formation of modern-day Iraq.
The Extraordinary Gertrude Bell was created by this museum in partnership with Newcastle University, where the Gertrude Bell Archive is held.

Railway films

Saturday 30 January 2016

Railway and Heritage films

St Mary's Church Hall, Thornhill Road, Ponteland, NE20 9PZ

3 pm and 7.30 pm

Admission free, donations for British Heart Foundation - doughnuts in the interval

A trip up the East Coast Main line. Scottish Express (1946), Elizabeth Express (1954), a film about Mallard's record-breaking run of 1938, the Flying Scotsman and a High Speed Train. 

All welcome

Just One Spark

Sat 13th - Sun 21st Feb-- Beamish Museum

In 1812, the Felling Mine Disaster killed 92 men and boys after two explosions ripped through the mine. The cause was found to be the use of a naked candle, which ignited the methane gas and coal dust. As a result of this disaster, a local Reverend launched a campaign to find the design for a mining safety lamp. In January 1816, the Davy safety lamp was successfully tested down Hebburn Mine and designs by George Stephenson and William Reid Clanny were also developed. Just One Spark is the story of the investigation into the explosions and the race to find a solution to ensure the safety of miners. A whole range of activities will be taking place during February Half Term, from live demonstrations to historical investigations, find out and celebrate the mining safety lamp.

• Watch the “Just One Spark Show” at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm in the Pit Village Chapel.
• Join in with the Stephenson and Davy debate in Eston Church to find how who won the race to invent the lamp – which side will you take?
• Make a replica miners’ lamp to take home in the School.
• Sing along and learn traditional mining songs in Hetton Band Hall.
• See musical performances by Benny Graham (weekends only).
• Have a go at candle making at Pockerley Old Hall.
• Meet the Pit Ponies in the Pit Pony Stables.
• Purchase your own Mahogany Drift token, commemorating the Felling Mine Disaster from the Token Cabin in the Colliery Yard.
• Do you have memories of mining during the 1950s? Learn about our Re-Making Beamish plans and tell us your stories!
• Visit Pockerley Old Hall to see 1800s mourning traditions following a tragic death in the mine including a funeral procession at 1.30pm.
• See the day to day accounts of Mathias Dunn of Wylam which describe life down the mine between 1816 and 1824.
• Felling Heritage Group will have a display on the Felling Pit Disaster and the safety lamp in the Lamp Cabin.

February Half Term is looking to be a really exciting and important event, my top tip would be to catch the “Just One Spark Show” which is a brilliant chance to learn about the creation of a life saving lamp with explosive demonstrations!
Helen Talbot – Learning Coordinator (STEM)

** Please note that the Just One Spark show will involve demonstrating small, controlled, explosions. However, they may still upset children who are sensitive to loud bangs. You may wish for these children to sit further back and/or near an adult – please speak to a member of the team for more information.
The whole museum will be open during February Half Term including the Colliery, Waggonway and Real Ice Rink.

Kirkharle captures Capabilities spirit in 2016

Season Greetings

Dissington Hall photo by Gill Brown

Great War Fashion