Seasons Greetings to all friends and members

The Badger again

A recent item in the newspaper about refurbishment of The Badger stated that the owner in the late 18th century had earned a vast fortune during the Napolionic wars by selling hair powder.

Someone has their wires crossed a little! The certificate above shows that Shafto Coulter paid Hair powder tax  in 1797.


Duty on Hair Powder Act 1795 (35 Geo. III, c. 49) was an Act of Parliament levying a tax on hair powder. It was repealed in 1869.

The Act stated that everyone wishing to use hair powder must, from 5 May 1795, visit a stamp office to enter their name and pay for an annual certificate costing one guinea. Certain exemptions were included: the Royal Family and their servants, clergymen with an income of under £100 a year, subalterns, non-commissioned officers, privates in the army, artillery, militia, mariners, engineers, fencibles, officers in the navy below commander, yeomanry, and volunteers. A father with more than two unmarried daughters might buy two certificates which would be valid for any number he stated at the stamp office. The master of a household might buy a certificate for a member of his servants which would also be valid for their successors within that year. The use of hair powder had been declining and the tax hastened its near death. In 1812 46,684 people still paid the tax, in 1855 only 997 did, and almost all of these were servants.

Christmas and "Pressed"

A timely reminder that tickets for the event on 13th December are available from the treasurer, John Angel at a cover charge of £8 per person. 

Meeting - Strategic Decisions at Flodden

 
The venue for the Meeting "Strategic Decisions at Flodden" on Thursday 15th November will be the Lounge at Ponteland Memorial Hall.  The venue has been changed as St. Mary's Church Hall is a Polling Station for the elections for Crime & Police Commissioner. The meeting will start at 7.45pm.

Talk to be given by  CHRIS BURGESS, Archeologist

Wheelbarrow Race Circa 1973

Where you there?

Spot anyone in the photo?  Let us know

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