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

Ponteland Historian February 2015

Ponteland Historian

Newsletter of Ponteland Local History Society

19^th February 2015

“NORTH-EAST MINERS’ BANNERS”

Ken Smith, our speaker this evening, is a retired journalist and former Sub-Editor of Newcastle Journal.  Ken is the Author & co-Author of numerous publications covering the history of Tyneside Shipbuilding and North - East Mining.

ANLHS NEWS

Member’s Meeting

Saturday 28^th February 2015 at 1.30pm St Nicholas Church Hall, South Gosforth

Dr Liz O’Donnell

‘Voices of Stannington Sanatorium’

The talk covers the history of the first purpose-built children’s sanatorium in the country which opened in 1907. It will provide a vivid insight into the treatment of tuberculosis both before and after the introduction of antibiotics, and about the impact it had on the lives of the young patients.

The talk will be followed by brief reports from ANLHS office holders and a group discussion session with an emphasis on the future of ANLHS.

Round the County Day

Saturday 9^th May 2015

Hosted by Wallsend LHS & the

Friends of Segedumum Roman Fort, Wallsend.

Whilst the organised events end at 4pm Segedunum site will remain open until at least 5pm to allow participants to see as much as possible on the day. The museum has two lifts which allow access to all areas and can easily accommodate wheelchair-users and visitors with limited mobility.

The full programme is detailed on the booking form, available this evening.

Study Day

Saturday 3^rd October 2015

URC Hall, Warkworth

 ‘Magna Carta & King John’

To commemorate the 800^th anniversary of Magna Carta a facsimile of one of only four surviving 13^th century copies of the original document will also be on view in St Lawrence’s Church, Warkworth.

There will three excellent speakers - Professor Nicholas Vincent, Dr Hugh Doherty and Michael Thomson:-

 Professor Vincent, from the University of East Anglia, is the UK's leading scholar on Magna Carta and is also leading a major research project into its background.

 Dr Doherty, a medieval historian, is also from the University of East Anglia.  His talk will be about Eustace de Vescy, Northumberland’s leading baron and one of the more implacable opponents of King John.

Michael Thomson, well known to ANLHS members, has a passion for medieval history, but has not yet disclosed the title of his talk.  It is however certain to be both fascinating and entertaining.

Booking forms will be available in due course.

Annual General Meeting

Saturday 7^th November 2015

Stannington Village Hall

Full detail to follow in due course.

A number of noted historians have been invited to contribute essays to be published as a memorial to Dr Constance Fraser and her significant contribution to local history.  It is hoped that the book will be launched & for sale, at the AGM.

SOCIETY OUTINGS

Thursday 21^st May

A short guided walk around Wooler.

Glendale LHS will take us on an afternoon walking tour of Wooler hopefully visiting, inter alia, the old Victorian Police Station (complete with original Magistrates’ Court), the URC Church (to see the famous stained glass windows possibly attributed to one of Rennie MacIntosh’s apprentices), and the former WW2 Land Army Girls’ Hostel.

June & July ???

Visit to Durham Castle & Ushaw College.

Visit to St. Mary & St. Cuthbert Church Cheste le Street.

Tour of Lit. & Phil. Newcastle.

Llists are available to register your interest for any of these proposals.

Railway films

UNION CHAIN BRIDGE RESTORATION PROJECT

NEW YEAR UPDATE – JANUARY 2015

Here is a re-cap for anyone who has recently joined the Group or anyone who is interested in the Union Chain Bridge.

Northumberland County Council and Scottish Borders Council aim to restore the bridge in time for its bicentenary in 2020.  NCC has put aside £500,000 for the restoration.  Scottish Borders Council will discuss its contribution at a meeting on 12^th February 2015.

Consultants appointed by NCC will make an initial approach to the Heritage Lottery Fund.  They are Carol and Frank Robinson from Consult Robinson.  Please see www.consultrobinson.co.uk for more information.  Some of the Trustees met them on 17^th December.

The UCB Friends Group currently has 295 members – including a descendant of  Captain Sir Samuel Brown – which is a great demonstration of support for the restoration of the bridge.  The Group aims to become a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) in the New Year.

Aside from this, the Friends have made a visit to the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge to learn how its restoration was carried out.  Here follows a report from Ted Cawthorn: -

“On the 28^th November Trustees John Home Robertson and Edward Cawthorn, together with James Fell the County Council’s Heritage Officer and Frank Robinson the Heritage Lottery Fund Bid Consultant appointed by NCC visited the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge, where they were briefed by the Middlesbrough Council Team responsible for the Council’s successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid towards the restoration and refurbishment of the 100 year old iconic structure and winding machinery and its development as a heritage feature.  The Transporter Bridge, which dominates the Middlesbrough skyline, was opened on the 17^th October 1911 and is the longest transporter bridge in the world, with a total length of 259 metres and a maximum height from the river of 69 metres.

The Middlesbrough Council Officers gave an interesting, detailed and cautionary account of their experiences with their bid and the processes involved in establishing the principle of eligibility for HLF assistance, and were happy to be associated with the Union Bridge bid and to maintain a continuing relationship with the Friends”.

Trustees John Home Robertson and Stephen Gallico have recently been to two meetings, firstly with an official at the Scotland Office to discuss the possible involvement of the Westminster and Edinburgh Governments with the project, and secondly with representatives of a major construction contractor who have offered to help in various ways.

Heather Thompson

Chairman, Friends of the Union Chain Bridge

Nostalgic Views of the North - Thursday 15th January

Sheila or John Moreels M.B.E. will give the third in a series of talks on Thursday 15th January at 7.30pm Church Hall, Thornhill Road, Ponteland. Visitors welcome £2.00

The Ward Philipson photographic images on glass plates, lantern slides and negatives, many of which have never been viewed for many years display all aspects of North East life including historic buildings, history of people and communities, historic places and events, landscapes and gardens of the past, industry, maritime, coalmining and transport history.
Following the capture, restoration and research of a small selection of the Ward Philipson photographic archive, we want to share the images with various groups and organisations throughout the North of England. With some of the images dating back over 300 years, thanks to the skilful work of world famous engravers and etchers, everyone viewing the talks and presentations can find pure nostalgia and enjoyment in every image. There are still over 130,000 images to be scanned and restored and it will take the current team of volunteers many years to complete the task. The story is amazing..........

There will also be an  offerof their the new book at a special price to your members, £8 instead of the RRP £14.95.