Blaydon
Encyclopedia
Blaydon-on-Tyne is a town in the North East of England
in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead
. The former urban district, however, extends much further, its fourteen and a half square miles constituting the largest administrative district, after Newcastle, on Tyneside. Included within this area, which extends inland from the Tyne along the River Derwent for ten miles (16 km), are the mining communities of Chopwell and High Spen as well as the villages of Rowlands Gill, Blackhall Mill, Barlow and Stella and the larger and more urban towns of Blaydon and Winlaton. It has a population of 14,648.
Though the town itself has a relatively short history there has been activity in the area for many centuries.
Little is recorded of medieval Blaydon, which appears to have been based upon the modern farm sites of High and Low Shibdon. The Blaydon Burn Belts Corn Mill, part of a row of 5 or 6 water corn mills stretching from Brockwell Wood to the River Tyne is known to have been present by the early 17th century, suggesting a healthy population at that time. It is likely that, as well as farming, many industrial activities such as mining and quarrying had begun in the medieval and post-medieval periods, well before the industrial period of the 18th to 20th centuries when Blaydon became an important industrial centre.
In addition to the workers’ housing developments associated with industrialisation, a number of grand residences were constructed for industrialists in the area, such as Blaydon Burn House, home of Joseph Cowen, owner of the brickworks. Ironically, the remains of Old Dockendale Hall, an earlier grand residence (or perhaps a superior farmhouse) of 17th century or earlier construction, was destroyed when the coke and tar works was built at Blaydon burn.
to write a foreword in which he praised their enterprise and efforts.
constituency
seat of Blaydon is held by MP
David Anderson
, elected in the general election
of May 2005 after the retirement of John McWilliam
.
The area has traditionally been a Labour
stronghold and has been held by the Labour Party since 1935. The Labour candidate David Anderson received 51.5% of the vote in 2005, with the Liberal Democrat candidate, Peter Maughan, second at 37.9%.
Blaydon ward elects three councillors to Gateshead Council. As of the May 2007 election, they are Malcolm Brain, Kathryn Ferdinand and Steve Ronchetti (all Labour
).
Despite being a largely urban and industrial town, there are various rural aspects to Blaydon and the surrounding area. The area has many acres of open countryside mostly at 500 feet (152.4 m) or more above sea level and numerous farms and similar holdings. Between High Spen and Chopwell are large Forestry Commission woods and these and other forested areas extend down the hillside to the Derwent river which lies on the east and forms the urban district boundary.
The area is also home to Shibdon Pond at the former site of Blaydon Main Colliery. Shibdon Pond is a nature reserve situated at the Eastern end of the town. Many species of waterfowl
live on the pond and surrounding marshland, and a hide is available for ornithologists. English Nature
has designated Shibdon Pond as one of Tyne and Wear
's Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). The subject of a regeneration campaign, Shibdon Dene (sometimes inaccurately called 'Blaydon Dene') is another recreational area consisting of a pathway between a great number of fine trees.
in Gateshead, Blaydon's traditional industry was coal mining
. However, since the decline of mining in the 1950s and 1960s, the economy has diversified. As well as a small number of commuting professionals, residents of Blaydon are often involved in engineering
and manufacturing
with many businesses operating from premises in Blaydon Haughs (or 'The Spike'), on the banks of the River Tyne.
Blaydon was for a time the head office of Associated Cooperative Creameries
(later renamed ACC then ACC Milk). ACC Milk was sold to Dairy Farmers of Britain
in 2004.On June 3rd 2009, Dairy Farmers of Britain went into receivership and the dairy in Chainbridge Road closed shortly afterwards with the loss of 300 jobs.In 2010 the dairy was acquired by Medina Dairies and reopened.
Blaydon has a shopping centre, known locally as the precinct. A brutalist 1970s creation, it contains the town's major shops including newsagents, Greggs
, Savers
, a Co-operative Group store and, at the nearby car park, a McDonalds. There are also several food and grocery outlets.
Recently, the area has undergone a significant programme of housing regeneration with new developments in progress at High View on the Winlaton-Blaydon border, by the riverside on the site of the former Stella South power station and at Axwell Gardens, near to the existing Axwell Park estate.
was a large building, essentially Elizabethan in character, but with an 18th century south front. Older sections showed mullioned windows and other Elizabethan architectural features whilst the 18th century windows and south front were the work of the architect James Paine, designer of Axwell Hall
on the other side of the district. The Hall, Drawing Room and library were of Paine's design but the former Roman Catholic Chapel was older.
Stella Hall has had a long history that goes back as far as 1143 when there was a nunnery on this site. The present house was built by the Tempest family
, Newcastle merchants. They occupied Stella Hall for 150 years and then in 1700 it passed into the ownership (by marriage) of Lord Widdrington
, a noted Jacobite. Widdrington, on October 6. 1715, invited his friends and tenants to breakfast at the hall and, after toasting the Stuarts, they all set off to join the Earl of Derwentwater and his rebels. The uprising failed and Widdrington was sentenced to death though he was later reprieved and his estate and house restored to him.
In later years Garibaldi and Kossuth
were among the famous people who were entertained at Stella Hall. A statue of Garibaldi was discovered some years ago in the garden of a house on the estate and the head can now be found in the entrance lobby of Blaydon library. In more modern times the hall became the home of Joseph Cowen
, M.P. and owner of the Newcastle Daily Chronicle who died in 1899. The last member of this family, Jane Cowen, died in 1948 and the house was demolished in 1953.
) is a Grade II* listed mansion, built for Sir Thomas Clavering
by the noted architect James Paine and completed in 1761. The last (10th) baronet died in 1893 and Axwell Hall later found use as a prisoner of war camp during the second world war and later as an approved school. Much of the park has been developed for residential purposes and the hall itself has, for much of the last two decades, stood empty and allowed to decline. However, the hall was acquired in 2006 by property developers for restoration and conversion to residential apartments which are scheduled for completion by 2010.
Blaydon is linked to Newcastle and the A1 to the east by the A695
which used to pass through the centre of the town. The A695 road now bypasses
the town centre to the north through the industrial estate. The A695 links Blaydon with Hexham
about 20 miles (32.2 km) to the west.
Railway
Historically Blaydon was a major railway hub for both passenger and freight services, as it occupied an important geographical position in relation to Newcastle-upon-Tyne and which could be reached across the Scotswood Railway Bridge
. Blaydon served as the Eastern terminus of the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway
(N&CR) when the first section (to Hexham
) was opened in March 1835. The current line that runs through Blaydon is the Tyne Valley Line of the National Rail
network. Northern Rail
operate train
services to and from Blaydon railway station
, but such services are very limited.
Bus
Bus
services are extensive and Blaydon Bus Station is a compulsory stop for all routes operating through the town. From Blaydon it is possible to get to the major destinations of Newcastle, Hexham
, MetroCentre and the Team Valley
Trading Estate, as well as to the local towns of Ryton
, Crawcrook
, Chopwell
, and Dunston
. There is currently work taking place to modernise the bus station at Blaydon costing around £95000 granted by Nexus, the local transport authority for the county, including new stands and lighting systems in addition to real time information systems. The work is scheduled to be completed by June 2009.
In recent years it has been suggested that Blaydon's location and existing transport infrastructure make it a suitable place for a Park and Ride
centre, serving Newcastle and helping reduce congestion in the city. Extending the Tyne and Wear Metro
along the Tyne Valley Line would also gain local support, but as of October 2007 there have been no plans to do so.
.
.
Key - Route serves a Bus/Coach station. - Route serves a Tyne & Wear Metro station. - Route serves a Railway station.
. It is home to a number of primary schools (both faith and secular schools) including Blaydon West primary and St Joseph's, a Roman Catholic primary school. It also has St Thomas More RC
, a high achieving Roman Catholic secondary school which serves the Roman Catholic population of the western part of Gateshead borough.
), opened in 1845, and St Joseph
's (Roman Catholic), opened in 1905 on the site of an earlier church.They are situated opposite each other, on either side of Shibdon Road in the town centre. Both are impressive structures, and the interiors reflect the style of architecture used in their construction. There is also a Roman Catholic church in Stella (St Mary and Thomas Aquinas, opened 1835). The parish church of Winlaton opened in 1828, the Congregational church there in 1829, and the Wesleyan Chapel in 1868.
", written by local musician and showman George 'Geordie' Ridley in 1862. The town's athletic club
- the Blaydon Harriers - organise a road
running race (called the Blaydon Race
) every year on June 9. The route of the race follows the route outlined by Ridley in his song. The traditional starting point lies outside Balmbra's pub in Newcastle's Bigg Market, and the race follows a course along Scotswood Road before crossing the River Tyne and ultimately finishing in Blaydon town centre. Local councillors, societies and notaries have in recent years organised an annual Blaydon Festival with music, sport and arts events that coincides with the week of race day.
The town's proximity to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, as well as links such as Geordie Ridley's Blaydon Races, has meant that almost all locals support Newcastle United, but there are a small minority of Sunderland AFC supporters in addition. The town does not have a football club of its own, but junior teams have had notable successes in competitions in recent years.
As well as the Blaydon races, The Blaydon Harriers organise regular race meetings on the Shibdon Pond fields (and other venues) throughout the year. These are usually well-attended both by participants and spectators. The Harriers' colours are orange and black.
The Rugby club Blaydon RFC
play in the English National League 1
(a very high level considering the size of the town). The Crow Trees rugby ground is situated in the eastern end of the town, towards Swalwell
. Blaydon RFC play in red shirts and white shorts. The former England
international Mick Skinner played for Blaydon.
: the Staffs (formerly the Railway Staff Club), the Social Club, and the Blaydon House Sports and Social Club (formerly the Conservative
Club). The latter occupies the house of the nineteenth-century Doctor Morrison, and is reputedly the oldest building in Blaydon. Live jazz
and rock music is regularly performed there.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead
Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead
The Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead is a metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. It is named after its largest town, Gateshead, but also spans the towns of Rowlands Gill, Whickham, Blaydon and Ryton; suburban areas include Felling, Pelaw, Dunston and Low Fell.It is bordered...
. The former urban district, however, extends much further, its fourteen and a half square miles constituting the largest administrative district, after Newcastle, on Tyneside. Included within this area, which extends inland from the Tyne along the River Derwent for ten miles (16 km), are the mining communities of Chopwell and High Spen as well as the villages of Rowlands Gill, Blackhall Mill, Barlow and Stella and the larger and more urban towns of Blaydon and Winlaton. It has a population of 14,648.
History
The town of Blaydon is essentially an industrial area and is not more than two centuries old. Indeed in the 1760s there was little here but a few farms and cottages. In the latter part of the same century a smelting works was set up from which sprang the industrial growth of the areaThough the town itself has a relatively short history there has been activity in the area for many centuries.
Early History
The earliest recorded evidence of human activity at Blaydon is a Neolithic polished stone axe found in the early 20th century. Finds and structures from later prehistoric periods include a bronze spearhead and log-boat, both recovered from the River Tyne in the 19th century. A number of Bronze Age cists are recorded from Summerhill and several others from Bewes Hill.Little is recorded of medieval Blaydon, which appears to have been based upon the modern farm sites of High and Low Shibdon. The Blaydon Burn Belts Corn Mill, part of a row of 5 or 6 water corn mills stretching from Brockwell Wood to the River Tyne is known to have been present by the early 17th century, suggesting a healthy population at that time. It is likely that, as well as farming, many industrial activities such as mining and quarrying had begun in the medieval and post-medieval periods, well before the industrial period of the 18th to 20th centuries when Blaydon became an important industrial centre.
Battle of Stella Ford
Also known as the Battle of Newburn or Newburn Ford, this relatively unknown battle has recently been elevated in importance by English Heritage. On 28 August 1640, 20,000 Scots defeated 5,500 English soldiers who were defending the ford over the Tyne four miles (6 km) west of Newcastle. The Scots had been provoked by Charles I, who had imposed bishops and a foreign prayer book on their church. The Scots army, led by Alexander Leslie, fought its way to Newcastle and occupied the city for almost a year before Charles I paid it £200,000 to depart. The battle brought to an end the so called 'Eleven Years of Tyranny' by forcing Charles to recall Parliament.The 18th Century and the Industrial Revolution
The stimulus for industry at Blaydon and Blaydon burn, as elsewhere in the region, was the growth in coal mining and the coal trade, particularly from the early 18th century, when the Hazard and Speculation pits were established at Low Shibdon linked to the Tyne by wagonways. The 18th century Blaydon Main Colliery was reopened in the mid-19th century and worked until 1921. Other pits and associated features included Blaydon Burn Colliery, Freehold pit and the Blaydonburn wagonway. Industries supported by the coal trade included chemical works, bottle works, sanitary pipe works, lampblack works, an ironworks, a smithy and brickworks - Cowen’s Upper and Lower Brickworks were established in 1730 and were associated with a variety of features including a clay drift mine and coal/clay drops. The Lower works remains in operation. Blaydon Burn Coke Ovens, also of 19th century origin, were replaced in the 1930s by Priestman Ottovale Coke and Tar Works which was the first in the world to produce petrol from coal known as Blaydon Benzole.In addition to the workers’ housing developments associated with industrialisation, a number of grand residences were constructed for industrialists in the area, such as Blaydon Burn House, home of Joseph Cowen, owner of the brickworks. Ironically, the remains of Old Dockendale Hall, an earlier grand residence (or perhaps a superior farmhouse) of 17th century or earlier construction, was destroyed when the coke and tar works was built at Blaydon burn.
Blaydon School Press
In the 1930s, pupils at the now demolished Blaydon Intermediate School, under the leadership of English teacher Mr Elliott and art teacher Mr Boyce, gradually developed a technique for producing hardback books. Their productions were highly respected and favourably compared to other successful private printing presses of the time. In one volume produced by the school in 1935, entitled "Songs of Enchantment", the pupils were successful in convincing the famous poet Walter de la MareWalter de la Mare
Walter John de la Mare , OM CH was an English poet, short story writer and novelist, probably best remembered for his works for children and the poem "The Listeners"....
to write a foreword in which he praised their enterprise and efforts.
Stella South Power Station
The post war era of the late 40s and 50s saw a rapid rise in demand for electricity and, in the North East, the extension of existing and construction of a number of new power stations was seen as a key part of the solution. For the Blaydon area, this meant the arrival of a new power station at Stella Haugh, known as the South Stella Power Station, which helped to meet the energy demands of the North East until its closure in 1991.Governance
The House of CommonsBritish House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
constituency
Blaydon (constituency)
-Elections in the 2000s:-Elections in the 1990s:-Notes and references:...
seat of Blaydon is held by MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
David Anderson
David Anderson (UK politician)
David Anderson is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Blaydon since 2005.-Early life:...
, elected in the general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
of May 2005 after the retirement of John McWilliam
John David McWilliam
John David McWilliam was a British Labour Party politician. He was the Member of Parliament for Blaydon from 1979 until he stood down at the 2005 general election.-Early life:...
.
The area has traditionally been a Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
stronghold and has been held by the Labour Party since 1935. The Labour candidate David Anderson received 51.5% of the vote in 2005, with the Liberal Democrat candidate, Peter Maughan, second at 37.9%.
Blaydon ward elects three councillors to Gateshead Council. As of the May 2007 election, they are Malcolm Brain, Kathryn Ferdinand and Steve Ronchetti (all Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
).
Geography
Modern Blaydon stands close to the Tyne with the A695, a key road from Gateshead to Hexham, passing through the town centre. Between this main road and the river is the railway and, beyond it, in a bend of the Tyne is the industrial district of Blaydon Haughs. The main part of the town lies south of the railway.Despite being a largely urban and industrial town, there are various rural aspects to Blaydon and the surrounding area. The area has many acres of open countryside mostly at 500 feet (152.4 m) or more above sea level and numerous farms and similar holdings. Between High Spen and Chopwell are large Forestry Commission woods and these and other forested areas extend down the hillside to the Derwent river which lies on the east and forms the urban district boundary.
The area is also home to Shibdon Pond at the former site of Blaydon Main Colliery. Shibdon Pond is a nature reserve situated at the Eastern end of the town. Many species of waterfowl
Waterfowl
Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
live on the pond and surrounding marshland, and a hide is available for ornithologists. English Nature
English Nature
English Nature was the United Kingdom government agency that promoted the conservation of wildlife, geology and wild places throughout England between 1990 and 2006...
has designated Shibdon Pond as one of Tyne and Wear
Tyne and Wear
Tyne and Wear is a metropolitan county in north east England around the mouths of the Rivers Tyne and Wear. It came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972...
's Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). The subject of a regeneration campaign, Shibdon Dene (sometimes inaccurately called 'Blaydon Dene') is another recreational area consisting of a pathway between a great number of fine trees.
Economy
Once the powerhouse of the Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times...
in Gateshead, Blaydon's traditional industry was coal mining
Coal mining
The goal of coal mining is to obtain coal from the ground. Coal is valued for its energy content, and since the 1880s has been widely used to generate electricity. Steel and cement industries use coal as a fuel for extraction of iron from iron ore and for cement production. In the United States,...
. However, since the decline of mining in the 1950s and 1960s, the economy has diversified. As well as a small number of commuting professionals, residents of Blaydon are often involved in engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
and manufacturing
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is the use of machines, tools and labor to produce goods for use or sale. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high tech, but is most commonly applied to industrial production, in which raw materials are transformed into finished goods on a large scale...
with many businesses operating from premises in Blaydon Haughs (or 'The Spike'), on the banks of the River Tyne.
Blaydon was for a time the head office of Associated Cooperative Creameries
Associated Cooperative Creameries
Associated Co-operative Creameries , formerly CWS Milk Group, was a subsidiary and operating division of The Co-operative Group. It operated dairies throughout the United Kingdom and also doorstep-delivered milk to households....
(later renamed ACC then ACC Milk). ACC Milk was sold to Dairy Farmers of Britain
Dairy Farmers of Britain
Dairy Farmers of Britain was a UK co-operative milk processor that bought milk directly from farmers and had several factories producing milk and cheese products for sale in various regions throughout the UK...
in 2004.On June 3rd 2009, Dairy Farmers of Britain went into receivership and the dairy in Chainbridge Road closed shortly afterwards with the loss of 300 jobs.In 2010 the dairy was acquired by Medina Dairies and reopened.
Blaydon has a shopping centre, known locally as the precinct. A brutalist 1970s creation, it contains the town's major shops including newsagents, Greggs
Greggs
Greggs plc is the largest specialist retail bakery chain in the United Kingdom. It was established in the 1930s as a single shop but has approximately 1,500 outlets....
, Savers
Savers
Savers, Inc. headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, is a privately held for-profit thrift store chain offering secondhand shopping. An international company, Savers has more than 200 locations throughout the United States, Canada and Australia, and receives its merchandise by paying cash to...
, a Co-operative Group store and, at the nearby car park, a McDonalds. There are also several food and grocery outlets.
Recently, the area has undergone a significant programme of housing regeneration with new developments in progress at High View on the Winlaton-Blaydon border, by the riverside on the site of the former Stella South power station and at Axwell Gardens, near to the existing Axwell Park estate.
Stella Hall
Stella HallStella park
Stella Park is a housing estate in Blaydon-on-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England, located on the grounds of a mansion of the same name.-Stella Hall:...
was a large building, essentially Elizabethan in character, but with an 18th century south front. Older sections showed mullioned windows and other Elizabethan architectural features whilst the 18th century windows and south front were the work of the architect James Paine, designer of Axwell Hall
Axwell House
Axwell House is a mansion house and Grade II* listed building, situated at Axwell Park, Blaydon, Tyne and Wear.An early manor house on the site was acquired by James Clavering, a merchant adventurer of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1629 for £1700...
on the other side of the district. The Hall, Drawing Room and library were of Paine's design but the former Roman Catholic Chapel was older.
Stella Hall has had a long history that goes back as far as 1143 when there was a nunnery on this site. The present house was built by the Tempest family
Tempest family
-Tempest Baronets of Stella and Stanley, Co Durham:A branch of the Tempest family of Holmside, Co. Durham descended from Nicolas Tempest , described as of Stanley Byers and Stanley Parke, the fourth son of Robert Tempest and Anne Lambton of Holmside....
, Newcastle merchants. They occupied Stella Hall for 150 years and then in 1700 it passed into the ownership (by marriage) of Lord Widdrington
William Widdrington, 4th Baron Widdrington
Baron William Widdrington succeeded to the title 4th Baron Widdrington of Blankney on the death of his father in 1695....
, a noted Jacobite. Widdrington, on October 6. 1715, invited his friends and tenants to breakfast at the hall and, after toasting the Stuarts, they all set off to join the Earl of Derwentwater and his rebels. The uprising failed and Widdrington was sentenced to death though he was later reprieved and his estate and house restored to him.
In later years Garibaldi and Kossuth
Kossuth
-Hungary:* Kossuth tér, or Lajos Kossuth Square, Budapest* Kossuth Lajos tér , a station on the M2 line of the Budapest Metro-United States:* Kossuth County, Iowa* Kossuth, Mississippi, a village...
were among the famous people who were entertained at Stella Hall. A statue of Garibaldi was discovered some years ago in the garden of a house on the estate and the head can now be found in the entrance lobby of Blaydon library. In more modern times the hall became the home of Joseph Cowen
Joseph Cowen
Joseph Cowen, Jr., , English politician and journalist, son of Sir Joseph Cowen, a prominent citizen and Member of Parliament for Newcastle upon Tyne from 1865 to 1873, was born at Stella Hall, Blaydon...
, M.P. and owner of the Newcastle Daily Chronicle who died in 1899. The last member of this family, Jane Cowen, died in 1948 and the house was demolished in 1953.
Axwell Hall
On the west of the town and a mile inland from the Tyne is Axwell Park, once the home of the Clavering family. Axwell Hall (also Axwell HouseAxwell House
Axwell House is a mansion house and Grade II* listed building, situated at Axwell Park, Blaydon, Tyne and Wear.An early manor house on the site was acquired by James Clavering, a merchant adventurer of Newcastle upon Tyne in 1629 for £1700...
) is a Grade II* listed mansion, built for Sir Thomas Clavering
Sir Thomas Clavering, 7th Baronet
Sir Thomas Clavering, 7th Baronet succeeded to the Baronetcy of Axwell and to the family estates on the death of his father in 1748....
by the noted architect James Paine and completed in 1761. The last (10th) baronet died in 1893 and Axwell Hall later found use as a prisoner of war camp during the second world war and later as an approved school. Much of the park has been developed for residential purposes and the hall itself has, for much of the last two decades, stood empty and allowed to decline. However, the hall was acquired in 2006 by property developers for restoration and conversion to residential apartments which are scheduled for completion by 2010.
Transport
RoadBlaydon is linked to Newcastle and the A1 to the east by the A695
A695 road
A695 road is a road in northern England linking Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne and Wear, with Hexham, Northumberland. It was part of the proposed A695 Shields Road Motorway.-References:...
which used to pass through the centre of the town. The A695 road now bypasses
Bypass (road)
A bypass is a road or highway that avoids or "bypasses" a built-up area, town, or village, to let through traffic flow without interference from local traffic, to reduce congestion in the built-up area, and to improve road safety....
the town centre to the north through the industrial estate. The A695 links Blaydon with Hexham
Hexham
Hexham is a market town and civil parish in Northumberland, England, located south of the River Tyne, and was the administrative centre for the Tynedale district from 1974 to 2009. The three major towns in Tynedale were Hexham, Prudhoe and Haltwhistle, although in terms of population, Prudhoe was...
about 20 miles (32.2 km) to the west.
Railway
Historically Blaydon was a major railway hub for both passenger and freight services, as it occupied an important geographical position in relation to Newcastle-upon-Tyne and which could be reached across the Scotswood Railway Bridge
Scotswood Railway Bridge
The Scotswood Railway Bridge is a disused railway bridge crossing the River Tyne in North East England, formerly part of the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, carrying the main line between the Scotswood and Blaydon stations.-History:...
. Blaydon served as the Eastern terminus of the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway
Newcastle and Carlisle Railway
The Newcastle and Carlisle Railway, occasionally referred to as the Tyne Valley Line, is a railway line in northern England. The line was built in the 1830s, and links the city of Newcastle upon Tyne in Tyne and Wear with in Cumbria. Formal opening took place on 18 June 1838.The line follows the...
(N&CR) when the first section (to Hexham
Hexham
Hexham is a market town and civil parish in Northumberland, England, located south of the River Tyne, and was the administrative centre for the Tynedale district from 1974 to 2009. The three major towns in Tynedale were Hexham, Prudhoe and Haltwhistle, although in terms of population, Prudhoe was...
) was opened in March 1835. The current line that runs through Blaydon is the Tyne Valley Line of the National Rail
National Rail
National Rail is a title used by the Association of Train Operating Companies as a generic term to define the passenger rail services operated in Great Britain...
network. Northern Rail
Northern Rail
Northern Rail is a British train operating company that has operated local passenger services in Northern England since 2004. Northern Rail's owner, Serco-Abellio, is a consortium formed of Abellio and Serco, an international operator of public transport systems...
operate train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
services to and from Blaydon railway station
Blaydon railway station
Blaydon railway station is a railway station serving Blaydon in Tyne and Wear, northern England. It is located on the Tyne Valley Line which runs from Newcastle upon Tyne to Carlisle, and is managed by Northern Rail....
, but such services are very limited.
Bus
Bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
services are extensive and Blaydon Bus Station is a compulsory stop for all routes operating through the town. From Blaydon it is possible to get to the major destinations of Newcastle, Hexham
Hexham
Hexham is a market town and civil parish in Northumberland, England, located south of the River Tyne, and was the administrative centre for the Tynedale district from 1974 to 2009. The three major towns in Tynedale were Hexham, Prudhoe and Haltwhistle, although in terms of population, Prudhoe was...
, MetroCentre and the Team Valley
Team Valley
Team Valley is a traditionally heavily industrial area of Gateshead in Tyne and Wear, England. More recently it has become home to the 'Retail World' retail park, which makes up just a small percentage of the entirety of the Team Valley Trading Estate...
Trading Estate, as well as to the local towns of Ryton
Ryton, Tyne and Wear
Ryton is a semi-rural small town near the western border of Tyne and Wear, England. Once an independent town in County Durham it became incorporated into the metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear and the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead in 1974. It has a population of 15,742.- Location :Ryton lies...
, Crawcrook
Crawcrook
Crawcrook is a semi-rural village close to the western border of the metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear in England. Traditionally an independent village in County Durham it has since been incorporated into the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead.-Location:...
, Chopwell
Chopwell
Chopwell is a village in Tyne and Wear, located approximately three miles west of Rowlands Gill and one mile north of Hamsterley.Traditionally an area of coal mining, Chopwell was nicknamed "Little Moscow" because of the strong support for the Communist Party...
, and Dunston
Dunston, Tyne and Wear
Dunston was originally an independent village on the south bank of the River Tyne. It has now been absorbed into the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead in the English county of Tyne and Wear...
. There is currently work taking place to modernise the bus station at Blaydon costing around £95000 granted by Nexus, the local transport authority for the county, including new stands and lighting systems in addition to real time information systems. The work is scheduled to be completed by June 2009.
In recent years it has been suggested that Blaydon's location and existing transport infrastructure make it a suitable place for a Park and Ride
Park and ride
Park and ride facilities are car parks with connections to public transport that allow commuters and other people wishing to travel into city centres to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, rail system , or carpool for the rest of their trip...
centre, serving Newcastle and helping reduce congestion in the city. Extending the Tyne and Wear Metro
Tyne and Wear Metro
The Tyne and Wear Metro, also known as the Metro, is a light rail system in North East England, serving Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside and Sunderland. It opened in 1980 and in 2007–2008 provided 40 million public journeys on its network of nearly...
along the Tyne Valley Line would also gain local support, but as of October 2007 there have been no plans to do so.
List of Bus Services
The following are the bus services currently using Blaydon Bus Station, correct to 30 October 2011..
.
Key - Route serves a Bus/Coach station. - Route serves a Tyne & Wear Metro station. - Route serves a Railway station.
| Route | To | Via | Operator | Days of Operation (if not 7 days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Hexham Bus Station | Crawcrook, Stocksfield & Corbridge | Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland... |
Limited Stop, "TEN10". |
| Newcastle, Eldon Square Eldon Square Bus Station Eldon Square bus station is one of two bus stations serving the city centre of Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England, England.It is located in the Haymarket area of the city centre, near Newcastle University, adjacent to Haymarket bus station and near Haymarket Metro station... |
MetroCentre | |||
| Note - Evening/Sun service serves all stops. | ||||
| 10A | Rockwood Hill Estate | Ryton, Crawcrook & Folly | Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland... |
Limited Stop, "TEN10". |
| Newcastle, Eldon Square Eldon Square Bus Station Eldon Square bus station is one of two bus stations serving the city centre of Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England, England.It is located in the Haymarket area of the city centre, near Newcastle University, adjacent to Haymarket bus station and near Haymarket Metro station... |
MetroCentre | |||
| Note - Evening/Sun service serves all stops. | ||||
| 11 | Newcastle, Eldon Square Eldon Square Bus Station Eldon Square bus station is one of two bus stations serving the city centre of Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England, England.It is located in the Haymarket area of the city centre, near Newcastle University, adjacent to Haymarket bus station and near Haymarket Metro station... |
Central Station | Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland... |
"Toon Link". |
| Prudhoe Interchange | Ryton, Crawcrook & Prudhoe | |||
| Note - Mon-Sat evening and Sunday service operates via MetroCentre Interchange . | ||||
| 32 | Newcastle, Eldon Square Eldon Square Bus Station Eldon Square bus station is one of two bus stations serving the city centre of Newcastle upon Tyne, North East England, England.It is located in the Haymarket area of the city centre, near Newcastle University, adjacent to Haymarket bus station and near Haymarket Metro station... |
Newcastle Business Park | Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland... |
"The Blaydon Racers". |
| Winlaton Bus Station | Blaydon Bank | |||
| 49 | Gateshead Interchange Gateshead Interchange Gateshead Interchange is a transport interchange in the centre of the town of Gateshead, England. It is served by the Tyne and Wear Metro, whose station is underground, as well as local bus services... |
Dunston, MetroCentre & Blaydon | Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland... |
"The Blaydon Racers". |
| Winlaton Bus Station | Blaydon Bank | |||
| 49A | Gateshead Interchange Gateshead Interchange Gateshead Interchange is a transport interchange in the centre of the town of Gateshead, England. It is served by the Tyne and Wear Metro, whose station is underground, as well as local bus services... |
Swalwell, MetroCentre & Parkhead Estate | Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland... |
"The Blaydon Racers", Mon-Sat daytime. |
| Winlaton Bus Station | Parkhead Estate | |||
| 49B | Gateshead Interchange Gateshead Interchange Gateshead Interchange is a transport interchange in the centre of the town of Gateshead, England. It is served by the Tyne and Wear Metro, whose station is underground, as well as local bus services... |
Swalwell, MetroCentre & Dunston | Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland... |
"The Blaydon Racers", Daytime. |
| Winlaton Bus Station | Bleach Green & Parkhead Estate | |||
| 49C | Gateshead Interchange Gateshead Interchange Gateshead Interchange is a transport interchange in the centre of the town of Gateshead, England. It is served by the Tyne and Wear Metro, whose station is underground, as well as local bus services... |
Swalwell, MetroCentre & Dunston | Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland... |
"The Blaydon Racers", Evenings. |
| Winlaton Bus Station | Bleach Green & Parkhead Estate | |||
| 69 | Wardley | Team Valley, Beacon Lough & Felling Square | Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland... |
"Pulse". |
| Winlaton Bus Station | ||||
| 69A | Wardley | MetroCentre , Beacon Lough & Felling Square | Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland... |
"Pulse", Mon-sat daytime. |
| Blackhall Mill Mill Race | Crawcrook, High Spen & Chopwell | |||
| 69B | Queen Elizabeth Hospital | Swalwell, Lobley Hill & Saltwell Park | Go North East Go North East Go North East is the largest operator of bus services in North East England, United Kingdom. Go North East operates services in the counties of Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland... |
1 journey, Sun morning. |
| R3 | Rowlands Gill | Hole In The Wall, Winlaton & Winlaton Mill | TGM Group - Classic Tellings-Golden Miller Tellings-Golden Miller , a subsidiary of Arriva, is a bus service and coach operator in the United Kingdom.-Golden Miller:Reputedly, Fred Varney began the Golden Miller company with the winnings from a bet made on the horse Golden Miller, which won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National in... |
|
| Clara Vale | Crookhill, Ryton & Crawcrook | |||
| R4 | Rowlands Gill | Hole In The Wall, Winlaton & Winlaton Mill | TGM Group - Classic Tellings-Golden Miller Tellings-Golden Miller , a subsidiary of Arriva, is a bus service and coach operator in the United Kingdom.-Golden Miller:Reputedly, Fred Varney began the Golden Miller company with the winnings from a bet made on the horse Golden Miller, which won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National in... |
|
| Clara Vale | Crookhill, Ryton & Crawcrook | |||
| TB12 | Winlaton Mill | Hole In The Wall Estate | Anthony Kane Taxis | Taxibus, Mon-Sat daytime. |
| TB15 | Garden House Estate | Ryton, Low Greenside & Crawcrook | Anthony Kane Taxis | Taxibus, Mon-Sat daytime. |
Education
Blaydon is part of the Gateshead Local Education AuthorityLocal Education Authority
A local education authority is a local authority in England and Wales that has responsibility for education within its jurisdiction...
. It is home to a number of primary schools (both faith and secular schools) including Blaydon West primary and St Joseph's, a Roman Catholic primary school. It also has St Thomas More RC
St Thomas More RC
St Thomas More RC school is a voluntary aided Roman Catholic secondary school in Blaydon, Tyne and Wear, England, providing teaching to 11 - 19 year olds....
, a high achieving Roman Catholic secondary school which serves the Roman Catholic population of the western part of Gateshead borough.
Religious sites
Blaydon has two main churches, St Cuthbert's (Church of EnglandChurch of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
), opened in 1845, and St Joseph
Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph is a figure in the Gospels, the husband of the Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ ....
's (Roman Catholic), opened in 1905 on the site of an earlier church.They are situated opposite each other, on either side of Shibdon Road in the town centre. Both are impressive structures, and the interiors reflect the style of architecture used in their construction. There is also a Roman Catholic church in Stella (St Mary and Thomas Aquinas, opened 1835). The parish church of Winlaton opened in 1828, the Congregational church there in 1829, and the Wesleyan Chapel in 1868.
Sports
The Blaydon area is the origin of the well-known traditional song "Blaydon RacesBlaydon Races
Blaydon Races is a famous Geordie folk song written in the 19th century by Geordie Ridley, in a style deriving from music hall. It is regarded by many as the unofficial anthem of Tyneside and is frequently sung by supporters of Newcastle United Football Club and Newcastle Falcons rugby club...
", written by local musician and showman George 'Geordie' Ridley in 1862. The town's athletic club
Sports club
A sports club or sport club, sometimes athletics club or sports association is a club for the purpose of playing one or more sports...
- the Blaydon Harriers - organise a road
Road
A road is a thoroughfare, route, or way on land between two places, which typically has been paved or otherwise improved to allow travel by some conveyance, including a horse, cart, or motor vehicle. Roads consist of one, or sometimes two, roadways each with one or more lanes and also any...
running race (called the Blaydon Race
Blaydon Race
The Blaydon Race is a 5.9 mile athletics race from Newcastle upon Tyne, England to Blaydon that is steeped in local tradition. It takes place on June 9 every year and starts off with the singing of The Blaydon Races -- with the words as the basis for the race....
) every year on June 9. The route of the race follows the route outlined by Ridley in his song. The traditional starting point lies outside Balmbra's pub in Newcastle's Bigg Market, and the race follows a course along Scotswood Road before crossing the River Tyne and ultimately finishing in Blaydon town centre. Local councillors, societies and notaries have in recent years organised an annual Blaydon Festival with music, sport and arts events that coincides with the week of race day.
The town's proximity to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, as well as links such as Geordie Ridley's Blaydon Races, has meant that almost all locals support Newcastle United, but there are a small minority of Sunderland AFC supporters in addition. The town does not have a football club of its own, but junior teams have had notable successes in competitions in recent years.
As well as the Blaydon races, The Blaydon Harriers organise regular race meetings on the Shibdon Pond fields (and other venues) throughout the year. These are usually well-attended both by participants and spectators. The Harriers' colours are orange and black.
The Rugby club Blaydon RFC
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
play in the English National League 1
National League 1
National League 1, , is the third level of domestic rugby union competition in England.This is the lowest level of the English rugby union league system which is nationwide...
(a very high level considering the size of the town). The Crow Trees rugby ground is situated in the eastern end of the town, towards Swalwell
Swalwell
Swalwell is a village in Tyne and Wear, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, in the United Kingdom.-History:On 27 August 1640, an encampment of soldiers was gathered in the fields north of Whickham church on the slope down to Swalwell. This was part of the Royalist army of King Charles I preparing to...
. Blaydon RFC play in red shirts and white shorts. The former England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
international Mick Skinner played for Blaydon.
Notable people
- Alun ArmstrongAlun Armstrong (footballer)Alun Armstrong was an English professional footballer.-Career:Armstrong's first club was Newcastle United, where in October 1993 he came up from their youth team. He left in June 1994 having not played for them, and signed to Stockport County for £50,000. In 200 games for them, he scored 62 goals...
, former professional footballer with Ipswich Town F.C.Ipswich Town F.C.Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
and Middlesbrough FC - Peter ArmstrongPeter Armstrong (poet)This page is about the UK poet Peter Armstrong. For his namesake the Canadian journalist, see Peter Armstrong . For other namesakes, see below.Peter Armstrong is a poet and psychotherapist.-Life:...
, the poet and psychotherapist, was born in Blaydon. - Sir Thomas Clavering, 7th BaronetSir Thomas Clavering, 7th BaronetSir Thomas Clavering, 7th Baronet succeeded to the Baronetcy of Axwell and to the family estates on the death of his father in 1748....
, owner of Axwell Hall - Joseph CowenJoseph CowenJoseph Cowen, Jr., , English politician and journalist, son of Sir Joseph Cowen, a prominent citizen and Member of Parliament for Newcastle upon Tyne from 1865 to 1873, was born at Stella Hall, Blaydon...
, 19th century politician and journalist - Bert TullochBert TullochAlbert "Bert" Tulloch was an English professional footballer. He played as a full-back, and spent his entire ten-year professional career at Blackpool....
, former professional footballer with BlackpoolBlackpool F.C.Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... - Gavin Webster, stand-up comedian
- William Widdrington, 4th Baron WiddringtonWilliam Widdrington, 4th Baron WiddringtonBaron William Widdrington succeeded to the title 4th Baron Widdrington of Blankney on the death of his father in 1695....
, owner of Stella Hall
Culture
Although many pubs were demolished during the refurbishment of the town in the 1970s, a number of pubs still exist in and around the precinct. There are also several clubsWorking men's club
Working men's clubs are a type of private social club founded in the 19th century in industrial areas of the United Kingdom, particularly the North of England, the Midlands and many parts of the South Wales Valleys, to provide recreation and education for working class men and their families.-...
: the Staffs (formerly the Railway Staff Club), the Social Club, and the Blaydon House Sports and Social Club (formerly the Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
Club). The latter occupies the house of the nineteenth-century Doctor Morrison, and is reputedly the oldest building in Blaydon. Live jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and rock music is regularly performed there.