On 9 September 2014 I went and did the service at St Wilfrid’s Newbiggin Hall – 6 years here and it was the first time I had ever been in. Sarah, their Vicar, has damaged her foot so I was her stand-in (as Basil Brush used to say “boom, boom”).
A very pleasant midweek service, a good welcome, coffee and a chat afterwards.
The estate of Newbiggin Hall went up in the 1960s, and the church was dedicated in 1967. It is quite an attractive 1960s building on a prime spot in the middle of the estate. They have used the blank, road-facing wall for some advertising, tend the gardens around, and have sorted out disabled access.
Interesting that in this 1971 photo from Newcastle Libraries there is a temporary wooden ramp – 
. I wonder how many years the “temporary” ramp was there for? There is some new building going up, including a large residential old people’s home – which should give some more opportunities. There biggest problem is the Hall – which is ugly 1960s, too big for what is now required, and needs to come down. They have some interesting plans to erect “pods” in the church itself, which seems a sensible re-use of the space. Now it is simply a case of finding the money.
I know where to come if I need some candles!
