July 15, 2016

Hadrian’s Wall Exploration 11 – Birdoswald

Before I start blogging Derbyshire, I really ought to finish my Hadrian’s Wall explorations. It is one thing to have walked the Wall (did I mention I walked it?), but I would like to use the pictures of the various sites. Birdoswald is over in the west, in Cumbria at NY616664 – English Heritage, website. They had what sounded like a wonderful kite flying Festival here early in 2016. A welcoming café, a holiday cottage you can hire (I like the idea of waking up in the middle of a fort), and a nice little museum. They have built...
Categories Cumbria/Hadrian's Wall Walk Comments: 2
July 15, 2016

Hadrian’s Wall Exploration 10 – Housesteads

Although I ended a walk at Housesteads and started a walk at Housesteads, I did not manage to find time for a proper walk round the fort and the museum. Here are some old photos, some taken on a visit with Gareth in 2013. It is an English Heritage managed site and National Trust members get in free as well. As I am a Life Member of both EH and NT I think they should pay me to visit. It should be noted that it is a steep uphill walk from the car park, which is on the Military...
Categories Hadrian's Wall Walk/National Trust/Northumberland Comments: 0
June 28, 2016

Hadrian’s Wall Exploration 9 – Chesters

I am not going to write full histories of all these wonderful sites – there are many others who do that far better than me. This is an English Heritage Fort at NY911705, with website. Welcoming shop and an excellent cafe. In AD 124 a turret on the Wall was demolished to make way for this new fort, on the west bank of the Tyne, and a 500 man cavalry unit was stationed here. In AD 138 we know that an infantry unit, the 1st Cohort of Dalmatians, was stationed here. 40 years later, the Second Asturians (‘ala II Asturum’),...
Categories Hadrian's Wall Walk/Northumberland Comments: 0
June 27, 2016

Halton, Northumberland – St Oswald, St Cuthbert and King Alfwald

  David Hewlett is the Vicar of Corbridge, and was a friend of Neil Collings (Dean of St Eds). On Wednesday 22 June he bought me a very nice lunch at The Wellington in Newton – the waitress told us we should be on the stage. We then went to explore Halton church, one of his. A little church with a long name – St Oswald, St Cuthbert and King Alfwald. It is at grid reference NY998678, next to the Castle which I photoed from the Wall Walk a few weeks ago (did I mention I have walked the...
Categories Northumberland/World War 1 Comments: 4
June 27, 2016

Hadrian’s Wall Exploration 8 – Wallsend, Segedunum

Before I move South to Derby, I want to put various other Hadrian’s Wall sites on my blog. On Saturday 18 June we arranged to meet our friends at Segedunum Roman Fort in Wallsend – website. This is where I ended my Wall Walk (did I mention I walked the Wall?), but I didn’t do the Museum. This time we started in the café, then went up to the Observatory. They have a good AV presentation which shows how the landscape has changed. We did the Roman gallery, which has some good items and some  nice AV which brings people...
Categories Hadrian's Wall Walk/Newcastle upon Tyne Comments: 0
June 20, 2016

Meldon, Northumberland – St John (again)

When I visited in 2012 I commented I should have photoed Meldon station on the Wannie Line. This time I did. It was opened in 1862. Passenger services lasted for 90 years, and freight for another decade after that. I put some video of the line on an earlier post – this one. The church is in the middle of the hamlet – NZ119838. It dates from the 13th century, and was restored by John Dobson in 1849. On the churchyard wall is a “Thankful Village” notice – see my last blog about Ousby in Cumbria – and a certificate...
Categories Evetts' windows/Northumberland/Railway History/World War 1 Comments: 0
June 20, 2016

Ousby, Cumbria – St Luke

The family of one of my Godsons live in Ousby in Cumbria and I had a drum kit for his brother (sorry neighbours). While there Clare and I walked to St Luke’s church, where they worship. It is part of the Cross Fell group of churches. Ousby is a collection of hamlets and the church (NY632344) has  lovely view – though the weather was not very good. The original church, apparently dedicated to St Patrick, was probably C13, and a rector called Barnard is mentioned in 1214. Tradition says that the church was derelict by the end of the following...
Categories Cumbria/Personal/World War 1 Comments: 5
June 17, 2016

Celts, Carmichael and some railway films

If you are in Edinburgh (or can get there before September) I urge you to visit the wonderful Celts Exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland – website. Julie and I went last Monday – did half the exhibition in about an hour, had coffee, then did the other half. A marvellous collection of items from across Europe. As photography isn’t allowed, here are three photos lifted from websites – both with a Roman connection to fit the (current) theme of this blog. “A souvenir of Hadrian’s Wall” – the inscription on this bowl commemorates some of the forts...
Categories Derbyshire/Hadrian's Wall Walk/Northumberland/Personal/Railway History Comments: 0
June 16, 2016

Hadrian’s Wall Exploration 7 – Newcastle Castle

My Monday walk (see the last blog) continued as I walked beside the Tyne and then climbed up to All Saints Church. It was built between 1786-89 and the spire was added in 1796. The architect was David Stephenson of Newcastle (1757-1819). It is now on the Buildings at Risk register – website. Although the noticeboard talks about the Old Catholic Church, their website makes no mention of worship in this church. It was firmly locked. Good view across to the Sage. I threaded my way under the railway viaduct and found Holy Jesus Hospital. It was built in...
Categories Hadrian's Wall Walk/Newcastle upon Tyne/Railway History Comment: 1
June 11, 2016

Hadrian’s Wall Exploration 6 – Great North Museum

On Monday 6 June Hannah and Julie wanted to hit the shops. I left them in Eldon Gardens and walked up to the Great North Museum. The  Armstrong statue outside is quite impressive. In the Museum, which was known as The Hancock when we first got here, there were lots of children on school trips, but they were not in the Roman Gallery. I like the strip map of Hadrian’s Wall, but it could be more colourful and give more information. The collection of altars and other stone work is impressive – I have photoed a selection. I wonder...
Categories Hadrian's Wall Walk/Newcastle upon Tyne Comments: 2