October 30, 2015

Keswick, Cumbria – St John

Usually when we go to the Lakes it rains – but the last week of September, first of October was a glorious week of weather, so on Thursday 1 October we got up bright and early and drove through the fog to Keswick. After refreshment we had a wander and found a very nice Oxfam shop with an excellent book collection. Then we walked down to the parish church of St John – NY267232 – it is a shame it isn’t a bit more in the town – and followed the disabled access sign to the side entrance and into a very...
Categories Cumbria Comments: 0
October 16, 2015

Bywell, Northumberland – St Peter (again)

When I read my older blogs I am surprised how short they are. It is a long time since I went to Bywell. We went back on Saturday 19 September for a Confirmation Service – we only had a couple of candidates (Maureen and Aidan) so it was lovely to join Corbridge Deanery and +Stephen. The patterns of the evening sun were lovely on the church. A lovely altar frontal. Some good glass – with a couple of Evetts. A great group of candidates, and the bun fight was good too. Thanks good folk of Bywell.
Categories Evetts' windows/Northumberland/Personal Comments: 0
October 16, 2015

Mitford, Northumberland – St Mary Magdalene

Sunday 13 September, the final HOD church. After a 2 pm baptism Julie and I drove to Mitford NZ169856 to have a look at St Mary Magdalene – it is a lively village church that has a large following and a wide range of worship.  They have a website which has a paragraph about church history. I have visited on several occasions, but have not found the church open – it was today. The castle is opposite the church, and one day I must walk up there. It is likely that there was an earthwork fortification was begun around 1070,...
Categories Evetts' windows/Northumberland/World War 1 Comments: 0
October 15, 2015

Earsdon, North Tyneside – St Alban

After the 10 am service at Ponteland on Sunday 13 September 2015 I popped over to Earsdon to have a look at St Alban’s church (open specially for HODs) – NZ321726. They have a website – it has an aerial view film and a film you can watch about their biomass boiler. I didn’t see any guidebook or leaflet on sale – bit daft when you’re inviting people in for Heritage Open Days – but you can download their 1987 150th anniversary book. It is a church in an old village, with acres of new housing across the main road –...
Categories Evetts' windows/Newcastle upon Tyne/Railway History/World War 1 Comments: 3
October 13, 2015

Morpeth, Northumberland – St James

On Saturday 12 September 2015, Heritage Open Day weekend, Julie and I went to Morpeth and visited St James. It stands on the north side of the town, grid reference NZ197863, slightly back from the road, and I had not realised quite what a large building it is. In 1842 the newly appointed Rector of Morpeth, the Honourable and Reverend Francis Richard Grey (the sixth son of Earl Grey of Howick) was faced with the problem of falling church numbers. The parish church was quite a walk and too small for the growing town, so he held a public meeting at the...
Categories Evetts' windows/Northumberland/World War 1 Comments: 0
October 11, 2015

Gateshead, Tyne & Wear – St Edmund

I had hoped that Thursday 10 September could be kept clear for a HODs day, but funerals got in the way. I returned from the Crem via Gateshead and called in at St Edmund’s Chapel (NZ256632). It is right in the middle of the town – a town I have never properly had a walk round – and the church is finding a new role as an Arts’ hub and base for the Chaplaincy for the hundreds of students who now live close by – there are student flats above Tescos. It is part of the Gateshead Team Ministry,...
Categories Durham/Newcastle upon Tyne Comments: 6
October 11, 2015

Morpeth, Northumberland – St Mary the Virgin

Tuesday 8 September 2015. The coming weekend is Heritage Open Days, but the church of St Mary the Virgin in Morpeth is open every afternoon this week. I had spent a day at Diocesan House (that’s a day of my life I won’t get back), so decided to salvage something with a church explore. Brian the churchwarden, who used to direct Julie’s Monday choir, was there, made me coffee and gave me a guided tour. The Morpeth churches have a website. St Mary’s is on the south of the town at NZ196852, beside the old A1. I have driven past...
Categories Northumberland/World War 1 Comments: 4
September 18, 2015

Gunnerton, Northumberland – St Christopher

On Tuesday 1 September I went over to Gunnerton, where they have a railway club that meets in St Christopher’s Church. I had been invited to give my talk on John Wilson Carmichael, and it seems to have been well-received. Typing this blog, I thought I had better go and get the OS map to check its grid reference, then went on the church website – and the reference is given to me (NY905750). It also tells me the church is 109 metres above sea level. Pontelandstmary tells you the grid references, but does not tell you the height above sea...
Categories Northumberland/Railway History Comments: 0
September 12, 2015

Whitley Bay Crematorium

I have been sorting out old photos, and found several I took of the Crematorium Chapel at Whitley Bay (NZ345744). You will see that the chapel is worth a blog. I don’t do many funerals over here – most of mine are in Newcastle. Whenever I do come over, the parking notice always makes me smile. At last Julie and I have equal parking priority!   The Chapel was designed by Edward Cratney of Newcastle in 1913. It was originally the cemetery chapel. The Crematorium was added in 1960. The chapel has very fine quality Arts & Crafts style plaster...
Categories Newcastle upon Tyne/Personal/Railway History Comments: 4
September 11, 2015

Bamburgh, Northumberland – St Aidan (again)

I have been to Bamburgh on several occasions, but this was a rather special trip. The Bamburgh Research Project has been excavating at the Castle for several decades. The castle is very impressive – this is a lovely painting by my favourite artist, John Wilson Carmichael. You can look at the Castle’s website, and at the Research Project’s website – and even read their blog. They have asked if the skeletons and bones they have excavated and studied could now be re-buried in the crypt of St Aidan’s church. There are steps down into the Crypt, which is under the...
Categories Northumberland Comments: 0