Blandford House, Newcastle

 

(yes, I know I've used this image before)

Overlooking Blandford Square, West Blandford Street, Newcastle, can be found Blandford House, presently the home of the city’s 'Discovery Museum'. Built in 1899 as the  HQ for the Northern Region of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, it was as big a status symbol as could possibly have been dreamt up by its creators. Hosting offices, sale rooms, a function suite and, of course, expansive warehouse space, it was designed by Newcastle-based architects Oliver, Leeson & Wood. It cannot easily be categorised as conforming to a particular architectural style, but perhaps could be classed loosely as ‘Queen Anne’.

One of the city’s most striking, yet underrated, structures, it offers an attractively-ornate red brick demeanour, with sandstone and terracotta trimmings. The building has a Lakeland slate roof with copper domes/cupolas (now characteristically green), and comprises four floors and a two-storey attic. A high-level balcony neatly demarcates the upper floor from the distinctive attic/roofline - the very upper reaches housing the splendid Great Hall, which was restored to spectacular effect in 1999.   

The Co-op moved out in 1977 and the building became a museum shortly thereafter - which was itself relaunched as the ‘Discovery Museum’ in 1993, followed by a multi-million pound facelift in the early 2000s. Originally, the structure had a large and deep central courtyard (now roofed), and had, quite obviously, a huge amount of warehouse space. It was a high-spec construction, with walnut panelling, marble staircases, a directors’ suite, Art Deco light fittings and the odd stained glass window. The original tiled toilets, too, were/are especially stunning, though are now, I think, closed to the public. Much of the existing internal decor dates from a 1930s revamp.

As well as being home to the large and rambling Discovery Museum (scattered over several floors!), Blandford House has for many years been the home of the Tyne & Wear Archives Service, and also houses the HQ of the Tyne & Wear Museum Service. There has been some speculation over the future of all the building’s current occupants, with a major move being mooted. 

The future of Blandford House is seemingly guaranteed, though, as the building is Grade II Listed. Full ‘official’ details, complete with all the complex architectural terminology, can be found here.

Ryton's Heritage Garden

I found myself waiting for a bus in Ryton the other day, when I spotted the village's brand new 'Heritage Garden' across the way. So I quickly popped over the road and took a few snaps. I'm not sure if this sort of QEII 'tribute' is something that has been duplicated elsewhere in the UK, but I think it is rather splendid. 

Best of all are these three information boards, headed 'Our Industrial Heritage', 'Our Cultural Heritage' and 'Our Sporting Heritage'. I have done my best with the images - I do hope you can read them (click on the images, then try enlarging them by whatever means possible via your browser). 

This sort of thing is just great. You know, we really should be blowing our trumpets more about our incredible past here in the North-East. Let's just hope that the weather and the local yobs don't have too adverse an effect on this splendid new landmark. Anyway, well done to all concerned.

On the Night of the Fire

Above can be found the link to very first feature film to be set in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. On the Night of the Fire was shot on and around the Quayside in 1939, and released in 1940. It is notable, too, as being an early example of British film noir.

I shall leave you to see if you can identify any of the locations shown in the movie. To be honest, though, it is difficult to pick out more than a handful - and many of the scenes would have been shot in studios. The bridges/Quayside shots are obvious, and look out especially for a scene filmed below Ouseburn Viaduct. Geordie accents are, however, noticeably thin on the ground!

Perhaps surprisingly, the film's star, Ralph Richardson, did actually have some links to the city. He was a direct descendant of the famous Quaker Richardsons who ran the Elswick Leather Works; and his uncle, the well-known mathematician, Lewis Fry Richardson, was born in Newcastle in 1881. The most famous Richardson of them all, shipbuilder John Wigham Richardson, was also a distant cousin of Sir Ralph's.

For those of you who wish to learn more then you can find a few pages dedicated to the film in Chris Phipps' excellent book on Newcastle's role in TV and film entitled Forget Carter, which is widely available online.