Preston Pele Tower

On our way back from our Farne Islands boat trip the other day (see previous post), we just had enough time to call in at a place which I'd passed loads of times without giving it a second thought. It's Preston Pele Tower, about a mile south of Chathill, Northumberland. Though there is no fee to pay, you are politely requested to drop £4 into the honesty box.

It's an odd-looking affair, its slenderness resulting from its partial demolition at some point in the past - probably after the union of the crowns in 1603. It is supposed to have four corner turrets, giving the appearance of a sort of mini-castle, but all that remains are the two southern towers. It is essentially half a pele tower.

It was built in the 1390s, at a time when the border region was ablaze with Anglo-Scottish rivalry - to say nothing of the rapidly accelerating uncertainty of the Border Reiver era. Families with something to protect felt it necessary to build such fortifications - though I'm not sure which clan was responsible for this splendid fourteenth century effort. It does, though, bear the same masons' marks as those found at Warkworth Castle.

Above can be seen the tower's clock face (actually, in has one on each side of the tower), added by owner, Henry Baker Cresswell, in 1864 during renovation work to the structure.

Upon arrival - and assuming there are no 'functions' taking place at the location - there is nothing and nobody to stop the casual visitor from entering and having a wander around the internal bits. The rooms are spread out over several floors and are tiny, but have been 'done out' in typical olde worlde style, as you can see from the pics below (please excuse my wife getting in the way):

Here are the workings of the clock:

And here is the scene from the top storey:

(yes, that's Angie again, I'm afraid, who appears to be vomiting over the parapet)

And, of course, the obligatory Information Panels (click on images to enlarge):

The light was dying fast on our brief visit, so my apologies for the iffy photos. As I hinted at earlier, the site hosts events from time to time, so unless you're 'just passing' and fancy calling in on spec then it's best to give them a ring first. Website here.

Trip to Inner Farne

For the first time in my lifetime's worth of endless North-East wanderings I actually set foot on one of the Farne Islands the other day. Thanks to Billy Shiel's Boat Trips, my wife, my son, a friend and I set out for the little archipelago off the coast of North Northumberland on what was a quite beautiful spring day. My wife was looking for puffins, and I was looking for a bit of history. We got plenty of both!

I'll keep it brief - I mean, the pics speak for themselves - but will fill you in with a bit of detail. And as for the photos, well, it wasn't easy what with the rolling sea and what have you (as well as my rather old mobile phone). Anyway, I'll give you what I have. Remember to click on the images to enlarge.

We made for the Outer Farnes first, where we first fell upon the Old Brownsman Island Lighthouse & Keeper's Cottage:

Not allowed to land there, though, so we swept around to have a gander at Longstone Island and its lighthouse, made famous by the Darling family and that rescue:

After swiveling around the other islands for a good while, taking in the abundant birdlife and the seals (no Orcas, though!), we headed back towards the island of Inner Farne:

... Where we alighted:

We were thankfully spared from the infamous bird attacks (maybe it was the wrong time of year), but there were certainly plenty of the little creatures around. Firstly, though, we headed for a brief talk in the visitor centre (lots of information boards to take in), then headed across the way to St.Cuthbert's Chapel:

No, it's not the original chapel of Cuthbert/Aidan, with this incarnation dating to the 13th and/or 14th centuries.

And then there's Inner Farne Tower, aka Prior Castell's Tower. Originally built in the late 15th century as accommodation for monks, it has since served as a military barracks, a beacon, a lighthouse, and currently offers a home to National Trust rangers.

There's a circuit of the island laid out for visitors, so it was off across to the lighthouse next...

... Whilst peeping over the cliff edge to admire the birdlife (razorbill nearest to camera):

And, of course, lots and lots of puffins:

And Arctic terns, who like to nest on sand and gravel, apparently;

A nice view over to the mainland, and Bamburgh Castle:

And thence back full circle to the tower (complete with more puffins):

And that was about it. Three hours in total, and well worth the effort. It is a bit pricey, mind you - and you've got to hand over cash to the National Trust at the harbour, too, to get a landing pass for Inner Farne. Fortunately, we were able to pull a few strings and get a free trip thanks to my son's partner being related to the Billy Shiel family. Nice one.

Finally, I happened to look at my phone on the way back where I noted my exact position on Google Maps (gulp!):

What a cracking day. And I called in somewhere else that was rather interesting on the way back home, too. More on that next time...

Newcastle 900 Celebrations (1980)

OK, then, here it is: my latest purchase from eBay. Please, though, don't tell the wife.

(click image to enlarge)

You'd have to be a certain age to remember it, of course; but in 1980 the city of Newcastle-upon-Tyne celebrated its 900th anniversary since its founding by the Normans. The 900-year-old thing is not strictly true, though, as we know that there were previous settlements on the spot going back to at least the Roman period. But it has been known as 'Newcastle' since 1080 when the, er, 'New Castle' was built.

I was a disinterested teenager at the time, so I recall almost nothing of the occasion. It seems, however, to have been quite an event. For one thing, I have acquired, at some point, the following book...

... And there were plenty of other items of tat on offer too, of course, including loads of other publications and memorabilia - much of which, dare I say, may still be kicking about in your loft. Anyway. there is a good deal to found online regarding the 'event', with the best place to start being the excellent Skyscraper City page on the topic. 

There are also a few nice pics here.

And a little reminder that the 'Newcastle 1,000' celebrations are fast approaching, too. Only 55 years to go.