Gosforth Select Magazine - Summer 2023

Welcome to Select magazine, a quarterly publication, featuring a mix of local business articles, editorial features and adverts from some of the finest businesses in the area.

If you’re interested in advertising in this magazine please email info@selectmagazinene.co.uk or call 07526 522272. www.selectmagazinene.co.uk

Cover: Joe Browns

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor the editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other clause. Select Magazines do not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All Rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher.

New Look Gosforth Civic Theatre Set To Open This Summer

Liberdade Community Development Trust has been awarded a transformational Youth Investment Fund grant of £1.5 million to support the renovation of Gosforth Civic Theatre, and increase their provision for young people across Gosforth, Newcastle and the surrounding areas.

Gosforth Civic Theatre (GCT) is an independent theatre, café, and events venue based in Gosforth, a stone's throw from the Regent Centre. It is an amazing place created and run by a group of people with learning disabilities (Liberdade), with the aim of bringing the local community together and generating understanding, creativity, and change.

Liberdade, pronounced [liber-dar-jie], has a bold ambition to raise everyone’s expectations about what people with learning disabilities can achieve. They use the arts and social enterprise as tools for change. They offer young people with and without additional needs, arts and wellbeing activities from their home at Gosforth Civic Theatre.

The charity’s venue combines being a vibrant community hub with their mission to create a truly inclusive place where everyone can belong and take part in the arts. They deliver training to young people and adults with learning disabilities covering areas such as performing arts, health and wellbeing, sport, and employment skills. The theatre is a warm, welcoming, and inclusive space, but a major renovation is necessary to help it support more young people with additional needs and to realise its ambition to be a truly accessible and sustainable space.

The Youth Investment Fund grant will help to transform Gosforth

Civic Theatre and will enable a major renovation, expansion, and upgrade. The renovation will make the space both accessible and sustainable, as well as being able to support more young people long into the future. The organisation has also successfully attracted a further £1 million of capital funding from Arts Council England, the Wolfson Foundation, the Foyle Foundation, the Clothworkers Foundation, and the National Lottery Community Fund. The combined funding offer will transform the building and make their dreams become a reality.

The key improvements that are being made include:

• Brand new roof on the Theatre and full installation of new heating and insulation throughout the building;

• New 60m2 + studio space built on the side of the building with a new entrance built out from the current one including office space for staff;

• Expansion of the bar area to allow better access for SEN education and work placement opportunities – this includes a deli bar being installed and a separate bar being built into the Theatre with the current hatch blocked up to improve sound proofing and efficient service;

• The accessible toilet will be moved to the rear of the building and made bigger to include accessible wet room and shower, backstage will now be all on ground level with an additional dressing room created with shared toilet and shower facility;

• The fixed stage in the Theatre will be removed and stage decking bought to create a fully accessible and even more flexible performance space, there will also be upgrades to the sound desk, lighting and other theatrical infrastructure, plus sound proofing to the external wall;

• Outside will be landscaped for better visibility and inside will be redecorated respectfully without losing that unique GCT feel.

For further updates, and details on exact opening dates and timetables, please visit www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk

Cultural Tours of the North East

Tyne

To celebrate the enormous wealth of talent born in our region, Tyne Idols organise and host unforgettable experiences, promotions and tours throughout the North East.

Their hugely popular music and cultural tours take place aboard their classic double decker bus, and provide hours of local fact-finding fun. Here are a small selection of the tours available, for details of all events and excursions, visit www.tyneidols.com.

NEWCASTLE GATESHEAD TOUR with Ray Laidlaw

Wednesday 14th Jun & 12th July

Join the team for their famous music & film heritage tour departing Bewick Street, Newcastle (opposite Central Station) at 7.00pm and returning roughly three hours

later — they’re usually a bit late returning because there’s so much to see and talk about!

The three hour tour of onboard chat and music, hosted by the legendary Mr Ray Laidlaw, the former drummer with the legendary folk-rock band Lindisfarne. includes two stop-offs at very popular watering holes, promising as always to be a fun-packed evening out! Tickets £20 per person.

NORTH TYNESIDE COASTAL HEROES TOUR with Ray Laidlaw

Sunday 4th June & 16th July

The Coastal Heroes Tours celebrates local legends of TV, film and music. Hosted by the irresistible Mr Ray Laidlaw, the three hour tour will also include some very special guests, and there will be not one but two refreshment breaks throughout to whet your whistle in some carefully selected and interesting establishments. Leaving from the Gibraltar Rock pub at 4pm (3pm on 14th May only) . Tickets £20 per person.

SOUTH TYNESIDE COASTAL HEROES TOUR

with Ray Laidlaw

Sunday 25th June & 24th September

Monty Python, Thelma & Louise, Dire Straits, George Harrison, Nellie the Elephant, Little Mix and Chris Ramsey… they all have links to South Tyneside.

Come along on our South Tyneside Coastal Heroes music, film and TV tour and hear the stories, the connections, the coincidences and the gossip, in a three-hour trip on our classic double-decker bus with two refreshment stops at iconic locations, and all linked together with musical gems and a running commentary from Mr Ray Laidlaw (he’s from Tynemouth but has a ferry pass). Our pickup times are 3.00pm from the Gibraltar Rock pub in Tynemouth then 3.30pm from the Customs House, South Shields. Tickets £20 per person.

THE TURN THAT RACKET DOWN TOUR with the 'New Wave With Newman' Team from Radio Northumberland

Sunday 13th August

Showcasing songs and stories that your parents wouldn't have liked — spanning Punk, New Wave, ’80s Heavy Metal and more, right up to Sam Fender.

Starting at The Exchange, North Shields at 3pm on Sunday, 13th August, a three-hour tour of Newcastle and North Tyneside with special guests, stories and tall tales about the North East Music Scene.

PLUS… to be followed by an ’80s cover set at The Exchange by The Nutopians. Tickets £20 per person.

For all bookings and ticket information please call Julie Clay on 07944 338026 or email julieclay23@gmail.com.

For general enquiries please email info@tyneidols.com. www.tyneidols.com

Idols are delighted to announce a range of tours and events for 2023!

Great Park Community Centre Update

Great Park Community Centre (GPCC) is a great place to bring together the community. With its excellent hire space and team of friendly staff, it’s the ideal location for events, meetings, and other activities. If you’re looking to attend an exercise class, have a child in the playgroup, celebrate a birthday, or simply get together with friends for a coffee, GPCC is definitely worth a visit. From its convenient location to its modern amenities, this centre is a true gem that should not be missed.

REDUCING CARBON FOOT PRINT

The Centre is proud to announce their recent steps towards environmental sustainability. With the installation of additional solar panels on the roof of the centre, GPCC has reduced its carbon footprint and building running costs.

Mark Graham, Project Director of GPCC, expressed his delight: “The reduction in the Centre’s carbon footprint benefits all members of society in helping combat global warming, while also enabling us to allocate financial savings towards better serving our local community. This project was made possible due to the vision of our trustees, the install from Engenera and partial funding from the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA). Thanks and well done to all involved.”

FREE PLAY

The Centre’s Free Play initiative opens its outdoor areas daily from 3:30-5:30pm for local children to enjoy the courts. Please note that all under 17’s must be accompanied by a guardian. This offering is a testament to GPCC’s dedication to providing accessible recreational opportunities for the community.

EVENTS

Following the highly successful Easter Fun Day event, which featured free giveaways, egg hunts,crafts, stalls, music, and even an Easter bunny, the next large event is scheduled for the end of July. This event promises to be another popular day for the community.

For more details about the Centre, visit their website, call 0191 236 8196, or follow their Instagram @greatparkcommunitycentre.

greatparkcommunitycentre.com

ABOVE: The Community Centre Building.

LEFT: Team GPCC

Nationally recognised for our commitment to delivering excellence, City Retreat has some wonderful packages to help you relax and restore mind, body and soul this summer.

Top To Toe Summer Pamper

ELEMIS deep tissue back, neck, shoulder & scalp massage, followed by ELEMIS Pro Glow Brilliance facial and a luxury manicure and pedicure

£159 per person (save £60)

Summer Indulgence Package

Revitalising ELEMIS intense lime & ginger salt scrub, a relaxing full body massage & a radiance facial. (2 hours 45 mins)

£149 per person (save £42)

Face & Back Retreat

A relaxing 30 minute ELEMIS deep tissue back massage and a 30 minute ELEMIS Pro Glow

Brilliance facial

£85

Welcoming a Season of Growth for Head, Heart and Body

Anna Casey, supports clients with long term health difficulties, pain management, encouraging body literacy, and deep self-compassion.

I love that we are headed fully into Spring and enjoying the extra warmth from sunny days and longer nights. I feel like I’m waking up and I’m ready to go outside and play. I’m back to sea swimming and enjoying some time in the garden and all of this energy is also flowing into my work. This month I want to share with you the group work I offer in the form of a sharing circle. This is a powerful way to connect to ourselves and others nonjudgemental and inclusive space.

Apricity with Anna - Sharing Circle

What is it? I love to hold space for clients, but what does that mean? Holding space or sitting in circle is where people gather together to be in community and feel supported to be our whole and authentic selves without judgement or trying to solve problems. In such times of uncertainty this is an incredible way to feel heard and accepted, grounded and supported. You are held by a set of guidelines to ensure confidentiality, and also be

gently reminded about the intention of why we gather together, as the space holder I take part in the group and sharing, but I am also there to provide an anchor to all who gather.

What happens at a Sharing Circle? You will be welcomed into the space and we will begin by acknowledging the guidelines of the circle,we will have an opening share to express how we are feeling before we begin and then I will open with a guided visualisation as we settle in to enjoy being together and allow the sharing to unfold. There will be a theme each month to ground us and allow some self reflection on what it is that we need to bring to circle to be heard and as feels right I can bring in other practises such as journaling, and energy work for the group depending on what is needed on the night.

Where will it be held? Once a month we will gather together at my treatment space based in Hidden Strength Gym, or if the weather is good we may hold some outdoor

‘Anna is very insightful and understanding, she’s helped me to feel both grounded and lighter.’

-

Cath S.

‘Always in the best hands with Anna, she’s knowledgeable, comforting and puts me right at ease. She’s the very best at what she does. Truly.’ - Dyonne, B

circles over the summer months. It is a safe and welcoming space to all and I hold and celebrate inclusivity and diversity at the heart of all work I do.

Who can attend? This space is open to 5 women

Why come to circle? Taking time to be present with ourselves is not something that comes easily for many and it can be especially difficult to carve out time to feel like we can really give back to ourselves. Sitting in circle allows us to experience the power and joy of reclaiming that time.

When is it held? This will be held on the the first Sunday of every month at 9am and last roughly 2 and a half hours to 3 hours, you can book via the website. Sessions are £10 per person.

annacaseyholisticbodywork.com @annacasey_holisticbodywork

Hidden Strength, Lansdowne Ct. Gosforth, NE3 1HR. By appointment only. Scan the QR code for details.

ANNA CASEY

LENSES BASED ON AN EXACT BIOMETRIC EYE MODEL POWERED BY RODENSTOCK’S UNIQUE DNEYE® TECHNOLOGY

At Concept Eye Clinic, our lens technology from Rodenstock, breaks all frontiers.

We call it true precision with biometric intelligence. This means that your lenses are based on the individual data of the shape and size of your eyes and superbly bespoke to your needs for the sharpest vision you can enjoy. Your eyes are unique and, in continuous flux. In fact, they move 250,000 times a day! This dynamic state of vision focuses at close and distant range, while we use our peripheral vision to ‘orient’ ourselves as our eye moves. Our brain then processes this data.

Why Biometric Intelligent Glasses?

The technology behind these glasses recognises that we don’t actually see with our eyes, we see with our brain. Biometric Intelligent Glasses are delivered with exact measurements and cover every angle to provide complete support for close, distant and peripheral vision. We call this, B.I.G. EXACT™ designed for complete peace of mind and quality of life. Our eyes have never worked so hard in an ever changing world of digital and environmental challenges, and you deserve a better visual experience.

B.I.G. EXACT™ makes a big difference to life

Seeing is believing. You can expect increased brain support and up to 40% sharper vision at near and intermediate distances. Your journey begins with the Rodenstock DNEye Scanner to determine your eye dimensions. Our optometrist will measure your eye parameters and send the data to Rodenstock to produce a precise biometric model of each eye and customised lenses. Within a few days after your consultation, you will be invited to collect your new glasses and never look back.

A destination for beautiful eye wear in the heart of Gosforth, Concept offers an integrative approach to seeing well and looking good. Say goodbye to ‘routine’ and expect more from your eye examination here.

Discover Advanced Eye Care with Theatre

‘Concept offers an integrative approach for healthy vision. With the diagnostic components of an advanced eye exam, we can detect, predict and look after your eyes, before it’s too late.’

- Gabriel Rosello

Welcome to the B.I.G EXACT™ Exclusively at Concept Eye Clinic.

Call us today 0191 2851603 to book your eye examination and ASK about our interest free care plan to enjoy the benefits of advanced diagnostic eye care and beautiful eye wear and lenses as often as you like from only £7.99 a month.

Email: info@concepteyeclinic.com www.concepteyeclinic.com

Boho Revival

As the mercury rises, let a bohemian feel take over your wardrobe

M&S High Waisted Slim Flare Jeans £45.00

FatFace Devin Dress £79.00

Moda in Pelle Sandals £35.00

AllSaints Tassel Biker Jacket, £339.00

Joe Browns TShirt £20, Jacket £50

Zara Knit Top £29.99

TKMAXX Embellished clutch bag £14.99

Monsoon Layered Necklace £18.00

AllSaints Crochet Bag £199

Quality, Affordable, Garage Doors

Looking for a new garage door?

AI Garage Doors have got just the right solution for you.

Whether you’re looking to enhance the look of your property, replace a worn out garage door or prevent draughts, AI Garage Doors have a door to suit your needs.

Give them a call and they will guide you through the process, ensuring you select the right garage door to meet your requirements.

From Side Hinged to Roller, Sectional to Up and Over, there are many to choose from.

Side Hinged (also known as side opening or ‘swing’ garage doors) are a traditional style of garage door that are exactly what they say they are: garage doors hinged at the sides, nearly always opening outwards. A simple and very effective type of door with the potential to offer great performance in security and insulation and ease of daily use.

Up and Over garage doors consist of a single panel of material. The door has to be pulled out and then pivoted up so it can slide along the roof of the garage. Roller garage doors, on the other hand, are made of a number of horizontal sections which are hinged together for flexibility. Because it rests on rollers, it can be lifted, and rolled into place along the roof of the garage.

Sectional doors are a great option if space on your drive is tight. They also take up less room in the garage since they can be placed higher than a up and over door.

Things to consider…

Insulation - Insulated doors can reduce heat loss due to foam-filled aluminium slats, which can help reduce your energy bills and is particularly good for houses with an integral garage. Their sound-proofing properties also offer acoustic insulation.

Remote control - For ease, convenience and even safety you can’t beat a remote-controlled door. Override - Make sure the remote can be manually overridden in case of power failure.

Security - Automatic door locking mechanisms are useful.

Safety – This one is a top priority. To ensure that an electric garage door is deemed safe for use, it will have to incorporate at least one sufficient safety feature into its mechanism which will prevent personal injury.

AI Garage Doors have been supplying, installing and maintaining garage doors in the Northumberland

and North Tyneside areas for over 15 years. They are Approved by the Guild of Master Craftsmen and have built a reputation as reputable and trusted specialists.

They offer a wide range of garage doors in a variety of colours, materials and features whilst offering excellent service and price without compromising on safety or security.

The doors they fit are all manufactured on a professional production line in the UK by a reputable garage door manufacturer and they conform with the standards expected throughout the industry.

With over 80 positive reviews on Checkatrade.com, they are highly recommended tradesmen who can install your new garage door in no time, transforming the appearance of your home.

The garage door is typically the largest moving part in your home and is probably used every day. With normal use, parts can eventually wear out and break, creating potential safety problems. Therefore AI Garage Doors also offer a full repair and maintenance service to keep your garage door running smoothly, so, whether you have something minor from a broken spring or snapped cable, or require a fully fitted automatic double door, they can help!

■ AI Garage Doors, Tel: 07931 304057 www.aigaragedoors.co.uk

Love your home, inside and out, the Stormshield Way!

We are very proud of the reputation that we have built over the last 30 years. As a genuine family run business, we have always provided a first class personal service with top quality products. When you choose Stormshield, you can relax in knowing you are working with a trusted family firm, who really cares. We’ll take care of everything - Fully project managed from start to finish and all building works undertaken.

Film Releases

THE LITTLE MERMAID

Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy

Age Rating: PG

Release Date: 26 May

A live-action adaptation of Disney’s 1989 animated film of the same name, which itself is loosely based on the 1837 fairy tale of the same title by Hans Christian Andersen.

"The Little Mermaid" is the story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton's daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life - and her father's crown - in jeopardy.

his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. That is, unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian... albeit not the one he's looking for. Ultimately, to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry's only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe? Staring Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton, Ben Affleck

ASTEROID CITY

Genre: Action, Adventure

Age Rating: 12A

Release Date:23 June

The itinerary of a Junior Stargazer/ Space Cade convention (organized to bring together students and parents from across the country for fellowship and scholarly competition) is spectacularly disrupted by worldchanging events. Starring Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson and Tom Hanks.

chise. Jones races against time to retrieve a legendary dial that can change the course of history. Accompanied by his goddaughter, he soon finds himself squaring off against Jürgen Voller, a former Nazi who works for NASA.

OPPENHEIMER

Genre: Biography, Drama, History

Age Rating: TBC

Release Date: 21 July

The biographical film follows the life of theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, the director of the Los Alamos Laboratory during the Manhattan Project in World War II, and his contributions that led to the creation of the atomic bomb. Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, the film stars Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer, with a supporting ensemble cast that includes Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon and Rami Malek.

THE FLASH

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Age Rating: TBC

Release Date: 16 June

Worlds collide in "The Flash" when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save

INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY

Genre: Action, Adventure

Age Rating: 12A

Release Date: 30 June

Harrison Ford returns as the legendary hero archaeologist in the highly anticipated fifth installment of the iconic "Indiana Jones" fran-

BARBIE

Genre: Adventure, Comedy

Age Rating: TBC

Release Date: 21 July

To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you’re a Ken. Eccentric and individualistic, Barbie is exiled from Barbieland because of her imperfections. When her home world is in peril, Barbie returns with the knowledge that what makes her different also makes her stronger.Starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and Will Ferrell.

correct at time of going to press. Please check details with your local cinema before purchasing tickets.

We

think Famous is

NURTURE. SUPPORT. ENCOURAGE. INSPIRE. the coolest independent AGE 3-18 YEARS

adapted

Get on Board in 2023

Local coach tourism expert Graham Wright of United Group Travel has worked in the industry as a driver for many years, the last few spent as a tour driver for a local North East coach holiday company, until the pandemic had a catastrophic effect on the industry, with many companies going out of business.

Over the years, on his numerous tours both abroad and in the UK, Graham built up a fantastic relationship with many of his passengers, and he is lucky to call many of them friends. They really appreciated Graham’s vast experience and knowledge of the places he visited, to the extent that a lot of passengers started asking who the driver would be before they actually booked a tour with the company. It was during a conversation with one of his friends that the question was asked about starting his own company and running his own holidays.

Graham has put all his years’ experience and knowledge to good use while planning his exclusive tours. All the tours are exceptional value for money, and he only selects the best-established quality hotels, that are generally either known to him, or he has previously used them before. The specific day trips on each tour are also carefully created, all based on Graham’s knowledge, as well as any relevant previous customer feedback and suggestions to ensure they are always enjoyed. The trips do not leave the hotel too early, or return too late, so as to allow everyone to make full

use of the facilities. Guaranteed free time, as well as entertainment, are also key factors that he takes into account to try and make a tour as pleasurable an experience as possible.

It’s nice to have something to look forward to, so why not book yourself on a coach tour. The advert on the opposite page shows you what’s on offer.

Give yourself something to look forwrad to in the New Year with a selction of spring tours, including an adventure in the Welsh countryside, an all incluive drinks trip to Blackpool and Harrogate and an all inclusive party at the excellent Winnock Hotel in Perth.

Rest assured that you can book with confidence with United Travel. They have been granted a COVID-19 Industry Standard Certificate, which shows that government and industry COVID-19 guidelines are followed. Plus, if your tour is cancelled due to COVID restrictions, you will receive a full refund.

Graham would like to thank all of his wonderful customers that continued to support him throughout 2021 and 2022 and he’s looking forward to welcoming you onboard in 2023!

Tel: 01670 632460 / 07957 141654

www.unitedgrouptravel.com

Facebook: United Group Travel Ltd

Email: graham.john.unitedgrouptravel@gmail.com

United Group Travel are taking bookings now for their popular coach tours.

Your driver Graham looks forward to welcoming you aboard!

£30 PERDEPOSIT SECURESPERSON BOOKINGYOUR

QUALITY COACH TOURS

3 Star Plus Hotels ● All Excursions Included

No Interchanges ● Local Family Company ● 2 Crew Onboard

Complimentary Tea/Coffee And Biscuits On Travel Days

GUIDED TOUR OF DONEGAL AREA, IRELAND - 10th June

Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, 6 days, 5 nights DB&B - £685 pp

ISLE OF WIGHT - 24th June

Channel View Hotel, Shanklin, 8 days, 7 nights DB&B - £925 pp NIL Single Room Supplement available for 4 rooms only

A TASTE OF SCOTLAND - 3rd July

Woodlands Hotel, Dundee 5 days, 4 nights DB&B - £449 pp*

MAGICAL ISLE OF MAN - 11th July

The Rutland Hotel, Douglas, Isle of Man 5 days, 4 nights DB&B - £655 pp*

ALES & HAUNTED TALES - 24th July

Samlesbury Hotel, Preston 5 days, 4 nights DB&B - £455 pp* PLUS OTHER TOURS INCLUDING:

Discover The North Shields Heritage Trail

The North Shields Heritage Trail highlights the town’s rich history and culture of the town. It starts at the Ferry Landing and finishes at North Shields Metro Station. The walk is just under two miles, and takes in seventeen local information panels which serve as guides along the way. Each information panel contains relevant and insightful information about the current location. The walk neatly divides itself between High Town and Low Town sections, and can be done in either direction. At the halfway point, walkers have to ascend the Union Quay Stairs, carrying a bike is not recommended.

Over the next 3 editions of Select Magazine we will take a look at the Trail and explain a little bit about each of the 17 points.

Here is a look at the first 6 points of interest….

1. HARVEST IS FROM THE DEEP

The first of 17 information panels is on the North Shields Ferry Landing.

The crest and motto from the old Tynemouth Parish reflect how people from hereabouts have traditionally made their living. North Shields began as a fishing village, established by the Monks of Tynemouth Priory in the 13th century, and the wooden quays erected to unload the fish soon began to be used for shipping out coal from local collieries.

For much of the town’s history, the sea and coal have been its lifeblood and though the mines are now gone, the Fish Quay remains as a vibrant reminder of nearly 800 years of culture and tradition. Life on the river. If you had stood at this point at almost any time over the last few hundred years, the scene before you

would have been quite different. The riverside would have been a hive of activity with all kinds of ships and boats moored along the shore and thousands of people making their living either directly or indirectly from the bustle of a busy port.

People have been crossing the River Tyne by boat for as long as there have been communities on either side of the water. The earliest mention of a ‘ferry boat’ dates from the 14th century and there is a reference to ‘ferry boates’ carrying horses as early as Tudor times. Steam ships known as ‘Penny Ferries’ began to operate the route in 1828 and, from 1847, the ‘Ha’penny Dodger’ would take foot passengers by the direct route, straight across the river. Also, between 1862 and 1909, paddle steamers ran a passenger service up river as far as Elswick, with 21 stops along the way.

From as early as 1825 when a suspension bridge was proposed, serious thought was given to alternative links between North and South Shields. A number of ambitious plans for bridges and tunnels were conceived and abandoned before the Tyne Tunnel eventually opened in 1967. Prior to that vehicular ferries carried about 400,000 cars across the river each year. The Shields Ferry, operated by Nexus, is now the only surviving ferry service on the Tyne. It carries almost half a million passengers each year.

2. BULL RING Panel 2 ‘is near Collingwood Mansions.

This part of North Shields was once a very busy place. This area was the town's MarketPlace, and nearby Low

Street was known as the ‘Bull Ring’ from the practice of bull baiting which is said to have gone on there in the 17th century.

The Northumberland Arms, the large, imposing building at the end of this row was, for over a century, a first class hotel. Latterly, however, it became notorious the world over as a magnet for thousands of hardliving mariners who came ashore for entertainment. Its nickname of ‘The Jungle’ came about because of all the stuffed animal heads and trophies which once bedecked its walls – a legacy of the time when the building was the town house of the Duke of Northumberland in 1806. Smith’s Dock.

A dry dock facility was built at nearby Limekiln Shore as early as 1752 which was later leased by the ship building company which had been founded by Thomas Smith in 1810. T and W Smith eventually bought the land and constructed a growing dock there in 1850. One of the first ships to be launched from the yard was ‘The Termagent’. T and W Smith amalgamated with H S Edwards and Sons and Edwards Brothers in the 1890s to create Smiths Dock Ltd, for a time proclaimed as the largest ship repairers and dry dock owners in the world. The company continued operations right up until the 1990s.

3. A NEST OF VICE

Panel 3 is where Borough Road meets Clive Street.

Who can estimate the amount of immoral conversation that passes, the unlawful schemes plotted, or the low, filthy literature read in common lodging houses and the intemperance that prevails in this nest of vice?’

continues on next page ➤

So wrote the Shields Daily News in 1855, speaking about the warren of streets and alleyways which made up this part of North Shields, known at the ‘Low Town’. Virtually all of these buildings have gone now.

4. THE HADDOCK SHOP

On the quayside by the old dry dock. Just around the corner is an old dry dock which once belonged to the Shields Dry Dock and Engineering Company Ltd. However it quickly became known locally as ‘The Haddock Shop’ as it specialised in the building and repair of steam trawlers. Since the development of the Dolphin Quays, ‘the Haddock Shop’ has become a basin for leisure craft. The steep banks which divide the riverside area from the upper parts of North Shields have played a big part in shaping the character of the town.

There was once a warren of narrow streets and stairs which connected the two areas and where many of the towns population made their home. The main thoroughfare was Bedford Street which originally followed the course of a stream, long since culverted, which emerged under a bridge at the junction of Liddell Street and Clive Street. The pub known as ‘The Seven Stairs’ had the address of ‘No 1 Wooden Bridge’. A landmark higher up Bedford Street was ‘Tiger Stairs’, named after the ‘Tiger Inn’ which stood at their foot. The photograph on the panel was taken circa 1933.

5. WOODEN DOLL

Right next to the Prince of Wales pub.

The female figure which stands outside ‘The Prince of Wales Tavern’ is the latest in a series which have stood on that spot, the entrance to Customs House Quay, for much of the last 200 years. The original ‘Wooden Dolly’ was the figurehead of a collier brig named the ’Alexander and Margaret’, which was attacked and ransomed off the North East coast by a privateer in 1791. It became famous the world over amongst sailors who began cutting pieces off, to keep for good luck whilst voyaging at sea. The original became so defaced that it was replaced in the mid nineteenth century and there have been several others since.

The current version was sculpted in 1992 and there are photographs on display in the pub, showing the carving in progress. The fourth ‘Dolly’ was carved for the coronation of 1902 by Miss May Spence. It broke with tradition in taking the form of a fish wife with her basket. It remained here until 1957. A replica now stands in Northumberland Square in the centre of North Shields. Moored just off the quay near here, the ‘Wellesley’ was a major feature of the river between 1873 and 1914. The vessel had begun life as ‘HMS Boscawen’, a 74 gun ship of the line, but was converted into a training establishment where neglected boys who might otherwise fall into bad company could be schooled and trained for life at sea.

6. LOW TOWN At the opposite end of the Fish Quay to the Low Light

The riverside area is the oldest part of North Shields. The ‘Low Town’ refers to the settlement that grew up along the river, between the Low Lights in the east and the Bull Ring in the west. There were over 100 inns and taverns in ‘Low Town’, many notorious in their day and described as ‘dirty seedy drinking dens of vice and intemperance, where drunkenness and prostitution were commonplace and many immoral schemes were plotted’.

Maitland’s Quay is a section of quayside on the old North Shields waterfront behind Bell Street, running from Maitland’s Lane to Mullin’s quay. The bustling waterfront provided the inspiration for a number of local artists.

The many sketches of North Shields by William Henry Charlton provide an invaluable record of the town and the river over a century ago. Born in Newcastle in 1846, Charlton revisited North Shields many times over a period of more than a decade, serving as a testament to the vibrancy of this busy, working port and the inspiration he drew from it.

LOOK OUT FOR THE PANELS AROUND NORTH SHIELDS

A Nostalgic Trip to Newcastle

Newcastle has long been an important city. A fortress against Scotland, medieval Newcastle grew rich exporting coal, wool and other goods from its port on the River Tyne, as well as being a shipbuilding centre. New industries developed in later centuries and Newcastle’s population grew, and by the eighteenth century the town walls and gates were demolished to allow further expansion and easy movement of trade into the city. At the same time the city gained its first newspaper, infirmary, bank, dispensary, assembly rooms and theatre and a new bridge was built across the Tyne. The centre of the city was rebuilt in 1825-40 and gradually amenities improved for the average inhabitant. In the 1920s and 1930s, the first council houses were built in Newcastle. The city suffered some damage during the Second World War but later decades have witnessed urban regeneration.

In Newcastle upon Tyne: The Postcard Collection, the author Alan Spree (the great-grandson of the postcard publisher John Henry Spree), has drawn on a

remarkable selection of old postcards to give a pictorial record of life in the city’s rich past, from the midnineteenth century to the 1940s. Although some of historical Newcastle seen in these views has been lost, many landmarks have remained and will be familiar today. The postcards show the changes to Newcastle’s fabric and its community adapting over the course of this period. This fascinating collection of images will be of interest to those who have lived in Newcastle or know it well.

The book is available to buy from all good book shops, or visit www.bit.ly/selectbookshop

A fascinating portrait of Newcastle presented through a remarkable collection of historical postcards.

YOUR

WITH DO-IT-YOURSELF HIGH DEFINITION COLOUR CCTV SYSTEMS

CAPTURE FULL COLOUR VIDEO 24 HOURS A DAY

EXTREMELY SIMPLE INSTALLATION & SETUP

• Monitor your premises via your home network

• No subscription required

• View images on a mobile phone or tablet

• DIY system significantly reduces labour costs

• Packages include cameras, cable and recorder with hard drive

• Plug and Play

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL US OR VISIT OUR SHOP

pm

D All cars come prepared to the highest standard, bespoke warranty packages, serviced and MOT'd.

D We specialise in nearly new delivery and low mileage vehicles.

D Each of our cars are hand selected and go through rigorous checks by factory trained technicians.

19 MILES FROM 904 MILES

FROM 38 MILES

349 MILES

Going Wild

By Rachael Leverton

Wildflowers are a great addition to any garden, as they can add texture, variety, and interest. Not only are they beautiful, but they also have many environmental benefits.

They attract pollinators: Wildflowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden. These pollinators play a vital role in the garden ecosystem by pollinating crops, fruits, and vegetables.

Biodiversity: All these pollinators promote biodiversity by providing habitat and food for a variety of other insects, birds and animals.

They improve soil health: When they die off, wildflowers can be dug into the soil to promote better structure and add organic matter. They can also help prevent erosion by wind and rain.

In addition, wildflowers are low-maintenance, this is very important if you have a busy job with little time to garden, but still want a pretty outdoor space.

For best results select an area with plenty of sunlight. Find a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.

You can introduce wildflowers

in a range of areas from a section of your garden, to raised beds, window boxes to plant pots.

Wildflowers prefer well-drained soil, so if your garden soil is heavy clay or you may need to improve the structure by digging in grit and organic matter.

There are so many different varieties of wildflowers. You can customise the colours to your personal taste. Look on the seed packets and consider the bloom time, colour, and height of the flowers. Avoid invasive species or plants that may not be appropriate for your garden.

Remove any existing grass or weeds from your chosen area and loosen the soil with a garden fork. Rake it over to create a smooth flat surface, and then lightly compact the soil with a roller or your feet.

When it comes to sowing you can either broadcast the seeds over the entire planting area or plant them in rows. Seeing the area you’ve already covered is easier if you mix the seeds with sand or vermiculite before sowing.

Once you have sown the seeds, gently rake the surface to cover them with a thin layer of soil.

Water the area thoroughly to help the seeds settle into the soil. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate, which should take 1 to 3 weeks depending on the varieties of wildflowers you’ve selected. Once the seeds have sprouted, water as required and pull out any weeds that pop up.

I absolutely love wildflowers. There is something wonderfully spontaneous about them, and the best thing about them is that anyone, keen gardener or total beginner can enjoy them.

Most colorful wildflowers include:

Cornflowers

Corn marigolds

· Field poppies

· Ox-eye daisies

· Red campion

· Scarlet pimpernel

Best wildflowers for bees include:

·

·

·

Bee balm

Borage

· Clover

Lavender

Milkweed

Yarrow

Some of the wildflowers that improve soil health include:

· Clover

· Dandelions

· Plantain

· Wild thyme

The Shock That is No Fault Divorce

By Jacqueline Emmerson of Emmersons Solicitors

Imagine you are getting the children ready for school and your husband or wife says, “I issued divorce proceedings online last night. You will receive information from the court.”

Your world has just fallen apart. Your husband or wife has actually fallen in love with someone else and there is nothing you can do to stop the proceedings. Welcome to the wonderful world of No Fault Divorce. I call it Not Your Fault Divorce.

Within a matter of months your husband or wife could be re-married to someone else. Someone who will expect to make financial arrangements with them, who will expect a share of their pension either upon death or retirement.

Unfortunately you have very little time to gather yourself, to get over the bombshell. You need to act much faster than you would like to in order to preserve the financial future of you and your children.

This is no time to try to sort out your divorce yourself. Yes the government have made it much easier to become divorced but nothing has changed relating to a Financial Settlement on Divorce. This is still the most important thing to attend to. It will govern how you are able to live both now and in the future.

Sorting this out directly with your spouse could literally leave you living in poverty in years to come. What if the boiler blows up, will you be able to afford to have it fixed? What if you become very ill in the next decade, have you obtained enough pension from your Settlement so that you have something to fall back on if you can no longer work? Given that most of our divorce clients are over forty this is a very real risk.

Are You Trying to Sort Out Your Divorce Financial Settlement Yourself?

If so you might be getting it all wrong when it comes to pensions.

Do you think it’s ok just to split a pension on a 50/50 basis, it’s never the right thing to do!

Pensions need to be valued properly. One with a value of say £50,000 may pay out £200.00 a month but another much better scheme, also valued at £50,000, may actually pay out £400.00 per month!

Why not use Offsetting instead. By way of example, if Eric is a consultant doctor he may have a pension pot worth £1.5million. Unfortunately, he is now going to be facing extra taxes because of the value of his pension. This is a fairly recent problem following changes to the taxation of pension schemes.

It may be far more beneficial for Eric to give more than half of his pension to his wife if she doesn’t have a pension. In return, Eric could take a greater share of other family assets than he might previously have taken. He will be better off tax wise, and his wife will be better off in her later years. If she is in her fifties, she could obtain her new

pension in the not too distant future.

Why Do You Need a Solicitor for Your Divorce?

No Fault Divorce is new and everyone thought it would be a great idea to go online and start divorce proceedings. However, less people took advice from a solicitor when doing so.

So what? We saved money. Or did you? The divorce itself is the simple bit.

We are now seeing clients in our office who have no Financial Settlement. That’s the really important thing, sorting out your finances.

Some examples of where it has gone badly wrong;

You have come into an inheritance and discover that your ex-spouse is now claiming their share.

You have been left with no maintenance to feed you and your children and you can’t pay the mortgage.

Your ex-spouse re-married one week after your divorce was finalised. You haven’t made any claims against their pension. You aren’t even aware that their pension is worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Why We No Longer Offer Legal Aid in Divorce Cases.

We feel that it is far better for clients if we can just get on with their case without having to wait a long period of time just to obtain very limited cover under the legal aid scheme. This has become even more important since the introduction of No Fault Divorce.

It used to frustrate us that we could only offer limited advice before having to send the case off to mediation in order to try and reach a settlement. In 95% of cases mediation failed.

Now we are able to advise our clients on an urgent basis, we can cover all aspects of their case including writing a new will, protecting the family home, obtaining maintenance and most importantly of all, arranging for our clients to see their children.

And guess what, we still use mediation. But when it is appropriate, not just to obtain extra legal aid. And it tends to work, keeping clients away from costly court proceedings.

The sting in the tail for legally aided clients is that they eventually have to pay all of their solicitor’s costs back to the Legal Aid Agency in any event if they have recovered or preserved assets.

Because we don’t deal with so much legal aid form filling each client receives a far better level of service and usually a much faster outcome. We have put in place means and ways to help you pay for your Settlement including an application to the court that your spouse should be responsible for payment of your costs.

We realise that you may be in shock and therefore we can offer you a Next Steps in Divorce Appointment. If you need help please don’t hesitate to contact enquiries@ emmersons-solicitors.co.uk or 0191 2846989.

Are

Who

Do you know that there is no such thing as a common law husband or wife? Do you want to bene t your partner or your parents?

If you are in a relationship but not married your next of kin would be your children and if you don’t have children, your parents.

Is it your intention to leave your partner with nothing?

If you have a Will and are unsure if it meets your needs, or you need to know why you need a Will, then let us help you. We can assist you to plan ahead for the bene t of your partner.

Why not ask us for a no-obligation FREE WILL APPRAISAL. Contact us now on: 0191 284 6989 or je@emmersons-solicitors.co.uk

Clues Across

1 Nightclub entertainment (7)

4 Strange and frightening (5)

7 System for detecting aircraft (5)

9 Vertical, erect (7)

10 Passivity, paralysis (7)

11 Emperor, king, monarch (5)

12 Tyrannical dictator (6)

14 Priest or religious leader (6)

18 Plentiful (5)

20 Gaunt, exhausted (7)

22 Scottish pouch worn with a kilt (7)

23 Ceremonial headdress (5)

24 Item in a diary, or notebook (5)

25 Spiny Australian egglaying mammal! (7)

Clues Down

1 Supported, sustained (7)

2 Decorative breast pin (5)

3 Tropical bird with large colourful beak (6)

4 Mistake (5)

5 Constant, uniform (7)

6 Go inside (5)

8 Relative size of two values (5)

13 Assist financially (7)

15 Strict reason (5)

16 Intricate musical solo (7)

17 Become different (6)

18 Passage in supermarket (5)

19 Before the expected time (5)

21 Keep away from (5)

SOLUTIONS ON PAGE 42

N P O I G N L A S

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found.

Guidelines: 27 Good; 32 Very Good; 37 Excellent.

Can you find all of the space related words hidden in the grid?

ASTEROID BLACK HOLE

COMET

EARTH

ECLIPSE

EUROPA

GALAXY

GANYMEDE

HUBBLE

IO

JAMES WEBB

JUPITER

MARS

MERCURY

METEORITE

MILKY WAY

MOON

NEBULA

NEPTUNE

ORBIT

PLANET

PLEIADES

PLUTO

Boost your mental agility against the clock. Start with the number on the left and follow the instructions as you go across. Within the 30-second time limit beginners should complete the Level One challenge, intermediate players Level Two and advanced players Level Three.

There is just one simple rule in Sudoku. Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.

Woodland Burial & Crematorium

Northumberland Crematorium

Nestled within the woodlands, our stone built, 78 seat chapel sympathetically settles into it’s natural surroundings. Officially opened by the Duchess of Northumberland in October 2022, the calming and modern chapel is spacious with its vaulted ceiling and is flooded with natural light. Webcasting and tribute screens are available. The chapel can be used for both cremation and burial memorial services.

Woodland Burial

Burial plots are located in Clarefield Meadow & Coquette Glade, both are wild flower meadows surrounded by native woodlands. Memorial trees such as Oak, Rowan and Apple Blossom scatter the meadow, in years to come this will turn the meadow into a thriving woodland and nature reserve. Ashes plots and traditional burial plots can be purchased in advance or at time of need. We have woodland and wildflower scattering areas.

Pet Burials

Griffon Wood offers a beautiful, natural and peaceful final resting place for your beloved pets and companions. Losing a pet can be like losing a member of your family, and it is important to give them the farewell and remembrance that they deserve.

Visiting

Our site is open 7 days per week and visitors are welcome during daylight hours. We are situated just off the A1, 8 miles North of Morpeth and 11 miles South of Alnwick. Our junction has both North and South entrances signposted as 'Bockenfield'.

Bockenfield Wood, Felton, Northumberland NE65 9QJ

Site office hours: Monday – Friday 08:30 – 4:30

Tel. 01670 708 479

Email: info@northumberlandwoodlandburial.co.uk

Fill-In Words

Place all the words listed into the grid. Each word can be used once only. The first word has been filled in.

5 LETTERS ALTER BURST CHATS CHUMS CLOAK CREED CRUMB DITTY EERIE ESSAY HOTEL MEANT NASTY NERVE NICER OTTER OUTDO RANTS RELIT REPEL ROUGE SCORN

N I C E R

SLOPE

SLYLY STRUT THORN TIERS

TRAIT TROTS UPSET UTTER YOKES

7 LETTERS CROCHET ENLARGE ERUPTED

NONAGRAM agin; agio; align; along; aping; gain; galop; gaol; gasp; glans; glia; goal; lapsing; ling; linga; lingo; linsang; loaning; login; long; longan; loping; losing; ngaio; nosing; paling; pang; pangolin; ping; pingo; PLAINSONG; planing; poling; pong; ponga; posing; sago; sang; sapling; sign; signal; sing; slag; slang; sling; slog; slogan; sloping; snag; snog; soaping; soling; song; spang.

Bombay Potatoes

A SPICY SUPPER OR SIDE DISH MADE WITH IN SEASON JERSEY ROYALS

Serves: 4-6 Preparation time: 10 mins

Cooking time: 20 mins for boiling, 10-12 mins to fry.

Ingredients

• 900g Jersey Royals

• Thumb-sized piece of root ginger, peeled.

• 3 garlic cloves, peeled

• 2 large ripe tomatoes

• 4 tbsp vegetable oil

• ¾ tsp cumin seeds

• 1 tsp mustard seeds

• 1 large onion, roughly chopped

• 2/3 tsp turmeric

• 2 tsp ground coriander

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp garam masala

• ½-¾ tsp chilli powder

• Large handful of chopped coriander leaves

• Salt, to taste

Method

1. Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the potatoes and boil

until just tender, Allow to cool a little.

2. Quarter one tomato then blend together with the ginger and garlic. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan, then add the cumin and mustard seeds. When the cumin starts to darken, add the onion. Cook for one minute then add the ginger and garlic mixture, the ground spices and salt.

3. Sauté gently for one to two minutes until the garlic smells cooked but is not burnt.

4. Slice the second tomato into thin wedges and add them to the frying pan. Stir well and cook the mixture for three to four minutes. Tip the potatoes into the pan and cook for three to five minutes allow the flavours to be absorbed. Season to taste and finally stir in the chopped coriander before serving.

Jersey Royal Facts

• Jersey hand plants over 150,000,000 individual Jersey Royal seed potatoes from January to March. If planted in a straight line this is enough Jersey Royals to reach around the circumference of the Earth.

• The isle of Jersey measures just 45 square miles and Jersey Royal potato fields make up approximately one third of the island - equivalent to roughly 5,500 football pitches.

• Unlike other carbohydrates, such as pasta and rice, potatoes are a great source of Vitamin C, especially the skins (100g of Jersey Royal New Potatoes would provide you with 25% of the RDA for vitamin C).

Vitamin C is essential in the diet for maintaining healthy skin, hair, bones, teeth and gums (quantity per 100g is 15mg).

A Good Read

By Tash Donovan

to the bravery and resilience of women in a time when their roles were often limited. Quinn’s novel is wellresearched and beautifully written that will appeal both to fans of historical fiction and anyone who enjoys a pageturning spy thriller.

Old God’s Time

Diane Setterfield

Once Upon a River by

In Once Upon a River, Setterfield has created a captivating and atmospheric novel that follows the story of a mysterious a young girl, found on the banks of the Thames and seemingly resurrected from the dead. She’s taken in by the local pub owner and his family, who nurse her back to health, but her appearance sets off a chain of events that draws together a disparate group of characters, including a traveling storyteller, a grieving father, and a barmaid with a remarkable voice. As the girl’s identity is slowly revealed, the characters are forced to confront their own secrets and desires.

One of the most striking things throughout the novel is Setterfield’s mastery of language. She paints vivid pictures of the river and its surroundings, making the reader feel as though they are right there alongside the characters. The descriptions of the water, the sky, and the countryside are all rich and evocative, adding to the sense of mystery and wonder.

The novel explores themes of loss, grief, and the power of storytelling, weaving together a rich tapestry of folklore and mystery, with enough plot twists to keep the reader guessing until the very end.

The Alice Network by Kate

Quinn

The Alice Network is set in the aftermath of World War Il though it straddles both world wars, and follows two women, Charlie St. Clair, and Eve Gardiner, as they navigate the dangerous world of espionage in search of a lost relative.

Charlie St. Clair is a young American woman who is pregnant out of wedlock. She is sent to Europe by her family to have the ‘problem’ taken care of. But she breaks free to search for her cousin Rose, who disappeared during the war. She meets Eve Gardiner, a former spy for the Alice Network, a secret organization of female spies, who now spends her day drunk, haunted by her past. Together, the two women embark on a journey to find Rose and uncover the truth about her disappearance.

As they delve deeper into the world of espionage and the aftermath of the war, they encounter a cast of characters, including former spies, soldiers, and politicians, who each have their own secrets. The two women must navigate this dangerous world, relying on their wits and the support of each other to stay alive.

The novel explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the aftermath of war. Its powerful narrative is a testament

by Sebastian Barry

Recently retired policeman Tom Kettle is settling into the quiet of his new home, a lean-to annexed to a Victorian castle overlooking the Irish Sea. For months he has barely seen a soul, catching only glimpses of his eccentric landlord and a nervous young mother who has moved in next door. Occasionally, fond memories return, of his family, his beloved wife June and their two children.

But when two former colleagues turn up at his door with questions about a decades-old case, one which Tom never quite came to terms with, he finds himself pulled into the darkest currents of his past.

A beautiful, haunting novel, in which nothing is quite as it seems, Old God’s Time is about what we live through, what we live with, and what may survive of us.

The Invisible String

by Patricia Karst

The Invisible String is a charming children’s book that teaches about the bonds of love and connection that exist between all people. The story tells of two siblings who learn about the “invisible string” that connects everyone to everyone else, and how this connection can bring comfort and reassurance during difficult times.

Joanne Lew-Vriethoff’s colourful illustrations, perfectly capture the warmth and love that the story conveys. The text is simple and easy to understand, making it perfect for very young children. The message of the book is one of hope and reassurance, and it would be a valuable tool for parents and caregivers to help children understand the concept of connection and the importance of loving support network.

The Invisible String is delightful and uplifting, and will resonate with readers of all ages. It is a perfect addition to any child’s library, and will be read and enjoyed for years to come.

To buy these books online while supporting your local independent bookshop, visit: www.bit.ly/selectbookshop