Posts by date: September 2014

the name’s Bond…. James Bond

Books   Great North Museum: Hancock
Posted by administrator on September 25, 2014     Permalink     Leave a comment

On the morning of 17 February 1952 Ian Fleming started writing what would become his first book “Casino Royale” at his Goldeneye estate in Jamaica. Fleming took the name for his character from that of the American ornithologist,  James Bond… Read more

H. F. S. Mackreth

Art   Exhibitions   Local History   Segedunum Roman Fort
Posted by administrator on September 19, 2014     Permalink     Leave a comment

Whilst I was researching the picture of John Hodgson for the Wall Face exhibition (on display at Segedunum Roman Fort) I was interested to find out that the painter of the original portrait used as the base for the published engraving,… Read more

First World War Stories: A headmaster’s view of the War’s first months

Collections & Objects   Discovery Museum   Local History   Military History   Social History   The Archives   World War 1
Posted by administrator on September 10, 2014     Permalink     Comments (1)

On 4 August 1914 Britain entered the First World War. Events moved swiftly over the following months and I thought it would be interesting to take a look at them through the eyes of someone who lived through those turbulent… Read more

Robert Spence – artist and ambulance service hero in France in World War 1

Art   Laing Art Gallery   World War 1
Posted by administrator on September 5, 2014     Permalink     Comments (6)

North-East artist Robert Spence (1871-1964) joined an ambulance unit in France as soon as possible after the First World War broke out. This scene shows a first-aid post on the front line near the village of Mesnil-les-Hurlus. In 1915, French troops… Read more