Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums Blog

Tributaries

A guest post by Sarah Younas, Assistant Digital Officer at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.

As part of the Wor Life project, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums in collaboration with sound artist and musician, Halsey Burgund have developed Tributaries, a sound art work in the form of a mobile app for iOS and Android.

Tributaries is an immersive audio stream that explores the daily reality of life, loss and love on Tyneside during the First World War. A continually-evolving score of music and voices takes inspiration from forgotten historical documents from our collections.

Advertisement in a First World War era newspaper

Over the past year we have been working closely with Halsey on the enjoyable, if not slightly daunting task of combing through our extensive First World War collection, in order to create captivating audio fragments. We delved into museum, archive and library collections to uncover an array of fascinating personal accounts including diaries, letters, newspapers, log books, postcards and official documents that provide a compelling glimpse into everyday life in the shadow of the great tragedy of World War One.

We then invited members of the local community to donate their voices by reading, researching and responding to our findings in a series of audio recordings at Tyne & Wear Museum venues, the Grainger Market and Newcastle City Library.

Volunteers reading First World War era newspapers at Newcastle City Library

Tributaries provokes an exploration of the past and encourages listeners to reflect on the similarities and disparities that their own lives have with life 100 years ago, so it was especially inspiring to see the emotional responses the volunteers had to the material whether it was joy, sadness, laughter or sheer bewilderment.

Highlights include retellings of the beautifully handwritten diaries of Gateshead born Ruth Dodds, author, playwright and political activist caught between her role in making munitions at Newcastle’s Armstrong’s factory and pacifist ideals, the diary of Frederick Tait, conscientious objector, cruelly confined to prison, and letters between long distance lovers. These dramatic accounts are juxtaposed with newspaper articles, classified ads, sports results and recipes that illustrate the sense of normality that continued throughout the time.

An excerpt from the diary of Ruth Dodds

We also collected dozens of readings from a lighthouse keeper’s weather log, expertly crafted into bespoke forecast reports by BBC Look North’s Jennifer Bartram.

BBC’s Jennifer Bartram recording bespoke weather reports

First World War era weather log

In addition, we worked with a number of historical societies and community groups that are involved in First World War research projects and have been focusing on specific locations and areas of interest. We walked the streets of Heaton, Tynemouth, Fenham and other Tyneside locations with local experts and recorded imaginings of what life might have been like for the people that lived in the houses we passed.

The support from the volunteers has been incredible. Over 100 people have participated so far creating 1000 recordings! We couldn’t have asked for a more committed group of people to patiently sift through countless documents and newspapers, and endure endless takes when their recordings were interrupted by the distant sound of a police siren or ringing bells. We’d like to thank everyone who has taken part so far and hope that the project will continue to spark curiosity in the public and encourage users to explore their surroundings and contribute their own recordings to the stream.

Making the recordings

Download and find out more about Tributaries at www.tributaries.org.uk

Seaside Shields: Marsden Beach

Local History Social History South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
Posted by administrator on August 12, 2015 Permalink Leave a comment

Photograph by Robyn Orr, 2015. Laughing Sailor vintage arcade machine from ‘Seaside Shields’ exhibition.

Hello again! Following my previous post exploring the postcards, photographs and history of Sandhaven and Littlehaven beaches, this post will focus upon Marsden Beach, the Marsden Rock, and the Grotto pub. Marsden beach is situated around 2.5 miles directly to the south (towards Sunderland) of the main South Shields coastline. It is famous for the distinctive section of cliff, known as the Marsden Rock, which has detached over thousands of years to become a standalone island. In 1996, the archway that was within the rock itself collapsed from eventual sea erosion and weakened structure. During the late nineteenth and earlier twentieth centuries, visitors could climb the wooden staircase attached to the side of the rock to sit upon the top and take in the sea views. In 1903, a choir even climbed to the top to give a performance! Considering this is a modern-day health and safety nightmare, the stairs no longer exist and the island is now a private home to various types of sea birds, such as gulls and kittiwakes.

TWCMS : 1998.116.16. Postcard from the collections at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery. Marsden rock before the collapse of archway.

TWCMS : 2007.234. Postcard from the collections at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery. Marsden Rock after the collapse of the archway.

TWCMS : 1994.850. Postcard from the collections at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery. 1960’s view of the beach.

The bay itself has a long history of housing smugglers, as the high cliff faces provided excellent coverage to moor boats full of illegal supplies. The current restaurant in the cliff face (one of few in Europe), Marsden Grotto, was first home to Jack the Blaster who worked in the quarry nearby (1782). He used some explosives to create an opening in the cliff face to integrate his home; he and his wife Jessie would provide refreshments for a small fee to smugglers who would hide their wares in the dwelling. It is also said to be haunted, as a smuggler nicknamed John the Jibber was lowered down the lift shaft in a bucket and left to starve to death; his crime was ratting out his smuggler friends to HM customs. Infact, at the Flower Show held in Bents Park, the board game ‘Grotto Ghost’ sold 300 units in 3 days (1977). Up to 1999, one of the resident landlords would leave a tankard full of ale out every night for Jack, and in the morning it would be gone. When local DJ, radio presenter, and ghost enthusiast Alan Robson drank from the tankard, reports of unexplained activity increased dramatically. Needless to say, the landlord left soon afterwards, and the tankard is no longer filled up.

TWCMS : 1998.116.17. Postcard from the collections at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery. The Grotto pub with a very unstable looking lift shaft; possibly the 30’s?

TWCMS : 2007.5759. Postcard from the collections at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery. Interior of the Grotto.

The photographs and postcards show a similar scene to those of the beaches further down the coastline. In the earlier twentieth century, hiring ‘velvet beds’ from Carter’s would allow visitors to relax in style on the beach (below). The tents would allow privacy to change into bathing suits, or simply eat without the risk of sand carried by wind coating their picnic. These days, Marsden beach is generally used by dog walkers and rock climbers rather than sunbathers, due to the rocky terrain.

STH0000809. Copyright South Tyneside Images. Carter’s velvet bed hire shop on Marsden Beach, situated where the disused first aid building is today.

Photograph by Robyn Orr, 2015.

STH0000806. Copyright South Tyneside Images. 1950’s view of the beach during the height of summer.

TWCMS 1998.116.10. Postcard from the collections at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery. View of Marsden Beach from the south.

TWCMS : 1998.116.15. Postcard from the collections at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery. View from the south.

TWCMS : 1998.116.4. Postcard from the collections at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery. View from the north.

TWCMS: G8478. Photograph from the collections at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery. A 1908 visit to the Marsden beach.

TWCMS : G10480. Postcard from the collections at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery. A early twentieth-century postcard of the Marsden Beach.

Thanks for reading! Please leave any comments below – I’d love to hear your own seaside South Shields stories. My next post will be about the Fairground, Pier and Promenade.

10 pairs of First World War shoes

Collections & Objects Fashion World War 1
Posted by administrator on August 9, 2015 Permalink Comments (2)

As part of my work on the ‘Wor Life’ project I have been identifying First World War era clothing and textiles within Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums stores. Here are ten pairs of shoes;

1910-1914 – TWCMS : H16931

These kid leather shoes from before the war are a beautiful colour-it’s sometimes easy to forget when looking at black and white photos, that Edwardian women wore some quite garish colours.

1914 – TWCMS : H16902

These satin wedding shoes are in beautiful condition and were obviously treasured.

1914 – TWCMS : D489 – wedding shoes

These simple wedding shoes have been dyed black for everyday use after the big day.

1915 – TWCMS : D495

These beautiful beaded evening shoes are dated to 1915, as the war continued women were encouraged to dress well, for morale, but also not to be be extravagant.

1915 – TWCMS : J2569

Shoe ornaments, such as buckles and bows, were very popular and were often detachable. As the war continued many women made their own shoe decorations out of left over buttons and spare material.

1913-1919 – TWCMS : H16932

This style of shoe is known as a Cromwell shoe because it looks like the type of shoes that were worn when Oliver Cromwell was in power. It was popular during the first few years of the 20th century – they go to show that there’s nothing new in fashion!

1915-1920 – TWCMS : D2145

This type of shoe is called an Oxford shoe, its very thin toe would have been pretty uncomfortable to wear!

1915-1920 – TWCMS : H16976

The majority of our shoe collection from this period consists of black or cream shoes – wedding shoes and everyday shoes. Many women took up jobs for the first time as the men went off to war, they therefore needed more comfortable and sturdy footwear- but still with a small bow as decoration.

1917-20 – TWCMS : 2005.5096

During the First World War women’s skirts became shorter due to an increase in the price of fabric and social changes. The bright green heel on these shoes show that as skirts became shorter shoes became more elaborate. As the label shows they were made in Paris for the Newcastle department store Bainbridges.

1920 – TWCMS : H16973

These shoes made of silk brocade show that after the war shoes styles became much brighter and highly decorated.

William Hutton – The first man to walk Hadrian’s Wall?

Archaeology Books Great North Museum: Hancock Local History
Posted by administrator on August 7, 2015 Permalink Leave a comment

The Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail has become a hugely popular route for walkers who want to experience this unique historical feature while also taking on board plenty of exercise and Northumbrian fresh air.

The Trail was first opened in 2003 but prior to this date a number of people have visited the Wall and provided accounts of their experiences. One of the most interesting characters to have undertaken the journey is William Hutton, who is generally believed to be the first person in modern times to walk the entire length of Hadrian’s Wall. Hutton was a poet and historian born in Derby in 1723 who lived most of his life in Birmingham.

Portrait of William Hutton – About 1780.

He produced an account of his journey in the book “The History of the Roman Wall” which was published in 1802. A first edition of this work is available in the collection of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle Upon Tyne’s collection that is located in the Great North Museum: Hancock Library. In fact Hutton covered a distance of 601 miles from his home in Birmingham, crossing the Wall from west to east, and then retracing his steps back to his home City. It should also be added that Hutton made this journey on foot at the age of 78. His daughter accompanied him on his expedition to the North, riding on a horse behind her servant, Hutton however refused any such luxury and gamely covered the ground on foot, fording streams and occasionally sleeping under bushes.

In the preface to his book he makes the following statement that has obviously proved to be an unfortunate error of judgement of the lure of the Wall to intrepid walkers in the future.

“Perhaps, I am the first man that ever travelled the whole length of this Wall, and probably the last that ever will attempt it. Who then will say, he has, like me, travelled it twice”

Hutton’s book contains a contemporary historical account of the Wall, but also includes his musings on what befell him on his travels revealing that he was a man with keen sense of humour and a perceptive social observer. He dryly states “What can exceed the folly of that man, who at seventy-eight, walked six hundred miles to see a shattered Wall!”

The book includes a number of illustrations including this wonderful image of an apple tree growing on top of the Wall at Benwell Hill.

The book also contains fascinating details of the places that he stayed in and the kind of hospitality that he encountered.

“Although a public house, they had no ale, cyder, porter, beer or liquors, of any kind, or food, except milk which was excellent; but they treated me with something preferable, civility. When I rose the next morning and asked my worthy landlady what I had to pay I found she would be satisfied with only a few pence!”

Hutton kept a journal of the places that he visited, and the miles he had walked each day, beginning on 4 July and ending on 7 August 1801. As you can see from the following entries he covered up to 28 miles a day without the benefit of modern day light weight clothing and boots.

Towards the end of the account of his experiences Hutton reflected on the end of his long and rewarding journey.

“By easy marches I arrived at Birmingham, Aug 7, 1801; after a loss, by perspiration, of one stone of animal weight; an expenditure of forty guineas, a lapse of thirty-five days and a walk of six hundred and one miles”

Hutton never returned to Hadrian’s Wall and died in Birmingham at the ripe old age of 91.

Next time you are on Hadrian’s Wall remember to spare a thought for William Hutton and his pioneering early 19th century epic perambulation.

The Great North Museum: Hancock Library has a wide range of wonderful books on Hadrian’s Wall and Roman Britain that are free for anyone to view. We’d be delighted to see you if you would like to pay us a visit.

Seaside Shields: Sandhaven and Littlehaven Beaches

Local History Social History South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
Posted by administrator on August 5, 2015 Permalink Comments (1)

Photograph by Robyn Orr, 2015. Puppets from ‘Seaside Shields’ exhibition.

Hello again! After my previous post exploring a selection of postcards and photographs of the North and South Marine parks, we will be venturing a hundred feet or so forward right to the water’s edge. Although there were many things to do in South Shields during the summer, the main stretch of beach provided everything a holiday maker could ask for: an outdoor, saltwater pool, beach huts to protect fish and chips from the sand blowing in the wind, pleasure boat hire, donkey rides, and ample space to set up facing the ocean for the day. This post will explore images of what is known as the North and South sands, the area either side of the South Shields pier. The side to the North is often referred to as Littlehaven (between the Groyne and the South Pier), and the compass South sands is referred to as Sandhaven (between the South pier and the Trow rocks). The below postcard shows the area in the top right hand corner. Ocean road runs down the right hand side, joining into King’s Street and ending with the Old Town Hall and the Ferry landing in the bottom right hand corner. I will explore the Fairground, Marsden Beach and the Town in later posts.

TWCMS : 2008.1533. Postcard from the collections at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery.

Sandhaven

TWCMS : 2008.889.a. Postcard from the collections at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery.

The above postcard shows Sandhaven during a hot summers day in the 1930’s. Different coloured boards were placed in the sea to separate men, women and children, and the area next to Trow rocks was reserved for the more daring and experienced swimmer, due to the choppy tides and jagged rocks. This appears to be mainly the children’s section, whereby those who wanted to brave the cold water under the watch of designed ‘life savers’ (a proto-life guard), who would patrol the area. The Poor Children’s Association was formed in 1891, bringing thousands of needy children from the inland North East to the seaside each year for day trips out; some may be included in this postcard. The south sands could hold 234 sites for private beach tents (shown below during the 1930’s), which were available for hire alongside deck chairs and sunshades. In 1960, a day’s hire on the deck chair would cost 9d, while a tent would cost 3s. There were also fixed beach huts, which were owned by St John’s Ambulance, businesses, and private hires.

TWCMS : 2007.228. Postcard from the collections at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery.

STH0006305. Copyright South Tyneside Images.

Photograph by Robyn Orr, 2015. View from the Pier towards Trow Rocks; the whole of Sandhaven.

Photograph by Robyn Orr, 2015. Sandhaven Beach, view from near the Crab Shack towards Trow Rocks.

STH0000843. Copyright South Tyneside Images. Girl in 1900 walks her dog on the beach. Digger is there to create the promenade.

Photograph by Robyn Orr, 2015.

STH0006413. Copyright South Tyneside Images. Boy looks out from Trow Rocks over Sandhaven in the 1930’s – look at all those beach huts!!

Littlehaven

Photograph by Robyn Orr, 2015. The 2014 ‘Eye’ sculpture that looks onto Littlehaven beach. It allows the looker to see the middle of the two piers, or the ‘eye of the Tyne’, through the middle.

Mirroring the South sands on the other side of the Pier, the North sands can be referred to as Littlehaven, due to its proximity to the Littlehaven hotel. This beach is flanked by the Groyne, a little red lighthouse style beacon on a lifted walkway (1882), for the purpose of preventing the sand entering the Tyne and to help guide ships. It will flash different colored lights to indicate where the boat was entering the mouth of the Tyne; if on-course, a white light would flash, while if too much to the left or right a red and green light will flash respectively. The north sands were much more popular for boat and donkey rides, as seen in the postcards below; the mechanical elephant shown in the photograph from the 1950’s shows how temporary rides would feature on the sands. Chuggy boats were erected in the summer months, as well as the pleasure boats which would depart and alight on the beach. Notice the change in beach attire, from coats in the 30’s to shorts in the 00’s!

Photograph by Robyn Orr, 2015. View of Littlehaven from the Pier side, and the ‘Sail’ companion piece to the above ‘Eye’.

TWCMS : 2007.3087. Littlehaven beach on a modern, busy summers day. Tynemouth Priory is visible in the background.

TWCMS : 2009.2378. Postcard from the collections at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery. Some excellent 70’s attire. Ponies ready to take children for a ride.