Ten interesting facts about Newburn & Walbottle

Text from ChronicleLive 1st January 2012.

Across the Tyne to Newburn. Photo A Curtis (2014).

Newburn and Walbottle are villages in Tyne and Wear and both suburbs of Newcastle upon Tyne. Newburn is situated on the banks of the River Tyne, and is built rising up the valley from the river. Historically, it was larger than Newcastle upon Tyne as it was the most eastern fordable point of the River Tyne, so had strong Roman links along with Walbottle. The name Walbottle dates back to 1176 as as "Walbotl", which is derived from the Old English botl (building) on the Roman Wall. Both villages transformed with the Industrial Revolution, when large collieries and a steelworks opened. But these industries declined and Newburn is now home to a country park and various leisure facilities.

Here are ten interesting facts about the villages:

1. On 28 August 1640, the Battle of Newburn took place. The Scottish Covenanters, led by Alexander Leslie, 1st Earl of Leven planted guns at Newburn to protect them while fording the river, after which they defeated the English on south side of the river at Stella Haugh, and subsequently occupied Newcastle upon Tyne.

Battle of Newburn Ford monument, Newburn. Photo A Curtis (2015).

2. In 1822 Spencer's Steelworks was opened by John Spencer, which grew to a size which led the village to be known colloquially as New Sheffield, after the town famed for its steel making prowess. This remained operational until the 1960s.

Spencer's Steelworks, Newburn. Old postcard.

3. The district has many associations with the early development of the railway. The famous engineer George Stephenson, was twice married in Newburn Church, where his remains are interred, and worked in the Water Row pit in Newburn.

George Stephenson (9 June 1781 – 12 August 1848) was actually buried in Holy Trinity Church, Chesterfield.

Little now remains of Water Row except the Boathouse public house.

The Boathouse Pub, Water Row, Newburn. Photo A Curtis (2010).

4. The village is also the birthplace of an earlier steam pioneer William Hedley, whose first locomotive Puffing Billy was built in 1812, two years prior to his rival's first locomotive. A gravestone in Newburn churchyard marks his death in 1843.

Hedley family gravestones, St. Michael & All Angels, Newburn. Photo A Curtis (2013).

Robert Hawthorn (1760-1842) was engineer at Walbottle Colliery and founded an engineering firm on Forth Banks in Newcastle which was to become the world-famous Hawthorn Leslie Works. The family is commemorated by an obelisk in Newburn  churchyard.

5. In the 1850s, the Newburn Brickworks was built as part of the North Wallbottle and Blutcher Colliery Company. It closed in 1965 and was demolished in 1979 to make way for a council run recycling centre.

Brick plinth, Walbottle Community Orchard. Photo A Curtis (2010).

6. On 18 October 1911, the Imperial Cinema on Station Road opened. It was designed by Thomas Eltringham of Throckley colliery, and originally had seating for 550 but a 131 seat gallery was added later. It closed down in 1961 and was used as a bingo hall for a time, but is now owned by Industrial Engravers, producing signs, vehicle liveries and banners.

Imperial Cinema, Station Road, Newburn. Photo Kevin Hall (2008).

7. Newburn is home to the independent micro brewery "The Big Lamp" which is attached to the public house, "The Keelman" which serves the brewery's own cask ale. Prior to being used as a brewery and pub, the building was used as a pumping station, which opened in 1855.

The Keelman. Newburn. Photo A Curtis (2013).

The Keelman & Big Lamp Brewery, Newburn. Photo A Curtis (2010).

8. Ann Potter, the mother of Lord Armstrong, the famous industrialist, was born at at Walbottle Hall in 1780 and lived there until her marriage to William Armstrong on 25 November 1801.

Walbottle Hall. Photo N Richardson (2007).

9. Railway engineers Joseph and George Armstrong both lived in Walbottle village from 1824, and found their first employment at nearby Walbottle Colliery.

Coal waggon planters, The Paddock, Walbottle. Photo A Curtis (2013).

10. Newburn Leisure Centre houses Newburn Judo Club, which has produced a number of junior medalists, and is the British Judo Association’s centre of excellence for the northern area.

Newburn Leisure Centre. Photo A Curtis (2016).

Although not in the original article, we should also mention the Tyne Amateur Rowing Club, based at Water Row, Newburn. It was founded in 1852 and is amongst the oldest sporting clubs in England and said to have the longest and best stretch of river for rowing in the north of England.

The old clubhouse was demolished in June 2015 and its replacement due for completion at the start of January 2016.

'Tyne River God', Tyne Rowing Club, Newburn. Photo A Curtis (2013).