Latest news with #Tyne
BBC News
26-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Dunston Staiths progress slow but steady, conservation chiefs say
A partnership aimed at protecting a historical timber structure on the River Tyne is making progress despite frustrations over securing long-term funding, chiefs Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust (TWBPT), which has responsibility for Grade II listed Dunston Staiths in Gateshead, teamed up with the National Trust (NT) in structure is more than 130 years old and was previously used to load coal on to ships during north-east England's industrial is hoped a soon-to-be submitted £4.5m bid for Heritage Lottery funding by Gateshead Council could help cover the cost of repairs to some sections. A public open day earlier this month had to be cancelled when damage was found to the decking, although a follow-up event went ahead after a "safe route" was identified for public access. 'Next pot of money' TWBPT's deputy manager, Kari Vickers, said several steps forward had been taken since the tie up with NT. including the structure's inclusion in the Tyne Derwent Way nine-mile (14km) trail connecting historic sites along the river.A community hub has also been opened nearby and a car park for visitors is currently being constructed."The major repairs we did to the west end of the staiths are now 10 years old," Ms Vickers said."We've done minor repairs since then, but we'd not had any subsequent big pots of money and so that's why we set up the partnership with the National Trust and Gateshead Council to help look at a strategy."Giving context to the staiths through the Tyne Derwent Way has massively changed things for the better, but then of course the funding that comes into that project is widely spread."You're delivering while thinking about that next pot of money that you're having to chase. That's probably one of the things that's frustrating, but we're not unique. A lot of organisations are in that position."We're all realistic about what we're tackling. We know this is a long-term thing. We know this is going to be decades rather than weeks." At more than 500m (1,650ft) in length, the staiths is reputedly the largest timber structure in has survived repeated arson attacks, but a large section was torn away by a blaze in 2003. A £3 visitors' fee was introduced last year to help pay for its maintenance, although people with an NE8 or NE11 postcode are given free suggestions for ways to generate income have included glamping pods and river repairs to the structure need to be funded and finished before any of those suggestions can be brought in, Ms Vickers says. 'Chomping at the bit' NT senior urban programme manager Helen Moir said the five years of the partnership have brought a new way of approaching "the stewardship" of the staiths and places like it."Previously heritage restoration projects were very much 'done to' places. Moving forward, it's about how to we work with the people who live and work next to it."We're at the beginning of the journey. We're all chomping at the bit to see more happen, but I do think we've learned together and developed together."Now it's about how do we take it further. Whether it's heritage or nature, we know we can't do it alone." For its part, Gateshead Council is confident the structure is in safe John McElroy said: "Dunston Staiths is a real symbol of Tyneside and of its links with the coal industry and even the National Garden Festival in 1990 [staged on adjacent land]."It also provides a real centrepiece for that part of the Tyne Derwent Way and hopefully the bid for £4.5m will see further progress."A lot has been done, but there's still more to do".Ms Vickers, meanwhile, remains determined: "We won't give up""Our core business is doing up old buildings, but when something is built for a specific purpose like the staiths, having a re-use that creates an income is difficult."Covid knocked us back, even with things like attracting volunteers."Last year we replaced 12 decking planks at the lower entrance. It cost £20,000."There's never enough money, but that's why you've got to be canny with what you do get." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Telegraph
18-05-2025
- Telegraph
Who needs the south of France when you've got Tynemouth?
Who would have thought a modest north-eastern seaside town could outshine the monarch of British resorts, Scarborough, when it comes to beaches? Between them, Tynemouth and Whitley Bay boast a splendid four (Scarborough has just two), stretching north from the mouth of the Tyne. Technically, their town centres are two miles apart – with little Cullercoats tucked in between – but they flow together so seamlessly, you'd hardly notice. It was the arrival of the railways in 1882 that transformed these once-industrial towns – reliant on coal, fish and salt – into popular seaside resorts. Tynemouth, with its Georgian terraces and the imposing Victorian Grand Hotel overlooking Longsands beach, was considered the more upmarket end. Whitley Bay, by contrast, offered a livelier scene: amusement arcades, a caravan park and the famous Spanish City – think a miniature Taj Mahal housing everything from a menagerie to a bingo hall. But with the rise of cheap European package holidays, the area's fortunes declined. Spanish City fell into dereliction after several failed revivals, while stag and hen parties took to its more dubious nightclubs. In the 2010s, however, serious investment sparked a sea change. Whitley Bay's promenade and Spanish City were restored, the Grand Hotel was refurbished, hipster cafés and restaurants appeared, and ITV's Vera showcased both the beauty – and murderous perils – of the coastline. A new beachside cycle path linking the communities is now under construction, though not everyone is thrilled about it. What's it really like It's a seaside resort that's embraced café culture and buffing up its appearance while not forgetting the traditional essentials of sea, sand and – if not guaranteed sun – sunny optimism. There's a slew of breezy cafes offering barista coffees and brunch; a sparkly pink-flagged promenade with elegantly arched lamp-posts; neatly parked ice-cream vans; and tidily decorated hot drink and snack stalls. As I stroll along Whitley Bay, Cullercoats, Longsands and King Edward's Bay on a sunny spring morning, the lawn-roller-flat sands are alive with locals – dog-walking, running, even swimming – while the many benches on the grassy slopes above are busy with people chatting, taking phone calls and sipping coffee. And this is what's so striking: it's a neighbourly community first, and seaside resort second. 'Sometimes around five o'clock, we think 'wine o'clock',' says Stephen Mimms who, with his partner Neil McWhirter, runs No 61, a smart Georgian guest house (with weekend tea-room) on Tynemouth's Front Street. 'And go across the street to Alan and Linda, who run [wine merchants] Chambers, for a glass of wine in the garden. Everybody knows everybody.' It's certainly friendly. At Pirate Quest, I'm given a free go on the final test of the treasure-hunt maze. This involves walking the plank across a pool of water – don't sneer; the plank is narrow, and there's a crocodile – and I'm rewarded with (chocolate) gold coins for my efforts. As with the other family-friendly attractions – including a dinosaur-themed crazy golf course – it's not a hi-tech affair. But, frankly, most people are getting their kicks from the great outdoors. Around the tidal causeway to St Mary's Lighthouse, at the north of Whitley Bay beach, serious work is being done amongst the exposed rock-pools. Neon-coloured fishing nets are being deployed to examine snails, crabs and, in one case, a dead ray. 'Please put it back,' cries one exasperated dad. From the platform at the base of the lighthouse, all eyes are trained on the surrounding rocks. Some of the rocks are moving, generally in an ungainly, flip-floppy way: the distinctive waddle as a grey seal heaves itself out of, or into, the water. This is a favourite resting spot for the seals whose home is further up the Northumberland coast. A favourite – and fabled – rendezvous for Tyneside folk was Spanish City, immortalised by local band Dire Straits in their 1980 hit Tunnel of Love. This preposterous Dulux-white domed building, opened in 1910 as an entertainment complex, boasted the largest dome in Britain after St Paul's Cathedral. Rescued in 2018 with a £10 million investment after numerous failed business ventures, it's now rather lovely to stand inside and admire – even if you don't fancy anything from its many food and drink outlets. Possibly the best viewpoint is from Tynemouth Priory and Castle, with the mouth of the River Tyne on one side and the Northumberland coast on the other. Below lies the curve of King Edward's Bay. Even at 5pm, it's bubbling with life: picnickers, sun-worshippers, footballers, and swimmers striking out into the hazy blue. At the back, smoke curls from Riley's Fish Shack, where someone is ordering another bottle of wine. It would take very little persuasion to believe I'm on the south coast of France. What's not to like If you're looking for fairground rides, bingo halls and competing amusement arcades, you'll be disappointed. There are only two amusement arcades, both in Whitley Bay, both bright, clean and not especially busy. A couple of places sell seaside paraphernalia but are so neat and low-key as to almost apologise for their presence. Indeed, the charmingly named For the Love of the North gift shop in Spanish City, is more artisan than souvenir with well-designed items – tea-towels good enough to frame – that are determinedly locally made. Brash and tacky are hard to find. Do this Save plenty of time for Tynemouth Market. Held every weekend at the Victorian station, its dozens of stalls range from the conventional – hand-made jewellery, painted ceramics – to the esoteric: aura crystals, books on world religions. The Undertones' Teenage Kicks blares from a loudspeaker, drawing me to racks of vinyl – vintage Bowie, Moody Blues, Genesis… Then it's on to bric-a-brac: do I need a set of silver pastry forks? Enamel advertising signs, upcycled cushion covers, earrings, books – and somehow, I find myself back at the vinyl. Eat this Few fish and chip restaurants can match the grandeur of Trenchers. From the ground floor of Spanish City, encircled by white pillars, diners gaze up at the luminous-white interior of the dome with its elliptical windows, elegant balustrades and gilt-painted garlands. Start the evening in the first-floor Champagne Bar before ordering your fish, battered or floured, and small, regular or large (mains average £18). Alternatively, head down 119 steps to Riley's Fish Shack on the sands of King Edward's Bay. Operating from two shipping containers, it serves up fresh seafood – with menus dictated by that morning's catch – cooked with lip-smacking panache over a charcoal grill: think chilli fish empanada with salsa verde or the ever-popular monkfish tail wrap. Pull up a deckchair, toes in the sand, or settle on the decking (dishes average £11–£26). Don't do this Looking down on its concrete surface, scattered with sand and rocks, it's hard to imagine this was once one of Tynemouth's premier attractions. Built in 1925, the former seawater lido featured a fountain at one end and space for 2,000 sunbathers on its terraces. Closed in 1990, it was – bizarrely – filled with concrete by the council. Now home to seagulls, empty cans and crisp packets, no one can pretend it's anything other than an eyesore. A vigorous campaigning group has drawn up plans for its revival. Just don't go diving in it… yet. From a local 'Tynemouth is the best [surf] beach on the north-east coast for its wave quality and consistency,' explains Louis Thomas-Hudson, 28, owner of Tynemouth Surf Co. 'In Cornwall, Newquay is a surfing hot-spot, but I find it too busy, too chaotic. Tynemouth is more relaxed. Within five minutes, I can walk to nice bars and cafes; I don't have to track into Newcastle to find them.' 'It feels like a community,' say Nicholas and Cath Leon who moved to Whitley Bay from Newcastle in 2001 to bring up their daughter. 'There's a vibrant, positive feel with lots of independent shops and cafes. We like walking along the beach to Cullercoats for breakfast.' From a visitor 'We didn't know what to expect,' says Darrin Woodfield on a first visit to Tynemouth with his partner, Chi Lam, from their home in Bournemouth. 'We're surprised how smart-looking it is. There's a classy feel which is not always the case in seaside places. Bournemouth relies on beaches but there's more history here.' 'We've done lots of coasts – Norfolk, Dorset, Cornwall – but some of the best are here,' declares Steph who, with husband Steve and daughter Thea, aged 9, are skating along Whitley Bay promenade on a day-trip from Northumberland. 'I like the friendly people and the way dog-friendly beaches are separated from family-friendly.' As they skate off, Steve cries: 'Who needs Venice Beach?!' Helen Pickles was a guest of No 61, a Georgian townhouse b&b and weekend tearoom, in central Tynemouth (doubles from £130 b&b). Further information at
Times
14-05-2025
- Times
Drug dealer jailed for killing boy, 7, in ‘cannabis lab' explosion
A drug dealer whose cannabis gummy factory caused an explosion in a block of flats which killed a seven-year-old boy has been jailed for 14 years. Reece Galbraith, 33, was using gas canisters to run a 'drug lab', which exploded in October last year. Archie York, who lived in the flat above, died in the blast, as did Jason Laws, 35, a friend of Galbraith's who was helping to run the drug factory in Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne. Archie was asleep on the sofa when his home was 'blown apart'. His mother, Katherine Errington, and his seven-week old brother, Finley, were pulled alive from the rubble. The explosion destroyed six of the 12 flats in the block and left many families homeless. Galbraith was found
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
I bought brand new £25k car riddled with issues but dealership said MY driving was to blame
A FORMER EastEnders crew member was stunned after she was blamed for the countless issues with her brand new £25,000 car. Julie Grant, from Newcastle upon Tyne, only had her Honda Jazz for a few hours before the car broke down. 3 The 61-year-old had purchased the car through the Motability scheme - which enables people with disabilities to lease a new car. However, when she contacted the dealership to complain about the fault, she was told that her driving was the cause of the problem. After she collected the car from Vertu Honda Newcastle, warning lights started flashing on her dashboard. She took the car back to the dealership, who discovered there had been a problem with the brakes and replaced the part. Appreciative of the speedy service, Julie thought that was the end of her motor-related problems. But to her horror, between March 14 and April 9, she had to take the vehicle back to Vertu Honda eight times. She said how she had to call the RAC out twice and they had to follow her to the dealership because "the brakes weren't right". "I had the RAC out twice and the second time they had to follow me into the dealership because the brakes weren't right," Julie told Chronicle Live. She told Chronicle Live: "I got in touch with the manager to ask if he was aware of the problems with the car but he was just making excuses. "Then his last email said 'actually it's the way you've been driving', which is absolute nonsense. I've been driving since I was 17 and I'm nearly 62, and I've never had a problem. I've never even had an accident." Julie, who previously worked in post-production for BBC's EastEnders added: "I find it extremely insulting and a fob off." She said that she had a year's experience driving an automatic car and was well aware that it's easy to accidentally press the brake and accelerator pedals at the same time. Julie explained how the car steering jammed about three of four times and the brakes "weren't working properly". "It was unsafe to drive," she fumed. She claimed the recovery team said there was still an issue with the brakes - despite the dealership replacing the brake sensor twice. Julie said she was told by a receptionist that the master mechanic had looked at the car, but when she spoke to that mechanic, he said he'd never seen the car before April 9. Eventually, the car was returned to he dealership and Motablity terminated Julies contact due to "mechanical reasons". She was offered £277.25 compensation from the scheme and a £100 refund. Julie has bought a new car. A spokesperson for the dealership said the car was assessed by Master Technicians, and the diagnostics revealed the issue was caused by the method of driving. "We are happy that we've acted correctly when dealing with this matter and that there was not a fault with the vehicle. "One of our Master Technicians assessed the car and the diagnostics for the vehicle demonstrated that the method of driving caused the issue, which also occurred when the customer drove one of our courtesy cars. We are pleased that the customer has reached a satisfactory agreement with Motability." 3 3
Scottish Sun
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Herman Ese'ese hopes Magic translates in Newcastle after Geordie Shore admission
Hull FC prop first learned about the north east by watching hit MTV show HERMAN Ese'ese hopes to be a hit that needs no translation in Newcastle – after first learning about the place through subtitles. For that is how the boys and girls of Geordie Shore were presented in Australia. 3 Hull FC prop Herman Ese'ese hopes his quality in Newcastle needs no translation - after admitting Geordie Shore came with subtitles when he was in Australia Credit: The MTV show was a surprisingly big hit Down Under, even though the accents left viewers confused. One of them was now Hull FC prop Ese'ese. Now he is heading to the north east for Magic Weekend, he is looking to have the Tyne of his life as John Cartwright's side rides high after 2024's horror show. And after teaching his young team-mates as they endured a woeful season, he hopes his side can further show lessons were learned. Ese'ese said: 'That was the first I'd heard of Newcastle and back when I was in Australia, it was big. 'And it had to have subtitles on it - it's a really thick accent. I don't think anyone could understand it without them! 'But I'm a big football fan and I started watching their team play – and our black and white kit goes well. It's a black and white city and I think it fits the occasion really well. 'When we first drove into Newcastle this week, all I saw was Newcastle United - all the jerseys and people wearing jerseys walking around the streets. 'But it wasn't until I got to the stadium that I realised how big it actually is. I'd only seen it on TV before and it's good for the sport to be played there. It's good for the expansion of the game. 'Newcastle isn't really big in rugby league, but hopefully after the weekend we get a few more on board supporting the game.' Ese'ese has been arguably the form prop of Super League so far as Hull FC sit fourth going into Magic Weekend. 3 Ese'ese has been arguably the best prop in Super League Credit: The 30-year-old, who has faced England for both New Zealand and Australia, has made a habit of skittling opponents on the pitch. Away from it, though, the self-proclaimed 'gentle giant' is a long way from the persona we may see at St James' Park as his side faces winless Huddersfield on Sunday. And the feedback he is now receiving from people who stop him when he is out walking his dog, River, is much more welcome than previously. Ese'ese added: 'When you win more games and you're more successful throughout the season, the fans all jump on board. 'Even last year, we had a good turnout and it was a big learning curve for the younger lads. I can see the growth in them and how they handle themselves on and off the field. 3 Super League's Magic Weekend heads back to Newcastle Credit: 'I felt a bit like a teacher last year but I try to lead with my actions. 'When it comes to games, I'm locked in. Off the field, I'm just a little gentler guy. I'm quiet. 'I love my dog as well. We brought River over - we couldn't leave him. He was our baby boy and we had him since he was eight weeks. 'When I'm out there in public, I get stopped a lot. It comes with the reputation. It comes with the game. 'But I'm happy with that. I can't hide away from it – now they want to speak to me for different reasons.'
