Browse Month by March 2013
News, Places to Eat & Drink, Places to Visit

National Glass Centre Brasserie

Home > Tyne & Wear > Sunderland > National Glass Centre

Sunderland Football Club subsidiary 1879 Events Management have today announced that they have won the contract to run the restaurant at the National Glass Centre on Liberty Way, Sunderland, SR6 0GL when it reopens this summer.

National Glass Centre Sunderland

Formerly the Throwing Stones restaurant, the new eatery will be part of a £2.25million investment programme in the National Glass Centre which includes remodelled galleries and improved educational facilities at the centre.

The National Glass Centre was taken over by the University of Sunderland in 2010 with it’s redevelopment supported by Arts Council England through it’s award of a £750,000 improvement grant.

The Heritage Lottery Fund also backed the redevelopment of the centre, providing £250,000 towards improvements.

Director of the National Glass Centre James Bustard commented “Everyone involved in the redevelopment of the centre is thoroughly enthused about the reopening in the summer, and about its future success.

We are extremely confident that the new-look centre will further enhance the region’s cultural offer while helping to reinforce ourselves as the leading centre for glass in the UK.”

It is hoped that “a first-class food offering will help strengthen visitor numbers, which can only benefit the city as a whole.” – Gary Hutchinson, commercial director at SAFC.

“1879 Events Management is delighted to be providing such an important service to the National Glass Centre at such an exciting time in its development.

We’re proud to be in partnership with both the National Glass Centre and the University of Sunderland on this venture.”

The opening of the restaurant, to be named National Glass Centre Brasserie, is scheduled for summer 2013.

It hopes to attract lovers of high-quality food and to be added to the list of premium restaurants in the region.

Both daytime and evening menus are to be heavily influenced by local and regional fayre.

A first class food offering is also expected to help strengthen visitor numbers which can only benefit the city of Sunderland as a whole.

If you are looking for hotel accommodation for your visit to the National Glass Centre on Liberty Way in Roker, Sunderland our bed and breakfast best price and room availability is here Book Online.

Room information including photographs can be found on the Accommodation page of our website.

Published on 25th March 2013 21:53.

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Places to Shop

‘Super Computer’ at Newcastle’s Eldon Square

Home > Tyne & Wear > Newcastle upon Tyne > Eldon Square Shopping Centre

Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway “Super Computer” visited Eldon Square Shopping Centre today and drew a big crowd.

A couple of photographs are below…

Super Computer at Eldon Square in Newcastle 1

Super Computer Visits Eldon Square Newcastle 2

If you are looking for hotel accommodation for your visit to Eldon Square Shopping Centre, Percy Street, Newcastle upon Tyne our bed and breakfast best price and room availability is here Book Online.

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For more ideas of places to shop visit Places to Shop.

Published on 25th March 2013 21:03.

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News, Public Transport

Sunderland Metro Extension to Washington

Home > Tyne & Wear > Washington

Fresh plans have been proposed to extend Sunderland Metro link into Washington.

Tyne and Wear Metro Train

Plans to extend the Tyne & Wear Metro to Washington could finally be on track after councillors unveiled an ambitious blueprint for the region’s development.

Sunderland city leaders have put together a wish list of developments they will aim to make reality in their vision of how Wearside will look in 2032, from the new bridge over the River Wear to regeneration of the Vaux site.

It includes a call by Sunderland City Council to extend the Tyne & Wear Metro network further into the region, connecting the city centre with Washington, along with incorporating the disused South Hylton to Penshaw railway line.

As well as this, the action plan highlights the need for a new station as part of a major redevelopment of the former Grove Cranes factory and another in Millfield to service sites such as Lisburn Terrace, Pallion and Deptford Terrace, Deptford.

Washington MP Sharon Hodgson, who presented ministers with a petition calling for the Tyne & Wear Metroto come to her constituency signed by hundreds of residents, told the Echo the move would be a significant boost to the area’s economy.

She said “I’m very pleased to see that Sunderland City Council want to improve transport links for Washington residents, and recognise that extending the Metro would make a major contribution to the local economy.

Getting a station for Washington is still a long way down the line, but this declaration is a major step in getting all the relevant bodies on board to make it a reality.”

Tyne & Wear Metro bosses have suggested they are open to the possibility of adding to the network.

Director general of Metro operator Nexus, Bernard Garner, said: “We have started work with Sunderland City Council to assess how the Metro system can best be extended and developed to meet the potential future demands generated by these ambitious plans for the city’s future.”

Mel Speding, the council’s cabinet, added: “The strategy recognises how the Metro is a significant public transport asset for all of us. Its long-term outlook sets down how the council will work with Network Rail, Nexus and others to secure improvements to public transport and its infrastructure across the city.”

A desire to see the former Vaux brewery site redeveloped as a “new and attractive place to work and live” is also spelled out in the plans, as part of the ultimate aim of creating a “vital and viable centre”.

Another major development outlined in the Core Strategy and Development Management strategy is the new River Wear bridge, which will be the focal point of the so-called Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor.

It is hoped the new route will provide a link between the A19 and the Port of Sunderland.

Councillor Speding said “The Core Strategy sits at the heart of the city’s Local Development Framework which replaces the Unitary Development Plan.

It will be one of the key delivery tools of both the Sunderland Strategy and the Economic Masterplan.

The draft strategy has been examined by the Cabinet and a six week public consultation period is due to begin next month.

Over this six week consultation period we want to work with people to see how these needs can best be met. Residents and businesses will have the opportunity to share their views and concerns on the proposal before the final, revised strategy is presented to an independent planning inspector for final consideration.”

Consultation on the report will open up to residents and businesses in May.

If you are looking for hotel accommodation for your visit to Washington our bed and breakfast best price and room availability is here Book Online.

Room information including photographs can be found on the Accommodation page of our website.

Published on 25th March 2013 16:31.

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Concerts, Events, Places to Visit

O2 Academy Newcastle upon Tyne March 2013

Home > Tyne & Wear > Newcastle upon Tyne > Westgate Road > O2 Academy Newcastle

The O2 Academy Newcastle have just released their new gig listing poster.

This March 2013 poster covers gigs from Monday 24th March 2013 until Wednesday 29th January 2014.

You can take a look at the poster here…

O2 Academy Westgate Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1SW Gig Listings March 2013

If you are looking for hotel accommodation for your visit to the O2 Academy Newcastle on Westgate Road in Newcastle upon Tyne our bed and breakfast best price and room availability is here Book Online.

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For more live music concerts visit Concerts.

Published on 25th March 2013 16:10.

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Leaflets & Guidebooks, Places to Visit, Tourist Information

Newcastle upon Tyne City Tours 2013

Home > Tyne & Wear > Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne City Tours begin again tomorrow, Sunday 24th March 2013.

Newcastle upon Tyne City Tours 2013

You can see the eight page Newcastle upon Tyne City Tours leaflet for 2013 below…

The 2013 Newcastle upon Tyne tour program is as follows…

Jesmond Old Cemetery

Meet at Jesmond Old Cemetery gates, on the south side of Jesmond Road.

Explore this 19th century private cemetery – the resting place for many of Newcastle upon Tyne’s eminent citizens, including the architect John Dobson and shopkeepers Fenwick, Bainbridge and Parrish.

Ouseburn Valley

Meet and finish at the Ship Inn, bottom of Stepney Bank in Ouseburn.

A kaleidoscope of old and new with bridges towering above and a burn down below.

Today the old industrial buildings are being reborn and include art studios, music venues and the like.

Blue to the Biscuit

Meet at the Laing Art Gallery.

Finish at The Biscuit Factory.

Walk over the new bridge across the old Pandon Burn looking at the new Northumbria University buildings, a popular washhouse and end up at an unusual setting for an art gallery.

Burt and Erick

Meet at Grey’s Monument.

Finish on Northumberland Street.

An unexpectedly interesting tour which looks at part of the city not often seen, behind the shops and office blocks of Northumberland Street and beyond.

Eastenders – Bygone Byker

Meet at Morrison’s supermarket on Shields Road in Byker.

Finish at Byker Metro Station.

Shields Road was once the main route leading from Newcastle upon Tyne to North Shields.

Enjoy a stroll and remember bygone times when Byker was a busy community bustling with shops and industry.

Pilgrims and Pandon

Meet at Grey’s Monument.

Finish at Sandhill.

From one of the city’s oldest streets, drop down into one of its oldest suburbs and then enjoy a walk along the Quayside, with memories of medieval fairs, friars, travellers, mariners and merchants.

Rosie and Thomas

Meet at Grey’s Monument.

Finish at St Thomas’ Church, Haymarket.

Starting at Grey’s Monument we wander away from the main streets of the city centre to visit some interesting nooks and crannies with tales of places and people from bygone Newcastle upon Tyne.

Saints and Sinners

Meet at Grey’s Monument.

Finish at St John the Baptist Church.

A stroll around central Newcastle upon Tyne with stories of the real goodies and baddies who lived here – true historical gossip!

Jesmond and St George’s

Meet and finish at St George’s Church, junction of Osborne Road and Lindisfarne Road in Jesmond.

Nearest Tyne & Wear Metro station – West Jesmond Metro Station.

This tour goes through North Jesmond and part of Jesmond Dene and visits the sites of some of the magnificent mansions and grand houses in the area including those of shipbuilder Charles Mitchell and industrialist Sir William Armstrong.

After this two hour walk a guided tour will be available of the Grade 1 listed St George’s Church with optional refreshments afterwards.

Arty Facts

Meet at Grey’s Monument.

Finish at Central Square, behind Central Station.

This is a walk to discover some of Newcastle upon Tyne’s artworks, mostly new, some conspicuous and some unnoticed under your feet.

Saltwell Stroll

Meet and finish at Saltwell Park entrance opposite the Little Theatre Gateshead at the corner of Saltwell View and East Park Road, Gateshead.

Walk around this beautiful Victorian park discovering stories of past and present.

Find out the oddities of Saltwell Towers, the tale of the park’s oldest inhabitant and the story of the disappearing bandstands!

As aa cam thro Sandgit

Meet at the Newcastle Law Courts on the Quayside.

Finish at Wesley Square.

This is a tour which looks at the old Sandgate area of the Quayside with memories of coal, keelmen, Ballast Hills, soap and glass in days gone by.

Grass Roots Gosforth

Meet at the car park of The County hotel, High Street, Gosforth.

Finish at St Nicholas Church, opposite South Gosforth Metro Station.

A park, a pit and some prefabs.

A look at the east side of the High Street and how ordinary people lived, worked and spent their leisure time.

Newcastle Port

Meet at The Guildhall, Quayside.

Finish outside The Tyne Bar pub in Ouseburn.

Take a walk along Newcastle upon Tyne’s Quayside looking at how it has developed from an overcrowded slum area to a Victorian port and, most recently, an exciting place to live and work.

Gannin te Blaydon Races

Meet and finish at Grey’s Monument.

Discover how race goers of 1862 would have seen Newcastle upon Tyne as they set off for Blaydon Races – see the sites on this walk and hear about the characters as they left Newcastle upon Tyne for a day out at Blaydon Races.

Riverside Ramble

Meet at The Guildhall, Quayside.

Finish at Sage Gateshead.

The River Tyne has been the lifeblood of the region for almost 2,000 years.

Take a walk with us along the riverside to see panoramic and close-up views of both Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne, and hear how it has developed from a busy port to a vibrant and lively area on both sides of the River Tyne.

Guildhall Special – The Trial of Jane Jamieson

Meet at The Guildhall, Quayside.

Come and experience the re-creation of the trial of Jane Jamieson, the last woman to be publicly hanged on the Town Moor, for the murder of her mother.

Was she guilty?

You’ll have to make your own mind up.

Also take a short tour of the inside of The Guildhall, one of Newcastle upon Tyne’s gems.

Kings and Keelmen

Meet at All Saints Church, near the Tyne Bridge.

Finish at Holy Jesus Hospital.

The City Road area now seems to be nothing but roads and railways but there’s more to it than that.

This walk includes where Henry VIII turned a medieval friary into his King’s Manor (or ‘Manors‘).

There are also substantial buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries including All Saints Church, Holy Jesus Hospital, Keelmen’s Hospital and the remains of our medieval Town Walls.

Deeds Not Words

Meet at Haymarket Metro Station.

Finish at Central Station, Neville Street.

This is a walk to celebrate the life of the suffragette Emily Wilding Davison.

Find out where she was arrested in Newcastle upon Tyne and how Newcastle women met, marched, and behaved badly, in order to win the vote.

Pages of History

Meet outside the Literary & Philosophical Society, Westgate Road.

Take a look inside this wonderful building built in 1825 for the society, which was founded in 1793 as a conversation club, and which houses the largest independent library outside London.

Also visit The North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers, one of Newcastle upon Tyne’s hidden gems.

Railways and Riverside

Meet at the west door of the Sage Gateshead.

Finish at the Swing Bridge (Gateshead end).

Discover how early railways, industries and bridges have now been joined by modern art and find out just what the Sage Gateshead’s car park was originally used for!

Saints, Sailors and Sea Air – Tynemouth

Meet and finish at Queen Victoria’s statue on the village green near Tynemouth Metro Station in Tynemouth.

Stroll down the centuries in this historic coastal village to hear the stories of seafarers and saints, inhabitants and invaders of old Tynemouth on this re-titled Tynemouth circular walk.

Secret Newcastle

Meet and finish at Grey’s Monument.

Discover the hidden city looking at less familiar sights and features which thousands of people pass every day and just don’t notice.

After all, which other city has a vampire rabbit?

Whitley Bay Wander

Meet and finish outside Whitley Bay Metro Station entrance on the town centre/coast side in Whitley Bay.

See how the little village of Whitley grew into the major seaside resort of Whitley Bay.

Hear how the famous Spanish City developed into a landmark tourist attraction, how its popularity declined and what the present plans are to restore it to its former glory.

Walk along the Promenade, visit the giant Sand Castles, historic street lamps that burned sewer gas and discover one of the rarest telephone boxes in the country.

Top of the Town

Meet and finish at Haymarket Metro Station.

Come and explore the area round Barras Bridge and the heart of Newcastle University.

See Newcastle Civic Centre, discover a wonderful war memorial, the city’s first park with its grandest terrace, find where D.G. Rossetti came to call and where Lucozade was born.

Rural Ryton

Meet at the market cross in the centre of the old village near the Ye Olde Cross Inn public house.

Finish at Holy Cross Church, Ryton Village, Ryton.

Hear about the motte and the market cross, pinfold and Parsons – a circular walk around this prettiest of villages.

Swinging 60’s Newcastle upon Tyne

Meet under the Council Chamber, Newcastle Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Finish on Westgate Road.

These boots are made for walking – are yours?

This tour will recreate the social culture of the swinging 1960’s.

Visit the hip and trendy places of the day, see the modern buildings and recall your shopping sprees.

Put on your mini skirts and flares and join Newcastle City Tours on a magical mystery tour of yesteryear, when man stepped on the moon, Strawberry Fields were forever and a pound in your pocket could last you all week.

Heaton Highlights

Meet and finish outside St Teresa’s Church, Heaton Road, Heaton.

Enjoy a pleasant summer afternoon stroll through Heaton Park and the surrounding area.

Recently revitalised, this is one of Newcastle upon Tyne’s best Victorian parks, with a surprising history and many intriguing features.

Is there a Doctor in the House?

Meet at Grey’s Monument.

Finish at Broad Chare.

From medieval alms houses to the beginnings of Newcastle University School of Medicine, join this walk to discover parts of the town that were, and still are, linked to the medical profession and the care of Newcastle upon Tyne’s residents.

Newcastle Civic Centre

Meet under the Council Chamber, Newcastle Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne.

See behind the scenes, and walk the corridors of power around our fine town hall with a rare opportunity to climb the Carillon Tower to look across Newcastle upon Tyne.

Whickham Graveyard

Meet on the green in front of St Mary the Virgin Church, Whickham.

Explore Whickham’s ancient graveyard.

Discover the last resting place of a great Victorian sporting hero, examine the memorial to a Master of the King’s Musick, find a famous epitaph of a railwayman and much more.

Learn about the gentry, industrialists and ordinary folk of Whickham.

West Walls and Blackfriars

Meet at Grey’s Monument.

Finish at Blackfriars Medieval Friary.

Medieval Newcastle upon Tyne had one of the strongest town walls in England.

See the West Wall with its towers and unique turrets before reaching Blackfriars Medieval Friary, one of the country’s few remaining medieval friaries.

Lovely Low Fell

Meet and finish at Barclays Bank, Durham Road, Low Fell.

Discover how a pitman, an enterprising publican and the development of a new road changed Low Fell from an area of desolate waste to a prosperous Victorian suburb.

The Changing Face of Benwell

Meet and finish at St James’ Church, Benwell Lane, Benwell.

In the 19th Century Benwell was home to some of the most wealthy and powerful people on Tyneside and was a peaceful and rural area.

See how Benwell has changed and developed since then and hear of the many powerful people who lived here.

Wallsend Walkabout

Meet at Wallsend Metro Station, Wallsend.

Finish at The Green area.

Memories of Wallsend with its name derived from the days of the Romans at Segedunum Roman Fort and remembering former industries such as shipbuilding and coal mining.

Walk past the ‘Penny Wet’ to finish at the quiet village green.

Summerhill Sunday

Meet at Cardinal Hume Statue opposite Central Station, Neville Street.

Finish at Discovery Museum.

An early 19th century development, Summerhill is a delightful but little-known backwater.

Come and explore this hidden area, home to some of Newcastle upon Tyne’s prominent Quaker families.

Find out where Robert Stephenson lived and where the Victorian cricketer W G Grace played bowls.

High Life in Low Fell

Meet and finish at Barclay’s Bank, top of Belle Vue Bank, Low Fell.

Discover the stories of some of the Victorian industrialists who built their grand houses in Low Fell.

Black and White Friars

Meet at the Castle Keep, Castle Garth.

Finish at Blackfriars Medieval Friary.

On this walk hear about medieval Newcastle upon Tyne, the Civil War Siege, 18th-century polite society and more.

Grisly Tales

Meet at Grey’s Monument.

Finish at the Castle Keep, Castle Garth.

Enjoy some historical gossip about some of the grisly goings on in Newcastle upon Tyne in centuries past.

Ghostly and Grisly Quayside Tales

Meet and finish at The Guildhall, Quayside.

A circular walk with ghost stories, witches, bodies fished out of the river and murders on both sides of the River Tyne.

Walk on the Dark Side

Meet at Grey’s Monument.

Finish at Quayside.

Do you dare join Newcastle City Tours at Halloween?

Who will we bump into on this walk around haunted Newcastle upon Tyne?

Winter Warmer Wander – Along the Riverside

Meet at The Guildhall, Quayside.

Finish at St Mary’s Heritage Centre, Gateshead Quays.

Enjoy a short tour along Close and Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead’s historic riverside with seasonal refreshments at St Mary’s Heritage Centre.

Free walk, refreshments are £2 to be paid in advance when booking.

Winter Warmer Wander – Doon the Quay

Meet at The Guildhall, Quayside.

Finish at St Mary’s Heritage Centre, Gateshead Quays.

One hour informal walk crossing the Gateshead Millennium Bridge with seasonal refreshments at St Mary’s Heritage Centre.

This is a different walk to Winter Warmer Wander – Along the Riverside.

Free walk, refreshments are £2 to be paid in advance when booking.

If you are looking for hotel accommodation for your visit to NewcastleGateshead our bed and breakfast best price and room availability is here Book Online.

Room information including photographs can be found on the Accommodation page of our website.

For more leaflets and guidebooks on our blog visit Leaflets & Guidebooks.

Published on 23rd March 2013 10:32.

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