Friday, 20 May 2016
Wednesday, 18 May 2016
Newcastle Central Library - Windows cleaned
Time for the Central Library to get its windows cleaned. No rickety ladders and manky cloths for these guys - its a sophisticated abseiling operation.
Friday, 13 May 2016
Tuesday, 26 April 2016
Chernobyl Fire-fighters Commemorated
26.04.1995 - 12.05.1995
Pilgrim Street Fire Station, Newcastle upon Tyne
It is 30 years since the Chernobyl nuclear accident happened in the Soviet Union - 26 April 2016. The accident occurred at a nuclear power plant in Ukraine, close to the border with Belarus. Around 50 emergency workers were killed in the immediate aftermath, including the fire-fighters shown here, whose portraits adorned the roof of the then fire station on Pilgrim Street - 21 years ago.
"Natural History was premiered at Pilgrim Street Fire Station on the day of the ninth anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Large scanachromes (photographic reproductions on vinyl) of six individual 4.5 X 3 metre portraits were erected on a scaffolding structure measuring a total length of 18 metres.
The portraits were of the first six firefighters to have died containing the disaster at Chernobyl Nuclear power station. Soviet firefighters were allocated three minutes each by the authorities to physically clear radioactive debris from the powerstation. The protective clothing which they were issued with was insufficient to block out the effects of the radiation."
Wednesday, 17 February 2016
The Tube - at the Discovery Museum
I've ran along City Road many times over recent years and have seen the gradual demolition of the Tyne Tees TV studios and Egypt Cottage pub next door, but I have never stopped to take a photo. So it was with a little regret that I ran passed last week to see most of it gone and a shiny new apartment block has been built on part of the site. It did get me thinking about the Channel 4 music show Tube TV show from the 1980s as I was trying to work out where the covered entrance would have been (the tube-shaped perspex awning which gave the TV show its name.
Coincidentally, a new exhibition about show The Tube has opened at the Discovery Museum, Blandford Square, Newcastle and runs until 31 March 2016. The Tube was produced by Tyne Tees Television for Channel 4 and ran for five series, from 5 November 1982 to 26 April 1987.
On display at the Discovery museum is a small cabinet containing memorabilia from the show, a 8-minute video presentation, and the famous neon light Tube logo. It is a small exhibition, but I found it interesting and it is free to get in the Discovery Museum.
Thursday, 11 February 2016
Lunchtime Run and Photoshoot
Wednesday was a great day to get out for a run. It was still a bit chilly, but the skies were blue and the sun was shining. After the gloom of the prolonged spell of rain, wind, and the damp cold, a little bit of sunshine goes a long way to lift the spirits. More importantly, it provides that extra incentive to escape the gym and get out into the open air. I cannot stand running on treadmills - for me they are like Kryptonite - I can feel the energy seep out of me almost as soon as I get on, and my stamina falls away to zero.
occasionally take photos with my phone.
 |
| All Saints Church |
Starting from the centre of Newcastle, my 5.5 mile route took me across the Tyne Bridge towards Gateshead and heading for the Sage.
At the back of the Sage is a youth music project called CoMusica based in the arches of the railway bridge, which has now become the space for grafitti since the previous ComUsica graffitti wall was demolished (http://tnovumcastellum.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/sir-bobby-graffiti-wall-demolished.html).
Then I dropped down on to Baltic Square to cross back into Newcastle via the Millenium Bridge.
Heading east along the quayside towards the Ouseburn, I decided to mount the wooden staircase to get on to City Road so I could get across town to the Town Moor.
On City Road, I spotted a new apartment development which is being built on the the site of the demolished Tyne Tees TV studios - specifically Studio 5 where they used to film The Tube. This is now thew site of a shiny new multi-coloured apartment block with a test-card logo. Next door, they are building more apartments called "Tube Court". Finally I reached the vast open space of the Town Moor via Brandling and Exhibition Parks before heading back into town.
Wednesday, 3 February 2016
Tuesday, 2 February 2016
The Alchemist - First sneek peak inside
Not much to see at the minute though.
According to the Evening Chronicle, an exciting new bar / restaurant, from the people who own the Botanist, is coming to Eldon Square. As part of the development of the new restaurant quarter, set to open later this year, the all-day bar restaurant will open inwards on to the mall as well as facing externally on to Nelson Street.
I never knew there had been a Music Hall on Nelson Street.
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