Archive for the ‘Exhibitions’ Category

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16
May
2012

Historic sporting film footage showcases at the Late Shows

Brendan Foster, 1977

Archive film footage recording one hundred years of North East sport will be showcased at two venues as part of this year’s Late Shows. The newly digitised footage will feature at both the Discovery Museum and Newcastle City Library on Saturday 19 May from 7pm – 10pm.

The one hour film show reels will run on continuous loop throughout the evening, drop in at any time.

The free film shows will include footage of Newcastle United taking on Sunderland AFC at St James’ Park in 1913, athletics and swimming competitions in Gateshead Stadium and Tynemouth open air pool in the 1960s, and an array of amateur films of sports and gala days across the North East.

Tynemouth Open Air Swimming Pool, 1963

A number of sporting events filmed as part of the centenary of the Blaydon Races in 1962 will also feature. There will also be regional television news stories from the 1970s and 1980s revisiting the more recent sporting past, examining the early careers of local heroes Brendan Foster and Paul Gascoigne.

This important archive film footage has been digitised as part of the Northern Region Film and Television Archive’s Fast Forward: North East Sport on Film project, and is the first in a series of film shows and events taking place across the region this summer.

For more information on the Fast Forward project contact the Northern Region Film and Television Archive at Teesside University on 01642 384022 or email enquires@nrfta.org.uk.

Fast Forward: North East on Film is supported by the National Lottery through the BFI and Creative England.

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2
May
2012

A Canny Jubilee celebration in Princess Square

To celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Newcastle Libraries are offering a
range of royal themed events.

On Friday 1 June we will launch the ‘Sixty Glorious Years’ exhibition on the level 4 book gallery at City Library and there will also be archive film footage of the Queen’s first visit to the region in the early 1950s. Drop in any time between 12noon and 5pm to watch this.

The focus of our celebrations will be the Canny Jubilee gala event which will be held outdoors in Princess Square on Saturday 2 June from 1pm – 4pm. The outdoor gala, which has been supported by Marks and Spencer, will see vintage hair and make-up demonstrations, live music, Lindy Hop dancing and an interactive ‘you have been crowned’ photo booth! Work created by community groups in the run up to the celebrations will also be on show.

Following the street party there will be an historic royal fashion show by Julia Soares-McCormick from 6.30pm at City Library.

There are also Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations at our community libraries. View a full listing of Diamond Jubilee events at Newcastle Libraries.

Posted in Children's Events, Events, Exhibitions, Local and family history | Comments Off

20
Apr
2012

A week in the life of Cruddas Park Library

Local photographer Keith Pattison spent a week at Cruddas Park Library taking photographs of the customers who visited.  They either held up the book they borrowed of wrote down the reason for their trip to the library. His innovative project highlights the many different ways people use their library and looks at the role libraries play in the local community. The images have been compiled in his new book, ‘face BOOK – A Week in the Life of a Branch Library’, which will be launched alongside Keith’s exhibition on Tuesday 24 April at 10:30am at Cruddas Park Shopping Centre. You can also take a look at the images online on Keith’s website.

View the face BOOK images

David Almond, celebrated author of the children’s book ‘Skellig’ will be supporting the opening of the new exhibition. Tony Durcan, Director of Culture, Libraries and Lifelong Learning, said:  “Libraries continue to play such a valuable role in our communities and this exhibition and book will give people the chance to learn why they continue to be important to those who use them.  Keith has done a wonderful job in bringing the community together for this project so I am delighted to be helping support this exhibition.”

face BOOK will remain open at Unit 12, Cruddas Park Shopping Centre until Saturday 5 May 2012.

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3
Apr
2012

What the Dickens? Exhibition and talks at City Library

This year celebrates 200 years since the birth of Charles Dickens and the events below are part of our celebration of his life and work. To book a place at any of these events phone 0191 2774100 or ask a member of staff at City Library.

Mr Micawber Down Under
Thursday 19 April
3pm
City Library

Author David Barry will talk about his new book which tells the story of the ever-optimistic Mr Micawber after he bids a fond farewell to David Copperfield and takes his family to Australia.

As a child David Barry toured Europe in the cast of ‘Titus Andronicus’, starring Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh. His debut crime novel, ‘Each Man Kills’, was published in 2002 and his next crime thriller, ‘The Wrecking Bar’, will be published  in April 2012. Tickets are £3.

Newcastle’s Victorian Villains: Fiction into Fact
Thursday 17 May
2pm – 3pm
City Library

Retired Detective Superintendant Barry Redfern will be comparing the fictional villains of Dickens’ novels to the real life rogues of Victorian Newcastle. Find out about the Fagin-like fence Finnegan and meet artful dodgers. We will also be looking at prisons and punishments for those who were unlucky enough to be caught! Tickets are £3.

Exhibition: What the Dickens?

An exhibition will display Charles Dickens’ works from the local history archive and also explore the conditions of Victorian Tyneside. Opens on level 6 at City Library on 10 April until 29 August.

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29
Feb
2012

International Women’s Day events

On Thursday 8 March 2012, International Women’s Day will be celebrated around the world. Thousands of events will occur not just on this day but throughout the month to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

This year’s theme is ‘Connecting girls, inspiring futures’ and we are holding the events below.

‘Sthree’
5 – 9 March, City Library (free)
Local artist Jayamini De Silva, will be exhibiting her work called ‘Sthree’ which replicates agony and ecstasy in life of women through her Asian style paintings (above).

Writing workshop with Helen Limon
8 March
10am – 12noon and 1pm – 4pm, City Library (free)
Local author Helen Limon will be visiting the library as our writer in residence to discuss your creative writing.  Helen has a PhD in creative Writing from Newcastle University where she teaches on the undergraduate program. Please bring along an example of prose of no more than 1000 words.

Coffee morning
8 March
10:30am – 12noon, Fenham Library
Pop along to Fenham Library to enjoy a cup of coffee and a chat.

Cake sale
8 March
11:30am – 2:30pm, West End Library
A cake sale has been organised by the Millin Centre who provide advice and encouragement to women who wish to start their own business. Visit the Millin Centre website.

Fenham, Gosforth, Moorside, Fawdon and East End Libraries will also host displays celebrating the acheivements of inspirational women from around the world. Find out more about International Women’s Day.

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17
Jan
2012

Designer Bookbinders exhibition at City Library

20 January – 23 March 2012

The Designer Bookbinders UK exhibition opens on Friday 20 January in the Newcastle Collection showcase on level 6 of City Library. The exhibition highlights the skill of the hand-bound book with some outstanding examples of the bookbinder’s art.

The exhibition has been organised by Designer Bookbinders UK, a society devoted to the art and craft of the hand-bound book, and will show how the cover of a book can tell its own story. This inspiring show aims to represent the best of British bookbinding and includes bindings by some of the most respected practitioners working today.

Some of the works on show feature leather-bound volumes, those made using silk as well as items which have been created with precious metals and semi-precious stones.

This is the first major British exhibition the Society has mounted for some time and has been shown at venues across the country including the Bodleian Library in Oxford, The Schneideman Gallery in London and the John Rylands Library in Manchester.

More information about Designer Bookbinders UK.

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1
Sep
2011

Tyne and Wear Heritage Open Days 2011

This year’s Heritage Open Days take place from Thursday 8 – Sunday 11 September 2011. There are events planned across Tyne and Wear, giving you the opportunity to step into the past and find out more about 2000 years of North East history – free of charge! Newcastle Libraries are hosting the events below.

Charles Freer Andrews Lecture
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Thursday 8 September
City Library
The Anglican missionary and contemporary of Gandhi, Rev. C.F. Andrews, described as the ‘Conscience of the British Raj’, witnessed some of the most significant defining moments of India’s campaign for independence. This lecture illustrates the life of a remarkable man who recognised and acclaimed the true nature of the Sikhs and their role in that epic struggle.

Miners and Memorials
2pm – 3pm
Friday 9 September
City Library
From Pit Wheels to Winding Engines. Take a fascinating tour of the memorials that you can see in the North East, in a talk by Ken Smith.  Bringing our mining heritage to life. Places limited to 35.

Sport on Film
Friday 9 September
City Library
1pm – 4:30pm, turn up any time, no need to book.
A chance to view archive footage of sporting activity in the region. Including a W. I. Sports Day in the 1930’s and recreational activities at Saltwell Park in 1944. This is a drop in session at the City Library, all are welcome. Films kindly provided by the Northern Region Film and Television Archive (NRFTA).

Uppies and Downies
10:30am – 12:30pm
10 September 2011
City Library
Come along to this fascinating talk with Hugh Hornby to explore the history of ball games. In conjunction with Played in Tyne and Wear. Places limited to 50.

Book your free place at any event by phoning 0191 2774100, emailing information@newcastle.gov.uk or asking at your local library.

Find out about other Tyne and Wear Heritage Open Day events

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8
Aug
2011

It’s that time of year again – football is back!

This month is the start of the football season.  Some may say ‘already?’. Have you noticed the Newcastle United shirt on display in the atrium of City Library? It’s hard to miss it as the shirt is 10 metres high and 15 metres wide!

The shirt also complements the new Played in Tyne and Wear exhibition on level 6. The shirt belongs to the Newcastle United Supporters Trust and contains the names of their members, which make up the black stripes.  Membership forms are available at City Library for customers who wish to join.

Find out more about the Newcastle United Supporters Trust.

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25
Jul
2011

New sporting exhibition opens at City Library

1951 FA Cup Final
Image Courtesy of Newcastle United Archive: Paul Joannou official historian to Newcastle United.

Played in Tyne and Wear
25 July – 4 December 2011

Explore the North East’s sporting heritage through our new exhibition, including sport on the Tyne, the Blaydon Races and of course Newcastle United Football Club.

We are displaying illustrations as well as items from our reference collection, including a wonderful early Fordyce map of the Tyne and a 1711 advert for a cockfight in the Newcastle Courant.

Pop up to level 6 of the City Library and take a look.

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7
Jul
2011

Summerhill Bowling Club exhibition at City Library

Our Sporting Life Exhibition – A Celebration of Summerhill Bowling Club

7 July – 1 September
City Library

Hidden in the heart of Newcastle and active from 1916 to 2011, Summerhill Bowling Club was renowned for its welcoming atmosphere along with the quality of its greens.

Through bowls, badges, photographs and other memorabilia, this exhibition tells the story of Summerhill Bowling Club: its traditions, members and fascinating history that spans almost a century.

This exhibition forms part of Our Sporting Life, a programme of nationwide community exhibitions and a unique and ambitious celebration of British sport.

Find out more about the exhibition.

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27
May
2011

News from the Heritage team at City Library

It’s been an action packed few months for the Heritage team! We launched a new exhibition called ‘Evolving English’ which displays treasures of the English language with a specific focus on North East dialects.  The exhibition will be ending on 31 May and it has proved popular, attracting 71,260 visitors during its 14 week run!

Images by Lazlo Torday, a local photographer who took fantastic social photographs from the 60s and 70s, are currently on display on level 6 until early next week. The images are of people talking or socialising and many of them are unidentified so we asked visitors to City Library to help identify the views and people. We’ve had a wonderful response with many visitors offering ideas on location and indeed identifying the people in shot. Thanks very much to all who have contributed. To get involved online, view another set of images from our Tyneside Life and Times collection – if there are no titles and if there is nothing in the image description post a comment on Flickr so we can investigate. View images.

We’ll be launching a new exhibition at the end of July called ‘Played in Tyne and Wear: Exploring the North East’s Sporting Heritage’ which will be running until the end of October 2011.


We’ll also have a display of images of the artistic work of Byron Dawson where you can rediscover Newcastle of the 1920s and 1930s.  This is from 6 June on level 6. A new book about this artist has been recently published by Tyne Bridge Publishing called ‘Newcastle Between the Wars: Byron Dawson’s Tyneside’ which is available to buy from the City Library.

We’ve had a very successful Local History Month, both in City Library and across the branch libraries. Highlights have included a fantastic talk by Paul Joannou on the ‘History of Newcastle United Football Club’ and ‘A Bit of a Giggle’ with Viz writer Simon Donald and Geoff Laws.

We also took part in Newcastle Fashion Week and hosted a number of successful events in the City Library, including the ‘Newcastle Vintage Guide’ which was a fashoin show of outfits through the decades and ‘All Tied Up’ which explored corset making. Both events proved very popular and received great feedback.

Look out for information on our Heritage Open Day events in the summer.

Sarah Mulligan
Heritage team at City Library

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5
May
2011

Libraries celebrate Fashion Week in style!

Newcastle Fashion Week takes place from 14 – 21 May with fashion shows, events, promotions and competitions spanning venues across the city.

City Library will be hosting talks on the best places to buy vintage fashion in Newcastle as well as a talk on corsetry called ‘All Tied Up’. There will be internet classes to advise on hunting for vintage bargains on eBay and making the most of online sewing, knitting and craft advice.

Vintage Vogue magazines from the stack will be on display in the level 4 book gallery and there will be a selection of fashion books to borrow on level 1.

The popular costume designer Julia Soares-McCormick will make a welcome return visit to City Library with an exhibition of ‘Kings and Queens in Costume’, a selection of beautiful handmade replica costumes including an Elizabeth I gown.

There are special storytime sessions at the story tree in the children’s area – we’ll be reading out ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ – and there’s a free sparkly crafts session too.

Branch libraries are also getting involved with coffee mornings where you can discuss your past fashion disasters and favourite outfits!

Find out more about Newcastle Fashion Week at Newcastle Libraries.

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18
Apr
2011

Discover your past during Local History Month

038789:Newcastle v Burnley match St. James Park Newcastle upon Tyne Unknown 1938

Newcastle vs. Burnley, St. James Park, 1938

This year Newcastle Libraries are hosting a packed programme of events to celebrate Local History Month this May including a talk on the history of Newcastle United by club historian Paul Joannou and exciting news from the Secret Bunker/North project which hopes to restore the grade II listed RAF Blakelaw World War 2 bunker.

We are hosting events both at City Library and across our branch libraries.

Download the Local History Month brochure for more information. Most events in the brochure are free of charge, unless otherwise stated.

We hope that you can take advantage of the wide variety of activities on offer this year.  If you’d like to find out more about your heritage come along and you’ll receive a warm welcome at all our events! Alternatively visit level 6 of the City Library where the Heritage team can explain the local  and family resources available.

Phone 0191 2774100 or email information@newcastle.gov.uk to reserve places for events with limited availability (unless alternative contact details are given in the brochure).

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15
Apr
2011

Landscape architecture exhibition at City Library

‘What is landscape architecture?’
11 – 21 April 2011
Level 1, City Library

The Landscape Institute is an educational charity and chartered body responsible for protecting, conserving and enhancing the natural and built environment.

The North East branch of the Institute will be holding an exhibition in City Library to showcase the work of local practitioners and organisations.

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22
Mar
2011

Metro – the Musical at City Library

The BBC have created a musical to celebrate 30 years of the Tyne and Wear Metro and it will be shown in venues throughout the region, including City Library on Saturday 26 March. The musical will be shown on level 2 on a loop all day so you can drop in at any time to see it.

View a sneak preview of the musical.

We also have several historic images of the Metro system in the Local Studies picture archive. View historic images of the Metro.

A related exhibition was previously advertised in the Page Turner newsletter. Unfortunately this exhibition was not possible to display due to a fault with the display cases. Apologies for any incovenience caused by this.

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