blackframe

The council has announced plans to turn it into a visitor centre and unbelievably is going to build a lift shaft on the side of this 750 year old building! What a disgrace.

The Black Gate is once more going to be a museum - the same function as it had in this amazing photo. The Society of Antiquaries opened it up in January 1884 and it was a museum for decades. The Society moved out in 2009 as the collection and their offices/library had all been moved to the Great North Museum (via the former Museum of Antiquities) and the building was empty again, the first time since about 1883. An organisation called the Heart of the City Partnership was formed by the Society of Antiquaries, Newcastle City Council and the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas and it secured some Heritage Lottery Fund money to update the interior and to improve access. There is currently only a spiral staircase going up internally and the main condition of the HLF money was to enable access for everyone, hence plans for a lift. Placing a lift externally was worked out with all the relevant authorities including English Heritage and the City Council's Conservation Officer as this would actually make the least physical impact on the building (with three exterior windows being turned into doors for the lift openings). The building contractors, Northern Construction Solutions Ltd, started in the Black Gate in May 2013 and will be finished approximately January 2014. Internal kit-out and the installation of brand new permanent exhibitions means opening will take place in about May 2014. The Black Gate and Castle Keep (which is now also run by the Heart of the City Partnership) will be run together as one 'Newcastle Castle'. It's a brilliant project - more information can be found on www.oldnewcastle.org.uk or on the Old Newcastle Project Facebook page.

What a load of politically correct rubbish you spout!. I would like to see a private householder apply for planning permission to install a lift shaft on a listed building, and get it! There are lots of historical buildings that disabled people will never ever get full access to due the listing and the aims to keeping the buildings as original as possible. The council has managed to circumvent its own rules on listed buildings with regrettably the support of English Heritage. Congratulations on destroying the ancient fabric of the building in the pathetic cause of 'diversity' and political correctness.

Each to their own, bikerbilly67. Like I say, it's a great project to put Old Newcastle back on the map and, when we open, I hope you enjoy our interpretation on the stories of the buildings and the people who lived there.

Tynemouth-on-Tyne: lcweb2.loc.gov/service/pnp/ppmsc/08700/08746v.jpg

It could have come from any number of reasons his crime wave. I wonder if he ever went straight?

I can't found anymore info on young “Mat” criminal career. But I have found some interesting stuff. Born Matt Walls on the 28th of May 1894 at Jarrow in Durham, the son of James and Annie his mother being born in Australia. Matt followed in the family trade as an an iron moulder. At the start of the first world war Mat joined the colours'. War Hero: Enlisted 8th September 1914 into the Royal Engineers, as a sapper. He was 5ft 8inches tall, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes, and brown hair. Absent without leave from 11.45p.m. 9th July 1915 to 8.15p.m., 14th July 1915 awarded five days confined to barracks, fined five days pay and forfeits five days pay. This was not unusual most men and boys' alike, knowing they will be going overseas any day, would have it on their toes, some having second thoughts, other's just wanting a beer or two, and other's to lose their virginity. Most would come back after a couple of days. Awarded the 1914/15 star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, and the Military Medal which was presented to him publicly, by the Mayor of South Shields. lance-corporal Mention-in-Despatches 11th June 1918, made the rank of corporal. He married Mary Eva McCord at South Shields, in 1922. Living at 81 Red House Road in 1939. Died 1976 at Jarrow in Durham.

Wow! Excellent research Rob. No idea how you do it but it's fascinating when put together like that. Seems he did well then. With only the one fine he did pretty much what most did anyway so not a true crime in my eyes. He died what I'd consider fairly recently too..

Interesting story. Thanks Rob!