Denton Dene and Old Scotswood a Heritage Guide

EXPLORING YOUR LOCAL HISTORY EXPLORING YOUR LOCAL HISTORY EXPLORING YOUR LOCAL HISTORY A HeritageA Heritage Guide Guide A Heritage Guide EXPLORING YOUR LOCAL HISTORY EXPLORING YOUR LOCAL HISTORY EXPLORING YOUR LOCAL HISTORY This heritageThis heritage guide guideis an introductionis an introductionA Heritageto the to historythe Guide history of Dentonof Denton EXPLORING YOUR LOCAL HISTORY This heritage guide is an introduction to the history of Denton Burn andBurn Scotswood. and Scotswood. It includes It includes an illustrated an illustrated walk walk trail trail through through EXPLORING YOUR LOCAL HISTORY Burn and Scotswood. It includes an illustrated walk trail through DentonDenton Dene andDeneThis its heritageand environs. its environs. guide is an introduction to the history of Denton Denton DeneBurn and Scotswood.its environs. It includes an illustrated walk trail through

Denton Dene and its environs. Until theUntil end the of theend 19of ththe century, 19th century, Denton Denton Burn Burnand Scotswoodand Scotswood were were small small DentonDentonEXPLORING YOUR LOCAL Dene HISTORYDene th Denton Dene villages –villagesUntil one theclustered – oneend clusteredof thealong 19 thealong century, West the DentonWestRoad Roadand Burn theand and otherthe Scotswood other along along the were the banks small banks Denton Dene villages – oneUntil clustered the end of along the 19 theth century, West Road Denton and Burn the andother Scotswood along the were banks small ANDAND OLD SCOTSWOODSCOTSWOOD of the Tyne.of the They Tyne. were They connected were connected by Denton by Denton Dene Dene through through which which a burn a burn ran ran AND OLD SCOTSWOOD of the Tyne.villages They – were one clustered connected along by theDenton West Dene Road throughand the other which along a burn the ranbanks DENTONAND OLD SCOTSWOOD DENE south tosouth the river. to the of On river. the either Tyne. On eithersideThey wereof side the connected of Dene the Dene was by Dentonfarmland.was farmland. Dene through which a burn ran south to the river. On either side of the Dene was farmland. AND OLD SCOTSWOOD south to the river. On either side of the Dene was farmland. The following decades were to transform the area dramatically, bringing new A Heritage Guide The followingThe following decades decades were to were transform to transform the area the areadramatically, dramatically, bringing bringing new new A Heritage Guide industries andThe large-scalefollowing decades housing were development to transform until the area nearly dramatically, all the land bringing was new AA HERITAGE Heritage GUIDE Guide industriesindustries and large-scale and large-scale housing housing development development until untilnearly nearly all the all theland land was was A Heritage Guide built up andindustries the former and villageslarge-scale had housing become development suburbs of until Newcastle. nearly all the land was built up andbuilt the up andformerbuilt the up formervillages andth the villages hadformer become had villages become suburbshad become suburbs of Newcastle.suburbs of Newcastle. of Newcastle. However, the thlate 20 th century brought further changes in the form of However,industrialHowever, the late decline theHowever,20 late century and 20 the extensive centurylate brought 20th brought centuryhousing further brought furtherclearance. changes furtherchanges inThroughout changesthe in formthe inform alltheof these formof of industrialchanges,industrial decline Denton anddeclineindustrial extensive Dene and decline extensive remained housing and extensive housing largely clearance. housing untouched,clearance. Throughout clearance. Throughouta valuable Throughout all greenthese all these allspace these changes, Dentonchanges, Dene Denton remained Dene remained largely untouched,largely untouched, a valuable a valuable green green space space changes,of Denton mixed woodland Dene remained and a haven largely for untouched, wildlife. a valuable green space of mixed of woodland mixed woodlandof and mixed a havenwoodland and a havenfor and wildlife. fora haven wildlife. for wildlife.

Join us to explore Denton Dene and the history of the area around it. Join us to exploreJoin us to Denton explore Dene Denton and Dene the andhistory the historyof the areaof the around area around it. it. Join us to explore Denton Dene and the history of the area around it.

St James’ Heritage & Environment Group St James’St Heritage James’ Heritage & Environment & Environment Group Group St James’ HeritageSt James’ & Heritage Environment & Environment Group is Group an independent is an independent St James’St James’ Heritage Heritage & Environment & Environment Group Group is an independent volunteer-runvolunteer-run organisation organisation and registered and registered charity charityproviding providing St James’volunteer-run Heritage & Environment organisation and Group registered is an independent charity providing activities andactivities resources and resourcesfor people for of people all ages of allto agesexplore to explore and and volunteer-runactivities organisation and resources and for registered people of charity all ages providingto explore and celebrate thecelebrate history the of historythe west of theend west of Newcastle. end of Newcastle. activities and resources for people of all ages to explore and celebrate the history of the west end of Newcastle. celebrateEmail: the [email protected]: of [email protected] west end of Newcastle. Website: Website: https://stjamesheritage.com https://stjamesheritage.com Email: [email protected]: St James’ Heritage & Environment Website: https://stjamesheritage.com Group, c/o Sunnybank Centre, Write: St James’ Heritage & Environment Group, c/o Sunnybank Centre, Write: St James’12/14 SunnybankHeritage & Avenue, Environment Newcastle Group, upon c/o Tyne, Sunnybank NE15 6SD Centre, Email: [email protected]/14 Sunnybank Avenue, Newcastle Website: upon https://stjamesheritage.comTyne, NE15 6SD St James’ Heritage & Environment Group 12/14 Sunnybank Avenue, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 6SD Write: St James’ Heritage & Environment Group, c/o Sunnybank Centre, West End Heritage Guides 1

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Denton Dene and Old Scotswood A Heritage Guide

Contents

Page 1 Denton Dene: an introduction

Page 3 Denton Dene Heritage Trail A heritage walk through Denton Dene starting at Denton Burn Library on the West Road, with options to walk further down towards old Scotswood. Note that access to Denton Dene is poor and there are steep inclines and uneven paths through the woodland.

Page 7 Memories of old Scotswood An introduction to the area’s heritage. Scotswood is rich in history but very few visible traces of this remain.

Page 15 The Friends of Denton Dene

Acknowledgments: Thanks to the Friends of Denton Dene and Mike Greatbatch whose 2011 Heritage and Habitat Guide to Denton Dene was the starting point for this heritage trail. Images courtesy of: West Newcastle Picture History Collection and Newcastle Libraries and Information Service. Permission to use map extracts courtesy of copyright holders: Ordnance Survey and www.old- maps.co.uk. DentonDenton Dene: Dene: an introductionan introduction Until Untilthe 20 theth century,20th century, the Dene the Dene was surroundedwas surrounded by farmland by farmland on its on its east andeast west and westsides, sides, but most but most of the of land the toland the to east the hadeast been had been DentonDenton Dene Dene is an isarea an areaof semi-natural of semi-natural woodland woodland and open and open coveredcovered by houses by houses by the by time the timeof the of Second the Second World World War, War,and the and the grassland.grassland. It is one It is ofone the of oldest the oldest landscape landscape features features in this in part this ofpart of land toland the to west the westwas developedwas developed not long not afterwards.long afterwards.

Newcastle.Newcastle. There There are many are many different different plants plants and wildand flowerswild flowers to to enjoy,enjoy, and it and is a it valuable is a valuable habitat habitat for birds for birds and other and other wildlife. wildlife. In In recentrecent years years the woodland the woodland has been has been further further enhanced enhanced through through the the creationcreation of wildlife of wildlife ponds. ponds.

The DeneThe Dene is also is aalso place a place to remember to remember the history the history of the of local the localarea. area. This heritageThis heritage trail focusestrail focuses on its on history, its history, pointing pointing out key out sites key sitesand and somesome of the of traces the traces of the of past the thatpast remain.that remain.

For manyFor many years years the Dene the Dene marked marked the western the western border border of Newcastle. of Newcastle. AfterAfter Scotswood Scotswood was absorbedwas absorbed into Newcastleinto Newcastle in 1904, in 1904, the new the new city boundarycity boundary followed followed the western the western edge edgeof the of Dene. the Dene. Before Before then,then, it already it already formed formed the boundary the boundary between between the parishes the parishes of of NewburnNewburn to the to west the westand St and John’s St John’s (one (oneof the of city’s the city’s four parishfour parish churches)churches) to the to east. the east. Even Evenfurther further back backin history, in history, this location this location markedmarked another another important important boundary boundary – that – ofthat the of edge the edge of the of vast the vast RomanRoman Empire. Empire.

AlthoughAlthough the map the mapopposite opposite shows shows the Dene the Dene as mainly as mainly surrounded surrounded by greenby green fields fields as late as as late the as end the ofend the of 19 theth century,19th century, this was this notwas not an isolatedan isolated rural ruralarea. area. At the At north the north end, end,Denton Denton Burn Burnvillage village had had growngrown upon upon either either side ofside the of West the West Road, Road, with withcottages, cottages, shops, shops, and aand chapel. a chapel. To the To south the south lay the lay village the village of Scotswood, of Scotswood, clustered clustered mainlymainly along along the riverside, the riverside, with withseveral several small small industrial industrial enterprises enterprises such suchas paper as paper and brick and brickmanufacture manufacture as well as aswell coal as mining.coal mining. Across Across the souththe south of the of area the arearan the ran Newcastle-Carlisle the Newcastle-Carlisle railway railway line, line, openedopened in the in 1830s. the 1830s. The Dene The Dene itself itself was oncewas oncea site a of site industrial of industrial activityactivity as sandstone as sandstone was quarriedwas quarried there there for more for more than thana century. a century.

1 2 DentonDenton Dene Dene Heritage Heritage Trail Trail

Start yourStart walkyour atwalk Denton at Denton Burn Library.Burn Library.

As youAs stand you standhere, here,remember remember that the that West the WestRoad Roadhere followshere follows the the line ofline Hadrian’s of Hadrian’s Wall whichWall which guarded guarded the Roman the Roman Empire Empire for about for about

300 years300 yearsfrom thefrom second the second century century AD. If AD. you If you walk awalk short a shortdistance distance east of east the of library, the library, you you can stillcan see still a seesmall a smallsection section of the of Wall. the Wall. There There is a plaqueis a plaque explaining explaining that this that was this bought was bought by by the Citythe of City Newcastle of Newcastle in 1924 in in1924 order in orderto to preservepreserve it as a it historic as a historic monument. monument.

Note theNote stone the stone building building At theAt end the of end the of grassed the grassed area area beyondbeyond the Wall the whichWall which is is you comeyou cometo Broadwood to Broadwood Road Road now anow restaurant. a restaurant. This is This is and a andturning a turning circle circlefor buses. for buses. the originalthe original farmhouse farmhouse of of ThorntreeThorntree Farm, Farm, pictured pictured BroadwoodBroadwood Road Roadused toused be to be here inhere 1916, in 1916, one of one of calledcalled Stone Stone Row. Row. This picture This picture severalseveral large farmslarge farms that that dates datesfrom 1893.from 1893. were werein this in area. this area. It is It is now anow Grade a Grade II listed II listed Cross CrossBroadwood Broadwood Road Roadand enter and enterthe next the section next section of the of Dene. the Dene. building.building. ThereThere is an interpretationis an interpretation board board next to next the to entrance. the entrance. Continue Continue

downdown the path, the path,reaching reaching an area an of area woodland. of woodland. Where Where the path the path Take theTake path the southpath south from thefrom library the library car park car which park which crosses crosses a a forks nextforks to next the to school the school grounds, grounds, take the take left the hand left handpath downpath down grassedgrassed area. area. This used This toused be tothe be site the of site Denton of Denton Quarry. Quarry. The The throughthrough woodland. woodland. There There is further is further evidence evidence of quarry of quarry workings workings quarryquarry was disused was disused by the by First the World First World War but War evidence but evidence of this of this here. here. Enjoy Enjoya stroll a strollthrough through this area this of area ancient of ancient woodland, woodland, activityactivity can be can seen be inseen the in sandstone the sandstone outcrops outcrops on either on either side of side the of the dominateddominated by oak, by elm, oak, sycamore elm, sycamore and ash. and Manyash. Many of the of trees the treesdate date Dene.Dene. As you As walk, you walk,look to look your to rightyour toright see to if seeyou if can you see can the see the back overback severalover several centuries centuries and are and massive. are massive. This area This is area home is home to to place placedepicted depicted in the in 1840s the 1840s engraving engraving on the on opposite the opposite page. page. This This many manyinteresting interesting birds asbirds well as as well a growing as a growing community community of grey of grey showsshows part of part the of quarry the quarry with a with section a section of the of Roman the Roman Wall andWall a and a squirrels.squirrels. farm buildingfarm building above above it. it. 3 4 Just beforeJust before you leave you leavethe the FollowFollow this path this round path round past a past group a group of trees of ontrees your on left. your In left. front In front woodlandwoodland for the for grassy the grassy of youof there you thereis a grey is a fence grey fenceenclosing enclosing the grounds the grounds of Newcastle of Newcastle area beyond,area beyond, there thereis a path is a path Blue StarBlue Football Star Football Club. Club. branchingbranching off to offthe to right the right ContinueContinue along alongthis path this until path it until joins it thejoins Hadrian’s the Hadrian’s Way National Way National betweenbetween two blocks two blocks of stone of stone Path (markedPath (marked by a brown by a brown sign). sign). Turn leftTurn along left alongHadrian’s Hadrian’s Way. Way. This leadsThis leadsto a series to a series of of This takesThis takesyou out you of out the of Dene the Denearea onto area Dentononto Denton Road. Road. small smallponds ponds where where you may you may find a findvariety a variety of creatures of creatures Note thatNote there that thereare several are several other otherfootpaths footpaths leading leading off the off main the main such assuch frogs as andfrogs newts. and newts. path, path,mainly mainly going goingoff to offthe to left the connecting left connecting to the to urban the urban area of area of

ScotswoodScotswood which which lies to lies the to east the of east the of Dene the Deneand to and facilities to facilities such such You canYou walk can around walk around the ponds the ponds but beware but beware of tree of roots tree rootson the on the as Excelsioras Excelsior Academy Academy (the local (the highlocal school), high school), the Boys the ClubBoys and Club the and the path andpath slippery and slippery surfaces surfaces on the on wooden the wooden boardwalk. boardwalk. When When the the SportsSports Centre. Centre. You cannot You cannot get lost get as lost any as of any these of thesepaths pathswill take will take boardwalkboardwalk ends, ends,retrace retrace your steps your stepsback toback the to main the path.main path. you outyou onto out Dentononto Denton Road. Road. After thisAfter detour this detour to the to ponds, the ponds, the walk the route walk routecontinues continues by by The walkThe route walk routeends whenends whenyou arrive you arrive at Denton at Denton Road. Road. From Fromhere here crossingcrossing the open the grassyopen grassy slopes slopes of the of southern the southern part of part the of Dene. the Dene. you canyou choose can choose your return your return journey. journey. From Fromthere thereyou can you return can return to your to starting your starting point, point, or take or the take the opportunityopportunity to see to what see remainswhat remains of early of 20earlyth century 20th century Scotswood. Scotswood. ReturnReturn through through the Dene the Dene If you Ifprefer you prefer a shorter a shorter walk, walk,you can you return can return to your to starting your starting point point You canYou now can retrace now retrace your steps your stepsback through back through the Dene. the Dene. If you If you now bynow retracing by retracing your steps your stepsback throughback through the woodland the woodland area. area. fancy fancyvarying varying your route, your route, there thereare several are several smaller smaller paths pathspassing passing throughthrough the Dene the Denefurther further west ofwest the of main the pathmain – path but –these but thesehave have To continueTo continue with the with walk the route,walk route, turn right turn whenright whenyou reach you reachthe the the disadvantagethe disadvantage of taking of taking you closer you closer to the to A1 the motorway A1 motorway and are and are main pathmain once path more.once more. Leaving Leaving the wooded the wooded area of area the of Dene, the Dene, you you noisier.noisier. come cometo a grassed to a grassed area. area.On your On left your you left can you see can the see rear the of rear the of the houseshouses on Denton on Denton Road, Road,and on and the on skyline the skyline straight straight ahead ahead of you of is you is CompleteComplete a circular a circular walk walkby turning by turning up Denton up Denton Road Road a white-roofeda white-roofed building. building. The path The curves path curves around around to the to left the to left to You canYou walk can north walk northup Denton up Denton Road toRoad your to starting your starting point pointon the on the meet meeta junction a junction where where there thereare blue are cycle blue pathcycle signs. path signs. West WestRoad. Road. On your On right your youright pass you the pass residential the residential areas areasof of ScotswoodScotswood and Denton and Denton Burn, Burn,built between built between the wars the onwars former on former Turn rightTurn here,right here,keeping keeping on the on main the pathmain – path not –the not very the small very smallpath path farmland.farmland. On your On left your you left pass you a pass row aof row Aged of MineworkersAged Mineworkers whichwhich leads leadspast an past area an of area meadow of meadow which which is full isof full flowers of flowers in the in the Cottages,Cottages, just north just northof the of roundabout the roundabout where where Denton Denton Road meetsRoad meets SpringSpring and Summer. and Summer. WhickhamWhickham View. View. A shortA shortdistance distance further further on you on come you cometo another to another junction. junction. Take Take the widethe pathwide signposted path signposted “Cycleway “Cycleway 72”. 72”. ExploreExplore the history the history of old of Scotswood old Scotswood - turn - theturn page the page 5 6 MemoriesMemories of old of oldScotswood Scotswood 2. Scotswood2. Scotswood Village Village th th Until Untilthe end the of end the of 19 the century, 19 century, Scotswood Scotswood was a was small a smallvillage village of of Close Closeto where to where you are you standing are standing you can you see can a seelarge a largestone-built stone-built terracedterraced housing housing and industries and industries clustered clustered in the in south the south of the of area the area th th churchchurch with terracedwith terraced housing housing beyond beyond it. These it. These are among are among the few the few near thenear river. the river. At the At beginning the beginning of the of 20 the century 20 century some some newer newer visiblevisible remains remains of old of Scotswood, old Scotswood, but there but there was much was much more moreto the to the terracesterraces were werebuilt tobuilt the to north the north of the of original the original village, village, to the to east the east historyhistory of the of area the thanarea whatthan whatmeets meets the eye. the Useeye. the Use images the images and and of theof church. the church. Over time,Over time,these these streets streets became became known known as as informationinformation here, here,together together with thewith location the location map onmap page on 14,page to 14, to ScotswoodScotswood Village. Village. This area This wasarea partially was partially demolished demolished in the in early the early st st help youhelp to you recreate to recreate a picture a picture of Scotswood of Scotswood in the in past. the past. years yearsof the of 21 the century 21 century as part as of part a major of a major regeneration regeneration scheme, scheme, but somebut somestreets streets remain. remain. 1. St Margaret’s1. St Margaret’s Church Church One ofOne these of these is Whitfield is Whitfield At theAt junction the junction of Denton of Denton Road Roadwith Armstrongwith Armstrong Road Roadstands stands St St Road,Road, pictured pictured here inhere in Margaret’sMargaret’s Church, Church, which which is still is the still Anglican the Anglican Parish Parish Church Church for this for this 1908.1908. A new A housing new housing area. area. The church The church was opened was opened in 1917 in 1917during during the turmoil the turmoil of the of the developmentdevelopment called called The The First WorldFirst World War. War.This sketch This sketch dates dates from 1925.from 1925. The exterior The exterior of the of the Rise isRise being is being built built buildingbuilding has changed has changed little, little,but the but interior the interior has been has beensignificantly significantly immediatelyimmediately to the to east the of east of alteredaltered and the and worship the worship area nowarea occupiesnow occupies only a only small a smallpart of part the of the the terraces.the terraces. building.building.

The WarThe Memorial War Memorial 3. Scotswood3. Scotswood Tower Tower for thefor Scotswood the Scotswood BeforeBefore the 1930s the 1930s the area the youarea can you see can around see around you was you mainly was mainly area canarea be can seen be seen farmland,farmland, with awith few a few insideinside the grounds the grounds scatteredscattered big houses. big houses. Just Just at theat junction the junction of of aboutabout where where you are you now are now the twothe roads. two roads. It It standingstanding as you as leave you leavethe the was movedwas moved here inhere in Dene Deneto join to Denton join Denton Road Road 1965 1965from froma a therethere used toused be toa large be a large positionposition further further househouse called called Scotswood Scotswood downdown Denton Denton Road Roadwhen when the road the wasroad realigned was realigned to provide to provide access access TowerTower probably probably dating dating from from to theto new the Scotswood new Scotswood Bridge. Bridge. th th the earlythe early19 century. 19 century. It It Just eastJust of east the of church the church on Armstrong on Armstrong Road Roadstands stands the old the old was demolishedwas demolished in 1984. in 1984. ScotswoodScotswood Library Library building building and, nextand, tonext it, thereto it, there is a green is a green space space FurtherFurther to the to west the ofwest the of Dene the Denethere there was another was another big house big house called called that usedthat toused house to house the Scotswood the Scotswood Baths Baths and Washhouse. and Washhouse. Dene DeneHouse. House. 7 8 4. Denton4. Denton Road Road School School 6. St 6.Margaret’s St Margaret’s Iron ChurchIron Church On theOn opposite the opposite side ofside Denton of Denton Road Road from from the point the point where where you you The StThe Margaret’s St Margaret’s Church Church you you leaveleave the Dene the Dene is a large is a large grassy grassy area. area. This isThis the is site the of site Denton of Denton can seecan now see nowreplaced replaced an an RoadRoad School School which which stood stood at the at junction the junction of Denton of Denton Road Road and and earlierearlier temporary temporary “iron “iron ArmstrongArmstrong Road Road (a long (a longroad roadwhich which runs runsall the all way the eastway fromeast from here here church”church” on Bridge on Bridge Crescent, Crescent, as faras as far St asJohn’s St John’s Cemetery Cemetery in Elswick). in Elswick). Pictured Pictured here herein 1910, in 1910, the the furtherfurther down down the banks the banks in the in the schoolschool had openedhad opened two yearstwo years earlier. earlier. It was It onewas ofone several of several schools schools middlemiddle of the of old the Scotswood old Scotswood built builtin the in west the west end end Village.Village. This photographThis photograph was was at thisat period this period to meet to meet takentaken about about 1900. 1900. the needthe need for universal for universal educationeducation for the for the 7. Adamsez7. Adamsez rapidlyrapidly growing growing IndustrialIndustrial activity activity was concentratedwas concentrated along along the riverbanks. the riverbanks. There There population.population. Denton Denton was awas paper a paper mill theremill there from from the early the early 19th century,19th century, run by run the by the RoadRoad School School closed closed in in GraceGrace family. family. They They were were prime prime movers movers in the in development the development of the of the the 1990sthe 1990s and theand the first bridgefirst bridge over overthe Tyne the Tyne buildingbuilding was was at Scotswood.at Scotswood. After After the the demolisheddemolished in 2001. in 2001. paperpaper mill closed, mill closed, the the site wassite takenwas taken over overby by the sanitarywarethe sanitaryware factory factory 5. Old5. Scotswood Old Scotswood Village Village of Adamsez,of Adamsez, pictured pictured The originalThe original Scotswood Scotswood village village lay in lay the in south the south of the of area the areajust just here hereshortly shortly before before aboveabove the river. the river. Much Much of of closureclosure in 1975. in 1975. the earlythe early housing housing was ofwas of poorpoor quality quality and hadand had

beenbeen demolished demolished by the by the time timeof the of Second the Second World World 8. Adamsez8. Adamsez Drift DriftMine Mine AdamsezAdamsez used used clay fromclay from their their War.War. Little Little remains remains own ownmine mine to manufacture to manufacture exceptexcept memories. memories. sanitarywaresanitaryware and otherand other This photographThis photograph shows shows products.products. The ScotswoodThe Scotswood ChapelChapel Terrace Terrace around around NaturalNatural Community Community Garden Garden 1900.1900. occupiesoccupies the site the of site the of drift the drift minemine today. today. 9 10 9. Vickers9. Vickers Scotswood Scotswood works works 11. Scotswood11. Scotswood Station Station The mostThe most significant significant industrial industrial enterprise enterprise in Scotswood in Scotswood was the was the Until Untilthe 1960s the 1960s the main the mainNewcastle Newcastle to Carlisle to Carlisle railway railway used usedto stop to stop armamentsarmaments and engineering and engineering works works opened opened in 1899 in 1899by Armstrong by Armstrong at Scotswood.at Scotswood. The station, The station, pictured pictured below below in 1950, in 1950, was on was the on the WhitworthWhitworth (later (later Vickers), Vickers), and closed and closed less than less thanhundred hundred years years east sideeast ofside the of village. the village. It was It opened was opened in 1839. in 1839. later.later. This occupiedThis occupied a large a largesite on site the on riverside the riverside east ofeast the of bridge, the bridge, and wasand a was major a major employer employer locally. locally. The peak The peaktimes times for production for production 12. Railway12. Railway Tunnel Tunnel and employmentand employment were were during during the two the world two world wars. wars. In theIn 1870s the 1870s an an extensionextension was added was added This photographThis photograph from fromScotswood Scotswood to to showsshows women women connectconnect the line the with line with workingworking at the at the Newburn,Newburn, Lemington Lemington ScotswoodScotswood and Wylamand Wylam to the to the factoryfactory during during west.west. A tunnel A tunnel was was the Firstthe WorldFirst World built builtunder under Denton Denton War. War. They Theywere were RoadRoad to accommodate to accommodate this, followingthis, following a route a route just above just above Whitfield Whitfield knownknown as as Road.Road. It is now It is brickednow bricked up, but up, the but top the of top the of stonework the stonework is visible is visible munitionettes.munitionettes. from fromWhitfield Whitfield Road, Road, and a and portion a portion of the of stonework the stonework at its atwest its west entranceentrance can be can seen be seenfrom fromDenton Denton Road Road (about (about 50 metres 50 metres above above the sculpturethe sculpture commemorating commemorating the Montagu the Montagu Pit Disaster). Pit Disaster).

13. Benwell 13. Benwell West West Farm Farm BenwellBenwell West West Farm Farm housed housed Fergusons Fergusons Dairy Dairy whose whose horse-drawn horse-drawn 10. Montagu10. Montagu Pit Pit carts cartsdelivering delivering milk milk To theTo west the westof the of Dene the Dene and the and the werewere an everyday an everyday villagevillage was the was Low the MontaguLow Montagu Pit (also Pit (also sight sightaround around the area. the area. knownknown as the as View the ViewPit). Pit).It was It on was the on the The farmThe farmwas located was located site wheresite where B&Q B&Qare now. are now. If you If walk you walk just eastjust ofeast Denton of Denton southsouth down down Denton Denton Road, Road, you will you see will see RoadRoad at the at west the westend end on youron yourleft a left recent a recent memorial memorial to the to the of a lane.of a lane. The road The roadis is victimsvictims of the of infamous the infamous disaster disaster at this at this still knownstill known as as pit whichpit which killed killed 38 men 38 menand boys and boysin in Ferguson’sFerguson’s Lane Lanetoday. today. 1925.1925. 11 12 14. The Chain Bridge The first bridge across the Tyne at Scotswood was opened in 1831. This was a suspension bridge, held up by chains hung from stone towers, soon acquiring the 8 name of Chain Bridge. It was 13 demolished in 1967.

Location Map

The locations of the places described in the previous pages are 10 3 shown on the map on the opposite page, which is based on the 4 1938 Ordnance Survey map of the area. 1

Key 1. St Margaret’s Church 12 2. Whitfield Road, Scotswood Village 2 3. Scotswood Tower 4. Denton Road School 5 5. Chapel Terrace, Old Village 7 6. St Margaret’s Iron Church 7. Adamsez factory 11 8. Adamsez drift mine 6 9. Vickers Scotswood 10.Montagu Pit 11.Scotswood Station 12.Railway tunnel 9 13.Benwell West Farm 14 14.Chain Bridge 13 14

A Message from The Friends of Denton Dene

“The Friends of Denton Dene are delighted to support this heritage trail around the Dene which is a wonderful way to combine nature, history and healthy exercise for the benefit of all ages.”

About the Friends

The Friends of Denton Dene are a friendly and enthusiastic local group who are involved in maintaining this attractive historical green space. The group meets at the Scotswood Community Garden to discuss maintenance and plan activities in the Dene such as park runs, nature walks and litter picks.

The group welcomes new members. If you are interested in joining, contact Scotswood Community Garden on 0191 2750000 for further details.

15 EXPLORING YOUR LOCAL HISTORY A HERITAGE GUIDE

This heritage guide is an introduction to the history of Denton Burn and Scotswood. It includes an illustrated walk trail through Denton Dene and its environs.

Until the end of the 19th century, Denton Burn and Scotswood were small villages – one clustered along the West Road and the other along the banks of the Tyne. They were connected by Denton Dene through which a burn ran south to the river. On either side of the Dene was farmland.

The following decades were to transform the area dramatically, bringing new industries and large-scale housing development until nearly all the land was built up and the former villages had become suburbs of Newcastle. However, the late 20th century brought further changes in the form of industrial decline and extensive housing clearance. Throughout all these changes, Denton Dene remained largely untouched, a valuable green space of mixed woodland and a haven for wildlife.

Join us to explore Denton Dene and the history of the area around it.

St James’ Heritage & Environment Group St James’ Heritage & Environment Group is an independent volunteer-run organisation and registered charity providing activities and resources for people of all ages to explore and celebrate the history of the west end of Newcastle.

Email: [email protected] Website: https://stjamesheritage.com Write: St James’ Heritage & Environment Group, c/o Sunnybank Centre, 12/14 Sunnybank Avenue, Newcastle, NE15 6SD