HERITAGE OPEN DAYS - 2

Another Heritage Open days event today - had to pre- book this one.  It was a tour of the Civic Centre in Newcastle.  The tour started at 12 noon and lasted around 2 hours.

It was really interesting and I learned a lot about the history of the building and the things in it. It is the main administrative and ceremonial centre for Newcastle City Council, was completed in 1967 and formally opened on 14 November 1968 by King Olav of Norway. It is a Grade 11 listed building. Scandinavian influences feature heavily in the design and fittings.

There is a wonderful chandelier hanging over the main staircase. We also saw a wooden model of Newcastle city centre. We went into the Council Chamber, had a look around the " Silver Room", saw the Mayor's regalia  and The Banqueting Hall.  There was a Vintage Fair on in The Banqueting Hall which we were allowed to visit for free - there is normally a charge.

The Civic Centre is also notable for its modern sculptures in particular the River God Tyne and Swans in Flight both by David Wynne and the Seahorses on the top of the tower. The seahorses are 1.4 metres long.

At the end of the tour we had the chance to go up to the Bell Tower or Carillion. There are 25 bells with a combined weight of 22 tonnes. The Bells are huge, with the largest one weighing 3.5 tons. The Bells are fixed, but the clappers move. The clappers are controlled by a keyboard rather than bell ringers. Its a Flemish instrument and the person controlling it is known as a Carilloner rather than a bell ringer. The Civic Centre bells are normally rung by a GP from Lanchester - Dr Blunt.  He was there today and you can see him in my collage - with his keyboard.  He told us all about it and played a tune. He needs to hit the keyboard quite hard and wears leather gloves when he is playing.  Then we went up to the level above him to where the actual bells were and then he played again.  I expected the noise to be deafening but it was OK.  You can see a couple of the bells HERE

Apart from seeing and hearing the bells we all enjoyed the views from the Bell Tower which were wonderful - you can see for miles.  I have put a photo in my extras showing The Sage and The Tyne Bridge.

In this PHOTO you can see the Bell Tower and also all the different flags flying to welcome students from all over the world who are arriving in Newcastle to begin their studies.

After the tour I lingered in the Vintage Fair for a bit.  It was quite disappointing.  Stuff you would find in a charity shop - but at 10 times the price.  The only plus point was a live singer who was very good. 

Next I popped int St Thomas The Martyr Chuch which is quite near the Civic Centere and which was also taking part in the Heritage Open Days.   Like yesterdays Church the stained glass windows were lovely - and there was a magnificent organ.

Then I did a bit of food shopping.  Couldn't stay in town for too long as I had to be back  home in time to listen to the football match on the radio - Newcastle were playing away at Derby.  Final score - Derby 0 Newcastle 2. Newcastle are now 2nd in the table.  Hope this winning streak continues.

The weather today has been lovely again - warm and dry.  We certainly haven't had the rain that a lot of folk seem to have had.

Late posting this blip as I took so many photos today its taken ages to upload them, sort them out, put them on Flickr, make a collage etc. 

Steps today - 11,429