New Year – New Tricks

 Another year passes – but not like previous years when all kinds of 'threats' lingered over 'Battlefield'. This seems like a new time for this piece of unregistered public open space. The arrival of Wild Intrigue has been a boon; previous custodians Urban Green were not bad despite the aura of suspicion that greeted them. But Intrigue have really gone big on the Battlefield! Much that has been done this year will only cement the idea od Battlefield becoming a properly registered park, placed beyond the reach of the City's 'planners'.

It is all a far cry from the turn of the century when the green lung of Sandyford and Ouseburn might have been gobbled up by corporate interests.

I still haven't got around to fixing the issue of a blog photographic library that records Battlefield's recent history from the biological sense of growing and developing. I hope to do something, even if just a few images from various decades.

Meanwhile, thanks to Wild Intrigue and their volunteers for the great work they have done and will go on to do to this increasingly precious piece of urban green landscape.

Best Wishes for 2026

January 2016

More Intrigue Afoot

 Wild Intrigue, encouraged by a successful pilot scheme this Spring have gone all in for 2026 with a whole series of wild flower 'meadows' to add to the previous beds that sprang to life in May and June.

Turf has been lifted on plots across the northern edge of the open space aligned with the footpaths. The next phase is seeding later this month. Then it's fingers crossed!

Images of the work in progress:

We can't be sure that this scheme makes the status of the City Stadium (a.k.a. Battlefield) secure given the record of the City Council; but it must help, one hopes, to change their mind over what one of their agents described as 'threatening'.

What's New or Pre-Loathed in architecture?

 The old (very old) and hideous Tyne & Wear Council building that looked like something in East Germany containing not very nice people has had a long facelift. Maybe Covid 19 slowed the pace? But is was worth the wait in my opinion. Making something that challenging look good would test the minds and budget of any of those 'improvements' shows on the telly.

Former clip built concrete slab box springs into new life. The work entailed gutting the interior (and doubtless removing pre-healtha nd safety hazards ...) The result is not just a facade.

The new building seems to embrace its site with something like delight.

My hope is that this residential development impacts on the neighbourhood positively. One issue for this writer is pedestrian access. This involves either using discredited tunnels (avoid) or under slung pathways. Not good. A solution should be found.

A much less warm welcome from me for the new government offices on Pilgrim Street. The building is so-so; at least the architecturally significant sweeping facade of the old North East Electricity Board building on Market Street has been preserved – indeed lovingly so. But it is the scale and position of the site that gives rise to issues. It seems wrong in terms of access and the direction of travel for this part of the city; a more cultural focused area. Space elsewhere to the east is crying out for such a development as this and the traffic implications for the city centre much less problematic. I suppose the temptation to grab a damn great feather to stick in their cap was just too much of the mediocrities who run Newcastle.

It is interesting how one new building makes one look at an older, now neglected one, in a new way. Pearl building Brutalism meets Neo-Festival Britain modernism

Impressive is a word that fits this dramatic cliff of Portland stone.

Groundwork

A wander around doing a litter pick. It has astonished me how much the Battlefield (a.k.a. 'City Stadium') has developed into a real park from it's humble beginning as I saw forty years or more ago. Trees are approaching something like maturity; the wildlife interest has developed inline with that. It is wonderful to see how well most users enjoy its opportunities for relaxation and informal sport, a safe space for children. Most but not all; there is a litter problem but nota fly tipping problem thankfully. Litter sends a signal and it is never a good one.

Photographic galleries are an issue and when I have the time I am going to seek a solution. Meanwhile I do have along time photographic library and I hope to make that public.

An Important Annoucement!

 Or, rather, message. What ever we do, it does not matter about scale, but together we can make a difference to wildlife and our own lives.

A short film explains all!

A bit of 'guerilla' gardening!