Vista Restored

 The deeply unlovely former Commercial Union building that was imposed on Pilgrim Street for forty something years is now a heap of graded rubble. It did have a late and honourable existence as a hub for many 'alternative' organisations and art galleries, and, in this iteration at least, was a generous and useful space for organisations and collectives that famously contribute much for very little financially. What became of these when the building was closed I do not know in any detail.

The great thing about such architecture is that it comes down easily. A similar eyesore on Sandyford Road, the old Tyne and Wear Council offices built using the discredited clasp system, is also in process of moving in the direction of clinker. That leaves one other Truly Ugly 20th Century Buildings on the author's list to be dealt with ... Hopefully.

What made the former Commercial Union offices stand out was that it stood out. Literally. The idea, as explained to me by an architect, was that these air grabbing buildings were conceived to block vistas. They acted like a screen to hide views down important streets. Why I can but guess. The only other example of this 'innovation' for urban spaces, the former Norwich Union building on Collingwood Street went to recycling years ago. The consequence was immediate and welcome. Space and light once more, enhancing neighbouring, older buildings, instead of detracting from them. Hard and soft landscaping and refurbishment of the Stephenson Memorial has given back something to the city. I hope the same can be said for Pilgrim Street. One immediate gain has been the view from Northumberland Street; distant trees and the unmistakeable spire of Saint John's, Gateshead Fell.

The site when cleared is proposed for a huge office complex to stand alongside so many others around the city who have either been abandoned or never had a serious use since completion. Why not convert these into apartments? Why not indeed when so much Green Belt waits to be turned into profit?

Watch it come down!

Lots more to do

The Grade II Listed facade of the former North East Electricity Board is to be preserved

Fruitful

Blossom time in Lower Ouseburn April 2022

Nestled between huge and over spanning bridges, Lower Ouseburn hosts wildlife and domesticated animals in the hugely popular City Farm.

Recently serious maintenance work has been undertaken on one of the developing projects, an orchard of fruit trees. Planted few years ago these were pretty difficult to locate. Earlier work on boardwalks over some splashy places had become dilapidated and numerous other plants and herbs had grown to obscure the fruit trees. Now a lot has been carried out. New gates, wheelchair friendly paths, and much clearing away of overgrowth to reveal the steadily developing fruit trees are still there and thriving. Two ponds replace one, and fencing makes it possible for grazing to occur, that will, in turn, suppress the more aggressive plants and allow an more meadow like flora to develop.

Storms rent through the Lower Ouseburn and many trees, shallow rooted on that thin soil produced by in-filling in the 19th century, were brought down. But most survive and already plants are taking advantage of the opening up to sunlight clearance by Nature's Hand has produced.

Photo gallery here. (off site link)

Eat Sandyford

At the height of the Pandemic I feared that the growing number of places to eat and socialise that has become a defining feature of Sandyford might not survive.  It's pleasing to see all have – diversifying by offering take out services. The variety of newly opened and continuing cafés, 'bistro' and restaurants have added something to the whole area.

Here's a few. If I left your favourite out then watch for a follow up when the evenings are longer and the warmer weather comes along.

The importance of small things

 Following three storms inside a week, a pause to admire the fortitude of nature:

The moods of nature have their counterpart in ours. These past years have created stress and strain on all of us, some more deeply than others. How many times have I read or heard that access to the outdoors 'saved' many from depression, anxiety and loss? What once seemed fanciful or important to a few is now acknowledged as having much wider significance: We need green space for our health and well being.

Today news of a campaign being mounted to place this need much more centrally in our futures mapped in government plans for social advance:

UK wildlife campaigners call for legal right to access nature for all

Activists say one in three people in England cannot access green spaces, with the poorest most deprived

"Communities and NGOS would have the ability to take local authorities to court if they failed to provide healthy green space, under plans set out by more than 60 nature, planning, health and equality organisations. They argue that despite the fact there is strong evidence that accessible, nature-rich spaces boost our physical and mental wellbeing, and reduce mortality, one in three people in England cannot access nature near their home."

Those of us who understand this must make sure our local representatives and council get the message: Green space is not just a development opportunity in waiting.

Read the whole article here.

Development opportunity

Cut backs: Flowering cherries chain sawed by order of the City Council 2020

England’s poor urban areas have fewest protected green spaces, analysis finds

CPRE urges ministers to promise ‘equivalent of a national park for every neighbourhood’

(from The Guardian 2nd February 2022) Link to article in text below. 

The CPRE has very good point. Read more here.

The City Stadium (a.k.a. Battlefield, so-called since last century Newcastle City planners wanted to turn this precious green place in to parking for projected 'much needed' (sic) offices) qualifies.

From the article:

Local green spaces are small parcels of land, close to where people live, that are demonstrably special to their community, for reasons that can include their beauty, historic significance, recreational value, tranquility or richness of wildlife. ...

Crispin Truman, the Chief Executive of CPRE, said: "This is a solution to levelling up that has been hiding in plain sight; a planning super power in the hands of ordinary people,. All that people have to prove is they use and value the land fr it to be protected like it is a national park. ...

What might be helpful is a Council that doesn't ignore, finagle, deceive, scheme and pat itself on the back at the same time.