Mick Southwick

🚨 Check out my #localhistory books on #NewcastleUponTyne & the #NorthEast . All profits to @GreatNorthCH . All 7 books are 200page affairs & can be found displayed on my blog at newcastle-history.blogspot.com or at linktr.ee/historymick Hope you enjoy them, & thank you! #Newcastle

@TyneSnapper @UniofNewcastle That's great, Steve, thanks. I agree that the relic is more likely a 19th century effort. Still, though, a nice touch to leave it where it is.

Installed on the wall of the Great North Museum, you can see it on the lane that cuts through from Claremont Road to Devonshire Terrace, more or less underneath Claremont Bridge. It represents St Mary Magdalene. The sculpture comes from the St Mary Magdalene Hospital, the original 12th centurty hospital was more or less on the spot now occupied by St Thomas Church and assisted and treated lepers. The 12th century hospital was replaced in 1874 when a new facility was erected behind the Hancock Museum In 1874, the hospital was moved to a new location behind the Hancock Museum. That building was demolished in the 1960's. Of course it wasn't a hospital in the sense we use the term these days, the 19th century building was more of an alms house, akin to the Holy Jesus Hospital. In 1959 38 bungalows were erected at Spital Tongues to contunue the tradition of providing accommodation for the elderly. Of course it is debatable as to whether the sculpture is from the 12th or 19th century building, if I was a betting man I would tend to go for the latter. This is an image of the 19th century hospital, courtesy of the Newcastle City Libraries Flickr Photostream:

Can anyone explain this little relic amidst the Newcastle University buildings near the Hancock? It's near the approach to the western side of Hadrian Bridge. Something to do with the long-gone Hospital of St Mary Magdalene? #Newcastle #NewcastleUponTyne @UniofNewcastle

@peteohanlon I like this explanation, Peter. Makes sense!

@HistoryMick There was a consultation exercise between park users, the Friends of, and the local community. They decided that this would catch the eye, with a nod to Harry Potter, meaning people would be more likely to stick to the limit.

I've wondered this for a while, but what exactly is the point of this speed sign at the gates of Newcastle's Exhibition Park? Bizarre, or what? #Newcastle #NewcastleUponTyne

A little known #Newcastle story is the mystery of the Grey Horse fortune. Read all about it on my blog at newcastle-history.blogspot.com/2026/05/the-my… #NewcastleUponTyne Please RT! 🙂

Fancy a wander around Killingworth - the old bits, that is? Then check out my latest blog post at newcastle-history.blogspot.com/2026/05/a-wand… #Killingworth

#Newcastle history: Previously unpublished photos of the old Scotswood bridge, and the construction of the new bridge alongside, from October 1965. The new bridge was finally demolished in 1967. (Photos from the collection of Eddie Bailey - photographer unknown.)

Previously unpublished photos looking west along Collingwood Street #Newcastle, 1968. You can see all the beautiful buildings that used to be outside Central Station. (Photos from the collection of Eddie Bailey - original photographer unknown.)

Previously unpublished photos looking along Mosley Street #Newcastle, 1968. You can just see the old buildings that used to be behind the soon-to-be completed Swan House before they were also flattened. (Photos from the collection of Eddie Bailey - original photographer unknown.)

#Newcastle history: A previously unpublished photo of the demolition of Kemsley House in April '67. Formerly the offices of The Evening Chronicle, replaced by Westgate House, in turn demolished in 2007. (Photo from the collection of Eddie Bailey - photographer unknown)

Durham University’s Museum of Archaeology awarded National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to redevelop its main gallery. The Museum of Archaeology on Palace Green has free entry and is one of the Durham’s gems. durham.ac.uk/news-events/la…

Amazing & previously unpublished pics of @marksandspencer in #Newcastle August 1965, at the junction of Northumberland Street and Prudhoe Street.(Photos from the collection of Eddie Bailey - original photographer unknown)

Previously unpublished photos of The Tyneside Summer Exhibition, #Newcastle July '74. I used to LOVE going to these when I was a bairn. You'd come away with bags of plastic tat from the exhibitors. Lush fun. (Photos from the collection of Eddie Bailey - photographer unknown)

#Newcastle history: Previously unpublished photos of Earl's Corner opposite Central Station in April 1967, featuring the legendary Barbecue Express. Note the flower stall outside. (Photos from the collection of Eddie Bailey - photographer unknown) @NewcastleCC

📸🧵 HISTORICAL NEWCASTLE PHOTOS! Years ago, my Dad got an amazing collection of negatives at a car boot, shot by an unknown local photographer, Here's some of them. 1 / An amazing shot from April 1967 of the construction of Swan House roundabout.

The hotel where Joe Harvey persuaded Malcolm Macdonald to sign for Newcastle in 1971. Bertie Mee said to Joe Harvey, “Have you heard of the North Bank, Highbury?” “No” says Joe, “I don’t think so. But I’ve heard of The Leazes aggro” 👊

Demolition work in progress on the corner of the Quayside & Broad Chare, Newcastle upon Tyne with the Baltic Wine Cellar at centre.

Crown Posada, Newcastle 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 4th visit. Quiet Sunday early evening. A good example of a city institution that hasn't rested on its laurels. A good beer selection on cask, keg and in the fridge. Both traditional and yet in shape and design utterly singular. 👍🍻