Roy Lawson

Awesome!

Build update! We've finished thatching our late Neolithic roundhouse and have moved on to the walls. We normally don't know much about walling materials, especially from this long ago, but incredibly some of the wall from the original structure actually survived. ⬇️

We think we may have a new favourite mosaic fish. 🤩🐟 #MosaicMonday

Fenwick’s. Once clustered in with Bainbridge’s, Shepherd’s, Cook’s, Binns, Howard’s, Beavans, Parrish and Wengers. It’s the solitary survivor of Newcastle’s once thriving department scene. Another long read anyone? J J Fenwick first appeared on this site as a draper and ladies tailor, though also provided other services & goods like funeral arrangements, sunshades and mantle making. He was originally the manager and buyer for Messrs. Brag & Co, another firm who specialised in draperies and ladies clothing on Pilgrim Street. His skills and experience clearly led his aspirations to open his own store - originally a doctors house. The success of the store early on is clear. There are constant notices through the 1880s for new dressmakers with a “wage no object to skilled workers”. As you can see in the historic photos below from 1885, 1890s, the store grew in size fairly rapidly. In fact, it only took a decade for the firm to open on Bond Street in London and swallow up adjacent plots at the Newcastle site. In 1893 a full handmade facsimile of the Bayeux Tapestry was exhibited at the store. The Archbishop of Canterbury made a fleeting visit before leaving for Chollerford to visit Chester’s Fort. From 1897, the firm became a PLC, further highlighting its growth. The white stone facade we see today dates from 1913, incorporating the old doctors house as well as the old Oak Leaf pub, a billiards room and two more shops surrounding. The new building gave it a frontage of 116ft and five storeys high. The French Renaissance frontage combined with Italian marble floors and solid mahogany furnishings to make for an experience few will have encountered. There was even a fountain inside with a life sized figure imported from Italy, replicating one found at Pompeii. This is also when the traditional Christmas bazaar opened, and at this stage the firm employed 500 people. Marshall and Tweedy led the designs for this megastore, who were also responsible for the Portland Terrace Bus Depot, 107-109 Pilgrim Street and the Whitley Bay Playhouse. Historic photos: Newcastle Libraries

Morph's 'morphed' into Count Dracula this Halloween to wish you a treat-filled day! #Halloween

In 2001, the Newbridge Iron Age chariot burial was uncovered near Huly Hill, west of Edinburgh, excavated by Headland Archaeology. The first of its kind in Scotland, it links Iron Age Scotland to Continental Europe with its intact burial style. #IronAgeScotland

Front of house carved a pumpkin. What it lacks in quality it makes up for in "Grrrr"

We're being ovinerun!!! #hadrianswall #nationaltrail

#Housesteads #weatherreport Rain with smattering of recruits! #KeepingtheEmpiresafe @HWpath @EHEducation

A patera has appeared at Houseteads, the Romans are said to be looking in to it! #KeepingtheEmpiresafe #Housesteads @wallcurator

Lovely!

The Sun is out, The Sky is cloudy, Waiting for recruits, Time to be rowdy! #KeepingtheEmpiresafe #Housesteads #HadriansWall

Awesome!

Another soggy day at #Vercovicium Aye, at least the Centurion's dry... #Housesteads #KeepingtheEmpiresafe #HadriansWall

Well Done Everyone!

Today's our birthday 🎈🎉🎈21 years young. #hadrianswall #nationaltrail

You had to ask, didn't you

@PotsOfHistory Can be, we made that mistake at the Mother-in-Law's 60th!!!

@RAeliusVictor Good point. That could be a genuine problem 🤔

Felix natalis - and watch out for smoke detectors!

...and it just got soggier and soggier! @southgateHD5 couldn't help thinking of you #Housesteads #HadriansWall