Meeting Notice 12 August

Meeting Notice 12 August

We had a good turnout at the Hancock Museum which is currently hosting Spineless which is the first major natural history exhibition at the museum since it reopened in 2009. It was created by the museum’s own team and showcases specimens from the museum’s extensive natural history collections not currently on display, with live specimens including the world’s heaviest stick insect and largest spider. 

One of our challenges from the last meeting was to find out more about the Theatre Royal and the old Theatre that was in Drury Lane. This came about from an article that John gave us about his distant relative Thomas O. Small who was an artist-engraver-sculptor who worked for a short time with John Dobson. Mr Small designed one of the chandeliers that was originally in the new theatre but he had procured the front edifice of the old theatre in Drury Lane some 30ft wide and we were curious about the old theatre. You can read more about T.O.Small by clicking on the link in the Blog Archive on the right.

Maureen, Dorothy and Margaret had produced an article about the theatre which Maureen read out to us. The article and more information can be obtained by clicking on the link in the Blog Archive on the right.There was mention in the theatre article about a group called the York Company of Players who performed plays in the Turks Hotel Long Room in the Bigg market. Peter said he would take it on as a challenge to find out more. David said he would try and find some images of the old theatre and Drurey Lane. 

Dave talked a little about the New Tyne Theatre Now the Journal Tyne Theatre and the Jewish cemetery which was enclosed around the site. Members may recall Michael arranged a visit during one of his history classes.

 

 We thought it may be useful to collect our own photos of the historical buildings and places around Newcastle so if some of you want to have a trip out with the camera let us know.

John has another interesting story about another one of his relatives who went Gold mining in Papua in the twenties. As soon as I have it scanned I will post it. It would be interesting to follow this up as a challenge about miners from the north east moving further a field.

Our next meeting is at the Hancock Musuem 10:30 Wednesday September 2. Bring along yourselves and any work you would like to share with us.