Sandman
05-05-2009, 11:31 AM
Visited with theoss
After a couple of reccies and a good couple of weeks just itching to get this place done the time was right last night.
A little history and general info -
St. Mary's Church, a familiar landmark, standing high above the Tyne, has witnessed many changes during its 900 year history. One of Gateshead's last remaining links to its medieval past, until 1825 it was the only Anglican church in Gateshead and was therefore considered as the "mother church" of Gateshead. It was also the only place in Gateshead where you could get married!
Although we have no evidence telling us when the church was first built there are some clues that suggest this is a building whose history stretches back many centuries. For example, a local historian, John Hodgson, who was once a curate at St Mary's, has speculated that as some of the oldest stones in the church are shaped or hewed after the Roman style, they could have been taken from an old Roman building. While this remains guesswork, there are certainly historical records of monastic life in 'Getehed' dating from 653 AD. St. Mary's is reputedly built on the site of Gateshead monastery, although there is nothing to show its exact location.
More availible here
http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Leisure%20and%20Culture/Local%20History/heritage/Background%20and%20History.aspx
After waiting for the shirt and tie brigade to clear off when the sage was kicking out at about midnignt we made our access in leaving tictac who is no lover of the high stuff at the car to kep an eye open at ground level.
A nice relaxed climb once onto the scaffold with plenty of ladders and good cover from the saftey netting.
Panorama-a-graph looking towards Newcastle.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/panchurchpano.jpg
most dissapointing - No one getting jiggy at the Gateshead Hilton :p
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/church011.jpg
Tyne bridge
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/church015.jpg
tictac on ground patrol
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/church049.jpg
The Sage
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/church055.jpg
Economy clock - its all bloody plastic :thumbd
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/church059.jpg
Looking towards Gateshead. A skyline that will change soon when the Get carter carpark goes
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/church045.jpg
Gateshead Millenium bridge. Left this shot a little late as its normaly all lit up
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/church050.jpg
Self portrait
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/church031.jpg
Groundfloor shot of tower/scaffold
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/164.jpg
Spent a good hour or so up there just chillin' out and watching the world go by.
:thumb
After a couple of reccies and a good couple of weeks just itching to get this place done the time was right last night.
A little history and general info -
St. Mary's Church, a familiar landmark, standing high above the Tyne, has witnessed many changes during its 900 year history. One of Gateshead's last remaining links to its medieval past, until 1825 it was the only Anglican church in Gateshead and was therefore considered as the "mother church" of Gateshead. It was also the only place in Gateshead where you could get married!
Although we have no evidence telling us when the church was first built there are some clues that suggest this is a building whose history stretches back many centuries. For example, a local historian, John Hodgson, who was once a curate at St Mary's, has speculated that as some of the oldest stones in the church are shaped or hewed after the Roman style, they could have been taken from an old Roman building. While this remains guesswork, there are certainly historical records of monastic life in 'Getehed' dating from 653 AD. St. Mary's is reputedly built on the site of Gateshead monastery, although there is nothing to show its exact location.
More availible here
http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Leisure%20and%20Culture/Local%20History/heritage/Background%20and%20History.aspx
After waiting for the shirt and tie brigade to clear off when the sage was kicking out at about midnignt we made our access in leaving tictac who is no lover of the high stuff at the car to kep an eye open at ground level.
A nice relaxed climb once onto the scaffold with plenty of ladders and good cover from the saftey netting.
Panorama-a-graph looking towards Newcastle.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/panchurchpano.jpg
most dissapointing - No one getting jiggy at the Gateshead Hilton :p
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/church011.jpg
Tyne bridge
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/church015.jpg
tictac on ground patrol
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/church049.jpg
The Sage
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/church055.jpg
Economy clock - its all bloody plastic :thumbd
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/church059.jpg
Looking towards Gateshead. A skyline that will change soon when the Get carter carpark goes
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/church045.jpg
Gateshead Millenium bridge. Left this shot a little late as its normaly all lit up
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/church050.jpg
Self portrait
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/st%20Marys%20Church/church031.jpg
Groundfloor shot of tower/scaffold
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h320/landyloony/164.jpg
Spent a good hour or so up there just chillin' out and watching the world go by.
:thumb