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The People's History - Newbiggin by the Sea
Mike Kirkup
£9.99 Published by The People's History Ltd
ISBN 1 902527 86 0

Newbiggin has a history which links up this district with kings and princes and old wars. Although the records of the great and good may have been religiously preserved, the recognition of the necessity for recording the activities of what were considered the less important groups of people did not come so quickly.

Mike Kirkup's well illustrated book examines the origins out of which this strange blending of fishing community, colliery village and one-time holiday resort have grown.

Available from Norma@Margaret's Card Shop or direct from Mike Kirkup - contact Jason Thompson for details of how to purchase.

NEW - Sounds Northumbrian by Roy M. Hugman
£4.50 ISBN 9540108-1-7

Local writer and musician Roy Hugman has composed 15 new tunes in the Northumbrian tradition suitable for players of all traditional instruments, including the pipes, recorder, flute etc.

The tunes all have guitar chord accompaniments, and each is illustrated with local photographs, and have a back story to the tune. This book is lovingly produced, and of interest to musicians and local enthusiasts alike. All proceeds from the sale of Sounds Northumbrian go to St. Bartholemew's Church. To purchase copies, contact the author on 0191 237 3483.

Historical Publications

There are a number of good books on the history of Newbiggin by the Sea, but some are becoming increasingly hard to find. Possibly the best pictorial history books are the Newbiggin by the Sea in Old Picture Postcards - Vols 1 & 2 edited by William Harrison (ISBN 90 288 4886 x / CIP & 90 288 3000 6 / CIP published in conjunction with Appleby's Book Shop, Morpeth). At present, I believe Volume 1 is out of print - but you might be lucky and pick up a second hand copy. Volume 2 is priced £7.99, and is available from Norma @Margaret's Card Shop.

Another excellent book is John Robinson's Newbiggin by the Sea - a fishing community, published by Northumberland Library (ISBN 1 874020 00 0). A real local history book, with a focus on the fishing community within the village. Over 100 years of fascinating photographs. As John, born and bred in Newbiggin by the Sea readily admits, to be able to dedicate a book to the people that he knows so well is the realisation of a lifetime's love for the history of the town and it's traditions. Priced £3.95, the book is available from Amazon and other book shops.

Alan Godfrey Maps publish an interesting Newbiggin by the Sea Ordnance Survey map, dating from 1896 (Northumberland Sheet 65.10 - ISBN 0 85054 550 1). Not only is this fine reproduction of the original map, but on the reverse is a detailed account of the life in the village in that year, including a comprehensive list of trades and professions, and the addresses of all business premises. Available for £3.95, along with many other North East historical maps, from Alan Godfrey Maps, 57 Spoor Street, Dunston, Gateshead, NE11 9BD.

Well known local writer and historian Mike Kirkup's book, Through the Needle's Eye, takes its name from the once visible passageway through a rocky outcrop to the south end of the bay. Mike describes the book as a 'series of snapshots in time, and it contains accounts of notable incidents and events in the village's past, as well as numerous photographs and press cuttings. Priced £5.00, available from Norma @Margaret's Card Shop.

Another important book, now almost impossible to find, is Newbiggin's Democracy, published in 1913 by the pioneers of the co-operative society. If anyone knows of other books dealing directly or in part with the history of Newbiggin by the Sea, please contact Jason Thompson.

Newbiggin Keyrings

A range of 12 historic keyrings is available from local shops, featuring photographs of old Newbiggin, including a 1905 picture of the Wesleyan Church, and Victorian children playing on the beach in front of the Church Point. Modern keyrings are also available, showing the cobles and main street.

Newbiggin Coasters

Featuring modern day photographs of the bay, coble yard, church point and other parts of our lovely village. £2.50 each from Norma @Margaret's Card Shop.