The Ralph Erskine Society

Next Plant Sale - Sat 28th May, 11-2pm

2011-05-22T05:15:00.000-07:00

We will be holding another of our very popular plant sales at the East End Pool and Library, Byker on Saturday 28th.

The last one was great fun, very popular and we met loads of enthusiastic, passionate and active gardeners. So those of you who missed the last one we hope that you can get to this event. We will have plants for the allotment, for the garden and for the home on sale for rediculously cheap prices. Some of what we will have are teasel, Michelmas dasies, foxgloves, poppy seeds, some WILD things, some vegetables and some fruit bushes too.

So come along and get inspired - and inspire us to get active in our community!

See you there. Colin

Saturday 23rd April 2011 Plant Sale!!

2011-04-21T09:08:00.000-07:00

We are having a plant sale at the East End Library on Saturday 23rd April between 11am and 2pm. Seeds, flowers, veg and fruit trees should be available at prices from 50pence! BARGAIN.

We want to be inspired to get something going over the summer to brighten the place up. Hope to see you there.

Erskine and Malminkartano

2011-02-19T16:47:00.000-08:00

Colin is just back from a visit to Erskine's housing development in the NW suburb of Helsinki - which is actually our headline photograph above. He was fortunate to make contact with a resident there and had a guided tour of the inside apartments and even the roof! Bit cold at -18degrees but amazing. So thank your Jorma for showing Colin around. We are making international links and it is getting pretty exciting.

Off to a good start in 2011...

2011-01-08T03:46:00.000-08:00

We are starting the new year the way we meant to go on - so December saw the launch of the reborn (from the ashes) Byker Phoenix community newspaper. 20 pages of news, views and local gossip to get people talking, playing and generally interacting in Byker. It is packed with information, games, jokes, sports, gardening tips AND a FREE CUT OUT SANTA!! all for free... you can't complain about that can you?

The Byker Phoenix was originally published by volunteers living in Byker during the mid 70s to the 80s giving residents news on current affairs, redevelopment, local history and local happenings such as the Byker Festival. As a piece of social history the original Phoenixes are a treasured resource in the community.

It has been talked about resurrecting it for a few years now. There is a real need for those living in the Byker Ward to have a public voice and even though there appears to be more of an opportunity for people to engage in social media - facebook, twitter, blogs, etc etc - what are we doing with it and does it give us a group voice as opposed to solely individual opinions?

So we obtained some funding from the Byker Ward Committee, got some paper, a photocopier, scissors and some glue and have put the first issue together using good old technology of cut and paste and the first issue came out in December 2010. Get in touch with us at bykerphoenix@yahoo.co.uk if you would like a copy posting out to you...

Next issue comes out in February 2011 and all contributions are welcome. We especially want to hear from local residents and other residents of Erskine housing (come on you Swedes, get writing!)

Head of Steam

2010-11-13T15:58:00.000-08:00

The Society is surging along - we have had talks with Newcastle University, Northern Architecture, Newcastle Libraries and others and we are all very keen to work together on projects - huge potential to get interesting action going.

We ordered some books from the Centre for Alternative Technology (Wales) and now are the proud owners of 'Shed Nation' which is very inspirational! Also a book on permaculture, planting by the moon and building your own compost toilet. Who can stop us now?

Amazingly, out of the blue, we are also the owners of a brand new tricycle! How cool is that?

Update from our AGM 17th Nov 2010

2010-10-17T12:20:00.000-07:00

We had our AGM today which was a great success. A good cross-section of activists came along to discuss our events over the past year, to assess where we are and where we want to go from here.

There was a lot of enthusiasm for developing more projects - the most popular one seemed to be the relaunch of the Byker Phoenix community newspaper so we will progress with this as a matter of priority as both a printed newspaper and as an online magazine.

We want to continue with our environmental projects around the estate and met with Colin Riley, The Byker Housing Manager, last week to progress ideas to improve Raby Street.

Another popular idea is a regular lawn bowls event at Headlam Street - this can happen again when the season starts in May 2011.

There was a call for a social space to be open daily for people to drop in and socialise. There were a few ideas where this could be.

So keep watching this space for exciting things happening around the estate. The momentum is building! See you here soon.

Here is our stall!

2010-09-17T02:06:00.000-07:00

Quuite impressive I think!

Bolam Coyne Info Event 16th Sept 2010

2010-09-17T01:57:00.000-07:00

The Society took part in this information event for residents of Raby Cross and the surrounding area. It was definately a learning curve for me. RES set up a stall outside of the building, with a table cloth, plants, photographs, books, newspaper cuttings, apples and I (heart) Byker badges. We did this because we like living there, know a few people in the area and basically like humanity and engaging with people.

We had a good day. It is interesting to see the response from different age groups: the under 12s are so enthusiastic about everything, the teenage lads kind of like hanging around being a bit reluctant to want to look interested, many of the adults just are not interested, but some were persuaded to come and get a plant and voice their opinion - which was mainly 'It is shocking that the Council allowed Bolam Coyne to get in to such a mess in the first place and then leave it for 10+' which is a very good question for which I doubt we will ever get an answer!

So here is onwards and upwards!

2010-09-13T17:33:00.000-07:00

But looking on the bright side we did a few tours for Heritage Open Days in September:

August visit to Bolam Coyne

2010-09-13T17:25:00.000-07:00

We dropped by to discuss details with the landscape designers. The Coyne is in a sad state.

Byker Bowling Event - photos

2010-09-13T17:22:00.000-07:00

And a great day was had by all.

Heritage Open Days 2010

2010-09-13T17:13:00.000-07:00

We had a series of walking tours arranged over the weekend around the Byker Redevelopment: the sheltered housing schemes (Mount Pleasant, Avondale House and Tom Collins House; a general introduction to the Byker Redevelopment and an update on progress at Bolam Coyne. We had a great bunch of people along, including Roger Tillotson who designed Avondale House. Colin Haylock from Ryder Architects came along to update everyone on Bolam Coyne too. So thanks to both of them for making the events more personalised.

Roll on 2011.

Bolam Coyne refurbishment

2010-08-25T15:44:00.000-07:00

The Society has been asked to be involved with the refurbishment of Bolam Coyne in south Byker. It has a long history that I will outline at a later date... but just to say some really good things could be coming out of this project so watch this space!!

Byker Bowling Event

2010-08-25T15:42:00.000-07:00

We had a great day up at the Byker Village Bowling Club at Headlam Green. Who said it was for 'old blokies'!

It's all happening in Byker...

2010-07-23T15:52:00.000-07:00

We've been pretty busy the past few weeks what with drawing up our first newsletter, discussions around Bolam Coyne and all of this Community Trust malarkey. Look out for our newsletter which should be coming out in the next few weeks - full of lots of inspiring ideas, info on what we have been doing and plans for the summer.

Activities, activities and so little time...

2010-06-12T16:24:00.000-07:00

We are drawing up plans for Heritage Open Days in September so look out for those. Closer to home we are doing a guided tour for the Ouseburn Trust next week.

Other ideas are to get some community development projects off the ground.

The allotment down at Rabygate (Byker) is coming along great after a slow start due to a late spring.

2010-06-03T06:43:00.000-07:00

We did'nt get access to the Coyne so we decided to do N's front garden instead.

Little Celebration at Bolam Coyne Sat 29th May 2010

2010-05-28T03:35:00.000-07:00

The Society is having a Little Bolam Coyne gathering at the Coyne on Saturday to celebrate the end of 10 years of hard work preventing the demolition of the houses and the hard work of residents over 4 years to clean up and maintain the landscaping around the area.

We have established an allotment in one of the gardens, planted some bulbs and cut back quite a lot of shrubbery, made bird boxes, and had a good few hours of working together, chatting and eating Andy's food.

On Saturday we will be chilling out with a little bit of tidying up and getting some ideas as to how we would like to see the houses developing and what to do with the landscaping and gardens.

I just want to say a BIG thanks and congratulation to all of you who have come along, put time in to this and who love to live in Byker!

P.S. Bring your brolly as it may rain!

New Projects for 2010

2010-04-04T06:10:00.000-07:00

We have started the year off with a whole host of ideas and projects. Here are some of them:

1. Environmental projects around the Byker estate.
2. The first Byker Cherry Festival - sometime around early May.
3. The relaunch of the Byker Phoenix newsletter - watch out for this exciting new development!

And more ideas on the way....

Visit to Roger Tillotson's House

2009-09-16T03:35:00.000-07:00

Roger was a member of the original Byker team and built his own house in 1974. Remarkably in the style of the Byker Redevelopment and in fantastic condition. Amazing what maintenance can do.

Bolam Coyne Sunday 7th June 2009 at 11am..

2009-06-01T11:39:00.000-07:00

The next event we've organised at BC is on Sunday. Come along and do some late spring planting and have some great scran!

Architect in the Wall!

2009-04-08T10:43:00.000-07:00

On Thursday 2nd April 2009 the Ralph Erskine Society had a small meeting with Roger Tillotson. Roger is one of the Byker Team architects and led on the design of Rabygate in the Wall. So we invited him round to have a look and catch up with the locals. He came and showed us a video made of Ralph Erskine at the age of 80 about him and his work. It was a great opportunity to ask questions and hear stories. Hopefully we will arrange further meetings and talks this year.

Latest news from the Society...

2009-03-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been away a long time but life is hectic in Byker!

We have organised another series of events down at Bolam Coyne which were great fun, popular and inspiring. The latest one was Byker Lights which was organised by Andy McD - a lantern making workshop followed by a clean up afternoon, food, digging, planting, eating soup and then lighting the lights. Exhausting but FUN! Roll on the next one. Watch this space. Any has mentioned something about eggs and hens...

Dalton Crescent, Winter sunset

2009-01-08T02:37:00.000-08:00

It's fantastic how the sun highlights the brickwork on Dalton Crescent. The windows were really shining too.

Saturday 1st November 2008

2008-10-24T04:38:00.000-07:00

This is the date for our next event - tidying up, weeding and planting a garden at Bolam Coyne. Hopefully some leaf collection too for our allotments!

Saturday 1st November 2008

2008-10-24T04:35:00.000-07:00

This is the date for the next event organised by us in the Estate. We are heading to Bolam Coyne (a fantastic group of houses and flats) that has been left empty and derelict since 2000. We are going to do some tidying up and planting up of one of the gardens. It really is a fantastic piece of urban design and with a cultivated garden it will just be amazing! Watch out for the photographs...

Things are hotting up in October!

2008-10-11T02:17:00.000-07:00

Plans and strategies are really coming along grand with the Society. We are running an event at Bolam Coyne in November to get us locals involved in looking after the place - one of the finest pieces of 20th century housing in Europe.

Watch this space!

Byker Redevelopment Walk: Trees

2008-05-01T13:47:00.001-07:00

Today we had our first walkabout. It was arranged to coincide with the superb cherry blossom display we have at this time of year. Seamus Tollitt, Walker Park Manager and myself led the walk: I did a bit on the architectural context and Seamus give us all sorts of information about trees and how to identify them.

We covered a tiny section of the estate and the walk took 1.5 hours! We identified: Scots pine, beech, ash, holly, poplar, cherry, silver birch, leylandii, acers, lime, alder and elm.

About 12 people came along and joined in. It rained just before the start, dried up and the last part was in glorious sunshine - which sets Byker off to perfection!

A success!

Hare and Hounds For Sale

2008-05-01T02:45:00.000-07:00

The Hare and Hounds pub - one of the original 'community' facilities from Old Byker - is now closed (hurray! because it was a right charva dive). What can we do with it? A good restaurant/cafe/etc?

This is a photograph taken in 1975 looking up Raby Street towards Rabygate. The Hare and Hounds is on the right.

Talking of 'The Byker Phoenix'

2008-05-01T02:41:00.001-07:00

I guess it would be good if The Ralph Erskine Society had a web based newsletter. This could cover the residents of ALL of his developments.

But it would also be good to have a local newsletter for The Byker Redevelopment, written and produced by residents. This could be the new Byker Phoenix. Cool, eh? Will have to think more of this and have a look at the old ones to see what kind of thing they covered. How often could be produce one? Say every 2 months? What's happening in Byker, what groups are active, housing issues, environment, all those local things.

Meeting more people...

2008-05-01T02:31:00.000-07:00

I was at Marilyn Charlton's leaving do yesterday. She has been the Byker Co-ordinator for several years so has developed many links within the community. So of course there were plenty of people there - and didnt have time to eat because I was too busy talking. There are so many people with such good strories to tell and so I collected more contact details. Also met up with Peggy who lives next to the Hairdressers on Raby Street. She was keen for something to happen in there so that was a good sign. And one of the group HAS A COMPLETE COLLECTION OF THE 'BYKER PHOENIX'! How amazing is that. I am planning to get it digitized.

Oh, also met up with Sirkka Liisa Kottinen to chat about having a photo taken as part of her current project on Byker. Its good to talk with interesting people with different experiences.

More implications of listing

2008-04-28T08:27:00.001-07:00

Advice for Owners of Listed Buildings
Owners have the most important role in looking after historic buildings, and many take great pride in the care of their property and in preserving its character and atmosphere. Local authorities can provide a first level of advice if changes are needed, and can alert English Heritage to any cases where our involvement may be necessary.

When do I need listed building consent?
You will need to get listed building consent from your local council if you want to demolish a listed building or any part of it, or alter it in any way which would affect its character, inside or out. Repairs which match exactly may not need consent, but your local council will advise you on this as the effect of any repairs is not always straightforward. Examples of work which may need consent include changing windows and doors, painting over brickwork or removing external surfaces, putting in dormer windows or rooflights, putting up aerials, satellite dishes and burglar alarms, changing roofing materials, moving or removing internal walls, making new doorways, and removing or altering fireplaces, panelling or staircases.

How do I apply for listed building consent?
Your first step should be to contact your local council before you make the application. The conservation officer will tell you whether your proposals are likely to be accepted. This could save you time and money. It is often best to employ an architect who is used to working with listed buildings. Local authorities deal with all listed building consent cases and will give you the appropriate form for making your application. The majority of cases are dealt with by the local authority, but the most important cases are referred to English Heritage (Notifications) and sometimes to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Referrals). Your application will need to include enough information to show clearly what you intend to do, with detailed drawings and photographs.

How long will it take?
It will usually take at least eight weeks after you send in your application form for a decision to be sent to you. If consent is refused you have six months in which you can appeal to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

What happens if I make alterations without consent?
Carrying out unauthorised work to a listed building is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or a prison sentence and the local council can require you to put the building back as it was.

What is the VAT position?
VAT does not apply to the cost of alterations to listed buildings, although it does apply to repairs and ordinary maintenance. For more detail see the leaflet VAT: Protected buildings (708/1/90), available from VAT offices.

Implications of Listing a Building...part 1.

2008-04-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

As you may know the Byker Redevelopment is a 'listed' English social housing estate. I have just taken this from the English Heritage website. Please note the text highlighted in RED:

What Does Listing Mean?
Why do we list? The word 'listing' is a short-hand term used to describe one of a number of legal procedures which help English Heritage to protect the best of our architectural heritage. When buildings are listed they are placed on statutory lists of buildings of 'special architectural or historic interest' compiled by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, on advice from English Heritage.

Listing is not intended to fossilise a building.

A building's long-term interests are often best served by putting it to good use, and if this cannot be the one it was designed for, a new use may have to be found.

Listing ensures that the architectural and historic interest of the building is carefully considered before any alterations, either outside or inside, are agreed.

Why are buildings chosen?
We select listed buildings with great care. The main criteria used are:

architectural interest: all buildings which are nationally important for the interest of their architectural design, decoration and craftsmanship; also important examples of particular building types and techniques, and significant plan forms

historic interest: this includes buildings which illustrate important aspects of the nation's social, economic, cultural or military history , close historical association with nationally important buildings or events, group value, especially where buildings comprise an important architectural or historic unity or are a fine example of planning (such as squares, terraces and model villages)

The older and rarer a building is, the more likely it is to be listed. All buildings built before 1700 which survive in anything like their original condition are listed, as are most built between 1700 and 1840. After that date, the criteria become tighter with time, because of the increased number of buildings erected and the much larger numbers which have survived, so that post-1945 buildings have to be exceptionally important to be listed. Buildings less than 30 years old are only rarely listed, if they are of outstanding quality and under threat.

See See post-war listing.

Why are there three grades?
Listed buildings are graded to show their relative importance:
Grade I buildings are those of exceptional interest.

Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest

Grade II are of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them.

There are 370,000 or so list entries currently protected by listing, and of those by far the majority - over 92% - are Grade II. Grade I and II* buildings may be eligible for English Heritage grants for urgent major repairs.

So looking at this The Byker Redevelopment is considered 'exceptionally important', 'outstanding quality' and in the top 8% of those buildings that have been listed in England.

Quite amazing really.

Heritage Open Days, September 2008

2008-04-28T07:40:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about what to arrange for HoD in September:

exploring the common heritage of Erskine's developments
linking groups who live in Byker
a series of special activities and events
doing a guided tour leaflet for The Byker Redevelopment
putting on a photographic exhibition with links to flickr and these blogs
other things!

Just a thought...

2008-04-28T06:34:00.000-07:00

As I have been on the trail of Erskine archive material from the 60s and 70s concerning the Byker Redevelopment, it has made me think...

... there is so much 'regeneration' going on in this country: now they are 'redeveloping' the Redevelopment. So what went wrong?

Erskine Archive

2008-04-25T15:09:00.001-07:00

Today I visited George Tullin, Planning Support at the Civic Centre. He showed me what he has with regard to images of the Byker Redevelopment before, during and after construction. Some spectacular images, one of which is shown here. Please remember it is copyright of Newcastle City Council.

I think that there is a lot of information out there - its just a matter of tracking it down. People seem keen to help too, which helps.

WELCOME

2008-04-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

This blog has been set up to promote debate and discussions around the work of this Anglo-Swedish architect. Please keep visiting to see what the debates are and to contribute your opinions.