Now Centre for Advanced Rabbinics. ARCHITECT William S Chambers (Fawcett St, Sunderland & Neville St, N/C) DATES 1871 Sits well. Nice way of finishing 2 terraces. Nice features. Interest in layout, design, appearance and history. LOCAL LIST

This little, informal grouping is of great interest as one of the earliest in Low Fell. When originally constructed they would have been nearby to the old Whinny House Estate, and number 3 clearly follows an historic route as it is cut off at one corner. It is likely that this is the oldest building, present on a map of 1822, although No. 1 could have been altered rather than entirely rebuilt, as there is a building on site but in a different form. There was a building present on the site of no. 4, but this may have been rebuilt – it is certainly later than no.3 as the roof is built over the top. Number 2, however, has been completely rebuilt in an unsympathetic way, and is now discordant within the grouping. The 2 storey sandstone cottages were constructed in local materials but have Welsh slate roofs. The architectural detailing varies significantly, with nos. 3 and 4 rather formal, polite and embellished, but no.1 plain. The detailing on number 3 looks older than elsewhere, with very large quoins and an elegant canopy formed of a cornice on beautifully carved scrolled brackets, above a moulded door surround. The window openings may have been altered, and the coursed, dressed stonework to the front contrasts with the rubble construction to the side. The roof is hipped with a stone chimney, but has in all likelihood been altered, as to the western end of the front elevation an attractive and detailed kneeler remains, almost obscured by the wonderfully moulded eaves cornice of no. 4. It must have originally had a pitched roof with water tabling to gables, but may have been altered when a route along the edge of the house was made. To no. 4 the moulding to the eaves cornice is echoed in the window surrounds, but the door surround is plan. These both enjoy historic slate roofs, whereas that to no. 1 has unfortunately been replaced with concrete tiles. This building is of coursed, dressed stone, also, but lacks the architectural refinements of the other buildings – however, it still sports the historic blue enamel sign for the row. None of the original windows now remain in the properties – it would be positive if sashes could be reinstated (no.4 historically boasted margin sashes), and a slate roof reintroduced to no. 1. MATERIALS Sandstone, slate DATES 3-4 Early 19th century? 1 Mid 19th century LOCAL LIST

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Scored stucco. Red pantiled roof, 2 storeys. Modern door to front. 3 16 panelled sashes to ground floor, 3 above in half-dormers. 3 Brick chimneys. Rear has a gabled 2 storey wing and a kitchen wing as a lean-to with catslide roof. Low range of farm buildings adjoin in long rectangular plan. It is present on a plan of 1805 (DT.BEL/2/6). DATES Late 18th century LOCAL LIST

A grand Victorian Low Fell Villa built for John Morland, Bacon Factor, in a desirable spot near Derwent Crook in 1868 or 1869. LOCAL LIST

This stately old pub in weathered russet brick and stone is a period piece of modest proportions but undeniable grandeur, restrained in its detailing yet balanced and exuding quality. It replaced a much earlier one, which was of great historic significance as the place where the Judges of Assize were met by the Sheriff of Northumberland, on their way to hear criminal cases in the Courts of Assize at Newcastle. Unfortunately it has lost its original windows, but all the other details of the original design are still in evidence. A dentilled cornice with frieze beneath, stone window surrounds, a massive canted stone bay, and monumental stone door surrounds with unusual miniature pediments both detailed with (egg and dart mouldings) all contribute to the character of the composition. The whole is surmounted by the original welsh slate roof with delicately looped terracotta ridge tiles, and finished with square section cast iron rainwater goods. MATERIALS Red brick, stone, slate, terracotta, cast iron DATES Rebuilt c1900 LOCAL LIST

Mid 19th century terrace of cottages. Coursed stone, heavy jambs and lintels, Welsh slate roofs. Some pilastered doorpieces and some original windows. LOCAL LIST

Retaining walls and inclined carriageway which took road traffic up to the raised level station, of former Brandling Junction Station. The curved carriageway still takes cars up to the car park on top of the station mound. These great walls were built in the huge and early engineering project that was the Brandling Junction Railway, to retain the Station building above, which has been since demolished. It is of large coursed ashlar, with vermiculate band and coping, which come to a quadrant curve at the south end. It is a striking reminder of the railway heritage of the area – especially coupled with the railway bridges remaining in the immediate vicinity. It now forms a dramatic and key element in the context for the nearby St. Mary’s Church (with which it harmonises beautifully in the commonality of its honey-coloured sandstone), and The Sage Gateshead. It is also clearly visible from a great distance across the river, although some details remain visible only in close proximity, such as a bricked-up archway near the southern end. MATERIALS Sandstone DATES 1839 LOCAL LIST

This modest building was the former Blaydon Co-operative Society store for Winlaton Mill. It has survived relatively intact, and is a good example of 1930s architecture – robust, with simple, deco influenced geometric detailing. The design detail was changed from that planned, however, so that proposed curved plinth to the front became a stepped plinth, and the corbel detail to each side of the shopfront was changed from simple, traditional fluting to a relief of diamonds in frames. The timber shopfront is simple but attractive, with a triple rhythm tying the detailing together. This includes glazing bars dividing the upper glass section of the door into 3 smaller panels (with one larger below), and an attractive harmonising detail to the timber panel between this and the fanlight. Margin lights to the upper of each shop window are also divided into 3, all of which harmonises with the triple rhythm of the stepped parapet above. Overall it is a pleasing survival typical of the period, and therefore the removal of the bright, insensitive signage and intrusive roller shutters would be most welcome. MATERIALS Concrete, timber DESIGNER Thomas Kydd (foreman joiner, Blaydon Co-operative Society) DATES 1936 LOCAL LIST

Now premises of Comma Print. This solid red brick building clearly shows its origins as a Presbyterian Chapel, but with a twist. The austerity of the rituals associated with the church are visible in the rather stern appearance of the architecture, especially the small size and lack of ornament in the fenestration in comparison to most places of worship. On the other hand, the architects respond to the context of the building, specifically the premises of the Swalwell District Industrial & Provident Society next door, with which it makes a fine composition, and with the Sun Inn they create an engaging welcome to Market Lane. By reinterpreting its key architectural motif of an extravagantly shaped gable (with informative plaques), transforming ball finials to urns and adding a pediment in place of a half-moon crown, they provide some visual interest and make the building legible by drawing attention to the point of entry (which might otherwise be expected to be on Market Lane). Other than this, the only relief to the visual austerity is provided on the slate roof by the looped ridge tiles and tall, improbably jovial finials. Recessed panels and pilasters in the brick create a rhythm, followed through by simple stone dressings and flat brick arches to the window heads. The thick section timber windows appear to be original, and whilst the signage for the current use is not particularly sensitive in size and position, it is minimal. It would be positive if the roller shutter to the door could be removed. MATERIALS Red brick, stone, slate, terracotta DATES 1898 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
They were choral arrangements sung by 30 Dutch, British and Australian woman imprisoned by the Japanese during the Second World War. To cope with captivity the woman formed a choral group in their prison camp on Sumatra, Indonesia. The inspiration for this was Margaret Dryburgh. Margaret was born in Sunderland, the daughter of the Reverend and Mrs. W. Dryburgh. The family moved to Swalwell in the 1900's where he was the minister at the Presbyterian Church at the Ebeneezer Chapel in Market Lane. The family was very well liked in the village and they were all keen and talented musicians. The film -makers contacted Bill Fletcher, who played the organ in the Swalwell Chapel where her father was minister, to find out about her Tyneside background. The film,' Song of Survival', was shown in Britain on Channel Four. In December 1997, a film, called 'Paradise Road', was released that showed the women's struggle to survive a horrific time in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp in Sumatra during the Second World War, Margaret Dryburgh, was played by Pauline Collins. LOCAL LIST