DESCRIPTION / STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
This sophisticated pair of dwellings with appealing detailing was designed as part of a group of 4 pairs (which also included Harewood House) oriented westwards towards the then scenic Team Valley. The quality of design and fine workmanship are characteristic of the buildings of William Lister Newcombe, who was active in the Low Fell area around this time (1874) and designed Underfell the following year. Common characteristics include decoratively punched bargeboards with neat finials to feature gables, gracefully tall chimneys and bold snecked stonework. Monumental stone bays give an impression of permanence, and solid stone staircases through attractive terraced gardens give access to the houses on the principal elevation, away from the road. Other notable details include hood mouldings and a recessed pediment-style moulded detail above the door. The settings of the buildings make a key contribution to their interest, boasting large gardens with mature trees and landscaping. These are special, well-built houses, which exemplify the great development phase of Low Fell, emanating the desire for superior quality, private houses in an idyllic rural location. MATERIALS Sandstone, timber, slate ARCHITECT William Lister Newcombe DATES 1874 (plans) LOCAL LIST

Originally Wesleyan Schools and Lecture Hall, the overall design of this charming single-storey building is reminiscent of early secular school buildings, the low profile and animated roofscape being particularly characteristic. The detailing, however, is recognisably ecclesiastical in flavour – particularly the cruciform coloured leaded lights. Originally the building was symmetrical, and the frontage is still so with a pleasing rhythm ascending towards the centre. The front elevation is well-textured, with warm, tooled, dressed sandstone walls and ashlar quoins and surrounds, stone mullioned windows, central gabke and plaques. To the sides the construction is humbler, with rubble walls and timber frames to the windows, but the quality of workmanship is still evident. The rich heather slate harmonises well with the leaded lights, and the stone water tabling neatly completes the whole. MATERIALS Sandstone, slate, stained glass DATES 1895 (foundation stone) LOCAL LIST

The Birtley "Ranters" or Primitive Methodists first met in Simpson's Yard near St. John's Church. Their first chapel was built in Orchard Street in 1867 at a cost of £700. The second chapel, this one, was built in Station Road at a cost of over £3000. A minister's house was added in 1904 and an organ installed in 1906. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
This highly substantial church and hall is a good example of ecclesiastical architecture on the cusp of the Edwardian era. It is quite remarkable, as a chapel for the Primitive Methodists) (theoretically a simple faith) with great pretensions to an eccentric gothic style. This is most obviously and idiosyncratically expressed in the amazing gargoyles to the slender corner spire – traditionally a means of rainwater distribution but here apparently used purely for decorative purposes. Constructed principally in cyclopean rusticated sandstone (seen on contemporary buildings in the area) with ashlar details, it is roofed in slate with looped terracotta ridge tiles, water tables and kneelers. The staged spire alternates rusticated and ashlar levels, the latter featuring blind lancets, and a profusion of fenestration is embellished by stained glass. A large, striking window punctuates the south elevation with distinctive ‘nutcracker’ tracery, and a substantial double porch engages the visitor with double gable and 2 attractive diagonally battened timber doors. The church hall to the west is gabled with a feature oculus, echoed to the adjacent gable of the church, and the stained glass lancets are here replaced with square-headed sashes. A war memorial plaque is engraved to this side also, with elaborately carved lion and lamb heads with what appears to be a cornucopia beneath. It was sculpted by W Pickering, who was at Rutherford College during the war and had been working on the piece as a memorial tablet, but later he was unfortunately himself killed. MATERIALS Sandstone, slate, stained glass ARCHITECT Unknown DATES 1899 (inscription) LOCAL LIST

This building speaks of the aspirations of the Social Club trustess when it was erected, as it is in a grand style that sets it apart from its surroundings. The rainwater goods are cast in a faintly whimsical style, with the date flanked by hearts and scrolled brackets. The design was altered slightly from the original plans, but the fundamentals were adhered to: red brick with substantial and elaborate stone dressings. Of especial note is the stone banding to the base of the building, and the grand stone entrance with heavy bracketed canopy sailing beneath a broad canted oriel, with a date plaque nestling between. The ample fenestration provides abundant internal light, with large arched windows to the ground floor beneath triple lights divided by stone mullions. Chunky brackets elevate the eaves of the slate roof, the planes of which are connected with terracotta ridge and hip tiles. Slim, comparatively subtle chimneys create a fine finish to the end gables. The current windows and doors, whilst still being of timber are not original: leaded lights were part of the initial design as illustrated on the plans. Another interesting feature are the geometric design elements, seen in relief plaques to the corners of the building and some details in the decorative gables, which seem to foreshadow the art deco developments that would emerge a decade or 2 later. The building is a strong composition, accommodating the same use since it was built, and admirably holding its own in a changing street scene. Dunston Excelsior Social Club was formed in a house in Athol Street in 1907. They committee undertook fundraising for local people in need, including for starving people within Dunston itself, and the West Stanley pit disaster. Over the years the Club has supported a number of interests including the Pigeon Club, the Whippet Club, two Darts' Teams and two Snooker Teams. This provision has now been reduced to dart-boards and snooker tables.
There was a Rifle Range in the club during the First World War and Dunston Lads became the English Rifle Champions. Felling police and the Home Guard used the rifle range before its eventual closure in 1946. In 1940 the British Expeditionary Force were billeted in the Club concert room after their successful evacuation from the beaches of Dunkirk. More recently the club became known nationally, due to the famous antics of local lad and regular Paul Gasgoine, on and off the football pitch.

MATERIALS Brick, stone, timber ARCHITECT T R White & S J Stephenson (Grey St, Newcastle) DATES 1909 (plans, moved into 1910) LOCAL LIST

Part of the original walls of the Stella Estate (HER 5245). These sandstone boundary walls were originally the Park Walls for Stella Hall, as depicted on an 18th century map. There were apparently 2 sets of walls enclosing the estate – these surrounding the private, polite, landscaped core, enfolding the hall and the other central estate buildings, and those surrounding the outer part of the estate. As could be expected, they have been repaired many times over the centuries, with some sections rebuilt, and others collapsing, some sections in dressed, coursed stone and others more rubble in quality. The walls are very high in places (perhaps 2.5 to 3 metres), demonstrating the importance of privacy and security to the early families living here (perhaps the Widdringtons during the early 18th century) The sections of dressed stone indicate significant wealth, as this would have cost a great deal, and would therefore normally be reserved for buildings. Although they have been compromised in many places, with breaches and sections that have been reduced in height, their grandeur, and the evocative impression they create as they are stumbled upon in the woods, makes them significant in terms of physical impact, as well as their significance as an historic boundary and as a surviving element of the once-important Stella Hall Estate. MATERIALS Sandstone DATES c1700? LOCAL LIST

This Arts and Crafts influenced 2-storey public house was originally the Royal Turf Hotel (lettering can still be seen advertising this in the fanlight over the door, despite being painted over). Constructed primarily in painted brick, it has stone dressings accompanied by timber detailing. The distinctive red clay tiled roof has a tilting fillet at the eaves, and incorporates a brick chimney disguised in a shaped gable, as well as corniced chimneys and half-timbered gables. A whimsical terracotta finial adorns one hip, although the other has been lost. The fenestration is profuse and varied, including a dormer and a large hexagonal oriel window on a stepped plinth to the north west corner. To the north elevation a large Venetian window fills the ground floor, with an arched window to the side elevation. Multipane casements feature to the 1st floor, of which several are painted over. The dormer has similar lights under a pitched roof. All windows are of timber and many are original, though one has lost glazing bars. Even the rear of the building retains its timber sashes in an informal arrangement. The whole building is painted green and cream. The orielled corner is chamfered to accommodate the doorway, which has an arched head and tall keystone over a double leaf 6 panelled door. The original rainwater goods with decorative brackets creep down the walls through the cornicing below the 1st floor windows. Unfortunately roller shutters have been introduced, one window is boarded and there is a large vent in the roof, as well as floodlights and an indiscreet alarm box. The bracket for a hanging sign remains, which it would be positive to take advantage of in the future. It is an attractive and striking building in the tradition of quirky, good quality public house architecture in the Felling area. Making the most of a topographically interesting site, the oriel would have had a wonderful view when built, but it is also overlooked by the rose window of St Patrick’s Church, creating a curious interaction between sacred and profane. The rebuilding dates from a time when a large proportion of the alehouse stock of the borough was undergoing similar treatment, when landlords were endeavouring to elevate the quality of the internal environment and the reputation of their establishments, as they sought to attract a respectable clientele. MATERIALS Brick, stone, timber, slate ARCHITECT Benjamin Simpson BUILDER: John Hope DATES 1898 (rebuilt) LOCAL LIST

Almshouses facing the contemporary St. Helen's Church (HER 8250). 1874-6. E-shaped late 19th century range in snecked squared stone with high pitched welsh slate roof. Two storeys and attic. Gabled wings and central porch with bargeboards. MATERIALS Sandstone, Welsh slate, timber ARCHITECT John Wardle (4 Ridley Place, Newcastle); DATES 1876 (plans) LOCAL LIST

Former explosives store for Marley Hill Colliery. An unusual structure with a (now felted) barrel roof, which is in a semi-ruinous condition. It was built to house mixed explosives associated with the Marley Hill Colliery. Constructed primarily of brick with thick iron doors, its two rooms were divided by a 3’ wall to ensure that the explosives and detonators could be stored safely side by side. Double doors were also provided with thick perimeter walls. These facilities were a later addition to colliery sites in order to address safety problems arising out of the early practice of storage of explosives by individual miners within the mine itself. MATERIALS Brick, iron DATES 1903 LOCAL LIST

This 2-storey public house (originally known as the Shakespeare) is built in orange-red brick with simple stone dressings, by far its most outstanding feature being a remarkable fish-scale copper dome. Decorated with Prince of Wales Feathers relief detail to each scale, it crowns the chamfered north west corner in an exuberant flourish. It is perhaps this, as well as the timing of rebuilding, that leads to speculation that the architect may be Benjamin Simpson. Within the shallow pitched, slated roof there is an unusual (but much altered) shallow dormer with a heavy cornice, and 2 slender brick chimneys. The ground floor wide arched window surrounds finished with stone dressings until recently housed the original timber bar windows – unfortunately they have now been replaced with poor plastic copies. To the 1st floor the stone sills and lintels predominantly encompass 6 over 1 timber sashes, although 2 shallow bow windows, with new lintels, have been fitted into the original openings to the north elevation. A boarded arched stair window in an extension terminates the west elevation. It is unfortunate that the window above the double timber doors has been bricked up, but it is to be hoped that this could be rectified. Overall, the building is an interesting example of a pub building distinguished primarily by this dome (as well as the bow windows to the upper floor) – its own contribution to the whimsical architectural features on the rebuilt public houses in Felling. MATERIALS Red brick, timber, slate, copper ARCHITECT Benjamin Simpson? DATES 1898 (rebuilt) LOCAL LIST

Houses which are 3 storeys to the front, and 4 to the rear, plus attics. The basements are visible beneath elegant ‘bridges’. Buff brick with stone lintels, sills and large bays to ground floor with window pairs above. Slate roofs with cornice-style eaves detail in brick and substantial detailed chimneys (with16 pots). Front doors are in deep architrave with lights above and to each side. Large, well-detailed open porches with slate roofs and decorative ridge tiles, supported by concrete columns on low brick boundary walls with substantial coping. Some modern windows, some sash windows and some original dormers with timber finial detailing matching porches. Original cast iron railings. MATERIALS Brick, slate, concrete, timber ARCHITECT John Wallace DATES Late 1870s (original 5 & 6 plans 1878) STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE These houses are highly unusual both in design and materials, and they therefore make a special contribution to their setting of the Ryton Conservation Area. In a village dominated by sandstone the use of brick is striking – particularly an unusual pale brick rather than the standard Victorian red brick. In addition the details of the porches over bridges are elegant, quirky, and offer a rhythm to the composition, and the wrought iron railings are an especially decorative and rare survival. It is likely that the builder/architect came from a well-known local family. LOCAL LIST