Bishop Arthur Thomas Lloyd lived at Benwell Towers, the traditional home of the Bishop of Newcastle. Lloyd was the third Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle in 1903 {1}. Arthur Thomas Lloyd (1845-1907) had previously been vicar of St. Nicholas Cathedral from 1882 to 1894. After only four years as Bishop, Bishop Lloyd died at Benwell Towers. There is an alabaster effigy of him with gothic chest tomb and canopy by F.W. Pomeroy in the north aisle of the chancel of St. Nicholas Cathedral {Morgan 2004}.

John Sowerby lived at Benwell Towers. His family owned the Ellison Glassworks in Gateshead which had offices in London, Paris and Hamburg.

Not to be confused with the novelist of the same name. Scott was an industrialist with interests in coal mining, steel, chemicals and railways. He built the first underground electric railway in London {1}. Sir Walter Scott (1826-1910) was born in Cumberland and was a successful teenage wrestler. He was a mason working at the new Central Station in 1848 before owning collieries, steel, iron and chemical works. He built railways in Ireland and England. He owned the Mammoth Publishing Works in Felling. He was councillor for High Elswick 1881-1890. He was a generous benfactor of St. James Church. The family grave is marked by a fine monument but Sir Walter was buried in France.

Cookson was an industrialist involved in glass, lead manufacture and coal mining. He trained in Michael Farady's laboratory. He lived at Eldon Square, then Benwell Hall before retiring to Yorkshire {1}. William Isaac Cookson (1812-1888) switched from glass manaufacture to lead in the mid 19th century. He died at Worksop Manor in Nottinghamshire leaving a fortune of £592,000. His first wife is buried with him at Benwell.

William Cochrane Carr owned Benwell Colliery and South Benwell Firebrick Works. On his death the workforce subscribed to a memorial stone to be placed at the foot of his grave.

John Buddle's vault was designed by John Dobson. Buddle was a colliery manager and mining engineer who introduced a number of improvements in mining techniques. Buddle owned land in Benwell including the site of the church. It is reputed that a seam of coal was found during excavations for his vault. John Buddle's sister Ann, brother and nephew (Robert Thomas Atkinson) are also buried here {1}. John Buddle (1773-1843) was born at Kyo near Tanfield, County Durham. His father had been a schoolmaster, then colliery manager at Greenside, then Wallsend. After his death in 1806, his son took over. Under John Buddle's management, Wallsend Colliery was a great success. He advised the Marquis of Londonderry to make a seaport town - Seaham Harbour - in order to export his coal without being subject to monopolies on the Wear and Tyne. John Buddle helped form the Mining Record Office (now part of the Mining Institute). The Buddle family vault has no monument over it. It was designed by John Dobson and is covered with large flagstones {Morgan 2004}.

Two flints were found in February 2010 by a member of the public out walking and were reported to Tees Archaeology. The flints were examined by Peter Rowe. 1) Large flint flake, 47mm x 27mm x 7mm. Hard hammer struck but with prepared platform. Some light chipping along both edges consistent with use. Mesolithic or early Neolithic in date. 2) Bifacially worked flint point, 68mm x 37mm x 16mm. This is an unusual piece that does not fit any particular classification. It is based on an angular chunk of light brown flint with a grey/white patina. The item has been worked into a point with invasive retouch and battering along the two long edges. The short edge has less invasive, acute retouch along one side. The general workmanship would suggest a late Neolithic or early Bronze Age date.

Opened 10 May 1937. It was opened by the Hinge circuit and was similar in design to their Ritz Cinema in Forest Hall. The architects were Percy L. Browne, Son and Harding. The façade of the building was in brick and coloured cement and had a tower and metal canopies. The entrance vestibule contained the paybox, then there was a foyer. The auditorium was decorated in red, beige and gold. There were 1026 seats. The proscenium arch was enhanced with decorative plasterwork. The Rialto closed on 25 June 1961 and became a bingo hall. It was demolished in July 1964 and the site is now occupied by a health centre.

The Rex was designed by S.J. Stephenson and Gillis for the circuit owned by H.T. Smelt. It opened on 8 December 1937. The façade was in sand-faced brick of two colours. There was a canopy with neon lights over the pavement. The entrance hall and foyer were finished in walnut panelling. There were 1012 seats. Green and gold curtains hung in the decorative plaster proscenium arch. The foyer was decorated with black horizontal bands and strips of vermillion. The frieze and ceilings were pink. The auditorium walls were green and cream, the splay ceilings light orange, with a design of gold, cream and vermillion. The Rex had a café and integral sweet shop. In 1954 the cinema was sold to W.J. Clavering. From November 1963 it was owned by Consett Cinemas Ltd. It closed on 10 August 1968 and is now a social club.

The Gem Cinema was originally a private school ran by James Marchbanks. In February 1909 Joseph Dobson planned to open the large room as a billiard hall, but he was refused permission. In June 1910 plans were approved for a picture hall. The screen was mounted on the wall. In February 1911 a projection box was built. The Gem opened on 6 April 1911. The owners were the Northumberland Animated Picture Company. There were 350 seats and a very fine baby grand pianoforte. The licence changed hands twice in 1911. On 1 November 1911 George Tully Tomkins took over and changed the name to Rendezvous. It is assumed that the cinema closed in 1912. The building became known as Fitzgerald Hall. It was demolished in the early 1970s, its last use having been for the Sea Cadet Corps.