Square formed of four terraces of houses and some flats. 1976-8 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor, Shepherd Construction. Buff metric modular brick on timber frame, with red and orange brick to corner blocks and to Bolam Way. Monopitch metal roofs supported on plywood box beam purlins. Two storeys. All houses save for Nos. 4 and 5, which form a prominent corner to Raby Street, denoted by projecting first-floor timber oriel and orange brick end wall. Bird boxes to nos. 3 and 4, and projecting dark timber porches. Courtyard elevations have brown weatherboarding, projecting porches to nos. 9 and 12. The other houses with metal door hoods. Timber windows in timber surrounding with aluminium opening lights, mainly sliding; timber doors with glazed panel, many renewed in hardwood. Nos. 1-4 have raised gardens on brick walls, as have rear of nos. 5 and 6, with timber pergola. Nos. 7-14 have projecting brick and blue weatherboarded porches to Bolam Way, under green metal roofs and with red doors. Nos. 14-18 continue the perimeter line formed by Cushat Close and Merle Gardens, with to Bolam Way red brick, dark weatherboarded eaves defined by red vertical bands, and end bird box to no. 15. Carriageway arch formed by timber heating pipe casing links nos. 15 and 14. Similar link by means of timber casing links nos. 18 and 1.

Ruddock Square forms the south-west corner of the Byker development.

The Byker area, first extensively developed in the 1890s, was earmarked for redevelopment from the late 1950s, with a new motorway to the north. In March 1967 the Housing Architect's Department proposed the building of a barrier block to shelter the area, and this idea was supported by Ralph Erskine, who was invited to develop the area for Newcastle Corporation in 1969. His Plan of Intent, published in 1970, promised a complete redevelopment programme of housing and landscaping with cost yardsticks, while maintaining the traditions and character of the neighbourhood, and to rehouse the residents without breaking family and social ties. His achievement in rehousing 40% of the original residents on the original site was exceptional, as were his methods of keeping the community informed of development and seeking their support and suggestions for the low-rise housing. In achieving these goals Erskine sought to exploit the south-facing sloping site, to develop a system of pedestrian routes through the estate and to provide a `specific "local" individuality to each group of houses.' The estate was redeveloped in a rolling programme of no more than 250 units at a time, to try to maintain the community's infrastructure. The idea was a sheltering perimeter block, which protects the estate from traffic noise and creates a micro climate, with low-rise housing in its lee. The modular metric facing brick of 290mm x 90mm x 65mm was developed by Crossley and Sons in County Durham, in collaboration with the City of Newcastle. When mortared, it forms a 12" by 4" by 3" unit. The inventiveness of the decoration, developed following the relatively muted `pilot scheme' at Janet Square, marks Byker out from other post-war housing for bringing the humane concepts of `romantic pragmatism' with its neo-vernacular details and materials to public housing in a unique way. It is probably also the greatest achievement of this important and idiosyncratic international architect. `If there is something marvellously lighthearted about the design, this I would say is the topographical keynote of the new Byker' (Architectural Design, June 1975, p.333).

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives
Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*

Includes 1-20 Merle Gardens, with car porch to Bolam Way and attached timber fences. Square formed of four terraces and some flats. 1976-8 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor, Shepherd Construction. Buff metric modular brick on timber frame, with red brick to corner blocks and to Bolam Way. Dark blue and red weatherboarding to inner area overlooking square. Outer faces with dark blue weatherboarded eaves. Monopitch metal roofs supported on plywood box beam purlins. Two storeys, mainly houses but with flats overlooking Raby Street. Projecting brick porches under sloping metal roofs to nos. 1-3. Brick carriageway opening between nos. 4 and 5. No. 6 with projecting timber and brick porch, and projecting timber oriel to upper flat. Nos 8 and 9 have bird boxes; nos. 9 and 10 are single storey. Timber windows in timber surrounding with aluminium opening lights, mainly sliding; timber doors with glazed panel, many renewed in hardwood. Inner courtyard has raised brick wall, fences and pergolas, particularly to rear of nos. 1-4.

Nos. 14-20 have red brick to elevations overlooking Bolam Way, and form a continuation of Cushat Close (q.v.), with red and blue eaves weatherboarding and large projecting timber car porch. Carriageway linked by timber-clad heating pipes between nos. 13 and 14.

The Byker area, first extensively developed in the 1890s, was earmarked for redevelopment from the late 1950s, with a new motorway to the north. In March 1967 the Housing Architect's Department proposed the building of a barrier block to shelter the area, and this idea was supported by Ralph Erskine, who was invited to develop the area for Newcastle Corporation in 1969. His Plan of Intent, published in 1970, promised a complete redevelopment programme of housing and landscaping with cost yardsticks, while maintaining the traditions and character of the neighbourhood, and to rehouse the residents without breaking family and social ties. His achievement in rehousing 40% of the original residents on the original site was exceptional, as were his methods of keeping the community informed of development and seeking their support and suggestions for the low-rise housing. In achieving these goals Erskine sought to exploit the south-facing sloping site, to develop a system of pedestrian routes through the estate and to provide a `specific "local" individuality to each group of houses.' The estate was redeveloped in a rolling programme of no more than 250 units at a time, to try to maintain the community's infrastructure. The idea was a sheltering perimeter block, which protects the estate from traffic noise and creates a micro climate, with low-rise housing in its lee. The modular metric facing brick of 290mm x 90mm x 65mm was developed by Crossley and Sons in County Durham, in collaboration with the City of Newcastle. When mortared, it forms a 12" by 4" by 3" unit. The inventiveness of the decoration, developed following the relatively muted `pilot scheme' at Janet Square, marks Byker out from other post-war housing for bringing the humane concepts of `romantic pragmatism' with its neo-vernacular details and materials to public housing in a unique way. It is probably also the greatest achievement of this important and idiosyncratic international architect. `If there is something marvellously lighthearted about the design, this I would say is the topographical keynote of the new Byker' (Architectural Design, June 1975, p.333).

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives
Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*

Terrace of eight houses. 1976-8 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor, Shepherd Construction. Red and buff metric modular brick on timber frame, with red brick to perimeter road, and buff to inner face overlooking Bolam Coyne (q.v.). Dark blue overcladding above first floor to Bolam Way elevation, with red verticals between the strip of first-floor windows. Monopitch metal roofs supported on plywood box beam purlins. Two storeys. No. 1 set separate to the rest, separated by carriageway with timber link and bird box. Nos. 2 and 3 with projecting porches under sloping metal roofs, the ends boarded in blue weatherboarding. Dark blue bird box to end wall of no. 8. Timber windows in timber surrounding with aluminium opening lights, mainly sliding; timber doors with glazed panel, many renewed in hardwood. Blue fences to nos. 1-8 along Bolam Way an integral part of the composition.

Cushat Close forms the perimeter wall between car and pedestrian spaces, and demonstrates the stronger palette of rich colours used in the Bolam neighbourhood.

The Byker area, first extensively developed in the 1890s, was earmarked for redevelopment from the late 1950s, with a new motorway to the north. In March 1967 the Housing Architect's Department proposed the building of a barrier block to shelter the area, and this idea was supported by Ralph Erskine, who was invited to develop the area for Newcastle Corporation in 1969. His Plan of Intent, published in 1970, promised a complete redevelopment programme of housing and landscaping with cost yardsticks, while maintaining the traditions and character of the neighbourhood, and to rehouse the residents without breaking family and social ties. His achievement in rehousing 40% of the original residents on the original site was exceptional, as were his methods of keeping the community informed of development and seeking their support and suggestions for the low-rise housing. In achieving these goals Erskine sought to exploit the south-facing sloping site, to develop a system of pedestrian routes through the estate and to provide a `specific "local" individuality to each group of houses.' The estate was redeveloped in a rolling programme of no more than 250 units at a time, to try to maintain the community's infrastructure. The idea was a sheltering perimeter block, which protects the estate from traffic noise and creates a micro climate, with low-rise housing in its lee. The modular metric facing brick of 290mm x 90mm x 65mm was developed by Crossley and Sons in County Durham, in collaboration with the City of Newcastle. When mortared, it forms a 12" by 4" by 3" unit. The inventiveness of the decoration, developed following the relatively muted `pilot scheme' at Janet Square, marks Byker out from other post-war housing for bringing the humane concepts of `romantic pragmatism' with its neo-vernacular details and materials to public housing in a unique way. It is probably also the greatest achievement of this important and idiosyncratic international architect. `If there is something marvellously lighthearted about the design, this I would say is the topographical keynote of the new Byker' (Architectural Design, June 1975, p.333).

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives
Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*

Three-sided square of flats and houses. 1976-8 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor, Shepherd Construction. Red and buff metric modular brick on timber frame, with dark blue and red weatherboarding. Blue metal monopitch roofs supported on plywood box beam purlins. Nos. 1 and 2 are flats, as are nos. 3 and 4. Two storeys. Nos. 1 and 2, and 3 and 4, separated by timber arch, and with dark blue bird box on end. No. 8 also has bird box. Nos. 9-15 with distinctive dark blue weatherboarding to front, with green metal door hoods and original red doors to nos. 9 and 10. Some houses with prominent brick porches under sloping metal roofs. Timber windows with aluminium opening lights. Blue fences to rear of nos. 9-15 a distinctive feature of the composition. Interiors not inspected but not thought to be of special interest. The use of stronger colours is a distinctive feature of the Bolam area, where Erskine sought to impart something of the character of the wall area to this unusually flat area at the southern part of the estate.

The Byker area, first extensively developed in the 1890s, was earmarked for redevelopment from the late 1950s, with a new motorway to the north. In March 1967 the Housing Architect's Department proposed the building of a barrier block to shelter the area, and this idea was supported by Ralph Erskine, who was invited to develop the area for Newcastle Corporation in 1969. His Plan of Intent, published in 1970, promised a complete redevelopment programme of housing and landscaping with cost yardsticks, while maintaining the traditions and character of the neighbourhood, and to rehouse the residents without breaking family and social ties. His achievement in rehousing 40% of the original residents on the original site was exceptional, as were his methods of keeping the community informed of development and seeking their support and suggestions for the low-rise housing. In achieving these goals Erskine sought to exploit the south-facing sloping site, to develop a system of pedestrian routes through the estate and to provide a `specific "local" individuality to each group of houses.' The estate was redeveloped in a rolling programme of no more than 250 units at a time, to try to maintain the community's infrastructure. The idea was a sheltering perimeter block, which protects the estate from traffic noise and creates a micro climate, with low-rise housing in its lee. The modular metric facing brick of 290mm x 90mm x 65mm was developed by Crossley and Sons in County Durham, in collaboration with the City of Newcastle. When mortared, it forms a 12" by 4" by 3" unit. The inventiveness of the decoration, developed following the relatively muted `pilot scheme' at Janet Square, marks Byker out from other post-war housing for bringing the humane concepts of `romantic pragmatism' with its neo-vernacular details and materials to public housing in a unique way. It is probably also the greatest achievement of this important and idiosyncratic international architect. `If there is something marvellously lighthearted about the design, this I would say is the topographical keynote of the new Byker' (Architectural Design, June 1975, p.333).

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives
Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*

Block of seventeen flats and houses. 1976-8 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor, Shepherd Construction. Concrete block cross-wall construction, clad on external faces with brown, red, orange and buff patterned brickwork, internally to courtyard with buff brick and white weatherboarding. Some dark blue weatherboarding to nos. 16 and 17. Blue metal monopitch roofs supported on plywood box beam purlins. High brick parapets with steel restraints. One-four storeys. Horseshoe-shaped block. Entrance to most flats from Raby Street, but dark blue staircases and balconies lead to nos. 3 and 14 from inside. No. 15 is a three-storey house, no. 16 a two-storey house, and no. 17 a single-storey bungalow. They are all entered over a dark green timber walkway, with brick retaining walls forming circular bastions around nos. 13, 16 and 17. Timber windows in timber surrounds with aluminium opening lights; timber doors with glazed panel, some renewed in hardwood.

In December 1975 Erskine wrote that the Bolam Street site was unique in Byker for its long, narrow shape and relative flatness. Because of the home for the elderly and handicapped being built separately there (Byker Lodge, not recommended), most of the other accommodation was to be houses. The smaller units were thus grouped in this irregularly shaped block with a central courtyard which was to `provide a quiet area for the residents'. The block was made up to three storeys to make the most of the splendid views over the Tyne, and to act as a terminating feature to Ayton Park, which is counterbalanced by The Brow (q.v.) found at the eastern end. In 1999 Erskine wrote that he `knew that the area south of Commercial Road was looked upon as less desirable than upper Byker.

`In an attempt to raise its status I placed the commercial and service centre and also a large park in this area. I designed Bolam Coyne ... [with] some of the characteristics of the actual Byker wall in the hope that also this might contribute to my efforts to create something of the higher status of upper Byker in this area.' Bolam Coyne is the more highly coloured and textured of the two landscaped developments, with the most complex integration of architectural and landscape features. It is one of the most imaginative and remarkable single developments of the estate, a testament to Erskine's inventiveness and sense of adventure in design. LISTED GRADE 2*

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives, MD/NC/106/28
Fax from Ralph Erskine to English Heritage, 3 December 1999
Building Design, 30 March 1979, pp.16-18
Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*

Block of three flats. 1976-8 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor, Shepherd Construction. Pale metric modular brick on timber frame, with red-brown weatherboarding and dark blue timber-fronted balconies. Blue metal roofs supported on plywood box beam purlins. Three storeys on concrete stilts over open ground floor with ramps. Stairs to side with plastic canopy, and with plastic canopy to second-floor balcony. Timber windows with aluminium opening lights, with enlarged windows to first-floor living rooms. Timber doors with glazed panel, some renewed in hardwood. Interiors not inspected but not thought to be of special interest. This block forms a prominent terminating feature at the edge of the Bolam area of the estate.

The Byker area, first extensively developed in the 1890s, was earmarked for redevelopment from the late 1950s, with a new motorway to the north. In March 1967 the Housing Architect's Department proposed the building of a barrier block to shelter the area, and this idea was supported by Ralph Erskine, who was invited to develop the area for Newcastle Corporation in 1969. His Plan of Intent, published in 1970, promised a complete redevelopment programme of housing and landscaping with cost yardsticks, while maintaining the traditions and character of the neighbourhood, and to rehouse the residents without breaking family and social ties. His achievement in rehousing 40% of the original residents on the original site was exceptional, as were his methods of keeping the community informed of development and seeking their support and suggestions for the low-rise housing. In achieving these goals Erskine sought to exploit the south-facing sloping site, to develop a system of pedestrian routes through the estate and to provide a `specific "local" individuality to each group of houses.' The estate was redeveloped in a rolling programme of no more than 250 units at a time, to try to maintain the community's infrastructure. The idea was a sheltering perimeter block, which protects the estate from traffic noise and creates a micro climate, with low-rise housing in its lee. The modular metric facing brick of 290mm x 90mm x 65mm was developed by Crossley and Sons in County Durham, in collaboration with the City of Newcastle. When mortared, it forms a 12" by 4" by 3" unit. The inventiveness of the decoration, developed following the relatively muted `pilot scheme' at Janet Square, marks Byker out from other post-war housing for bringing the humane concepts of `romantic pragmatism' with its neo-vernacular details and materials to public housing in a unique way. It is probably also the greatest achievement of this important and idiosyncratic international architect. `If there is something marvellously lighthearted about the design, this I would say is the topographical keynote of the new Byker' (Architectural Design, June 1975, p.333).

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives
Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*

Post office. 1976-8 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor, Shepherd Construction. Pale metric modular brick on timber frame, with blue cladding to first floor, and red ground-floor weatherboarding under shop windows. Blue metal roof on plywood box beam purlins. Single storey under deep eaves. Timber windows. Interior not of special interest. The block is a striking feature at the entrance to the Raby Cross shopping area, the district shopping area developed at the southern end of the Byker estate because of its relative distance from the main shops on Shields Road.

The Byker area, first extensively developed in the 1890s, was earmarked for redevelopment from the late 1950s, with a new motorway to the north. In March 1967 the Housing Architect's Department proposed the building of a barrier block to shelter the area, and this idea was supported by Ralph Erskine, who was invited to develop the area for Newcastle Corporation in 1969. His Plan of Intent, published in 1970, promised a complete redevelopment programme of housing and landscaping with cost yardsticks, while maintaining the traditions and character of the neighbourhood, and to rehouse the residents without breaking family and social ties. His achievement in rehousing 40% of the original residents on the original site was exceptional, as were his methods of keeping the community informed of development and seeking their support and suggestions for the low-rise housing. In achieving these goals Erskine sought to exploit the south-facing sloping site, to develop a system of pedestrian routes through the estate and to provide a `specific "local" individuality to each group of houses.' The estate was redeveloped in a rolling programme of no more than 250 units at a time, to try to maintain the community's infrastructure. The idea was a sheltering perimeter block, which protects the estate from traffic noise and creates a micro climate, with low-rise housing in its lee. The modular metric facing brick of 290mm x 90mm x 65mm was developed by Crossley and Sons in County Durham, in collaboration with the City of Newcastle. When mortared, it forms a 12" by 4" by 3" unit. The inventiveness of the decoration, developed following the relatively muted `pilot scheme' at Janet Square, marks Byker out from other post-war housing for bringing the humane concepts of `romantic pragmatism' with its neo-vernacular details and materials to public housing in a unique way. It is probably also the greatest achievement of this important and idiosyncratic international architect. `If there is something marvellously lighthearted about the design, this I would say is the topographical keynote of the new Byker' (Architectural Design, June 1975, p.333).

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives
Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*

Block of three flats and shop. 1978-81 by Ralph Erskine's Arkitektkontor; site architect Vernon Gracie; structural engineer, White, Young and Partners; main contractor, Fairclough Buildings Limited. Red brick with concrete block internal walls, and red weatherboarding. Monopitch metal roof supported on plywood box beam purlins. Three storeys, with balconies to front and back. Steps on southern side later enclosed in weatherboarding, brown bird box. Timber windows with aluminium opening lights; timber doors. The shop windows blocked at time of inspection. Interiors not inspected but not thought to be of special interest. The block is a striking feature at the entrance to the Raby Cross shopping area, the district shopping area developed at the southern end of the Byker estate because of its relative distance from the main shops on Shields Road.

The Byker area, first extensively developed in the 1890s, was earmarked for redevelopment from the late 1950s, with a new motorway to the north. In March 1967 the Housing Architect's Department proposed the building of a barrier block to shelter the area, and this idea was supported by Ralph Erskine, who was invited to develop the area for Newcastle Corporation in 1969. His Plan of Intent, published in 1970, promised a complete redevelopment programme of housing and landscaping with cost yardsticks, while maintaining the traditions and character of the neighbourhood, and to rehouse the residents without breaking family and social ties. His achievement in rehousing 40% of the original residents on the original site was exceptional, as were his methods of keeping the community informed of development and seeking their support and suggestions for the low-rise housing. In achieving these goals Erskine sought to exploit the south-facing sloping site, to develop a system of pedestrian routes through the estate and to provide a `specific "local" individuality to each group of houses.' The estate was redeveloped in a rolling programme of no more than 250 units at a time, to try to maintain the community's infrastructure. The idea was a sheltering perimeter block, which protects the estate from traffic noise and creates a micro climate, with low-rise housing in its lee. The modular metric facing brick of 290mm x 90mm x 65mm was developed by Crossley and Sons in County Durham, in collaboration with the City of Newcastle. When mortared, it forms a 12" by 4" by 3" unit. The inventiveness of the decoration, developed following the relatively muted `pilot scheme' at Janet Square, marks Byker out from other post-war housing for bringing the humane concepts of `romantic pragmatism' with its neo-vernacular details and materials to public housing in a unique way. It is probably also the greatest achievement of this important and idiosyncratic international architect. `If there is something marvellously lighthearted about the design, this I would say is the topographical keynote of the new Byker' (Architectural Design, June 1975, p.333).

Sources
Tyne and Wear Archives
Architectural Review, December 1974, pp.346-62
Mats Egelius, Ralph Erskine, Architect, Stockholm 1990, pp.148-60 LISTED GRADE 2*

Grave Monument erected in 1906 to Dr. William Rea who died in 1903. It was designed by Robert O'Brien North and incorporates a profile of Dr Rea by Francis Derwent Wood. Portland stone on a sandstone base bearing a bronze medallion. The simple gravestone situated in Jesmond Old Cemetery (broken into two pieces at the time of visiting - 2007) bears an oval bronze medallion containing a life size profile in relief of William Rea; the bronze is, surrounded by a scrolled wreath. The inscription below reads: In Loving Memory of/WILLIAM REA, MUS. DOC./Who devoted more than forty years/To cultivating a love of good music/Amongst the people of the city./Born, March 25th, 1827 Died, March 6th, 1903./And of his dearly beloved wife,/EMMA MARY,/Daughter of Wesley Stoker Woolhouse, F.R.A.S,/Born April 7th, 1833 Died May 6th, 1893/Also of his children, who died in 1861/Emma Gertrude, age 6 years; Emma Beatrice, age 3 years./The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God. /Wisdom, chap 3.

History: The grave monument commissioned by Dr. Rea's sons was executed in London and transported to Newcastle where it was erected in the cemetery in 1906. Dr Rea is a locally important figure who in the later C19 was successful in establishing a musical culture among ordinary people of Newcastle upon Tyne. His local importance has recently been recognised by a blue plaque at his last known home, in Summerhill, Newcastle. The grave monument is based on C18 designs and is the work of the architect Robert O'Brien North. North was articled to Messrs. Goldie, Child & Goldie and served as their chief assistant before setting up practice on his own. His obituary in `The Builder' described his individual works as `scholarly', and notable designs include Rugby Town Hall.

A bronze medallion set in the upper part of the monument is the work of the sculptor Frank Derwent Wood; Wood is considered an eminent national sculptor and features in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. He has many acclaimed works of art to his name in a variety of media including public monuments such as the bronze sculpture of Sir Titus Salt, Saltaire and war memorials including the best known and Grade II Listed Machine Gun Corps Memorial, Hyde Park Corner bearing a statue in Bronze of David. His portraits in particular are considered remarkable for their modelling and character, and many of his works are held in national collections: his bronze portraits of T. E Lawrence and the painter Ambrose McEvoy, for example, are held in the Tate gallery and the National Portrait Gallery respectively. Among many accolades, he was a founder member of the Association of British Sculptors, Professor of Sculpture at the Royal College of Art (1918-23) and was elected first an associate of the Royal Academy in 1910 and Royal Academician in 1920.

SOURCES: Sarah Crellin, `Wood, Francis Derwent (1871-1926, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/36999, accessed 8 June 2007]
A S Gray, (1986) Edwardian Architecture: A Biographical Dictionary, 390-1
Newcastle Daily Chronicle February 1906
Obituary of R O'Brien North, The Builder March 28th 1919

REASON FOR DESIGNATION DECISION:This early C20 grave monument is recommended for designation, for the following principal reasons:

* It incorporates a brass profile in relief by the eminent sculptor
Francis Derwent Wood.
* The sculptural quality is of the highest order
* It represents a rare example of cemetery work by a national artist in
England
* Examples of Derwent Wood's work are uncommon outside London LISTED GRADE 2

Shown on Ordnance Survey second edition. Closed 1915.