Waggonways: Amazing Paths Through Time (Morning Session)

Come and celebrate north east waggonways. Waggonways, our early railways, once transported coal across the north east and now provide amazing paths for walking, cycling and wheeling. Come along and discover their rich, varied and sometimes forgotten history. Find out about the Coxlodge waggonway in Newcastle; explore children’s stories, adults’ memories and some secrets along the way. Join us at The Common Room, Newcastle upon Tyne:

• A Coxlodge waggonway exhibition with creative waggonway activities: creating zines with maps, drawings and poems.
• An evening performance of waggonway poems, songs and history.

This event is about waggonways in the north east with a particular focus on the Coxlodge waggonway. Wagonways criss-crossed the north east, once described as the roads of Newcastle, they became the early railways transporting coal, other materials. Some have disappeared but some can still be seen and are used today. People of all ages use waggonways, walking or wheeling to work and school; for leisure, shopping, wellbeing; and access to nature.

This event invites you to come and share our passion for waggonways and to hear about a project ‘Heritage and Urban Green Spaces’ (HUGS) which explored Coxlodge waggonway. Come to an exhibition about the Coxlodge waggonway and take part in a day of creative activities (8th November, 10am-1pm) families can drop-in and children can take part in creative activities and create waggonway zines (mini-magazines) with maps, drawings and poems.

At our evening performance (17th November, 7-8:30pm) there will be short 20-25 minute talks about the waggonway past and present. We will also celebrate the importance of our waggonways through music, poetry and art. We will invite you to share your experiences, memories and stories too if you would like to - https://festivalofsocialscience.com/events/waggonways-amazing-paths-through-time/

Dr Lucy Grimshaw

Assistant Professor

School of Communities and Education

Adults, children and families

Particular interest to those who travel along or live near to waggonways/old railway paths in the north east and/or those interested old railways, walking, cycling and wheeling, heritage and the environment.

No booking required