Lead on the Tyne: The past, present and future of Elswick Lead Works, talk by Julia Heslop
Newcastle City Council, City Library, Charles Avison Building, 33 New Bridge Street West, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE1 8AX
Elswick Lead Works occupies a unique place in the story of Newcastle’s early industrialisation. The Lead Works was not only the earliest of the significant manufacturing industries along the West Newcastle riverside, in operation for almost 70 years before the adjacent river banks were developed, but it was the last to cease manufacturing in the area, finally closing at the beginning of the 21st century. Artist Julia Heslop has been exploring the past, present and future of the Lead Works site, as plans are afoot to redevelop the site for new housing. In this talk, she will explore the process of lead production, from the initial mining of it in the North Pennines to the manufacture of products on the banks of the Tyne. The talk will highlight issues of health and safety and environmental pollution in the lead industry, as well as what life was like to work there. Returning to the present day the talk will discuss the site today, from the birds and plants which have colonised this brownfield landscape to the architectural traces that remain on this remarkable site
Timings
- Thursday 17 September:
- 5.30pm - 6.30pm
Location & directions
Newcastle City Council, City Library, Charles Avison Building, 33 New Bridge Street West, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE1 8AX
- Directions:
- Talk will be held in the Bewick Hall on Level 2 of the City Library
- Contact on day:
- Sarah Mulligan
- Telephone number:
- +441912787878
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking required
- Booking conditions:
- Book on our Eventbrite Page
- Booking contact name:
- Newcastle City Library
- Booking telephone number:
- +441912787878
- Booking email:
- [email protected]
- Booking website:
- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lead-on-the-tyne-the-past-present-and-future-of-elswick-lead-works-tickets-1988182017936?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Booking opens:
- 01 Aug 2026 12:00 AM
- Booking closes:
- 17 Sep 2026 12:00 AM
Additional information
- Max number of people:
- 80
- Estimated duration:
- 1 hour(s)
