Here is a display made after visiting St. Mary's Heritage Centre, Gateshead. Year One have created their own city of Gateshead burning in the year 1854. This was inspired by a workshop led by Mr. Richard Stephenson. The children learned all about the terrible, great fire that devastated the quayside that year and of the people who were involved.
Here the children are seen examining and handling artefacts from the past. These related to the main groups of people who were affected. From the housewives who had to flee from their homes grabbing their children as they ran to the over worked firefighters who came to the rescue. From the miners, who as far away as Monkwearmouth heard the blast of the explosding warehouses to the poor policeman who discovered the fire in the early hours.
"Hands up all those who can tell me facts about how far the fire spread and how it was able continue for so long!"
Below, Richard, dressed as Charles Bertram, a key character in the event, explains to the children just how far the fire spread - over to the Newcastle side of the Tyne!
Using interactive computer imagery, dramatic portrayals, handling artefacts and walking the actual route of the fire from the Gateshead riverside to Newcastle Quayside, the children were introduced to this local historic event. The day was rounded off with some song writing - 'London's Burning, London's Burning' became 'Gateshead's Burning, Gateshead's Burning!'
Our thanks to Richard Stephenson for a very enlightening day! As one of the children remarked - we learned so much and didn't even have to write a thing!