Category: Project News

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Out in the Field at Ballast Hills

We’ve been hard at work at Ballast Hills Burial Ground, recording gravestones with the help of some truly fantastic volunteers. Despite the overgrowth, unpredictable weather, and the challenges that come with deciphering centuries-old inscriptions, our team has been making great progress and having a few laughs along the way!

We’ve now recorded nearly 175 of the 275 gravestone segments. That means we’re down to the final 100!

It was also great to speak to so many people coming from or heading to the Ouseburn Festival over the weekend. Your interest and encouragement help keep the momentum going.

If you’d like to get involved, we still have sessions available. Whether you’re interested in helping with the recording or prefer to support us by clearing overgrowth so inscriptions can be read and scanned, your contribution would be hugely appreciated.

Remaining July Fieldwork Days & Time

  • Wednesday, 9 – 14:00 to 18:00
  • Saturday, 12 – 10:00 to 16:00
  • Tuesday, 15 – 13:00 to 19:00
  • Thursday, 17 – 10:00 to 16:00

Book a recording/cleaning slot: here or register your interest in get involed in other ways: here.

Here are a few images from recent field sessions, stay tuned for more stories.

P.S. The newsletter might be running a bit late this month due to all the fieldwork—but hold tight, it will be out before the end of the month!

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June Drop-in at Ballast Hills Burial Ground: 12 June!

As part of National Cemeteries Week, we’re pleased to invite you to a special drop-in session at Ballast Hills Burial Ground on Thursday, 12 June, from 11:00 to 13:00.

📍 Location: Ballast Hills Burial Ground, Newcastle upon Tyne

This is a relaxed, informal opportunity to explore the site, chat with Dr Myra Giesen, the BHBG project lead, and learn more about ongoing efforts to rediscover and share the stories of those connected to this historic space.

As part of the session, we will also be continuing our gravestone recording work, a key activity designed to document and preserve the site’s memorials. This work supports the long-term protection of inscriptions and contributes to the wider historical record. You’re welcome to observe, ask questions, or have a go at recording if you’re interested.

Whether you’re a regular visitor, a first-time passer-by, or simply curious about the site’s rich social history, you’re very welcome. We’ll have information on hand about current research, opportunities to get involved, and ways to share your own family or local history knowledge.

Ballast Hills Burial Ground is part of a growing network of Cemetery Friends across the UK working to ensure these meaningful places are appreciated, cared for, and better understood. You can read more about the national campaign at cemeteryfriends.com/ncw.

Pop by, say hello, and help us celebrate a place that continues to shape our shared heritage.

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Upcoming Newsletter! We want your input…

Our June newsletter is in the works and we welcome the input of anyone who would like to add a section or share their experiences with BHBG.

Whether you have a personal story connected to an individual buried within BHBG, further insight into the environment surrounding BHBG or any stories/historical knowledge about the time when Ballast Hills was an active burial site? We’d love to hear from you!

Contact our project email: ballast.hills@newcastle.ac.uk

Previous newsletters can be found here on the blog: https://blogs.ncl.ac.uk/ballast-hills/newsletter/

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Celebrating Local History Month with Newcastle Libraries

We are delighted that the Ballast Hills Burial Ground project is taking part in Local History Month 2025, hosted by our valued project partner, Newcastle Libraries. The library has put together a brilliant and diverse programme of talks, walks, and workshops throughout May, all highlighting the richness of our region’s past.

As part of the series, Mike Greatbatch and Myra Giesen will be giving a talk on Tuesday, 20 May at 14:00, titled “Buried Stories: Exploring Ballast Hills Burial Ground.” We’ll be sharing recent discoveries from the project, including fascinating histories drawn from archival research, and offering reflections on the site’s changing significance over time. Whether you are familiar with the burial ground or curious to know more, we hope you’ll join us for this free event at Newcastle City Library.

Although the event is free, booking is essential. To reserve your place:

  1. Visit Eventbrite
  2. Select Tuesday 20 May
  3. Click Get tickets
  4. Scroll down to find and book the Ballast Hills event at 14:00

You can browse the Libraries’ full programme of Local History Month events in the digital brochure here. It’s packed with great opportunities to explore and celebrate Newcastle’s past, we’re thrilled to be involved.

We hope to see many of you on the 20th!

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Phoenix Folk’s ‘Listening Party’ in collaboration with Ballast Hills Burial Ground!

On Sunday, 13th April from 7pm ‘Phoenix Folk’ will be hosting an online listening party for their collection of fiddle tunes telling the lost stories of ‘Ballast Hills’.

They will also be joined by poet Harry Gallagher.

The zoom will include a chat about the inspirations and stories behind the collection and also playing some of the digital tracks from the album.

To sign up to the zoom and access the codes from the website: CLICK HERE

If you want to hear more from ‘Phoenix Folk’ they also have an upcoming live in-person performance on the 2nd May @ Cullercoat’s Watch House. Titled ‘Beneath This Ground’ this performance promises to be an eclectic mixture of fiddle tunes and poetry retelling the stories buried at Ballast Hills.

All music and poetry has been created by Marina Dodgson, Maurice Condie and Harry Gallagher, make sure to register now: https://phoenixfolk.co.uk/events/folkwatchhouse-beneath/

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Upcoming Newsletter Sign Up!

Our second newsletter is nearly ready!

Email us @ballast.hills@newcastle.ac.uk with the subject line ‘Subscribe’ to receive April’s edition and be added to our monthly mailing list

A sneak peek at this April’s updates;

  • Take a look back at our launch event we hosted at Newcastle City Library
  • Learn more about what our volunteers uncovered during March’s gravestone cleaning
  • What do you call Ballast Hills? Plaguey Fields, Grannies Park, BH Playground, Park, Cemetery, or Burial Ground
  • Hear from one of our Descendents Group members about their experience with uncovering their family history locally at Ballast Hills

If you missed our March edition you can find it here on our blog under the ‘Newsletter’ tab on the homepage ➡️

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Our Project ‘Launch Event’🌳

On March 22nd, we had the pleasure of hosting our launch event at Newcastle City Library! The event was a huge success and was a lovely opportunity for project leads, volunteers, descendants and everyone interested in BHBG to meet and share their own experiences of the site.

During the afternoon we were lucky enough to welcome ‘Phoenix Folk’ and Harry Gallagher who performed a range of music and poetry in reflection and solidarity with those buried at BHBG.

We are so happy to share with you the collection of music and poetry composed by the amazing ‘Phoenix Folk’ in collaboration with BHBG! https://phoenixfolk.co.uk/product-category/book/

Take a look at some photos from the event…

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REMINDER: BHBG Launch Event @ Newcastle City Library🌳

Unlocking the Past, Enjoying the Present and Planning for the Future!

FINAL FEW FREE TICKETS REMAINING:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ballast-hills-burial-ground-past-present-and-future-tickets-1255686093909

March 22nd 2025, 13.30-15.30.

For those who have already secured tickets, expect live performances and reflections by experts on the current developments happening on site…

We look forward to welcoming you!!

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URGENT: Volunteers Needed to Complete the Pathway Before 3D Scanning!

Time is running out! We need your help to finish preparing the pathway before 3D scanning starts on 12 March. Our gravestone cleaning is halfway complete, but we can’t move forward without more volunteers. If you can spare even a couple of hours, please sign up for a session between 7–9 March using the Gravestone Cleaning Form.

Available Sessions:

  • Friday, 7 March – Morning, Early Afternoon, Late Afternoon
  • Saturday, 8 March – Morning, Early Afternoon, Late Afternoon
  • Sunday, 9 March – Morning Only

What to Bring:

Wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear. If you have gardening gloves, soft brushes, knee pads, or brooms, bring them along—most equipment will be provided. Please bring your own water and snacks.

If you’d rather support volunteers in other ways instead of cleaning, let us know at ballast.hills@newcastle.ac.uk.

🚨 We urgently need more hands! Please sign up today and share this with others who might be able to help. 🚨

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Ballast Hills Burial Ground Featured on BBC Look North!

We are thrilled that our work at Ballast Hills Burial Ground was featured on BBC Look North (North East and Cumbria) as part of the Evening News. The segment, which airs at 12:20, highlights the ongoing research and engagement efforts surrounding this historic site.

This feature is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the project, shedding light on the rich history of Ballast Hills and the stories it holds. Media coverage like this helps us reach a wider audience and invites more people to learn about and contribute to the work being done.

If you missed the broadcast, you can still catch it on BBC iPlayer until tomorrow (27 February 2025) at 6:58 pm. The episode will no longer be available after this time, so be sure to watch it while you can!

📺 Watch the segment here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0028fkp/look-north-north-east-and-cumbria-evening-news-26022025

A big thank you to Phoenix Folk for the music and hello.co for the drone footage of BHBG.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported the project so far. Your enthusiasm and engagement continue to be invaluable in uncovering and preserving the history of Ballast Hills. See the previous post to register for the project launch on 22 March 2025; please note spaces are limited.

If this is your first time hearing about the project and you would like to learn more, explore our research, or get involved, feel free to reach out!