Tag: Robert Gilchrist

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December Newsletter Now Available: Reflection, Growth, and What Comes Next

The latest edition of the Ballast Hills Burial Ground newsletter is now available to read online: December 2025 Newsletter.

December offers a moment to pause and take stock of the work that has unfolded across the project. Following a short break in November, this issue brings together activity that has continued behind the scenes, particularly across archive research, data development, and planning for the next phase through to June 2026.

This edition reflects a project that continues to grow in both scale and depth. New student interns and volunteers have joined the archive and digital work, strengthening the capacity to enhance catalogue records, develop research notes, and expand the project dataset. This collective effort supports a shared aim to make the evidence for Ballast Hills Burial Ground more accessible, more usable, and more meaningful for future research and interpretation.

Alongside this, attention has turned to how the project communicates its work. A small media refresh will begin in the new year, helping to connect the blog, Instagram, and Facebook more effectively. This will support clearer and more consistent sharing of research activity, discoveries, and opportunities to get involved.

This issue also continues the newsletter’s tradition of combining research with reflection. A seasonal contribution, Sonnet on the Shortest Day by Robert Gilchrist, offers a nineteenth century perspective rooted in the site itself. Historical research features, including work on Nonconformist clergy and burial practices, further deepen understanding of the people and beliefs connected to Ballast Hills.

Looking ahead, the project will continue to build on this foundation through archive research, public engagement, and collaborative interpretation. Opportunities to contribute, whether through research, writing, or sharing memories and materials, remain central to the project’s direction.

You can read the full December newsletter here.

As always, thank you to everyone who contributes time, knowledge, and interest. This work continues to develop through shared effort, and each contribution helps to shape how Ballast Hills Burial Ground is understood, remembered, and cared for now and in the future.

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In the Footsteps of a Tyneside Poet, Robert Gilchrist

Join an immersive exploration of Newcastle’s vibrant past by exploring the life and legacy of Robert Gilchrist, a figure whose influence has faded from public memory but whose contributions to local culture are profound and enduring.

Ouseburn Trust | Summer Walk | 9th July, 2024 | 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | cost £6.00 | book.

Robert Gilchrist (1797-1844) may not be a household name today, but in the bustling streets of mid-nineteenth century Newcastle, he was a revered local celebrity. Known for his captivating poetic compositions and lively performances of comic songs, Gilchrist left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of his time.

Image from a short biography of Robert Gilchrist in 
The Monthly Chronicle of North-Country Lore and Legend, May 1888, p.234.

Ouseburn Trust’s Summer Walks offers a unique opportunity to retrace Gilchrist’s footsteps, from his humble beginnings in Shieldfield to the bustling Quayside and the tranquil Ouseburn valley. Along the way, you’ll visit key locations associated with Gilchrist, immersing yourselves in the sights and sounds that inspired his creativity.

The journey goes beyond mere exploration. Led by Gilchrist’s 3x great-grandson, you’ll uncover fascinating insights into Gilchrist’s connections to Victorian heroine Grace Darling, his pivotal role in the ‘Barge Day’ river processions, and his contributions to the development of cricket in Northumberland. Moreover, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Gilchrist’s influence on the shaping of Grainger Town and the redevelopment of Newcastle itself.

The walk commences outside the historic Big River Bakery in Shieldfield, a fitting starting point for our voyage into Newcastle’s past. As walker traverse the city’s streets, the journey culminates at the tranquil Ballast Hills Burial Ground, providing a moment of reflection on Gilchrist’s enduring legacy.

Dr Paul Gilchrist, Principal Lecturer in Human Geography at the University of Brighton, has dedicated over a decade to researching the life and times of his poetic ancestor. He offers invaluable insights into Gilchrist’s multifaceted legacy, making this journey a truly enriching experience.

Don’t miss this opportunity to uncover some hidden gems of Newcastle’s history and rediscover the remarkable story of Robert Gilchrist. Book your ticket today and embark on a journey through time that will leave you enriched and inspired. If you are not able to join the walk, then check out Paul’s website dedicated to Robert Gilchrist  – but spoiler alert don’t visit it until after the walk if you plan to attend.