TYNE AND WEAR MUSEUMS JOINT COMMITTEE
26 JUNE 2003
REPORT OF: Director of Museums and Galleries
SUBJECT:
South Tyneside Museums
1.
South Shields Museum
1.1 Capital Development at South Shields Museum
1.1.1 The refurbishment programme continues: the main building
contract (carried out by Turney Wylde Limited) is now threequarters complete, and is scheduled to finish in September
2003. The internal lift shaft is nearing completion. For the
first time, lift access will be possible from the basement to the
top of the building. Internal walls and partitions have now
been moved, or newly created, enabling a clearer indication
of how the space within the building has now been divided up
to provide additional gallery space, a new public toilet suite, a
new meeting room, new storage and office provision, etc.
Wall and floor colour schedules are now being confirmed as
the process of internal decoration begins.
1.1.2
Progress with plans for the fit-out (which follows the
completion of the main building contract) continues. New
galleries include Catherine Cookson’s South Tyneside and
the Art Adventure Centre. Other plans, currently being
developed, include the creation of a new community-inspired
contemporary textile hanging, which will adorn the main
stairwell, and a new display about the history of the building
from its origins as the South Shields Mechanics Institute to
the present day.
1.1.3
It is anticipated that the Museum will reopen in February
2004.
1.2 Fine Art Acquisition
The Museum has purchased, for its collection, A Tribute to a
Construction Worker of the Past, a contemporary watercolour by
Jarrow artist, Irene Hagan. The artwork depicts construction workers
working on Byker Bridge in Newcastle. Irene’s work has on two
occasions been selected for the top prize by independent judges of
the Museum’s New Festival of Art, open to people living or working in
South Tyneside, in 1999 (for the above work) and again in 2000. The
new acquisition will be on display when the Museum re-opens to the
public in February 2004.
1.3 Friends of South Shields Museum & Roman Fort
The Friends have met twice since the last report. In April, Angus
McDonald gave a talk about public health in 19th century South
Shields and, in May, the Friends heard about the origins and work of
the Coroner’s Office. Both talks were well attended and appreciated.
2.
Arbeia Roman fort
2.1 Refurbishment
A refurbishment of the Museum is now underway in preparation for
the 50th anniversary of its opening on 20 June. So far, the two
galleries have been repainted.
2.2 Interpretation
Seasonal staff have been appointed to give guided tours and provide
extra information for visitors in the new buildings. Information
handouts and worksheets for children have also been produced for
interested visitors. A viewing area is being prepared to allow visitors
to watch the excavations that will be taking place on the via Praetoria
over the summer months.
2.3 Reconstructions
The newly furnished reconstructed buildings have created great
interest amongst Roman re-enactment groups around the country.
The Colchester Romans, who provided a short display at the fort,
spent a night in the new buildings in May. One soldier slept in the
barrack, but the others preferred the comfort of the new beds and
couches in the Commanding Officer’s house.
2.4 Events
The re-enactment group Quinta held a Meet the Commanding
Officer's household day, where members used the room set-ups in
the reconstructed building as back-drops whilst they acted as the
Commanding Officer, his wife, and his household of friends, slaves,
and guards. This proved to be a popular event with the visitors, who
enjoyed seeing the rooms of the house populated.
2.5 Excavations
Excavations have continued on the main street of Roman Arbeia, the
via Praetoria. Work in advance of re-consolidation of the southern
fort wall has contacted some of the prehistoric levels that underlie the
Roman fort (going back to about 5,000 BC). A number of prehistoric
flints have been recovered.
2.6 Landscaping
The area around the newly completed reconstructions (Commanding
Officer's house and barrack) has been undergoing landscaping and
visitors now have access to the whole area surrounding the buildings.
They can also follow almost the entire circuit of the fort's defensive
wall, including an impressive newly consolidated stretch of the south
wall.
2.7 European Social Fund (ESF) Project
Most of the above archaeology and landscaping work has been
carried out by trainees and volunteers from key wards in South
Tyneside (Bede, Beacon and Bents, Cleadon Park, Rekendyke,
Biddick Hall, Tyne Dock and Simonside, Primrose, All Saints and
certain districts of Hebburn South under a scheme (The Regina
Project) part-financed by the European Social Fund. To date, some
35 beneficiaries have undertaken pre-vocational training, units
towards NVQs in field Archaeology, or have received guidance or
non-training support. At the end of May, three jobless people from
the key wards had obtained employment with TWM and two of these
were still in jobs after six months. The European Social Fund scheme
is seen as an important means of making participation in the
archaeological work at Arbeia more accessible to all members of the
local community.
2.8 Education at Arbeia Roman Fort
 The May half-term event was very successful. Children created Roman
‘treasure’, making jewellery and Roman drinking cups.
 A special story for Arbeia is being created with the help of an MA student
on placement. The intention is to exploit the multicultural history of the
site in order to produce a story based on actual facts which celebrates
diversity. There is an interactive element to the story which provides the
potential to use it as an interesting web-based resource.
 TimeQuest is fully booked until the end of term.
3.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee is recommended to note the report.
Background Papers held by the Senior Curator, South Tyneside, at Arbeia
Roman Fort: Tel: (0191) 454 4093.
1. ESF file
Background Papers held by Curator, South Shields Museum & Art Gallery,
Ocean Road, South Shields: Tel: (0191) 456 8740
1. South Shields Museum & Art Gallery Development Plan.