Haydon News

February 2001

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EDITORIAL

Hello everyone

EDITORIAL POLICY OF THE HAYDON NEWS

Present were: 8 Councillors (apologies from 1), the Parish Clerk and 6 members of the Public.

Public Participation: Concerns were raised by residents of Church Street regarding the proposed works and starting date for the HERS project. Letters had been received indicating that there were to be works carried out which had not been agreed to at any meeting.

In particular, residents stated that Traffic Calming areas were not needed as they felt that rather than contribute to road safety children, and others, might look upon these areas as safe places to cross the road ie. pedestrian crossings which they are not. Concerns were also expressed about the parking bays, ‘bulges’ in the pavement to accommodate these and the access into Church Street from the A69.

Electric cabling which currently is overhead is being laid underground as part of the scheme. Presumably all this work will be done BEFORE work starts on the road?

There was some understanding that residents having underground cabling laid to their dwellings were having to contribute 50% of the Electricity Board’s costs! Surely this was not the case?

Cllr. Philp said that she would raise all of these concerns with the various bodies dealing with the scheme tomorrow (Friday 23rd). The Architect had said that ‘nothing would be done which had not been agreed to’ and that she would clarify the situation.

She assured the residents that they would not have to pay anything towards the undergrounding of their electricity supplies.

Cllr. Philp also raised one or two other matters regarding the scheme.

The wall at the corner of Church Street / A69 is now only to be painted as the Highways Agency (Leeds) says that the stone facing would not be permitted.

The designs of the centre two panels of the fence at the Old Bridge have to be submitted to the Highways Agency for their approval so until this is given the work cannot go ahead.

A month or so back everything seemed to be going along well with people looking forward to the work commencing. These concerns are worrying.

Heslop’s Yard  - Mr Heslop, who was present, queried the Parish Council’s response to the latest planning application submitted. Pre-empting the discussion which would come during the formal part of the Parish Council meeting, he wondered why permission might be denied for building two nice detached dwellings on the land but not for 10 flats which he thought were not suited to the area.

If there were going to be problems then he would be ‘ready for battle’

There being nothing else raised by the public the formal Parish Council meeting continued.

Innerhaugh:  - There are still concerns over this development relating to flooding, access on to the A69, sewage disposal and the line of the footpath. These still need to be addressed.

The Strother Close access to the A69 was again raised. If the planners felt that the new development’s access was satisfactory then surely this one was! After all, it was planned.

Highways & Bypass: - Nothing further to add to that already communicated regarding the Bypass.

Cllr. Gilhespy raised concerns over parking and general car movement as pupils are dropped off / collected at the First School. Perhaps a layby could be constructed to ease the problem? Perhaps the H&E Executive should look at this. In any case a letter would be sent to the County Council.

Rubbish on the A69. - Utter disgrace is how the situation was described. What with the present cabling work and general attitude towards littering, what can be done? Is it a case of education? By whom?

Also the growing number of signs advertising village facilities. One sympathises with the businesses concerned but the signs do tend to make the approach to the village look rather shabby.

Cllr. Charlton reminded those present that the annual Spring Clean was coming up and here was the ideal opportunity for the people of the village to do something positive towards cleaning up the area. Many volunteers needed. She also indicated a change to the date which was shown in the last edition of the Haydon News. This is now to be Saturday 7^th April meeting at the riverside at 10.00am and not Sunday 1^st April.

Planning Applications: - Heslop’s Yard. Two detached dwellings not 10 flats. PC supports this application.

Extension to pavilion at Low Hall Park. PC supports this.

Innerhaugh: - 48 dwellings with some minor modifications to house plots.

Middle Lipwood Farm: - Plans to convert this listed building into 5 dwellings have been submitted. The PC made no comment particularly as access to the A69 again was raised. This would compound the problems created by the Innerhaugh development.

A.O.B. - Spa Well footpath. Unlikely to be reinstated along previous route although an alternative might be provided providing funding was found. The Straker family would have to be consulted of course before anything was done.

HISTORICAL NOTES OF HAYDON BRIDGE

Dennis Telford

ON THE MARTIN TRAIL – part 4

John Martin (1789 – 1854) Newcastle – London – Isle of Man (1803 – 1854)

From this point on the ‘Martin Trail’ I can be accused of failing to do justice to the youngest son John’s life and work.

After all, how can I portray the sense of drama and imagination contained in John’s paintings without the colour, light and shade that is so important to them. For that experience I recommend that you visit the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle where, on the first floor, there is a permanent exhibition of his work. Or at the very least look at the pictures in, “The Art of John Martin” by W. Feaver. For further information on John’s life and the history of his paintings I recommend, “John Martin – His Life and Work” by Thomas Balston. Both books are available through our village Library.

Fourteen year old John Martin found exciting new subjects for his talent in 19^th century Newcastle. He memorised the many signboards outside the taverns in the town and then returned home to draw them.

He wasn’t so enthusiastic about his apprenticeship with Leonard Wilson the coach builder.

John longed to ‘practice the higher mysteries of the art of heraldry’ but was subject to twelve hours a day of virtual slavery and was ‘disgusted at the drudgery’. John walked away from Wilson’s workshops after one year and spent his increased leisure time ‘drawing the sky through his bedroom window’ with materials purchased with one shilling Fenwick, his father, had given him.

This passion continued throughout his life and we are told that until his last days in London, John would be on his balcony working if there were ’ good clouds and a good moon’ and in 1849 he painted ‘a lovely night (he) saw twenty years ago’.

Breaking his seven year indentures was a serious affair and as John had feared, the Parish Beadle was soon to knock on the Martin’s door at Whitecross, which stood on the site of Newgate Street and present him with a warrant to attend the Guildhall to answer the charge

It says much for the character of the young Martin that he defended himself successfully, in front of the Alderman and Wilson and had his indentures returned, having clearly turned the tables on his accusers. Hardly the actions of a timid and nervous youngster as he described himself at Haydon Bridge.

John continued to practice his art. “I roamed the hills at daybreak exulting in the sublime grandeur of the surrounding beauties of nature, watching the effects of light and shade and trying to imprint those beautiful images indelibly upon my memory which upon my return home I endeavoured to retrace on paper”

Fenwick agreed to pay for tuition for John with an Italian, Boniface Musso, who had gained some fame in Newcastle as an art teacher. John and Musso became great friends and when Fenwick could no longer find the money to continue his son’s tuition Musso undertook it free of charge.

For over a year, John developed his skill alongside Musso and supported himself by painting portraits ‘receiving as much as seven shillings each for them’

It was about this time that John developed an interest in design and architecture. It was to become an obsession which almost equalled his commitment to art and influenced the detail in many of his later paintings.

In 1805 John drew a plan to illustrate his brother William’s invention for improving the transport of coal by rail from the pit mouth to the screen.

It isn’t clear whether John Martin ever returned to Haydon Bridge when the family lived in Newcastle. There is one clue however, which suggests he may have done.

In 1970, when I first took my interest in the Martin family seriously, I became aware of an oil painting in the archives of the Laing Art Gallery which was attributed to John. It had been in the possession of W. S. Walton of Allendale and shows John Shaftoe’s Free Grammar School and Alms Houses. The view is from Hill Loaning or what is now Geoff Duffy’s field above Smith’s Terrace.

A certain amount of artistic licence has been used in the portrayal of the hills to the west of our village, but in the foreground the Alms Houses (Shaftoe Terrace) have changed little in the intervening years. It is unlikely that they could have been painted so accurately simply from memory.

An exciting find for me for two reasons. Research suggests that the painting was completed before 1806 and if it is a genuine Martin then it is the earliest known. More importantly, for those of us interested in the history of our village, it must be one of the earliest views of Haydon Bridge. Whoever painted it.

In 1806 Musso left for London to join his son Charles and the young Martin was filled with excitement and anticipation when he was invited to join them. He must have needed all his powers of persuasion to convince Fenwick and especially Isabella who had grave misgivings, to allow him to board a Newcastle Collier on its journey to the capital.

During the journey John was robbed of all his loose change by a fellow passenger but he did mange to retain ‘a portrait of Musso and a landscape’ as examples of his work.

The seventeen year old’s early months in London living with the Musso’s were one of desperation. The work he had been promised didn’t materialise and he wandered the city looking for employment without success. The valley of the Tyne must have seemed a million miles away but his ‘only saviour in this regard was a dear memory of scenes from Northumberland rock and fell which he drew from memory and hawked about London until he finally managed to dispose of some of them’

In spite of his early problems there’s no indication that John was ever tempted to return to Northumberland. He was at perhaps the lowest ebb of his fortunes but had the utmost faith in his own ability and this saw him through. “Under all circumstances I entertained the belief that I should some day be rich and independent. I never mistrusted myself or despaired of better fortune. My hope of success buoying me up even when I was starving”

John’s determination shown in a time of adversity was a typical characteristic of many a Northumbrian!

After a time the Musso’s prospects improved and as a consequence so did John Martin’s. During the day he worked long hours for Musso’s son Charles, designing and painting on china. He then sat up until the early hours of the morning studying perspective and architecture.

In 1809 John married. His bride was Susan Garrett of Crondall, Hampshire, a frequent visitor to the Musso home. John was nineteen and Susan nine years older.

John and Susan’s first child, Fenwick, was born in 1810 and he was followed in 1812 by a daughter Isabella.

1813 was a sad year for the Martin family. John’s father, Fenwick, mother Isabella, Grandmother Ann Thompson and his first son, Fenwick, all died. His second son, John, was born this year but died an infant. In 1814 a third son, Alfred, was born.

It was just over two years since John had started painting in oils and yet he had had six of his paintings hung at the Royal Academy

Already one of Haydon Bridge’s most remarkable sons?

John Martin’s first work painted for exhibition in 1812 was ‘Sadak in Search of the Waters of Oblivion’ Painted in an imaginative and dramatic style. Nature’s towering flat rocks, deep forbidding gorge and swirling river overshadowing Sadak’s human form.

The originality of the work led to the description ‘Martinesque’ a term which is still used today.

‘Sadak’ was sold for fifty guineas. John’s dedication was beginning to pay off although he wasn’t ‘set free from the chains of debt’ until the success of his painting ‘The Fall of Babylon’ which he sold in 1819 for four hundred guineas.

John and Susan had a further five children. Zenobia, Leopold Charles, William (who died as an infant), Charles and their last child, Jessie, who was born in 1825.

There seems little doubt that by this time John was committed to a life in London and Land Ends Farm at Haydon Bridge was probably far from his thoughts. After all, his six children who had survived had all been born in the south of England and his connections with the Tyne Valley were reduced to a few distant relatives.

There is of course a strong case for believing that his paintings were influenced by his early memories. The skies of rural Northumberland, the beauty of the Allen Gorge flowing below Staward Pele and as John described it ‘the splendid prospect from the waterworks bank on the road to Benwell village near Newcastle’. I have viewed this ‘prospect’ recently. A considerable amount of John Martin’s imagination is required to call it ‘splendid’ in 2001!

John Martin’s true delight with his new surroundings appears to have been the one thing which he was unable to find at Haydon Bridge. Cultured companions of ‘refined nature’

He had been introduced to a higher social circle by the Musso’s and he entered into the capital’s society life with great gusto.

The Martins’ “evenings at home” each Tuesday were legendary and attracted an impressive guest list. John Martin the country boy from Haydon Bridge was now spending much of his leisure time with men of ‘talent and reputation’ Authors, artists, religious leaders and even Royalty. Charles Dickens, Sir Walter Scott, Earl Grey, Sir Robert Peel and the Archbishop of Canterbury were among his many friends. He entertained H.R.H. Prince Albert, Joseph Bonaparte the ex-king of Spain and Prince Louis Bonaparte afterwards Napoleon III.

The one connection with the North East that John shared with his companions was his renditions of the song “The Fair Maid of Wallington”

In 1822 the first exhibition at the Northumberland Institution included John’s painting ‘Macbeth’ Perhaps his best known work ‘Belshazzars Feast’ was painted at this time and caused great public excitement. John was developing a new skill however, that of an engraver.

In 1824 John had a setback which had an interesting conclusion. The considerable amount of money that he had saved was lost due to a banking fraud. The guilty partner Henry Fauntleroy was sentenced to death and a crowd of 100,000 watched his execution. He was the last forger to be hanged in England.

By 1827 the majority of John’s time was spent developing plans for engineering projects and engraving his own paintings. (He was paid £2,000 to illustrate the works of Milton). So much so that during the next five years he exhibited only three paintings. One of these ‘The Fall of Nineveh’ was shown at the Northern Academy of Arts, Newcastle. In 1830 this painting was exhibited in Brussels following which John Martin was knighted by the King of the Belgians. He was also honoured by Tsar Nicholas I of Russia, Louis Phillipe of France and Frederick William of Russia.

For much of the last twenty five years of his life John became increasingly involved in the design of numerous schemes for improving the City of London and the River Thames. Visionary ideas which had great merit but sadly never implemented during his lifetime.

John returned to Newcastle in 1828 to visit his brother William. They had a common interest as inventors and subsequently John published a number of pamphlets outlining his proposals.

It is interesting that in 1834 John designed a roof over an aqueduct to support a railway. Twelve years later Stephenson’s High level Bridge was built of similar construction over a road across the Tyne. It was claimed by William Martin that Stephenson had stolen his design.

John’s obsession with his engineering projects appears to have had a serious effect upon his finances. The great prosperity he had known during the early 1830’s had become a financial crisis by 1837. The sale of his engravings which provided an annual income of £1842 in 1830 amounted to only £146 in 1837 and his family commitments were still substantial. A wife Susan, five of his own children still living at home along with Jonathan’s son Richard. His sister Ann and her daughter. Jonathan in Bedlam, Richard and his daughter and William in Newcastle. They all made demands on John’s income and savings.

For a while John lived in ‘misery and poverty’ and was severely depressed. “I have earned £20,000 in a few years and I am now without a penny” His fortunes improved considerably however with Queen Victoria’s Coronation in 1838. His painting of the event brought Martin’s name to the attention of the rich and famous once more and his paintings and engravings began to provide a substantial income again.

In 1841 John Martin exhibited a water colour at the Royal Academy. ‘Valley of the Tyne – My Native Country From Near Henshaw’

Is this evidence of maybe a final excursion to the place of his birth? If so his mode of transport would be quite different to that which was used to move the family and their chattels to Newcastle back in 1803. The earlier journey would probably be by horse and cart or carriage, his return undoubtedly by steam train, the line to Haydon Bridge having been opened in 1836.

By coincidence, the new Library and Newsroom was being built at the south east end of Walton Place (now Church Street) in 1841. Maybe it caught John’s eye for some time later he wrote to the secretary and offered copies of his paintings so that they could be hung in his native village. (See my historical notes in issue 08 of the Haydon News of September 2000).

John Martin’s final paintings ‘The Last Judgement’, ‘The Great Day of His Wrath’ and ‘The Plains of Heaven’ were completed during the final three years of his life. Seven days before he died they were exhibited at the Victoria Rooms in Grey Street, Newcastle.

In 1872, 18 years after John’s death, the ‘Judgement’ paintings were exhibited at Hexham. It was reported that ‘it is the custom of the owner not to exhibit these treasure in any town under 30,000 population, but the inhabitants of Hexham have been singularly favoured because Martin was born among them’

Since 1849 John had paid annual visits to the Isle of Man, staying with Thomas Wilson who was the leading draper in Douglas. Wilson had married Susan Martin’s sister and they also had a Haydon Bridge connection. The Wilsons’ son had married Maria Alice Thompson, the daughter of Isabella Martin’s brother Richard Thompson who was born in Northumberland in 1758.

In the Wilsons’ house on the 12^th of November 1853, John Martin suffered a paralytic seizure which deprived him of his speech and the use of his right hand.

On the 26^th of December he signed his last Will with a cross ‘John Martin, his mark’

John was nursed by his eldest daughter Isabella as his strength and will to live faded.

On 17^th February 1854 at half past six in the morning, John Martin died and was buried at Kirk Braddon Cemetery.

“A mighty spirit – a son of genius – Martin the Greatest of British Artists in no more…….”

The quite remarkable family trail I have followed over the last four issues of the Haydon News, ends with John Martin’s death and concludes a story which surely provides ample opportunity for those who see benefits for our village in the development of tourism.

In this respect, February 2004 will be a significant anniversary!

And finally

The marble slab which covers the vault in Kirk Braddon Cemetery is inscribed:

“In memory of John Martin, historical painter; Born at Haydon Bridge, 19^th July 1789; Died at Douglas, Isle of Man, 17^th February 1854”

OVER 60'S CLUB

The Over 60's met in the Community Centre for the first time since their Christmas Party early in December.

The party was a huge success with music, story-telling, fantastic food and gifts and Christmas Cards for everyone. It was a most enjoyable occasion and well-attended despite the weather.

At the January meeting members wished Molly Johnston and Myra Bowen 'Very Happy Birthdays'.

Because of the length of time since the last meeting much of the time was spent socialising and catching up with business when Mrs Spark gave the Financial Report. The meeting ended with Card Bingo.

The Over 60's meet on the second Wednesday of every month in the Community Centre from 2pm until 4pm. New members are always welcomed.

At the February meeting there will be a demonstration of how to make small boxes out of used Christmas Cards. Myra Bowen 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

As a former resident of Lipwood Well Farm, I was beside myself with delight when I chanced upon your web site. What a trip down memory lane.

I was actually looking for the Newcastle Chronicle when I saw your link on some search page and simply had to look.

I reside these days close to the city of San Francisco, California and do not get many chances to visit the old country. I was actually born in High Farm which is close to Wallsend, moving to Haydon Bridge in the 70’s and working at Langley Castle when it was an entertainment centre.

I can’t remember how many nights I got to be Long John Silver, or Forsooth or even the Mad Professor…

I’d love to hear a few words from you about the old hometown if you get the chance.

Regards

“Fenwick, the son of William Martin of Black Ouston, christened.”

Audrey Redman

CARPET BOWLS CLUB

Win! Win! Twice in a month!!!

A number of matches have taken place since the last edition of the Haydon News. We battled hard in the game at Catton but the home side were just a little too good for us on the night. However, after another disappointing result against Allendale, a team who we beat earlier in the season, we played host to Throckley at the Community Centre.

This was just a short while before Christmas and the festive spirit was beginning. Santa had come early to Haydon Bridge to give us a gift of demolishing a Throckley team who would not have enjoyed their trip back down the A69 after that result. Haydon Bridge were far too good for the visitors on the night and deserved to win by doubling Throckley’s score.

After the match, all the Haydon Bridge players were so delighted that Jean Oliver wrote and asked if we could be entered to play in the recent World Championships, that have taken place on television. However, we were denied entry because they were frightened of us!

To hide our disappointment of this T.V. turndown, the club played host to Corbridge, in another home match. Early in the game, Haydon Bridge, a team full of confidence, took the lead by a wide margin with the ‘A’ and the ‘B’ team scoring 10 points each in their first games. The ‘C’ and ‘D’ teams kept up the high scoring. Corbridge, who defeated Haydon Bridge in November are no push-over, and clawed their way back into the game. The hosts, however, held on and deservedly won the game 69 – 64. A lovely supper and evening was had by all.

We would like to welcome a new member. Geoff Marshall, wearing red and white pyjamas, arrived at a club night in January. Geoff enjoyed himself, and so could you.

We are still in need of new members and if you’re interested, just come along to the club nights at the Community Centre on Thursday nights at 7.00pm

Best wishes for the New Year.

If you want to follow the news about your team in this, and any other football league, go into: http://www.footballnews.co.uk

COPY DEADLINE:

 All contributions to the Haydon News to reach the Editor no later than Monday 19th February. 

EDITORIAL POLICY OF THE HAYDON NEWS

The editorial policy of the Haydon News is ultimately the responsibility of the Committee of the 'Friends of Haydon Bridge' , although day-to-day responsibility is delegated to the Editorial Committee of the Haydon News. Our intention is always to ensure that the content of the Haydon News is as fair and factually correct as possible. Any complaints concerning editorial policy should be addressed in writing to the Chairman of the 'Friends of Haydon Bridge', and will be considered by and receive a formal response from the Committee of the 'Friends of Haydon Bridge'. Complaints other than those made above will not be entertained.

The Editorial Committee reserves the right to decide which letters are to be published, and to alter or shorten letters when necessary. Anonymous letters will NOT be published. A nom-de-plume may be used provided that the Editorial Committee has been advised of the writer's name and address. Charles Thomas, (Chairman)
 South View, 
Heugh House Lane, 
Haydon Bridge
 NE47 6ND 

Medical - Sorry no page this month