‘The Pow Burn’ is a new book by Mike Coates, the author of ‘The Story of Northumberland Park’. Now generally unknown and forgotten, the Pow Burn was once an important tributary of the River Tyne and through unique photographs, maps and illustrations, the author tells the story of how it played its part in the history of North Shields. The Pow Burn or Pew Burn as it was known earlier, probably derived its name from the Celtic name for a stream ‘pwl’ and from old maps it appears to have originated in an area known as ‘The Mosses’ which lay between the present Marden and Preston Grange Estates and entered the north bank of the River Tyne where the Fish Quay is now situated. North Shields owes its existence to the humble Pow Burn for, in 1225, Prior Germanus of Tynemouth Priory and his monks reclaimed a large area of marshy ground by the burn by draining it. Permission was given for seven sheels/shiels (small thatched huts) to be built, each with their own quay, between the Pow Burn and the sikket (ditch) to the west - and with the natural harbour created by the Burn, trade increased and North Shields was born. Also included in the book are chapters on Tanners Bank, Spital Dene, Northumberland Park, the Whitley Waggonway and Blyth & Tyne Railway, as well as the fascinating story of St Leonard’s Hospital. Priced at just £4.99, the book is A4 and has 48 pages with over 80 illustrations (40 colour). Publication date to be confirmed, but should be available early September.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 22:43:11 +0000
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