SATURDAY 16 AUGUST 2025

THOMAS BEWICK’S BIRTHDAY AT CHERRYBURN

A Walk to Ovingham

This year we are celebrating Bewick’s birthday with a visit to Cherryburn and a walk to Ovingham Church.

At 2pm we will set off and walk via bridal paths, riverside route and pedestrian bridge to Ovingham Village. Re-tracing Bewick’s route to school we will visit the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin and view the interior, returning via the same route. The distance is 1.5 miles and should take no more than 45 minutes to walk. Sturdy shoes are needed as some paths are uneven. Do check weather forecast, sun block or waterproofs may be required. If you would like to take part in the walk do email us to book your place.

Date and time: Saturday 16 August 2025. Meet at Cherryburn at 1pm. The walk will commence at 2pm.

Venue: Cherryburn, Station Road, Mickley Square, near Stocksfield, Northumberland NE43 7DD. Please bring your own refreshments, picnic.

Booking: Please Email bewick.society@ncl.ac.uk to let us know you are coming.

THURSDAY 16 OCTOBER 2025

BEWICK SOCIETY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

A Talk by Jeff Cowton

The AGM will be held in the Loftus Room at the Literary and Philosophical Society, Newcastle upon Tyne. After the business of the meeting we will hear from Jeff Cowton, the former Curator & Head of Learning at Wordsworth Grasmere, in the Lake District.

Wordsworth Grasmere has one of the most important collections of Thomas Bewick’s woodblocks and letters, given by Iain Bain in 2013 with a further donation in 2018. Inspired by the Bewick collection, Jeff has recently begun PhD research with the University of Northumbria. His research seeks to examine the activities of the Bewick-Bielby partnership drawing on the material held at the Tyne and Wear Archives. Jeff will share some insights as a novice researcher tentatively mapping a way forward with his examination of original source material. He will present material in the spirit of ‘this is what I am working on – what do you think? Right lines? Wrong tree? Dead ends? New directions?’

Date and time: Thursday 16 October 2025. 6-8pm.

Venue: Loftus Room, The Lit & Phil, 23 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SE

‘more than a perfunctory recognition’

In 1904 Basil Anderton, the Public Librarian of the City and County of Newcastle upon Tyne introduced the catalogue of the newly acquired Bewick Collection. He said that the works gifted to the city by John William Pease were of such significance that something much more than casual consideration or perfunctory recognition was required. This was now he said an ‘unrivalled’ collection.

The Bewick Society and Local Studies Librarians have organised four study sessions for members as an opportunity to explore the Pease collection. We will attempt to throw light on the range and significance of the holdings with a view to encouraging further research.

Date and time: Wednesday 11 & 25 June and Wednesday 1 & 15 October 2025. 1-3pm

Venue: Newcastle City Library

Admission: Free.

Booking: Please Email Bewick.Society@ncl.ac.uk to reserve your place.