People to bring 100 year old Dome to life

13-JUL-10

Issued by: Jeanette Hedley

North Tyneside's iconic Spanish City Dome will celebrate its centenary by being brought alive with the memories of the public.

The building will open to visitors from September 9 - 12 as part of the national Heritage Open Day programme, giving the first glimpse of the restoration of the Grade Two listed building that has been the centre of discussions about securing its future for more than 20 years.

But North Tyneside Council is determined that people - and the impact of the Dome on their lives and that of the local community - will be at the centre of an exciting programme of celebrations.

It has recruited Whitley Bay based creative design company Black Dog Design to bring to life the history of the building. But this will not just be delivered through a formal exhibition of the historic timeline of the Dome and Spanish City site, but in an archive of personal memories that capture its unique contribution to the region's heritage.

And the company is now appealing to the public to 'donate' their memories for future generations.

"The Spanish City Dome is an iconic landmark with a long and rich history - it has played a major role in the lives of the people who have lived in or visited Whitley Bay," explained Mick Sharp, of Black Dog Design, based in Rockcliffe Avenue, Whitley Bay.

"Our aim is to capture people's memories so that we can tell the real story of the Dome - recollections of dancing in the Empress ballroom, playing the amusements, going on rides in the funfair, family holidays in Whitley Bay.

"We want this exhibition to bring the Dome back to life so people can be taken back in time to the Dome in its heyday - but also celebrate the building and the fact that 100 years on it remains a major part in the future of Whitley Bay.

"That's why we need real people telling their stories of The Spanish City and Dome . We're looking for written memories and memorabilia, but particularly any home movies and film, or photographs which have never been made public before. We're also producing a film of memories to be shown during the exhibition, and would love people to contact us about being interviewed. Filming is due to take place on August 2 and 3rd."

Anyone who is willing to donate their memories is contact Mick or Cathy Sharp by telephoning 0191 290 2206 or e-mailing info@blackdogne.co.uk.

North Tyneside's Elected Mayor, Linda Arkley is delighted that people are being put at the centre of the anniversary celebrations.
"The Spanish City Dome is a building that is very dear to the residents of Whitley Bay and visitors from home and abroad over the decades, "said Elected Mayor, Mrs Linda Arkley.

"I know that delivering the building back to its former glory is something that is very important to those who know and love this building - that's why I am delighted that we can mark The Dome centenary with the completion of the structural work.

"But I also want people - and their very personal memories of The Dome over the decades - to be at the centre of this 100th anniversary celebrations."

The public and their relationship with the Dome will also be recognised in a commemorative book by Northern Voices Community Projects, based in Whitley Bay. They have previously produced 'From Segedunum to the Spanish City'

Edited by Whitley Pay poet, Keith Armstrong and North Shields graphic designer Peter Dixon it will be a collection bringing together an extended history, historical photographs and illustrations, with poems, lyrics and personal stories. Contact Northern Voices on 0191 2529531 to contribute.

While the final preparations are being put into place for the Spanish City Dome celebrations North Tyneside Council is also aiming to complete the final phase of the structural work to the building to secure its future for years to come.

The last phase of the work includes the reinforcing of the roof terraces, so they can again be used by the public, the completion of rendering of the building and the return in August of the copper 'terpsichorean figures' or Dancing Girls, which originally adorned the towers either side of the main entrance and have been cleaned and restored.

Information for Editors.

 

Useful facts about the Spanish City Dome:

 

- Designed in 1909 by Newcastle architects Cackett&Burns -Dick, the Dome is an early example of the 'Hennebique' patented system of reinforced concrete construction. Careful examination of the concrete rotunda found the structure was sound but in need of repairs to outer coatings and the lower buildings along the promenade.

 

- When opened in 1910 it was the largest dome in the UK after St Paul's Cathedral.

 

- At the top of the Dome the copper lantern - made by Ewart and Son Limited of St Pancras, London who made the roof for Buckingham Palace - has also been repaired and the missing four copper scrolls have been remade to match closely to the original design.

 

- A new fibreglass flagpole has already been installed, which incorporates the remains of the original 1910 timber pole within the lantern. The new flagpole is to the same height as in 1910, but considerably lighter. It will be fitted with a new 30ft hollow glass fibre flagpole, sheathing what remains of the original wooden flagpole inside the Lantern.

 

- And the copper 'terpsichorean figures' or Dancing Girls, which originally adorned the towers either side of the main entrance, are currently being cleaned and restored by specialist conservators in London. They will be reinstated on the building at the end of the restoration work.

 

- Spence and Dower, the specialist conservation architects are advising the council throughout the project and admit the project has been complex - even uncovering the 1910 paint colour has presented a challenge.

 

- In 1910, this Dome was the largest in the UK after St.Paul's Cathedral. Other early landmark buildings using this same system were Brooklands Race Track (1908), Royal Liver Building, Liverpool (1909) and Battersea Power Station chimneys (1931)".

 

- Spanish City is also a wonderful example of Edwardian seaside architecture and is one amongst only a few of such pleasure buildings still remaining from this era in the UK".

 

- The structural repairs to the Dome - immortalised in the 1981 Dire Straits song 'Tunnel of Love' - were begun by North Tyneside Council last year.