Photographer Richard Blosse returns to Byker Wall
Oct 1 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal
IT was 30 years ago that photographer Richard Blosse began documenting the huge changes which surrounded the creation of a Tyneside housing complex which would become world famous.
Now Richard is to return this weekend from his home in Easter Ross, north of Inverness in Scotland, to the Byker Wall Estate in Newcastle.
An exhibition of his work will go on show to help the next big idea for the Byker Wall to become reality.
The vision is to turn the listed but empty Victorian St Michael’s Church off Headlam Street into an arts and heritage centre.
The church sits on a shelf of land which enjoys spectacular views over the Tyne and its bridges.
A bid for lottery cash has been lodged to landscape the area for public use with hopes of creating a natural amphitheatre where performances and events can take place against the stunning backdrop of the Tyne Gorge.
The Changing Byker exhibition in St Michael’s Church, which features Richard’s work and runs from Saturday until October 11, has been organised by the Ouseburn Valley Volunteers group, working with the Ouseburn Trust and Aspire, the community and church partnership based in Byker which is seeking to inject new life into the church and its surrounds.
“We want to create an art and heritage centre, which will be part of the world-renowned Byker Wall Estate, for local people, visitors and the region,” said Aspire chairman Phil Kitchen.
Part of the church would be set aside for worship.
“The backdrop is the most fantastic view in Newcastle and we want to create a space which people will enjoy,” he said.
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