Tony Henderson on how the first Newcastle Journal provides a window on life in the region 175 years ago.

The times were a'changing when the first issue of the Newcastle Journal appeared on Saturday May 12, 1832.

It was only 17 years since the Battle of Waterloo. But a new and very different future was fast beckoning.

Less than a month after the launch of the new paper, the Northumbrian Whig Prime Minister, the 2nd Earl Grey, guided the passing of the Great Reform Bill which widened the franchise.

This entailed high drama, with Grey resigning - much to the joy of the Tory Newcastle Journal - and then quickly returning to office to do the deed which earned him his place on top of his monument, looking down the fine street which bears his name.

The developer Richard Grainger was also embarking on his great scheme to transform the centre of what was a largely medieval Newcastle.

The four-page weekly paper, which at an expensive seven pence was aimed at the upper and growing middle classes, would not, then, be short of front page news.

But in the fashion of the times, the front page was mostly crammed with advertisements and public notices.

However, the first issue did have a punchy story featuring a meeting of the Gosforth Association for Prosecuting Felons.

The good folk of Gosforth who were at that meeting were clearly uneasy at having to live surrounded by pitmen from Gosforth, Coxlodge and Fawdon collieries. And boy, were they anxious to start prosecuting.

The meeting "resolved to use every Endeavour in their power to detect and prosecute, to Conviction, any person who may be guilty of Robberies, Felonies, Petty Thefts, Breaking Down Fences and Gates, making unusual footpaths, trespassing in the fields, cutting down young trees, stealing turnips and potatoes belonging to the Members of the Association."

The association would "spare neither trouble or expense to put a stop to the trespasses committed by the workmen of the Collieries".

And speeding and rank bad driving is not the preserve of today. The association desired "to punish all Farmers' Servants and others who may be detected in driving their carts furiously on the public highway".

But just as sharp an insight into how life was lived then also comes from the adverts, through which businesses adopted a cloying, Uriah Heep-style approach to their customers.

They "begged most respectfully to inform the public" and "begged leave to intimate" and "respectfully solicited attention".

Even Newcastle Journal editor John Hernaman was advertising that the paper's printing office in Pilgrim Street could also turn out books, pamphlets, circulars, reports, cards and bills, and informed would-be customers "the type is quite new and so perfect in character that it cannot fail to command public approbation".

In Dean Street, Brown and Gill had set up shop selling cheap linen, drapery, silk, haberdashery and hosiery "which they are determined to offer at such low prices (for Ready Money)".

I Teasdale was in business in Northumberland Street as a hairdresser, perfumer, and ornamental hair manufacturer "and by undeviating attention in introducing the newest and most fashionable modes and by regulating his charges upon a moderate scale hopes to obtain a share of public patronage".

James Briggs, a tailor in Pilgrim Street, offered "Spring fashions as worn in the Metropolis" while Simpson's Livery Stables in Pudding Chare gave notice of a horse and carriage sales bazaar.

James Webb was informing folk that he had taken over at the Northumberland Arms at New Quay in North Shields - later infamously known as The Jungle - and having carried out thorough repairs "hopes to be enabled to render every comfort to those who may favour him with their patronage".

A Boarding School for Young Gentlemen in Darlington announced that, in addition to Latin and Greek, French "after the midsummer recess will be taught by a native residing in the house".

For those looking to rent a nice place in the country, Eden's Law near Haltwhistle was available with six bedrooms, coach house, two kitchens, plantations and pleasure grounds and two pews in the gallery of Haltwhistle church.

People were also seeking work, like the 37-year-old warehouseman "who has lived 17 years in one situation. He can be well recommended for industry, sobriety, and honesty and can make himself generally useful in an office or out of it. Hours and salary not so much an object as to get employment."

Readers were invited to an exhibition of paintings and sculpture at Newcastle's new Royal Arcade in Pilgrim Street.

Travel was by coach and horses and sea. Leaving from the Turks Head in Newcastle, the coach took 10 hours to York, 12 hours to Leeds, 13 hours to Edinburgh 18 hours to Manchester and Glasgow, and 20 hours to Liverpool.

How busy Newcastle was as a port comes through in the adverts for sailings, seeking cargo and passengers. The schooner Cordelia was setting off to Hamburg, and the Ocean to Philadelphia.

The 381-ton Abeona was off to Quebec, as was the 283-ton fast brig Edward. The King of the Netherlands was sailing for London and the Ardincaple left for Edinburgh on Monday and Friday mornings.

The big political story was, of course, Earl Grey's resignation and the Newcastle Journal did not mince its words. "We have to announce one of the most extraordinary facts in the history of this country. Earl Grey has resigned - basely and shamefully resigned."

And while Newcastle was welcoming its new paper, there was a plaintive plea in its pages to the people of Sunderland to support the idea of starting a Wearside monthly magazine.

A public notice read: "It has long been a subject of regret and astonishment that in a town of such importance, and surrounded by so many advantages as Sunderland, no periodical has ever been established."

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The Journal - a good read from day one

In its first issue, the Newcastle Journal gave short shrift to its rivals and outlined how it intended to be all things to all men.

It said: "The proprietors have engaged the services of able reporters and it will soon be seen that in originality, vigour, accuracy and spirit the Newcastle Journal will far exceed those drowsy vehicles of slip-slop upon which the public have hitherto bestowed their patronage."

Advertisers were also assured that their money would be well spent.

The paper told readers: "The Newcastle Journal starts with a circulation much greater, we have reason to believe, than that of several of our contemporaries and in a few weeks we hope that we shall hardly be exceeded in that respect by the most fortunate of our rivals.

"To advertisers of all kinds we beg to say that our list of subscribers is such that we can do ample justice to their favours."

It promised to "pay unwearied attention to every thing which concerns the Industrious Classes who will ever find in the Newcastle Journal a zealous and honest defender," while assuring readers that the editors "enjoy access to the best sources of information".

The editors also pledged:

To agriculture "as the foundation of social strength, they will most sedulously attend".

To commerce and manufacture "they will equally devote their pages".

To shipping interests, that they "may safely look to the Newcastle Journal as a sentinel".

To the rest: "Nor will the lover of literature, art and science or the searcher after amusing variety be forgotten".

There was still room to end with a few lyrical lines on nautical lines:

"With these few words we launch our bark (vessel), and commit her to the waters. Her masts are up - her sails are trim - the breeze is suspicious and, if we mistake it not, the haven of success is in view even at the outset. Our course lies straight forward and we shall not deviate from it.

"We nail our colours. They may be shot away. They shall not be pulled down."

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Miner killed in bitter dispute

Coal, pits and pitmen dominated the North-East in 1832.

So it was no surprise that much of the Newcastle Journal's first issue was taken up with news of a bitter strike by miners over pay.

The men refused to be "bound" to their employers and return to work.

Lead miners from the North Pennines, where the industry was in a slump, were being taken on to replace the pitmen and feelings were running very high.

John Herrington, a coal miner from Hetton, had been one of the few to go back to work and had been shot dead.

It was reported that a troop of Hussars had arrived at Chester-le-Street from Manchester " to be ready at a moment's notice to aid the civil powers in suppressing any commotion that may arise from the turn-out pitmen of the neighbouring collieries."

Because the miners had withdrawn their labour, they were being evicted from their colliery homes. The Newcastle Journal reported how, at Friar's Goose Colliery in Gateshead, troops has backed up police as families were put out of their cottages.

"The wife of Thomas Carr refused to be evicted and was carried by police to the door in a chair. She seized the hat of a policeman, flourished it over her head, and cheered the mob on to the onslaught."

Exchanges of gunfire between the two sides left six pitmen wounded.

The authorities, with a "strong body" of police, had also gone to Fawdon to turn the miners out of their homes.

They "found a large and turbulent body assembled." Troops were despatched as the pitmen declared "they would die to a man before their furniture should be removed."

The paper also carried a report on a meeting of the coal owners, with Robert Brandling in the chair, which had resolved to present a petition to Parliament for a committee of inquiry "into the causes that had given rise to the Felonies and Riotous proceedings of the Pitmen in the coal districts of Northumberland and Durham and that the legislature will adopt such Enactments as may put an end and prevent the recurrence of similar outrages."

The Newcastle Journal was firmly on the side of the owners, saying : "The terms the owners have offered their late pitmen are not only just, but liberal. If they refuse, the owners in justice must regain possession of the houses they occupy in order to make room for others who are willing to sell their labour at a less extortionate price.

"The Pitmen succeeded in persuading at least a portion of the public that they were ill-used, that they were the victims of unfair dealing, even of oppression. The reverse of all this is the truth. The aim of the Pitmen is to usurp the places of their employers."

It was a struggle which would be played out many times in the future.

The pitmen had no voice in the paper, although another side of the story is suggested in a report on the death of a 10-year-old boy in an accident at the Black Boy pit near Bishop Auckland.

Finally, and poignantly, the Newcastle Journal carried a description from Alston Moor of destitute lead miners leaving to emigrate to Canada.

"During this last week upwards of a hundred individuals have left Alston for the purpose of emigrating, bound for Quebec - chiefly miners who, from the ruinous depression of the lead trade, have long been out of employment, exposed to a situation of extreme misery and want.

"They are sent from Alston by means of a subscription raised on their behalf and many of the suffering heads of families tell that they are driven from their native home to seek precarious subsistence in the gloomy forests of Canada."

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Birthday tributes

Jill Halfpenny, actress

"A very happy birthday to The Journal. Now I'm back living in the North-East it's great to keep up with everything that's going on. The Journal is part of the landscape up here. Here's to the next 175 years."

Liz Twist, Unison's regional head of health

"Congratulations to The Journal on its 175th Birthday! Health and the NHS are important to all of the people in the North-East, and in my experience the coverage in The Journal of health issues is consistently fair, detailed and even-handed.

"As a campaigning trade union, UNISON welcomes the fact that The Journal not only isn't afraid to ask the difficult questions when necessary but will also give praise to NHS workers and providers where it is due.

"Here's to the next 175 years!"

Richard Ellison, regional director of the North East National Farmers' Union

"Happy Birthday to The Journal which we love because of its dedicated farming page and its extensive coverage of rural issues."

Kevin Rowan, regional secretary of the Northern TUC

"Best wishes to The Journal on its 175th birthday. If you want to know what's going on you have to read The Journal. Everybody who's anybody in the North-East does."

John Fletcher, Newcastle Falcons director of rugby

"I wish The Journal a happy 175th birthday because it's an outstanding newspaper. It's the number one regional newspaper and a big supporter of sport and rugby."

Alan Hall, regional director of the Engineering Employers Federation

"It is good that the paper has been around for so long and that it has been in touch with what is going on in the region for so long.

"The Journal is also very good at reinventing itself to reflect the interests of people in the region and how they like their news presented and analysed. In short, it does everything you expect from a good modern business."

David Soley, chairman of Camerons Brewery

"I regularly buy The Journal, particularly the weekend edition with the property section. And although I read the national news and like the national comment it is really The Journal's focus on the local issues in the news, business and sport sections that I enjoy most.

"It is how national events shape and effect the region's issues and The Journal is particularly good at highlighting this regional perspective and how it effects us here in the North-East - well done!"

Julie Sedgewick, NSA Northern Region Organiser

"Happy Birthday to The Journal, the farming page is the best for information on the farming industry, the rest of the paper's not bad either!"

Tim Evans, partner in charge of the Newcastle office of property consultants Knight Frank

"The Journal stands proud alongside the quality nationals and very much reflects our city's status as the UK's newest urban powerhouse. Its Commercial Property pages are, I believe, the best in the country and really add value to this vibrant and important sector of our economy."

Dinah Bennett, project director of Women Into the Network

"I think The Journal is absolutely fantastic because it really takes women in business seriously and doesn't just hide them away on dedicated women's pages or supplements. I can honestly say that Women Into The Network would not be where it is today without working in partnership with The Journal, and I wish you all a very happy 175th birthday."

Peter Doroshenko, director, BALTIC, Gateshead

"Myself and everyone at BALTIC wish The Journal a very happy 175th birthday! To reach such a landmark age is both impressive and admirable. The Journal is a true local institution, which everyone in Tyneside relies upon for the latest and breaking news.

"Baltic may be very young in comparison as we will celebrate our fifth birthday this summer, but we thank The Journal for all the support they have given us and we look forward to working with you in the future."