Jesmond
| Jesmond | |
| Northumberland | |
|---|---|
 Jesmond Parish Church | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | NZ253654 |
| Location: | 54°58’58"N, 1°36’14"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 11,849 (2001) |
| Post town: | Newcastle Upon Tyne |
| Postcode: | NE2 |
| Dialling code: | 0191 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Newcastle upon Tyne Central |
Jesmond is a town in Northumberland which has become a mere residential suburb of the county's great city, Newcastle upon Tyne, just north of the city centre and within the conurbation landscape.
The population of Jesmond is about 12,000. It is adjacent to the east side of the Town Moor, providing pedestrian and cycle paths to Spital Tongues and the city's two universities. It is widely considered to be one of the most affluent suburbs of Newcastle.[1]
The town's name is from the Old English Gese muþa, meaning "Ouse Mouth" after the river here.
Contents
History
In the Middle Ages, Jesmond was a place of pilgrimage. According to local tradition, some time shortly after the Norman conquest there occurred in the valley of the Ouse an apparition of the Virgin Mary (and latterly the name 'Jesmond' has been popularly interpreted as "the hill of Jesus", or "Jesus Mound" after this legend). The apparition brought pilgims to St Mary’s Chapel, whose ruins, first recorded in 1272, are in Jesmond Dene[2] on the west side of the valley, although the local tradition holds that the apparition itself occurred at St Mary’s Rock which stands in the midst of the brook next to the ruins of Ridley Mill. A trace of the processions to the shrine which occurred at this time is found in the name of that section of the Great North Road running north of the Tyne called Pilgrim Street. During a period in which the shrine was in need of repair it was endowed with indulgences by a rescript or edict of Pope Martin V on certain feasts of the liturgical year. A spring known as St Mary’s Well of uncertain date may also be found near to the chapel. It has the word "Gratia" inscribed upon the stone above it.
In the 16th century the chapel was suppressed in the Reformation and fell into ruin. The ruin and its grounds later passed through various owners (one of whom tried to turn the well into a bathing pool). It was acquired by Lord Armstrong in the 19th century and given by him to the City of Newcastle. The local Roman Catholic priest and bishop now use the place to perform mass and flowers along with letters and candles are often left in the ruins by pilgrims and others, and it is the site for an annual Christian and Muslim women-only prayer event.
The Beatles wrote their second hit single She Loves You in the Imperial Hotel in Jesmond on 27 June 1963.[3]
Areas of Jesmond
The area is notable for Jesmond Parish Church, Holy Trinity Church, Jesmond Synagogue, Jesmond Dene woodland and the Royal Grammar School. The area's principal commercial area forms around Osborne Road, Acorn Road and St George's Terrace, the former being dominated by hotels and bars, and the latter by shops and cafés.
Newcastle City Council has designated [4] three conservation areas within Jesmond; Brandling Village, South Jesmond and Jesmond Dene.
The Mansion House was owned by a wealthy industrialist Arthur Sutherland, 1st Baronet, and is one of the most impressive residential properties in Jesmond. Built in 1887, the property was donated to the city by Sutherland in 1953 and is now the official residence of the Lord Mayor and can be used for private events.[5] The house, situated in the centre of Jesmond previously sat in five acres of land. One acre of the land including previous stables were sold as a private property, now owned by relatives of Arthur Sutherland.
Jesmond is experiencing 'studentification'. It is a popular residential area for students attending Newcastle University and Northumbria University. Osborne Road in Jesmond has a strong student population with a selection of student bars, restaurants and housing.[6]
Sport
- Cricket: Northumberland County Cricket Club and Newcastle Cricket Club both play at Osborne Avenue,[7]
- Tennis: Jesmond Lawn Tennis Club
- Real Tennis: Jesmond has one of very few real tennis clubs, whose premises hold other events too.
On television
- Tracy Beaker Returns, a popular children's television series, was filmed in The La Sagesse School in Jesmond (now closed and being developed for housing)
Metro stations
Jesmond is served by the Tyne and Wear Metro, with stations at Jesmond, West Jesmond and Ilford Road. Jesmond station is the point at which Metro trains travelling north emerge from the underground section. Trains travel southbound to Sunderland or South Shields in County Durham by way of Newcastle upon Tyne City Centre and Gateshead and northbound to the airport by way of Kingston Park or Whitley Bay.
Outside links
- JesmondLocal: Hyperlocal news site covering Jesmond
- Newcastle Council Ward Info: North Jesmond.
- Newcastle Council Ward Info: South Jesmond
- Jesmond Network
- What's in Jesmond
- JRA
References
- ↑ http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/local-news/ten-interesting-facts-jesmond--1342141
- ↑ http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/local-news/ten-interesting-facts-jesmond--1342141
- ↑ http://www.sclews.me.uk/beatles.htm
- ↑ Conservation Areas in the City, Newcastle City Council
- ↑ http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/communities-and-neighbourhoods/births-deaths-and-marriages/marriages-and-civil-partnerships/mansion-house-jesmond
- ↑ Walton Robinson. "Student Accommodation in Jesmond". http://www.waltonrobinson.com/rent/jesmond-student-housing/. Retrieved 2012-04-11.
- ↑ "Newcastle Cricket Club". www.newcastlecc.org.uk. http://newcastlecc.org.uk/. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
