Summer Walk 8, Blyth Quayside & Ridley Park - Tuesday 22nd August 2023.

On Tuesday 22nd August the Morpeth Camera Club Summer Programme came to a close with a visit to the
quayside area at Blyth. The aim of the walks is to visit places of local interest to practice our camera skills
and to enjoy our photography. Not visited as a club since 2011, recent developments have included a new
hotel/pub/restaurant, new housing overlooking the waterfront, and ongoing building work at the Port of Blyth
facility on Quay Road.

Members parked and met on the Dun Cow quay, opposite the Port of Blyth SUF Terminal where the three huge
storage silos and the 76m tall wind turbine have become distinctive features on the north side of the river. High
tide offered opportunities for images reflected in the water as well as locals fishing from the wooden staithes.

     

Heading east we came to the huge public artwork, the “Spirit of the Staithes” designed by artist Simon Packard.
This sculpture appears to be just a mix of steel beams supporting seven flat blocks. However, when viewed from
Wellington St East, the shapes come together to form a life-size image of a steam train and tender, set at the
height of the original timber coal staithes they ran along.

The Quayside is a good venue for photography, and within a few hundred yards members were taking images
of Blyths Tall Ship, 'The William's II'. Constructed in Denmark in 1914, it is a 36m gaffed riffed ketch, built of
oak with pine decking and masts. Almost 200 years ago Antarctica was discovered in a similar vessel named
'The Williams', built and owned by Captain William Smith a man born and raised in Blyth, and the intention is
to recreate this voyage in 'The Williams II'.

                      

Leaving the riverside the group then explored Ridley Park. Originally known as the “Flats and Links”, the park
began its life as an area of waste ground to the west of the Blyth Harbour & Dock Company, and was created
in 1904, with the land donated by Viscount Matthew White Ridley. Ridley Park is well used and houses many
attractions including flower gardens, colourful murals, sculptures, the Cenotaph and War Memorials.

The return section of our circular walk led us down the rear of Bath Terrace, to see two buildings linked to the
ports maritime history. First the Blyth Rocket House, built in 1880. This building was used to house the rockets
and rescue apparatus, used for saving crews from stranded ships close to the shore. We then continued to The
Old Lighthouse. Also known as the 'High Light', it is one of the oldest buildings in Blyth, with the first section
built in 1788, with additions in 1888 and 1900, to give a final height of 61ft 6in.

     

The evening concluded with refreshments on the outside patio of The Commissioners Quay Inn, a fitting way to
complete the summer walks programme. Thank you to all who attended. The new Camera Club season starts
on Tuesday 5th September, details to follow.

Davy Bolam.