walker, Newcastle upon Tyne

The place-name 'Walker' is first attested in 1242, where it appears as Waucre. This means 'wall-carr', that is to say, 'the marsh by the Roman wall', a reference to Hadrian's Wall.Eilert Ekwall, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-names, p.492. Today, a small fragment of the wall can be found in neighbouring Byker{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/nov/02/1|title = Section of Hadrian's wall unearthed on building site|website = TheGuardian.com|date = 2 November 2000}} to the west, and Segedunum, a major site at the end of the Wall can be found in Wallsend to the east.

Large-scale coal-mining began in the area in the early 1700s, with up to ten collieries in operation in the Walker area. A wagon-way was constructed during this period to facilitate transportation of coal to the riverside staithes.{{Cite web|url=http://walkergate.newcastle.gov.uk/|title=Home | Ward Website|date=22 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722234308/http://walkergate.newcastle.gov.uk/|access-date=5 May 2021|archive-date=22 July 2013}}

Walker used to have a large shipbuilding industry, particularly the yard of Armstrong Whitworth{{cite web|url=http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Armstrong_Whitworth:_Shipbuilding |title=Armstrong Whitworth: Shipbuilding |website=Gracesguide.co.uk |access-date=2017-07-07}} at High Walker, but this has declined over the past 50 years and the area has suffered as a result, with many jobs being taken away from the community.

From 1809 to 1883, Walker was home to an iron-making company, Losh, Wilson and Bell (known towards the end as Bells, Goodman and finally as Bells, Lightfoot).{{cite web | url=https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Bells,_Lightfoot_and_Co | title=Bells, Lightfoot and Co - Graces Guide }}

Walker was formerly a township and chapelry in the parish of Longbenton,{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/place/1222|title=History of Walker, in Newcastle upon Tyne and Northumberland|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=6 September 2024}} on 30 September 1894 Walker became a separate civil parish{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10329474|title=Relationships and changes Walker CP through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=6 September 2024}} from 1894 to 1904 Walker was urban district,{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10062007|title=Relationships and changes Walker UD through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=6 September 2024}} on 1 April 1974 the parish was abolished.{{cite web|url=https://www.ukbmd.org.uk/reg/districts/newcastle%20upon%20Tyne.html|title=Newcastle upon Tyne Registration District|publisher=UKBMD|accessdate=6 September 2024}} In 1951 the parish had a population of 32,346.{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10329474/cube/TOT_POP|title=Population statistics Walker CP through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=6 September 2024}} In 1974 it became part of the metropolitan district of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Walkerville was developed as a model housing exhibition along the lines of the Garden city movement held under the auspices of the National Housing Reform Council in 1908 and is an early example of small-scale town planning prior to the Housing, Town Planning, &c. Act 1909.{{cite book|last1=National Housing Reform Council|title=North of England Exhibition of Model Cottages|date=1908|publisher=NHRC|location=Newcastle City Library L278.N537W|quote=Exhibition catalogue}} One of the prime campaigners behind the exhibition was Councillor David Adams (1871-1943), who later became an MP and Lord Mayor of Newcastle.{{cite web|title=David Adams collection|url=http://www.tyneandweararchives.org.uk/DServe2/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Show.tcl&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqPos=0&dsqSearch=(RefNo=%27DF.DA%27)|website=Tyne and Wear Archives|access-date=24 April 2017|ref=DF.DA|quote=Publications, committee work, press cuttings etc 1901-1943}} The chosen site was Corporation estate, Walker, and the gold medal for the horseshoe layout of the site was awarded to Watson and Scott of Newcastle.{{cite book|title=Walker, Walkergate and Walkerville: Miscellaneous articles|date=1906|location=Newcastle City Library 1942.82 N537W|page=35}} The exhibition was of a range of 'model cottages' for working people of different types from two to three bedrooms, by different architects and backed by a range of patrons including Wallsend Cooperative Society, at that time a provider of mortgage capital for its members. Newcastle Corporation also built homes as part of the exhibition. The Gold medal-winning architects were AT Martindale, White & Stephenson, Edward Cratney and TE Davidson.{{cite news|url=https://www2.darlington.gov.uk/web/arena/resources|title=Northern Echo|date=28 July 1908|location=Darlington Public Library|page=5|format=Archived newspaper on microfilm.}} David Adams described the planning and development of the Walker and Willington estates in a series of articles for The Northern Echo.{{cite web|last1=Adams|first1=David|title=The Planning and Development of the Walker and Willington Estates|url=http://www.tyneandweararchives.org.uk/DServe2/dserve.exe?dsqIni=Dserve.ini&dsqApp=Archive&dsqDb=Catalog&dsqCmd=NaviTree.tcl&dsqField=RefNo&dsqItem=DF.DA/8#HERE|website=Tyne and Wear Archives|publisher=Northern Echo|access-date=24 April 2017|ref=DF.DA/8|date=1908}}

Walker is an area between Welbeck Road and the banks of the River Tyne, although the modern electoral ward of Walker incorporates Pottery Bank and St Anthony's. When most Geordies refer to Walker they also incorporate the areas of Daisy Hill and Eastfield. Walkergate, located between Welbeck Road and the Network rail line are sometimes considered parts of Walker. Other parts of Walker are Walkerdene (which is situated south of 'Fossway' and north of 'Welbeck Road', west of 'Waverdale Avenue' and east of 'Scrogg Road') and Walkerville (which is located under the railway bridge and to the right, these houses are mainly private stock whereas other areas of Walker are council and ex-council stock). Other areas included are Daisy Hill and Eastfield which help make up the city Ward of Walkergate.

The area is notable for Walker Park,{{cite web|url=https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/leisure-libraries-and-tourism/parks-and-countryside/our-parks-and-countryside-sites/walker-park |title=Walker Park | Newcastle City Council |website=Newcastle.gov.uk |access-date=2017-07-07}} the Walker Riverside Park,{{Cite web|url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/walker-riverside-park-closed-over-1402109|title=Walker Riverside Park closed over pollution|date=28 July 2011|website=Chroniclelive.co.uk|access-date=5 May 2021}} and the Lady Stephenson Library (now known as 'Walker Library') as well as the Lightfoot Sports Centre, which is set to undergo a £2.5m refurbishment. Alderman Sir William Haswell Stephenson, built the library in 1908{{cite web|title=Library|url=http://www.monkchester.co.uk/library_1.htm|website=Monkchester.co.uk}} in memory of his wife Eliza, who died in 1901.{{cite web|title=Happy Birthday Lady Stephenson Library!|url=http://www2.newcastle.gov.uk/life.nsf/articles/5E6E84E021D8135C802574EC0034FADF?OpenDocument|publisher=City of Newcastle}} The library closed on 29 June 2013 and contents have been relocated into a purpose built area within Walker Activity Dome in July 2013 (The Lightfoot Sports Centre).{{Cite web|url=http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/leisure-libraries-and-tourism/libraries/walker-library|title=Newcastle Council: Walker Activity Dome and Library|website=Newcastle.gov.uk|access-date=5 May 2021}} Walker Park received a Green Flag Award in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/here-regions-parks-received-green-16588718|title=The North East parks which have received Green Flag Awards|first=Kali|last=Lindsay|date=16 July 2019|website=Chroniclelive.co.uk|access-date=5 May 2021}}

Walker is served by the Tyne and Wear Metro, with a station at Walkergate, and has a main bus terminus on Walker Road, although this is quite dilapidated and badly serviced.

Most children attend a local primary school, These are St Vincent's RC, Tyneview,{{cite web|url=http://www.tyneview.newcastle.sch.uk/website |title=Welcome to Tyneview Primary School |website=Tyneview.newcastle.sch.uk |access-date=2017-07-07}} Welbeck Academy, West Walker,{{cite web|url=http://www.westwalker.newcastle.sch.uk/website |title=Welcome to West Walker Primary School |website=Westwalker.newcastle.sch.uk |access-date=2017-07-07}} Walkergate, and Central Walker.{{cite web | url=https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/144270/central-walker-church-of-england-primary-school/primary | title=Central Walker Church of England Primary School - GOV.UK }} The two main Secondary Schools which service the area are Benfield School, a specialist Sports College, and Walker Riverside Academy, a high performing specialist technology and visual arts school for 11- to 18-year-olds.

Newcastle City Council's Walker Riverside regeneration scheme launched in 2003 aims to revitalise the area with new houses, schools, jobs and community facilities, environmental improvements, and a new neighbourhood centre to be known as the Heart of Walker.{{cite web|url=http://www.futurecommunities.net/case-studies/walker-riverside-newcastle-2003-2018 |title=Walker Riverside, Newcastle, 2003 to 2018 |website=Futurecommunities.net |date=2008-11-28 |access-date=2017-07-07}} The scheme has its own newsletter known as the "Walker Eye", which goes to almost 7,000 homes and businesses locally.

Much of the older and run-down housing stock along Walker Road is in the process of being demolished and replaced with new homes which are a mixture of council and private housing. The stated aim was to build 1,600 new and replacement homes over a 15-year period.{{cite web|url=http://cultureandsportplanningtoolkit.org.uk/living-places-in-action/featured-case-studies/walker-riverside-newcastle.html|title=Featured case studies / Walker-Riverside, Newcastle|website=Cultureandsportplanningtoolkit.org.uk|access-date=8 July 2017}}

As part of the new Heart of Walker development, plans have recently been unveiled to open a new state-of-the-art primary school on a site next door to the redeveloped Lightfoot Centre, where the old Wharrier Street Primary School was. The £7.5m project merged Wharrier Street and St Anthony's Primary Schools in Autumn 2012 to create the new Central Walker Church of England Primary.{{cite web|author=Alastair Craig |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/local-news/pupils-stage-farewell-show-walker-1366939 |title=Pupils stage farewell show for Walker primary school |website=Chroniclelive.co.uk|date=27 June 2012 |access-date=2017-07-07}}

Plans for the area's regeneration were approved by the then Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Ruth Kelly.

In August 2018 it was announced that two high-rise blocks, Titan House and Hexham House were to be demolished. The flats and neighbouring Church Walk shopping centre will be replaced by a new housing development and shops.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/two-high-rise-blocks-flats-15030120|title=Two high-rise blocks of flats in Walker set to be torn down|first=Daniel|last=Holland|date=14 August 2018|website=Chroniclelive.co.uk|access-date=5 May 2021}}

Cheryl Cole, singer, born on 30 June 1983,{{Cite web|url=https://www.magazinesdirect.com/categories/fashionandcelebrity/|title=Fashion Magazine Subscriptions | Magazines Direct|website=Magazinesdirect.com|access-date=5 May 2021}} lived in Walker and Heaton, attending Walker Comprehensive School, Middle Street,{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/cheryl-cole-tells-of-terrible-school-days-6519107.html|title=Cheryl Cole tells of 'terrible' school days|date=11 April 2012|website=Standard.co.uk|access-date=5 May 2021}} before she found fame with Girls Aloud.[http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/celebrity/article5299070.ece]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Walker is the birthplace of Eric Burdon, lead singer of The Animals, who later recorded with War at the beginning of that band's career. The Animals recorded a song called "Gonna Send You Back to Walker", a repurposed version of a song by American R&B singer Timmy Shaw, "Gonna Send You Back to Georgia (A City Slick)."{{cite web|url=http://www.songplaces.com/Gonna_Send_You_Back_To_Walker/Newcastle_upon_Tyne_England |title=Gonna Send You Back To Walker by The Animals in Newcastle upon Tyne, England |website=Songplaces.com |date=1996-08-20 |access-date=2017-07-07}}

Another Walkerite, the author, journalist and broadcaster Keith Topping, titled one of the chapters in his novel The Hollow Men, The St. Anthony's Chinese Takeaway Massacre. The novelist is co author on Dr Who: The Hollow Men (1998) with Martin Day.

The former Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi grew up in Walker, where he played for Walker Central F.C.; which was launched in 1988 by the Wallsend-born former Newcastle United footballer Lee Clark, and ex-club scout Brian Clark (no relation).

Stan Anderson, rugby union player who made one Test match appearance for England in the 1899 Home Nations Championship.

David MacBeth, an English pop music singer was born in Walker.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7037174.john-north---world-away-liver-salts/|title=John North - A world away from liver salts|newspaper=The Northern Echo|date=27 March 2003|access-date=6 May 2021}} Despite releasing a string of singles on three record labels between 1959 and 1969, MacBeth's only chart success was with his version of "Mr. Blue", which peaked at number 18 in the UK Singles Chart.{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/7755/david-macbeth/|title=David MacBeth | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=6 May 2021}} MacBeth took part in the 1963 Roy Orbison/The Beatles Tour.{{Cite web|url=https://www.beatlesbible.com/1963/05/20/live-gaumont-cinema-southampton/|title=The Beatles Bible - Live: Gaumont Cinema, Southampton|date=20 May 1963|website=Beatlesbible.com|access-date=6 May 2021}}

Geordie Shore stars Marty McKenna and Chantelle Conelly are both also from Walker.

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.tyneandweararchives.org.uk Tyne and Wear Archives Service: historical information on Walker]
• [http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/wardinfowalker Newcastle Council Ward Info: Walker]
• [https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/newcastle/walker-activity-dome Walker Activity Dome]

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Category:Districts of Newcastle upon Tyne

Category:Wards of Newcastle upon Tyne

Category:Former civil parishes in Tyne and Wear