March 2025 – Modern Mooch

Sunderland Museum

Posted on March 23, 2025 by modernmoocher

Burdon Rd Sunderland SR1 1PP

In 1879, the Museum moved to a new larger building next to Mowbray Park including a library and winter garden based on the model of the Crystal Palace. US President Ulysses Grant was in attendance at the laying of the foundation stone by Alderman Samuel Storey in 1877, the building opened in 1879.

During World War II, Winter Garden was damaged by a parachute mine in 1941 and demolished the following year. A 1960s extension took its place, but in 2001, a lottery funded refurbishment of the museum created a new Winter Garden extensionand improved facilities.

Wikipedia

Built in 1879 by local architects J & T Tillman, the museum building is Listed Grade II and was the first civic museum to be purpose-built outside of London.

I have been unable to find any attribution for the 1960s extension, built in the Festival of Britain style.

The panels, on the rear elevation, were by Walter Hudspith, then Senior Lecturer at Sunderland College of Art. They were the first examples of public art to be commissioned in Sunderland and were made for the building’s 1962-64 extension; they represent music, art and literature. The panels were restored by Lesley Durbin at the Jackfield Conservation studio in 2000-01.

Twentieth Century Society

The tiles represent literature, art and music

The distinctive waved concrete canopy was constructed by council worker Fred Davis in 1963.

One day I was travelling south from Tyneside and I realised this was what I had always been looking for.

LS Lowry 1960 The Wear

Montagu Court – Gosforth

Posted on March 22, 2025March 23, 2025 by modernmoocher

Montagu Court Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne NE3

I walked across the Town Moor toward Gosforth, then along Kenton Road and left onto Montagu Avenue.

Coming to Montagu Court – facing north, in shadow from the spring sun – constructed in 1963 by local architects Waring & Netts.

Modelled here by Northumbria University.

I took a look around, many thanks to the amiable resident, who gave me the lowdown on this high rise.

By the main entrance to the tower is this delightful concrete relief.

Rather circuitously I wandered around the adjoining streets – finding myself on the edge of the grassland facing the southern elevation.

I suggest that you take the footpath by the side of Ferndene Court, I didn’t.

Should you fancy a flat with a view house prices in Montagu Court have an overall average of £456,667 over the last year.

Then you can transform your home in the George Bond style.

Swan Hotel – Birkenhead

Posted on March 13, 2025 by modernmoocher

Dock Road Seacombe CH41 1DG

Opened in 1878 as a West Cheshire Brewery pub, a Whitbread pub in the 1980s.

At one time named the Royal Swan, in the later years its name was changed to the Blazing Stump and before closure became a night club known as Bonkers.

A lost venue once loved for being the “wackiest fun pub” in the 1980s.

Date of closure unknown but thought to be late 1980s or early 1990s.

On the Dock Road was the ‘Swan Hotel which also opened in 1878. The nickname of the Swan Hotel was ‘The Blazing Stump’ and the story goes that an old seadog with a wooden leg used it to poke the fire. In those days pitch was used as a wood preservative, which is probably why his wooden leg caught fire when poking the fire one time too many – hence ‘The Blazing Stump.’

Due to its location near the Wallasey Docks majority of the customers who visited the pub came off the grain or ore boats. The pub would be thronged with Norwegians, Greeks, Germans, Swedes and Arabs and local people. When the pub was full the place had an unusual and interesting flavour because of this rare variety of people.

The ‘Stump’s’ days were numbered when less and less ships visited the Wallasey docks. The building still stands but remains unused, with the owner looking for a big payout sale. Or who knows, the doors may just open once more.

Wallasey Days Gone By

According to The Move Market, it last sold for £400,000 in 2022 – since then, its value has dropped by £37,000.

The talk of the town is now conversion to a go to destination.

Now construction company AP Mitchell and Evoke Architecture have submitted plans to Wirral Council to completely turn the site around.

The plans include outdoor seating areas with benches, an outdoor event space, food and drinks vendors, and a large bar. A private function space will sit inside the new building which will be called the Dock Road Food Hall.

Birkenhead News

The design works carefully to balance modern design with reminiscent character features, sympathetic to the original building and surrounding historic buildings of similar style. The result is a contemporary structure that aligns with the evolving character of Dock Road and the Wirral Waters masterplan.

Place North West