83-618: Deckham is a residential suburb in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead in Tyne and Wear , England. It is bordered by Gateshead town centre to the north, Sheriff Hill to the south, Felling and Carr Hill to the east and Shipcote to the west. It lies on the B1296 , the route of the old Great North Road , 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Gateshead town centre, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and 13 miles (21 km) north of
166-485: A chapel , parts of its grounds have also been given SSSI status. Even in the more urban areas of the borough, in Gateshead itself and to the east, efforts have been made to maintain green spaces and wildlife sites. One such project is Bill Quay Community Farm, east of the borough. Offering a rural experience within an urban setting, it provides an important educational tool for local schools. The 2001 census stated that
249-400: A further education college, Gateshead College , and a leading Jewish higher education institution, Beth Midrash Lemoroth — Jewish Teachers Training College. Gateshead has a variety of landscapes, urban and industrial areas include the town itself, Whickham and Blaydon in the west, with more semi-rural and rural locations in the west including Ryton and Rowlands Gill. Overall though, it
332-467: A Tyneside flat scheme, each flat tenant, even if holding the freehold of their own flat, is made the landlord (and thus reciprocally the tenant) of the other. This allows the responsibilities to be enforced legally, without requiring the existence of an external landlord or management committee over the whole building. In the South Tyneside area, leases of this type are less common due to the history of
415-402: A better investment than new-build. Other flats had their rear bedroom divided to create a small, windowless bathroom within the main part of the building. During the 1980s and 1990s, a shortage of larger properties in popular areas and the availability of affordable mortgages led to some Tyneside flats being converted into two-storey houses. This is a relatively simple conversion. In most cases
498-568: A council ward in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead. It is approximately 1.5 square kilometres (0.58 sq mi) in area and has a population of 9,228. It is represented by three councillors. In June 2012, they were Brian Coates, Martin Gannon and Bernadette Oliphant. Deckham is part of the Westminster parliamentary constituency of Gateshead Central and Whickham . It was previously in
581-466: A meeting place for resident groups. The project has education provision for young children as a registered day–care provider and it also offers adult education and training. The project hosts the 'Carnival on the Hill/Deckham Festival'; a collaborative enterprise between Route 26, Gateshead Council and Home Group which offers free activities, such as go-karting and children's soft play, against
664-402: A prayer service on Mondays and a children's group on Wednesdays. Two more buildings were locally listed as places of special interest by Gateshead Council. These are Carr Hill Clinic at Carr Hill Road/Ilford Place and St Mark's Methodist Church at Shipcote Terrace. Deckham has several public houses. The Plough Inn on Old Durham Road and is evidenced on the ordnance survey map in 1862 where it
747-461: A similar form of housing, as flats above each other but with no shared entrance. Many legal definitions of these later maisonettes also encompass the Tyneside flat. Some Tyneside flats were also built in the same period. In the 1960s and 1970s, many had their rear outshot extended to use the ground area previously used by the privy. This allowed space for both a kitchen and bathroom, although small, in
830-412: A single upstairs window spanning both doors. Tyneside flats may vary in size, usually having one or two bedrooms as the lower flat is made slightly smaller by the staircase to upstairs. Some upper flats use the attic space for additional bedrooms and may have three or four bedrooms, spread over two floors, and usually with a dormer window to the front. The terrace was extended to the rear by an annexe,
913-551: A state of deterioration, and despite a report describing recent housing development on the east side of Old Durham Road as "poorly handled and unsightly", the area remains "interesting and lively". By contrast, the central and eastern areas of Deckham are affected by a more marked decline. At the western edge there are stone remnants of an old, rural settlement, but the remainder, grouped around Edgeware and Kingston Roads, consists of bland, repetitive social housing arranged on long, curved streets which combine to create an environment which
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#1732858577257996-403: A stimulating and engaging curriculum and the nursery provision was good overall. The primary provision was praised for providing a safe and engaging learning environment in which children are able to progress to a level broadly comparable with children nationally and where pupils are extremely well behaved. In all inspection categories, the primary provision was judged good. South Street Primary
1079-534: A third of the council (one councillor for each ward) elected each time for a four-year term of office. The wards are: The council is based at the Civic Centre on Regent Street, which was purpose-built for the council and was completed in 1987. Prior to 1987 the council had been based at the Town Hall on West Street, which had been completed in 1870 for the old Gateshead Borough Council. In national government
1162-563: A tract of Tyneside flats was built on the west side of the Old Durham Road and many streets in the area, such as Chandos Street, Shipcote Terrace, Raby Street and Northborne Street, are evidenced, along with an unnamed school. By 1919, some rural scenes could still be enjoyed but the fields were "rapidly encroached upon" in the 1920s and 1930s and replaced with more terraced housing at Caris Street, Fullerton Place and Methuen Street and large tracts of council houses . By this time, Deckham Hall
1245-448: A two-storey terrace , a common type of Victorian housing in urban England. Their distinctive feature is their use of two separate front doors onto the street, each door leading to a single flat. The upper flat has a stairway leading from directly behind its front door, the other has a hallway beneath this, with the space below the stairway forming a small storage space. From the outside, the two front doors appear in adjacent pairs between
1328-460: A typical feature for Victorian terraces, containing a scullery . As was typical for their time, each flat has a small enclosed yard at the rear with an outside toilet or 'netty' . Sometimes the yard was shared. For the upstairs flat, rear access would be by an open or enclosed brick staircase. Compared to the yard of a similar house, the two yards are thus quite small, being half the size, and containing two privies rather than one. Originally
1411-418: Is "housing and little else". Much of this housing is in poor condition, some is in "crumbling disrepair" and requires substantial investment. Old Durham Road has developed into the focal point of the neighbourhood and is the sole commercial area, with small, independent shops running along the western end of the road backing onto the streets from Inskip Terrace and Shipcote Terrace. Whilst many retail units are in
1494-466: Is a fairly green area with over half of the borough being green belt or countryside . Most of this is located away from built up Tyneside to the south of the borough into Derwentside/Chester-le-Street and to the west into Tynedale. In total, there are over twenty countryside sites in the borough, from ancient meadows and woodland to local nature reserves. Notable features of Gateshead's countryside include Ryton Willows, found at Old Ryton Village on
1577-707: Is above average for the Metropolitan borough of Gateshead , but below average for the town of Gateshead which Deckham forms a part of. Deckham is situated to the east of Gateshead town centre. It is also split into three sub districts, Central Deckham, Mount Pleasant and Carr Hill . Deckham has three buildings listed by English Heritage . They are 33 and 35 Fife Street and the Church of St George. The flats at 33 and 35 Fife Street, in Mount Pleasant, are Grade II Listed buildings . Described by English Heritage as "perhaps
1660-455: Is anonymous, claustrophobic and disorientating. One source describes the environment as one where "eyesores become landmarks (lock–up workshops on Kingston Road), any slight change in materials becomes significant (system–built housing on Kingston Road), and any attempt to do something different becomes a relief (a corner garden on Mayfair Gardens)". The net result is that, in Deckham today: There
1743-476: Is built in sandstone and remains in very good condition. Access to the bell tower is by spiral staircase and the staircase and bells are in good order. Of particular note is the church organ; a Father Willis built organ which has been described as "an utter gem" and "exceptional". Deckham's other church is the Emmanuel Pentecostal Church, a plain, stone building located in a prominent position on
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#17328585772571826-619: Is crossed by the B1296 Old Durham Road, a commuter road and route of the Great North Road before it was diverted through Low Fell on the route of the A167 . Journey time by car or bus to Gateshead town centre is approximately 5 minutes, and 10–12 minutes into the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne. Deckham is in a " metro corridor " so that it is broadly equidistant from Gateshead Metro station and Gateshead Stadium Metro station . Deckham
1909-471: Is in a safe Labour seat. Mearns' success in 2010 followed of Sharon Hodgson, who in the 2005 UK General Election polled over 60% of the votes cast whilst in 2001, Joyce Quin was returned with a majority of 53.3%. According to the United Kingdom Census 2001 , Deckham has a population of 9,228– 51.5% of the population are female, slightly above the national average, whilst 48.5% are male. Only 2% of
1992-449: Is instead provided by the leader of the council . The leaders since 2002 have been: Following the 2024 election the composition of the council was: The next election is due in May 2026. Since the last boundary changes in 2004 the council has comprised 66 councillors representing 22 wards , with each ward electing three councillors. Elections are held three years out of every four, with
2075-625: Is managed by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums on behalf of Gateshead Council. Gateshead is a library authority and within its Central Library is a large venue facility called the Caedmon Hall. Gateshead has an association football team, Gateshead F.C. , who play in the English National League . They play at the Gateshead International Stadium , which also hosts athletics . The following people have received
2158-592: Is on a major bus route into Gateshead; and Old Durham Road is a "bus priority route". The suburb is served by several bus services, such as the Cityrider 56 which continues into Sunderland , the 57 which terminates at Wardley and the East Gateshead Rider 58. It is also part of the 51/52 network. Services to MetroCentre and Chester-le-Street also run through and stop in the area. Buses serving Deckham are operated by Go North East and Gateshead Central Taxis under
2241-419: Is one civil parish in the borough at Lamesley, which forms an additional tier of local government for its area; the rest of the borough is unparished . Birtley was also a civil parish with a town council until it was abolished in 2006. The council has been under Labour majority control since the modern borough's creation in 1974. The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Gateshead. Political leadership
2324-515: Is shown as 'Speed the Plough'. The Shakespeare Inn is on Split Crow Road and Mount Pleasant Working Mans Club is described by one official document as "intrusive" though it hosts several local housing discussion groups. The Deckham Inn at the junction of Split Crow Road and Old Durham Road, was closed in the early 21st century and an application to demolish it to make way for residential flats was approved in 2004. After objections were raised planning approval
2407-471: Is something of a sense of isolation in parts of Deckham, especially further up the hill as development densities drop, commercial and social facilities disappear and activity levels on the street fall away. Around the Old Durham Road the surviving mix of small shops and meeting places generate some impression of communal spirit, but the poor condition of many properties and the dominance of the public realm by traffic serve to stunt it. Unlike Sheriff Hill, Deckham
2490-611: Is the only school in Deckham. Some children of primary–school age, particularly those living in the east of Deckham, attend nearby Carr Hill Primary School instead. Deckham compares unfavourably with the wider Gateshead area in respect of adults with educational qualifications. 43% of adults have no educational qualifications, compared to 38.4% across the whole of Gateshead and the England average of 28.9%. Only 17% of adults have five or more GCSEs or equivalent at A*–C (compared to 36.9% across Gateshead and 47.6% nationally) whilst 6% of adults in
2573-443: Is thought to have lived at Deckham Hall. By the turn of the 20th century Deckham's rural aspect had changed. Whilst there remained large areas of grass and woodland between Deckham and Gateshead, there was a period of extensive building; several dozen dwellings were erected by 1895 in the Mount Pleasant area as Gateshead expanded southwards. A public house was built at the junction of Taylor Terrace and Split Crow Road. Two years later,
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2656-586: The Freedom of the Borough of Gateshead: In addition, freedom was granted to 72 Engineer Regiment on 9 July 2011. Tyneside flat Tyneside flats are a form of UK domestic housing found primarily on Tyneside , including in Newcastle upon Tyne , Gateshead , South Tyneside and North Tyneside . The first known example of this type was constructed in the 1860s. They are pairs of single-storey flats within
2739-596: The Gateshead East and Washington West constituency which was abolished by boundary changes before the 2010 UK General Election . For many years the MP was Joyce Quin , who retired on 11 April 2005 and was awarded a life peerage into the House of Lords on 13 June 2006 and is now Baroness Quin. The present MP Mark Ferguson , is a member of the Labour party. Deckham
2822-544: The Tyneside conurbation , centred on Newcastle upon Tyne . At the 2021 census, the borough had a population of 196,154. It is bordered by the local authority areas of Newcastle upon Tyne to the north, Northumberland to the west, County Durham to the south, Sunderland to the south-east, and South Tyneside to the east. The council is a member of the North East Combined Authority . The town of Gateshead
2905-410: The city of Durham . In 2011, Deckham had a population of 9,938. Deckham's history is sparsely documented but suggests that the settlement was established at the junction of Carr Hill Road and the Old Durham Road in the early 19th century alongside the estate of Deckham Hall, built several centuries earlier and inhabited at one time by Thomas Deckham. The village grew, and at the turn of the 20th century
2988-464: The service industry and well paid areas of the secondary sector such as engineering (which remains a major source of employment). Such commuter areas include Ryton, Rowlands Gill, Whickham and Low Fell. The borough is host to Tyne Yard , a major rail freight yard serving the North East. Gateshead Quayside, once dominated by industry, has benefited from significant investment and gentrification in
3071-549: The 1860s, in the mid-Victorian period. The first Tyneside flats have been claimed as the Shipcote Estate in Gateshead, built by William Affleck in 1866. Most were built from the 1870s until the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, with some built post-1918, usually including a purpose-built bathroom and kitchen in the rear annexe. The 1870s saw a great increase in the populations of both Newcastle and Gateshead, driven by
3154-537: The Church of St George, is a Grade II listed building , and community facilities are provided by Gateshead Older People's Assembly and the Elgin Centre in Carr Hill. Unlike Sheriff Hill, Carr Hill and Low Fell , Deckham's history is sparsely recorded. It indicates that, by the middle of the 19th century, there was a small settlement which was part of Gateshead Fell ; a wild and treacherous area of common land notable for
3237-534: The Derwent Valley and coal mining (across the borough). Shipbuilding on the Tyne was also a major source of employment. However, with the decline of these industries, Gateshead has attempted to re-invent itself. Although there are significant areas of deprivation in the borough, particularly in the centre and east, a number of towns and villages in the borough are popular with commuters and professionals who are employed in
3320-524: The administration of Nexus . South Street Community Primary school at the northern end of Deckham in Cramer Street and caters for pupils in the 3–11 age range. The number of pupils eligible for free school meals is well above the national average. In the most recent OFSTED inspection, the nursery provision was praised for enabling children who enter the school with skills below that expected of similarly–aged children nationwide to achieve well through
3403-404: The backdrop of a steel band . The second Deckham Festival was held on 3 September 2011 and attracted over one thousand visitors, including Mayor of Gateshead and BBC local weatherman Paul Mooney. Based in what was Deckham Village Hall, Gateshead Older People's Assembly is a charity working to provide opportunities for over 50s to improve their health and maintain their independence. The charity
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3486-521: The banks of the Tyne at Ryton. Ryton Willows is 43 hectares of locally rare grassland and ponds located near to an affluent village with Georgian and Victorian houses. Because of this it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest . The Derwent Valley, in the south/south west of the borough, offers panoramic views and pleasant walks. It was in the Derwent Valley, near Rowlands Gill, that the Northern Kites Project re-introduced red kites . This
3569-647: The borough at both primary and secondary level. Results are well above average, with a number of outstanding schools. Gateshead has amongst the best primary and secondary schools in the country overall. A range of schools are present in Gateshead, including Jewish , Roman Catholic , Church of England , Methodist , and non-religious state schools . There is one independent school in the borough, Chase school in Whickham . Further independent schools can be found in Newcastle, Sunderland, and Tynedale. Gateshead town itself has
3652-408: The borough contains four parliamentary constituencies, Blaydon and Consett , Gateshead Central and Whickham , Jarrow and Gateshead East and Washington and Gateshead South . The Gateshead Central and Whickham constituency is the only one wholly in Gateshead. Its MP, first elected in 2024, is Mark Ferguson ( Labour ). The Blaydon and Consett constituency covers the west of the borough and Birtley to
3735-435: The borough's predominant religion was 80.25% Christian . Other statistics found 10.94% of no religion , 6.94 unstated, 0.82% Jewish and 0.60% Muslim . The 2011 census , stated that the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead was 67.0% Christian, 0.9% Muslim, 1.5% Jewish, 23.9% were not religious and 5.7% of the population refused to state their religion. The area was once dependent on heavy industry such as steel making in
3818-587: The character of the suburb. Residents can enjoy striking views towards Newcastle upon Tyne and across the Team Valley . The settlement is governed locally by a Parliamentary Labour council and elects a Labour MP. Deckham is an area of social and economic deprivation, in the top ten per cent of such areas according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation . Housing stock is predominantly council housing and is, in many places, outdated and in need of modernisation. Whilst once
3901-560: The corner of Caris Street and Old Durham Road. Little is documented regarding this church, and the date of building is difficult to ascertain, though the Pentecostal movement in Britain dates to 1907 and the church was certified for the solemnising of marriages as recently as 21 October 1959. The Church is a member of the Assembly of God denomination of Pentecostalism and hold weekly Sunday worship,
3984-401: The criminality of the tinkers and hawkers who lived there. Ordnance survey mapping illustrates the sparsity of buildings in 1860; the area contained little except Deckham Hall, a few other dwellings and two public houses at the point where the old turnpike road branched off towards Carr's Hill. The two public houses were the 'Speed the Plough' and 'The Ship'. The Deckham Hall estate was on
4067-575: The east side of Old Durham Road, 1.25 miles from the Tyne Bridge . It is evidenced in 1614 and belonged to Thomas Deckham, who died the same year and bequeathed it to his granddaughter with "three pounds for the bringing home of water" to the poor people of the area. It changed hands regularly between the families Wooler, James and Bowker, in the centuries after Deckham's death and varied in size whilst doing so. Alderman Benjamin Biggar, Mayor of Gateshead 1861–2,
4150-463: The expanding industrialisation along the Tyne . This was also the 'Age of Collectivism', when there was an increasing interest by local Corporations in improving public health by the provision of better sanitation, enforced by legislation such as the Public Health Acts of 1875 and 1848 . Tyneside flats resembled other local houses: in the first examples their front doors opened directly onto
4233-405: The houses' windows. In contrast, many similar flats, elsewhere in England, have a single shared front door, which opens into a communal lobby with interior doors to each flat. Housing of this period was often constructed as a local mixture of two-storey terraced houses, and single-storey Tyneside flats. The paired doors are the only external indicator of which type a building is. There is usually
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#17328585772574316-403: The kitchen was the largest central room, containing a cast iron coal range for cooking, and a smaller scullery was provided in the rear outshot. Water was usually only provided in this scullery, with a Belfast sink and often a separate stove heating a wash copper for laundry, either in the scullery or a separate outhouse. With the adoption of smaller gas cookers rather than coal ranges in
4399-418: The last surviving example of an unspoilt, 2–flat dwelling of high quality but modest size", they were built in the latter part of the 19th century from sandstone ashlar and slate. The Church of St George is an Anglican church at the corner of Inskip Terrace and Durham Road built in 1896 by Stephen Piper of Newcastle. This "bold and remarkably simple" church consists of a nave , vestry , bell tower and porch,
4482-419: The mean percentage of the population claiming Jobseekers Allowance was 7%. This compares to Gateshead's 5% average over the same period. Youth unemployment is 10%, compared to Gateshead's 9%. Deckham, at latitude 54.95° N and longitude 1.59 ° W, lies less than 1 mile (1.6 km) south and east of Gateshead town centre between two main transport corridors; Sunderland Road to the east and Old Durham Road to
4565-686: The mid-20th century, many of these sculleries were converted as kitchens, so allowing the previous kitchen to become a larger living room. The type is well-regarded today and is often rented or a first purchase by young professionals and childless couples, seeking an affordable home near a city centre. Although 100–150 years old, their construction standards were generally good and they are considered solid and reliable buildings. Amenities such as electricity, modern plumbing and central heating would have been added in later years. Some Tyneside flats are let to students and sometimes marketed as individual rooms with shared kitchen and bathroom. The type appeared in
4648-475: The old county borough of Gateshead had done prior to 1974. Some functions are provided across Tyne and Wear by joint committees with the other districts. The county of Tyne and Wear continues to exist as a ceremonial county for the purposes of lieutenancy, but has had no administrative functions since 1986. Since 1986, Gateshead Council has provided both district-level and county-level functions, with some services being provided through joint arrangements with
4731-409: The original door to upstairs was partially bricked-up and replaced by a window. The legal status of a Tyneside flat, and the responsibilities between their landlords, is complicated by their interdependency. The upper flat shelters the lower flat, the lower flat supports the upper flat. This has led to specific legal schemes, known as Tyneside flat, criss-cross, or crossover lease arrangements. Under
4814-489: The other Tyne and Wear councils. In 2024 a combined authority was established covering Gateshead, County Durham , Newcastle upon Tyne , North Tyneside , Northumberland , South Tyneside and Sunderland , called the North East Mayoral Combined Authority . It is chaired by the directly elected Mayor of the North East and oversees the delivery of certain strategic functions across the area. There
4897-402: The outshot. Their kitchen and bathroom would be considered small by modern standards, but typical of the period. Rear access to the upstairs flat was retained by either a compact brickwork stairway now running sideways across the end of the outshot, or by a more compact steel staircase. This improvement was often aided by generous council grants, who saw the improvement of existing housing stock as
4980-821: The past decade. It is now home to the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and the Sage Gateshead . The area is also an important retail hub, with the largest shopping centre in the European Union , and second largest in Europe as a whole, the MetroCentre , situated adjacent to the A1 trunk road. Further retail, and a significant number of engineering companies are located in the Team Valley Trading Estate, which at one time
5063-742: The population are from a black or other minority ethnic group (BME), as opposed to 9.1% of the national population. Of the BME group, 35% are from the Asian or Asian–British ethnic group. Deckham has a high proportion of lone parent households at some 15% of all households. This is the third highest figure in Gateshead and compares with a borough average of 11.5%. Some 31% of households have dependent children, as opposed to 29.5% nationally and 28.4% in Gateshead. The Index of Multiple Deprivation , which divides England into 32,482 areas and measures quality of life to indicate deprivation , splits Deckham into halves and lists
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#17328585772575146-563: The regeneration of the suburb. The facilities are utilized by the Route 26 Community Project; a registered charity based at the centre which aims to work towards the betterment of lives in Deckham and neighbouring wards. The project works with Gateshead Council and the Gateshead Housing Company to provide a community cafe promoting healthy eating (the 'T–Junction'), a gymnasium, indoor sports hall, outdoor Five-a-side football pitches and
5229-455: The same time: Aside from Gateshead, the other districts had all been lower-tier district authorities subordinate to Durham County Council prior to the 1974 reforms. From 1974 until 1986 the borough council was a lower-tier district authority, with Tyne and Wear County Council providing county-level services. The county council was abolished in 1986, since when the borough council has provided both district-level and county-level services, as
5312-506: The site of a coal mine, there is today no major employer in Deckham, which is considered a residential suburb of Gateshead . The main economic activity is in a commercial development on Old Durham Road. Deckham has a number of public houses, one of which, the Plough Inn, is more than 150 years old. The only education provision is at South Street primary school , which is a good school according to OFSTED . There are two churches, one of which,
5395-401: The south, and has been represented since 2017 by Liz Twist , also for Labour. The Jarrow and Gateshead East constituency takes in the very eastern tip of the borough, including Pelaw . It is represented by Kate Osborne (Labour). The Washington and Gateshead South constituency is represented by Sharon Hodgson (Labour). Gateshead has hosted two major political conferences. The first of these
5478-409: The street, particularly those in Gateshead. Later Edwardian examples, particularly around Jesmond and Gosforth , developed first small front gardens and then bay windows with stone details. After the First World War mass council housing began to be provided in the form of detached or terraced properties and Tyneside flats fell out of favour. After World War II , the maisonette developed as
5561-569: The suburb have two or more A-Level's (or equivalent). Where an abbreviation is used in the references this is indicated below in (brackets) at the end of the source name. When a source is available online, a link has been included. Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead The Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead is a metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear , England. It includes Gateshead , Rowlands Gill , Whickham , Blaydon , Ryton , Felling , Birtley , Pelaw , Dunston and Low Fell . The borough forms part of
5644-536: The west and the streets adjoining Hendon Road as far north as the Bankies open space at Mount Pleasant. In 1974 Deckham was incorporated into the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead by the Local Government Act 1972 . Until its implementation, Deckham was part of County Durham. It is now bordered by settlements which are part of the metropolitan borough. These are Sheriff Hill to the south, Low Fell and Shipcote to
5727-455: The west, Gateshead to the north and Felling and Carr Hill to the east. Deckham has distinctive, steep topography which "shapes the character" of the suburb. Though the urbanisation of Gateshead has detracted from panoramic views that were once enjoyed by residents, the topography ensures that residents continue to have excellent views towards Newcastle-upon-Tyne and the Team Valley. Deckham is
5810-525: The west. The distance from Deckham to London is 255 miles (410 km). Deckham occupies an elevated position, especially at its north end which sits on a ridge, and some parts are steeply sloped– notably those which border Sheriff Hill to the south. In the urban expansion of Gateshead, Deckham was enveloped so that its exact boundaries are difficult to define. The estate had boundaries at Split Crow Road, Old Durham Road, Hendon Road and Carr Hill Road but documents indicate that Deckham stretches to Durham Road in
5893-578: The western half, along with Carr Hill and Sheriff Hill, in the top 10% of all deprived areas in England in 2012. The eastern half is in the top 5% of deprived areas. In 2011 however, the ethnic minority population increased rapidly. In 2001, 96.8% of Deckham's population were white British, this figure reduced to 92.3% white British in 2011. Also, the population increased massively too, from 7,886 in 2001 to 9,938 in 2011. 88.8% of adults in lone parent households with independent children were women. In 2011, 7.7% of Deckham's population were non-white British. This
5976-639: The whole metropolitan borough. There are 33 retail units concentrated on Old Durham Road, which provide some employment, though these are at the lower end of the spectrum and provide little choice. There is a good provision of hardware stores, fast–food outlets and hairdressers, a butcher's shop, a greengrocer and a supermarket, but there is no bakery, bank nor building society and the Post Office has closed. The retail units were domestic properties, so many are too small for retail purposes and around 20% are vacant. Deckham suffers from high levels of unemployment; in 2011
6059-447: Was Labour's spring conference, ahead of the 2005 general election . The Conservatives also held a conference at the Sage Gateshead in March 2008. The Conservatives do not have any councillors in Gateshead and at the time only had one MP in the whole of the north east region. That conference was seen as an attempt to connect to voters in the area. Gateshead has a number of schools across
6142-577: Was an ancient borough , having been granted a charter in 1164 from Hugh Pudsey , the Bishop of Durham . The borough's functions were relatively limited until 1836, when it was made a municipal borough under the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 , which standardised how most boroughs operated across the country. When elected county councils were created in 1889, Gateshead was considered large enough to provide its own county-level services, and so it
6225-507: Was enveloped by urban spawl when neighbouring Gateshead absorbed its outlying villages and settlements. Deckham is largely distinguished from other areas by a commercial area on Old Durham Road which is the principal route through the suburb. Historically , Deckham was a village in County Durham and was incorporated into the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead by the Local Government Act 1972 . Deckham has steep topography which has shaped
6308-757: Was established in 2002 and supports activities for older people in 18 of Gateshead's 22 wards. In Deckham, the charity runs a thriving wellness hub which welcomes hundreds of older people each week. In addition to a community garden and a large outdoor area dedicated to exercise groups, the charity offers the following activities for older people: ·Staying Steady falls prevention programme ·Dancercise ·Strength & Balance classes ·Never Too Old to Rock ·Tai Chi ·Cosy Crow Singing Group ·Deckham Social Group ·Pilates ·Ukulele Group ·Samba Percussion Group ·Art Group ·Reminiscence Group ·Craft Group ·Belly Dancing ·Tea Dance ·Zoom exercise classes and social activities Activities are open to all Gateshead residents aged 50+. The suburb
6391-454: Was in a state of disrepair and was notable to residents for its resemblance to a haunted house "because of its air of gloom and the strange echoes to be heard on windy nights". The hall was demolished in 1930 and more council houses were erected on the site. Since the intensive period of house building, little has changed. At the west end of the suburb, the Tyneside flats at Northborne Street and surrounding streets remain in situ and here there
6474-429: Was in the hands of Hopper, Hughes and Company in 1886. By December 1893 the colliery had been abandoned as being "not workable to a profit". In common with most suburbs of the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead, its economy is dominated by the economies of Newcastle–upon–Tyne and Gateshead town centre. This is reflected in terms of independent commercial space; retail floor space in the suburb totals 1% of that available in
6557-432: Was made a county borough , independent from the new Durham County Council , whilst remaining part of the geographical county of Durham . The modern borough of Gateshead was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 , as one of five metropolitan boroughs within the new county of Tyne and Wear. The borough covered the whole area of five former districts and part of a sixth, which were all abolished at
6640-501: Was not founded on heavy industry . It developed primarily for its ease of access to the turnpike road , the principle route between Durham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne which ran through it. There is evidence of coal mining; the Durham Mining Museum has a record for 'Deckham Hall Colliery'. Few records of the colliery survive, and it is difficult to ascertain when it opened, but the colliery was located 1.5 miles south from Newcastle and
6723-401: Was part of a national project to introduce the birds, that were once so commonplace across the country, back into the wild. This scheme has proven to be a success, with birds being spotted across the west of the borough, from Crawcrook to Rowlands Gill itself. The borough also contains one National Trust site, the expansive Gibside estate near Rowlands Gill, containing a stately home and
6806-653: Was rescinded but it was demolished in 2011. There are no libraries in Deckham, though Gateshead Central Library, the largest library in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead , is nearby. Gateshead Leisure Centre in Shipcote and Saltwell Park are close by. The Elgin Centre is on Elgin Road at the south–east boundary between Deckham and Carr Hill. Whilst geographically outside Deckham, the centre provides "the key cluster" of community provisions for its residents. These facilities contribute to
6889-638: Was the largest industrial estate in Europe. Gateshead is home to the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and the Sage Gateshead . The Anthony Gormley structure, the Angel of the North (the largest free standing sculpture in the United Kingdom) is in Gateshead. This puts Gateshead at the forefront of the arts both regionally and nationally. The Shipley Art Gallery , housing outstanding collections of contemporary craft, studio ceramics, paintings and decorative art,
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