Wed 11th February 2.00pm Ballast Hills Burial Ground – Gateshead lives across the Tyne

Ballast Hills Burial Ground lies in the Ouseburn Valley on the north side of the Tyne in Newcastle, yet its story extends across the river into Gateshead and beyond. This richly illustrated talk by Myra Giesen will share highlights from the AHRC Curiosity Award project, which ran from July 2024 to December 2025 and explored a burial ground in use from the mid-1600s to 1853. It will recount the process of uncovering this forgotten site, including findings from fieldwork, archival research, and personal narratives that reflect the broader social history of its time as a burial place during a period of significant change. While the talk will focus on the history and significance of Ballast Hills itself, particular attention will be given to several individuals and families from Gateshead who were buried there.