The Natural History Society is pleased to announce the provision of seven new courses to run this summer.

Each course will feature indoor meetings plus field trips to take advantage of the great British summer!

You will need to be a member of the Society to take advantage of these courses. Average annual membership is £25.00.

If you have any questions regarding any of our courses contact us via: nhsn@ncl.ac.uk, (0191) 232 6386 or visit our office on the 2nd floor of the GNM: Hancock.

Birds of the North East: Bird Song and Breeding Behaviour

Starting Tuesday 27th April at 10.15am, 10 meetings with David Noble-Rollin
Covering the bird song and breeding behaviour of species living in the North East of England, with emphasis on the identification and interpretation of songs, calls and territory. Visits will include Cresswell Ponds, Thornley Woods and the Farne
Islands.
Standard fee: £72 / Over 60’s: £57 (Plus current NHSN membership number)

Investigating geology: Field petrology in N E England

Starting Wednesday 28th April at 10.15am, 10 meetings with Ken Patterson
Exploring the nature of the Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic rocks which occur in the Field. The North East (Northumberland and Durham and the Borders) will be studied both in the class and out doors. Visits to be decided by the class depending on interests.
Standard fee: £72 / Over 60’s: £57 (Plus current NHSN membership number)

Bats of North East England
Starting Thursday 29th April at 7pm, 5 meetings with Tina Wiffen
This course will show you how to observe bats and will explain their ecology. The course is made up of two indoor sessions with a follow on visit in the evening to a bat observation point, and one longer outdoor session in Gosforth Park Nature Reserve to spot a wide range of bat species.
Standard fee: £40 / Over 60’s: £32 (Plus current NHSN membership number)

Birds for beginners
Starting Friday 7th May at 10.15am, 4 meetings with Tina Wiffen
Aimed at novice ornithologists. The first meeting will be a classroom based introductory session, followed by three morning out in the field observing and listening to birds, including outings to Big Waters and Derwent Valley.
Standard fee: £35 / Over 60’s: £30 (Plus current NHSN membership number)

An introduction to wild flowers and grasses
Starting Friday 7th May at 2pm, 3 meetings with Dr Janet Simkin
Intended for botanical novices or those in need of a refresher, this course is an introduction to the classification and identification of our native plants. The main focus will be the spring and early summer flowers that are out during May, but there should be some early flowering grasses by then and we may even be distracted by the occasional moss or lichen.
Standard fee: £40 / Over 60’s: £32 (Plus current NHSN membership number)

An introduction to the archaeology of Northumberland
Starting Thursday 29th April at 2pm, 10 meetings with Steve Speak
An investigation from the earliest times to the end of the Roman period, with a natural history twist. Discussing everything from geology to botany, and making use of the exhibits in the museum, there will be something for everyone.
Standard fee: £72 / Over 60’s: £57 (Plus current NHSN membership number)

Find out more about the Natural History Society of Northumbria

Natural History Society of Northumbria Forthcoming Events

The Society hosts a range of events throughout the year. Keep an eye on the Directory of  Newcastle or visit their website for more information. http://www.nhsn.ncl.ac.uk/

Natural History Society of Northumbria 2010 Field Meeting Programme

Every summer the Natural History Society of Northumbria has a large selection of field meetings catering for its different sections, organised by committees and led by local experts. They cover the whole of the North of England, and a variety of subjects of interest to naturalists. The Society is a specialist charity, dedicated to promoting the study of natural history in the region. Why not join us today?

Members only summer programme 2010

Members only activities are open EXCLUSIVELY TO NHSN MEMBERS. The only costs involved are transport to the venues and location any entrance fees. If you are a non member and interested in attending any of these outings, please contact the Society office for membership details. Average annual membership subscription is £25.

If you have any questions regarding member meetings or public events contact us via: nhsn@ncl.ac.uk, (0191) 232 6386 or visit our office on the 2nd floor of the GNM: Hancock.

Youth clubs in Newcastle upon Tyne

For the young people who grow up and live in the city,  Newcastle and Tyneside is a great place to be; with a great number of youth clubs in and around the city, offering the young a refuge at the end of a day of school, where they can meet their friends and enjoy a game or two!

If you are bringing a young person into the Newcastle area or already live in Newcastle and wish to find a great youth club close to where you live, here are a few of the Centres around the city that you can visit, make friends and enjoy games of football, pool and other interesting activities.

Montagu & North Fenham Boys Club

Located just outside the city centre, not far from the A1, the Montagu & North Fenham Boys Club is a great place for young boys to find friendship and enjoy many varied activities during evenings and weekends.

Address:
Montagu & North Fenham Boys Club
Pooley Road
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE5 2SU

Tel: 0191 2430069

Denton Young People’s Project

The Denton Young People’s Project is a great youth project that offers a place for young people to go and take part in activities they enjoy, and is also heavily involved in the community to support the young of Newcastle.

Address:
Denton Young Peoples Project
Dunblane Crescent
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE5 2BE

Tel: 0191 2647566

Lillia Youth Project

This great youth project offers support and activities for the young in the Benwell area and beyond – the Lillia Youth Project is supported by great trained staff.

Address:
Lillia Youth Project
Benwell Lane
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE15 6LX

Tel: 0191 2740434

D 2 Youth Zone

Located just off the A696 in Whorlton Grange, the D 2 Youth Zone is the perfect place for children to enjoy great activities and learn in a safe environment. The staff at the D 2 Youth Zone are very supportive of anyone who visits.

Address:
D 2 Youth Zone
96 – 98 East Thorp
Newbiggin Hall Estate
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE5 4JD

Tel: 0191 2861800
Website: D2YouthZone

University of Newcastle upon Tyne

As a member of the Russell Group, the University of Newcastle upon Tyne is one of the best universities of research development and student experience in the country. The high reputation of the university is based on its excellent educational programmes – as well as the great satisfaction of the students who are studying there.

The origins of the university were first established in 1834 as a School of Medicine and Surgery with capacity of 26 students; later in 1851, the school was divided into two rival departments, the Newcastle College of Medicine and the Newcastle upon Tyne College of Medicine and Practical Science. By 1857, the Newcastle College of Medicine became a part of the University of Durham, both of which were renamed to the University Of Durham College Of Medicine in 1870. Through the following years the college changed its name several times, until in 1962 it was officially named University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

The university has staff numbering over 4,800 employees as well as 19,700 students, including about 2,000 overseas students coming from more than 100 countries. The twenty three academic schools and the thirteen research departments are combined into three main faculties: the Humanities and Social Sciences, Medical Sciences and Science, Agriculture and Engineering. All of those faculties are represented by experts and leading names in the area of social sciences, medical sciences, physical sciences and engineering, life sciences, business and law.  

The faculty of Humanities and Social Science has nine schools, a graduate school and a language school as well as several research centres, postgraduate degrees and more than seventy undergraduate degrees. This makes it the largest faculty at Newcastle University.

The faculty of Medical Sciences consists of Biomedical and Biomolecular Science, Dentistry and Medicine, managed by academic staff that includes the most prestige lecturers in the field of medicine.

The faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering consists of ten schools, covering Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture and much more.

The main library is the Robinson library, which consists of more than a million books and journals.

There are over 100 societies at the Newcastle University upon Tyne, including the Newcastle University Union Society, Newcastle University Photographic society and Newcastle University Neighbours Society.

Address:
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Queen Victoria Road
Newcastle
NE1 7RU

Tel: 0191 222 6000

 

Invitation to a Christmas Carol Service at The Cathedral Church of St Nicholas

On the 15th December 2009, the Northumbria University Christmas Carol Service will be held at the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas.

Here we present the open invitation to the service, which begins from 6.00pm, and will be conducted by the University Chaplain Reverend Gavin Wort.



For Further Information, contact Nikki Simmons on 0191 227 3025 or pr.events@northumbria.ac.uk

Pre-School Nurseries in Newcastle

As with all cities and communities, Newcastle upon Tyne knows that the education of its children is very important for the future of the city, and to this end many children start at pre-school nurseries before moving on to primary school.

Because of the importance put on pre-schooling and the large number of pre-schools in the Newcastle area, it can sometimes be difficult to know which nursery to choose. Here we have listed a short selection of the pre-school nurseries around the city of Newcastle.

For any further information and help, please contact the Newcastle City Council.

Elmfield Nursery

The Elmfield Nursery first opened its doors in 1996 and since then has been providing the children of the area a haven to have fun and learn prior to starting at primary school.

Situated in the quiet residential area of Gosforth, the Elmfield Nursery is the perfect place for your child to start their learning in the early years of life.

Address:
Elmfield Nursery
1 Westfield Grove
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE3 4YA
Tel: 0191 284 6060 ‎

Jesmond Nursery

The Jesmond Nursery was started in 1993 and is associated with the Elmfield Nursery, run by the same company that was founded by a group of parents who wanted the best for their children.

The Jesmond Nursery has continued to look after the children of others with the same care and dedication as the first parents who started the nursery in the first place.

Address:
Jesmond Nursery
8 Osborne Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 2AA
Tel: 0191 281 7836 ‎

Cedars Nursery

Cedars Nursery is a multiple award-winning nursery that has branches in both Newcastle and Sunderland.

The Cedars Nursery accepts children from 0 to 5 years of age and proudly provides more than the normal care of other nurseries, taking your child’s care to the next level and leading the way in pre-school education.

Address:
Church House
Grainger Park Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 8SX
Tel: 0191 298 3333 ‎

Heaton Nursery School

For nearly 30 years, the Heaton Nursery School has been looking after and educating the children of Newcastle.

Address:
Heaton Nursery School
38 Heaton Grove
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE6 5NP
Tel: 0191 265 6427 ‎ 

With a well designed nursery building and secure play garden, the Heaton Nursery School is a wonderful place for children to enjoy pre-school learning.

Welcome to the third public lecture in our series for the 2009-10 academic year. Speakers of distinction are invited to address members of the University, our colleagues, friends and partners, and members of the community.

On November 18 we will welcome back to the University Mr Spike Reid, a former Northumbria Students’ Union President, whose chosen theme is: 

 

‘The Latitude Expedition: An account of a 22,000 mile circumnavigation of the world along the line of 50 degrees north’.

 

Spike Reid and two close friends became the first ever winners of the Land Rover/Royal Geographical Society ‘Go Beyond’ bursary in 2008. They used this funding to embark on an expedition to study climate change across the globe at the latitude of 50 degrees north.

In his lecture Spike will take us through the seven-month long journey, starting at Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula, travelling across Europe into Northern Asia, where he drove through Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Siberia. After crossing the Pacific Ocean to Canada and driving through the Rocky Mountains and remote Saskatchewan, the team followed the line of latitude to return to the UK.  He will share the outcomes of their research and expertise, with photographic illustrations.

Hailing from Plymouth in Devon, Spike Reid graduated from Northumbria University in 2005, and was President of the Students’ Union for two years. A Design for Industry alumnus, he won first prize in the national Design Innovation in Plastics Competition in 2003.

In his current role as an events co-ordinator for the Royal Geographical Society, he is working to support and promote research, education, expeditions and fieldwork, as well as encouraging public engagement with the subject.

More about Spike Reid:

Innovative Sledge Wins UK Student Design Prize

Spike Reid on Coroflot.com
Spike Reid’s Photostream on Flickr
Spike Reid on LinkedIn

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More at Northumbria University:

   

Northumbria University Events
Northumbria University Public Lecture Series
Northumbra University Student Union Events Page

 

If you are able to attend, please book your place by emailing pr.events@northumbria.ac.uk  

 

Spike’s lecture will be held in Lecture Theatre 001 in the Newcastle Business School/School of Law building on City Campus East.

Light refreshments will be served afterwards.

I would be delighted if you could join us.