Three cheers as Lit & Phil marks special occasion

Nearly 150 guests assembled last Friday (July 18) to celebrate one of Newcastle’s most beautiful and historically significant buildings.

The Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne, known affectionately as the Lit & Phil, marked the 200th anniversary of its Grade II* listed home on Westgate Road, with president Alexander Armstrong – television presenter, comedian and radio host – leading the festivities.

Founded in 1793 as a “conversation club,” the Lit & Phil moved into its permanent home at 23 Westgate Road in 1825, just yards from Central Station. 

The striking Greek revival building, designed by celebrated Northumbrian architect John Green in collaboration with Gateshead stonemason John Ions, was created primarily to house a growing library, which in 1825 numbered 8000 texts.

Today, it holds over 170,000 books, boasts the largest music collection in the North of England and hosts a year-round events programme spanning jazz, folk, classical music, theatre, author evenings, poetry readings and classes in everything from bookbinding to fine art.

For generations, the Lit & Phil has been a magnet for thinkers, writers and inventors. Long before universities arrived in Newcastle, the Lit & Phil was the city’s beating intellectual heart. 

George Stephenson presented his miner’s safety lamp here in 1815, while in 1879 Joseph Swan lit the building with his electric bulb – the first public space in Britain to be illuminated in this way.

Over the years, it has welcomed literary giants such as Oscar Wilde, Gertrude Bell and E.M. Forster, while its members and presidents have included some of the North East’s most revered minds, from Robert Stephenson and Lord Armstrong to Charles Parsons and historian G.M. Trevelyan.

Alexander Armstrong, a proud Northumbrian and a distant ancestral relation of Lord Armstrong, has been president of the Society since 2012. 

The host of BBC One’s Pointless and a weekday presenter on Classic FM, Alexander opened the evening with an address from the wrought-iron balcony – one of many original features still intact.

He said: “The 1820s must have been a thrilling time to be alive. All manner of new connections were being established.

“The Stockton and Darlington railway opened in 1825, opening up previously unimaginable possibilities in transport of coal and, of course, travel for people.

“The Union Chain Bridge, in Berwick, opened in 1820, spanning between and instigating in one ingenious piece of engineering, a fabulous new cross border community.

“Dobson and Grainger were also initiating their plans that would transform Newcastle’s medieval layout with new streets, squares and handsome public buildings.

“It must have been a time of terrific excitement and expectation.

“But with all these developments, perhaps even more brilliantly, came the promise of forging much greater connections, and we, at the Lit & Phil, were building that future too.

“We are standing in the self-same Lit & Phil that was begotten here in that evidently wonderful year of 1825.

“The building here in Westgate was necessary to house the Society’s growing book collection, and that collection has been beautifully preserved and obviously increased over the years.

“How right they were in 1825 to be excited about what their future would hold.”

Alexander proceeded to share a significant announcement with those assembled: “I have some very exciting news that we have been sitting on for a couple of weeks now, which has been embargoed. 

“So, this is the first time this has been aired, and it really is very exciting indeed.

“We have been granted a development growth of 274,000 pounds by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, so that, in itself, is cause for immense celebration.

“But even more excitingly, it qualifies us to reapply for a rather larger sum next year; a sum of £4 million pounds.

“It’s terrific news to launch our Friday evening together.”

After reflecting on the Lit & Phil’s collaborations with museums and universities and its role in championing North East music, culture and science, Alexander closed with a rallying call for continued engagement: “I hope this demonstrates that we are not, in fact, in a museum.

“We are a living and thriving, successful endeavour.

“Like our forebears, we too have much to be extremely excited about in our future, and you, members and guests, will be central to securing the new thinking, the new base and the new North East luminaries for the next 200 years.”

The bicentenary party, generously sponsored by Newcastle-based insurance firm Lycetts, was filled with conversation, live music and celebration – true to the spirit of the Society’s founders.

Adding a ghostly twist to proceedings was a theatrical appearance by “Mrs Affleck,” a former employee of the Lit & Phil who, legend has it, never left. 

Her monologue reflected on the building’s secrets and stories from a woman’s perspective, delighting guests with tales of experiments, eccentric characters and whispered discoveries, all “hidin’ in the fabric” of the library.

Mary Durkin, chairman of the Lit & Phil, brought the evening to a close with a heartfelt appeal for continued support.

She said: “This is a 200-year-old building – and it’s showing its age with wear and tear.

“It’s not golden gilding that we need. It’s reinforcing floors, the wiring, the everyday essentials that need attention.

“We’re not just preserving the past – we’re preparing for the next 200 years.

“That means upgrading our CCTV and audio systems, investing in digitisation, and expanding our reach and strengthening our relationships.

“They are already good, but we can deepen the partnerships we already have with schools and universities – and create new ones.

“This place matters. And with your support, we can make sure it’s still here to inspire generations to come.”

Mary Durkin, chairman of the Lit & Phil

The Lit & Phil remains free and open to all who wish to explore, browse or simply take in the atmosphere of one of the country’s most extraordinary libraries. 

Memberships are available for those who wish to borrow books, attend events or support its future.

See here for more details.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →