A social event followed by the Spring general meeting of your Newcastle Upon Tyne & District Group of the CSPA has been arranged for Wednesday 21st May 2025.
The social event consists of a guided tour of Newcastle’s famous Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Westgate Road.
The theatre was built in 1867 by industrialist and politician, Joseph Cowen. The Grade 1 listed building is a unique creation of that era. With its lavish auditorium, outstanding acoustics and understage machinery, the Tyne Theatre produced entertainment that amazed the audiences of the time and brought them back asking for more.
The 75-minute tour of the building will explore all areas, including the understage, backstage and many other areas never seen on a normal visit. Your tour guide will reveal the theatre’s fascinating history, and highlight tales of its stars and even its ghosts.
The tour includes lots of steps and comfortable shoes are recommended. Regrettably, members with restricted mobility will have limited access.
The tour will commence at 11:00am and will be followed by a light buffet before we have our Spring meeting commencing around 12:30pm. The meeting is expected to last around 1 hour.
The purpose of both events is firstly to meet and get to know fellow retired members from the various Civil Service posts across our district.
Andy Aitchison, our North East Regional Representative on the Executive Council (EC), will be in attendance. Andy will give an update on the key campaigns the CSPA is pursuing on our behalf, and updates on the outcome of recent proposed internal structural and procedural changes discussed at EC level.
It is hoped additional EC members may be able to attend.
It is imperative the EC receives a wide as possible local feedback, positive or concerned, on these issues.
To ensure sufficient tour spaces, refreshments and seating is available, can members kindly let me know whether or not they will be attending. Please email me at peter.sleightholme@outlook.com, or leave a message on my mobile phone 0741 931 2853.
Your attendance at either event will be greatly appreciated by our guest speaker and the committee who look forward to meeting and speaking to as many Group members as possible.
Best regards
Peter Sleightholme
Newcastle Upon Tyne & District Secretary Email: peter.sleightholme@outlook.com
Mobile phone: 0741 931 2853
