BYKER’S rich industrial heritage includes coal mining, quarrying, lead manufacture, shipbuilding, rope making and even fishing. Glassmaking was introduced in the early 17th century and eventually Byker was supplying window glass to most parts of the country.
Pottery was another major industry, with the famous Maling factory producing work that is highly collectable today. The people who worked in these industries needed homes, education and entertainment, and this book explores the history of the community’s facilities from churches and cinemas to shops, pubs and sports grounds.
