The Society was established in the 1970s. It aims to encourage the study and enjoyment of architecture, buildings, their contents and settings by organising lectures and visits. It usually holds its lectures in the Fine Art Lecture Theatre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, and enjoys a close association with the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape of Newcastle University. (Read our constitution, revised October 2018).
Durham Cathedral's Father Smith Organ
Richard Hird, the speaker at our February meeting, is an organist, sits on the Durham Diocesan Advisory Committee and has jointly authored a book on The Organs of Durham Cathedral.. He will tell us about the organ for which the Durham Cathedral Chapter contracted in 1683 with the King's Organ maker, Bernard ("Father") Smith: a good, perfect, laudable and harmonious great Organ and Chair Organ [17 stops altogether] with a case of good, sound and substantiall Oak wood...
Details of our February lecture..
Regular lectures are held in the Fine Art Lecture Theatre of Newcastle University; instructions and map of how to find our lectures.
Summer Trip to West Yorkshire
Following the success of last year's trip to Dumfries and Galloway we have reserved accommodation at the Scargill Movement's Community in Wharfedale. We plan to visit a mix of architectural wonders in the environs of Ripon, Skipton and Bradford. Bradford is this year's U.K. City of Culture and hopefully there will be some special architectural visits available. The wonderful chapel, and other buildings, at Scargill were designed by George Pace, (1915 - 1975) and we intend to visit several of his other works during our three-day trip.
More information, inclufing how to book. Please return the booking form< (already circulated, or download here) by Friday 28th February 2025.
