Morden Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Morden Tower |
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| Tyne and Wear, England, UK | |
Morden Tower, Newcastle
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 Morden Tower
Location in Tyne and Wear
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| Coordinates | 54°58′16″N 1°37′14″W / 54.97116°N 1.620618°W |
The Morden Tower is a historic building in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It stands on the old West Walls along Back Stowell Street. This tower is a very important historical site, officially called a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It's also a Grade 1 listed building, which means it's protected because of its special history and architecture.
Since 1964, Connie Pickard has looked after the Morden Tower. She has made it a lively place for art and culture in Newcastle. The tower often hosts cool music and poetry events, many of them funded by Connie herself.
History of Morden Tower
The Morden Tower was built around the year 1290. It is one of only five "Drum towers" that are still standing today. Originally, there were sixteen such towers. They were all part of the medieval town wall that protected the city of Newcastle.
The tower and the wall were built on a slope. This area was once part of the land belonging to the Dominican Blackfriars monks. Many of their old buildings are still around today. From the 1500s, the Morden Tower was used by a group called the Company of Plumbers, Plasterers and Glaziers.
A Hub for Poetry
The Morden Tower became a really important place for poetry readings starting in 1964. This was when Tom Pickard and Connie Pickard took over the building. They helped make it famous for poetry in the North East of England.
The tower gained a reputation for attracting famous writers from Britain and America. It became especially known for its connection to poets from the "Beat Generation" and "Black Mountain poets." These were groups of writers who were experimenting with new styles of poetry.
Tom and Connie Pickard were key in starting Newcastle's "Poetry Revival." They collected many books and pamphlets that were hard to find elsewhere. By using the Morden Tower for readings and as a book room, they kept audiences connected. People at the Tower could hear about new writing from places like Edinburgh, Paris, and San Francisco.
Many famous poets have read their work at the Morden Tower. These include Allen Ginsberg, Ted Hughes, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Seamus Heaney. Even today, the Morden Tower is a popular spot for poets and experimental musicians. This is true even though it doesn't get much official funding.
Famous Poetry Readings
The Morden Tower has hosted some truly memorable literary events. Here are a few of the most significant:
- On June 16, 1964, Pete Brown gave the very first reading. He read from his work called Bloomsday.
- Basil Bunting gave the first public reading of his famous poem Briggflatts in 1965.
- Allen Ginsberg gave his first European reading of Kaddish at the Tower.
- Ed Dorn gave his first European reading of Gunslinger there too.
Music at Morden Tower
Beyond poetry, Morden Tower has also been a place for new and experimental music. Many different musicians have performed there over the years.
Some of the musicians who have played at the Tower include Alan Hull from the band Lindisfarne. Other artists like Paul Smith of Maxïmo Park and Teitur have also performed. The tower has hosted a wide range of musical styles.
Several groups have promoted regular concerts at Morden Tower. These include A Better Noise, Subterranean, Jumpin' Hot Club, NO-FI, and A Glimpse Of Paradise. They have helped keep the tower a lively music venue for many years.
