Resource entry for file: A Glance at Alnwick.pdf
From the Morpeth Herald, July 25th 1903
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Death of Mr George Lingwood of Alnwick
The remains of the lat Mr George Lingwood of Alnwick, who died on Friday at the advanced age of 81 years were laid to rest in the cemetery at Alnwick on Sunday afternoon.
Mr Lingwood, who was a native of Bury St Edmunds, came to Alnwick in August 1842 and was employed by Mr H P Wilkin and Dickman, ironmongers , etc. withn whom he remained till failing health enforced his retirement. He was a member of the Order of Rechabites and joined the fraternity then existing in ALnwick when he came to the town and he maintained his abstemious principles to the last. He was one of the founders of the Alnwick “Workmingmen's Annual Provident Society, and was, its oldest members. He was also strong advocate for co-operation, but took no active part in a such societies that sprung up in the town. As a young man he became identified with the Alnwick Mechanics' Institute in whichhe took a geat interest and was elected on the committee of management. After a few years the librarianship becoming vacant he was appointed which post he held for over forty-one years with great credit to himself and satisfaction to the members.
When he was no longer able to fulfil the duties he was presented by the members of the institution with a testimonial and a purse of gold. He was a man of considerable literary ability, and contributed articles weekly and also poetical effusions to the local newspaper under the nom-de-plume of “Aln Brae,” until it leaked out that “Aln Brae” was George Lingwood, and he wrote no more. Some of his poetical writings aappeared in the "Northern Political Keepsake" a volume presented to the Prince Consort on his visit to the north He was also local correspondent for the now defunct Northern Daily Express. The late Mr Lingwood was a logician and posessed much general knowledge and was frequently consulted by the late Mr. George Tate, the historian, of Alnwick, on geological subjects and at the time of his retirement he was busily engaged in classifying the collection of geological specimens in the Alnwick Mechanics’ Institute.
Historic England listing: Mechanics' Institute: 4 & 5, Percy Street
Keys to the past: Mechanics' Institute: 4 & 5, Percy Street
Mechanics Institute by Barbara Woodhouse
Mechanics' Institutes by Historic Egland
Thesis: Mechanics' institutes in Northumberland and Durham (1824-1902) by Clifton Stockdale.
"The purpose of this work is to trace the origins and metamorphosis of the Movement in the North East of England during the last century, until its final state of change in the early 1900s".
Abstract of a thesis presented in ca,nd:ida·ture for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, by Clifton S.t.oc}td:ale.
Mechanics' Institutes in Northumberla.nd and Durham 1824 - 1902
The Mechanics’ Institution faces nearly the west entrance of St. Paul’s Church. The building is spacious and convenient, though it was erected on too expensive a plan, which has kept the society shackled with debt for many years. There are several thousand volumes of books in all departments of literature. Latterly novels have been introduced in a certain proportion. The utility of the society is much increassd by courses of lectures. There is a museum, to which the Duke of Northumberland has just given a great many stuffed birds, which have made a great improvement. The apartments on the ground floor are oceupied by the librarian, Mr. George Lingwood, a man of great intelligence and of a literary turn. He can write good poetry sometimes, and has published several pieces in the Alnwick Mereury, under the signature of “ Aln Brae.” The following is a specimen, and I like it very much :—
From Street Survey of 1996