Low Fell, Durham Road, Raven's Hill

Red brick villa with slate roof. Shown on OS third edition of 1919. Now called Park View Lodge. The childhood home of Katherine Githa Sowerby (1876-1970), playwright, poet and children's author. She was the daughter of Gateshead glassmaker, John G. Sowerby. Her penname was K.G. Sowerby. She was a feminist and member of the Fabian Society. She married John Kendall. Her play 'Rutherford and Son' (1912) was a huge success. It ran for 133 performances in London and 63 in New York. It was revived in 1980 and again in 1994. Her other plays were less successful. The last one was 'Direct Action'. Sowerby also wrote books of poetry and short stories for children, illustrated by her sister Millicent. Her papers and memorabilia are in the collections at the Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums.