20th century spoil heaps associated with Earsdon Colliery. A pale tone circular cropmark with a small central mark is visible on air photos at NZ3136 7243. It measures approximately 21m in diameter. This feature show on no other air photos and it is not certain that it is of archaeological origin. The area of this feature appears to have been used as a holding area for spoil from nearby collierys in 1958 and later and was subsequently relandscaped, which must cast some doubt on the archaeological potential of these cropmarks.

Broad ridge and furrow.

Strips of possible medieval ridge and furrow and post medieval narrow ridge and furrow are visible as earthworks on historical air photos. These remains appear to have been levelled on more recent air photos.

Strips of possible medieval ridge and furrow and post medieval narrow ridge and furrow are visible as earthworks on historical air photos. These remains appear to have been levelled on more recent air photos.

Backworth Colliery developed into a substantial colliery and brickwork complex with spoil heaps, reservoirs, workshops, chimneys, a Hoffmann Kiln, other buildings and wagonways by 1947. The site of this colliery was subsequently disturbed and then re-landscaped, very little physical trace of the colliery and brickworks survive.

Blocks of post medieval narrow ridge and furrow is visible as earthworks on historical and recent air photos. Now levelled.

Shown on Os map of 1890.

The curling ponds were built for Newcastle Curling Club. They had previously played matches at Percy Main, Clousden Hill, Fenham and Axwell Park, but at a meeting on 5th March 1864 the club decided to appoint a committee to find a suitable site for a purpose built artificial pond. A site adjoining Pelaw Main Station was approved on 5th September 1864. The first pond was completed by the end of 1864 and the first game played on it on New Year's Day 1865. This was a match between the married and single club members. The Benedicts, skipped by William McConnell and Jason Symington defeated The Bachelors, skipped by John Affleck and James Hunter.

The second pond was built in 1879.

Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle gives an account of a match played at Pelaw in 1881:

'A match between these rival clubs was played on the ponds at Pelaw on Tuesday, in the presence of a large company of spectators. The weather was favourable, and the ice, although a little biassed, was yet in capital condition for the game. The Newcastle and Tyneside Club is an offshoot of the Newcastle Club, and has only been a couple of seasons in existence. As will be seen by the sub-joined lists it has had to endure a defeat in its first encounter with its doughty parent:- RINK 1 - Newcastle: J. Meikle (skip), W. Gell, A.A. Thompson and David Murray - 27. Newcastle and Tyneside: T. Meikle (skip), J. Stewart, T. Cleghorn and W. Barbour - 18. RINK 2 - Newcastle: J. Telford (skip), J. Heddleston, W.H. Marshall and W.N. Inglis - 25. Newcastle and Tyneside: J. Stewart (skip), J. Thompson, J. McKinlay and A. Creighton - 11. RINK 3 - Newcastle: W. McConnell (skip), T. Taylor, W. Meikle and W. Scott - 28. Newcastle and Tyneside: J. Thorburn (skip), R.E. Wilson, J. Scott and G. Graham - 19. Totals - Newcastle 81, Newcastle and Tyneside 48; majority for Newcastle Club, 33'.

The two ponds served the club's purposes until 1885, when they moved to Ryton (HER 17740).

Newcastle Curling Club came to Ryton in 1885. The club had previously played matches at Percy Main, Clousden Hill, Fenham, Axwell Park and Pelaw (HER 17741). At a special meeting on 28th September 1883 the club empowered Messrs Taylor, Waugh and Telford to lease land adjoining Ryton Railway Station which had a large deep water pond. The first match was played at Ryton on 23rd February 1885.

There is an account of a curling match at Ryton in the Newcastle Courant, 7th January 1887:

'NEWCASTLE CLUB - The ice on the Ryton pond was in fair good order on Wednesday morning, although the snow was troublesome, and it took the players all their time to keep the pond clear. In the afternoon the weather improved a little, and, the frost continuing, the ice became in first-class order for curling. A good game was played between rinks skipped by Mr R.M. Waugh and Mr Thomas Taylor, the contest ending in favour of the former by 23 shots to 18. A challenge has been received from the Kelso club to play at Ryton on Monday next, with three rings aside, and there is every prospect of this challenge being accepted'.

At a special meeting on 16th October 1891, the club agreed to built an artificial pond at Ryton. Messrs Taylor, Waugh and Telford arranged the lease of land and received tenders for the construction of a two rink cement pond. Work began in August 1892. With the use of their deep water natural pond and their two-rink artificial pond, the club was said to be the best equipped in the country. The artificial pond is shown on the OS map of 1898.

In 1859 the club had 32 members, in 1869 it had 45, in 1879 it had 38, in 1889 it had 65, in 1892 it had 76 and in 1893 it had 103 members. Robert Heughan, who had founded the club in 1843, had been president six times, Mr W. Wilson eight times, Mr J. Thorburn five times, Andrew Young six times, Alex Laing four times and Mr McConnell three times. The secretary post had been held by Mr J. Thorburn, Mr J. Wilson, Jason Meikle and Mr Telford. Between 1843 and 1893 the club only lost six games.

One of the three churches on ‘Holy Corner’, a handsome Gothic building erected in 1882 at a cost of £6000 to seat 800; it was constructed of brick with stone dressings, and was demolished in 1964.

Chapel built in 1865 for £250, seating 200, and probably last used in the 1930; it has now been demolished.