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The Keelmen of the river Tyne were the aristocracy of the river for centuries - from the middle ages until, in Victorian times, technology made their ancient trade unnecessary.
It was the Keelman's job to ferry coal from the up river coal mines to the harbour mouth at Shields, where the big collier sailing brigs waited to take it down the coast to London.
Coal was the lifeblood of Tyneside in those days. The Tyne keel was a clumsy barge holding eight chaldrons of coal - twenty-one tons four cwt. It was rowed in all weathers, day and night, with just a tiny cabin at the stern known as a huddock. A square sail could be hoisted amidships if the wind was favourable.
This summer’s short play by Tynemouth Pageant Players told of the story of the Tyne Keelmen, complete with the humour and pathos of their rise and fall, and embellished with some of the many folk songs they inspired.
July 2004 performance dates were:-
Fri, 9th Buddle Arts Centre, Wallsend (evening)
Sat, 10th Bede's World, Jarrow (afternoon)
Mon, 12th St. Paul's, Howdon (evening)
Tues 13th, or
Wed 14th St. Andrew's, Monkseaton (evening) - to be confirmed
Thur 15th Battle Hill (evening)
Fri, 16th Holy Saviour's, Tynemouth (evening)