IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Leadgate, CONSETT, DH8 6RS

This is the priests house at the R C Church of Our Blessed Lady and St Joseph's at the Brooms near Leadgate. This building has a rather complicated history and was originally the chapel and the priest's house, built in 1794-96. In 1845 a chancel was added, but in 1866 a new church was built alongside - behind the house in this picture, so not visible. The chapel then became the sacristy.

On the verge opposite the R C church at the Brooms. Brooms Farm is in the background.

The eastern gable of the R C church of Our Blessed Lady and St Joseph at the Brooms, Leadgate. Builtin 1866-69 to a design by E W Pugin. The fact hat there was a very early Catholic church here in the late 18th century probably accounts for its location outside the village. Also, the plot was donated by the owner of nearby High Brooms Farm.

In the grounds of Our Lady and St. Joseph Catholic Church at Brooms these toilets were provided for the convenience of visitors to the Church and adjacent cemetery. They are now permanently closed, an alternative facility having been made available for people using the Church.

This is the R C Church of Our Lady and St Joseph near Brooms Farm to the east of Leadgate village. Designed by E W Pugin and built in 1866. Edward Pugin was the eldest son of Augustus Pugin, the famous architect of the Gothic Revival. Edward designed over 100 Catholic churches.

This building is now the priests house, but was originally the R C chapel. It dates from the late 18th century. In the mid 19th century a new church was built beside it to replace the chapel.

This small shrine is in the grounds of Our Blessed Lady and St. Joseph Catholic Church at Brooms.

The old Stanhope and Tyne railway (also known at one point in its history as the Pontop and South Shields Railway) was built to supply the Consett Ironworks with raw material, with a link to the coast. This section of the line was one of the oldest in the country, built in 1834. The track was lifted by 1985. The Consett and Sunderland path (part of the famous C2C cycle route, National Cycle Network route 7) follows the line of the old railway from Stanhope Moor down to Washington. This barrier across the path is intended to prevent access by motor bikes, but a locked gate is in place to provide access to maintenance vehicles. There is a horse stile to the right.

The substantial wooden gate post formerly held the crossing gate on the north side of the Birtley, Annfield Plain and Consett railway, at a farmer's occupation crossing near Brooms Farm (in the background). The former railway is now only used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders using the Consett and Sunderland Railway Path.