Letters from region’s industrial past

Anything with a bit of fancy lettering is always going to catch my eye, so when I saw this on Twitter I just had to share!

The North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) is exhibiting pieces of the region’s business history as part of its 200th birthday celebrations.

Items on display include a letter to the Chamber from Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, shortly after he returned from Berlin in 1938, before the start of the Second World War.

KGV telegram

1915 telegram from King George V

Artifacts from the Northumberland Fusiliers throughout the First World War are also on display, alongside a telegram from King George V and Lord Kitchener, congratulating the Chamber on its centenary year.

The exhibitions are free to attend and will be held at the Literary & Philosophical Society in Newcastle throughout April, followed by the Cargo Fleet Heritage Galley in Middlesbrough in May.

James Ramsbotham, chief executive of NECC, is looking forward to sharing the pieces before they return to the archives.

He said: “This is a landmark year for the NECC and this exhibition really brings home just how important our history has been in making us who we are today.

“The exhibitions very much champion the ingenuity, enterprise and innovation of members of north east industry.

“The Chamber has amassed a considerable archive from three centuries and this exhibition not only details landmark achievements for north east industry, but also recognises some of the most tumultuous events in the history of the region.”

Ian Watson, director of Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, said: “We’re delighted to hold the very significant regional archive of NECC.

“We are really pleased to have been able to loan material to support this fascinating exhibition in NECC’s bicentenary year.

“The exhibition looks fabulous and will be of interest to a wide audience, particularly those interested in the history of business invention and innovation in the region.”

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