These papers were originally accumulated by the office of William Dickson, overseer of the Alnwick Corn Exchange from its opening in 1862 until 1880. Dickson, a solicitor in Alnwick and local benefactor, in fact raised the money for the building of the Alnwick Corn Exchange, and then oversaw the building of the Exchange, before then taking responsibility for its running for the next twenty years. These papers are particularly fascinating as the Exchange was used not only as a market but also as a venue for entertainment, and both the accounts and correspondence files contain much information about the acts which were booked during this period.

The archive contains, in roughly chronological order, correspondence and legal agreements relating to the purchase of the site and the subsequent building programme; correspondence about similar markets in Berwick and Kelso, a Broadside announcing the opening and detailing the functions of the new Exchange, accounts for the period 1862 - 1880, correspondence for the period 1862 - 1880; details of the Exchange's sale in 1880.

The Marine Technology Special Collection (MTSC), is a unique historical resource of marine technical documents, journals and published works from British shipbuilding, marine engine building, ship repairing, and ship breaking industries. The collection spans the mid-19th century to 2000, with an emphasis on North East England.

The collection includes company records, an extensive collection of ship plans and related documents, marketing and information material from many global shipyards, marine engineering businesses and suppliers, and many other unique records relating to the shipbuilding, shipbreaking and related industries. In particular, the shipbreaking records, due to their extensive scope and scale, form a unique resource and record of the industry in the UK.

Newcastle University has made a significant contribution to this industrial heritage with its Marine Group in the School of Engineering (formerly the School of Marine Science and Technology) being renowned throughout the world. For over a century, it has played a leading role in the teaching and research of the marine technologies including naval architecture, shipbuilding, and marine engineering.

The MTSC was formerly curated and managed by Visiting Professor Ian Buxton (awarded an MBE for services to the preservation of British maritime history), Dr Brian Newman, and several other colleagues and volunteers.

A downloadable Finding Aid attached to this record contains details of the published works and journals which form part of the collection.

Visit the Marine Group's website to find out more details. https://www.ncl.ac.uk/engineering/about-us/facilities/marine/