Factory Night @ OCEANA, Wallsend Docks and PAMETRADA arts centre
Tuesday 8th December 2009
The Parsons and Marine Engineering Turbine Research and Development Association (PAMETRADA) was founded in May 1944. The main aim of this research association was to carry out shore-based tests on turbine machinery gearing, boilers and auxiliaries. At the time, PAMETRADA was based at two separate premises: Parsons Marine office block and the first floor of the ‘Coach and Horses’ public house at the eastern end of Wallsend High Street. On 12th August 1946 the official opening of the purpose-built Wallsend Research Station at Davy Bank took place, beginning a lifespan of over 40 years on site. During this time PAMETRADA’s contribution to the Maritime industry was world-class, including the design and creation of the tail-end turbines of the QE2. In 1985 a new association was formed called British Maritime Technology that continued along the same path PAMETRADA began.
In 2006 the Oceana Group acquired the site with the specific intention of sympathetically renovating all the buildings and encouraging working people back into the area. As of January 2010, the types of businesses on site range from off shore piping designers & asbestos removals to Public Relations Consultants and even an online hamper ordering service.
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This Factory Night followed on from the successful partnerships that Oceana has built with a number of arts projects including the outdoor promenade production ‘The Beautiful Journey’ by WILDWORKS made in association with culture10 and Theatre Royal Plymouth and supported by Find Your Talent and The Customs House. www.wildworks.biz
Oceana is now in the early stages of opening an art studio space in the Pametrada Building to continue offering affordable art studio space to local and national artists. The night includes a tour of the businesses around the Oceana Park and access to the docks.
FUNDED BY: Northern Rock Foundation and Arts Council England, with thanks to Oceana Group.
Rednile presented the Oceana Factory Night as part of North Tyneside's Year of the Arts 2010-11.