Houghton and Washington East (UK Parliament constituency)

Houghton and Washington East was, from 1997 until 2010, a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election. A seat with similar boundaries, Houghton and Washington, existed from 1983 until 1997.

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1815 Philadelphia train accident

The 1815 Philadelphia train accident occurred on 31 July 1815, in Philadelphia, County Durham, England, when an early experimental railway locomotive, Brunton's Mechanical Traveller, suffered a boiler explosion. This engine, also known as the Steam Horse, ran on four wheels but was pushed by mechanical feet. This was both the first recorded boiler explosion and the first railway accident causing major loss of life with at least 13 people killed (sources differ). The accident is not included in many texts because it was on an industrial waggonway or plateway, rather than a public railway. Nevertheless, it predated William Huskisson's fatal accident at Parkside by 15 years, and the death toll was not exceeded by any railway accident until 1842 worldwide (see Versailles rail accident), and 1861 in the UK (Clayton Tunnel). It also killed more people than any other UK railway boiler explosion of all time, though 26 were killed in a 1912 boiler explosion in San Antonio, USA. Most boiler explosions caused severe mechanical damage but often only the locomotive crew suffered physically; however, Brunton's locomotive was surrounded at the time by a crowd of curious sightseers, who formed the majority of the victims. The first high-pressure steam locomotive, Trevithick's Penydarren engine, had only appeared 11 years earlier in 1804, and engineering understanding of the forces and safety risks involved was still primitive.

Historic Site Landmark

Philadelphia, Tyne and Wear

Philadelphia is a village in the City of Sunderland, England. It lies on the A182 road between Newbottle and Shiney Row. It is named after the American city of Philadelphia.

Landmark Neighbourhood

Philadelphia Power Station

Philadelphia Power Station is a defunct coal-fired power station situated between the villages of Philadelphia and Newbottle, 1.5 mi (2.4 km) north of Houghton-le-Spring in Tyne and Wear, North East England.

Industrial Landmark

Herrington Country Park

Herrington Country Park is a country park and open public space in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. Located adjacent to Penshaw Monument, the park was built on the site of a former colliery. The park has developed into a significant home for wildlife, hosting up to 100 species of birds. The park also includes a play area, sculptures, an amphitheatre, and a model boat sailing site at the lake. The park has hosted several major events, including Lets Rock, the UKs largest retro festival brand in 2018 and 2019, and BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in 2005, with Gwen Stefani, Foo Fighters and the Black Eyed Peas, as well as the Olympic Torch Relay in 2012. It also acts as the venue for the local Kubix Festival since 2018. From 2024 the Kubix Rock Festival is being rebranded to Monument Festival. Since 20 July 2019, the park has held a free weekly 5km parkrun on a Saturday morning starting at 9 am.

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