Lobley Hill

Lobley Hill is a village located on the outskirts of the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead in Tyne and Wear, North East England. It has an approximate population of 8,000. It is surrounded by old coal pits and has a beautiful park, called Watergate Forest Park, built on reclaimed land on the site of the former Watergate Colliery.

Lobley Hill was the first place where industrial coal mining methods were used.

Education

There are two schools in Lobley Hill. Emmanuel College is a City Technology College and offers schooling for 11–18 years old from a wide area of Western Gateshead and the West End of Newcastle. Lobley Hill primary school offers schooling for 4–11 years old and includes a nursery school.

There is also Hillside Pre-school nursery run in the All Saints Church building. And there are local courses run at the Lobley Hill Youth and Community Centre.

Churches

There are two churches in Lobley Hill. Hillside Church, an Anglican church and The Immaculate Heart Of Mary Church, a Catholic church.

Emmanuel House

On a street in Lobley Hill lies the Hospice Emmanuel House, fronted by long-time devout Catholic, Christine Deponio. The hospice itself is operated within her house, along with Husband Raymond, and sons Ryan and Lee Deponio, often performing fund-raising activities for clients and visitors to the house. Emmanuel House deals with local people who have been touched by cancer. As well as being a trained holistic therapist and a black belt in karate, Christine Deponio is also completely blind, as is her husband Raymond. Obviously all she has achieved with Emmanuel house and also being very musically talented is a massive achievement considering this disability.

Recreation and local events

Lobley Hill hosts the annual Gateshead Flower Show. In July 2008 the first Lobley Hill Festival was held, this is to be an annual event.

Famous residents

• Liberty X band member, Michelle Heaton, attended Emmanuel College.