{{Short description|Village in North Shields, Tyne and Wear, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use British English|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox UK place <!---------------BASICS---------------->| official_name = Percy Main | local_name = | type = <!-- e.g. City, Town, Village. --> | country = <!-- England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland; do not link. Also produces EU constituency. --> | crown_dependency = <!-- Isle of Man; do not link. Removes formal mentions of the UK. --> | region = <!-- England only; do not link. Also produces EU constituency. --> | region1 = <!-- (if place extends to more than one region of England) --> <!---------------PARTS----------------->| parts_type = <!-- defaults to: Places --> | parts_style = <!-- list, coll (collapsed list), para (paragraph format) --> | parts = <!-- parts text, or header for parts list --> | p1 = | p2 = <!-- etc., up to p50: for separate parts to be listed--> <!---------------IMAGE/S--------------->| static_image_name = <!-- For a static image of the place, e.g. a skyline or defining local landmark. Use filename only (e.g. name.jpg). --> | static_image_width = <!-- allows control of the image width. Should be omitted in most cases (will default to 240) --> | static_image_alt = <!-- for a description of the image per WP:ALT --> | static_image_caption = <!-- optional caption for static image --> | static_image_2_name = <!-- for a second static image, such as a town crest. Use filename only (e.g. name.jpg). --> | static_image_2_width = <!-- allows control of the image width. Should not exceed 240 --> | static_image_2_alt = <!-- for a description of the image per WP:ALT --> | static_image_2_caption = <!-- optional caption for static image --> <!-------------STATISTICS-------------->| area_total_sq_mi = <!-- Total area in square miles (number only). If area_total_km2 (below) left blank, a conversion --> <!-- to sq-km will also be calculated and included. -->| area_total_km2 = <!-- Total area in square km (number only). If area_total_sq_mi (above) left blank, a conversion --> <!-- to sq-mi will also be calculated and included. -->| area_footnotes = <!-- Reference/s for the value/s used in the area fields. Use <ref>...</ref> tags. --> | population = <!-- Number only. If area_total_sq_mi or area_total_km2 have also been supplied, --> <!-- population_density (below) is calculated automatically. -->| population_ref = <!-- To include a reference or references (e.g."<ref>Census, 2001</ref>") and/or use for any --> <!-- non-numeric population values (e.g. "c. 500", "< 500"). (A good place to check these --> <!-- figures is http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/ )-->| population_density = <!-- To convert /sq-mi to /sq-km, use {{pop density mi2 to km2|(/sq-mi value here)|precision=1|abbr=yes}}; --> <!-- to convert /sq-km to /sq-mi, use {{pop density km2 to mi2|(/sq-km value here)|precision=1|abbr=yes}}. -->| population_demonym = <!---(for further optional population stats:)---> | statistic_title = | statistic = | statistic_title1 = | statistic1 = | statistic_title2 = | statistic2 = <!-----------MAP / LOCATION------------> | os_grid_reference = | map_type = <!-- type of map (leave blank for default map, or set to nomap, UK or Greater Belfast to force a particular map) --> | map_alt = <!-- alt text for map, for visually impaired and other readers who cannot see the image; see </nowiki>WP:ALT<nowiki> --> | coordinates = <!-- location of the place (use {{Coord}}); puts a dot on the map --> | label_position = <!-- adjust position of label by dot – defaults to right --> <!-------------POSTAL INFO-------------> | post_town = North Shields | postcode_area = NE | postcode_district = NE29 | dial_code = <!-- e.g. 020, 0161 or 01332. Do not include international prefixes/codes (such as +44) --> | constituency_westminster = Tynemouth | constituency_westminster1 = <!-- (if place extends to more than one constituency; use link) --> | constituency_westminster2 = | constituency_westminster3 = | civil_parish = <!-- If place within a parish. Use link (e.g. Odd Rode). --> | civil_parish1 = <!-- (if place extends to another parish; use link) --> | civil_parish2 = <!-- (if place extends to another parish; use link) --> | metropolitan_borough = | metropolitan_borough1 = <!-- (ditto) --> | metropolitan_county = Tyne and Wear | metropolitan_county1 = <!-- (if place part of more than one metropolitan country) --> | shire_district = | shire_district1 = <!-- (if place extends to more than one shire district) --> | shire_county = <!-- (use link, e.g. Devon) --> | shire_county1 = <!-- (if place extends to more than one shire county) --> | unitary_england = | unitary_england1 = <!-- (if place assigned more than one unitary area) --> | lieutenancy_england = <!-- (not required where shire or metropolitan is the same) --> | lieutenancy_england1 = <!-- (if place extends to more than one lieutenancy) --> <!--------OTHER LANGUAGES, ETC--------->| cornish_name = | other_language_name = <!-- Place's name in another relevant language --> | other_language = <!-- Other relevant language's name --> | language = <!-- Locally-spoken language --> | website = <!-- Place's council or equivalent local-government website --> | hide_services = yes <!-- Set as "yes" (without quotemarks) to suppress inclusion of Police/Fire/Ambulance details, otherwise omit. --> }} '''Percy Main''' is a small village absorbed into North Shields, North East England. Historically in Northumberland, it is now part of Tyne and Wear.
== History == thumb|St John's church. It is named after the colliery belonging to the Percy family, which was located just south of the railway, near St. John's church. The colliery was sunk in 1799 & went to a depth of 247 metres to the renowned Main seam, which was considered the best coal for household use. The village grew up around it to serve the pit, which eventually closed in 1895. In 1872, the population was recorded as 3,953, residing in 786 houses. The inhabitants worked mainly in the neighbouring docks and other industries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/21591|title=History of Percy Main, in North Tyneside and Northumberland {{!}} Map and description|website=www.visionofbritain.org.uk|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref>
During World War II, children from the village were evacuated to Hexham, Northumberland.
== Recreation ==
=== Sport === Sport is popular in the village, with Percy Main Cricket Club playing at St John's Green in the Northumberland and Tyneside Senior Cricket League, with their next door neighbours Percy Main Amateurs F.C. playing at Purvis Park in the Northern Football Alliance Premier Division. A hedge separates the two teams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://percymain.play-cricket.com|title=Percy Main CC|website=percymain.play-cricket.com|language=en|access-date=2017-05-14}}</ref>
== Transport == thumb|Percy Main, Go Ahead Bus Depot. North Shields, Tyne and Wear.
=== Rail === The village's main and only modern-day railway station is the Percy Main Metro station.
The original footbridge from the station is preserved at the National Railway Museum, York. A passenger station opened on the Newcastle and North Shields Railway around 1840.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/p/percy_main/|title=Disused Stations: Percy Main Station|website=www.disused-stations.org.uk|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref> It closed on 11 August 1980 to allow conversion for the Metro, before re-opening on 14 November 1982.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetrams.co.uk/tyneandwear/stations/Percy_Main|title=Percy Main Metro station : Tyne and Wear Metro : TheTrams.co.uk|website=www.thetrams.co.uk|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref>
In 2020, Nexus constructed a new depot for the Tyne and Wear Metro on a former landfill site immediately to the east of the village.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Work starts on a temporary Metro depot in North Tyneside {{!}} nexus.org.uk|url=https://www.nexus.org.uk/news/item/work-starts-temporary-metro-depot-north-tyneside|access-date=2021-01-13|website=www.nexus.org.uk|language=en}}</ref> The depot will house rolling stock while the South Gosforth Traction Maintenance Depot is reconstructed in anticipation of a new fleet in late 2021. Originally intended to be a temporary measure, upgrades to the Metro system around South Shields may mean the depot is made a permanent feature.
=== Bus === Go Ahead Group has a bus depot on Norham Road<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/north-shields-bus-depot-burglary-18052770 | title=Bus depot raiders freed and urged to be 'good citizens' in 'upside down world' | date=7 April 2020 }}</ref> and a number of its services pass through the village.
=== Hollywood Trivia === Film directors and brothers Ridley Scott and Tony Scott formed their first film production company under the name Percy Main Productions. Their father grew up in the village.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Galloway |first=Stephen |date=2012-05-16 |title=Did You Know Ridley Scott’s Empire Contains ‘The Good Wife’? |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/ridley-scott-media-empire-324984/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Thelma & Louise'' is a notable film during this time. In 1996 they renamed their production company to Scott Free, and finally to Scott Free Productions.
== Religion == Percy Main is part of a Church of England parish that also includes Meadow Well, East Howdon and the Royal Quays.
The parish church, Tynemouth Percy St John, was built for the Duke of Northumberland in 1862, and is Grade II listed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://co-curate.ncl.ac.uk/church-of-st-john-the-evangelist-percy-main/|title=Church of St. John the Evangelist, Percy Main {{!}} Co-Curate|website=co-curate.ncl.ac.uk|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref> Designed by Anthony Salvin, it is built in sandstone and was re-ordered around 2000, to incorporate use as a community centre.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1355013|desc=CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST, North Tyneside |accessdate=2019-07-30}}</ref> Located on St John's Terrace, the church shares a vicar with the nearby St Peter's, on the Balkwell estate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/16269/|title=St John Percy - A Church Near You|website=www.achurchnearyou.com|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref> The contemporary vicarage, at the junction of Waterville Road and Norham Road, was sold in the 1940s and converted into a pub, now The Redburn. A new vicarage was built adjacent to the church.
The Diocese of Newcastle's main administrative office is located at Church House, formerly Percy St John's Primary School.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newcastle.anglican.org/diocesan-office/find-or-contact-church-house.aspx|title=Diocese of Newcastle {{!}} Church House|website=www.newcastle.anglican.org|access-date=2017-05-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106133626/http://www.newcastle.anglican.org/diocesan-office/find-or-contact-church-house.aspx|archive-date=2016-11-06|url-status=dead}}</ref> The religious resources centre the diocese shares with the Diocese of Durham is also on the site. The earlier school it replaced was located on the site of St John's Court, immediately to the north of the church. Excess bricks from the building of the Court were used to construct a hall to the rear of the church. The 2000 re-ordering included re-cladding of the original brickwork, obscuring this.
The village, at one time, also had primitive Methodist and Baptist chapels, though these no longer exist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://twsitelines.info/SMR/15283|title=Percy Main, St. John's Street, Wesleyan Methodist Church {{!}} sitelines.newcastle.gov.uk|website=twsitelines.info|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref>
== Education == Percy Main Primary School is located in the village.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.percymainprimary.org.uk/|title=Percy Main Primary School {{!}} Percy Main {{!}} North Shields {{!}} North Tyneside|last=Interactive|first=Enigma|website=www.percymainprimary.org.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-05-14}}</ref> After a short inspection by Ofsted in 2016, the school was rated as Good.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ofsted Communications Team|date=2020-10-06|title=Find an inspection report and registered childcare|url=http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report|access-date=2021-01-13|website=reports.ofsted.gov.uk|archive-date=2018-09-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913130530/https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Norham High School, providing secondary education, is located a little to the north. In 2016, a full Ofsted inspection found that the school Requires Improvement, however this was downgraded to inadequate in 2018, leading to its placement in special measures. A monitoring inspection the following year confirmed that the remedial action was having a positive result, though the school remains in special measures.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ofsted Communications Team|date=2020-10-06|title=Find an inspection report and registered childcare|url=http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report|access-date=2021-01-13|website=reports.ofsted.gov.uk|archive-date=2018-09-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913130530/https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Geography == The village is around a mile and a half south west of the centre of North Shields. The hamlet of East Howdon is almost immediately south.
The large Meadow Well estate borders the village to the north. The portion of the estate south of the Metro line, and to the east of Percy Main, was redeveloped as Riverside Park in the early 1990s.
The Royal Quays Outlet Centre and Northumbrian Water's treatment works lie between the village and the River Tyne.
== Facilities == Redburn Park Medical Centre is located just to the north of the Metro station.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.redburnpark.co.uk/contact1.aspx | title=Redburn Park Medical Centre - the surgery address and telephone numbers }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{coord|54.998|-1.475|type:city_region:GB|display=title}}
<ref>Lawrence, Danny. Shiels to Shields, The History of a Tyneside Town. 2016</ref> {{authority control}}
Category:Populated places in Tyne and Wear Category:North Shields