HISTORY buffs can learn more about the colourful neurodiverse people from Newcastle’s past at a special walking tour in April.

Alexander Iles fell in love with the North-East in 2008 when he arrived at Newcastle University, and since 2013 has operated a walking tours business, sharing unusual stories and surprising facts about the region’s notable locations.

He will now be hosting a special Great Minds historic walking tour of Newcastle town centre on Saturday, April 4. The tour will benefit the North East Autism Society, and showcase the town’s history of neurodiverse characters, many of whom helped make Newcastle the exciting, vibrant city it is today.

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Alexander said: “I was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome when I was nine, and since starting my own business I have wanted help promote autism awareness and acceptance.”

“With this tour, I hope to give a voice to the neurodiverse people of Newcastle’s past, reveal some parts of history that people might not expect, and help out a brilliant charity.

“I learned about NEAS when I met member of staff Lindsay Bruce through Hillsong Church, and I was impressed by the charity’s approach. NEAS understands that there’s not just one way autistic people are, and that every single person they work with needs different support.”

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The tour will highlight the achievements and stories of well-known figures from Newcastle’s past, as well as some many won’t have heard of, from inventors, engineers, to beggars.

“Lord Armstrong is a fantastic example,” Alexander says, “Here’s a man with a brilliant engineering aptitude, who was able to accomplish incredible things because sources suggest his mind worked differently to most peoples’.

“It’s very difficult to posthumously diagnose someone as autistic, but when you look at his history, he certainly fits the criteria for neurodiversity.”

“On the other end of the social scale, we have the Newcastle Eccentrics. These 19th century characters didn’t fit into society well, and many survived by begging, but they often exhibited amazing abilities that marked them as special.

“For instance, one man known locally as Silly Billy appears to have possessed a photographic memory. He would perfectly recite long passages of scripture from memory in exchange for coins.

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“Another called himself Captain Benjamin Starkey. There’s no evidence he was ever a captain, but he’d beg for money very politely, and hand over an I.O.U. in beautiful handwriting to anyone who gave him anything.

“Today, we know that these people really needed help, but back then they were forced to live on the fringes of society. Theirs’ are just some of the stories I’m excited to share.

“I hope that people will join me for the tour, to learn more about Newcastle’s fascinating history, as well as more about autism and neurodiversity, so they can help people like the Newcastle Eccentrics get the support they need to be included in society.”

  • To take part in the Great Minds Tour, visit www.ne-as.org.uk/Event/great-minds-historic-walking-tour. Tickets cost £9.95 for adults and £6.95 for concessions.
  • NEAS is also lining up its first annual golf day on Friday, May 1st at Ramside Hall. The charity is appealing for teams and sponsors to take part. Team entry costs £250, and there are a variety of exciting sponsorship packages available. For more information, contact Sophie Clarke sophie.clarke@ne-as.org.uk or call 0191 4109974.

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