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Westoe Netty project is flushed with success

Mar 16 2008 by Sarah Robertson, Sunday Sun

Helen Barker, collection access assistant at Beamish Museum with one of the exhibits at the Westoe Netty exhibition as part of a project to rebuild the Westoe Netty gentleman's public toilet from Westoe, South Shields

A UNIQUE exhibition is lifting the lid on one of the oddest North attractions . . . the Westoe Netty.

It is hoped it will encourage visitors to spend more than a penny when they visit the Beamish Museum in County Durham, where it opened yesterday.

It is part of a project to reconstruct the late 19th- century gentleman’s public toilet in South Shields, South Tyneside, known as the Westoe Netty.

The loo gained iconic status thanks to the paintings of Bob Olley.

The exhibition — which includes a colourful array of decorated toilet seats and clay sculptures — can be seen in the museum entrance building.

Spokeswoman Helen Barker said: “It has taken roughly two and half months, but everyone’s had a load of fun doing it and we’re really pleased with what we’ve achieved.”

People from all over the region, including children, have contributed to it.

Project manager Chris Scott said: “We plan to rotate the exhibition every other month to keep it fresh.”

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