Facebook is a social networking service launched in Florida in February 2004. It was founded by Mark Zuckerberg with his college roommates and fellow Harvard University students Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes.
The website’s membership was initially limited by the founders to Harvard students, but this was later expanded to other colleges and, by September 2006, everyone of age 13 and older with a valid email address was allowed to make a group. From those small beginnings, Facebook has expanded to become what it is today, and has a net worth of 104 billion dollars.
Millions of people throughout the world now use Facebook as part of their daily lives, and thousands more use this media to promote their businesses and interests.
Responsibly used, Facebook is simple to navigate and is an invaluable source of social networking. For those Roundabout Tynemouth readers who have a Facebook account, there is a group page called ‘Blyth to Whitley Bay to Tynemouth Local and Social History Group’ which was set up a couple of years ago by Steve Ellwood, a Newcastle City Guide who shares a keen interest in our heritage and the history of the local area. The page is now managed by Adrian Lee who looks after its administration. The objective is to help promote the area and cover all aspects of life along the coastline from Blyth to Tynemouth and North Shields.
It is a chat and discussion forum regularly updated with local news and a huge variety of subjects, past and present, which relate to our lovely coastline and the surrounding area.
The concept is to provide a platform for social and light-hearted debate on any pertinent topics. Historical and modern photographs or images are particularly welcome and form an integral part of the page.
There are currently over 1,375 members in this group, and anyone who would like to join will be made more than welcome. You can simply browse the page or join in with any topics of relevance.
The page is what is called a ‘Closed Group’ which means that only members of the group are able to see the page, read the posts, view the photographs and join in on discussion threads.
The group also hold regular informal coffee meet-ups, where many new friendships have been made between those members keen to make the jump from virtual contact to actual contact.
Please log onto Facebook and simply type in the search field ‘Blyth to Whitley Bay to Tynemouth Local and Social History’. Once you find it, look for the box near the top of the page which reads ‘Join Group’ – click on it and that’s it! Once approved by admin you will be added to the group and you will then be free to use the page as you wish.
The group look forward to welcoming you aboard!
by Charlie Steel © 2014
Further reading for many of Charlie’s articles can be found in his books: ‘Monkseaton Village’ (Vol. 1 & 2), North Shields Public Houses, Inns & Taverns’ (Part 1 & 2) and ‘Tynemouth Remembered’ all published by Summerhill Books.
More information on www.monkseaton.info and on the Monkseaton Village Facebook Page.