As with most municipal parks and open spaces, Saltwell has suffered from funding difficulties. This year the park is celebrating it's 150th anniversary and tremendous efforts have brought the park back to something like its former glory. Amidst much devastating structural changes in Gateshead, Saltwell Park stands out as the beauty in the beast. Yes Norman, I have visited this park many times in my fairly long lifetime and tomorrow I will be showing the place off to a party of 20 or so ramblers from Morpeth. There is no place quite like it.