Postcard with a photograph of Thomas Ferens (aka ‘Tommy on the Bridge’) on Newcastle’s Swing Bridge, c. 1900

Blind and partially paralysed, Thomas Ferens spent his life begging as a means to get by. In his spot on Newcastle’s Swing Bridge he became known as one of the sights of Newcastle. He was written about in newspaper articles across the country and appeared on picture postcards, such as this one. Many photographs of Thomas survive and newspaper articles describe how he looked, dressed, and spoke, but despite this we know very little about his life.

We found this postcard in the local studies photographic collection at Newcastle City Library

If you want to know more about Thomas Ferens then take a look at our blogpost: https://homelesshistorynewcastle.blogspot.com/p/the-life-of-thomas-ferens-what-can-one.html