New exhibition in Newcastle that celebrates mod and 1960s culture

You can step back to the Swinging '60s - albeit briefly - in a new exhibition that's just opened in Newcastle.

'It's my life ... and I'll do what I want' celebrates mod and 1960s culture with a specific focus on the North East. The exhibition is taking place at Newcastle City Library and runs until the end of March. Entry is free.

The event is the brainchild of Jools and Paul Donnelly from Gateshead. The husband and wife team have been avid collectors of all things vintage since the late '70s with a particular focus on '60s mod memorabilia.

READ MORE: When Newcastle's legendary La Dolce Vita nightclub was home to the stars - 10 photos

Their combined passion for the mod culture has culminated in this mini exhibition, which coincides with the publication of their new book Club a’Gogo & The Mod Scene of 1960s Newcastle. Jools says of the book: "Using extensive interviews with original mods and club goers of the North East, we tell their story - a story of what it was really like to be young during those halcyon days in Newcastle."

As for the City Library exhibition, she says: "The collection on view includes vintage ladies' and men’s mod clothing, shoes and accessories, and collectable mod magazines, records and books, showcasing the mod scene of 1960s Newcastle."

Paul Donnelly and his wife Jools, from Gateshead, are behind a new exhibition at Newcastle Central Library celebrating Newcastle's 1960s mod scene (Handout)

Paul and Jools have done much in recent years to keep the name of the legendary Club a'Gogo alive - from successfully lobbying Newcastle Council for a blue heritage plaque to be installed at the venue's former site on Percy Street, to publishing a number of well-received magazine titles - and from hosting live music, social and retail events, to establishing a dedicated Facebook page.

Club a’Gogo & The Mod Scene of 1960s Newcastle is on sale now via this link https://www.clubagogo.co.uk/product-page/club-a-gogo-the-mod-scene-of-1960s-newcastle

'It’s my life … and I’ll do what I want', an exhibition celebrating mod and 1960s culture, is running now at Newcastle City Library until the end of March. Entry is free.

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