The Kremlin's Geordie Spy

Vin Arthey lived in Gosforth from 1974 until 1998, working first as a lecturer in higher education and later as a researcher / producer at Tyne Tees TV.

He was a member of All Saints congregation, where he was confirmed in 1993.

Now retired (although keeping on with his writing and research) he lives in Edinburgh with his wife Ann.

Much of Vin's work on the spy, KGB Colonel William Fischer, the subject of his talk at All Saints, took place when he was living in Gosforth.The Kremlin's Geordie SpyIn his illustrated talk Vin will begin by showing how his interest developed in this man, William Fischer, 'the Geordie spy', and how the various pieces of his published work came about.

He will outline the spy's upbringing on Tyneside and his 45 years in the Soviet security and intelligence services, telling how he served in London in the 1930s, his role in WW2, what he was doing as an 'illegal' in the United States in the 1940s and 50s, and the aftermath.

Vin will also offer some asides on the Steven Spielberg film Bridge of Spies - which amongst other things tells the story of the first Cold War spy exchange which, of course, featured Fischer, using his final code name. 'Rudolf Abel'.There will be light refreshments before it and during an interval when you will have the chance to talk to Vin and to observe a table of memorabilia.The event is a fundraiser to improve accessibiity to the Centre for the hundreds of people who use the Centre every week.