gateshead, newcastle and stormin norman whiteside

I went up here for a piss - very relaxing

The site of my meeting

The entrance to Chinatown in Newcastle - Rosie's bar is in the middle

The view from Rosie's to The Tynside Irish Centre

Stormin' Norman Whiteside

The ARC, with Norman in the background

One of my many Manchester United t shirts - featuring Norman

I had a meeting to do with work in Gateshead on Friday (which was much better than l anticipated), so afterwards, l decided to have a bit of a mooch around Newcastle, as it was finished by midday. I parked by Chinatown and went for a pint in Rosie's bar, an old favourite from years ago from the time l hung around with a predominantly gay/cross dressing crowd in Newcastle (ahh...they were the days..). While l was in there, l decided to give The Tyneside Irish Centre a go, as l had never been in there before, and thought they might have a decent pool table, seeing as they are few and far between in Newcastle. As it turned out, they didn't have one, but l had a decent (crazy) chat with a couple of the old Irish guys in there (naturally, called Paddy). I say old guys, they turned out to be my age, which was good for me, as l got a load of compliments for how well l looked (I said it was thanks to the copious amounts of drink and drugs). Actually, l probably only looked younger because they acted and dressed like old men, and you could easily imagine them being 60 or 70, and just the same. In fact they probably dressed and acted the same when they were teenagers.  A good day out for all the family, even if, yet again, l got another parking ticket. Bastards! 

On my return to Catterick, l called in at Old Joes, popped home briefly to get changed (well, a different shirt), and then the FPO dropped me off at The ARC for the 'gentlemans' evening Hammy had arranged, featuring the great (Stormin') Norman Whiteside, ex of Manchester United, Everton, and Northern Ireland (who was excellent). He spoke for a while and answered questions, and was also happy to sign stuff and have his photograph taken (which l can't work out how to get off my phone and onto the computer!).  There was also a comedian, but once Norman had finished, we buggered off to The Wine Bar and then home, tired but happy (and minus my phone, which l left in The ARC, realising just after getting in the taxi to White shops).  I telephoned Kung Fu Bez and told him it was by him, and he picked it up and took care of it for me, so at least l knew it was safe (and is now back with daddy).

I demand more days like this (but without the parking ticket).

toodle pip

victorian children police photographs from newcastle

All of these poor little buggers were sentenced around Newcastle in the mid to late 1800's. Mostly, they would have been poor, cold, underfed and desperate (apart from the two middle class boys doing the burglaries). Victorian criminals - in the great scheme of things, this was not that long ago, and may be someone's grandparents.
Much as l despise the Daily Mail, this was pretty interesting and there's more information about the kids on their site (just don't buy the paper).

toodle pip

newcastle mayfair in 1961

One of my favourite venues for seeing bands and having a 'Rock n Roll' night out was Newcastle Mayfair, now sadly demolished to make way for the gentrification of Newcastle (like the Haymarket pub). Back in the the day l saw loads of gigs there, played loads of air guitar, and annoyed the local lasses. As it was a standing venue, you could get as close to the stage as you wanted (within reason), or just stay at one of the many bars and watch from a distance. I usually did a mixture of both
These are photos from when it opened (1961?), and the amazing thing is, it wasn't that much different when rock bands were 'kicking ass' in the 'rock n roll capital of the world'  in the 1970's.
Happy days indeed.

toodle pip

marc bolan - it was 35 years ago today

On this day 35 years ago, Marc Bolan played Newcastle City Hall with The Damned, on the 1977 tour. I was going to go to that gig, but because my girlfriend at the time couldn't go, l gave it a miss, and thought l would catch him on the next tour.
Sadly, that never happened, as he died later in the year, which meant l never got to see him play live.
DDDDDDDAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!
Bloody women.

toodle pip

newcastle city hall from the stage

I have been to many concerts at Newcastle City Hall over the years, and although it holds just over 2,000 people, it does not look that large in this shot from the stage. Pretty deceiving l'd say, as l never realised how much you could make out so many of the audiences faces from upfront.

The man in the shot is Jason Issac, who l have no idea about, but my guess is it may well be a religious meeting of some kind (I can't be bothered looking it up - fill your own boots if you want to).

toodle pip

r.e.m have split up

A statement on their website has confirmed R.E.M have split up. Although l have not been that bothered about their last few releases, during the late 1980's and early 1990's, they were one of my favourite bands, and gave me a hell of a lot of pleasure. Their concert at Newcastle City hall (I think on the Green tour) was one of the best gigs l have ever been to, with the audience being enraptured when Michael Stipe stood on a chair and sang solo, to an absolutely silent crowd. I suppose it's because of people like me that haven't kept buying their records, that they feel they can't take it further, but there comes a time when you can have too much music from one group. It's still a shame (but now they can now go off and spend all the money l invested in them).

The statement:

"To our Fans and Friends: As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band. We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening." R.E.M.

toodle pip

chris and hilary's wedding

Travelled back up to Newcastle on Saturday as it was Chris and Hilary's wedding day (on my birthday and wedding anniversary as well!). Managed to go to Forbidden planet beforehand, looking for decent books and t shirts, and went back to our hotel for the Manchester United win at Bolton (5-0!). Off to The Baltic for the evening do/BBQ and saw the Millennium bridge being opened, which was the first time l had witnessed it. Pretty damn impressive l must say. There was a band on and most people hit the booze (apart from the pregnant ladies), so everyone enjoyed themselves, although mentioning no names, they paid for it in the morning (OK, l've crumbled, that would be The FPO). The Quayside at Newcastle and Gateshead (plus Newcastle centre itself) has certainly had a lot of money pumped into it over the last few years, and has completely changed from when l used to frequent the place years ago. It certainly all looks flash and l know it has made the place more upmarket, but it is still a shame some of the old places had to go, such as The Haymarket and Broken Doll pubs. I drove back as The FPO was still too ill, then had a relaxing day watching recordings of football and The Sunday Supplement, while she quietly suffered, Bliss.

toodle pip

chris' stag do

End of the road for Johnny

End of the road for Robbo

The Durham pub we were in (The Boatman's?)

Newcastle train station

In Durham

My bedtime (last man standing)

Another Durham pub

In Newcastle

At The Boatman's in Durham

Went through to Newcastle, and Durham for Chris' stag do on Saturday, once myself and Robbo managed to get through the Tyne Tunnel, as we were following the sat nav we were instructed (ordered) to use, and there was roadworks at the tunnel, which threw it off the trail somewhat. Anywhoos, we got there in the end, then it was straight into a taxi and down into town for some ales with the boys. We then got the train to Durham for a few drinks there, then back to Newcastle for the evening. We managed to get back to Chris and Hills place (in Heaton ) in dribs and drabs, and once there, l would like to point out that l was last man standing, as everyone ended up flaking out. I shared the living room with Matt, which was a big mistake as he snores louder than Robbo, so l never had much sleep. Probably (no probably about it really) l would have been over the limit driving back on Sunday, then it was the traditional end to the adventure at The Cross Keys, before back to (not so sunny) Catterick. Sat drinking wine in the garden with the FPO and the idiot animals, followed by a soak in the bath and a relatively early night. Chris enjoyed it, l didn't flake out, and there was no violence, so a good time was had by all. I was surprised how many other stag and hen does were out in both Newcastle and Durham, especially as we avoided The Bigg Market. It wasn't like that back when l used to boss the place (Newcastle). Bloody kids today etc etc....

toodle pip

the haymarket pub, newcastle

I was thinking about Christmas shopping and going into the Percy the other day, and remembered this old beauty, The Haymarket pub, which used to be in the Haymarket area of Newcastle, on the same side as The Percy. It was pulled down in 1987 to build a car park for the University (bloody town planners and students). What a pub it was, very rowdy indeed, with some excellent bar staff, a 'couldn't give a fuck' attitude, great juke box, and even a space upstairs for bands to practise in. It's a real shame when places like this (and The Broken Doll) get torn down, they are part of the towns history. Forget all these chrome and plastic pubs that are everywhere, some of the old ones need preserving. Probably my favourite time in The Haymarket was before the Rolling Stones gig at St James' Park in 1982. A load of us crammed in there (all pretty drunk), loads of spare tickets, and l also met a guy who called himself 'Telegram Sam' and was a huge Bolan fan. As you can imagine, the conversation was very geeky. I also managed to get some passes for the gig and stole a huge advertising banner from up the scaffolding inside the ground, borrowing a knife off a hells angel to cut it down. I am surprised l didn't kill myself climbing up the scaffolding drunk, but it was worth it (later sold in London at auction). Happy days indeed.

toodle pip

newcastle shopping

Went off to sunny Newcastle today with the FPO to do the Christmas shopping. It took bleeding ages getting into the car park by the Haymarket, as there was a traffic gridlock for some reason. It was also freezing, but luckily l knew what l had to get so it did not take too long, plenty of time for a swift ale in The Percy Arms, one of the few old pubs in town that is still rough. To tell the truth, l felt like being sick when l was swigging my drink, but traditions have to be adhered to. Went to The Tyneside Theatre cafe for lunch (on the FPO's orders), and then she left her eggs on toast. Pah! Back home and wrapping up pressies, both coughing and a spluttering. Nice. Last day at work tomorrow for at least two whole days! Can't wait.

toodle pip