AS the country gets swept away by a patriotic fervour for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, here in Geordieland there is growing excitement at the celebration of another special anniversary.
For, as noted previously on this blog in January, this coming Saturday 9 June marks the 150th anniversary of the Blaydon Races.
Of course, Geordie Day always attracts a variety of celebrations - but this year's date has meant there seems to be even more going on in Tyneside and elsewhere.
Marking the approximate start and the end of the course sung about by Geordie Ridley back in 1862, two flagship events take place at Grey's Monument in Newcastle and Shibdon Pond in Blaydon.
In Newcastle, the centrepiece of the celebrations from 1-5pm includes music, song and dance inspired by the Blaydon Races and its associated folk and music hall traditions. It will conclude with a mass singing of Ridley's verse.
Meanwhile, in Blaydon, a family day from 1-7pm will also feature traditional music hall entertainment as well as local youth marching band 'the Blaydon Buzzers'. Additionally, there will be two magicians, a circus strongman, an antique steam-powered carousel, a 5-a-side football area, and more.
Then, as the sun begins its slow decline at 6pm, the main event begins with the gathering of runners at the bottom of the Groat Market for the 32nd running of the 5.9-mile road race.
The race will wind itself through Newcastle city centre up Collingwood Street before gannin' alang the fabled Scotswood Road past Armstrong's factory.
It then takes in Derwenthaugh and Chainbridge Road, passes the Bisley pub in Blaydon, and finishes this year in the playing fields on Shibdon Road.
The leading runners can expect to be back before 6.30pm while I will just hope to make it all the way round to the finish.
No doubt, by that point, I will be gasping for the complementary beer provided by Wylam Brewery - and, speaking of the booze*, here is a full list of Blaydon Races events, organised in association with the 150th anniversary:
(*Not all events feature alcohol!)
| FLAGSHIP EVENTS | Date | Time | Entry | |
| - Grey's Monument, NE1 | See link | 9 June | 1-5pm | Free |
| - Shibdon Pond, NE21 | See link | 9 June | 1-7pm | Free |
| MUSIC | ||||
| - Black Bull, NE21 | Folk music concert | 7 June | 7.30pm | £6 |
| - St Nicholas Cathedral, NE1 | Felling Male Voice Choir | 8 June | 7pm | £10 |
| - The Bridge Hotel, NE1 | The Songs of Geordie Ridley | 9 June | 7.30pm | £6/ |
| - The Three Tuns, Sheriff Hill, NE9 | Black Rose (Thin Lizzy tribute) | 9 June | 9pm | £3^ |
| - The Ware Rooms, NE1 | Geordie beer hall/Oompah band | 9 June | 7pm | £5 |
| IN THE PUB | ||||
| - The Free Trade Inn, Byker, NE6 | Themed quiz Night | 6 June | 9pm | |
| - The Hotspur, Haymarket, NE1 | Beer festival | 7-10 Jun | All day | Free |
| - The Crown Posada, NE1 | Beer festival | 7-10 Jun | All day | Free |
| SPORT & LEISURE | ||||
| - Complete Football Centre, NE3 | Five-a-side football | 9 June | 10am | £70~ |
| - The 32nd Blaydon Race | Newcastle to Blaydon (5.9 mi) | 9 June | 6pm start | Link |
| - Newcastle Greyhounds, NE6 | Race Night | 9 June | 6.15pm | Free! |
| CHURCH SERVICES | ||||
| - St Nicholas Cathedral, NE1 | Service of Celebration | 9 June | 1pm | Free |
| - St Cuthbert's Church, NE21 | Ecumenical Service | 10 June | 4pm | Free |
| EXHIBITIONS/HISTORY TALKS | ||||
| - Newcastle City Library, NE1 | Balmbras Music Hall | til 31 Jul | All day | Free |
| - Blaydon Leisure Centre, NE21 | Blaydon Harriers Exhibition | 9 June | 8am-4pm | Free |
| - The Bisley, NE21 | Art Exhibition; Live band | 9 June | All day | Free> |
| WALKING TOURS | ||||
| - Meet at Grey's Monument, NE1 | ‘Gannin te Blaydon Races’ tour | 6 June | 7pm | £4 |
| - Meet at Cloth Market, NE1 | ‘Away we went alang Collingwood Street’ tour | 8 & 10 June | 10.30am &1pm | £4+ |
| OTHER EVENTS | ||||
| - Central Station, NE1 | Alan Shearer renames a train | 6 June | 9.50am | Free |
| - Scotswood Village, NE15 | Family event | 9 June | 4-7pm | Free |
| - Balmbras, NE1 | Last Night in Balmbras Comedy | 9 June | 7pm | £15 |
| - City Hall, NE1 | Blaydon Bash: School Choirs | 12 June | 6.30pm | £5 |
| GEORDIES IN EXILE | ||||
| - Clerkenwell, London, EC1 | See link | 9 June | All day | Free |
| - 402 Nancy Avenue, Linthicum, Maryland, USA | Blaydon Race Event USA | 9 June | 12-4.30pm | Free |
KEY
/ Sold out, returns only^ £3; or free entry for anyone who dresses with this great celebration in mind (i.e. cloth caps/braces/hobnailed boots for the lads, bonnets and crinolenes for the lasses etc.)
~ Price per team (up to nine players). For the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
! Reserve places by calling 0191 2105300 and quote "Blaydon Races"
> Limited admission. Contact: Steve Ronchetti 07966496971
+ Pre-booking essential. To book, email info@tomkeating.net or call 0191 4885115
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