Newcastle information click to view� Newcastle information The city of Newcastle upon Tyne is situated in the North East of England on the banks of the river Tyne, it was founded in the 2nd century by the Roman Emperor Hadrian and named Pons Aelius. Hadrians Wall, a strategic defence system built across the north of England by the Romans, is still visible in parts of the city. Newcastle assumed the name of Monkchester during the Anglo-Saxon period but after the rebellion against the Normans in the 11th century it was all but destroyed. The Normans erected a wooden castle in the area and from then on it was known as Novum Castellum or 'New Castle'. In the 16th century a royal act restricted Tyneside coal shipments to Newcastle quayside only giving it a monopoly in the coal trade, this central role in the exportation of coal was a major factor in the town becoming a city. This act enabled Newcastle to prosper at the expense of its neighbours Sunderland which led to the Tyneside, Wearside rivalry that still exists to this day. In the 19th century Newcastle thrived as a shipbuilding and heavy engineering hub and was an inspirational force of the industrial revolution. People born in Newcastle are commonly known as Geordies and are well known for their warmth, friendliness and good sense of humour. The term 'Geordie' is not restricted to those only born in Newcastle but is generally used for any person born within three miles of the River Tyne.
Newcastle United Football Club Newcastle has a strong sporting tradition not least because of Newcastle United football club who formed in 1892 as a result of the merger of the cities two main clubs. click for Newcastle United football club information, latest news and 07/08 season
Newcastle and sport Although football is the city's dominant sport their are many other popular sports including the Newcastle Falcons (Guinness premiership rugby union), the Newcastle Vipers (Ice Hockey), the Newcastle Eagles (Basketball) and the Newcastle Diamonds (speedway). Newcastle holds greyhound racing at brough park and horseracing at gosforth park and hosts the start of the annual great north run, the world's largest half marathon created by the 1974 European athletics championship 5000m gold medalist Brendan Foster.
modern Newcastle Newcastle today is a desirable, exciting place to live with the redevelopment of the Grainger town area of the city, new office developments replacing former shipping premises and a vibrant, cosmopolitan quayside where bars and restaurants nestle amongst public spaces. The colourful 'Chinatown' area of the city, accessed via an ornate Chinese arch, centres on Stowell street and the United Kingdom's first biotechnology village, the 'centre for life', is located in the heart of the city close to the central railway station. The Tyne gorge between Newcastle and Gateshead is well known for a series of spectacular bridges which include the world's first road/rail bridge, Robert Stephenson's High Level Bridge and the Gateshead Millenium Bridge.
Famous Geordies Newcastle and the surrounding area has been the birthplace of a variety of famous people and below is a small cross section of some them: George Stephenson (1781 - 1848) engineer known as the Father of British Steam Railways who designed an historically important steam-powered locomotive named 'Rocket'. Admiral Lord Collingwood (1748 - 1810) naval commander who was Horatio Nelson's second in command at the Battle of Trafalgar and held the Mediterranean command thereafter Earl Charles Grey (1764 - 1845) former British Prime Minister (1830 - 1834) who abolished slavery throughout the British colonies. By chance the envoy of one of Grey's diplomatic missions to China once saved the life of a Chinese Mandarin and as a way of showing his gratitude the Mandarin sent the Earl a specially scented tea flavoured with oil of Bergamot, today Earl Grey tea, is the world's most popular blend. Catherine Cookson (1906 - 1998) one of the world's best selling authors was born and raised on the south banks of the Tyne at South Shields, an area that today often promotes itself as "Catherine Cookson Country". Jackie Milburn (1924 - 1988) the most well loved and fondly remembered footballer ever to play for Newcastle United who played just under 400 times for the club and to this day remains the second highest goalscorer, Milburn also appeared 13 times for the English National team. Sir Bobby Charlton (1937 - ) former Manchester United and England footballer and one of the most famous names in the game, a hero of the 1966 World Cup he is still considered to be England's greatest ever footballers. Jackie Charlton (1935 - ) former Leeds United and England footballer, brother of Bobby Charlton and member of the victorious 1966 English World Cup winning squad, who also enjoyed success as manager of the Republic of Ireland national team. Alan Shearer (1970 - ) legendary Newcastle United and England footballer who played over 300 matches for the club and remains their top scorer of all time with 206 goals. Paul Gascoigne (1967 - ) widely considered to be one of the most gifted footballers of his generation began his career playing for Newcastle United and won 57 England caps. Sir Bobby Robson (1933 - ) former footballer best known for his football management of a number of clubs including Newcastle United, Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, PSV Eindhoven, Ipswich Town and England whom he took to the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup finals. Sting (1951 - ) English musician, singer and song writer who rose to stardom as a member of the rock group 'the Police' and following their split went on to enjoy a successful solo career. The Animals the 1960's rock group best known for their hit song 'house of the rising sun' Dire Straits the 'supergroup' formed in 1977 in Newcastle upon Tyne from where they went on to enjoy musical success across the world for nearly 20 years. Brian Johnson (1947 - ) rose to stardom as the lead singer of AC/DC, the world famous rock group who have enjoyed musical success for over 35 years. Ant and Dec (Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly) two of the UK's most accomplished presenters of light entertainment programmes. They got their first break as actors in a childrens tv series (Byker Grove) before embarking on a career in pop music which opened the door which led them to the success they enjoy today. Charlie Hunnam (1980 - ) actor whose first role was in the English childrens tv programme Byker Grove went on to star in channel 4's 'queer as folk', and fox tv's 'undeclared' before embarking on a movie appearing in such films as 'Abandon', 'Nicholas Nickleby' and 'Cold Mountain'. Wilfred Josephs (1927 - 1997) famous Engliush composer. Cardinal Basil Hume (1923 - 1999) former archbishop of Westminster and Cardinal in the Roman Catholic church. Ian La Frenais (1937 - ) one of the most influential telvision writers in Britain responsible for the hit tv series 'the Likely Lads', 'Porridge' and 'Auf Wiedersehen Pet' with his partner Dick Clement. Hank Marvin (1941 - ) Lead guitarist for the pop group 'the Shadows', a band originally formed as a backing group for eternal rocker Cliff Richard. Janet McTeer (1961 - ) award winning tv, film and stage actress who was also nominated for an Academy Award for her role in the 1999 movie 'Tumbleweeds'. Jimmy Nail (1954 - ) the actor, singer and writer who rose to stardom for his portrayal of 'Oz Osbourne' in the hit English tv series 'Auf Wiedersehen Pet'. Bill Travers (1922 - 1994) English actor most well known for his portrayal of conservationist George Adamson in the 1966 movie 'Born Free'. Cheryl Tweedy (1983 - ) member of the girl group 'Girls Aloud' manufactured on British television.
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