Just thought I'd post this in case anybody hasn't heard of it and would like to get along and see it. As part of a week of special events to mark the 150th anniversary of The Blaydon Races, East Coast are to christen one of their locomotives with that name. The ceremony will take place this Wednesday morning (6th) on platform 2 at Newcastle Central station and among those doing the honours will be Alan Shearer. Anyone in the area is welcome to attend (from around 9.40am) and Trevor Cox from local group The Longsands will lead a rendition of Geordie Ridley's classic song. It's the second time that our former number nine has performed such a duty, following the naming of a similar locomotive Sir Bobby Robson in March 2011:
Cheers for the info AB. I was actually seriously considering to get up and try and watch this transition of Venus lark (yeah I know - geek) but looks like it will be pishing down so nothing to see
It's good to know old folk memories are being kept alive. What annoys me is people who don't even know what the Blaydon races were. I remember one plonker on the Three Legends who thought they were about people running along Scotswood Road. Of course, the were horse races and part of the official calendar.
I might drag myself along too if I can sort out my bodyclock and don't end up sleeping till lunchtime!
If you were a true geek you'd fly to Samoa or Fiji or somewhere like that to watch the whole thing...
I'm at lightwater Valley with the bairns but if anyone Is around Blaydon at the finishing line on the 9th a' Joon, please feel free to look out for me...
Went last weekend when it was hot. Haven't heard anything of this event even though I live in Blaydon.
Did anybody get the late edition of today's Chronicle? Was there any good pics of Al and the 'Blaydon Races' in it? Got the early edition and there's nothing in it.
