Growing up in Newcastle is different for everyone, no matter which area you were raised in.
If you were brought up in the city centre or on the outskirts, we all have vivid memories.
For me growing up in a village under 10 miles out of Newcastle city centre gave me a great childhood.
Playing in the farmer’s fields where housing estates now stand brings back fond recollections.
And making regular visits to the city left me with lots more to reminisce about.
Living here in Newcastle is special - a feeling people from elsewhere in the country will never understand.
Many things have changed and some have stayed the same. And ChronicleLive have come up with some of them.
1. Seeing the Tyne Bridge
No matter your age you always love seeing the Tyne Bridge.
When you’ve been away and you return on the train to Geordie soil, how many of us get that elated feeling when we see our famous structure before pulling into the Central Station?
That view symbolises you have arrived home - and there is no feeling like it.
2. Hearing the roar of the fans.
We are a bunch of sports fanatics and we are black and white inside and out.
Newcastle United is our passion which runs from generation to generation.
There is nothing quite like hearing the roar of crowds at St James’ Park. That’s something that will never change.
3. Our neighbours stay the same
When you find a good place you stay there, right?
That’s definitely what Geordie neighbours do. When you find your perfect street you don’t move from it.
4. Everyone knows everybody else
The community is also a close one. Meaning everyone knows everyone. And we all love to stop for a chat.
5. Friday and Saturday nights.
Geordies love to socialise and Friday and Saturday nights ‘oot on the Toon’ is something teenagers can’t wait for, while the rest of us look forward to as each decade rolls on.
We don’t need coats to keep us warm - our big hearts and fun-loving personalities keep us cosy. People from elsewhere don’t understand that.
6. The Metro made it easier
The Metro network opened in stages from August 1980 and it made travel a whole lot easier.
We moan about how it is late or about the troubles on the line - but when a station was built near you, your lives were totally changed.
7. Our views have changed dramatically
Literally.
Newcastle has some of the best architecture in the country but over the years our horizons have changed.
There are more high-rises than ever before, many of them offering student accommodation.
But we have also gained some iconic structures too.
We’ve now got the Millennium ‘Blinking eye’ Bridge over the River Tyne, and the Angel of the North, among others.
8. There are things we do miss
A trip to Newcastle city centre was classed as a real treat.
How many of us remember following our mums around Farnon’s, Binns and the Handyside Arcade.
When fashion was at the top of your agenda, you would shop at Plus Four, Sgt Peppers and Geordie Jeans. Aaah, those were the days.
9. The nets that hid our homes
Back in the day we all had net curtains to stop others from peering in.
We had no fancy shutters or designer blinds - just nets we used to buy from Farnon’s. And baking soda kept them gleaming.
10. Our surrounds are second to none
Some things that haven’t changed are our beaches and countryside.
The North East has stunning vistas and while we spent holidays only 30 miles away from home as a child, we still love to visit those places that hold onto our hearts.
11. The Exhibition Park
The Exhibition Park is now the venue where up and coming bands play, people hangout to drink or even hold weddings at the Wylam Brewery.
When we were kids the building was the Military Vehicle Museum. But best of all was the Summer Exhibition that was held each year.
It was a huge, exciting event which saw thousands flock there. It was held by the city council and started in the 1960s, and attempted to capture many of the elements of the earlier exhibitions. It was last held in 1986, when a £60,000 loss was recorded.
What an absolute shame because it was brilliant!
12. Newcastle Quayside
The Sunday Quayside market was huge when we were kids. Stalls would line the Tyne and you could buy a tortoise to a towel there. (Yes, you read that correctly.)
Warehouses would open to sell fruit and veg or even bric-a-brac, while crowds would congregate around salesmen giving demonstrations of gadgets or the latest cleaning solutions. It was a proper Sunday day out.
13. The Pink Triangle
As a child this was a colourful musical instrument. Now it describes the diversity of our city. The Pink Triangle is Newcastle’s Gay Village.
The area which once housed the Marlborough Crescent Bus Station is now home to Rustys’, cabaret club The Boulevard and more - it’s simply a brilliant night out.
14. Chinese New Year is always a big event for us
Having our very own Chinatown, there’ll be no surprise that Chinese New Year is a big deal for us. Every year the city centre erupts in celebration, and it is a sight to see.
15. The Hoppings
The Hoppings, the biggest travelling funfair in Europe, has been coming here for decades. It has always been an event never to be missed and families flock there in their droves.
We remember seeing the Big Wheel from miles around and every year we all won a goldfish. Even today, among the other towering rides, the Big Wheel holds so many memories. And the one thing that hasn't changed - you still come home ankle deep in clarts.
16. The huge chimney’s that were our power stations
Their bellowing smoke from burning coal polluted our air and the towers blotted our landscapes.
Now these have been demolished and new housing estates have grown in their places. But these huge towers - some fat, some skinny - play a huge part in our northern history.
17. Our street parties are the best
We don’t always have reason to celebrate, but when we do it’s legendary.
Early memories of the Queen’s Jubilee street parties in 1977 will stick with us of a certain age for ever. It was fantastic and no doubt we’ll be throwing street parties again when this lockdown is over.
18. Primark wasn’t a thing
It’s hard to picture it, isn’t it? But, believe it or not Newcastle city centre hasn’t always been home to an enormous Primark. Clothes are cheaper now than they have ever been. New T-shirts for a quid, eh !!!!
19. The Great North Run
Running around as a child, you were never out of breath. Long sunny days racing around the park was so much fun.
Running has helped make our Geordie paradise perfect.
The Great North Run was first staged on 28 June 1981 and it now attracts people from across the world.
This is an event that has changed and developed for the better over the years. Raising so much for charity, it has helped put us on the map. And showcases our great Geordie spirit.
20. The changes haven’t always been easy
All that glorious regeneration? It’s noisy and definitely unpleasant at times when construction is underway.
But looking at the transformation that has been made across our region, we’ve made a grand job in making life better.
When we get back to normal our award winning restaurants, our fine pubs and our beautiful parks will all be open. We must agree, we have a city to be proud of!
