It's Blaydon Race day which means a mention in the famous song for once popular Cloth Market pub Balmbra's
The once hugely popular Geordie pub ifeatured earlier this year in a documentary being made by film students who used it as a rallying point for a mass sing-along of The Blaydon Races.
Balmbra's was the location for a community event which the film's producer Ben Douglass hoped would reignite local pride.
For former Gateshead pupil Ben, who attended Thorp Academy and is the only North East member of his five-strong team, the film project is the culmination of a long-held dream. And his enthusiasm has caught on among the other film students.
Director Ralph Sansum; sound man Louis Holder and cameraman Ben Holt joined his trips up north to carry out research for the film which will also examine mining history and the current drinking culture in the city as well as issues such as homelessness.
"We're exploring some of the city's darker side as well, some of the hardships we've been through," said Ben, adding that the end-result will look at all walks of life.
He thinks The Blaydon Races encapsulates "everything that's great about our city", such as comradeship; perseverance; music; night life; culture and characters.
The group of four - the fifth member of the team is editor Kristof Szenasi - have just paid a visit to Balmbra's, the site of the former music hall named after John Balmbra who was licensee in 1862 at the time George Ridley gave the first performance of his song there.
A blue plaque on the wall outside recalls the hey-day of the much-loved pub which in later years became popular again as a music bar but has long since closed and become run-down, with owners Malhotra Group outlining their plans for the area in 2017.
Ben hopes that in its celebration of local pride, the Geordies For Balmbra's event will see the historic venue "honoured with triumphant song once again" and help spark a return to its former glory.
He said: "It's totally stripped-out but the basis for the music hall is still there: the big arch and it's still got the beautiful architecture."
He added: "Not only do I still believe this event will bring back some of the lost community spirit but it might go a long way to helping one of our most culturally historic and iconic locations."
The 3.30pm sing-along on April 20 will begin two hours before the kick-off of the Newcastle and Southampton match so could prove a spirit-raising stop-off for football fans.
"This is hopefully going to be the big conclusion to the film," said Ben.
"The film's all about Geordie pride, about being a Geordie . We're looking at that through The Blaydon Races."
