Blaydon Races

"Blaydon Races" (Roud #3511) is a Geordie folk song of 1862, with lyrics by George Ridley written in a style deriving from music hall.

[9][10] The final meeting on 1–2 September 1916 was abandoned on the second day, after serious rioting followed the disqualification of the even money favourite and popular winner of the opening race, Anxious Moments,[11] which had apparently been the target of foul play.

[17] Ridley first performed his song at a testimonial concert for local oarsman John H. Clasper, held in Balmbra's Music Hall on 5 June 1862.

These were unable to ford the river due to an unexpected rise in the water level, meaning that only one horse was present when racing was scheduled to begin.

Some spectators from Newcastle arrived by train, whilst others were conveyed by two omnibus companies, which the same newspaper observed "might harness better cattle if they wish to assure passengers of the safety of their means of transport".

The lassies lost their crinolines off, an' the veils that hide their faces, An' aw got two black eyes an' a broken nose gannin' te Blaydon Races.

The rain it poor'd aall the day an' mayed the groons quite muddy, Coffy Johnny had a white hat on – they war shootin' "Whe stole the cuddy."

There wis spice stalls an' munkey shows an' aud wives selling ciders, An' a chep wiv a hapenny roond aboot, shootin' "Noo, me lads, for riders."

[33][34] Newcastle Infirmary began admitting patients on 23 May 1751, although housed in temporary premises at Gallowgate whilst a new building was constructed at Forth Banks.

[42][43] Dr Charles John Gibb (1824–1900) was probably the most widely known doctor in Newcastle in 1862, having played a prominent role in combatting the town's cholera epidemic of 1853.

A well-known character who attended all local race meetings, he would have stood out to racegoers due to the white top hat he wore on special occasions, and the fact that he was over six and a half feet (1.98 m) tall.

[50] At the invitation of T. Dan Smith, they were attended by Labour Party leader Hugh Gaitskell, who travelled in a procession on 9 June retracing the journey described in Ridley's song.

[51] In December 2010 an online petition was launched calling for "...a clear and sustained commitment on the part of Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead Councils to work hand-in-hand with the Geordie people...to help deliver an appropriate celebration of the 150th anniversary of Mr George Ridley's world-famous anthem of Tyneside."

A series of additional "satellite" events were also organised including a week-long beer festival at The Hotspur pub, Percy Street, Newcastle upon Tyne on the night of 9 June 2012.