Literature, Film & Television
Auf Wiedersehen Pet (1983-2004)
Television show originally about out-of-work builders from Britain who end up working in Germany. A later series saw them try to rebuild the Middlesbrough Transporter bridge in Arizona.
Television show set around a youth club run by Geoff & which launched Ant & Dec onto a wider audience. Very catchy theme tune & opening credits.
Television show.... erm, stereotypical depiction of Geordies out on-the-town anyone?
Film starring Michael Caine as a London gangster arriving in Newcastle after his brother's death. Sadly the carpark for THAT scene was demolished in 2010. The DVD is available from the Media Room on Level 4.
Comedy about two friends dealing with lack of money, supporting a rubbish football team, worrying about the future and chasing women. Often celebrated as a classic British sitcom.
Our Friends in the North (1996)
TV series depicting the lives of four friends from 1964 to 1995. The DVD is available in the STC if you want to see a young pre-007 Daniel Craig.
Spender was a BBC detective drama set in Newcastle upon Tyne, written by Ian La Frenais and starring Jimmy Nail.
Super Gran followed the adventures of grandmother who had super powers. It was set in a fictional town called Chiselton but was filmed in various locations across the North East including Tynemouth & Whitley Bay. The programme was based on the books of Forrest Wilson some of which you can actually find in the Robinson Library.
Likely to cause offence to some people, Viz was created in 1979 in Jesmond by Chris Donald with help from his brother Simon and Jim Brownlow. It is unmistakably British and many of it's characters have become extremely well known making the jump from the comic into other media.
What Ever Happened to the Likely Lads? (1973-1974)
Sequel to The Likely Lads
Geordie traditions
Fenwicks' Christmas Window
Every year Fenwicks' Christmas window display attracts crowds from all over the North East who queue down Northumberland Street in order to catch a glimpse of the festive display. John James Fenwick came up with the idea for the Christmas window & it has been a major North East tradition for over 40 years. Displays have ranged from the literary to biblical and the traditional to the rather controversial 'outer space', relive 40 years of Fenwicks window with the BBC.
Great North Run
Reportedly the world's largest half marathon, the Great North Run sees professional athletes, club runners, celebrities & 'normal' people line up on the Central motorway with one destination in mind... South Shields.
The Blaydon Races
The Blaydon Races is a 6 mile road race held annually on the 'ninth o' joon'. Aiming to incorporate much of the famous song, the race starts outside Balmbra's pub in Newcastle before runners go along the Scotswod Road before finishing in Blaydon
The Hoppings Fun Fair
The Hoppings was an annual fun fair held on the Town Moor in Newcastle in June. Hoppings (from hopping, or dancing, at fairs) was the name given to feasts which were celebrated, in the Nineteenth Century, with fairs, side-shows, music and games.