Wey aye, man! The race to stage Eurovision 2023 in the United Kingdom is certainly heating up.
The field has now been whittled down to seven candidate cities vying to become the first British city to host Eurovision since 1998. This includes Newcastle: the friendly hub of the Geordies in northeast England.
We’re confident Newcastle has what it takes to put on a show. Part of that comes down to the bid venue — The Utilita Arena. The 11,000-capacity venue, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, has hosted World Title Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts fights and, of course, the good and the great of the global music industry, including Stormzy, Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Kylie.
But beyond the physical infrastructure, Newcastle and its residents know how to make merry. According to the Weissman Tourism Report in 1995, Newcastle is the eighth best party town in the world, sitting comfortably alongside Rio and New Orleans. From stellar public transport to a booming restaurant scene to gorgeous access to nearby beaches, there is a lot to love about Newcastle.
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10 Facts about Newcastle: Eurovision 2023 host city bid
1. Newcastle has a rich football club and very passionate fans
We cannot start 10 facts about Newcastle without mentioning their beloved football club – Newcastle United. Formed in 1892, Newcastle United is a stories football club that plays in the top tear of the English football pyramid – the Premier League. Their stadium, St James’ Park, can host a whopping 52,305 spectators and is one of the biggest stadiums in England. In fact, Newcastle United are today considered the richest club in world football thanks to a controversial take over which was completed this year.
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2. Why are people called Geordies?
Anyone who has seen Geordie Shore knows the term “Geordie” — the fond nickname for people from Newcastle. But why are they called Geordies? Unfortunately, there isn’t a definitive answer. One theory suggests “Geordie” comes from the coalminers of Northumberland and Durham, where Geordie was derived from the name George, a common name among the pitmen.
Another theory involves another George — George Stephenson, who designed the Geordie safety lamps for miners, which were used in the northeast instead of Davy lamps, which were used by other mining communities.
Another theory suggests the term was coined by Scottish Jacobites in 1745, who used “Geordie” as an insult to refer to natives of Newcastle Upon Tyne.
3. The Geordie accent is the most friendly in Britain
Geordies are a particularly friendly bunch. A survey of more than 2,000 people across the U.K. by call centre outsourcing vendor Sitel found that the Geordie accent is considered the friendliest across the UK. It was also seen as the accent most likely to put people in a good mood.
Some of this comes through in their amusing slang, which may seem like another language — even to people from other parts of the United Kingdom. They can literally have a conversation without you knowing what they are talking about.
Here are some famous Geordie phrases and the translations, so when Newcastle win the bid, you will feel right at home when you visit next year.
Howay, man!– Come on, hurry up!
Wey aye, man! – Yes!
Canny – Good/Nice/Pleasant
Gannin Yem – Going Home
Am clamming – I’m so hungry
4. Why “Newcastle”?
Newcastle gained its name in 1080 under Norman rule. With tensions rising in Northumbria, William the Conqueror sent his son Robert Curthose up north to defend against the Scots. To help, a wooden castle was built on the River Tyne to act as the main crossing point. The area was thereafter named ‘Novem Castellum’, which translates directly to New Castle.
5. Newcastle has produced some real characters
There are many notable Geordies who have hailed from the great city of Newcastle. To name a few, this includes singer/songwriter megastar Sting, former England footballer Alan Shearer, actor and Mr Bean star Rowan Atkinson, TV presenters Ant and Dec, and most of the cast from reality TV programme Geordie Shore (we assume).
6. Newcastle keeps us hydrated
The iconic drop, Newcastle’s Brown Ale, is in fact the most imported British ale in all of the United States and also ranks as one of the most popular ales in America. Another beverage to originally hail from Newcastle is the soft drink brand Lucozade.
7. An angel on Earth
Just outside of Newcastle is The Angel of the North. It’s a contemporary sculpture by Antony Gormley, located in Gateshead, England. Completed in 1998, it is believed to be the largest sculpture of an angel in the world and is viewed by an estimated 33 million people every year.
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8. Newcastle gave us windscreen wipers
Yes, windscreen wipers were invented in Newcastle! Gladstone Adams was on a rotten journey to London from Newcastle, when he came up with the idea of the windscreen wiper as he had to stop several times due to snow. Unfortunately, he couldn’t patent it as American inventor Mary Anderson beat him to it.
9. They’re masters of bridge making
Did you know that Newcastle was the first city in the world to build a combined road and rail bridge? Well, now you do! Opening in 1849, the High Level Bridge across the River Tyne was designed to create a continuous line from London to Edinburgh.
10. Not Running Scared
Newcastle is home to The Great North Run, a half marathon event that’s been running annually in September since 1981. Participants run between Newcastle and South Shields. It attracts around 57,000 runners every year, making it the second biggest half marathon in the world (following Gothenburg’s Göteborgsvarvet, depending on who you ask) – though to many it’s the best.
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What do you think of Newcastle? Do you think the Geordies should host Eurovision 2023? Let us know in the comments.
BTW: There is also a Newcastle on The Central Coast of Australia in New South Wales.
If Newcastle is chosen maybe Mark Knoplfer and the Dire Straights could get together as an interval act (with a cameo from Sting).
And Alan Partridge’s friend Michael could be green room host
This might be a very unpopular opinion but reality often is.
It could be Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool or any other city in the UK BUT apart from London all the other Big cities in the wayomuni are Equally ugly.
Sorry my British Friends but truth must be told.
But i Will open a door to Hope maybe on a Sunny day there are not so ugly but a Sunny day in UK in May is like a straight eurofan: unheard of.
And pray tell, where are you from?
From Cyprus
You dont f*** ING know 2 Big cities in Cyprus… So you cannot counterattack my British Friend.
Are there even 2 big cities in Cyprus?!
Define Big… In cms.
Why is there someone Who downvote someone else just BC they are from Cyprus??
The reason many cities in the UK are robust and ultilitarian is the fact that they are so old. They go back many, many hundreds of years and have seen whole revolutions in terms of industry, class structure and levels of prosperity. These cities are older than many European nations. They have scars and they have history and are brimming with character… and we absolutely love them, even though they don’t all look like Dubrovnik. So jog on, pal!
Newcastle & Liverpool especially have very pretty city centres, some of the suburbs not so much but when visiting both of these places I think they have great city centres. And Newcastle has amazing beaches just a short ride away on it’s Metro that are probs the best city beaches in the entire UK. In fact I like it so much up there I’m in the process of moving there. Honestly think it’s very rude you’re just slagging an entire country off like that though basically. I’m sure there’s nice and not so nice bits of your country too. I’d… Read more »
He’s he’s defending these cities to the guy from Cyrpus, not attacking them. What are you talking about?
The angel of the north has to be the ugliest modern sculpture at least in Europe. I would be so embarrassed if it was in my hometown.
I understand that from a British point of view the selection of the host city is exciting, but there are no news to be shared and these posts are becoming very speculative and monotonous. They are quite repetitive and don’t add anything new to the discussion… I would much rather read other types of articles, such as about Vic’s censorship at the VMA. You only made one post about it, and i think such a topic would spark a more interesting discussion not only about the event itself, but about Eurovision and what EBU has allowed and will allow on… Read more »
I agree and the posts feel like they’re taking away from the ukraineness of the show and making it all about Uk
How could they make the articles more about Ukraine?? The only reason Ukraine’s going to be involved is to tick a box
I prefer reading about the candidate cities.
Then you are lucky you have 173 posts to read about it…