New quartet of Local Heroes join the roll of honour set in city landscape
THE FOUR MORE BRONZE PLAQUESTO ADORN QUAYSIDE AFTER PUBLIC VOTES FOR FAVOURITES THE EXISTING 29 PLAQUES ARE:
FOUR new names are to be added to Tyneside’s “Walk of Fame” from nominations suggested by the public.
People voted for who they felt has made a significant contribution to the region over the past 60 years.
The four names will join the existing 29 bronze plaques that currently make up the “NewcastleGateshead Local Heroes” collection along NewcastleGateshead’s Quayside Mile.
The route goes from Baltic Square to the Swing Bridge, across the River Tyne, to the Gateshead Millennium Bridge on the Newcastle side of the water.
Nearly 50 individual nominations were made, which went before a panel of judges. The new names are: • TIM HEALY. Actor from Benwell best known for Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Benidorm. Co-founded the Sammy Johnson Memorial Fund.
• JOHN GRUNDY. Television presenter and author specialising in North East history. Chairman of Friends of Beamish Museum.
• BRIAN JOHNSON. Singer and songwriter. Best known for his work with Geordie and AC/DC. Member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• MIKE NEVILLE, North East television presenter, known for his work for both the BBC and Tyne Tees Television.
The panel was made up of the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Hazel Stephenson; Gateshead Mayor Allison Thompson; and Sarah Stewart, chief executive of destination management and marketing organisation, NewcastleGateshead Initiative.
The trail was first opened in 2014, by Lady Elsie Robson, wife of the late Sir Bobby Robson. NewcastleGateshead Local Heroes is delivered and managed jointly by Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council in partnership with NewcastleGateshead Initiative.
Coun Stephenson, said: “The NewcastleGateshead quayside is a fitting location to house a collection of plaques to celebrate people’s special contributions to the region.
“We are proud of our heritage and of the recognised achievements made by those nominated individuals, whose names will be remembered in surroundings of architectural and cultural significance.”
Coun Thompson said: “Local Heroes focuses on our brilliant people, those who have made a difference to life in Gateshead, and it’s fantastic to have their names set into the landscape of our Quayside. The public has once again put forward some inspirational people to be added to what is already an impressive ‘Walk of Fame’.”
Sarah Stewart said: “It is always a pleasure to see new additions to the Local Heroes trail year on year.
“Those recognised as Local Heroes have all made a huge contribution to the region and are a driving force behind the NewcastleGateshead we have today. Congratulations to everyone who received a plaque this year.”
The additional bronze plaques will be installed next month.