History of the famous song of the Geordies
THE Blaydon Races is an iconic Geordie anthem most of us will have sung at some point in our lives.
Written by Gateshead-born music hall performer George Ridley, the tune immortalised a fictitious coach ride to a once illicit horse race meeting on the other side of the River Tyne on June 9, 1862.
The song was first performed at Balmbra’s in Newcastle’s Cloth Market as a tribute to Tyneside rowing hero, Harry Clasper.
It went on to become the unofficial anthem of Newcastle United which has helped put the small town of Blaydon on the map.
Nowadays, the Blaydon Race is a popular 5.6-mile road race – first run in 1981 – between Newcastle and Blaydon.
But it all began with a horse race which started in 1862 on a circular island – a mile in circumference – in the Tyne called Blaydon Island, and known locally as Dent’s Meadow.
The event was increasing with popularity and moved to Stella Haugh in 1887 with crowds flocking to Blaydon Races.
The vibrant 1903 painting – the Blaydon Races – by artist William Irving vividly captures the excitement of the Victorian carnival and, indeed, depicts some eccentric Tyneside “characters” of the era, including the likes of Cuddy Billy from Rowlands Gill, Gull Willie of Newburn, and Cushy Butterfield.
The race even went ahead during World War One after permission was granted in 1916 to host the event as long as a large donation was given to the British Sportsmen’s Ambulance Fund.
More than 4,000 punters attended day one of the races, but come the following day – September 2 – all hell broke loose.
There were suspicions races were being rigged and when the heavily-tipped nag, Anxious Moments, was disqualified after winning by six lengths, a full-scale riot broke out.
In the absence of many police, members of the crowd went on the rampage, smashing up the weighing house and throwing equipment into the Tyne.
And that was the end of the Blaydon Races.
In June 1962, a remarkable half a million people gathered for a week of street parties, fireworks, sports and sing-alongs at the Balmbra’s Music Hall to mark the centenary of the Blaydon Races.
A three-mile long stream of colour and celebrations were had in a finale parade led by the Coldstream Guards band, Blaydon omnibus and glorious Centenary Queen spectacular.
The landmark event may be no more, but we’re still singing about it to this very day.