Thursday, June 09, 2011

Blaydon Races 2012


My first brush with celebrity was in 1962 (as you can see above) at the Blaydon Races centenary celebrations when I was photographed with Hugh Gaitskell and T Dan Smith. Hugh Gaitskell died the next year. The photograph appeared a while ago on a programme about T Dan Smith, much to my surprise. I look a little worried. Maybe I`d just heard about the abolition of the Confiteor before Communion.

Today marks the 149th anniversary of the Blaydon Races and there is a campaign to ensure it is celebrated properly for the 150th anniversary next year. You can find the web page here where you will find a petition to sign too!

10 comments:

Toady said...

Such is your celebrity locally Father, people looking at the photo now would say 'Who are those two people with Michael Brown'.

Rubricarius said...

Good to see you being so patriotic at a young age!

1569 Rising said...

Words fail me. I am going to lie down for a while so I will be able to compose a suitable response.

I have come over all wobbly!

vitamin D said...

What a sweet photo!

David O'Neill said...

As far as I can tell 1569 is ALWAYS wobbly!

Can't say I agree that the words are correct & his Geordie accent leaves a lot to be desired.

For the AUTHENTIC version please listen to the Felling Male Voice Choir recording 'Songs of Canny Tyneside'

Incidentally, I too was at the centenary celebrations of the Blaydon Races as my Dad's pub (the Crooked Billet) was on Scotswood Road & the procession led by a Guards band marched from St Nicholas' Cathedral to Blaydon following the original route

1569 Rising said...

It has taken a couple of days, but I have managed to regain my equilibrium.

I was impressed by the company Father kept at a young age, I assume Messrs Poulson and Cunningham were just out of camera shot.

Bearing in mind the picture, I have decided to moderate future comments on the blog - no more remarks on The Archbishop of New Statesman, Ed "Blinky" Balls or the Junior Millipede.

Well......maybe not!

ScepticalBeliever said...

Is 1596 Rising still having his lie-down? I am awaiting his pearls of wisdom.

1569 Rising said...

David O'Neill....I only come over "all wobbly" when my equilibrium is disturbed, and seeing our esteemed Father keeping such company was enough to make me all of a-flutter.

Sceptical Believer...You can see that I have arisen from my pit of despond, and have given Murmurers the benefit of my wisdom. Sorry, no pearls left.

ScepticalBeliever said...

David O'Neill is entitled to his opinion but surely the authentic, nay, the defintive version of The Blaydon Races is that sung by Owen Brannigan. Choirs are ok in their place (and they should be kept there) but the song was written for solo performers. If the Owen Brannigan version is not immediately obtainable at Windows in the Grainger Arcade (advert.), although why would it not be?, Michael Golan's attempt is quite good. Though not as entertaining as The Gateshead Angel.

1569 Rising said...

David and Sceptical...

There is a recording of Owen Brannigan, Felling MVC and (I think) Fairey Aviation Band (conductor Harry Mortimer) doing the Blaydon Races.

It was recorded in Gateshead Town Hall in about 1968 - 1970. I should know, I was a member of the FMVC at the time.