The 150th anniversary celebrations of ‘The Blaydon Races’ reach a crescendo this weekend with a programme of events across Tyneside, the centre piece being the long established road race from Balmbra’s in Newcastle city centre out to Blaydon. Alan Shearer having earlier this week renamed an East Coast train in honour of the famous song.
As well as the road race there are many more ‘traditional’ type celebrations in keeping with the original nature of ‘The Blaydon Races’, including the reopening of Balmbra’s for a night of raucous fun.
The full programme of events and how to get involved can be found by visiting the excellent official website and facebook page to find out more.
If you want any inspiration for Father’s Day then there are couple of outstanding Blaydon Races related keepsakes to buy in our online shop, a marvellous painting by William C.Irving captures the whole character (and characters!) of the song and stunning prints are available to buy here, while a classic mug commemorating the song/event is available to buy here .
It might not be sung quite as often at St.James’ Park these days but ‘The Blaydon Races’ is synonymous with Newcastle United, another layer that makes Newcastle Upon Tyne/Newcastle United that bit more special, a tad more unique.
Geordie Ridley sang the song at a concert in Balmbra’s Music Hall on 5 June 1862 but the 150th anniversary is based around the date in the words of the song;
‘Aw went to Blaydon Races, ’twas on the ninth of Joon,
Eiteen hundred an’ sixty-two, on a summer’s efternoon’
The Blaydon Races and Fair was a major event in the 19th and early 20th century, last being held in 1916.
A marvellous painting by William C.Irving captures the whole character (and characters!) of the song and stunning prints are available to buy here or by clicking the image at the top of the article (a guide to the various famous characters in the print is featured here on the left). 
While a classic mug commemorating the song/event is available to buy here or by clicking the image.
Thankfully the song has kept this wonderful story alive and some great people have made sure that the 150th anniversary is not going unnoticed.
Click the image or here to order this classic piece of history.
