Michael Batson

I once spent time living in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the very north of England. What is today the city of Newcastle and the surrounding area of Northumbria has history going back centuries. It was under Roman occupation for 300 years marking one of the northern most extremities of Roman rule, the remains of which can still be seen today. Later came the Vikings and then later the Normans. The city is a mixture of mediaeval, Georgian and neoclassical architecture and street planning. It was a place of innovation. It was once one of the world's largest ship building and repair centres during the industrial revolution. Newcastle was one of Britain’s largest print centres, and also became a glass producer with a reputation for brilliant flint glass. Newcastle was one of the first cities in the world to be lit up by electric lighting. Rail and the invention of the steam turbine for maritime propulsion were innovations from Newcastle. Stephenson’s Rocket was designed and built in Newcastle. In the 19th century, shipbuilding and heavy engineering were central to the city's prosperity; and the city was a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution. Ships built in Newcastle shipyards went all over the world. When I was there though much of what had made Newcastle the city it once was, was in decline or gone. Growing up I’d been aware of Newcastle in England first through television with a programme called “When the Boat Comes In” which was set in post-World War One Tyneside