The Newcastle Drop - July 14, 2025
Anthony Elanga is unveiled as Newcastle United's first big signing of the summer. Elsewhere we've got a landmark property on sale, a last minute festival cancellation and a surprise gig announcement.
Good morning Newcastle - is the warm weather going to continue? Here’s today’s Newcastle Drop.
⚽ Anthony Elanga has been unveiled as Newcastle United’s first big signing of the summer. The Swedish winger said: “I'm ready to put on this black and white top to really fight for this team and give everything for the passionate fanbase that lives and breathes football”. - Newcastle United
Newcastle United have appointed Martin Mark as their first team set-piece coach. He has joined the club from FC Midtjylland in his native Denmark, where he spent three-and-a-half years in a similar role. - Liam Kennedy, Newcastle World
Newcastle United have beaten Carlisle United 4-0 in a behind-closed-doors pre-season game. Sean Longstaff, Joelinton, Jacob Murphy and Ben Parkinson scored in the win. - Aaron Stokes, ChronicleLive
⚖️ Two residents have died after a car stolen from Newcastle crashed into a care home during a police chase. Two 21-year-olds have appeared in court charged with robbery and kidnap following the incident at Highcliffe Care Home in Sunderland. - BBC
🚌 People on the Great Park estate are calling for a re-think on bus service cuts. Transport chiefs have been urged to look again at the changes to the Q3 service that removed a popular service from the housing estate. - Dan Holland, Local Democracy Reporter
In the city: the Swing Bridge was opened this week in 1876
🏢 A Newcastle city centre office block recently given permission to expand and become short-term lets has been put up for sale. Property consultancy Knight Frank has been appointed to sell No. 2 Cathedral Square in the Bigg Market. - Graeme Whitfield, ChronicleLive
🍸 A gin festival set to take place in Newcastle this weekend was cancelled at short notice when its operators ceased trading. The Gin To My Tonic event had been due to take place at the Assembly Rooms. - Simon Duke, ChronicleLive
💐 The cancellation of a gardening service has sparked concerns for elderly and disabled council house tenants in the city. Council bosses have scrapped a service that allowed tenants to pay to have their garden kept tidy for a small weekly fee. - Dan Holland, Local Democracy Reporter
🏫 A school in Newcastle’s west end has celebrated its 150th anniversary. St George’s Catholic Primary School was founded in 1875 and celebrated the anniversary with pupils past and present. - Emily Gray, ChronicleLive
🎸 Bryan Adams is launching his new album with a series of smaller gigs - including one at Newcastle’s Boiler Shop next month.
🏑 Three young members of the Northern Edge Sports club in Walker have been selected to compete in the North American Roller Hockey Championships. The boys have been praised for the dedication to the sport. - Molly Smith, BBC
🚗 There are no plans to impose new late-night parking charges in Newcastle. The council has clarified its position after an official said last week that they were "not averse" to introducing new evening tariffs in the city centre. - Dan Holland, Local Democracy Reporter
🌳 Members of the North East's Bosnian community have planted a cherry tree outside by Newcastle Civic Centre both to mark the 30th anniversary of the genocide in their country. The group said they had received an "incredible welcome" in the city. - Daniel Hall, ChronicleLive
🌊 A safety event to warn against the dangers of swimming in open water in the summer holidays has been held by the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service on Newcastle's Quayside. The event also included volunteers from RNLI and the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade. - BBC
☕ The One Eleven cafe in Gosforth has announced its closure. The owners thanked everyone who had supported it. - Simon Duke, ChronicleLive
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📌 Newcastle train company Lumo has unveiled a Smurfs train to tie in with the latest film from the cartoon creatures. Lumo said it shared the Smurfs’ dedication to sustainability.
📌 Hundreds of women have taken part in the annual Race for Life event on the Town Moor. The event raises money for Cancer Research UK.
The 100 best things in Newcastle
Number 28: All Saints Church
One of my favourite buildings in the city, which has been unfortunately hemmed in by 1960s office blocks but can still be seen as you enter the city from the Tyne Bridge. De-consecrated in the 1960s, the church was used as offices and a temporary home for the Northern Sinfonia before opening again as a church for the Presbyterians in 2019.
In each edition of the Newcastle Drop I’ll be sharing some of my favourite things about Newcastle. You can see the previous selection here. I haven’t got all 100 worked out just yet, so feel free to make suggestions on what I should include. You can get in touch here with your own favourites.
Thanks for reading The Newcastle Drop - a new newsletter that aims to bring together all of the news and community events from around our city. It’s brought to you by Graeme Whitfield, editor of The Journal and long-time resident of the city.
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