The Newcastle Drop - July 18, 2025
A medical breakthrough in Newcastle attracts global attention, tributes are paid to an NUFC great, and a well-known statue is removed...
Good morning Newcastle. Here’s today’s Newcastle Drop.
👶 Eight babies have been born in the UK thanks to a groundbreaking three-person IVF technique to prevent devastating disease. Four boys and four girls have been delivered and are all doing well following treatment by a team in Newcastle who pioneered the technique. - Sam Volpe, ChronicleLive
🍴 Two restaurants in Newcastle have been named among the best in the UK. The Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Local Restaurants names the Long Friday in Jesmond as the best place to eat in the region, while Sandyford’s The Small Canteen is also featured - Simon Duke, ChronicleLive
🏳️🌈 Northumbria Police acted unlawfully by allowing officers to take part in last year’s Newcastle Pride, the High Court has ruled. Mr Justice Linden said its involvement last year was unlawful, but that it was up to the force to decide how it approaches this weekend’s event. - Vikram Dodd, Guardian
Organisers of Saturday’s Pride march have issued a new parade route due to the ongoing paving works on Northumberland Street. More details can be found here.
🚧 Major roadworks in Newcastle are set to cause travel chaos for the next 18 months. A £9m programme of upgrades to the A167(M) Central Motorway is due to begin in August and drivers have been told the project will be “highly disruptive”. - Dan Holland, Local Democracy Reporter
In the city: the band Me Lost Me are holding a launch party for their This Material Moment tonight at the Live Theatre
⚽ Newcastle United have paid tribute to former centre-forward Wyn Davies, who has died at the age of 83. The Welsh international - known as 'Wyn the Leap' for his aerial prowess - was part of the Fairs Cup winning team of 1969. - Charlie Bennett, Newcastle United
👨🎨 The 'Pigeon Man' statue has been removed from the Eldon Square shopping centre. The 1976 work by artist Andre Wallace is to return to Old Eldon Square. - Simon Duke, ChronicleLive
🏛️ Alleged fraud within Newcastle City Council has "absolutely stopped", officers say. Allegations relating to part of the council's transport department have been passed to the police but councillors have been told there is no evidence of similar issues elsewhere. - Dan Holland, Local Democracy Reporter
🎓 The city’s two universities have this week awarded honorary degrees to a number of inspiring figures. Comedian Jason Cook, campaigner Huffty McHugh, business leader Lucy Winskell and food writer Henry Dimbleby are among those honoured. - Newcastle and Northumbria universities
💃 The Day Fever clubbing event is returning to the Boiler Shop in Newcastle later this year. The event founded by actress Vicky McClure and her husband Jonny was a hit in the city last year.
🏛️ An investigation into a bullying complaint against former city council leader Nick Kemp has racked up a cost of more than £74,000 so far. A council director made an allegation last September but Coun Kemp has denied any wrongdoing. - Dan Holland, Local Democracy Reporter
🥪 There were big queues in Newcastle city centre yesterday as sandwich store Subway gave out free samples. A pop-up truck drew big crowds when it set up close to Grey’s Monument. - Simon Duke, ChronicleLive
👷 The leader of Newcastle City Council says she wants the authority to build hundreds of new social homes. Coun Karen Kilgour was speaking after the council was selected to help shape the Government’s new Council Housebuilding Support Service. - Newcastle City Council
⚽ Anthony Elanga has given his first interview since signing for Newcastle United. The Swedish winger said his teammates were “second to none” and outlined his hopes for the coming season. - Aaron Stokes, ChronicleLive
My colleague Ross Gregory has launched a Newcastle United newsletter called Everything is Black and White. Sign up here for a regular update on Newcastle United news.
👨⚖️ Two robbers who targeted revellers on their way home from festive nights out in Newcastle city centre have been jailed. Mark Defty, 25, and Dean Baird, 37, both admitted robbery and attempted robbery. - BBC
🎨 A Banksy-style artwork has appeared in Newcastle. The mural on the wall of the old Royal Mail building behind the Central Station has been identified as the work of Scottish artist The Rebel Bear. - Simon Greener, ChronicleLive
🏍️ The Red Bull Tyne Ride is returning to Newcastle’s Quayside next month. The motocross event will take place on August 30. - Jason Button, Newcastle World.
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📌 The weekly quiz night that has been taking place at city centre bar Prohibition will be revived at the Black Swan at Newcastle Arts Centre, starting on September 3.
📌 Bonners Piano Centre is opening a new store in Newcastle on August 9. The owners of the new store in Kingston Park say they want to help counter recent closures of city music shops JG Windows and PMT.
📌 A competition for aspiring writers to get their work performed at the Sunday for Sammy event has returned. Submissions of five-minute sketches for the A Sketch for Sammy initiative should be made to info@sundayforsammy.org.
The 100 best things in Newcastle
Number 30: the Castle
The medieval fortress is built on the site of the original castle that gave our city its name. Separated from the Black Gate by the 19th century railway line, the castle has been restored in recent years and is well worth a visit, not least for the views from the roof.
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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