Bellingham, Northumberland
Bellingham is a village in Northumberland, to the north-west of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and situated on the River North Tyne. It is pronounced "Bellinjum", and is known to youngsters of the area as "Bell City".
Bellingham is a thriving picturesque village, the capital of the North Tyne Valley and the gateway to Northumberland National Park.
Famous as a stopping point on the Pennine Way trail it is popular with walkers and cyclists. The village's local newspaper is the Hexham Courant, sold at Frank Mattisons.
Local Characters
Bellingham has many characters throughout the village, many of whom can be usually found in the local pubs. There are 3 pubs all in the centre of the village (Rose & Crown, Black Bull and the Cheviot). Mick's the Landlord at the Black, his son Biffa at the Rose, and Simon and Julie at the Cheviot.
One local resident Ridley Nevin is a former Everton player, and if you see him in the pub he is sure to remind you of this fact and spin you a few tales of what life was like back in the day. One thing is for sure 'You couldn't tie his boots' no matter how good you are. Other famous quotes from this local hero are, "Argh, its in Row Z", "Like a Pack of Hounds", "I can get Smiths for £1.50 a pint at Riverdale you know!" and "I used to play for Everton you know!".
Attractions in the village away from the pubs include Bellingham Golf Club where Punk, Bill and Matty work. The course itself has been referred to as Belgusta by the many ex-pros who have played there, including R Nevin (ex Everton).
City Disco
One of the main attractions with youngsters in the area is the Bellcity Disco, where people come from a 30 mile radius to get drunk in the villages 3 pubs, then cause carnage in the town hall until the early hours.
Show Day
Every year in late August, the world famous Bellingham Show arrives on the show field, where many a hick comes down off the hills to listen to local pop group "The Hill Billies" in the beer tent. Numerous legendary stories have happened within in this tent including Robert Nelson (aka Clampet) climbing the beer tent pole only to slip and fall 20 feet onto a pile full of discarded beer cans.
After the show many of the locals head back across the Tyne bridge under the watchful eye of local lifeguards Richard Chruszczewski and James Scott.
Local Celebrities
Although remote, the city does have some local celebrities, Paul Savaloy Brown (Son of Terry & Denise) once appeared on Fun House with mullet haired maestro Pat Sharpe, he appeared on this classic 90's show with local chatterbox Rebecca Cowans (Daughter of Jimmy, girlfriend of Punk [See Golf Club above]). Not only did they tell many a ferret story but they went onto win this iconic show.
Ex Pats
Bellingham has one world famous son, Richard Forsyth (Known locally as Fife or Fifa), who currently resides in Sydney, Australia due to be married to Trish in late April.
City Humour
Q/ What do you call a good looking woman in Bellingham? A/ A Lost Tourist!
Q/ What's the only 2 man made objects you can see from space? A/ The Great Wall of China and Mick Turner's head.
Philip Larkin, the poet used to visit the Bellingham Show when staying with Monica Jones in Haydon Bridge. His notable late poem 'Show Saturday' is a description of the 1973 show. Scott and Chruszczewski were in attendance that day, but not in a lifeguard capacity.
External Links
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