150 years of the Blaydon Races
The song which has become a Geordie anthem was given a blessing at St Nicholas Cathedral to mark its anniversary.
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Blessing for Blaydon Races
A church service is taking place at St Nicholas Cathedral in Newcastle to mark the 150th anniversary of the Blaydon Races. The annual run through the city is inspired by the famous Blaydon Races song, which has become a Geordie anthem.
In a service at 1pm, the congregation will perform the song and Bishop Frank White, the assistant bishop of Newcastle, will offer a blessing. The race itself sets off at 6pm.
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Train named after Blaydon Races
by Richard Salkeld
This week sees the 150th anniversary of the famous Blaydon Races - celebrations began with an East Coast train named after the song.
Read the full storyTrain officially named "Blaydon Races"
Karen Boswell, Managing Director of East Coast unveils the newly named "Blaydon Races" electric locomotive with "Queen of the Blaydon Races" Sheila Shorrick-Dodds.
Former England and Newcastle United player Alan Shearer also took part in the naming ceremony at Newcastle Central Station.
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"Blaydon Races" departs Newcastle
The newly named "Blaydon Races" departs Newcastle Central Station for the first time.
The "Blaydon Races" naming ceremony in pictures
Train naming ceremony underway
A ceremony is taking place for a new East Coast train which is being named after the famous Blaydon Races.
Our reporter Richard Salkeld is at Newcastle Central Station.
Alan Shearer meets fans at Newcastle station before @eastcoastuk name a train 'Blaydon Races' http://t.co/HCuZlhOU
From @richardsalkeld on Twitter:Train arrived http://t.co/t35FNwiN
From @richardsalkeld on Twitter:TV crews assemble for @eastcoastuk and Alan Shearer officially naming train 91115 'Blaydon Races' http://t.co/u9Ecd6B9
From @richardsalkeld on Twitter:Train to be named the "Blaydon races"
East Coast are naming one of their trains the "Blaydon Races" today to mark 150 years since the historic race first began.
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer will start the ceremony at Newcastle Central Station this morning.
The Blaydon Race is a 5.9 mile run from Newcastle to Blaydon that takes place on June 9.
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