• News Should Stereotypes be Banned if They’re True?
    Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority is set to ban adverts that depict gender stereotypes, such as men struggling with household tasks or women cleaning up after the family. But, are they right to ban such adverts if they are based on truth? Don’t get me wrong, it’s damaging for anyone to try and drive women, or […]
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  • Sport The State of British Tennis
    After Johanna Konta’s dismantling at the hands of Venus Williams on Sunday, no-one remains to fly the flag of Britain at what can be considered our home tournament. Historically, Brits have never had much success at Wimbledon, or any other grand slam for that matter. A former director of the British Lawn Tennis Association reckons it’s […]
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  • Politics Can Popular Capitalism Make a Comeback?
    Capitalism today is firmly in the hands of the few, not the many. Yet, Mrs Thatcher once preached capitalism as a “crusade to enfranchise the many in the economic life of the nation” and return “power to the people”. Her sentiments of the decentralisation of power to workers and ordinary citizens during the 1986 Conservative […]
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  • Food Restaurant Review: Mustang Sally
    Ouseburn Valley’s a curious place; a part of town that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Riddled with enigmas, in this funky valley nothing quite turns out to be what it purports to be: ‘The Biscuit Factory’ is an art gallery, the ‘Toffee Factory’ certainly doesn’t manufacture toffee and as for ‘Ouseburn Tower’: mate, my house […]
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  • News How Cuts Inspired A Nation – And Maybe You Too.
    The number of people carrying out volunteering activities in England has risen by 5% since 2010 and all across the United Kingdom an army of willing volunteers have stepped in where local authorities have fallen short – in libraries, youth clubs, the police force or care homes, you name it. But why? Aren’t people employed […]
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  • News The Happiest Nations in the World
    Whenever we hear about the happiest nation on earth, we tend to think towards Scandinavia – home of Lego, Ikea, wife-carrying and – if the Icelanders are to be believed – elves and trolls too. According to the recently released ‘World Happiness Report 2017’, Norway has expelled Denmark into second place, whilst Iceland sits in […]
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  • Editorials England’s Identity Crisis
    Home to 53 million people and covering five-eights of the island of Great Britain with Scotland to the north, Wales to the west and Northern Ireland westerly still, England is – in many ways – a forgotten land. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has always been thought of as one nation. […]
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  • Sport Non League Watch: How are Gateshead FC Faring?
    Writing for B**P, I often choose to focus on the trials and tribulations of Newcastle United, but once in a while it’s wise to take a step back. Quite a big step back: four leagues back actually. That’s right, let’s take a look at Gateshead FC. The Tynesiders. The Heed Army. How are they doing […]
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  • Other Are Career Meetings Really Necessary For Students?
    The conversation went like this: “What would you like to do in the future?” “I know exactly where I want to be in the future,” I replied, before proceeding to reveal my plans to reach that position. “Here’s a useful website for you.” “Yeah, I’ve seen this one before.” She then offered up a sort […]
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  • Politics Not All Government Departments are Created Equal?
    They say “all men are created equal”. In truth, very little in this world is equal. And as you can probably tell from the title of this article, neither are the UK government’s departmental budgets – and rightfully so. Clearly, the department for environment, food, and rural affairs is not tantamount to the NHS – […]
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  • Sport Match Report: Newcastle vs Huddersfield
    Surely, now, Newcastle United are home and dry in their pursuit of Premier League football following a professional 3-1 victory over Huddersfield at the John Smith’s Stadium. The past week was touted as a potential stumbling block for Newcastle United as they faced both 1st and 3rd placed teams in Brighton and Huddersfield. Victory in […]
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  • Sport Newcastle Vs Brighton: Clash of the Titans
    League leaders Brighton were rocked by a late storm surge on the south coast last night as Newcastle put on a ‘Late Late Show’ at The Amex whilst wrestling over the top spot, which is now – once again – in the hands of Newcastle United. One of the Championship’s most electrifying games started in […]
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  • News Motorists Fight Back
    Anti-establishment sentiment is sweeping the country; Britain is on the cusp of revolt; the masses are ready to rise up…  Are we finally about to throw off our oppressors? Well, if those oppressors are parking attendants, we may be making progress. Parking attendants are some of the most derided associates of the so-called ‘establishment’ (note […]
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  • News Bizarre Would be an Understatement
    News surrounds us. Some of it good; some of it bad; some of it sombre; and some of it sad. But as far as wacky news goes, this story definitely takes the biscuit. A reptile-wielding maniac has been banned from a Newcastle branch of Dixy Chicken after threatening to throw a python at staff. Need […]
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  • Editorials Idiots, Morons and Imbeciles
    ‘An idiot, a moron and an imbecile walk into a bar…’ Those words have been on my lips all day. It sounds like the start of a joke, doesn’t it? If I may finish, however, ‘An idiot, a moron and an imbecile walk into a bar – who’s the most intelligent?’ Surely all three are […]
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  • Editorials Our Favourite ‘-ism’ Words
    The ‘-ism’ words dominate world affairs. From racism, sexism and fascism to satanism, communism and ecotourism, we hear these words a lot – maybe too much – but in the grand scheme of ‘-isms’ we don’t actually know their family very well at all. There’s around 2,100 ‘-ism’ words in the English language compared to […]
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  • Other A Vista of Bridges Over the Tyne – Part 2: The Millennium Bridge
    Way back when in December 2016 (a distant memory, I know) I published an article looking back at the history of Newcastle (and Gateshead’s) iconic Tyne Bridge with a view to lusting over the Tyne’s other remarkable bridges for the following weeks. I should’ve known though that – as it always does – life would […]
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  • News Britain Hit By Largest Earthquake For a Decade; Causes Great Amusement
    We’re used to dealing with seismic news stories, but now it’s time for some seismic news – y’know, earthquakes and that. #prayforscarborough and #wewillrebuild were gaining popularity on Twitter as a magnitude 3.8 earthquake hit the North Yorkshire coastal town of Scarborough. Although the earthquake was one of the strongest to hit the UK in […]
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  • Sport 12 Lists of Christmas: Defining Sports Moments
    Andy Murray becomes world number one: After triumphing in the Paris Masters I think we all breathed a silent sigh of relief as we watched Andy Murray finally take his place at the very top of world tennis. Despite also winning Wimbledon this year, the plucky scot has often had to deal with disappointment, many […]
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  • Other Newcastle United; Local Hero
    Every Newcastle United match-goer will be familiar with the jazzy saxophone instrumental music that ushers the players onto the field at the start of every match day. The more diligent – and particularly the older (and wiser!) – fans amongst us will be able to tell us everything that it is possible to know about […]
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  • Other A Vista Of Bridges Over The Tyne – Part 1: Tyne Bridge
    Venice and Amsterdam are famous for their canals, Sydney is famous for its harbour and Rio De Janeiro is famous for its golden beaches. Closer to home, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne is famous for a vista of iconic bridges spanning one of Britain’s most illustrious rivers. Most of the world’s greatest cities have long relied on their waterways to […]
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  • News Storm Report: Angus Has Hit
    Last winter, Storm Desmond and Storm Eva (arguably the worst storms of last year) caused a combined estimated total of around £1.1 billion worth of damage, leaving many areas of Britain more than a little bit soggy. The Met Office introduced named Storms last year to raise awareness of severe weather capable of having a […]
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  • Movies I, Daniel Blake – Film Review
    I, Daniel Blake is far from being a Hollywood blockbuster. In fact, it comes from much closer to home, having been filmed in Newcastle. In many ways it is a film which belongs to the people of Newcastle – a land which has not elected a conservative MP since the 1980s; a land where 30% […]
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  • News The John Lewis Christmas Advert Has Arrived
    Ahh, the John Lewis Christmas advert, quickly becoming a national institution, has resurfaced for 2016’s festive season. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr6lr_VRsEo This year, the advert depicts a father setting up his daughter’s new trampoline, presumably on the night before Christmas, only for a few pesky foxes hiding out in the garden to venture onto the garden toy and […]
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  • Other A Trip to the Newcastle Quayside Market
    When my parents were growing up back in the 1970s and 80s, a weekend would not be complete without a saunter around the Newcastle Quayside market, and I too have one or two memories of visiting from my younger days. Whilst my parents didn’t take me to the market regularly, I do recall, on the odd […]
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  • Other Did You Know? The Windscreen Wiper Was Invented by a Geordie
    If ever during conversation the topic of windscreen wipers crops up, then it’s likely someone will come out with “the windscreen wiper was invented by a woman, you know”, which of course seems unusual for the early 20th century, when most inventors were male. This is quite a popular fact, as far as facts go. […]
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  • Other Most Innovative City in the World
    Tallinn, the capital of the young nation of Estonia, is believed to be one of the oldest capital cities in Northern Europe and its old town is a ‘UNESCO World Heritage Site’ blossoming with striking medieval buildings. Yet behind this classical exterior lies one of the most innovative and tech savvy cities in the world. […]
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  • Music The Last Bastion Against CETA
    The failure to finalise a trade deal with Canada has lead to emergency meetings in Brussels and has perhaps exposed the European Union’s biggest flaw. CETA is a proposed trade deal between the EU and Canada that has taken seven years to negotiate (whereas most trade deals will be implemented in less than half this […]
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  • Other What is a Socialite?
    “ Someone who is well-known in fashionable society and is often seen at parties and other social events for wealthy people.” A socialite is a strangely paradoxical position to hold in society. They do not have jobs as such, yet they still earn an income. They do not work, but at the same time they […]
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  • News Match Report: Newcastle 3-1 Brentford
    Attending St James’ Park for Saturday’s match against Brentford, there was only one question on Newcastle fans’ lips – “Where is Brentford?” As it turns out, Brentford is a town in West London, not a particularly significant place, although Brentford F.C’s fans certainly intended to be heard on match day. 51,800 people watched Newcastle United […]
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  • News Clowning Around
    In the run up to Halloween, a new fad has originated in America, and now it’s spread to Britain… Jokers around the USA have been dressing up as distinctly creepy clowns (not the kind that squirt water at circuses) and attempting to scare passers-by by jumping out from the undergrowth – often holding a machete […]
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  • Other The Best Debit Cards For Young People
    Sending off for your first debit card is often one of the first steps a teenager takes towards financial independence, and as such it’s important to use a debit card that will not only allow you to spend your earnings, but also stop you losing them by educating teenagers on what it means to be […]
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  • News BHS is Back
    British Home Stores, which closed the last of its 164 stores just last month, is to reappear as an online-only store selling around 75% of the products previously sold on the BHS website. Like so many things nowadays, the new website is owned by the Qatari Al Mana Group, representing another British sell-off, albeit in […]
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  • News Matt LeBlanc to Return to Top Gear
    Friends star Matt LeBlanc is set to return to BBC Two’s Top Gear next year, alongside granddad character Eddie Jordan, Sabine Schmitz and both Chris Harris and Rory Reid, who will be fronting BBC Three’s Extra Gear once again. Without Chris Evans in the equation, Matt LeBlanc will surely be stepping up his presenting duties […]
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  • Other Britain’s Most Congested Cities
    We all bemoan having to sit in long traffic jams, yet most of us tolerate gridlock every day – on our way to work, school or a bank holiday escape, avoiding delays can sometimes be an insurmountable task. However, some UK cities are much more congested than others, with Belfast commuters spending an average of […]
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  • Other Bacon – What’s Not to Like?
    Bacon. The most sumptuous five letters known to man. Smoked, unsmoked, streaky, crispy, tender or back, bacon has a universal appeal and infinite serving options to go with it. At my school, us acne-ridden, mood-swinging year 11s are given two glorious opportunities for a nice hearty breakfast – one before school (open to all students) […]
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  • News WW2 Bomb Discovered in Gateshead
      https://twitter.com/NPCGatesheadW/status/775013446400237568 https://twitter.com/NPCGatesheadW/status/775033765966020608 An unexploded World War 2 IED (improvised explosive device) has been unearthed in Blackhall Mill, Western Gateshead on Sunday 11th September. The manner of the discovery is unknown. Northumbria Police attended the scene on Sunday evening and bomb disposal teams from Catterick Garrison managed to safely remove the device around an hour […]
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  • News The New Fiver is Coming
    Less than a week to go now until we get our hands on the brand new fiver issued by the Bank of England to replace the current notes. What’s special about the new fiver is the material it’s made from, which is constructed with plastic, or, as the bank prefers to call it, polymer – presumably […]
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  • News The War On Selfie Sticks…
    Selfie sticks are like marmite: you either love them or you hate them… And quite clearly, YouTube prankster Buddy Bolton has made his opinion of selfie sticks apparent by appearing in a short video compilation showing him gallivanting around New York City with a pair of shears, chopping unsuspecting sightseers’ selfie sticks in two: Understandably, […]
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  • Other Cor Blimey… That’s Old!
    Built in 1891 by Robert Stephenson & Co at Forth Banks in Newcastle, Twizell is the oldest (and largest) operational locomotive at the Tanfield Railway – a charming three-mile-long heritage railway in Gateshead and County Durham – and has just celebrated its 125th birthday. Now that’s old! Twizell is regularly seen pulling long passenger trains […]
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  • Other How to Save Big on Train Travel
    Sometimes, commuters feel like they are having to cough up an arm and leg to pay for their train tickets, with fares continuing to rise year-on-year. However, don’t despair because there are way of beating (not cheating) the system to keep your wallet healthy. Of course, there are some obvious ways to find the best […]
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  • News #Traingate – Who’s Right?
    Perhaps you’ve seen #traingate trending on social media and wondered what all the fuss is about. After all, millions of us hop on trains every day, so why exactly is this so newsworthy? Basically, whilst travelling on a Virgin Trains East Coast from London to Newcastle (I know, we’re not used to politicians actually coming up north), […]
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  • Other The Most Proficient English Speakers in the World
    Along with having around 400 million native speakers, the English language is the most widely learned second language with a total of over one billion people able to speak English worldwide. Both a remnant of the British Empire and a sign of continuing global influence (largely due to the United States), English has become the […]
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  • Other Why I’ve Started Listening To German Radio – And You Should Too
    Switching on the radio in the car has become an increasingly frustrating process. You’ll either be interrupted by the impetuous tone of Chris Evans or the absurdity of shows like Paddy’s Sunday Dinner, or perhaps an advert trying to persuade you to buy a new hot tub, or even a host of overexcited presenters awarding cash […]
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  • Other The British Sense Of Humour
    One of the inherent delights of being British is the ability to have a jovial laugh with just about anyone who crosses your path. Renowned around the world, the British sense of humour has a unique identity that often leaves our friends around the world completely baffled, yet television programmes such as Blackadder, Fawlty Towers […]
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  • News A Warning Not to Trespass on Railway Lines
    The British Transport Police has released a startling new video warning people not to trespass on railway lines (or even railway property) this summer, and indeed at all times. The eye-opening video depicts staggered delinquents taking shortcuts across tracks and – in the final harrowing scene – being dragged under a 500+ ton train. The […]
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  • News Postman Pat Has Left Us
    Ken Barrie – the voice behind one of our childhood heroes Postman Pat – has died peacefully at his home in Buckinghamshire at the age of 83 after suffering from liver cancer. The voice actor starred in 31 episodes of Postman Pat from 1981 to 2005, taking on multiple role in the series. Surprisingly, Barrie had […]
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  • News 11 Days Around the World
    Now for some lighter news (or rather, lighter than air news)! A Russian hot air balloonist has recently set a new world record for the shortest time taken to fly around the world. After taking off from an airfield in Northam, Australia, Fyodor Konyukhov managed to complete the feat in 11 days and 6 hours […]
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