22 Problems Only People From Gateshead Will Understand

The only place in the world where a full-sized aeroplane is a normal part of the playground.

If the North East was a wedding, Newcastle would be the bride, Sunderland would be the slightly smelly cousin and Middlesbrough the uninvited guest who doesn't realise they're supposed to be somewhere else. The perception of Gateshead meanwhile, is probably of a bridesmaid destined never to be the main attraction. But Gateshead is a lot more than a suburb of Newcastle, forgotten in the bigger city's shadow, It's an artistic hub, a surprising foodie haven and it was once home to the largest indoor fairground in the world. Yeah, take that Southerners. Whether it€™s your home town or where you live for University (much cheaper rent than over the river), Gateshead will have inspired some unique problems and points of pride for you. It's an area as steeped in local traditions as Newcastle, but without anything as glamorous as the "Geordie" label, and to everyone who lives there, it's a very special - and occasionally bloody odd - place.

22. Missing The Plane In Saltwell Park

All major calendar events centre on the biggest park in Gateshead: it might as well be the centre of the universe. It's the first place you encountered a duck, or were terrified by a swan; it's probably where you had the most ice cream in your early years; and you definitely heard the story about the tragic fools who attempted to make it to the island in the lake only to drown and haunt the place. Despite the water being about two foot deep. Mostly though, you just wish the aeroplane was still there, despite it being broken up for scrap in 1993.
 
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