Tyne Bridge's Birthday

Tyne Bridge was founded by a group of Newcastle University students and the first practice took place in September 1978. A year or so ago the First Bagman found our website and got in touch, reminding us of the anniversary and urging us to organise a celebration. She had started keeping an archive of the team from the very beginning and was still in touch with the first Squire and other members.

The first thing I did was to fix the date for a high-tea at the Cumberland Arms. Over the summer I emailed and wrote to as many current and older Tyne Bridge members as we had addresses for; asking them to pass the invitation on to anyone else who might be interested.

Then, with the help of the University, Newcastle City and Gateshead councils' events departments, the town centre manager and the publicity officer of the Theatre Royal I sorted out dance spots. The schedule was to be: noon in the University Quadrangle; 1.30 on the plinth outside the Theatre Royal; 3 o'clock on the Quayside and outside the Baltic; and finally 5.30 for high-tea inside and possibly dancing outside the Cumberland Arms Byker.

By mid-summer everything was in place and people were beginning to reply, with old members getting in touch and sending in cheques for the meal. Enough of the original team were coming to do the infamous abandoned Great Wishford Faggot dance. I'd even dug out the original sticks and faggots. First Bagman rang me to say they were having t-shirts made so that they would look like a team

In August it started to rain ...

I kept thinking that it was bound to stop eventually ...

But of course it didn't

So on Thursday 4th September I started work on a wet weather plan. There was no choice but to meet as scheduled in the Quad. At least we could shelter under the Arches (well known to any graduate as this is where exam results are displayed). But three different and suitable indoor spots needed to be organised - and quick.

Tune in tomorrow for the next thrilling installment ...