For many on Tyneside, 1986 was a difficult year. Headlines told of the decline of traditional industries, widespread redundancies, rising unemployment and lengthening dole queues. Yet the year also brought moments of celebration and hope, captured by photographers from the Chronicle archive.
Queen at St James' Park and the Tall Ships
On July 9, 1986, more than 36,000 fans watched Queen perform at St James' Park in Newcastle. Freddie Mercury and the band delivered a devastating performance under blazing summer sun. The Tall Ships Race also arrived on the Tyne for the first time, with more than 80 vessels moored on the river for a four-day festival that evoked the region's maritime past and helped set the stage for the Quayside's recovery.
Metrocentre opens and Gazza emerges
The Metrocentre, a new shopping complex built on industrial wasteland in Gateshead, opened in 1986. It was the creation of property developer John Hall, later Sir John, and it transformed retail in the region while creating an estimated 4,000 jobs. At Newcastle United, a talented teenage midfielder from Dunston named Paul Gascoigne was beginning to make his mark. He would spend a couple of seasons dazzling in a black and white shirt before becoming a global football name.
The 10 archive photographs all accompanied stories in the Evening Chronicle 40 years ago. They include:
- Entrepreneur John Hall at the official opening of the Metrocentre in Gateshead, October 14, 1986.
- Newcastle United players, including Paul Gascoigne second right, setting off to the Isle of Man for pre-season games, July 25, 1986.
- The RFA Sir Tristram, a veteran of the Falklands War, in dry dock at Tyne Shiprepair, Wallsend, for an annual refit, October 6, 1986.
- Football legend Bobby Charlton with youngsters at his Soccer School at Monkton Stadium, Jarrow, February 1986.
- Some of the 36,000 fans who watched Queen at St James' Park, July 9, 1986.
- Sting visiting the Buddle Arts Centre in Wallsend to present a £10,000 cheque to centre manager Tim Archer for a new sound system, January 1986.
- Regulars enjoying snooker and a drink at Percy Main Social Club, North Shields, May 31, 1986.
- Claude Robinson, one of the original Jarrow marchers, marking the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Jarrow Crusade at Jarrow Metro station, August 1986.
- Brian Johnson, lead singer of AC/DC, visiting his old school, Dunston Hill in Gateshead, January 1986.
- Former Monty Python star Michael Palin visiting Monkhouse Primary School in North Shields to read from his new children's book, November 1986.
The wider world in 1986
In the wider world that year, the UK and France signed a deal committing to the construction of the Channel Tunnel. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's cabinet was consumed by the Westland affair, a bitter political crisis. The space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven crew members.
Entertainment and listings
In the pop charts of this week 40 years ago, there were hits for Madonna with "Papa Don't Preach", The Smiths with "Panic", while Chris De Burgh's "The Lady In Red" sat at number one. New to television in 1986 were the sitcom Bread, the children's series Jossy's Giants, set in the region, and the daytime chat show Kilroy.
The Chronicle's listings for the week showed live music at the region's pubs and workingmen's clubs. Retro acts including The Dooleys, Paper Lace and The Fortunes were appearing at the Rainbow Rooms on Newgate Street. At the Odeon cinema on Pilgrim Street, films on offer included Karate Kid II, Care Bears II and Hannah and Her Sisters. For a lunchtime special at Joe Rigantonie's Italian restaurant on St Mary's Place, Newcastle, a pasta dish and a glass of wine cost £1.50.
