(20 Aug 2014, 4:24 pm)Dan wrote On my Flickr captions, I usually note it as 'intu Metrocentre' - but that boils down to the argument I always used to have with myself in regards to capitalising the 'T' in 'The'. Grammatically, I don't think it's correct to do so - but I didn't think a lower-case 't' looked very good.

In real life, it varies from 'Metty', 'Metro' and 'The Metrocentre'. Depends who I'm talking to and what they call it.

Never heard 'Metty' everyone I know goes by 'The Metrocentre' 'Metrocentre' or 'Metro' but I will never refer to it as 'intu Metrocentre'

It's like when Teesside Airport became Durham Tees Valley Airport, everyone I know still calls it Teesside Airport.

(20 Aug 2014, 4:34 pm)Jimmi wrote Never heard 'Metty' everyone I know goes by 'The Metrocentre' 'Metrocentre' or 'Metro' but I will never refer to it as 'intu Metrocentre'

It's like when Teesside Airport became Durham Tees Valley Airport, everyone I know still calls it Teesside Airport.

Mackems for ya!

(20 Aug 2014, 4:17 pm)Robert wrote Something that annoys me and always will:

I just get this feeling when i hear people refer to the Metrocentre by its proper name 'intu Metrocentre'. Nobody seems to refer to Eldon Square as 'intu Eldon Square' so i dont know why the Metrocentre should be any different. To me it will always be called the Metrocentre regardless of who owns it and what they do to its name. Bit like St James' Park when it was renamed to the Sports Direct Arena. I still referred to it as St James' Park and so did a lot of people i know.

I have no idea why the majority owners feel the need to tell the world about themselves - they have done it all over the country too. It isn't just confined to those two shopping centres.
CSC didn't brand it CSC Metrocentre and the Queen doesn't insist on the Gate being called 'Royal Estates Gate' either.

With regard to the naming thing, an ex girlfriends mother, calls it the 'Meteor-oid Centre'.
No, I have no idea why either... :s

I wouldn't be too bothered that someone has seen you. Although I do know exactly where you are both coming from. At the end of the day it's a hobby. Some people like football, others like playing musical instruments, and others like photography. If they're taking the piss to the point it makes you feel uncomfortable, then you need to put them in their place. I've never been one to put up with name calling and the likes (which is why I tend to get involved and stick up for them if I see it happening), but I've never held off telling someone they're a ****.

As for places names etc. I still refer to "intu Metrocentre" as the "metty". Still refer to the local shop by its name despite it now being a Londis, and to top it all off, GNE still refer to Biddick as Cooks Hall, despite it being knocked down 40 odd years ago.

(20 Aug 2014, 4:35 pm)Dan wrote Mackems for ya!

(20 Aug 2014, 4:37 pm)aureolin wrote I wouldn't be too bothered that someone has seen you. Although I do know exactly where you are both coming from. At the end of the day it's a hobby. Some people like football, others like playing musical instruments, and others like photography. If they're taking the piss to the point it makes you feel uncomfortable, then you need to put them in their place. I've never been one to put up with name calling and the likes (which is why I tend to get involved and stick up for them if I see it happening), but I've never held off telling someone they're a ****.

Cheers - I might try that if they piss me off about it.

(20 Aug 2014, 4:39 pm)aureolin wrote

Mmmmm... Cheesy chips!!
Haven't had any in ages. I'm sinning as a Mackem here!

(20 Aug 2014, 4:37 pm)aureolin wrote I wouldn't be too bothered that someone has seen you. Although I do know exactly where you are both coming from. At the end of the day it's a hobby. Some people like football, others like playing musical instruments, and others like photography. If they're taking the piss to the point it makes you feel uncomfortable, then you need to put them in their place. I've never been one to put up with name calling and the likes (which is why I tend to get involved and stick up for them if I see it happening), but I've never held off telling someone they're a ****.

As for places names etc. I still refer to "intu Metrocentre" as the "metty". Still refer to the local shop by its name despite it now being a Londis, and to top it all off, GNE still refer to Biddick as Cooks Hall, despite it being knocked down 40 odd years ago.

For Chester-Le-Street Scholars, I must say some stopping points are a bit strange. Park View Main Site has been called that for a good while now, and my dad went to Park View in the 70s, even then it wasn't called 'The Deanery', yet that's what it says on the tickets and stopping points.

(20 Aug 2014, 4:40 pm)Dan wrote Mmmmm... Cheesy chips!!
Haven't had any in ages. I'm sinning as a Mackem here!

It was often the food of choice for New College students at lunchtime. The chippy in question is now called Fram Fry.

(20 Aug 2014, 4:40 pm)Marcus wrote For Chester-Le-Street Scholars, I must say some stopping points are a bit strange. Park View Main Site has been called that for a good while now, and my dad went to Park View in the 70s, even then it wasn't called 'The Deanery', yet that's what it says on the tickets and stopping points.

Is that owt to do with the church?

(20 Aug 2014, 4:47 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Is that owt to do with the church?

I don't think so - the actual title of the stopping point is 'Deanery Sch', which I would assume is short for 'School'?

(20 Aug 2014, 4:48 pm)Marcus wrote I don't think so - the actual title of the stopping point is 'Deanery Sch', which I would assume is short for 'School'?

Presuming wikipedia is correct:

Chester-le-Street Secondary School opened in September 1911. The school changed names to Chester-le-Street Grammar School in 1944, the Deanery in 1969, Park View Comprehensive in 1976, then finally Park View Community School in 1982.[2] In July 2011, it became an academy shortening its name to Park View School.

(20 Aug 2014, 4:50 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Presuming wikipedia is correct:

Thought it was something like that.

My dad started when Park View took over the North Lodge site from Birtley South Modern (who later became Lord Lawson) in 1976, so it would have been Park View Comprehensive when he went.

(20 Aug 2014, 4:55 pm)Marcus wrote Thought it was something like that.

My dad started when Park View took over the North Lodge site from Birtley South Modern (who later became Lord Lawson) in 1976, so it would have been Park View Comprehensive when he went.

Up there with Cooks Hall! 40 years since the site had the name...
The Curly Wurly Bridge has been up years on Fallowfield Way and that hasn't had a stop named after it.
Maybe it needs knocking down!

Aye, Lord Lawson replaced/combined Birtley South and Birtley East as secondary schools when the county borders changed - if I remember right.

Birtley South took on the Co Durham pupils (changing its name), with those living in Tyne & Wear going to Lord Lawson - although there was the odd exception.
A lot from Barley Mow went to Park View still, rather than Lord Lawson.

Don't think I've had my daily annoyance on here yet, but today, mine has been the suspense between today and tomorrow (Results Day).

Not keen on the grade boundaries:
http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/over/stat_pd...E-2014.PDF

My excuse if I don't get the results I was hoping for...

(20 Aug 2014, 5:53 pm)Dan wrote Don't think I've had my daily annoyance on here yet, but today, mine has been the suspense between today and tomorrow (Results Day).

Not keen on the grade boundaries:
http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/over/stat_pd...E-2014.PDF

Looking at the physics, already know I'm screwed...

Just looking at the GNE fb page. Is the normal GNE bod on holiday?
Has anyone else noticed any difference in tone etc.?

Was waiting for the 939 but when I put my hand out he went straight past me unsurprisingly it was a classic coaches run

(20 Aug 2014, 5:58 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Just looking at the GNE fb page. Is the normal GNE bod on holiday?
Has anyone else noticed any difference in tone etc.?

Yes, he/she seems nicer! I made a comment on about the driver of a 41 yesterday, and he/she seemed more helpful than usual.

(20 Aug 2014, 5:59 pm)Andy wrote Was waiting for the 939 but when I put my hand out he went straight past me unsurprisingly it was a classic coaches run

Hadn't realised Classic had an input on the 939... Thought it was GNE and Stanley Travel?

(20 Aug 2014, 6:01 pm)Dan wrote Hadn't realised Classic had an input on the 939... Thought it was GNE and Stanley Travel?

No, Gateshead Central Taxis, Go North East, Stanley Taxis and Classic operate it.

(20 Aug 2014, 6:05 pm)Tom wrote No, Gateshead Central Taxis, Go North East, Stanley Taxis and Classic operate it.

I was excluding GCT for obvious reasons... Empty taxis at the crack o' dawn don't count as bus services.

Which one is the Classic run? Definitely an evening one I think..?

(20 Aug 2014, 6:00 pm)Tom wrote Yes, he/she seems nicer! I made a comment on about the driver of a 41 yesterday, and he/she seemed more helpful than usual.

Noticed that.
You even got a smiley face!

edit: Not sure why the comments on the GNE fb page have ended up in here - positive the initial comment was in 'anything and everything'.

Not sure why the GNE bod would annoy me...

(20 Aug 2014, 6:08 pm)Dan wrote I was excluding GCT for obvious reasons... Empty taxis at the crack o' dawn don't count as bus services.

Which one is the Classic run? Definitely an evening one I think..?

Classic run the 17:59 from the Galleries

(20 Aug 2014, 5:53 pm)Dan wrote Don't think I've had my daily annoyance on here yet, but today, mine has been the suspense between today and tomorrow (Results Day).

Not keen on the grade boundaries:
http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/over/stat_pd...E-2014.PDF

My excuse if I don't get the results I was hoping for...

Good luck Dan and everyone else picking up their GCSE results tomorrow. I'm sure you've all done terrifically well!

(20 Aug 2014, 11:46 am)Tom wrote Yesterday I was taking photos in Wallsend, and someone from my school saw me (I think), so now I'm really not looking forward going back to school.

I remember when I first started taken photos in 2009, I was in Park Lane one night with my mother when the Drifter Versas first appeared, she had never seen one before and she all of a sudden piped up and said 'David, that's a new bus, do you want to take a photo of it' at which point I could feel everybodies eyes looking at me, I wanted the ground to swallow me up as everybody looked to see if I was gonna whip my phone out...I didn't I just went off in a huff with my mam...

To the lads who are worried about what your mates will say if they catch you taking photos, it is your hobby, and can you really call it a hobby if your worried about what people say, in my opinion, your not enjoying it if your worried about having the piss taken out of you...I bet most of the older enthusiasts will have heard just about there is to hear, and I can say, my friends have never ripped the piss of of me, not in a way that would humiliate me or make me feel down about what I do...A real friend would not do that and anyone who takes the piss in away that belittles you is not really a friend, so take no notice of those people and enjoy what you do

(20 Aug 2014, 10:18 pm)marxistafozzski wrote I remember when I first started taken photos in 2009, I was in Park Lane one night with my mother when the Drifter Versas first appeared, she had never seen one before and she all of a sudden piped up and said 'David, that's a new bus, do you want to take a photo of it' at which point I could feel everybodies eyes looking at me, I wanted the ground to swallow me up as everybody looked to see if I was gonna whip my phone out...I didn't I just went off in a huff with my mam...

To the lads who are worried about what your mates will say if they catch you taking photos, it is your hobby, and can you really call it a hobby if your worried about what people say, in my opinion, your not enjoying it if your worried about having the piss taken out of you...I bet most of the older enthusiasts will have heard just about there is to hear, and I can say, my friends have never ripped the piss of of me, not in a way that would humiliate me or make me feel down about what I do...A real friend would not do that and anyone who takes the piss in away that belittles you is not really a friend, so take no notice of those people and enjoy what you do

Cheers David

(20 Aug 2014, 10:01 pm)Adam wrote Good luck Dan and everyone else picking up their GCSE results tomorrow. I'm sure you've all done terrifically well!

Thanks - somewhat disappointed with a couple of mine. Ecstatic I passed French.

Bs were the best results for Media in my school, and there's a lot of us who were predicted A*s and As. They're looking into my results already because it was so unusual...

They were all pretty much predicted A*s for Art and a couple of the girls were tearing up when they got Ds (nobody got higher than a D in my school). Means they can't take them next year at Sixth Form as they either needed a B or C.

Bio - B (Expected A)
Business - A (Expected A*)
Chem - B (Expected A/B)
English Lang - A (Expected A*)
English Lit - A* (Expected A*)
French - C (Expected B/C)
ICT - A* (Expected A*)
Maths - B (Expected A)
Media Single - B (Expected A*)
Media Dual - B (Expected A*)
Physics - A (Expected B)

Got full marks in the ICT exam which is unbelievable.

Still an absolutely cracking set of results. Very well done

(21 Aug 2014, 10:40 am)Adam wrote Still an absolutely cracking set of results. Very well done

Thank you!

The Art and Media results are all going back again, from what I've been told... Hopefully that means my Media will at least be bumped up to an A, and the girls will be able to get to do Art at Sixth Form after all...