Newcastle

Newcastle Tyne and Wear UK Hub

Approximate Population: 271,600

Newcastle upon Tyne (often shortened to Newcastle) is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Situated on the north bank of the River Tyne, the city developed from a Roman settlement called Pons Aelius, though it owes its name to the castle built in 1080, by Robert II, the eldest son of William the Conqueror.

The dialect of Newcastle is known as Geordie, and contains a large amount of vocabulary and distinctive word pronunciations not used in other parts of the United Kingdom.   The Geordie dialect has much of its origins in the language spoken by Anglo-Saxon mercenaries, who were employed by the Ancient British people to fight Pictish invaders, following the withdrawal of the Romans from Britain in the 4th century.   This language was the forerunner of Modern English; but while the dialects of other English regions have been heavily altered by the influences of other foreign languages—particularly Latin and Norman–French—the Geordie dialect retains many elements of the old language.

An example of this is the pronunciation of certain words: “dead”, “cow”, “house” and “strong” are pronounced “dede”, “coo”, “hoos” and “strang”—which is how they were pronounced in the Anglo-Saxon language.   Other Geordie words with Anglo-Saxon origins include: “larn” (from the Anglo-Saxon “laeran”, meaning “teach”), “burn” (”stream”) and “gan” (”go”).  Some words used in the Geordie dialect are used elsewhere in the northern United Kingdom.

The words “bonny” (meaning “pretty”), “howay” (”come on”), “stot” (”bounce”) and “hadaway” (”go away” or “you’re kidding”), all appear to be used in Scottish dialect; “aye” (”yes”) and “nowt” (IPA://naʊt/, rhymes with out,”nothing”) are used elsewhere in northern England. Many words, however, appear to be used exclusively in Newcastle and the surrounding area, such as “Canny” (a versatile word meaning “good”, “nice” or “very”), “bait” (”food”), “hacky” (”dirty”), “netty” (”toilet”), “hoy” (”throw”) and “hockle” (”spit”).

Newcastle Tyne and Wear UK Hub

Watford

UK Hub

Watford Hertfordshire

Approximate Population: 79,600

Watford is a major regional centre for the northern home counties.   It is the most westerly of these commercial centres and the only one in Hertfordshire.   Hertfordshire County Council designates Watford and Stevenage to be its major sub-regional centres, heading its list of preferred sites for retail development.  The primary shopping area is the Harlequin Shopping Centre, a large purpose-built indoor mall with over 140 shops, restaurants and cafes built during the 1990s, opened officially in June 1992.

The High Street, running through the town centre, is the main focus of activity at night having a high concentration of the town’s bars, clubs and restaurants.

The head offices of a number of national companies such as Camelot Group, operator of the National Lottery; Iveco, manufacturers of commercial vehicles; Haden Young, the building services division of Balfour Beatty; Bathstore, the largest bathroom retailer in the UK; construction firm Taylor Woodrow; and Mothercare, are located in the town.   The borough is also the UK base of many multi-nationals including Total Oil, Sanyo, TK Maxx, Costco, Vinci, and Beko.

The town was home to the Scammell Lorries Factory from 1922 until its closure in 1988.   The site is now a residential area.  Plans are underway to develop a new Health Campus complete with heliport adjacent to the site of the current Watford General Hospital.

UK Hub Watford Hertfordshire

Northampton

Northampton Northamptonshire UK Hub

Approximate Population: 189,474

Northampton became significant in the 11th century, when the Normans built town walls and a large castle under the stewardship of the Norman earl, Simon de Senlis.  The original defence line of the walls is preserved in today’s street pattern (Bridge St, The Drapery, Bearward St and Scarletwell Street). The town grew rapidly after the Normans arrived, and beyond the early defences.   By the time of the Domesday Book, the town had a population of about 1500 residents, living in 300 houses.

The town and its castle were important in the early 12th century and the King often held Court in the town. During his famous fall out with Henry II, Thomas Becket at one time escaped from Northampton Castle through the unguarded Northern gate to flee the country.

Northampton had a large Jewish population in the 13th century, centred around Gold Street.   In 1277 300 Jews were executed, allegedly for clipping the King’s coin, and the Jews of Northampton were driven out of the town.

The town was originally controlled by officials acting for the King who collected taxes and upheld the law.   In 1189 King Richard I gave the town its first charter.   In 1215 King John authorised the appointment of William Tilly as the town’s first Mayor and ordered that: ‘twelve of the better and more discreet residents of the town join him as a council to assist him’.   In 1176 the Assize of Northampton laid down new powers for dealing with law breakers.

Northampton Northamptonshire UK Hub