Then And Now

Now :

The bodies of four adults, thought to be members of the same family, have been found at a house in Newcastle.

Officers made the discovery in Benwell Grove after a man went into Westgate Road police station early on Sunday.

Bomb squad officers later carried out a controlled explosion at the house and surrounding roads remain sealed off.

Northumbria Police said the man was in custody and they were not looking for anyone else over the incident, which is being treated as a multiple murder.



Then :

Are You Me Hinny Bird

It's oh but I ken well,
Are you me hinny Bird,
The bonny lass of Benwell,
Are you oh
She's lang-legg'd an' lovverly,
Are you me hinny Bird,
See her rakin' up the dyke,
Are you oh

Now the Quayside for sailors,
Are you me hinny Bird,
And Castle-garth for tailors,
Are you oh
The Gateshead Hills for millers,
Are you me hinny Bird,
The North shore for keelers
Are you oh

There's Sandgate for auld rags,
Are you me hinny Bird,
An' Gallowgate for trolly bags:
Are you oh
There's Denton an' Kenton,
Are you me hinny Bird,
An' canny Lang Benton.
Are you oh

There's Tynemouth and Cullercoats,
Are you me hinny Bird,
And North Shields for sculler-boats;
Are you oh
There's Westoe lies iv a neuk,
Are you me hinny Bird,
And South Shields the place for soot
Are you oh

There's Horton and Holywell,
Are you me hinny Bird,
And bonny Seaton Delaval;
Are you oh
There's Hartley-pans for sailors,
Are you me hinny Bird,
And Bedlington for nailers.
Are you oh


A beautiful song recorded by the High Level Ranters more than thirty year ago. Colin Ross of the band is married to my favourite Scottish singer Ray Fisher.