From today's Telegraph. 26/07/2000 UK: NEWS - #1M STUDY TO FIND OUT WHAT MAKES A GEORDIE.

By Paul Stokes. HISTORIANS are about to lift the cap on the evolution of the Geordie after being awarded funding of almost #1 million. A research project into the characteristics of those living in the North-East will be conducted by the region's five universities. They will examine historic, cultural, religious and sporting influences in an attempt to determine if a unique identity exists. It will include investigating the Geordie accent, composition of the Stottie cake (a flat bread bun) and the effects of Newcastle Brown Ale. The impact of famous Geordies - such as the popular singers Sting and Bryan Ferry, the footballers Alan Shearer and Paul Gascoigne, and the runners Steve Cram and Brendan Foster - will be examined. Other possible areas for exploration could involve the Andy Capp image of flat caps and racing pigeons. The five-year study is being backed by a #886,000 Government grant through the Arts and Humanities Research Board. (c) Telegraph Group Limited, London, 2000.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DAILY TELEGRAPH 26/07/2000 P7

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2000

Answers

I think we need LR on this subject as he seems to know the definition of all things local , apparently : - )

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2000

"the effects of Newcastle Brown Ale"

FM they only need to spend about 40 quid to find out that one!

I'll tell them Steve Cram is a mackem for a fiver as well!

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2000

Dougal, In 1960 (that long ago) while based in Malta before it became touristy I under the influence of Marsella and Marsovin (uggh) made the epic announcement to a tablefull of hairy ars-d bootnecks that Andy Capp was a Geordie, the bets were taken and yours truly wrote to Reg Smyth of the Mirror requesting confirmation. The letter is still in my possession, content being that while the creator Reg was from Hartlepool, the Andy Cap`s of this world could be found in any part of the country, and for the lasses Flo of course. Still the best in the land The Uni of Life, Arts and Humanities Council, as the Screacher would say "Bah" and yay twice "Bah".

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2000

Well, we aal knaa that Geordies are speshul lyuk withoot spendin' #886,000 Government grant (is that a Sting?).

This all sounds very patronising to me. Laden with cliches and the like. If that's what the intro's like what's the final report going to be?

Bah!

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2000

what a waste of money. we did all this on the last bbs and came out with the best definitions...

...being born within spitting distance of the Tyne...was always the one I was brought/dragged up with.

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2000

You're right about Steve Cram - didn't he (in the famous words of Billy Furious) run around with his knickers on his head, waving a sparkler when the Makems got promoted?

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2000

Where is Billy Furious these days? I miss his rants

-- Anonymous, July 26, 2000

I reckon they'll spend all the money on lots of dead useful research and come up with the conclusio that there isn't any difference, 'cos if they did, we'd start to want 'home rule' and the like.....as has also been mentioned about the mackems, they have essentially had the same experiences as us, except they are perpetualy jealous and on catch up. There are lads down Hexham way that are mackams, (one or two that came in the great migration to the good life) and they are canny lads deep down (just don't mention the silly club!!)I always put it down to being 'natralised'.....maybe I should get job with this lovely research....#80k a year did you say?

-- Anonymous, July 27, 2000