Pictures taken 29th and 30th July. Taken from the newly renamed , St James' Boulevard. which runs along old Blenheim street from the Redheugh bridge directly to St James' park, The stadium can now be seen towering above the Newcastle breweries office block in the distance. Just up on the left is the new home of the Bronze "Wor Jackie" statue. The statue of Jackie Milburn has been relocated on the boulevard, looking south. The area in front of Jackie (waterloo street) is going to be re-developed as the Gay Centre of Northern England. I bet Jackie would have been well pleased about that decision by the Newcastle council................................... NOT The construction is said to be ahead of schedule. Although the completion date is 12 months time, it is believed that part of the new stand may well be opened around February of next year. The stairways which overhang barrack road are starting to take shape. The roof of the Milburn stand has now been removed, and wont be replaced until next summer. This has allowed sunlight to reach the playing surface which is now in excellent condition and should remain so all season. The distance from the top seats to the far corner flag is said to be 200 yards, that is TWO football pitches away. Any young entrepreneurs out there could make a killing selling Binoculars in 12 months time. Some things, never change, The Strawberry, a balls kick away from the Gallowgate stand (unless your called Maric) has been the same for over 80 years. All things must eventually change and this year the toon fans favorite watering hole has had a facelift, Inside and out it is adorned with Newcastle United memorabilia. Back in May I posted the following message >More picture's coming soon. We could actually use a good arial photo, so that the huge scale of the stadium can be appreciated. unfortunately we don't have a helicopter.. Do you have access to a chopper? If so get yourself up and get a picture or two from 500 feet. then E mail it to riks@globalnet.co.uk....Thankyou .< Guess what I was sent recently? Thanks Annon Pictures of the new stand taken by Steph and Rik 26/04/99 ARE HERE

It has been designed by a famous American Sculptor (whose name eludes me at the moment) It cost £680,000 apparently funded by the lottery foundation, It will stand 71 foot tall and resemble a rusty red crane. It was built in New York at a cost of £140,000 shipped to England and painted at a cost of £40,000 . So why did it cost £680,000? The Sculptor (whose name eludes me) was paid HALF A MILLION TO DESIGN IT (allegedly) it will be erected over the next few days.More pictures of this work of art soon.

If you haven't been to North Shields or Tyneside for some time, you will be surprised at the change in the area. There are new homes being erected along the riverbank, new roads and factory units, shopping outlets, and landscaped parks. The new Sculpture is situated at the entrance to the new Marina pictured above which is where my yacht on which I live is moored.

Inside St James' Park,

St James' Park Jan 1999

St James Park (plans) 2000