Author: leonard342

Whitley Bay Ice Rink.

Whitley Bay Ice Rink is an ice rink located in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, England and is the home of the Whitley Warriors ice hockey team. An additional team played out of the ice rink, the Newcastle Vipers, who are now disbanded. It is one of two permanent public ice rinks in the north east of England. A ten-pin bowling centre in the area upstairs which was added in the 1960s was closed in 2007. This area (as of 2019) is now home to a newly refurbished entertainment suite and conference facility.

It was also the region’s premier concert venue, until the Newcastle Arena opened in 1995. Artists that have performed at the venue include Status Quo,[2] AC/DC,[3] The Cure,[4] Wham!,[5] Iron Maiden, KISS, Metal Church, Metallica, Kylie Minogue,[6] New Kids on the Block,[7] Oasis,[8] Pet Shop Boys, Sting,[9] The Stone Roses[10] and Take That,[11] among others.

Surprisingly, Whitley Bay Ice Rink has only ever held one professional boxing event – Chris Eubank kayoed an inept Spaniard Jose Ignacio Barruetebana in just 55 farcical seconds in a main event of that 1995 show. However, the WWE then WWF held three wrestling house shows at the rink in 1993 with wrestlers such as The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Randy Savage, Razor Ramon, Diesel, Ted Dibiase and Yokozuna appearing. As with concerts the WWE now does all of its Newcastle shows in the larger Utilita Arena.

In 2005, the ice rink was used to film BBC sitcom Thin Ice.[citation needed] Even though the series was set in Derby, Whitley Bay Ice Rink was chosen because the production company had used the venue on numerous occasions in the past.[citation needed] Although reference is made to Whitley Bay as the host of the British Championships in the programme, no mention is made in the credits.

In 2006, the ice rink was criticized by local authorities after demonstrating exceedingly poor fire regulations when a blaze was discovered.[12] Skaters continued on the ice whilst the fire escalated.

2008 saw the rink undertake several improvements, such as new barriers and plexi glass, bench doors for hockey players and a new Zamboni (an ice resurfacer).

The Newcastle Vipers played their remaining home games at Whitley Bay ice rink due to the Utilita Arena not participating in holding sports events anymore. This stopped when the Vipers ceased operation at the end of the 2010/11 season.[13]

Big Ben Clock In London.

Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the striking clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster,[1] although the name is frequently extended to refer also to the clock and the clock tower.[2] The official name of the tower in which Big Ben is located was originally the Clock Tower, but it was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012, to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II.

The tower was designed by Augustus Pugin in a neo-Gothic style. When completed in 1859, its clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock in the world.[3] The tower stands 316 feet (96 m) tall, and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps. Its base is square, measuring 40 feet (12 m) on each side. Dials of the clock are 22.5 feet (6.9 m) in diameter. All four nations of the UK are represented on the tower in shields featuring a rose for England, thistle for Scotland, shamrock for Northern Ireland, and leek for Wales. On 31 May 2009, celebrations were held to mark the tower’s 150th anniversary.[4]

Big Ben is the largest of the tower’s five bells and weighs 13.5 long tons (13.7 tonnes; 15.1 short tons).[1] It was the largest bell in the United Kingdom for 23 years. The origin of the bell’s nickname is open to question; it may be named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw its installation, or heavyweight boxing champion Benjamin Caunt. Four quarter bells chime at 15, 30 and 45 minutes past the hour and just before Big Ben tolls on the hour. The clock uses its original Victorian mechanism, but an electric motor can be used as a backup.

The tower is a British cultural icon recognised all over the world. It is one of the most prominent symbols of the United Kingdom and parliamentary democracy,[5] and it is often used in the establishing shot of films set in London.[6] The clock tower has been part of a Grade I listed building since 1970 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

On 21 August 2017, a four-year schedule of renovation works began on the tower. Modifications will include adding a lift, re-glazing and repainting the clock dials, upgrading lighting and repairing roof tiles among other improvements. With a few exceptions, such as New Year’s Eve and Remembrance Sunday, the bells are to be silent until the work is completed in 2022.[7]

The Linskill Centre.

In 2003, the Linskill and North Tyneside Community Development Trust (LNTCDT) was established to save the Linskill Centre as a community facility for the future generations of North Tyneside. As a registered charity and not-for-profit organisation the Trust continues to develop and invest in the Linskill Centre and deliver community projects. The Trust now manages Royal Quays Community Centre and Battle Hill Multi-Use Centre with the objective of rejuvenating these community facilities. The Linskill Centre in North Shields provides a community facility to learn, socialise and engage in activities. Employing over 60 people the Linskill Centre now attracts over 160,000 visitors per year through its weekly activities programme, community groups, tenants, cafe, weddings and events. Under Linskill Trading Ltd the Trust operates a number of community businesses, based at the Linskill Centre, for the benefit of the local community with all surpluses reinvested back in to the Centre or community projects: Linskill Nursery This Ofsted registered nursery delivers childcare packages for babies to pre-school age in dedicated rooms, including access to a sensory room and outdoor learning facilities. Permanent Office Space Linskill is home to 20 permanent tenants including small businesses and charitable organisations, many of which provide services for the community. A range of office space is available at Linskill and Battle Hill centres on a short or long term basis. Venue Hire With ten meeting rooms, two conference halls, onsite catering, parking and a Customer Service Team the Linskill is an ideal veue option. Satellite sites at Royal Quays and Battle Hill also offer meeting room facilities in community settings. Weddings The Linskill Centre is licensed for marriage and civil partnership ceremonies. Catering Café 32 is open to Centre users and the general public from Monday to Saturday and can provide onsite catering for events and functions.

North Shields Ferry.

I use to love going on North Shields Ferry with Eric when I was younger I use to really enjoy it. I use to really enjoy going on all the time with him it use to be one of my favourite things that I use to love doing with Eric it was good fun. I use to love sitting outside of the ferry with Eric going to South Shields and I use to really enjoy going on the ferry on the odd time I went on.