Hello and welcome to the breaking news blog for Monday, January 1, 2018.
Happy New Year!
We will be bringing you regular updates throughout the day of all the breaking news and sport.
We have pictures, video, tweets and comments covering the latest Newcastle and North East traffic, weather forecasts, crime and council news too.
It’s Tom Eden here and I’ll be keeping you updated on what’s going on across the North East including the latest on the roads.
If you would like to get in touch with us today about any breaking news, here are my details:
Phone: 0191 201 6106
Email: tom.eden@trinitymirror.com
Twitter: @TomEden11
Key Events
Police incident in Byker
There is a significant police presence on Shield’s Road in Byker.
Police have refused to comment, thus far.
We have a reporter on the way, so we’ll have updates shortly.
Queen furious with Thatcher's support for apartheid
Margaret Thatcher enraged the Queen by defying Commonwealth leaders in a vote over apartheid, newly declassified files reveal.
Her Majesty was so furious that she considered scrapping her weekly audience with the prime minister, a Buckingham Palace source told a diplomat.
The fallout between the two leaders occurred at a Commonwealth conference in 1987. Files from the National Archives of Ireland show that the former Tory PM sparked international anger after refusing to back tighter sanctions against South Africa.
The move had been agreed by 47 leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Vancouver, Canada, but Mrs Thatcher refused, thwarting efforts to end apartheid and enraging heads of state.
Today's weather forecast
It’s a bit drizzly in Newcastle.
If you’d like more detail, here you go...
Adam Langwell's friends pay tribute
Friends of Adam Langwell have today told of their devastation after his body was discovered on a beach.
Police are continuing to investigate how the 25-year-old, who was found dead at Whitley Bay , died.
And now devastated friends of the popular lad have told of their shock.
Pals have taken to our Facebook page to express their grief and leave tributes.
A former partner of Adam wrote: “He was my ex. As much as we had our problems he was a lovely lad. It’s awful. We had our ups and downs and sadly split but he was a lovely lad. I can’t believe it. My head is all over the place.”
And friend Shell Jay said: “He really was a lovely lad. He was a friend of mine as well and totally knocked me ill seeing this.”
While Leann Carr wrote: “RIP Adam, such a lovely lad you were. Used to remember the football games on the field next to mam’s when we were all kids.”
Adam is understood to have played football for Longbenton Juniors and attended the NUFC Foundation Course.
Barbara Parker said: “RIP Adam. So sad. Remember you as a promising young footballer at Longbenton Juniors. Thoughts go to his family.”
'Very exciting proposals' — council
Planning chiefs have recommended the proposals be given temporary permission for a period of five years, which would ensure the development remains in place for the NewcastleGateshead World Transplant Games in 2019.
Sat between the Swing Bridge and the Royal Navy Reserve unit HMS Calliope, the unique designs include trees along the roofs of containers and fruit and vegetable patches to supply the catering outlets.
CGI footage shows the recycled shipping containers built around a historic train in a nod to the region’s rail heritage.
With 90 shipping containers on the site, TV gardener Diarmuid hopes to attract businesses, artists and local producers to set up in the garden.
The unveiling of the plans came on the back of Gateshead Council’s ambitious plans for the area which includes a 12,500-seat regional arena and conference and exhibition centre plus hotel, bars and restaurants.
Speaking in October, Gateshead Council leader Martin Gannon said;
“These are very exciting proposals which would certainly further energise Gateshead Quays.
“Not only would it bring even more visitors to Gateshead and indeed the region, but local entrepreneurs, social enterprises and local people would have the opportunity to be involved in a very unique horticultural project.”
Riverside garden plans set to be approved
Ambitious plans for a Willy Wonka-inspired urban garden on Gateshead Quays are set to be given the green light.
TV gardener Diarmuid Gavin unveiled his vision for his ‘dream garden’ in the shadow of the Tyne Bridge in October.
The disused area of Gateshead’s Quayside where the Tuxedo Princess and Royale once stood will be transformed into an urban garden made out of shipping containers and filled with bars, restaurants and art exhibitions.
Plans for the scheme - which will be privately funded - have been submitted to Gateshead Council, and planning chiefs have recommended the proposal for temporary permission ahead of the authority’s next planning committee meeting on Wednesday, subject to conditions.
Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist and Gardeners’ World presenter Diarmuid previously told ChronicleLive the project has been years in the making, and Hillgate Quay is the perfect site.
He said:
“I had this idea about five-years-ago and have been looking for a location since. The idea came from watching the Willy Wonka film when I was little, I want it to be as bright and as colourful as that.
“I was amazed that this place was available and hadn’t been snapped up.
“Just look at that view, it’s amazing and it is just iconic to be under the Tyne Bridge, a sight that is recognised all around the world.”
If planning permission is granted, the development is expected to be finished by June 2018 in time for the start of the Great Exhibition of the North.
What do schoolchildren want in 2018?
Getting of to a gentle and adorable start, we asked children at Byker Primary School, aged between five and 11, to share some of their hopes and dreams for the New Year with us.
Their answers proved to be heart-meltingly cute.
Some wanted an end to homelessness, or a new President for America. Some wanted to learn a new skill, or improve their grades at school.
One young lady thought her community would be a happier place if everyone in Byker were given their own baby rabbit.
Byker Primary School head teacher, Linda Bradley, said: “The children have been discussing it in class, and they all came up with different answers.
“It’s been really good - I always talk to them about New Year’s resolutions in January, so this was a nice extension of that.”
Watch the youngsters share their New Year wishes with us in our video:
What stage are Newcastle's takeover talks at?
Newcastle United are still in discussions with PCP Capital Partners going into the new year with the Middle East-backed business group still keen to invest at St James’ Park.
And despite talk of the takeover bid breaking down over the weekend, sources from both sides of the deal have suggested that negotiations remain in place.
Some fans were concerned by news that financier Amanda Staveley had left the room and with the prospects of new owners under threat.
However, it is believed that PCP Capital Partners are still interested in taking the club off Mike Ashley’s hand and starting a new chapter at St James’ Park.
The hope is that the lawyers of both PCP and St James’ Holdings - who are in the process of selling the club - can reach a conclusion during January with the takeover then being announced officially in February.
Ashley is back in the country next week and PCP are hoping that this can be the first sign of progress in the new year.
Good morning, and happy New Year!
Good morning and welcome to the first breaking news live blog of 2018!
How’s the head?
In the unlikely event that anyone is awake and reading, please get in touch with nay breaking news...
Here are my details:
Phone: 0191 201 6106
Email: tom.eden@trinitymirror.com
Twitter: @TomEden11