Blaydon
| Blaydon | |
|---|---|
| Population | Expression error: "191,151 [1]" must be numeric |
| OS grid reference | NZ2460 |
| Metropolitan borough | |
| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | GATESHEAD |
| Dialling code | 0191 |
| Police | Northumbria |
| Fire | Tyne and Wear |
| Ambulance | North East |
Blaydon (postally Blaydon-on-Tyne) is a town in the North East of England in the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead.
Its House of Commons constituency of Blaydon is held by MP David Anderson, elected in the general election of May 2005 after the retirement of John McWilliam.
Blaydon's traditional industry was mining. Yet since the decline of the mines it has developed a more diverse economy that includes engineering and manufacturing. The area has also traditionally been a Labour stronghold and and has been held by the Labour Party since 1945. The Labour candidate David Anderson received 51.5% of the vote in 2005, with the Liberal Democrat candidate, Peter Maughan, second at 37.9%.
Blaydon ward elects three councillors to Gateshead MBC. As of April 2007 they are Elsdon Watson, Malcolm Brain and Kathryn Ferdinand (all Labour).
The Blaydon area is the origin of the well-known traditional song "Blaydon Races" and hosts a road running race (called the Blaydon Race) every year on June 9. A festival with music, sport and arts events usually takes place in the town on the week of race day.