Topics > Historical Periods > 20th Century > 1980s > 1981
1981
In Northern England:
- January 1981; demolition of Redcar Pier completed
- 16th April 1981; closure of Blackhall Colliery pit.
- 2nd June 1981; launching of the HMS Ark Royal aircraft carrier (completed 1985) built by Swan Hunters, Wallsend
- 9th June 1981; the first annual Blaydon Race run from Collingwood Street in Newcastle to Blaydon.
- 28th June 1981; 12,000 runners took part in the first Great North Run .
- 6th November 1981; official opening of the Queen Elizabeth II bridge over the Tyne, by the Queen.
- 1981; completion of Regent Centre in Gosforth.
![](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7577/15739927262_b511b5497b_z.jpg)
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
Great North Run, Newcastle upon Tyne, 28.6.81
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
![](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5599/15739813492_c45d8a34f9_z.jpg)
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
Great North Run, Newcastle upon Tyne 28.6.81
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
![](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3493/4081497078_c4d0063e5c_z.jpg)
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
041680:Tyneside Summer Exhibition Parade Newcastle upon Tyne City Engineers 1981
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
![](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3532/4081476420_fab74738ae_z.jpg)
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
041320: Lord Mayor's Parade, Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, June 1981
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
![Queen Elizabeth II Metro Bridge](/uploads/pics/79/79317_t.jpg)
  Co-Curate Page
Queen Elizabeth II Metro Bridge
- Overview About the Bridge Map Street View The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge carries the Tyne and Wear Metro over the River Tyne between Newcastle and Gateshead. The bridge was purpose-built …
![Monument Metro Station](http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/02/55/63/2556386_964bb108.jpg)
  Co-Curate Page
Monument Metro Station
- Overview About Monument Metro Station Map Street View Monument is one of the main stations on the Tyne and Wear Metro system, located in the centre of Newcastle by Grey's …
![](/static/img/loading.gif)
![](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7577/15739927262_b511b5497b_z.jpg)
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
Great North Run, Newcastle upon Tyne, 28.6.81
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
![](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5599/15739813492_c45d8a34f9_z.jpg)
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
Great North Run, Newcastle upon Tyne 28.6.81
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
![](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3493/4081497078_c4d0063e5c_z.jpg)
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
041680:Tyneside Summer Exhibition Parade Newcastle upon Tyne City Engineers 1981
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
![](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3532/4081476420_fab74738ae_z.jpg)
from Newcastle libraries (flickr)
041320: Lord Mayor's Parade, Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, June 1981
Pinned by Simon Cotterill
![Queen Elizabeth II Metro Bridge](/uploads/pics/79/79317_t.jpg)
  Co-Curate Page
Queen Elizabeth II Metro Bridge
- Overview About the Bridge Map Street View The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge carries the Tyne and Wear Metro over the River Tyne between Newcastle and Gateshead. The bridge was purpose-built …
![Monument Metro Station](http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/02/55/63/2556386_964bb108.jpg)