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a little more about Newcastle
 Newcastle began life with our friends the Romans who built a bridge to traverse the Tyne in AD122, this strategically important bridge was guarded by a fort called "Poms Aelius", a key component of Hadrians Wall. Post Romans the Saxons moved into the area until the Norman Conquest who again considered the site to be crucial in their defences, so much so they built a new wooden fort aka "New Castle" in AD1080, town walls were added over 200 years later. As a secure city Newcastle's commercial value grew, becoming a key player in the wool, fish and hide trades. Apparently favoured by central administration, over and above its neighbours, Newcastle was granted county status in 1400.
The next significant period was the development and management of the coal trade, presenting tremendous revenues, in the mid seventeenth century it was considered the fourth largest provincial town. Commercial and cultural application continued full steam with its intelligent rebuilding in mid 1800's. Later that century brought the introduction of new industries and opportunities such as locomotive and ship building and perhaps most comprehensive of all - naval contracts. Newcastle has enjoyed a strong relationship with growth and despite mid and post war effects, such as a repositioning of industrial and manufacturing bases, continues to thrive.
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