The veteran race relations expert has been a pioneer in bridge-building between ethnic communities since first arriving in Newcastle from his native Uganda in 1973 to head the Tyne & Wear Racial Equality Council. His work has been recognised nationally. He was made MBE in 1985, and OBE in 2003. He is a recipient of the Mother India International Award and a Freeman of the City of Newcastle, the first person from an ethnic minority to receive the honour. Alex Glasgow Cardinal Basil Hume, Archbishop of Westminster, was a religious leader who enjoyed a close relationship with Pope John Paul II and was once spoken of as a possible pope himself. One of Hume’s achievements was to build bridges with the Church of England. He also fought to free the Guildford Four and was a lifelong supporter of Newcastle United, once appearing on Football Focus to speak of his affection for the Magpies. Viz A much loved broadcaster who was perhaps best known as the resident agony aunt on the ITV show This Morning from its first broadcast in October 1988 until her death. In the course of her career, she dealt with over 200,000 letters from viewers seeking advice. Robson Green

British Library Regional voices: The north-south divide | The British Library

As part of our centenary celebrations, we have drawn up a list of 100 North East heroes who have made their names in the 100 years since the Sunday Sun was first published. He became one of Hollywood’s most successful directors with a string of thriller and action film hits like Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop and True Romance, he was the younger brother of film director Sir Ridley Scott. In 1995 both brothers received the BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Contribution To Cinema. In 2010, they received the BAFTA Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Filmed Entertainment. Tony committed suicide in August 2012. Sir Liam Donaldson In 1894, he established the Parsons Marine Steam Company in Wallsend, where the 100ft Turbinia, now housed at Newcastle’s Discovery Museum, was built. Fitted with turbine machinery, it achieved speeds of 34 knots and at the naval review held in 1897 caused a sensation by travelling faster than any other vessel afloat. Perhaps his crowning achievement was the RMS Mauretania. Ant & Dec Celebrated poet, he is best known for his long poem ‘Briggflatts’ which has come to be recognised as one of the key texts of British modernism and was the culmination of a lifelong dedication to poetry which began in Bunting’s Newcastle childhood. An extraordinary character, by the age of 50, he had been a music critic, a sailor, a balloon operator, a wing commander, a military interpreter, a foreign correspondent, and a spy. In later life he was sub editor first on the Journal and then the Evening Chronicle. Lauren LaverneOne of the UK’s best selling crime writers whose books including the Vera and Shetland which have been turned into successful TV series. Ann was born in Hertfordshire and moved to the North East in 1987, living in Whitley Bay and has won a series of awards for her works. Tom McGuinness A statue of World War Two Victoria Cross winner Capt Richard Wallace Annand, from South Shields (Image: Newcastle Chronicle) Arguably the most celebrated of the Pitmen Painters. His talent for art was evident even as a young boy, winning his first drawing prize aged four before he began working down the mines at 14. Soon afterwards he joined the Sketching Club at the Spennymoor Settlement which became known as the Pitman’s Academy, because its clubs nurtured the talents of people such as writer Sid Chaplin and artist Tom McGuinness. Marjorie “Mo” Mowlam became one of Britain’s most popular politicians as MP for Redcar. As Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, she helped lay the foundations for the Good Friday Agreement signed in 1998, which led to the temporary establishment of a devolved power-sharing Northern Ireland Assembly. Her brave fight against a brain tumour which eventually claimed her life cemented her place in the hearts of the country. Adam Wakenshaw Please be aware that some of our services are designated ‘dry trains’, meaning no alcohol is allowed on board during the journey.

Northerners, a major new book tells how our region helped

A popular Soap actress who has appeared in the likes of Coronation Street, Waterloo Road and EastEnders, and was most recently seen on our screens in the recent BBC drama Dark Money. She began her acting career at the age of 14 in the BBC television children’s drama series Byker Grove, based of course in Newcastle, in which she appeared alongside the likes of Ant and Dec. Francis George "Franc" Roddam A prolific and brilliant writer, his work spanned 60 years and graced the stage and the TV. There was always a moral and working-class sensibility to his output – and a hint of the surreal at times – which made him stand out at a time when the country was blessed with great TV writers.A journalist and award-winning radio broadcaster, who was educated at Kirkby Grammar School in Linthorpe. She is best-known as a TV, radio and newspaper ‘agony aunt’. Raeburn was the co-creator and writer of the 1979-80 comedy TV series Agony starring Maureen Lipman, which featured an agony aunt struggling with her own personal life. Maurice Elvey Widely regarded as one of the most prolific and influential British comedians of all-time, he became famous for his theatrical sketch as a jocular schoolmaster, known as Dr. Muffin. From 1934 to 1943, he was a prolific film star in Britain and was ranked the third highest grossing star at the British Box Office in 1938, behind George Formby and Gracie Fields. Paddy McAloon Tynesiders and other North East folk have played a crucial role in shaping modern Britain, according to a major new book. Better known as Lost Voice Guy, stand up comedian Lee is a hugely inspirational figure. At the age of six months he was diagnosed with a neurological form of cerebral palsy, brought about by a brain infection that left him in a coma for two months, which affected his movement and rendered him unable to speak. He is the first stand-up comedian in Britain to use a communication aid in his routines, which in 2018 saw him win the 12th series of Britain’s Got Talent. Peter Flannery

Northerners by Brian Groom | Waterstones Northerners by Brian Groom | Waterstones

Northerners: A History, from the Ice Age to the Present Day, by Brian Groom, published by HarperCollins (Image: HarperCollins) Meaning: To get angry. Usage: You’d better clean the dishes, Dave, or mum will see her arse when she gets in.A prolific children’s author, with 315 fiction and non-fiction books published in the past 40 years, selling over 32 million copies in over 40 languages. Brian, originally from Stretford, Lancashire, is a former assistant editor of the Financial Times and editor of Scotland on Sunday. He will be talking about his book and Northern history at Newcastle Lit & Phil on Thursday, May 26. Northerners: A History from the Ice Age to the Present Day (litandphil.org.uk)

Northerners: A History, from the Ice Age to the Present Day

A moral philosopher who made enormous contributions to human thinking on questions such as the self, our animal heritage and our place in the universe. She was a senior lecturer in philosophy at Newcastle University, and wrote her first book, Beast And Man (1978), when she was in her fifties, and went on to write over 15 more. Alison Kay The Lord Chief Justice of England from 1992 until 1996, during his career he prosecuted both Jeremy Thorpe, the Liberal Party leader, and John Poulson, the corrupt architect, whose links to T Dan Smith helped bring ‘Mr Newcastle’ Smith down. Chaired the inquiry into the Hillsborough Football Club disaster of 1989 - which had, in turn, followed the fire at Bradford City’s ground - making far-reaching suggestions for public safety whilst rejecting the calls from Margaret Thatcher for the introduction of identity cards for football fans. Adele ParksHe first appeared in his local comedy club at 15, before studying performing arts at Newcastle College. He has been touring the UK and other parts of the world since 1999. Noble has released several DVDs and appeared on shows including Top Gear and Have I Got News For You. Mark Gatiss Arguably Newcastle’s most successful ever band with a string of hits like House of the Rising Sun, Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood and We Gotta Get Out Of This Place. These sisters are hugely talented singers whose genre-crossing music has strong links to Northumbrian and North East folk music. Originally called Rachel Unthank and the Winterset, they became The Unthanks with changes to the line up in 2009. They have released several acclaimed albums and are a popular draw on the music festival circuit. Mark Benton Born in Newcastle and raised in Cramlington, Ross is one of the country’s top stand up comics as well as one of its most original. A hugely respected film producer who co-founded of Trademark Films and began life as an actor. Readers of a certain vintage will remember him playing Peter Harrison in the sitcoms ...And Mother Makes Three and its sequel ...And Mother Makes Five. He went on to be produce a series of hit films including Shakespeare In Love, the Madness of King George as well as being behind The Wipers Times and Parade’s End for TV. George Clarke