St. Nicholas is the Patron Saint of sailors and boats which is why it has the dedication of NEWCASTLE Cathedral as it sits above the Tyne river guarding the country from northern invaders from both land and sea. The Romans built a fort to protect the river crossing from the Scots. Later William I’s eldest son Robert Curthose was sent north to strengthen the borders and in 1080 he build a castle naming it : New Castle upon Tyne, Hence the naming of the city. Later on in 1172 King Henry II added a stone keep which sadly is all that remains of the original castle. The church became a cathedral in 1882 with its very special lantern tower built in 1448. It contains a ring of 12 bells one of which is named St. Nicholas’ and they will be ringing their hearts out in the heart of the city with a PEAL in celebration of ST. GEORGE.
