John Balmbra

John Balmbra (born c. 1811) was the owner, proprietor, manager and licensee of Balmbra's Music Hall in Newcastle, England, to which he gave his name.

John Balmbra was born about 1811 in Alnwick, Northumberland. He became owner and licensee of the Wheatsheaf Public House at 6 Cloth Market, Newcastle, possibly from 1859 to 1864.

In about 1848 a first floor room of the pub was opened and in later advertisements was called "The Royal Music Saloon" (this name appears in advertisements dated 1859).

In about 1862 it appears that the room was rebuilt and the name changed to Balmbra's Music Hall. It was here that the song "Blaydon Races" was first performed by George "Geordie" Ridley in 1862, The song referring to the Music Hall by name, as the starting point of the trip – "I took the bus from Balmbra’s and she was heavy-laden, Away we went along Collingwood Street, that’s on the road to Blaydon."[1]

References
  1. Allan’s Illustrated Edition of Tyneside songs and readings with lives, portraits and autographs of the writers, and notes on the songs. Revised Edition. Thomas & Gorge Allan, 18 Blackett Street, and 34 Collingwood Street, (Newcastle upon Tyne) – Sold by W. Allan, 80 Grainqer Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, B. Allan, North Shields and Walter Scott. London. 1891.
  • (Booklet) The Hall That Outlived Them All by Cindy Lightburn. (Amazon)
  • (Booklet) BALMBRA'S: A Nostalgic Revisit by Cindy Lightburn. (Amazon)


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