Northumberland communities - Ashington

Memorial bench in Ashington for tragic teenager

2009-11-09T13:49:35Z

Daredevil Michael Turner spent years dicing with death with his extreme sports. But in a cruel twist of fate he died as a result of simply crossing the road on his BMX bike.

Now his family and best friend have had a memorial made to remember him.

Michael Turner's mum Gail Burn with Michael's friend Edd Coulson

They have had a special seat created to place in Woodhorn Cemetery, Ashington, where he is buried.

Michael clung onto life for a week after the accident on March 28, but doctors turned off the 18-year-old's life-support machine with his family by his side.

His grieving family and best pal Edd Coulson vowed to do something special, so he organised a charity football match to raise cash to buy a plaque to be erected in his name at Newbiggin skate park in Northumberland.

It was there that Michael would show off his skills with his bike and board.

The fundraising day raised £650, with dozens mucking in to help. The family then planned to have the memorial seat made.

Michael was a member of Downforce, a group of youngsters who made MC music at the Black Pearl pub in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.

And mum Gail Burn, dad Michael Turner senior, brothers Kevin, 27, Darren, 25, sister Shannon, 20, with Edd, 15, and his mum Wendy Dodds, decided that they would use his MC name - MC Blaze - and carve it into the seat.

They scoured the region for the right person to make it and chose youngsters who suffer from similar mental health issues as Michael, at the New Horizons workshop in Morpeth.

Mum Gail Burn, 47, of Spital Crescent, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, said: "The workshop employs people who have had mental health issues, and is connected to St George's Hospital.

"They have painstakingly designed and built the most wonderful original tribute to Michael, who himself had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, so was connected to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit for several years."

Gail, a civil servant, added: "They have put in so much effort and kindness to make the seat exactly the way Michael's family and friends envisaged it.

"They have never done anything like this before but were willing to put their time and effort into helping us, and nothing was too much trouble to them. It is a non-profitable organisation, the only charge is for the materials.

"We now have the seat, and Michael would have been so proud of them for making it."

Pictured above right: Michael Turner, right, and Edd Coulson

Ashington continue season's improved showing

2009-11-09T09:33:43Z

Ashington are competing with South Shields for being the most improved side in the Northern League this year and they consolidated third place when an only goal by Scott Blandford was sufficient at West Allotment Celtic.

Elsewhere, Whitley Bay's inexplicable loss of form continued at Filtrona Park on Saturday where rejuvenated South Shields secured a deserved victory, Morpeth Town are third from bottom but they picked up a useful point at Consett, and Bedlington Terriers took away three points from their game with Esh Winning.

Teenager had to flee Ashington house blaze

2009-11-07T12:33:05Z

Yobs left a teenager lucky to be alive after a firework set off a blaze in his house. The incident was one of a number of attacks on properties in Ariel Street, Ashington, on Thursday night.

Pranksters first put fireworks into two wheelie bins that were standing in the back yard of an end terraced house, at around 11.15pm. The bins had been up against the back wall but fire from them then spread to the house's kitchen window.

Heat from the flames melted the UPVC frame and cracked the glass, filling the house with smoke.

Teenager Nathan Pearay had been inside the house asleep on the settee at the time, but was woken by a passer-by who had spotted the burning bins and banged loudly on the window.

The 16-year-old Ashington High School student immediately called his mother Amanda, 35, who had been at the New Premier Club, in Woodhorn Road, with husband Greg, 37.

The couple rushed home and found the kitchen window had been completely destroyed and their home was full of smoke.

Angry and upset, barmaid Amanda, who is also mother to Greg, 17, and Aaron, 14, said: "Nathan had called me to say that one of the bins was on fire, so I came straight home thinking it wouldn't be that bad. I thought it would be easy enough to put out ourselves.

"But when I got home, I couldn't believe it. The house was filled with smoke.

"My husband was doing a pool tournament at the club and my youngest son was staying at his grandma's house, just down the road, so Nathan was the only one in at the time.

"I am just absolutely disgusted. At the end of the day it could have been a lot worse. I don't think they realise that they could have killed someone. It is just so upsetting.

"The smoke alarms were going off, but Nathan slept through them. He is fine now, but I am furious. I am just so grateful that someone was walking past at the time and managed to wake him up."

Just over an hour later, at 12.40am yesterday, five people were taken to hospital after pranksters struck on the street again.

Fireworks were this time ignited and shoved into a detached garage, setting fire to a large pile of rubbish that had been stored inside.

Smoke from the blaze flooded the house and the residents were taken to hospital as a precaution and treated for smoke inhalation.

No one was seriously hurt in either of the incidents, both of which took place on Bonfire Night. Firefighters from Ashington station attended both incidents and extinguished the blazes.

Firework causes garage fire in Ashington

2009-11-06T13:00:23Z

Five people were taken to hospital after a fire broke out in a garage in Ashington last night.

Firefighters were called to Ariel Street in the town at 12.39am, following reports that a detached garage was alight.

Two crews from Ashington and Blyth fire stations attended the fire and extinguished the blaze using a hose reel.

It is believed the fire was started after a lit firework was pushed into the garage, igniting a large pile of rubbish that was being stored inside.

The five residents, who had been in the neighbouring property, were taken to hospital as a precaution and treated for smoke inhalation.

Apart from this incident, today emergency services have hailed Bonfire Night a success after no major incidents happened in the North East.

Wansbeck MP Denis Murphy to stand down

2009-11-05T11:00:16Z

A Northumberland MP has announced he is to stand down at the next General Election.

Denis Murphy, Labour MP for Wansbeck, announced his plans in a letter to constituents.

Mr Murphy, who has just turned 61, said there was "no one reason" for his decision but it is one he has thought "long and hard about for the last year".

The MP, who was elected for the first time in 1997, admitted the expenses row was a factor.

The Journal's sister paper the Sunday Sun reported in June how Mr Murphy claimed thousands of pounds to redecorate his flat twice in three years. We also reported how he claimed £750 for a new television and how he employs his daughter as a part time office assistant.

The MP said: "It's not the expenses scandal itself, but some of the things that have come out as a result.

"It is the sort of press attack on decent Members of Parliament who have done nothing wrong, who only followed the rules the employer set out.

"Some of my colleagues have done things that have been very silly and that should never have happened, but the majority haven't done that.

"I don't want to say my decision is down to the expenses issue because it is not. It is a combination of very many things, of which the expenses issue is only one."

In his letter to constituents, Mr Murphy wrote: 'This is a decision I have fought long and hard about for the last year.

'There is not one main reason directing my decision, rather a number of issues'.

Wansbeck turbine out of action since 2007

2009-11-05T10:54:51Z

A wind turbine at a Northumberland hospital has produced no electricity since 2007, it emerged last night.

The engine at Wansbeck General Hospital at Ashington has been out of service for two years because of a fault.

The news comes on the back of previous stories highlighting faults with turbines at Blyth and Kirkheaton, which left them inactive for long periods. Critics of wind power last night said the new revelation is further proof turbines are an unreliable source of electricity.

The 23.4 metre tall 100 kilowatt turbine was erected in 1992, a year ahead of the opening of the 'low energy' hospital.

It was intended to produce one tenth of the hospital's energy and to power its wards and operating theatres.

But information provided to The Journal shows the turbine has produced no electricity since 2007.

The engine has not been operational because a fault developed on the tip of one of its blades, whereby its carbon fibre coating started to come loose.

The fault was repaired but later reappeared and the turbine was switched off.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which owns the hospital, said it has commissioned an external report to look into the feasibility of repairing and re-commissioning the structure or, if not practical, alternative uses to which it could be put.

Last night, Dennis Grieve, of Front Street, Newbiggin by the Sea, said the fault with the turbine comes as no surprise.

The 62-year-old, who used to work in the electronics industry making microcircuits for Welwyn Components at Bedlington, wrote to The Journal in 2006 about the two offshore turbines at Blyth which were not working after a blade was hit by lightning.

He said: "When they break down, they (the wind farm industry) do not really like to publicise it.

"You see these turbines all the time, people are saying we must have turbines, the whole point of it is when you go home and you switch the lights on you expect the electricity to be there and if you had to rely on these things, you are up a gum tree really."

The trust's report will consider repair costs, ongoing maintenance and operations costs if the turbine is brought back into long-term service, and how long the machine has left to run.

Brian Griggs, director of estates and facilities at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: "The turbine has been in service since 1992 and has produced an average of 140,000 KWs of electricity per year, approximately 18% of the electricity consumed by the hospital.

"It produced no electricity during 2008/2009 due to a fault on the tip of one of the blades. This was due to the delamination of the tip material. This was repaired, however, the repair failed some time later and rotation was stopped for safety reasons.

"We have commissioned the New and Renewable Energy Centre to produce a report which will look into the feasibility of repairing the turbine or, if this is not possible, explore alternative options."

Early brace sees Ashington Colliers to win

2009-11-04T13:00:19Z

In the Northern Alliance Premier Division Heddon are still waiting for their first win at Bullocksteads after being beaten 3-1 by Ashington Colliers and replacing Newcastle University on the bottom rung.

An early brace for Scott Smith gave the Colliers a great start, and although Ian McElroy quickly replied for Heddon, Ashington's tally was completed by Glen Bolton in the second half.

Meanwhile in the North Northumberland League's Sanderson Cup, Ashington Athletic made the trip to Berwick worthwhile by netting six times in the victory over Berwick United Reserves.

More grassroots football stories from around the region »

Cup minnows almost upset Ashington

2009-11-04T08:51:20Z

Northallerton Town, fifth from bottom in Division Two of the Skilltrainingltd Northern League, shocked high-flying Ashington in the Brooks Mileson Memorial Cup Second Round. Ashington only progressed following a penalty shoot-out.

Christian Holliday fired the visitors in front in the first minute before a brace of goals from Keith Douglas had the Colliers ahead until the 88th minute when Richard Thompson equalised.

There were no further goals and the Colliers went through 4-2 on penalties.

Your Photos: Entrance to Bothal Castle

2009-11-04T08:42:44Z

The leaves were still on the trees when Steve Bell took this photo of the entrance to Bothal Castle earlier this year, which he added to our Northumberland Flickr group.

If you don't have an account on Flickr you can send any photos for the Journal Extra Your View page or for this site to northumberland@ncjmedia.co.uk

New home safety contract for social enterprise

2009-11-03T15:23:50Z

A social enterprise which carries out repair services for vulnerable people in Northumberland has won a £30,000 contract.

Northumberland STARS (Small Task And Repair Service) have announced a new 'Safe at Home' contract awarded by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Handymen will be installing safety equipment free of charge in family homes where there is a child under two years of age.

The new contract will mean a new set of customers for the Ashington-based service, whose primary work is with over 60s or the disabled.

The trial period will mean that 342 homes in Blyth, 167 homes in Wansbeck and 100 homes in Tynedale are fitted with the safety equipment, which includes two stairgates, one fireguard,
six window restrictors, two packs of corner cushions, two cupboard locks and one bath mat.

The contract restricts the provision to those three districts in Northumberland, and customers will be referred via a health visitor, children's centre or support worker.

"This contract could be worth £30,000 per year to Northumberland STARS so we are very grateful to Rospa for this opportunity", said manager Sue Aspden.

Pictured: Northumberland STARS Handyman Paul Martin with the first Safety Gate installed yesterday

Ashington see off Shildon to maintain purple patch

2009-11-02T13:38:26Z

Ashington continue to enjoy a purple patch in the Northern League and remain third after defeating Shildon at Woodhorn Lane courtesy of goals by Andrew Johnson and Keith Douglas (pen).

Defeat by Tow Law Town cost Whitley Bay pole position and Spennymoor Town returned to the top with a five-goal rout of neighbours West Auckland Town.

Dunston UTS stay fourth after a brace of goals from Fergal Harkin saw off a strong challenge from Bedlington Terriers.

Memorial to Ellington Colliery to be unveiled

2009-10-30T16:52:17Z

A MEMORIAL celebrating the history of the region's last deep pit will be unveiled to local people next weekend.

The bronze statue of a miner and accompanying pit wheel will be unveiled at the former Ellington Colliery in Northumberland in a special ceremony and open day on Saturday November 7.

The sculpture - which commemorates the men who worked and died at the huge Ellington Combine - will take pride of place at the redundant site, which is now the subject of plans for housing, employment and leisure development.

It is the brainchild of a band of local volunteers, known as the Ellington Colliery Memorial Group, which was set up in 2007 and includes representatives of UK Coal, the National Union of Mineworkers and Ellington Parish Council.

Next weekend's event starts at 10.15am when the Ellington Colliery Band will play prior to the unveiling ceremony at 10.30am.

Ian Lavery, president of the NUM, and Jack Tubby, a former manager of Ellington Colliery, will jointly unveil the sculpture.

From 11am activities will take place inside the Ellington Colliery Social Centre and a marquee at the rear of the building. A local dance school will perform and local historian Ray Ditchburn will be providing visitors with information on the former colliery via a laptop.

Local author and Memorial Group chairman, Neil Taylor, will sign copies of a book on Ellington to mark the occasion.

The marquee will contain a display of mining artefacts and memorabilia from Beamish Museum, a collage of Ellington Colliery photographs and two memorial books to the men who lost their lives at Ellington and Lynemouth Collieries. There will be further musical entertainment from the Ellington Colliery Band, the 20,000 community song team, children from two local schools and the Ashington and District Male Voice Choir.

Organisers are hoping that as many people as possible will turn up on the day. Ellington was the region's only remaining deep mine when owner UK Coal announced its immediate closure in January 2005.

The £76,000 memorial project has secured £29,100 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other contributions.

Cash for schools within reach

2009-10-29T08:14:55Z

Northumberland's attempts to finally get its hands on funding from a Government programme to rebuild dilapidated schools is set to take an important step forward.

The county has so far been denied any money from the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, which was launched in 2004 with the aim of rebuilding or renewing every secondary school in England.

Now the Liberal Democrat-led county council is being recommended to progress efforts to gain entry to the programme - with plans to improve under-performing schools in the Wansbeck area.

Schools in Ashington and Bedlington - where at least 51% of students failed to gain five A* to C grades at GCSE last year -- have been earmarked as the top priority for any future BSF funding.

The move is part of a new strategy aimed at tackling the link between poor educational achievement at the age of 16 and problems of child poverty and disadvantage.

Next week the county council's executive is expected to agree to go ahead with completing documentation stating that Northumberland is now "ready to deliver" BSF projects.

A report to councillors says that while progressing the documentation does not guarantee inclusion in the BSF programme, the work will significantly enhance the authority's chances of being included.

A recent review and prioritisation exercise by the Department for Children, Schools and Families ranked Northumberland 31st out of 70 projects from authorities which have not yet joined the BSF programme.

The report to the executive says progressing the bid will require spending of about £122,000 on external support.

Ashington karate kids are medal winners

2009-10-28T14:14:13Z

Eight of Ashington Karate Club's 14-strong squad claimed medals at the northern regional competition at Sunderland University.

The students, aged between 10 and 21, were up against competitors from across the north of England including Leeds, Liverpool and Sunderland.

MEDAL WINNERS - senior women's kata: Tanya Hopper (third). Senior male kata: David Wright (first).

Children's kata (dan grade): Daniel Lumb (second ), Daniel Smart (third ), Rhys Waite (fourth). Up to first kyu: Kyle Duddridge (third).

Girls kumite 10-11 years: Maya Burns (third).

Junior team kata (under-16): Ashington A's Sarah Clow, Daniel Lumb and Daniel Smart (first for for the third year in a row), Ashington B's Kyle Duddridge, Dylan Gibson and Alex Ralph (fourth.

Ashington Karate club train on a Saturday from 10.00-11.30.
Anyone interested in joining should visit the website www.ashingtonshotokankarate.co.uk.

Ashington hang onto Northern League third spot

2009-10-26T09:55:17Z

Ashington consolidated third place in the Northern League with an emphatic 4-1 victory at Billingham Town, who trailed to goals by Robbie Cockburn, Lee Hamilton, Scott Blandford and Gareth Bainbridge before Sean Kell claimed a consolation.

It's now neck and neck at the top of Division One after Spennymoor Town inflicted a first defeat of the season on Whitley Bay.