Northumberland communities - Choppington

Ian Lavery hopes to represent Wansbeck as MP

2009-11-11T09:39:26Z

The national leader of Britain's miners is bidding to become the next Labour MP for the former North East coal industry stronghold where he made his political name.

Ian Lavery - president of the National Union of Mineworkers and a former secretary of the union's Northumberland branch - confirmed last night that he wants to succeed Denis Murphy as the MP for Wansbeck.

Mr Lavery said he will seek the Labour Party nomination for the seat at next year's general election - where Mr Murphy had a majority of 10,500 votes over the Liberal Democrats in 2005.

Mr Murphy, 61, announced last week that he will stand down at the next election. He admitted the MPs' expenses scandal was a factor but said there was no one reason for his decision.

Mr Lavery, 47, who is married with two sons and has lived in Ashington all of his life, has been seen for some time as the likely successor to Mr Murphy.

He was the Northumberland secretary of the NUM for more than a decade before taking over as national president from Arthur Scargill in 2002.

He worked at Ellington Colliery for many years and, along with Mr Murphy, was the leading light in the lengthy campaign to keep the pit open, prior to its eventual closure in January 2005.

The Labour Party's national executive is expected to decide next month whether there will be an all-women shortlist to replace Mr Murphy. If the NEC backs the constituency's preference for an open list, Mr Lavery will be strong favourite to emerge as the candidate.

Yesterday he said: "I will definitely be putting my hat in the ring. I am extremely keen to follow Denis Murphy into Parliament and represent the people of Wansbeck, who I have represented over many years in my capacity as NUM president nationally and Northumberland secretary.

"I have always been keen on standing for Parliament and I believe I have got overwhelming support in Wansbeck, although I would never, ever take anything for granted."

Labour Party spokesman, Neil Fleming, said talks would be held in the next few weeks between regional party officials and Wansbeck constituency officers on whether there should be an all-women or open shortlist from which to choose the next candidate. The NEC will decide on the format in December, with the selection process starting early in the new year.

Mr Murphy, who was first elected in 1997, said last week: "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."

Ian Lavery hopes to represent Wansbeck as MP

2009-11-11T09:29:33Z

The national leader of Britain's miners is bidding to become the next Labour MP for the former North East coal industry stronghold where he made his political name.

Mr Lavery said he will seek the Labour Party nomination for the seat at next year's general election - where Mr Murphy had a majority of 10,500 votes over the Liberal Democrats in 2005.

Mr Murphy, 61, announced last week that he will stand down at the next election. He admitted the MPs' expenses scandal was a factor but said there was no one reason for his decision.

Mr Lavery, 47, who is married with two sons and has lived in Ashington all of his life, has been seen for some time as the likely successor to Mr Murphy.

He was the Northumberland secretary of the NUM for more than a decade before taking over as national president from Arthur Scargill in 2002.

He worked at Ellington Colliery for many years and, along with Mr Murphy, was the leading light in the lengthy campaign to keep the pit open, prior to its eventual closure in January 2005.

"I have always been keen on standing for Parliament and I believe I have got overwhelming support in Wansbeck, although I would never, ever take anything for granted."

Video: Recycling in Northumberland

2009-11-11T00:00:14Z

A video has been launched by Northumberland County Council to help it meet demanding Government recycling targets.

The tutorial video (watch below) shows Northumberland County Council's new recycling centre in action and helps residents understand what can and can't be put into the recycling bin.

In Northumberland the council is responsible for collecting waste from more than 140,000 households as well as thousands of business premises.

The council needs to meet Government targets of 40% recycling by 2010, 45% by 2015 and 50% by 2020.

If these strict targets are not met the council faces heavy fines as ministers push ahead with national environmental changes.

One of the key problems at the recycling plant is low-grade plastic such as yogurt pots and margarine tubs which become trapped among paper and card creating contamination problems for the paper mills.

The problem is made worse when these packs contain food waste which can also cause contamination of the other recyclable materials.

In an effort to reduce contamination the council no longer wants people to recycle these types of items which represent a tiny proportion of household waste and cause quality control problems at the plant .

The video offers advice on exactly what items should be recycled, such as plastic bottles (empty and lids removed), rinsed food and drinks cans, paper and cardboard and aerosols.

Visit www.northumberland.gov.uk for more information on recycling

Share your Northumbrian dialect words

2009-11-10T11:26:39Z

Deek at these kenspeckle words and see if you can save 'the venerable grandmother' of the English language.

What some people call the 'purest form' of English, the Northumbrian dialect, has been eroded over time and no-one knows how much Northumbrians and Geordies still have their own way of speaking.

Words like yari, jugal and skumfish used to be heard regularly but the Northumbrian Language Society is desperate to get a snapshot of the state of the region's dialect and see which Northumbrian words are still in use.

The call comes after Collins English Dictionary asked people to look at three Northumbrian words and let them know, via Twitter, if they are used. If not, they will write the obituary for the dead words.

But if they are still in common use, the words will be reinstated into the Collins Corpus database and could even be included in future dictionaries.

The Northumbrian Language Society chose the three words for Collins to take to the public but they have many other words and want to take the opportunity to learn more about the health of Northumberland's dialect.

Kim Bibby-Wilson from the Northumbrian Language Society said: "It matters. If we all spoke hybrid American English, it would be a very boring world.

"As far as the Collins project is concerned, it's good - it's going to get a high profile and remind people of these words. When you speak about dialect people are fascinated.

"But the more life goes on, the less people hear the speech patterns. It's whether they are speaking these words or not. From anecdotal evidence we're losing words because they're not relevant anymore."

Unlike Scottish dialect, Northumbrian words do not get full recognition, meaning there is no European funding for researching and promoting the dialect, as well as projects to record people still speaking in the tongue.

Northumbrian only holds observer status under the European Bureau for Lesser-Used Languages.

Kim said: "We would love to have the funding. We should be looking at how the Scots dictionary is constructed.

"Northumbrian dialect is the venerable grandmother of English, not a poor cousin. It has always been isolated, by the North Sea, the Pennines, Cheviots and moors, and it is a purer form of English. It has been reserved here for longer because the Vikings and Normans didn't have a great deal of interplay with the locals.

"It's very important, because the language that's spoken in a particular area tells you so much, just like castles do and cathedrals and football teams. You wouldn't knock down Bamburgh Castle because it's no longer used for defence."

Many of the words used in Northumberland are from the Angles, while certain areas also picked up gypsy words because of nearby camps.

For instance, 'gadgy', now used to mean a man, was originally used to refer to non-gypsies, while charver, now a derogatory term, used to mean friend.

Which of the words below do you still use? Do you know of any other current Northumbrian dialect words?

Click on the link on the right to share them

SPREADING THE WORD

THE THREE WORDS COLLINS ARE RESEARCHING ARE

Shawm - to warm yourself

Hippletyclinch - walk with a limp

Bari - beautiful/handsome

FURTHER SUGGESTIONS FROM NORTHUMBERLAND

Deek - to look at

Yari - egg

Jugal - dog

Mort - wife

Netty - toilet

Oxter - armpit

Kenspeckle - distinctive

Skumfish - tired

Spelk - splinter

Gully - sharp knife for meat/general purpose

Puzzly-os - noughts and crosses

Lowp - to jump

Kist - strong box

WELL-KNOWN REGIONAL TERMS

Gadgy - non-gypsy man

Charver - friend

Gan - go

Lang - long

Canny - good

Hoy - throw

Ahad/ahaad - caught fire

Stotty - round bread

NEW ONES

Windy-pick - pneumatic drill

Starry head - Phillips screwdriver

Guidepost blood donor sessions

2009-11-10T00:00:35Z

The following blood donor sessions take place at Cleasewell Hill Healthy Living Centre in Guidepost, NE62 5DF:

Monday 07 Dec 2009, 15:00 to 19:00
Monday 18 Jan 2010, 15:00 to 19:00

For further information, including sessions taking place in neighbouring towns, or to book an appointment, visit www.blood.co.uk.

Wansbeck MP Denis Murphy to stand down

2009-11-05T11:06:46Z

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

Denis Murphy, Labour MP for Wansbeck, whose constituency covers the Lynemouth area, 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'.

Northumberland day care centres axed

2009-11-05T10:42:38Z

Controversial plans to axe seven cherished day centres in Northumberland were rubber-stamped last night.

Northumberland County Council voted to close the facilities used as meeting places by elderly and disabled people at Amble, Blyth, Bedlington, Haltwhistle, Hexham, Ponteland and Prudhoe.

In a named poll at its meeting at Morpeth's County Hall, the council voted 46 to 11 in favour of proposals to close its centres, which are used by around 300 people every week.

The authority says the facilities are under-used and it is closing them to cut costs and is instead to offer users and the many others who need assistance personalised budgets to spend on their preferred method of care.

It says anyone who wants to continue receiving traditional, building-based day care will be able to do so via other providers - voluntary and independent agencies.

The council has came up with a range of alternative provision in each of the affected areas. Hundreds of people had signed petitions calling for the seven centres to be saved, claiming they offer elderly users a vital chance to meet friends and give relatives an important break from looking after them.

The meeting was attended by a band of centre users, carers and union leaders who vented their anger at councillors after the vote was taken. Thomas Mosey, 80, of Newcastle Road, Newsham, Blyth, has used the town's Lyndon House site for around five years, having previously been moved out of its Tynedale House by the council.

He branded the decision "disgusting", "absolute shameless" and "shocking". The council had been due to take a decision on the centres at its meeting in September, but opted to defer after Conservative and Labour opposition councillors joined forces in a bid to drum up interest from potential providers in running the sites in Amble, Bedlington and Blyth.

But last night, the Labour group hit out at the Tories for now backing the closures and for tabling an amendment with the Lib Dems which it claimed showed little change to the proposals put forward in September.

Labour members asked why the council could not offer a mix of centres and alternative care. They also accused the Lib Dems of using the personalised budgets as "a smokescreen" which allows them to axe day centres.

Coun Deirdre Campbell said: "The public are not silly. Personalised budgets weren't an excuse to close the homes.

"I just can not believe you are back in here today and you are still intent on taking away a brilliant service that is used by the elderly.

"I would say to people - do not get old the Lib Dems will crucify you.

"I think you have declared war on the elderly. The one thing you have not got to do in Northumberland is get old."

The Lib Dems had called on the council to make the decision to end uncertainty for centre users.

Coun Simon Reed said: "We have to modernise and transform our service. We have to give people more choice."

His party also stated that no centres will be closed until alternate provision has been arranged for users.

New home safety contract for social enterprise

2009-11-03T15:35:41Z

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

Northumberland hospital plans get green light

2009-10-24T10:37:53Z

Health care chiefs have given the go ahead for a £200m investment in services in Northumberland, including a new emergency care hospital on the outskirts of Cramlington.

Wansbeck and North Tyneside hospitals will see significant investment while community hospitals in Berwick and Haltwhistle will be rebuilt.

The package of measures was approved yesterday at a meeting of the NHS North of Tyne Trust.

Board members had indicated in August they would be minded to approve the new hospital - as long as a number of concerns were addressed.

Among those was the provision of services for children with the possibility of conflict arising with the new Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle.

Members were also concerned whether the proposed location was the most suitable, the availability of maternity care and how easily the hospital could be accessed by public transport.

The new emergency care hospital will be built on a site just off the A19 near Cramlington. However, the location has also caused controversy amid fears that the already-congested Moor Farm roundabout would not be able to cope with the extra traffic from the hospital.

Chris Reed, chief executive of NHS North of Tyne, said: "Throughout the consultation the location of the new hospital was controversial and it was clear that no one site would suit everyone.

"During the consultation there were strong messages about access to the new hospital and about the need to improve public transport arrangements. Work undertaken by Northumbria Healthcare has included seconding a member of staff from Nexus to the Trust to offer expert advice. The Trust is also committed to providing a shuttle service to link into existing public transport services."

Youngsters being treated at the pediatrics unit will only stay for short term care with those requiring more intensive treatment being transferred to the Great North Children's Hospital.

However Coun Liz Langfield, member for adult care and health on Newcastle City Council, said more information would be needed on where people living on the Newcastle/North Tyneside border would be treated.

She also expressed concern over public transport to the new emergency centre.

Wansbeck companies feature on the small screen

2009-10-24T10:18:49Z

Companies in Northumberland have been hitting television screens to show off the attractions of setting up shop in Wansbeck.

The advert in prime-time ITV features companies who have received advice and assistance from Go Wansbeck, the district's local enterprise growth initiative.

Karen Turner, owner of dog walking company Walkies, in the limelight on location in Newbiggin

It is designed to encourage even more people to take advantage of the support on offer and to showcase Wansbeck as a vibrant destination.

Keith Raine, Go Wansbeck programme manager, said: "The commercial has been seen across the Tyne Tees region and really illustrates the transformation under way in the area.

"We have much to celebrate in Wansbeck - the district was recently named the most enterprising place in the North East in the Enterprising Britain competition and has a rapidly increasing vibrant and welcoming business community."

The advert was created by Go Wansbeck's advertising agency Martin Tait Redheads and shot on location in Newbiggin, Ashington and Bedlington.

Agency managing director Howard Tait said: "The team had a terrific time filming this advert with everyone involved really passionate about telling people what a great place Wansbeck is.

"Neil Watson, our senior creative director who has won national awards for TV commercials, orchestrated the TV shoot.

"He was born in Newbiggin and brought a huge amount of enthusiasm to his role, delighted to be involved in highlighting the achievements of the local area.

"From business support to a range of fantastic attractions there is so much going on here ."

Planning committees set to be merged

2009-10-23T08:08:44Z

Two of Northumberland County Council's planning committees are set to be merged because of their light workloads and the need to make further efficiency savings.

A report is expected to go to the executive next month on amalgamating the south area committee, which deals with planning applications in Blyth Valley, and the east committee, which covers Wansbeck.

Open day for 2012 jobseekers' scheme

2009-10-20T13:50:27Z

Unemployed people in Northumberland are being urged to find out more about a training programme which could see them involved in the 2012 Olympic Games.

An open day will be held at the Northumberland College in Ashington next week to give jobseekers more information about the Personal Best pre-employment scheme.

The event runs from 10am to 3pm on Wednesday, October 28 and is aimed at unemployed people 19 and over.

Personal Best acts as a stepping stone into new work opportunities. It will equip people with a qualification in event volunteering, new skills and confidence to progress further.

There will be ongoing support to help find work, and those who complete the programme will get a guaranteed interview to be a volunteer for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympic games.

The programme includes 20 hours' work experience volunteering at sporting and cultural events in the region.

Club mourns East Sleekburn rowing stalwart

2009-10-19T10:20:00Z

Tributes have been paid to a highly respected rowing enthusiast who devoted his life to one North East club and helped introduce countless talented youngsters to his beloved sport.

Popular Norman Howitt, the president of Cambois Rowing Club based on the River Wansbeck in Northumberland, died in hospital earlier this week, aged 71.

His death leaves a huge hole in the thriving club to which he gave six decades of voluntary service as a rower, coach, official and supporter.

Mr Howitt, a former coal miner who lived with his wife Ann in East Sleekburn near Bedlington, was awarded an International Olympic Committee certificate in 2002 in honour of his tireless work for the sport of rowing. He was also honoured by the Amateur Rowing Association.

A keen oarsman himself in his time, he was a passionate and hard working member and official of the Cambois club, which was first established on the River Blyth in 1911.

Mr Howitt first got involved with the club at the age of 11, became coxswain to the crews and went on to become a stalwart for 60 years. He also served as an expert umpire at rowing and regatta events across the UK.

He visited the club every day, combining his duties as coach, president and safety officer with tasks such as keeping the boathouse clean and tidy. Mr Howitt died in Wansbeck General Hospital last Monday, after being taken ill the previous day when he returned home from his daily visit to the club.

Yesterday Cambois Rowing Club chairman, John Matthews, said: "Norman has been involved with the club for most of his life and has been an absolute stalwart. He was at the club every day and did all sorts of jobs.

"Over the years he has gone out to schools to recruit young people into the sport and has coached countless rowers, including Elaine Johnstone who recently represented Great Britain at the world championships in Poland.

"His death has been a terrible blow to the club and he is probably irreplaceable in terms of his commitment and the amount of time he spent here. Rowing was his life for as long as I can remember and his world revolved around this club."

Mrs Howitt, 67, said: "Norman was well respected all over the North East. Rowing was in his blood and he always loved the sport. He never got paid and just did it for the love of it. I am devastated by his loss because we have been together for 50 years."

Mr Howitt's family, who will gather for his funeral service at Cowpen Crematorium, Blyth on Tuesday afternoon, have asked for any donations to be made to the rowing club.

To leave a message of condolence, go to www.journallive.co.uk/remembrance

Choppington woman admits petrol station theft

2009-10-16T14:53:24Z

A petrol station supervisor filled up with stolen company cash when her debts spiralled out of control. Barbara MacRides was in a position of trust at the Shell Garage in South Gosforth.

The 41-year-old, from Scotland Gate, Choppington, was authorised to check and bag the substantial takings.

But her own finances were a mess, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

And in a theft spree bound to be uncovered, MacRides stole more than £9,000 behind her bosses back.

"You were entrusted with counting and bagging the money and you took the opportunity to steal," Judge Esmond Faulks said.

"It was a substantial amount of money and therefore only a prison sentence is appropriate."

But Judge Faulks suspended the 26-week jail term for two years with supervision and 100 hours' unpaid work.

He told tearful MacRides: "I suspend the sentence because you have no previous convictions and you have pleaded guilty."

MacRides admitted theft of £9,300 between January 19 and 22 this year.

She kept back more than half the takings before sending a cash bag into the high security collection system.

But each bag is fitted with a tamper proof seal and the missing cash was quickly traced back to MacRides.

"There was evidence to show the seal on this bag had not been tampered with," said Mark Donkin, prosecuting.

Probation officers will now try to help MacRides get her finances in order, the court heard.

"She had large debts hanging around her neck," said Caroline Goodwin, defending. "It is very sad case."

Council will take part in project for improvement

2009-10-16T08:08:45Z

Northumberland's council has been chosen as one of nine in the country to take part in a pilot scheme on local authority performance.

Northumberland County Council has been awarded £100,000 to help it take part in the project, which aims to help authorities tailor their services to meet customers' needs.

Over the coming months the council will be speaking to its staff, customers and partners to find out how it is performing, particularly in the areas of planning, neighbourhood services and children's services.

It will be reassessing how its services meet customer needs and where areas for improvement are identified, the authority will work to deliver them.

The idea for the pilot scheme came from an independent review 'Getting it right, and righting the wrongs' which was commissioned by The Department for Communities and Local Government to look at how to provide excellent public services. The review called for all councils to look again at how they deal with the public to ensure that they are providing the best possible services.

Steve Stewart , council chief executive, said: "We are delighted to have been selected to take part in this programme.

"We want residents to feel included, informed and better connected to the council. This opportunity will enable us to work with partners and customers to provide services focused on the needs of individuals and their families, while shaping the services we provide to better meet the needs of Northumberland's diverse communities."