Northumberland communities - Newbiggin

Ian Lavery hopes to represent Wansbeck as MP

2009-11-11T09:30:22Z

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."

Video: Recycling in Northumberland

2009-11-11T00:00:24Z

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

2009-11-10T11:32:03Z

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

Newbiggin blood donor sessions

2009-11-10T00:00:33Z

The next blood donor sessions in Newbiggin St Bartholomew's Church, Front Street, NE64 6NU on the following dates:

Friday 11 Dec 2009, 14:00 to 19:00
Friday 23 Apr 2010, 14:00 to 19:00

There are further dates in Ashington and Lynemouth.

To book an appointment or for more information visit www.blood.co.uk.

Memorial for tragic Newbiggin teenager

2009-11-09T14:02:26Z

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

Wansbeck MP Denis Murphy to stand down

2009-11-05T11:08:55Z

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'.

Wansbeck turbine out of action since 2007

2009-11-05T10:57:04Z

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."

Your Photos: St Bartholomew's Church

2009-11-04T08:39:18Z

Steve Bell (Wansbeck Wanderer) added this photo of St Bartholomew's Church in Newbiggin 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

Man with sea in his blood finds coastal inspiration

2009-10-31T13:33:46Z

Continuing last week's coastal theme, Environment Editor Tony Henderson talks to an artist who knows every nook and cranny along the region's shoreline.

When artist Ron Thornton read last Saturday's report in The Journal about a pioneering management plan to protect the Northumbrian coast, he could not have been more pleased.

For Ron has devoted a lot of time and energy over the past two and a half years on the North East coastline.

He has visited sites from the Borders, through Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham to the Humber, producing 52 watercolours of coastal views along the way, with descriptions and stories about the locations.

They appear in his new book, launched this week, called A Coastal Voyage in Watercolour, published by Hexhamshire's Wagtail Press at £19.50.

It is not the first time that Ron has drawn inspiration from the natural assets and landscapes of the North East.

In 2002 his book of 78 watercolours of the River Tyne from the sea to the source was released. Having explored the many facets of the Tyne, it was perhaps inevitable that Ron, 73, would turn his attention to the coast in all its diversity.

He was, after all, born and grew up in South Shields, where he collected sea coal on the beach and pushed sackloads back home on the crossbar of his bike to help eke out the family budget.

He and wife Ann, also from South Shields, lived for four years in Craster on the Northumberland coast .

"At the bottom of the garden was the sea," says Ron, who now lives in Riding Mill, Northumberland.

"I have always been fascinated by boats, water and the sea and we have a great coastline in the North East.

"In Northumberland, the wealth of historical attractions, combined with miles of golden sands and dramatic cliffs, produce what many consider to be one of the finest stretches of coastline in England."

In addition to the well-established attractions of the Northumbrian coast, Ron enjoyed discovering locations on the County Durham shoreline, now recovering after years of dumping of mining spoil.

"I love the variety of the Durham coast with all its denes and they have done wonders in cleaning the place up," he says.

"Unbelievably, they simply dumped waste on to the beaches and rocks, turning them into stretches of foul sludge. Visitors kept well away. But to visit them now is a delight."

Ron, who is a self-taught artist, retired from teaching in his 50s to paint full-time.

His career spanned Ocean Road, Cleadon Park and Stanhope secondary schools in South Shields, deputy headship posts at Belford and Beaumont Middle School in Hexham, and headships at Chevyside School in Newbiggin Hall and Gosforth Middle School in Newcastle.

His idea to explore the Tyne came when he hired a small boat and spent a week between the estuary piers to paint the Tall Ships as they entered the river in 1986. "I thought it was worth recording places up to Newcastle, then it became Corbridge and it just grew from there," he says.

Then came his mission along the coast of the old Northumberland.

"The coast is an increasing asset for the region. There are some idyllic places," he says. "But what does sadden me is the decline of fishing. It is quite heartbreaking."

An exhibition of the watercolours from the coast book will be held at Newcastle's new city centre library from December 14-19.

View an image gallery of Ron's paintings »

Newbiggin visitor centre a step closer to reality

2009-10-29T09:00:34Z

A multi-million-pound visitor centre that will be a major part of a Northumberland town's regeneration is a step nearer reality after the final design was submitted for approval.

Designers have drawn up the final plans for the Newbiggin Maritime Centre and have put them before planning chiefs for consideration.

An artist's impression of how the Newbiggin Maritime Centre could look

The centre is heralded as a major part of the seaside town's waterfront regeneration and will provide an important, lasting memory of its long and proud seafaring traditions.

After further consultation between many groups including architects, the design team and renewable energy experts, the final touches were put on the plan, which Northumberland County Council will decide upon in the next few weeks.

One major aspect of the plans is the designers' response to its environmental impact. Not only will the centre be built into the cliff to help it fit into its natural surroundings, but 65-70% of its energy needs will be from renewable sources.

The submitted plans include photovoltaic panels, which harness solar energy. A major benefit of these is that they do not require direct sunlight - a useful aspect given Northumberland's varied weather.

Complementing this will be either ground source or air source heating.

Chairman of the Newbiggin Heritage Partnership Richard Martin said: "It will be a major point of the project. It's important to make the most of this opportunity.

"We are getting much nearer that point where we have got everything in place. There's always that waiting to see, but we are striving ahead with the outer preparation work at the moment.

"It complements everything that has been done in the bay. It will add to the attraction but will be a permanent reminder for future generations of the seafaring traditions of the local fishing industry."

The building is designed to complement the existing improvements along the seafront, including modern sculpture Couple, the new sandy beach and the sea defences.

With commitments of £2.5 million, the money for the project has come from the Government's Sea Change programme, Wansbeck Council, Wansbeck Legi, the Sir James Knott Trust and the Heritage Lottery.

Some of this has already been spent, on things such as test drilling for the foundations and design work. The Heritage Partnership knows this will convince other funders to back the scheme if they see work going ahead, and is confident of getting the remaining estimated £600,000 needed to ensure the project is a reality.

As well as the maritime centre looking to Newbiggin's proud past, organisers have also gone out into the community to do reminisce sessions in care homes, to record people's memories of the town.

Northumberland hospital plans get green light

2009-10-24T10:42:03Z

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

2009-10-24T10:16:57Z

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

2009-10-23T08:09:16Z

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.

Popular choir at St Bartholomew's Church

2009-10-22T11:38:12Z

A popular Tyneside choir will bring the curtain down on a series of summer concerts at a Northumberland seaside church.

The Lemington Male Voice Choir will be singing at St Bartholomew's Church in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea on Sunday at 3pm.

The choir will be conducted by its assistant musical director Michael Scott, and accompanied on keyboard by Jenny Martins.

The evening will include favourites such as Nessun Dorma and Softly As I Leave You.

Tickets, costing £5 and including refreshments, are available from the Rev Judith Grieve or on the door.

Campaigners call for help to fix Newbiggin church

2009-10-22T08:59:46Z

Campaigners are calling for urgent action to repair the oldest church on the Northumberland coastline.

A group of artists who rent Woodhorn Church, near Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, from Northumberland County Council, say the property has fallen into serious disrepair and needs immediate attention.

The Grade-I listed building, which dates back to the 11th Century, was previously a museum before the group took over the lease two years ago to use as a studio.

Last month The Journal revealed how suspected car thieves had set fire to a vehicle in the church yard causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to the building by destroying one of the stained-glass windows (Read story »).

But the artists, who work under the name KEAP Creative, have also had lead stolen from the roof which has caused a leak, and had an attempted break-in.

Northumberland County Council say they have had discussions with the artists to try to resolve the issues but some of the repairs are expensive as the building is listed.

Secretary of KEAP Creative, Eva Hartley, said: "We have worked extremely hard over the past two years to keep this important building open, vibrant and culturally alive and as a result we have seen a steady rise in visitor numbers.

"However, since the transfer of ownership to Northumberland County Council in April, we have struggled to persuade our new landlords to undertake essential maintenance and repairs.

"The building has been made secure but important safety and heritage issues remain unsolved. The problem seems to be that no single department within the new authority is prepared to take ownership of the problem."

Woodhorn church had not been used for around seven years before the five artists joined forces and reopened it to the public.

The group now hold an open studio event at the church every Sunday between 2-4pm where members of the public are invited in to look around, and also runs an events programme throughout the year.

The group also petitioned the council in July to repair the graveyard wall which is eroding.

Mrs Hartley added: "This is a much-loved building within the community. Although it is beautiful when you step inside it, people are being put off by the external appearance.

"There is amazing artwork going on here and it's something we should be shouting about. It's fantastic to be able to work in this building, I was christened here and it breaks my heart to see it in this condition.

"It's a Grade-I listed building and the council have a duty to care for it."

Mrs Hartley's husband, Peter Seddon, also an artist, said: "The recent fire has highlighted a number of concerns which I now hope will be taken seriously by the authority."

A spokesperson for Northumberland County Council said: "We have been talking to representatives of the tenants and will continue to liaise with them to try to resolve the maintenance issues that they have raised.

"Since the building is Grade-I listed some of the repairs are expensive and there are not easy solutions.

"In terms of the wall this has been assessed and a temporary safety measure was put in place. However, this was unfortunately stolen on the same night it was installed."