Talk of the Town Latest Topics

Plessey Woods

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 13:54:39 +0000

Good to see the climbing boulders finished at Plessey Woods.

I know it’s not the weather to enjoy them but that will change and they will be here for many years to come.

It’s taken about 4 years to get these agreed, signed off and delivered, but this time we have outdoor leisure provision which isn't available in the rest of the county!

Even the kiddies one next to the play park has been done.

Well done to Steve and his crew because it hasn't been the best weather to install these.

(Still think they could have been sited in a better spot and when I first started this project there were originally a lot more, but still good to see them in place now.)

Speaking to a guys doing the café refurb, that’s still a month or two away from completion!

Northumberland Rail Line.

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 12:14:31 +0000

The reinstatement of rail services from Bedlington, which many people didn’t believe they would ever see again, is gathering pace.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/northumberland-line-trial-run-great-21287080?utm_source=chronicle_live_newsletter&utm_campaign=northumberland_live_newsletter2&utm_medium=email&fbclid=IwAR17IMICq6IZpPHa5UtVb7mScV12yU-q4l6kYpO6BXpanRVb9hc_NKfKnKI

Local Plan

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 07:58:27 +0000

We had another all member briefing yesterday about the production of a new Local Plan. This time about a third of the members turned up.

This Plan is important because it will shape our villages, towns and even the whole county over the next few years.

What makes this really urgent is the Governments proposed changes to our planning system as they chase their 1.5 million new homes promise. Northumberland has been ‘given’ our own quota in relation to that target and it’s huge!

I’ve talked about this before and how important it will be to take part in the public consultations which will be coming out soon.

Do we want to see new Towns created, existing settlements expanded, new industrial sites, new commercial spaces, all questions which people can have their say in answering.

The most important aspect is that we need to engage to have at least some say in what happens otherwise the Government will just impose!

That is something I spoke about at the last Town Council meeting when I suggested they might want to re-examine the neighbourhood plan they have almost finished. Because of the changes which could well come in, not havening local planning committees, presumption in favour of house building etc. the importance of neighbourhood plans is that at least local people have their say and it could well be the only time we do within a planning application. So deciding where we might want to see new housing, shops and offices, industrial estates etc.

It might not have the absolute power to stop an application but at least we will register a public opinion because neighbourhood plans have to go to local referendums before they are ‘made’, in other words adopted as part of the planning criteria.

Yesterday I spoke about rewriting settlement boundaries and how we have seen that happen in Bedlington about 5 years ago to meet the last housing figures we were delegated to achieve. This time it won’t be a blip on the side of the settlement boundary it will be a huge inflation right around because of the sheer numbers we have been told to achieve.

We might even see new Towns created although I remember the last time that was a proposal in the county!

Whatever happens having to find the sites for 34,500 new homes here, and that’s not including industrial, commercial and social infrastructure fill, will be challenging and quite obviously change the topography of our county forever.

For more info here is the latest version……….

https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning-policy/northumberland-local-plan-2016-2036

Historical Factoids 25:

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 09:01:52 +0000

Historical Factoids 25: Borderlands.

Seems from what I’ve heard and seen quite a few people aren’t aware of this initiative.

The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal was signed in March 2021 bringing up to £452 million of fresh investment to the Borderlands area. This funding was made up of £350M from Government and £100M from local match funding. Around £200M for the English side.

The Accountable Bodies are Dumfries and Galloway Council with regards to both the Scottish Government funding for the Growth Deal and that part of the UK Government funding which relates to Growth Deal Projects physically located in Scotland. Northumberland County Council has the role of accountable body as regards that part of the UK Government funding which relates to Growth Deal.

As soon as I was aware I asked for a meeting with the lead officer at NCC for this fund. I did manage to convince her that Bedlington should be included and that we had a range of needs which could be addressed as part of this deal. She agreed and not only were we included but we should have been one of the first to benefit.

https://www.youtube.com/live/Q4zZGP1LXjI...

We are in the Place Programme which is a £50m initiative focusing on smaller market and coastal towns across the region. Our allocation is around £3M and we hear this mentioned time and time again by the political gentry (along with the Cycle track and train station) when they explain just how well Bedlington is doing in terms of funding!

The Place Programme includes Alnwick, Bedlington, Bellingham, Dalton in Furness, Egremont, Eyemouth, Galashiels, Gretna, Haltwhistle, Hawick, Jedburgh, Kirkconnel & Kelloholm, Longtown, Newbiggin, Penrith, Prudhoe, Rothbury, Stranraer, Ulverston, Whithorn, Wigton and Wigtown.

Fair enough it wasn’t a lot but better than the usual zero investments!

How it ran out is something which I think should be used to demonstrate how not to do this sort of stuff!!!!!!!

A local Board was formed to bring forward ideas for inclusion and in the first full year of meetings it achieved an introductory paragraph of about a dozen lines for our Place Programme. I think that could have been done in about 12 minutes not 12 months!

A call for projects was made public and most of us sitting on this local Board put our own ideas in. About 35 projects were suggested and a year later at a meeting with the Leader of NCC, the Deputy Leader and head of regeneration at NCC I was told none had been forthcoming? My response was that I knew 35 had been submitted and I knew for definite 6 had been submitted because I had submitted them! Seems I was wrong? Pressing further about this and I was told there may have been half a dozen submitted. Nope still not accepting that and the total went up to 21? I knew other people who had submitted projects and again “Nope”! Finally yes 36 projects had been submitted but with no business plans. I said we didn’t ask for business plans we went out with a ‘Call for projects’ and anyway who on earth was going to write or pay to get written business plans before they knew if their projects had any legs?

We are now more than half way through this initiative and what’s been delivered……….err nowt as yet!

Plenty of meetings, plenty of excuses, plenty of waffle but not one spade in the ground.

At one point I suggested putting it all into Keith Fitzsimons project for the Town Centre because that would give us a USP and get people into the Town centre. Can’t really understand why he wasn’t taken more seriously but then again this is Bedlington we are talking about.

We now see extra funding being allocated, as was supposed to happen originally, which frees up the strict criteria governing the fund and means other projects which don’t actually strictly qualify for this fund can now be considered.

So we now have the proposed café/restaurant on the platform at the station, upgrading the roads, pavements and streets and my pet sports project at West Lea in the mix.

We have seen people walk away from this Board because they just lost the will to live, people changed within the membership and some people trying like hell to get it to work.

5 Years and counting………………………..

Historical Factoids 24.

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 08:59:44 +0000

Historical Factoids 24.

The Bedlington Terriers.

We have to go back a few years to start this tale which involves the Bedlington Terriers and even though it’s not in my ward area I felt it’s so integral to the Town it couldn’t be ignored!

I was contacted by the guy running the place to ask if I could point him in the right direction for some funding. There were problems with the roof and doors on the clubhouse. I did and they were successful in getting the funding needed to sort those problems out.

Next I was asked to help them again this time with their lease because, I was told, a very large grant they had been promised was relying on them having a new lease agreement. That was above my pay grade so the best I could do was facilitate a meeting between the Deputy Leader and regeneration head of NCC and the club. That took place and by all accounts seemed pretty successful judging by the positive comments coming from the club at that time.

Jumping ahead a year or two later we then saw the latest reincarnation of the Terriers, as a public body, struck off by Companies House for failing to file accounts. (This has ultimately led to the Terriers dissolving as an entity and NCC stepping in as landowner to salvage the site in case there was a legal challenge.)

I was as enraged as other NCC councillors were and demanded a meeting with the Leader of NCC and all officers involved, where we were given the unsavoury legal facts.

Back in the 1960’s when Bedlington Urban District Council moved the Bedlington Mechanics off their town centre site to the present one, because they wanted the site for development, they assigned the lease to two charities, the Charity Commission and CISWO, (Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation).

The land is governed by a charitable trust originally established for the mining community. When the club tried to move forward with the improvements they were after, it became clear that the lease they were operating under was legally invalid.

(Northumberland County Council even suggested giving the Terriers another bit of suitable land if it could be found, to resolve the legal issues raised by the Charity Commission.)

CISWO (Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation), refused to agree a new lease, citing concerns about preserving the site’s heritage and the community’s free, open and unfettered access.

This was now a legal stalemate.

It now transpires that this huge grant was actually a loan and anyone who has borrowed a large sum of money for any reason be it a mortgage or car or any number of other things what they actually borrow against is the value of an asset you hold. I believe that’s why a new lease was needed so this money could be leveraged against the lease on the ground. That was never going to happen because the charitable groups would never countenance it.

If I thought NCC were in anyway culpable for the demise of the Terriers I would be shouting louder than anyone, however in this case I think NCC acted with the best interests of the community in mind but were stifled by legal issues as can plainly be seen! I think the lack of other councillors of any political hue coming out and criticising NCC as some sort of instigator in this mess is testament to the above sentence!

What I do think though is that if the Terriers management had just done the job right they would still be flying under the radar and we would still have a senior Bedlington Terriers club.

Who is to blame, if it’s the blame game you are after, make your own mind up but the fact is once more we see a Bedlington Institution lost and a little more Bedlington history consigned to a footnote in our Town’s timeline!

Still fighting to keep the Terriers name alive, even if its only through the Juniors at the moment!

Historical factoids 23.

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 08:58:29 +0000

Historical factoids 23.

Plessey Woods Country Park.

When I was first elected as NCC Councillor, 9 years ago, I went down to Plessey Woods and spoke to the staff working there to see how it could be improved. It was about the only major ‘leisure’ asset I had in my ward.

Back then it was mostly used by a few dog walkers and the staff said they had seen a steady decline in the numbers of people using the park. No wonder, it looked run down and starved of any investment!

First job do something about the play offer there. There were only two ‘springers’ in the kids play park and I thought that was derisory!

I lobbied the park management and the portfolio holder saying they were saying they were investing in NCC parks and while I could see investment going into others I think they forgot about one! I argued they have a sea side park at Druridge Bay and a lake park at Bolam and both were getting substantial investments. I said I think you have forgotten about your woodland park at Plessey!

So that started to turn the tables a bit and I was offered some funding to put a new play park in and do some repairs to the walkways around the inside of the park. That, on the proviso I managed to increase visitor numbers. I agreed to the challenge but insisted all the monies taken in the parking machine to be used for further upgrades at Plessey Woods!

So we saw the two springers ripped out and a new range of play equipment installed. I insisted some of the equipment was suitable for disabled children and I bought two all-terrain wheelchairs so everyone can enjoy the park. Once I had something there I put on some events to get people down and see what we had to offer. Visitor numbers started to increase so I asked for upgrades to the café saying it was going to be too small soon! This time I got a flat no!

Covid hit and when we could go outside into the fresh air people descended on Plessey Woods en mass. So much so I had to sort out double yellow lines for the indiscriminate parking which residents down there were up in arms about and which was going on outside the park because the car park and the overspill car parks were full! I argued for a new extension to the car park and used the visitor numbers to justify it. That was agreed in about 6 months which is lightning fast for a council!

I also suggested some ‘Hobbit Huts’ which could be hired on a daily basis and possibly some sort of crazy golf, but again all I got back was ‘negative wave’s man’!

Just before Covid hit I worked on a scheme to install a national climbing boulder course in the park arguing this would bring in a whole new visitor demographic. I took it to the ‘gaffers’ again and blow me down with a feather they liked it! More on this later but in the course of around 5-6 years which seems the normal procrastination period for councils the prices jumped up to such a height that the 10 boulders I had specified was reduced to 3! I’ve since fought back to get the original one I wanted next to the play area for kiddies, so 4 boulders going in. I’m not about to bite the hand that feeds so………..

I also won the case for an upgrade to the café and like the boulders I’ve put my MLIS money into it to make it happen! Thankfully it was agreed to upgrade the toilet facilities there too. The only bits I’m not too happy about is the size of the kitchen, which is basally the same, and the glass atrium for the café which is basically facing the car park instead of the play area. Apart from those small niggles it’s all good stuff!

So after many years of neglect (and I’ve been on several times about the broken play equipment which is now getting sorted) we will soon have a much improved and exciting park to visit on our doorstep.

What I would like to see now is an enlarged and committed ‘Friends of Plessey Woods’ group formed so we can drive further improvements in this woodland park. If anyone would like to join please drop me a line.

(Still think the Hobbit Huts is a good idea!)

Hi

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 17:57:35 +0000

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The guy who's always walking

Tue, 20 Sep 2016 12:38:10 +0000

There's an old guy who always seems to be out walking around Bedlington - I usually see him somewhere between Wetherspoons and Morrisons - does anyone know anything more? - I've always been curious.

Mona Taylor Homes

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 13:11:46 +0000

Who was Mona Taylor?

Bedlington Terriers.

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 16:51:34 +0000

An honest assessment of the current legal situation surrounding the Bedlington Terriers from the MP.

Bedlington Terriers FC – a deeply disappointing situation

For more than two years, my office and I have worked behind the scenes with a multitude of partners to try to resolve the situation facing Bedlington Terriers Football Club.

Until now, we’ve resisted making a public statement, hoping that quiet diplomacy and goodwill would prevail. Sadly, the situation is now worse than ever, and I feel it’s time to speak openly.

Bedlington Terriers, a club with a proud history and deep roots in our community, has played at Dr Pit Welfare Park for more than half a century. They had secured planning permission and funding to upgrade the pitch to 3G and improve facilities, an

exciting step forward. But legal and ownership complications have derailed everything.

The land is governed by a charitable trust originally established for the mining community. When the club tried to move forward with improvements, it became clear that the lease they were operating under was legally invalid. This issue, which was

first identified in 2012, was never acted upon and only resurfaced a decade later, when progress on re-development was being made.

Northumberland County Council (NCC), which holds the land in trust, attempted a land swap to resolve covenant issues raised by the Charity Commission. However, CISWO (Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation), which has an interest in the

site, refused to consent, citing concerns about preserving the site’s heritage and the community’s access.

In December, I met with NCC and CISWO to try to find a solution. The council was open to compromise, but CISWO would not budge. Their position is that preserving the site means preventing any development, even if that development would allow the club to continue playing and thriving in the community.

I strongly disagree. In trying to “preserve the site,” CISWO is ignoring the reality:

Bedlington Terriers have played on the western portion of Dr Pit Park for five decades. They’ve maintained the ground throughout that time. The rest of the park, home to bowls, sports, play areas, and a Green Flag-rated green space, remains

untouched and well-used.

At the end of last season, the club was relegated from Northern League Division 2 having failed ground grading criteria. Then in the summer, the legal entity running BTFC was struck off the register because of an administrative issue, leading NCC to

require the club to vacate the ground. Though the entity was later restored, the damage was done. Bedlington Terriers are now playing in the Northern Alliance at a home pitch outside of Bedlington.

The ground, once secured, has since become a target for arson and vandalism. I raised CISWO’s role in this mess from the floor of the Commons last week and have further meetings planned in the coming weeks.

Let me be clear:

This situation helps no one.

Not the mining community CISWO claims to represent.

Not the park, which is now suffering from neglect and vandalism.

Not the people of Bedlington, who’ve lost their senior football team.

And certainly not Bedlington Terriers, who are fighting for survival outside their home town.

I still believe a solution is possible, if sensible heads prevail. I will continue to urge all parties to find common ground and do what’s right for the club, the community, and the legacy of Bedlington.

NCC Hobson's Choice!

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:37:04 +0000

Bit of a bad tempered meeting but it was so wrong!

Political lines clearly on display!

Procedures are there to protect everyone not be circumnavigated for the benefit of a few!

Cambois Data Centre.

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 08:41:03 +0000

For anyone interested in the development in Cambois....................

Here is the scrutiny meeting:

Boulders boosting offer at Country Park

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 21:00:05 +0000

Construction is well underway on a new outdoor climbing attraction for Plessey Woods Country Park.

The investment in specially constructed ‘climbing boulders’ will complement the refurbished and improved visitor centre and toilets which are due to re-open in the coming months.

Three large manmade boulders, around ten feet in height, will be installed in a clearing in the trees, providing fun and fitness for a range of skill levels and abilities.

There will be a rubberised surface underneath alongside safety signage.

And as part of the scheme a child-friendly boulder climbing is also being put in by the current playpark.

The boulders have been paid for by the County Council, Section 106 monies and local County Councillor Malcolm Robinson through his Member’s Small Schemes fund.

The boulders will complement the range of improvements to the park’s visitor centre, also supported by Cllr Robinson, which include an enlarged cafe area, modernised kitchen and improved serving area and new toilets.

Councillor John Riddle, cabinet member for environment, farming and rural, said: “We are committed to ensuring our parks and green spaces are well managed and maintained, and to invest in them so that they continue to be among our most popular attractions.

“We know how important our open spaces are for people’s health and wellbeing and this will be a fantastic new addition for the park, alongside our refurbished and improved visitor centre and toilet facilities.”

The climbing structures have been designed to look realistic and provide a range of different holds and routes for climbers and non-climbers of all abilities to have a go at the growing sport of ‘bouldering’.

Bedlington West County Councillor Malcolm Robinson said: “This is going to be a great new feature for this wonderful park, and it’s something I’ve been keen to support through funding.

“Plessey Woods is so popular with residents and visitors and we hope that this exciting new free-to-access facility will allow non-climbers to get involved, helping them to keep fit as well as attracting those already involved in the sport that want to practice and improve their skills in a safe outdoor environment.”

NCC...........these days!

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 10:31:03 +0000

https://www.youtube.com/live/jn8AXLt35io...

I think what happened at the end of yesterday’s full council meeting was ridiculous!

I had questions to ask, if not include in debate, as was put forward by the chair but after he railed against Councillor Hill he then went straight to a vote?

That’s why I felt I had to vote against, not enough explanation and cutting any debate from members about how we operate within NCC was a step too far!

This is after being told not to contact officers directly and now receiving no paperwork for agendas.

Looking at the proposals for the Corporate Services and Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny committee it looks like we have had our wings firmly clipped! The red strike through are what’s been taken out!

This strikes me as another example of manipulation to the deterioration of me being able to work effectively for NCC and my residents!

One thing for sure now is that I will be pushing to get better transparency and accountability into this system of local government!

New facility hopefully at West Lea.

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 16:47:15 +0000

Malcolm Robinson Bedlington West Ward.

I’ve been told I need to expand and better explain my post about the proposed project at West Lea.

(Well that makes a change from people saying I’m too verbose!)

The project I’m promoting, and have been for some years now, is to see a multifunctional facility at West Lea, next to the cemetery. We need a community centre and we need some sporting facilities so why not get them both in one hit, because in all likelihood we will only get one chance at this.

That’s why there are questions in the survey about both sports usage and community usage. I’m also keen to see some SEND provision so that’s why that is in too!

Also outside I want the full sized pitch restored to level and with drainage, which will help with, or give access for, some drainage for the path. Beyond that two junior pitches installed. With new changing rooms etc. in the new building this will be the best pitch in Bedlington and have decent facilities for our youngsters coming through.

I’ve identified a funding route and have a small group of people who are willing to manage it, namely the Bedlingtonshire Development Trust. They have even agreed to do the training necessary so NCC will consider them suitable. Big thanks to each and every one of them for their commitment!

I asked a month or two ago for some ‘likes’ to a post I put out about this in an effort to gauge some public support. What came back was about double what NCC get to their consultations and that enabled me to silence the NCC doubters and press through onto the next level. This time it’s a full feasibility study because we have to prove it’s needed, wanted and sustainable.

That will be based off the replies to the survey and that’s why I need as many people as possible to fill it in!

This isn’t just about the West End of Town or the Top End its for the whole of Bedlington so please fill it in if you would support it wherever you live.

Let’s get behind something positive for a change and let’s start to address the lack of facilities investment into the Bedlington for the past few decades!

Click the link and fill the survey in......about 2-3 mins!

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx...

Bedlington Miners Picnic.

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:58:43 +0000

Hi I am going a bit nostalgic here, it seems like Bedlington does not hold the Northumberland Miners Picnic anymore, as this was one of the highlights of the year in Bedlington, what with the brass bands, the Scotch pipers along with the thousands of people lining the streets of the town, it must have been a economic gold mine for the town.

Along with the banners and the speeches at Atlee Park of leading members of the Miners Union and leading Labour politicians of the time, In fact I got Harold Wilson autograph as Prime Minister when he attended one year as I was a paper boy so got past the policeman on the door as I had to deliver the papers Harold Wilson was polite and he signed my autograph book for me.

Also we had the Shows were many a fun time was had and it was reasonably cheep I can imagine there would be some archive pictures of those days happy memory's indeed.

Those were the days my friends.

Malcolm G Allan.

Reply back to Councillor Malcolm Robinson.

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:36:40 +0000

Thanks for your reply Malcolm, as I now live in Glastonbury which have tried alternative ways of Community involvement in alternative economic ways from developing a successful Rural Credit Union, Mendip Community Credit Union, which is a savings and borrowing financial organisation run by its members for it's members, also what has been tried are Local Exchange Trading Systems (LETS) along with Edgar Cahn Timebanks were you exchange time for work done so that it more equitable than capital as no interest or charges are involved.

Bedlington Terriers should have used a accountant from either the Co-operative or Social Enterprise sector to get their accounts delivered on time to Companies House, is it possible to declare Bedlington Terriers as a Community Asset? Is it the Welfare Park the ground of Bedlington Terriers also have they lobbied the Big football clubs in the North-East for any financial support I am sure they could spare a bob or two to keep Bedlington Terriers financially afloat for the coming football seasons ahead.

Have the Councils formed into Unitary bodies as they have done in Somerset so there are now no District Councils they are now part of Somerset County Council and like all Councils due to the cutback on the Central Government Local Authorities Grant increase making Town Councils like Glastonbury to increase Council Tax precepts thus making the local population rally against the Town Council because of the increase Council Tax charges with in some cases a decrease in services provided as the local authority have not got the financial budgets to meet the demand.

Yours in the Out of the Box thinking.

Malcolm.

Reply back to Councillor Malcolm Robinson.

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:31:15 +0000

Yours in the Out of the Box thinking.

Malcolm.

Bedlington Investment

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 16:32:16 +0000

Hi when I was young living in Bedlington 1950s/60s Bedlington Council was rated as one of the best run Councils in the country, it seems since the amalgamation of Bedlington with Wansbeck that amount of capital investment towards Bedlington did not meet the requirements of improving the town a great deal.

Bedlington used to have an open air swimming pool at Humford in the good care of Wilf Marley this acted as a social hub and a place to keep fit even though the water could be a bit cold sometimes and yet still Bedlington waits for a swimming pool maybe a Community right to build could be put forward to Northumberland County Council for the benefit of all ages of the Bedlington population.

Yours in the Spirit of Co-operation.

Malcolm G Allan.

Bedders.........

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 13:17:05 +0000

First one:

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/fury-northumberland-line-station-delay-32011486?fbclid=IwY2xjawLZ-UBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBVRDlnYnl0NVZWekc1Y3NkAR7Dd-pkV5BoAwCDM8In2oJ-nZLVQwqdJn42ln4AuB9nl9nZgnDxcCOarlsbug_aem_pxynPYlhOs_k1bJAbfj1fg

Follow up:

So I’m getting a bit of flack about the comments I made in the press about the rail station situation here in Bedlington and the fact that this town has been overlooked for decades!

Let’s just put it in perspective:

Starting with the station, about 6-7 years ago I stood on the old platform with the then Government minister when the reopening of the lines was being discussed and he said with what we already had this was going to be the easiest station to get reopened!

I was at one of the original presentations about reopening the rail line and we were told in no uncertain terms that if the costs couldn’t be brought down to around the £100M mark then it wouldn’t go ahead. They were currently about £160M at the time. The Bedlington station project was estimated at around £20M

One of the reasons this was wanted, as stated, was it could open up about 10,000 new housing units. Also it would kick-start economic regeneration around these new stations.

I’ve asked about this fantastic economic regeneration, which I think is a no brainer, and was told oh yes you are getting a café.

Fast forward a few years and the cost is around £300M, so someone somewhere made that decision! Shades of HS2 here?

The new station at Newsham goes £20M+ over budget and the Bedlington station gets moth balled for a year. Coincidence?

We hear about structural problems and unexpected anomalies here is Bedlington, wasn’t there a comprehensive engineering assessment done when the contract was awarded? Are there penalty clauses in the contract?

We now see further delays due to……………..errm we haven’t been told but I can guess!

Parking is going to be an issue but the main car park which was envisioned at the planning application stage has been ‘put on hold’ for up to 10 years to assess the need for it. In my opinion it’s as if even when we get a new station they don’t want people to come and use it? Other places get 200+ new parking places, we get something like 20 odd including electric and disabled ones.

Even just this quick overview, is anyone really going to say we have been treated in the same way other places have?

And that’s before we get onto the Town centre debacle and the other multitude of examples………..

NCC

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 10:08:10 +0000

Full council meeting today and many people won’t be aware that all members have been told not to contact NCC officers directly. In fact we now have to submit any problems, concerns or suggestions we raise on behalf of residents to a generic email address which is supposed to be answered within 10 days.

I don’t feel that allows me to do my ‘job’ properly on behalf of my residents! In fact I think it’s a retrograde step taken by who I don’t know.

Now there might well be valid reasons behind this but as yet I haven’t been informed and even if my suspicions are correct then this really does interfere with the way I do this ‘job’.

I have quite a few ‘issues’ which residents have been onto me about and I have expressed them directly to the responsible officers but it seems I haven’t had the normal relies which always used to be the case. I can only assume they have been told not to reply to any member questions either?

This isn’t going to work and the Independent Group, which I’m now part of within NCC, is fighting this, what seems to me at least, to be an irrational decision!

I like to get back to any of my residents who contact me as soon as possible with a reply to their concerns but this is seriously hampering that!

There are other wholesale changes going through which again need to be challenged but the above is the main bone of contention for me!

At today's full council meeting.

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 18:33:57 +0000

I was almost unable to speak today at full council and this time it was passion not being forbidden to speak!

I’m used to having a fight with the Administration to get anything for Bedlington, I hope today is the last time I have to have a go at the new bunch of councillors!

The motion they put forward was badly constructed but there was one bit which I couldn’t contain myself about. If it had gone through then about 6 years of my time and efforts would be wasted with Bedlington losing millions of pound of funding.

I couldn’t let that happen and so I had to say something:

https://www.youtube.com/live/xi5sxPcTWWI?si=rWWEKF9yA76ksl0j&t=6171

House Fire Forster Avenue

Fri, 19 Jul 2013 07:33:22 +0000

http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/mother-child-escape-inferno-bedlington-5145056

Election 2025

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 15:14:26 +0000

Just to keep everyone updated.......here is my 'application' for County Councillor.

So we have a full list of candidates for the NCC Bedlington West Ward seat and it looks like an election has had its starter gate opened with claims, counter claims, spin and misdirection already!

As I have said the only promise I give is to continue to do my best for the ward, so more of the same if you like!

Like any job applicant a CV would seem an obvious starting option.

So here are the main points in mine:

As a resident I wasn’t happy with the way our Town’s needs had been ignored for decades so as a private individual I decided to try and do something about that. You don’t really need a position but you do need a commitment and some level of understanding as to how the system works.

Set up the Bedlingtonshire Development Trust.

Worked with NCC to get the sports pavilion at Gallagher Park.

Ran a Fields in Trust campaign after getting Gallagher Park qualified as a QE11 Park and won a national award!

Did the training in counselling skills so I could interact confidentially with people on a one to one basis.

Completed training in procurement, project management, VCS development, planning training and others which I thought would be beneficial.

Got the funding for and ran a Heritage themed event with Leading Link, which we had to go to Manchester and receive a commendation for.

I had to go to Blyth Sports Centre and push in to argue with the Olympic Torch Committee for Bedlington to be included in their processional route so our kids could see it pass too. This after NCC said no! With Richard from Salvation Army and Lyn from Leading Link we had over 5000 people lining a very wet Front Street that day!

Bedlington Terrier seats……..my design and my project with the money made paying for Xmas lunches for our seniors and support for our food banks.

In May 2013 I was elected as a Town Councillor.

The chevron parking on Glebe Road, my idea to stop the double parking there so others could pass. My project through the Town Council.

New footpath down to Attlee Park, to stop the need for pedestrians having to step out on the main road. Again my project through the Town Council.

After lacklustre and aimless two years under Labour control, which was more about claiming the council to be a Labour one instead of actually doing things, I was elected to the chair of the Town Council. What happened in the next two years was more than had happened at any time before!

New Bus shelters throughout.

Street furniture painted gold and green.

Two new play parks at West Lea and Meadowdale.

New Town Gateway features, which I designed and oversaw the project.

Started on the discussions with a local resident who made sun dials internationally, but who couldn’t get one in their home town. Now in the Market Place!

We bought the two new commemorative seats which now sit behind the War Memorial after I did the research and costing.

Restarted the Town Fair and held it on the street.

First to put on a show for the Xmas Lights switch on.

Put in the original three defibrillators onto the street after the existing NCC Councillors refused to back them.

Brought in a REDUCTION to the Town Council tax charge, the only one to ever manage that and do everything (plus) listed above. No wonder we got phone calls from all over asking how on earth we had done it.

Then in 2017 I was elected to County Council.

I said “I’m drawing a line in the sand…….we don’t go backwards from here!”

First job get a light controlled crossing next to the COOP because it was gravely needed!

All main roads into my ward area resurfaced.

I recorded every pot hole in the ward and sent in the lists.

I also had to stand up to what had happened at Arch and Active Northumberland to try and bring some resolution after unbelievably bad independent audits.

Covid hit and while everyone else hid under the blankets I was running around dropping food parcels off because the government essentially locked up elderly people for 12 weeks! I made sure the ones I knew in my ward had something at least once a week.

I got the 100’s of food parcels from the Salvation Army so I raised money for our food banks to make sure I wasn’t taking out more than I put it!

West Lea Cemetery needs a special mention:

First try and sort out the flooding issues which saw flooding on the children’s graves. Cleaned out the main culvert pipe which runs alongside the western side of the cemetery.

Next the road inside the Cemetery needed resurfacing.

Helped set up the Friends of West Lea Cemetery group.

Did the D Day commemorative plaque at the side of the entrance.

Renovated the old derelict hut which stands in there for a base for the Friends of West Lea Cemetery.

Flooding reoccurred so I had to fight for new field drains fitted at the lowest bit on the South side.

Did the Covid plaque at the other side of the entrance.

Garden of Remembrance needed sorting out.

The path between the cemetery and St Bennies needed sorting out too so QE11 Memorial Path, again after Bedlington not planned to get one. Now we have the best!

New railings along the Front.

Worked with Cemeteries management to turn the look of this cemetery around. It’s a popular place to visit these days and the Garden of Remembrance is now filled with flowers on tended plots.

Plessey Woods needs a mention too.

Went down 8 years ago and spoke to the staff there and saw it was only been used by a few dog walkers.

Lobbied for the money to get the new playground done as well as path repairs etc. I got the funding on the proviso that I increased visitor numbers

Put on events (children’s and adults) to get people there so they could see what was on offer.

Argued for the extra parking area because it was proving that popular now.

Had to get double yellow lines outside to stop the indiscriminate parking along Shields Road.

Set up a Friends of Plessy Woods group.

Continually argued for café and toilets upgrades which are now planned for end of this summer.

Came up with the idea of Climbing Boulders as a way of attracting more people down there. Worked on the design, costs and siting with manufacturers and park managers. Should see them soon!

More events in the pipeline for this park!

Road speeds are an issue in several places, first one to tackle, Hazelmere. The internal roads have now gone to 20 MPH.

Also the B1331 as it passes four school entrances……now 20 MPH after being told it wasn’t going to happen!

New path opposite Hartford Hall, again after being told it wouldn’t happen.

Had to fight to get Bedlington into the mix for a PlayZone but we were eventually. Then loads of fences and hoops to jump to get it actually built. Now being built at West Lea. The first new build leisure facility in Bedlington I can remember!

I’ve also had to tackle house builders on behalf of residents and we have residents meetings with them (I’d like to say regularly but………) so problems can be worked out and residents made aware of what’s going to happen. Sensible communications is very often the key!

I have documented just about every aspect to this ‘job’ over the last 8 years even to the point of being referred to solicitors when it doesn’t suit one party’s narrative!

I’ve told everyone what’s going on, what’s about to happen and the reasons behind the way I’ve voted on most issues.

I can’t think of any resident who has been in touch and who I’ve not responded to. We might not get the answer we wanted but all concerns have been forwarded to the right place.

In short this is the sort of stuff I’ve been doing for the last 8 years, a lot of which aren’t really the remit of a councillor but hey it’s Bedlington, someone has to do something!

This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means, and for more examples in much greater detail take a look at the Historical Factoids I posted on my Facebook page: “Malcolm Robinson Bedlington West Ward.”

If you vote for me it’s not difficult to work out what you will get! Trying to inject some common sense into the county council instead of the political spin and gyrations of the Political Party’s!

‘Residents First’ because I don’t have a political party to promote and gain benefit for, so the only people who tell me what to say and do are my residents.

We don’t go backwards and we don’t leave anyone behind!

It’s that simple really!

Latest on Tesco site development

Sun, 21 May 2017 07:16:54 +0000

Any word on whats happening at the Tesco site - last I heard there was a planning application in which was due to be heard in March but I've seen nothing since.

Arch set up http://www.investinginbedlington.co.uk/ to keep us all informed about their wonderful work but the last update on the Tesco redevelopment (aside from a piece about naming the place) was back in February.

I noticed when driving past the other day there are building materials stacked up in the compound - any idea whats going to be complete by when?