April 24, 201214 yr Hi to everybody, not Bedlington born but lived here nearly 40 years, allotment holder, Toon supporter, and interested in the history of the 1960's mini cooper.Take great pride in reminding the press, and TV producers , that the North East Of England isn't in Yorkshire..My latest gripe has been the representation of celebrity chefs, representing the North East Of England, on the cookery programme the Great British Menu.The judge for this particular episode was from Linconshire, one chef came from Lancashire, another chef from Yorkshire, and the third chef was based in Kent!!!!, I have contacted the BBC complaints department, to say that I felt that the contestants did not represent the North East, and they could have considered chefs from Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and Durham, there must be some great chefs in the North East, so let's see them.Hardy
April 24, 201214 yr Great stuff Hardy....................keep up the good work!My particular gripe is that the North of England starts at Nottingham for most southerners and Leeds might as well be next to Scotland!
April 24, 201214 yr To most southerners England ends within eyesight of the Thames and the north is Luton, Hardy I am also interested in Coopers what would you pay for a pristine example ??
April 25, 201214 yr Author Have to come clean, I was born in Chesham Bucks. However, have lived in Bedlington a lot longer than down South, only miss my old friends and family.My interest in mini coopers started with my first employment, I took an apprenticeship with a Car conversion company called Alexander Engineering they were a Haddenham (Oxfordshire) based company, I'm still in touch with an old working colleague, that's from nearly 50 years ago.Brian, I think a decent Mk1 mini would set you back at least £6-7k, if you like mini coopers have a look on the web site "Mk1 performance " I blog under the name of Uncle Bernie.Hey guys, look forward to further chats, will let you know how I get on with the BBC complaints departmentHardy
April 25, 201214 yr Welcome Hardy. As a classic car enthusiast I am also a Mini fan (owned 7,but never a Cooper) and in my contributions to a supercar and classic website included the Cooper in an 'Affordable Classic Car' wanted list... here http://www.thecarlabs.com/most-wanted-classic-cars-part-1/
April 25, 201214 yr ... have lived in Bedlington a lot longer than down South, only miss my old friends and family.Hardythen I think we can make you an 'honorary Bedlingtonian'.
April 25, 201214 yr Have to come clean, I was born in Chesham Bucks. However, have lived in Bedlington a lot longer than down South, only miss my old friends and family.My interest in mini coopers started with my first employment, I took an apprenticeship with a Car conversion company called Alexander Engineering they were a Haddenham (Oxfordshire) based company, I'm still in touch with an old working colleague, that's from nearly 50 years ago.Brian, I think a decent Mk1 mini would set you back at least £6-7k, if you like mini coopers have a look on the web site "Mk1 performance " I blog under the name of Uncle Bernie.Hey guys, look forward to further chats, will let you know how I get on with the BBC complaints departmentHardy Thanks for the info Hardy ta mate
May 21, 201214 yr Author Hi, EverbodyAn update on my recent rant with the BBC complaints department re no North East chefs on The Great British Menu programme, they replied "we will come back to you" I'm still waitng!!!, I also asked why the chefs cooked with Foie Gras, their reply, was a great body swerve around an answer, " you ask, will our chefs continue to cook with Foie Gras that decision lies entirely with them as professional chefs" So in other words go away.Hardy
June 6, 201214 yr Author Has anyone been to the halfpenny woods lately?, great idea to install gym equipment along the pathway. However, the yobs have already had a go at the equipment, would be nice to see more rubbish bins, perhaps halfway up the pathway.Hopefully the council will not let the area be spoilt by fly tippers, and the vandals, they should act now......
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