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Last night at about mid-night i was awoken by a helicopter hovering over my street (HollyMount Square) i looked out the window and saw a police car and a ambulance, the helicopter was a police one. I was just wondering if anybody know what had happened?

I would just like to say this man was found guilty in a legal court of law and sentenced to how ever many years of jail and then he was released on compassionate grounds but if one of us were convicted of the same crime in his home country we would have been beheaded or worse very soon after the conviction, no chance of compassionate release.

Apparently the lads called joe,and will be wearing a checky, red shirt.

Working out of the town is strange. I rarely get the opportunity to convene with some of the finer aspects of the town that make it the curious place that it is. Bedlington Business Fayre, however, today gave me the opportunity to see an assembly of all the finest things that the town has to offer. Or so I hoped. Advertised as being open from 12.00-4.00, myself and MrVic popped along this afternoon to view the fineries in the huge marquee to the rear of Tesco. Some of the area's finest were there the nice hairdresser with the funny name on the front street was there with a team of ladies and my favourite sandwich shop/ deli/ buffet purveyor (The Shop at Bomarsund) was on hand to provide us with lovely cakes and pizza. Another baker-type was there (possibly Wrights) and there was face painting and firemen. 2 local travel companies were out showing their services while many of the other traders seemed to be selling "craft" type items, ranging from the beautiful to the bizarre! all very nice. The majority of the stalls, however, appeared to be business initiatives, training providers and employment services, each apparent by their very fancy looking display boards, posh leaflets and well-dressed representative who seemed more interested in back-slapping with the wandering designates in suits than in answering questions of Bedlingtonians. It seems obscene that what could be a fantastic adverting opportunity for small traders in the area to remind local consumers of their presence, has been taken over by government/ charity funded organisations who want to network with others in the field. Surely if this is an event for local businesses, this is what it should remain? Our time at the BBF was not long, 15 minutes in total. Out of this 5 was spent at the nice deli stall, and 5 stroking a tiny pony, both were great, but there is much more to the town than this. shame the networking-set seem to want to overshadow it every time.

That's little surprise, Vic, given that it was organised and presented by Go Wansbeck. As someone who has been on the receiving end of much welcomed help from one of these business initiatives, allowing me - as you know - to set up in business and get off my dole-expanded !*!@# , it is perhaps no surprise either that I support their stance. Attending would have been a bonus for them - 'another local boy done good thanks to us' - but pointless to me as my clients are mainly abroad and I don't go anywhere other than the pub for less than £30 an hour these days. I suspect also that the recent pandering to Tesco's, a blight on a small town such as this if there ever was one, which has seen a number of outlets along the market place section rendered dead buried, is not a great advertisment for Bedlington as a town geared towards 'local businesses'.

Sorry Neil! Forgot to mention the Terriers presence! Well done Terriers... though didn't see you making an appearance yourself!!

Must agree with the above, our stall for Bedlington Terriers FC was one of very few who actually represented something in Bedlington. Friends of Gallagher Park, Confetti, Looking Good and one or two others were about it. With the forum being offered as an opportunity to local businesses and organisations at no cost - it was a good idea - just a shame so few took up the opportunity.