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Not even going to waste minutes of my life going there Malc! He's an immediate turn-off when he shows up on TV. An out-of-touch elitist fool is the very best that can be said about him. That, of course, explains why he's so jolly popular with our moral guardians at The Ministry of Truth - the Beeb! Yet another notch in the long campaign to scrap the licence fee. Hit the b**(^%s where it hurts - no, not there - in the pocket!

Interesting this development has been approved without any need to place in papers or notify more than 9 residents! No wonder there was no objections! http://publicaccess.northumberland.gov.uk/online-applications/files/4C36A3EBDF742338024CD4EDEADB128D/pdf/14_04131_FUL-OFFICER_REPORT-424114.pdf

http://publicaccess.northumberland.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=NIRY9EQSGPK00 There has been an application for change of use to D1 to be occupied by "vets4pets" and a shop front with ATM! http://publicaccess.northumberland.gov.uk/online-applications/files/529013ED09D56AD4ED12518AE881AF64/pdf/15_00228_COU-COVERING_LETTER-429959.pdf "D1 Non-residential institutions - Clinics, health centres, crèches, day nurseries, day centres, schools, art galleries (other than for sale or hire), museums, libraries, halls, places of worship, church halls, law court. Non residential education and training centres".

I didn't expect you to agree with any, so I'm gratified. The BBC has a special role as the state broadcaster. You can't opt out of funding them. There has always been special trust placed in them. But, I'm one of an increasing number of people who believe that they are betraying that trust and pursing the agenda of an over class. My argument is not for abolishing them, but putting broadcasting on a level playing field. How do you feel about the license fee? There are going to have to be some changes, but - like most things - decisions have been kicked down the road (until 2017). Interesting that you mention the Cuban Missile crisis at this time. Are you aware that you likely came within 50 miles of a Russian nuclear warhead the other day? Far closer than at any time in the cold war! And... the Greens and SNP demand abolishing our nuclear deterrent, which kept us safe through the last century! The Greens also want us to "end our special relationship with the USA". Doh! Animal Farm? Oh, I think the Pigs have been running the farm for a very long time now. Time for the people's turn again!

Say as you find Maggie! Hardly abuse, or personal. He's actually a Cultural Marxist; so OK, I take fool back - he's no fool, he simply takes others as fools! He's fully entitled to his opinions, but he takes my money, and represents a distorted view of the world to my kids, and the rest of the nation, as the norm. He can have all the young male consenting "totty" he wants, but he's not entitled to represent it as either normal behaviour, or tell me I must approve of it! In fact originally I rather liked him, but he's changed, and not me. It's not simply his flaunting his sexuality as some sort of superior state of being, it's his other elitist attitudes. We've come along way from sticking Oscar Wilde in Reading Jail, and all of that is undeniably for the better. But, in an increasing number of cases these days the tolerance now shown is not reciprocated, instead it is capitalised upon. He comes across very snide and condescending, and I wouldn't accept that in a heterosexual, so I'm not making excuses for him because he's a homosexual - which apparently is what I'm required to do by the BBC thought police. Unlike the BBC I think that any form of discrimination is wrong, so I simply don't accept their doctrine of positive discrimination. This is just one of many reasons why the formerly balanced BBC is past its sell-by-date. It always had element of elitism, but it was a benign and inclusive elitism that aimed to enlighten and promote a national purpose. It was pretty much apolitical, and on the rare occasions it strayed over the line sharp corrections were administered and all were happy. These days all pretence of that has gone. The audiences don't appreciate the morph because it has been gradually introduced in the name of progress. It's not progress - it's bloody frightening, and wide open to exploitation by a future totalitarian government. Paranoia? I think not! One thing Nick Clegg is right about is to be very very worried about what is presently being enacted in the name of national security. If the same subversion of tradition values is applied to national government as has already been enacted at the BBC, Winston Smith will be reciting 2 + 2 = 5 and believing it before the BBC hits its centenary.

We need a viable shopping centre. It seems local landlords and local councillors have 'messed up' big time. If the buildings are not fit for purpose then things have to change. Investment in Gallagher Park Etc is all very well but we need local shops that provide us with more than the essentials. Why should we need to go elsewhere. Governments emphasis the need to walk and keep healthy. Can we say in the future ' I am just off walking to the shops', in reality there will be no shops. Why is it that we find more variety in Guidepost or Bedlington Station? If it is simply that people cannot see the big picture, then they need to be educated. Come on councillors, landlords and developers. It seems to me that everyone is holding their breath waiting for better times. Is that why developments are started and not finished or not started at all. Maybe land banking until investment appears. Bedlington is important. We can rise from the ashes of this dark age.

This is a gross generalisation. Yes, there are some pretty optimistic figures quoted from some as pointed out above but anybody with an ounce of commercial sense would negotiate on these and put forward the business case for a lower rent. If somebody was to offer a full asking rent with no negotiation whatsoever then I suspect any landlord would rather not want this tenant. There are legal fees and other costs associated with all new tenancies after all. A prospective tenant that can't even negotiate on one of their fundamental costs probably won't stay in business longer than 6 months. This seems like a good way of filtering out the non viable businesses to me. For reasons of balance and after a declaration of interest... http://www.rightmove.co.uk/commercial-property-for-sale/property-44354767.html

So with all of these new homes, builders have to pay the council vast sums for local investment. Local meaning Ashington as we all know. Investment in schools such as the West End (or even replacement of) is essential, but this money will be swallowed up elsewhere, leaving bedlington without. And all of these extra homes means extra council tax, again we'll not see much of that come out way either. There is certainly not much going for Bedlington as we've been let down time after time by local MPs and councils. Mr Lavery, that's you. Speaking to people around the town I know I'm not the only one to be thinking sod this, time to up sticks and move somewhere that invests in its residents rather than siphon cash from one town to an under privileged neighbour....again.