Bedlington update.........

Following on from the article about sports and leisure provision in Bedlington (21st Now 2011) I can report a steering group has been set up to investigate and try to deliver major improvements at the Gallagher Park site. Composed of representatives from Northumberland County Council, Friends of Gallagher Park, Bedlington Community Forum and the Bedlingtonshire Development Trust the inaugural meeting of this steering group took place on 11/01/2012, at the Dr Pit Park pavilion.

As someone who has always criticised councils of whatever persuasion when I felt they were at fault I find myself now praising the group of officers involved with this initiative for their commitment, professionalism and eagerness to address what has really been an open running sore for the Bedlington community for so long, a lack of any sort of provision in this area.

Using the recently completed community questionnaire the Trust organised, a set of short term and longer term objectives will be identified and progress towards their implementation will be benchmarked.

Whilst no promises can be given, unlike the litany of broken promises we have had in the past about possible developments here, the fact that committed community groups are principle drivers in this project should mean no stone is left unturned in this effort.

Of course this is probably the very worst time economically to even contemplate such an initiative, with budget reductions and austerity cuts across the whole swath of community ventures, but keeping an open and optimistic mind frame and a willingness to put in the work will mean we might even get a chance to pull something off.

Having asked NCC for a fair crack at this without prejudice, it looks like that is exactly what we have been given. To paraphrase the old BUDC motto and with a bit of literary licence"¦"¦..