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Malcolm Robinson
Following on from the HSBC "˜desertion' we now see the Lloyds TSB branch in Bedlington is on the "˜get rid of' list otherwise called "Project Verde". "˜'Project Merde"˜' more like as this could leave our Town without a banking presence on our high street, something which always calls into question the credibility of any small Town.
Who have we to thank for this intrusion, none other than the European Union who "˜Dictated' that Lloyds TSB has to shed 620 branches in the name of greater banking competition within the UK. Greater competition is all fine and dandy and the spoiler is always that it is in the interest of the customer but in this case how can that be true?
It could be that a group such as the Co-Op bank or even Virgin Money (AKA, Northern Rock and wouldn't that be an intriguing possibility after multi-millionaire Applegarth closed our Rock branch not so long ago in pursuit of his unsustainable financial dreams!) takes them or some over.
Whatever happens there is one group of people who have never been consulted; us, the punters, the customers, the great unwashed, which seems a bit of an oversight as all this is being done, supposedly, in our interests. You have to wonder if these decision makers ever come out of their ivory towers and actually mingle with "˜normal' people, I'm not even sure they are on the same planet!
Malcolm Robinson
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"¦"¦..


De profundis lumen venit.

Malcolm Robinson
The Christmas tree standing in the middle of the Market Place in Bedlington has just been subjected to a senseless act of vandalism. Whilst walking up the street last week, a group of our finest young ladies were seen by a couple to be trying to rip off the lighting strings. After remonstrating with these young ladies and asking why they were behaving in such a mindless way the couple reported their encounter so an inspection of the damage could be carried out. This has now been done and several strings have been damaged with the result that none of the lights in those strings work now. Great start to the festive period!
The point is that these lights along with the tree and other displays have all been bought by the parish ratepayers of West Bedlington who now face a possible extra cost for damages. That will undoubtedly include the parents of the very people who have caused the damage, as well as the rest of us of course! Hopefully the CCTV cameras in the Market Place will have caught the people involved and restitution can be sought once the culprits have been identified!
This beckons a further question concerning public Xmas lighting in general. Having just read a report which outlines the facts that in an age and an area where energy impoverishment is a real issue, agreements on carbon neutrality and energy price inflation are all factors can we really justify such displays of extravagant use of energy? No doubt the first council who takes this argument to its logical conclusion will be accused of unnecessary Dickensian austerity!
The report also mentioned the fact that whilst our rural areas in the North and West could well be in darkness soon the prevalence of criminality in the South East of the county could well be a reason why the lights stay on here. Maybe I should rejig the first two paragraphs"¦"¦"¦"¦"¦"¦
Malcolm Robinson

Sad Day.

By Malcolm Robinson, in News,

Whilst the You Tube video (
) the Bedlingtonshire Development Trust produced to promote the pride local people felt in their heritage has been universally acclaimed, and even shortlisted for an award in a national competition, it is now tinged with sadness. The person who took the Egyptian pictures of his friends alongside the Pyramids and the Sphinx, has been shot and killed in the recent pro-democracy demonstrations in Cairo's Tahrir Square.
Without knowing the full details of why this young, vibrant and fun loving life has been snuffed out the Trust would like to extend its sympathy to the family and friends who have been so needlessly effected.
Malcolm Robinson
The North of England Civic Trust, as part of Bedlington Townscape Heritage Initiative, is holding an event celebrating National Maintenance Week. This will take place at St Cuthbert's Church in Bedlington from 10-11.30am on Friday 25th November 2011.
Jonathan Foyle, of the BBC's "˜Climbing Great Buildings', Chief Executive of the World Monuments Fund Britain and patron of the North East Heritage Skills Initiative, is leading SPAB's 10th annual National Maintenance Week campaign. Together with Sara Crofts, SPAB Lethaby Scholar and Project Director of Faith in Maintenance, he will talk about the importance of regular maintenance of all properties, regardless of age, scale or purpose. Having enjoyed a bird's eye view of a number of the UK's most iconic historic structures, including their roofs and gutters, Jonathan is uniquely placed to discuss the importance of regular maintenance on National Gutters Day!
The programme will be:
· High level gutter cleaning demonstration by Heritage Consolidation Ltd from 10:00 "“ 10:45am
· Jonathan Foyle and Sara Crofts talk from 10.45 - 11:30am.
· Refreshments provided.
More information on National Maintenance Week from: http://www.maintainy...rg.uk/index.php
Or telephone 0207 377 1644 or write to SPAB, 37 Spital Square, London E1 6DY.

Malcolm Robinson
The Police have organised a Family Fun Day with the underlying message of road safety. The event will be held on the car park opposite the library. This is the one just above the Day Centre opposite Morrison's. It will take place 26th November from 11.00am "“ 3.00pm and promises to be a great day out for young and old.
Several of our own local groups and traders will be there and the guys at SNRG will be providing the music and presentations.
With free winter safety checks on vehicles, learner driver advice, a driving simulator as well as dodgems and a children's track ride, all ages will be catered for.
This promises to be a fun event so fingers crossed for the weather and well done to the Bedlington police who have taken the initiative and put this on for the community!
Download the poster for more information.........
event poster.pdf
Malcolm Robinson
The Bedlingtonshire Development Trust have produced a YouTube video which they hope goes viral. Aimed at promoting themselves and the Town the video uses the recent Bedlington Heritage Guide and has people standing in front of world renowned landmarks with a copy. They have people taking part in Italy to Egypt, from New York to Paris, from Switzerland to South America, from Japan to Germany and many other destinations in between.
Read the full article on the Journal website

Malcolm Robinson
After the success of the initial Bedlington neighbourhood online PACT (Police And Communities Together) meeting, Northumbria Police are holding another one on Thursday 24 November, 2011 from 7:00pm - 9:00pm.
This project is to allow members of the public to ‘speak’ to officers from the comfort of their own homes. This useful interactive tool allows people to raise concerns, ask questions and generally get to know and possibly influence policing policy.
To take part or just see what it is about, go to’
http://www.northumbr...nline/index.asp
BedlingtonTerriersFC
Despite falling behind to a 2 goal deficit, Bedlington Terriers fought back on their first visit to Heritage Park to win the game 3-2.
A early double by Johnson had put the hosts into the lead but 6 minutes before half time, Peter Snowden got his head to a cross by Tommy English to pull a goal back. On the stroke of half time, Richard Flynn got his head to another English set piece, this time a free kick to level the scores up.
The visitors took the lead after 62 minutes when another set piece from English was scored by Richard Flynn to turn the game around and put the visitors into the lead.
Thats how the game finished with Bedlington Terriers coming away with a deserved 3-2 win.


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