Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
Bedlington.uk

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

News

Town Plans Ambitious Christmas Celebration

Plans include turning a small number of unused retail outlets into "˜pop-up shops' for the week, with Christmas markets, an acoustic "˜live lounge' and community workshops amongst the programme.
There will also be events on the Market Place, including carol singing from local schools and the annual lights switch on.
The charity is looking to involve Bedlington traders in the ambitious 'Light up Bedlington' umbrella project, in order to offer residents and visitors from across the region the opportunity to celebrate the start of the Christmas period in the town in style.
Lyn Horton, manager of Leading Link, said: "We are a small charity which believes in big projects, and this is turning out to be one of our most ambitious projects to date."
"Bedlington is an area which often sits in the shadows of its neighbours and "˜Light up Bedlington' week is a fantastic opportunity to showcase everything that the town has to offer."
"From schools and community groups, to traders, young people and their families getting involved, this will be one of the town's biggest Christmas celebrations of the last five years."
The week will culminate with an array of family fun and entertainment on the Market Place on Wednesday 26th November, with the official switching on of the Bedlington Christmas lights.
The community celebration, which will run from 4pm-6pm, will feature live entertainment, children's fun fair rides, a local enterprise market, hot food and drink and a chance to visit Santa's Grotto.
As well as all of this, Leading Link are once again giving local people in the town the opportunity to decide who officially switches on the Christmas lights as part of the event.
Last year's 'Xmas Lights Factor' took the town by storm, and an overwhelming 4500 votes were cast via an online poll.
The winner, with almost half of the votes, was 5 year old Holly Jones, whose story of inspiration and determination after an extremely difficult start to her life caught the hearts of the local community.
Jonny Hall, Assistant Manager of Leading Link, said: "Holly's inspirational story is in essence what the community of Bedlington is all about."
"This year we want to highlight the work of those that strive to improve the Bedlington area and so are looking for one of the town's community groups to take centre stage at the switch-on."
"If you know a charitable cause, community group or society that you think deserves to flick the giant switch in front of a packed Market Place at the celebration, then nominate them today!"
To nominate a group to switch on the lights simply fill in the form at www.leadinglink.co.uk/xmas or contact the Leading Link team on 01670 820088 to register your nomination.
The closing date for nominations is Friday 7th November, where it will be put to a public vote which decides who takes centre stage at the Bedlington Christmas Lights switch-on at the end of November.
Voting will close shortly before the event and the winner will be announced on the night.
Jonny added: "Everyone at Leading Link continues to be truly overwhelmed by community support for our ambitious plans, and we look forward to celebrating the start of the festive period together next month."
You can keep up-to-date with plans for "˜Light up Bedlington' week by following the project's mascot "˜Bedlington Ben' on Twitter (@BedlingtonBen) and Facebook (/BedlingtonBen).
jonnyhall200

Bedlington in Bloom

Made up of residents, Town Councillors, Leading Link and other community group members the group has been working to improve the aesthetics and visual impact of our Town's greener areas through various floral improvements. All have given up huge amounts of their time and it now looks like their efforts have been rewarded.
In one of the "˜specific' award categories, Chester Court Care Home won Gold in the "Best kept grounds of a care, residential or convalescent home."
Well done to all involved!
Malcolm Robinson

Pancake Row - The Sawdust Jacks

The Sawdust Jacks are a Bedlington song writing project created by John Leslie, a local Historian.
Pancake Row was a terraced row of cottages on Sheepwash Bank, just above The Angler's Arms. They are no longer there.
In the early 1900s, a tragic incident happened there when a jealous lover murdered his girlfriend and then shot himself. The girlfriend was a barmaid in The Shakespeare Pub, Guidepost.
The Sawdust Jacks have over 20 videos of their songs on You Tube and you can use this link to view Pancake Row


UJAY

New pedestrian gateway feature into Gallagher Park.

After clearing a new pedestrian access route (many thanks to the volunteers who actually did this, Irene and Keith) between the Police Station and the Gas House, there are to be several new features fitted, the largest of which has been fitted today.
Another of these features will hold the plaque the Park was awarded when it was accepted as a Queen Elizabeth 11 Park. Hopefully the other award the park won, "Most loved playing field" in England by the Fields in Trust national organisation will be displayed here too.
There will also be "˜Tombstone' markers at the other entrances to Gallagher Park and these will be fitted over the next couple of weeks.
Malcolm Robinson

Partnership delivers warm homes for Bedlington

Warm Zones have worked in partnership with Ashington based Bernicia to bring hundreds of homes up to date in energy efficiency terms.
Warm Zones are a not for profit organisation and aim to improve energy efficiency in the home, reduce fuel bills and provide a warmer, healthier home by supplying loft and cavity wall insulation. Properly insulated homes can lead to major savings on energy bills as well as other benefits such as helping to keep the householder warm and healthy.
The partnership between the two organisations enabled Warm Zones vital home insulation work to be done before Bernicia undertook the exterior refurbishment of 256 homes in Hartlands, St John's, Bothal Cottages and Burnside in Bedlington and Ashington.
The work has saved each householder, on average around £100 per year off their energy bills with an equivalent total carbon saving of a staggering 6,731 lifetime tonnes.
The projects were supported from Npower Energy Company Obligation (ECO) funding.

Warm Zones, Alan Milburn explained that the work was made easier due to the proactive partnership with Bernicia. " These homes were not the easiest of properties to insulate due to their original construction. We had to employ methods including specialist insulation extraction equipment to ensure that the property benefited from the new insulation. Having so many to do and against tight deadlines for Bernicia's renovation schedules made the task all the harder. However, our relationship with Bernicia meant that careful planning and consultations made the work go smoothly and to plan.
"We've had excellent feedback from residents and feel that we have strong links with the community and Bernicia alike. We will employ the same strategy when we look at insulating homes in Guide Post and Choppington in the coming months."
"Overall, we are all delighted at the success of this project and can look forward to using this as a benchmark for future hard to treat homes in the Northumberland area."
Steve Williams, Bernicia's Stock Investment Programme Manager agreed.
"It's great to work in true partnership with Warm Zones. We are both focused on helping make the properties more energy efficient, which is paying dividends for our tenants.
Photo shows John Leslie (WZ),Steve Williams and Bob Miller (Bernicia) and Alan Milburn (WZ)
The Warm Zones can be contacted on: 008000 199969 or text warm to 80800
HighlightsPR

Bedlington looking for Blooming Good Gardens.

A resident's group "Bedlington in Bloom" in partnership with West Bedlington Town Council is to hold a summer gardening competition for West Bedlington residents. This is the first time West Bedlington Town Council has organised a gardening competition and it wants to encourage as many residents as possible to enter. The competition is just one initiative of the Bedlington in Bloom group to help generate a real interest within the community, to enhance and improve the environment and a pride in the West Bedlington area. The group, chaired by retired resident Hugh Kerr, has a varied makeup with residents, representatives from the business and church communities as well as Town Councillors. The garden competition which is being supported by Barchester Health Care and Birchwood Nurseries of Stannington Station, is open to all West Bedlington residents, within three categories: large garden, small garden or garden area, and senior citizens or disabled person's garden. Hugh Kerr, chairman of the resident's group said, "We would like to encourage as many residents as possible to enter the competition. Judging will take place during July with a presentation of prizes taking place in autumn. This is a real opportunity for the whole community to get involved in something that can improve the general feeling of wellbeing in the community through gardening. We hope it will also showcase some of the wonderful gardens we have in the area".
Entry to the competition is free. Entry forms are available from West Bedlington Town Council, Bedlington Community Centre, Front Street West, Bedlington, Northumberland NE22 5TT, Telephone 01670 457070 or online at the Councils website www.westbedlington.org.uk and from various locations in Bedlington. The Closing date for entries is Friday 4th July 2014.
Entry Form: 2014 Entry Form Gardening Competition.pdf
Malcolm Robinson

The Big Event 3 - Competition

WANT TO WIN A FANTASTIC PRIZE? LETS GET THE BIG EVENT 3 TRENDING!
Bedlington's biggest family fun day is back on Saturday 21st June, from 10:30am-3:30pm, at Attlee Park in Bedlington.
We have a fantastic prize to give away this year, with a luxury hamper up for grabs, including goodies such as wine (over 18s!), chocolates, a £10 intu gift card, which can be used at Eldon Square or the Metro Centre, and much more!
All you have to do to be in with a shout of winning is 'Join' the Facebook Event and share the competition post
Or alternatively follow The Big Event on Twitter @TheBigEvent14 and RT the competition Tweet to be in with a shout of winning!
We'll put all followers into a hat and announce the winner on 21st June.
So get spreading the word - and good luck!
Facebook Event Page
Twitter Event Account
Brett

Shed Burglary In Bedlington

Shed burglary in Bedlington
Between 6pm Thursday, May 15, and 10am Saturday, May 17, thieves broke into a garden shed in Humford Way.
They stole items including a black toolbox containing tools, a number of light fittings and a green Challenge petrol strimmer.
Enquiries are ongoing into the break-in and police are appealing for anyone with any information to contact them on 101 ext 69191 quoting reference number 26722W/14
View the full article
Northumbria Police

Charity Hair Cut

Many kids and teens across the country suffer from either a form of cancer or from alopecia. As a result of treatment for cancer, many children will suffer hair loss as a side effect, although many kids handle this incredibly well, it can still obviously be an upsetting and perhaps traumatic experience for some.
The charity, The Little Princess trust, works to create a special wig for any child who is suffering from hair loss retaliated to these illnesses. Each child gets a free wig, personally tailored to them, they get these wigs for the duration of their treatment. These wigs can help give confidence back to a child who's already gone through an awful ordeal.
On the 1st of July Amy Eastlake, local resident and sixth former at St Benet Biscop RC High School, will be cutting off her hair to donate it to the charity so that they can use it to make a wig for one of these children in need. As well as this she is also hoping to raise at least £350 for the charity, as that is the typical cost to make just one of the specialised wigs. Amy has an online My Donate page and has so far received £202 in support of her cause.
Donations on the page are accepted until the 1st of October this year.
https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/eastiehair
ArtyGirl95

Promote your business to a BIG audience!

The Big Event 3 is taking place at Attlee Park in Bedlington on Saturday 21st June and there are still stalls available for businesses and community organisations to sell, network and promote themselves in an informal setting.
Jonny Hall, Assistant Manager of Leading Link, said: "The Big Event last year attracted in excess of 2000 people and as a result, it represents the perfect stage for a shop, business or other organisation to interact with the local community."
"Some choose to sell their products or services, others fundraise or offer quirky competitions and most use it as an opportunity to talk to local residents, families and young people about what they can offer."
A stall on the field costs just £15 for the day (£10 if based in Bedlington).
There are limited spaces available, so if you are interested in coming along then please contact the Leading Link team as soon as possible, by calling 01670 820088 or emailing info@leadinglink.co.uk


- Original Article - Leading Link Website
Brett

Bedlingtonshire Development Trust buys Music Box.

The Music Box itself has a large digital memory with songs from many years ago right up to the present and a huge range of styles.
Whilst the team at Mind Active will be using the Music Box to deliver sing-a-long sessions at local care homes the Music Box is available to other local organisations who deal with elderly residents in Bedlington. Please get in touch with the Development Trust if you qualify and want to use it.


E-Mail bdt@bedlington.co.uk Tel/ 07564517735.

"Singing is an activity that accesses the long-term memory. This can also be especially helpful for those who are coming to terms with living with Dementia, or have had a stroke or have been diagnosed with Parkinson's. The Music Box, whose programmes are designed by the charity Sing For Your Life, has proved successful in a variety of placements - residential care homes, hospitals and community centres."
Malcolm Robinson

Bedlington in Bloom.

Having only recently been formed the committee are quite obviously keen to do whatever is necessary to make the improvements in Bedlington's appearance which will result in the town moving up the ranking in the Northumberland in Bloom competition.
With a huge variety of newly instigated initiatives coming through shortly and support from many local groups and individuals there can be no doubt what colour of award is being targeted!
This is one document well worth the read through!
FINAL SPRING PORTFOLIO.pdf
Malcolm Robinson

Bedlington's Independent Film Maker.

Over the years the north-east has been used in many film and TV productions, notably 'Get Carter' and 'Vera'. The film industry in the north-east has never been particularly strong and a large amount of film makers move else where.

For 3 years Mrorrc film productions has been making short films and sketches in Bedlington and Cramlington due to their beautiful locations.
You may have seen the group of young film makers around Humford Woods. Despite the lead director (Chris Orr) and camera operator (Maccauley Cullen) having extremely limited resources they have managed to make 30+ videos for the YouTube channel all of which are filmed in Northumberland.

As of Wednesday the 2nd of April Mrorrc film productions is launching a patreon campaign. A Patron of the arts was typically a wealthy family or political member a few hundred years ago. People would become Patrons as a way to show off their status in society and to give artists the means to make a living with out creative restraints. In the modern era of small film productions in order to produce a short film or project a director must seek funding from grants and art funds, both of which involve a lot of hoop jumping to meet criteria, and can often suck the creative freedom out of a local film. However crowd funding has changed that, and now local people can support local artists. To learn about how Patreon works click
.Any one can become a patron of the local artists by visiting there page (www.patreon.com/mrorrc) and giving a little bit of money. By giving a bit of money you will allow the independent film makers to create films that showcase Northumberland and Bedlington as the beautiful places they are.
CJ Orr

The Bedlington Townscape Heritage programme.

This work was coordinated by Arch, The Northumberland Development Company with funding from Heritage Lottery Fund and Northumberland County Council.
Overall 19 buildings were refurbished and restored helping to support 25 businesses. Grants were offered to local independent businesses for restoration and repair work to help restore the special character features such as timber shopfronts and box sash windows. The Market Place was also subject to significant improvements in 2009, helping to create a more attractive and enjoyable space and an area for the Thursday Market.
Throughout the THI a number of community activities have also taken place with local schools, residents and other local organisations which helped educate people about their local heritage and traditional building skills.
Malcolm Robinson

Bedlingtonshire Development Trust unveils new website.

The site is crammed full of topical themes and matter of local interest so it not only provides a snapshot of the Trust and the work the Trust has been doing but also a glimpse into the history of Bedlington and the facilities a contemporary Bedlington has to offer. This will be on-going and updating will be carried out periodically. Also access to the Development Trust videos is now in one place.
A Trust spokesperson said "We are aware this could be one of the first ports of calls for anyone looking into and researching Bedlington on-line so we take what we put up very seriously."
Malcolm Robinson

BedRock 2014

If you can help us in any way please get in touch. Each venue sponsors several live acts over the day with in-house fund-raising going to their own chosen charity. With 2 years already under our belts things can only get bigger & better. Please help us support your community.
Regards
Colin
Colin

Breaking News

Ridge Terrace and North Ridge residents adjacent have been asked to vacate their houses as a precaution.

This will of course cause widespread traffic issues as we progress to the tea time rush hour not least because this is the exit road for many of the school buses!

Malcolm Robinson

Bedlington's Community Christmas Celebration

Date: Thursday 5th December
Time: 4:30pm - 7:30pm
Venue: Bedlington Market Place
Leading Link are delighted to be involved with West Bedlington Town Council in organising the Christmas lights switch-on this year.
The event will take place on Thursday 5th December, and will include a local enterprise market (featuring stalls from local businesses and schools), a few small fun fair rides for the kids, an arts and crafts tent, a live entertainment stage, a hog roast and of course Santa's grotto!
The lights will be switched on just before 7:00pm by a nominated member of the community - you can vote for one of the final six here
http://www.leadinglink.co.uk/index.php/xmas-lights
So please spread the word and help make this a community Christmas celebration to remember!
jonnyhall200

Bedlington In Bloom

If the answer to any or all of these questions are yes, West Bedlington Town Council would love to hear from you by you Joining the Bedlington In Bloom Working Group.
There are opportunities for residents to either join the planning group or offer gardening services and skills by contacting the Council directly.
To find out more about Bedlington In Bloom or to Join the group Contact West Bedlington Town Council, leaving your name and contact details.
For contact details look on the Councils Website: http://www.westbedlington.org.uk/
Latest poster.....
bedlington in bloom (a5).pdf
Adam Hogg

Bedlington AMT

West Bedlington Town Council is currently working alongside Action for Market Towns (AMT) on a Bedlington Benchmarking Project.
Benchmarking has been conducted by AMT in over 120 towns across the country and involves capturing data on 12 Key Performance Indicators within town centres such as retail offering, footfall, car parking, business confidence, shopper origin and town centre user views. Once the town centre has been reviewed, AMT will provide West Bedlington Town Council with a comprehensive report highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of Bedlington Town Centre, how it could be improved, examples of good practice and how the town fares against other towns of a similar type from across England and Wales.
In the past, Benchmarking has been used to understand how town centres operate, plan and develop regeneration initiatives, measure the impact of developments and as an evidence base to attract funding.
Whether you are a frequent user or someone who rarely visits Bedlington, we would like to know your views - both positive and negative!
The Council would like to encourage as many users of the town centre to put forward their views by completing the online benchmarking survey which can be found on the West Bedlington Town Council website, Bedlington.co.uk web site or the hyperlink below.
www.markettownresources.co.uk/BEDLINGTON/bedlington_tcu.htm
Hard copies are available in the council office as well as locally.
This benchmarking exercise has been funded by Northumberland County Council.
Malcolm Robinson

Bedlington Town Plan

Venue

West Bedlington Town Councillors will be in the Community Centre Front Street West, from 12:00 noon to 4:00pm on Thursday 19th September 2013 and from 10:00am to 3:00pm on Saturday 21st September 2013, to invite views and comments and help complete the questionnaire from anyone who lives within the West Bedlington Town Council area.


Free Cash Draw

Questionnaires are to be distributed to all households within the West Bedlington Town area from 6th September 2013. Alternatively the questionnaire can be completed online on the Bedlington.co.uk website. Questionnaires must be completed by 30th September 2013. The Council will enter all completed questionnaires with a name and address into a cash draw and the 5 winners will be selected at random. Further copies of the Questionnaire can be requested and will be available from the West Bedlington Town Council offices at the Community Centre, Front Street West, Bedlington.


Great Opportunity

Councillor Malcolm Robinson a member of the Councils Communications and Publicity Group believes the survey "is a great opportunity for residents to get involved in the early stages of the Town's plan, a plan which belongs to the Bedlington community, is prepared by the Bedlington community and delivered by the Bedlington community. For once Bedlington residents will have a major say in not only the direction their Town Council takes with regard to various activities but also in the regeneration and development of our Town. I hope as many of our residents fill in these questionnaires as possible so we get a good cross representation of views."


What the Community Wants

West Bedlington Town Council is looking for a Plan that reflects the views of the community, identifies which features and local characteristics are valued, highlights local problems and opportunities and sets out what the community wants in the future. Once the results of the survey are analysed, the Council will use the results to help influence its future spending and service delivery.

Malcolm Robinson

250Ft Wind Turbine Next To Hazelmere Estate & Nedderton

I found out today that there is a planning application in for a 250ft wind turbine about 600m west of the Hazelmere Estate at the top end of Bedlington.
On the Northumberland Planning Portal its case reference 13/01899/RENE or can be accessed by clicking the below link:
http://publicaccess....l=MP3L8GQS2L000
The neighbour consultation period ends this Sunday (August 11th) and I'm quite shocked that I've only heard about this today from a work colleague who is objecting.
We haven't been informed of this application despite it, obviously, having a huge impact on the skyline for miles around and undoubtedly, house values will be affected for people on the Hazelmere Estate, outskirts of Bedlington and also Nedderton. As for the noise, an independent report included with the application, states that the sound will be close to a car passing at 40mph 100m away, obviously this sound is day and night and is constant.
I was viewing the documents online this morning which includes a mock up photograph from a few different angles and to say its horrendous is an understatement.
To object, you can email planningcomments@northumberland.gov.uk, before Sunday 11th August or register on the website to add your constraint.
Proposed View from North Ridge

Neil

Green Flag awards for Bedlington.

West Bedlington Town Council are celebrating the award of two prestigious national awards to green spaces within its area.
The Green Flag award scheme which recognises the best green spaces in the country has been awarded to both Doctor Pit Park and Plessy Woods Country Park.
The Green Flag Award® scheme is the benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in the UK, a site flying a Green Flag is a high quality green space which can only be a boost to its popularity.
These awards come on the back of recent awards for other green spaces in Bedlington.
Gallagher Park has been awarded Queen Elisabeth II status and is a winner of the "Fields of Trust" award. Over £25k of funding has been secured to improve and update the park.
Attlee Park has been awarded funding to improve the bandstand and immediate area with plans to secure additional funding for a new access footpath.
Building on the strength of these excellent awards the sites were included in the Town Councils application to Northumbria in Bloom. A judging panel recently visited the sites along with other green spaces and floral displays in Bedlington. The results of the entry are due to be announced at the end of September.
Looking forward the Council would like to invite any interested parties, individuals, groups or organisations to help plan their submission for next year's Northumbria in Bloom award. The Council would like to involve local residents, businesses, clubs and other voluntary organisations in the planning and organisation process by setting up a steering group specifically with this award in mind.
Any interested parties should contact the West Bedlington Town Council office for further details. You can telephone the office on 01670 457070 or e mail westbedligtontowncouncil@gmail.com
Malcolm Robinson

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications
Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.