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All lined up in their new uniforms with their new classmates and teachers, these photographs are a historic document for every child pictured - and their families - and they are very cute too!
The half-days and half-classes are over and the children are settling in to their new routine with new friends. We are delighted to feature roughly 1000 of them - and wish every one very many happy and successful school days to come.
Some of the photographers were sent in by schools and others were taken by our staff. They will all feature in our First Class supplement printed in the Chronicle on Friday, September 29, a lasting memento to treasure. So put that date in your diary!
You can buy a copy of the photographs we took for your family archive at www.chroniclelive.co.uk/buyaphoto You can also telephone 0191 201 6001 or call in to our reception in the Groat Market, Newcastle, NE1 1ED. Or just enjoy them here!
The schools who took part are Appletree Gardens, Monkseaton; Backworth Park Primary School; Balliol Primary School, Longbenton; Beaconhill Community Primary School, Cramlington; Bearpark Primary School, Durham; Blackfell Primary School Washington ; Bridgewater, Newcastle; Browney Academy in Durham; Byker Primary School ; Caedmon Primary School, Gateshead; Canning Street Primary School, Benwell; Colliery Primary School, Dipton; Delves Lane Primary School, Consett; Denbigh Community Primary School, Wallsend; Dunston Hill Community School, Gateshead; Forest Hall Primary School.
Also Kelvin Grove Community Primary School, Gateshead; Larkspur Community Primary School, Beacon Lough East; Malvin’s Close Primary Academy, Blyth; Moorside Community Primary School, Arthurs Hill; Mortimer Primary School, South Shields; Mountfield Primary School, Kenton; New York Primary School; Prudhoe Castle First School, Prudhoe, Northumberland; Seaton Sluice First School; Seghill First School, Cramlington; Sherburn Primary School Hill Site, County Durham; St Aidan’s RC Primary School, Ashington.
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Northumberland County Council has secured funding to further expand childcare provision for three and four year olds, increasing the overall number of places available for 30 hours of free childcare per week from September 2017.

The national roll out to offer an additional 15 hours of free childcare to three and four year olds from all eligible families begins this month and supports the government’s commitment to give working parents of three and four years olds 30 hours of free childcare a week.

Northumberland County Council has already successfully piloted the scheme from September 16 in rural areas, with over 600 families benefitting.

The council has secured £2m extra funding allowing it to increase the amount of free places across four early year providers within the county.

The additional funding will allow for a total growth in places which will see nearly 9,000 hours of additional free childcare available for families. The areas set to benefit from the investment include; Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth, and Seahouses.

Bedlington Central Councillor Russ Wallace, who sits on the Cramlington, Bedlington and Seaton Valley Local Area Council, said:  “I am delighted that Northumberland County Council has secured this additional funding to provide extra places for free childcare.

“Not only will this help families throughout the county, but it means that there will be additional places in the West Bedlington Early Years Partnership and this will directly impact families within our local area and will form part of helping parents of young children return to or continue working.”

Councillor Wayne Daley, cabinet member for children’s services at Northumberland County Council said:  “The offer of additional hours of free childcare is very important to families with young children and I am delighted that Northumberland County Council has secured funding to increase the number of places of free childcare we can offer throughout the county.

“This funding is very important in allowing the council to support even more working families with young children with their childcare costs.”  
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Heartbroken friends have paid tribute to a teenager who was tragically killed in a car crash while out celebrating her birthday.
Bethany Fisher was fatally injured when the Ford Mondeo she was in hit several parked vehicles on Victoria Terrace, Bedlington, on August 19.
Childhood friend Sophia Chisholm described the 19-year-old as having a bubbly personality who always kept a smile on everyone’s faces.
Sophia, 16, said: “We were like a married couple at work. We would bicker about little stupid things and wind each other up but we were the closest. She was like my best friend.
“She text me and my friend Cheryl the day before she died telling us how much she loved us and she said we made her feel like we were all a little family.
“Unfortunately a member of our little family has been taken away from us but she has left a big mark on my life.”
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A devastated teenager who survived the crash which killed her best friend on a birthday night out has spoken of her heartbreak.
Bethany Fisher was fatally injured when the Ford Mondeo she was in hit several parked vehicles on Victoria Terrace, Bedlington, on August 19.
Despite the efforts of neighbours and paramedics, the 19-year-old died of her injuries before she could reach hospital.
Meg McBurnie, 19, was also in the vehicle and has been left with serious injuries after the collision.
Paying tribute to her best friend, Meg said: “Everyone loved her and her funeral was the hardest day of my life.
“From the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep, I’m always thinking about her. It still doesn’t feel real.
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This is the killer danger driver who left one teenage girl dead and another seriously injured.
Jordan O’Donnell was behind the wheel of a Ford Mondeo when he lost control last month.
Passenger Bethany Fisher died from her injuries while Meg McBurnie, who was also in the car, was badly her.
After the crash in Bedlington, Northumberland, O’Donnell rang police and pretended his car had been stolen.
As we revealed previously, he has been warned he faces a significant spell behind bars after admitting offences including causing death by dangerous driving.
Now police have released his mugshot ahead of his sentencing hearing next month.
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Northumberland residents are being asked to vote for their favourite Green Flag park - putting it in the running to be the nation’s favourite in the People’s Choice Awards.

In July we found out that nine Northumberland parks had gained Green Flag Awards this year - marking them out as some of the UK’s very best parks and green spaces.

Now members of the public can vote for the Northumberland Green Flag park that they think should be the whole nation’s favourite.  

Green Flag parks in Northumberland are:  Ridley Park in Blyth; Doctor Pit Park in Bedlington;  Alexandra Park in Cramlington, Hexham Parks; Carlisle Park in Morpeth; Castle Vale and Coronation Parks in Berwick; Plessey Woods Country Park near Bedlington; and Bolam Lake Country Park near Belsay.

Councillor Glen Sanderson, cabinet member for environment and local services at Northumberland County Council said:  “We have some exceedingly beautiful and very special parks in Northumberland - all with their own unique set of attractions.

“In each you will find a range of opportunities to suit all ages and interests - from sports and play facilities - to areas where those who seek it can enjoy peace and tranquility.

“I urge everyone to get behind their favourite park in Northumberland - giving it a chance to become one of the nation’s favourites.”

To vote for your favourite Green Flag park go to  www.greenflagaward.org  Simply find your park on the map and click the vote button. Once you’ve voted, why not encourage others to get involved too.

Paul Todd, International Green Flag Award manager said: “Following the huge success of #LoveParks Week, the People’s Choice Award is another chance to show how much your favourite park means to you. Make your voice heard and vote now.”

Voting is open now and closes on 30 September, with the top 10 winning sites due to be announced on 11 October.

Last year saw tens of thousands of people voting for their favourite park, with winners coming from all across the UK, from London to Lanarkshire.  
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The deadline is looming for  community groups,  charities and young people  in the county to apply for funding from a much valued community grant scheme.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available from Northumberland County Council to help deliver activities that benefit residents and communities - but applicants need to hurry as the deadline for the first round of applications is Friday 29 September.

The council’s long running Community Chest Fund was improved and relaunched earlier this summer following consultation with local communities.

One of the key improvements to fund is a new grant called ‘Help For You’  which is aimed specifically at the under 18s.  Grants of  up to £200 are  available to help individuals in pursuing a particular ambition - whether it is sporting, musical or academic.

Other changes to the scheme include: Community chest budgets will be managed and allocated by local area councils; The budget for each area council is based on the population living in that area; Local area councils are able to identify funding themes relevant to their communities;   For local schemes there will be a £5,000  upper grant limit with a maximum award of 75% of the cost of any proposal; The countywide element of the fund has doubled to £60,000, with no upper limit but the maximum grant award of 75% of the project’s costs, and There will be two funding rounds each year.

Leader of Northumberland County Council Peter Jackson said: “We’ve listened to the views of local communities and feel we have made a number of very helpful changes to the grant scheme to widen its appeal, including opening it up so  that young people are eligible to apply.

“We would  like to see this fund providing support  to the many valued local groups and voluntary organisations that are making a real difference in every corner of the county.  If you have a project that you think could benefit please don’t hesitate to get in touch.”

The community chest fund has been in operation in Northumberland since 2009 and over its lifetime 1,450 awards totalling £2.6million have been made to voluntary and community groups to develop projects that enhance the environment, improve health and wellbeing and strengthen communities.

If you are not in a position to apply for funding this month, you can still apply at a future date. The second deadline for funding applications is 12 January 2018.

To apply, applicants must fill out an application form. This can be done online or by downloading the form from  www.northumberland.gov.uk. If you have any queries, please  email iain.hedley@northumberland.gov.uk

Find out all about the fund here.  
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Killer driver Jordan O’Donnell has admitted causing the death of a teenager and seriously injuring another girl in a horror crash.
The 20-year-old was behind the wheel of a Ford Mondeo with no insurance when he lost control in Bedlington, Northumberland, last month.
Passenger Bethany Fisher tragically suffered fatal injuries while Meg McBurnie, also in the car, was left seriously hurt.
After the collision, O’Donnell rang police and lied that his car had been stolen.
Now he has been warned he is likely to receive a lengthy prison after he admitted offences including causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and doing acts intending to pervert the course of justice
Judge Tim Gittins, at Newcastle Crown Court, told O’Donnell, who appeared on a video-link to HMP Durham: “You having pleaded guilty to the offences you face, obviously the likelihood is a significant custodial sentence.


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