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NewsQueen

Synergy Makes Expansion Easy

By NewsQueen, in News,

Keith Fitzsimmons, the co-owner of Synergy, first approached Stelios in December 2010 shortly after the launch of easyGym, with a view to opening physiotherapy clinics at the easyGym sites as a complementary service. More than 18 months later the CEO of easyGym, Paul Lorimer-Wing confirmed that he wanted Synergy to be its Physiotherapy partner.
Keith, who has so far invested £90,000 in the easyGym openings, said: "I launched Synergy in 1999 and opened the Bedlington clinic in 2002. Since then I have expanded the business, opening in Carlisle and in Gosforth, with a total of seven physiotherapists and two administration staff "“ so we are a successful business. But I saw this as a great opportunity. EasyGym has been a pleasure to work with and is eventually looking at opening 50 sites across the UK "“ so this is an extremely exciting time for us."
Synergy is fitting out the clinics - which are a minimum of 160 sq ft and each employ at least of two physios "“ with top quality furniture and state of the art equipment.
Keith has also invested in a bespoke online booking system, developed by Newcastle based web developer Jump, that allows real time booking, giving greater choice to patients and saving Synergy time in administration.
He said: "The clinics at EasyGym sites are open seven days and longer hours than normal physio clinics are "“ from as early as 6.30am in some places "“ so therefore we needed a realtime booking system that enabled patients to make their appointments online, and pay for them at the same time.
"We are also looking at expanding the services offered at all of the sites to incorporate sports nutritionists, podiatrists, and even sports doctors."
Paul Lorimer-Wing from EasyGym said: "When Synergy approached us we saw a great opportunity to develop complementary services at EasyGym sites. Keith has done a great job in developing those services and opening well equipped clinics. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership."
Synergy, which won the Rio Tinto Business of the Year award in 2008, has also recently been asked to provide physiotherapy services to the stars of the X Factor during some parts of their UK-wide tour, including the recent shows at the Newcastle arena.
Brett
Bedlington.co.uk has joined the digital era and has it's very own Facebook page which will allow people to keep up to date with local news and stories directly from their news feed.
http://www.facebook.com/Bedlingtoncouk

Bedlington.co.uk also has a twitter feed which people can follow for events, news, articles relating to the local area.
https://twitter.com/Bedlingtoncouk

John White
South Northumberland Radio Group's campaign to raise funds for its second FM and simultaneous on-line broadcast has, this month, received two boosts: £500 from Blyth Town Council's Community Chest fund and a Big Lottery Fund Awards for All grant offer of £6251.
This funding adds to £5250 in recent grants and donations from West Bedlington Town Council, the Co-op Community Fund, the Newcastle-based Sir James Knott Trust and an anonymous overseas well-wisher.
The group's chairman, Colin Heathcote said: "We're absolutely delighted that our fund raising efforts have paid off and that we can go ahead with another broadcast.
"Apart from the funding, we have had tremendous support for our project to provide a genuinely accessible community radio service from people and organisations throughout our broadcast area of south east Northumberland.
"Amongst the many letters and messages received are those from several parish and town councils in the area, the local MPs, Northumberland County Council, Alan Shearer, the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, the Salvation Army, Samaritans, Wansbeck CVS, Age UK, Bedlington Forum, Friends of Gallagher Park, British Red Cross, Bedlingtonshire Chamber of Trade and Sir John Hall who is currently chairing a committee which aims to breathe new life into Ashington town centre."
He added: "Our broadcast in March last year attracted nearly 100 studio guests and was well received in the community. The second broadcast will enable us to build on that success and give volunteers a chance to further hone their broadcasting skills as we await Ofcom's five-year licence application decision."
John White

Synergy FM 6k Lottery Grant

By John White, in News,

Dear All.
Fantastic news just in today:
The Big Lottery Fund has given us a grant of £6251
We applied for this money to finance another 28 day fm broadcast, similar to the one back in March last year.
So please watch this space for further details...
SYNERGY is about to return!
John White

Synergy's £4000 Boost

By John White, in News,

The money will help pay for Synergy's proposed second 28-day broadcasting licences.
The Bedlington-based station has received £1000 from the Co-op's Community Fund and £3000 from the Sir James Knott Trust of Newcastle.
The organisation behind the broadcasting project is the South Northumberland Radio Group which organised the successful four weeks of live programming "“ which included contributions from numerous community groups - on air for listeners in south east Northumberland in March 2012.
Its chairman Colin Heathcote said: "Receiving the two grants just before Christmas was a real tonic. Fund-raising in the current difficult financial climate is very hard with so many voluntary groups and charities chasing an ever-diminishing pot of money.
"We have built a tremendous support base which is reflected by the wide variety of local and regional funders, and listeners here and overseas, who believe in what we are trying to achieve: a genuinely accessible community radio station that will provide the type of broadcasting service the area's residents deserve."
He added: "We look forward to adding to our funding total in 2013 when we hope to achieve not only a second successful Ofcom-approved restricted service licence broadcast on FM and on-line, but also progress on plans for a five-year full-time licence."
Malcolm Robinson

Gallagher Park

By Malcolm Robinson, in News,

Another bit of good news is the SITA funding has come through too and we will soon see improvements and enhancements in the Park.
Journal report here.
The Development Trust has also done another You Tube video depicting the story of the vote. (Updated video!)

Malcolm Robinson
For us in the South East our workshop will be on at Choppington Welfare on the 30th January in the Jamieson Room.
Light refreshments will be served at 6.00pm and the workshop will start at 6.30pm.
Anyone interested in attending please phone Mike Bird in Democratic Services on 01670 622616 or e-mail demserv.ar@northumberland.gov.uk so numbers can be confirmed.
Malcolm Robinson

Bedlington.. Our Stories.

By Malcolm Robinson, in News,

All Our Stories, a brand new small grant programme, launched earlier this year in support of BBC Two's The Great British Story- has been designed as an opportunity for everyone to get involved in their heritage. With HLF funding and support, community groups will carry out activities that help people explore, share and celebrate their local heritage.
The popular series presented by historian Michael Wood and supported by a programme of BBC Learning activities and events got thousands of us asking questions about our history and inspired us to look at our history in a different way through the eyes of ordinary people.
The programme and HLF "˜All Our Stories' has proved a real hit and now "Bedlington"¦Our Stories" is one of hundreds of successful projects around the UK to receive a grant. Leading Link and the Bedlingtonshire Development Trust are using this project to show why the history and heritage of Bedlington is so important. Working with young people, local historians, Newcastle University, Woodhorn Museum and residents the project will produce a timeline of historical content and also produce a kind of interactive Pandora's Box which will be used to add even more stories and content. Three celebratory events are planned over the next 12 months and everyone will be encouraged to take part in those.
TV presenter and historian Michael Wood said, "We British love our history, and no wonder: few nations in the world, if any, have such riches on their doorstep, and so much of it accessible to all of us. It is really tremendous that the people of Bedlington have been inspired to get involved to tell their own story and to dig deeper into their own past. It's brilliant so many people are being given the chance to get involved through the All Our Stories grants. Having travelled the length and breadth of the British Isles this last year filming The Great British Story, I am certain that fascinating and moving stories will be uncovered which will not only bring to life the excitement of local history, but will illuminate and enrich every community's connection with the national narrative."
Commenting on the award, Lyn Horton from Leading Link said, "It is a tremendous achievement to be one of the first groups in the UK to receive an HLF grant," a sentiment echoed by Malcolm Robinson from the Bedlingtonshire Development Trust. "After organising the Olympic Torch parade and a Diamond Jubilee celebration in the town, attended by over 1000 local people, this project allows us to delve a little deeper into Bedlington's history and find out a lot more about this fantastic area." "With the production of our "˜Pandora's box' and the exciting programme that we have planned to deliver in all of the local schools, this project promises to be fun, interactive and informative for all involved."
Ivor Crowther, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North east, said, "Clearly the success of All Our Stories has reinforced the fact that we are indeed a nation of story tellers and that we want to explore and dig deeper into our past and discover more about what really matters to us. This is exactly what the grant will do for the Bedlington Our Stories project, as they embark on a real journey of discovery." â– 
jonnyhall200
The day, which runs from 11am until 2pm, will feature a BBQ, a mini-fun fair and some creative family activities including a "˜junk funk' workshop.
An annual charity bike ride will also run alongside raising money for the Simon Parker Trust, which helps each year to fund two bursary places for students going into University.
The 14 mile ride, being supported and managed by WATBike, will start and finish at The Lodge.
There is a £5 entry fee (which includes a free burger!) to help cover costs and Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Unfortunately, Under 10s cannot take part but can still come and enjoy fun fair rides and creative activities at The Lodge throughout the day.
Lyn Horton, manager of Leading Link, said: "We are delighted that the High Sheriff has agreed to come and cut the ribbon at our new Community Garden."
"All of the young people and staff involved in the project over the summer worked tirelessly to make the area look amazing, and we want to reward them with a grand reveal ceremony."
"We are also more than happy to be supporting a fantastic cause in the Simon Parker Trust, which is now in its second year of helping students through University bursaries."
If you're interested in taking part in the bike ride, you can sign up and collect sponsorship forms from The Lodge or by downloading the forms at www.leadinglink.co.uk.


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