Andy Millne

Prominent high street retail premises in Bedlington are being offered RENT FREE for 12 months in an enterprise competition. Aimed at encouraging a fresh new approach to retailing in Bedlington, the competition will seek out commercially viable, creative and ambitious ideas that can be made a reality. Startup businesses or existing ones that want a high street presence are able to apply. Not only that but the winner has also been offered half price accountancy fees for the first year of trading by Grimes Accountancy Services and Free advertising on bedlington.co.uk for the lifetime of the business. The successful applications will be put to a public vote. Votes will be cast by members of the bedlington.co.uk town website and local Facebook groups such as Make a Noise for Bedlington, Bedlington Matters and Bygone Bedlington. To enter, applicants should submit a business plan no later than March 31st via email to competition@bedlington.co.uk. A panel of judges will then choose suitable applications to be put to the public vote. "This is one of the best retail locations in the town, close to a major bank, the post office, and acres of free parking" said Andrew Millne offering up the space. Mayor of Bedlington, Malcolm Robinson, said "What a fantastic opportunity not only to try out your business idea for a whole year with reduced costs but to also work with a first class business advice service (Bedlingtonshire Development Trust) with a proven track record in helping small businesses succeed. It would also seem a very opportune time because your business might just be hitting its viability when the wholesale redevelopment of the Town Centre is underway. I am sure business premises will be at a premium the closer to being finished that gets, so now is the time to dip your toes into the water if you are thinking about it!" Competition winners will see one of the biggest costs of doing business removed entirely for their first year although businesses must be able to show evidence of future sustainability in their plans. Some businesses and local organisations will also qualify for small business rate relief but day to day running costs such as utility bills must be accounted for. "It's time the people of Bedlington had a say in what they need on their high street. By winning a competition like this the enterprising retailer will already have the firm backing of local residents which gives them every chance of success." said Christina Laking, local property investor. Everyone can participate in this innovative competition by commenting on what you would like to see in your town in the comment section below.

*FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU – YOU CAN’T POUR FROM AN EMPTY CUP* *On February 11th 2017 from 11am to 3pm there is an open day at The Old Police Station for you to come and visit Sheila, Brenda and friends.* Sheila and Brenda’s treatment rooms will be open for you to have a look around and you can book 15-minute taster sessions for just £5. We are also delighted to introduce you to Rachel who works with Mizan Therapy, a traditional reproductive healing. Rachel will be using Brenda’s room on the weekends. Our friends Jayne Caldwell from New Wave New Mind will be starting the open day off with a talk about New Years Resolutions and Ruth from Hadaduennde Herbs will be dropping in for a couple of hours so that we can sample some of her delicious blends of teas. You can find out more about Sheila, Rachel, Brenda, Jayne and Ruth below, to book in for either the talk of taster sessions please contact the holistic therapist directly. We look forward to spending time with you and helping you to 'fall in love with you'. *Sheila:* NO HANDS (™) Massage is a dynamic new form of massage sweeping across the world, conceived and developed by Gerry Pyves after 20 years of clinic testing. I look forward to supporting you in giving yourself some time out to feel this deep, nourishing, energising and transforming touch. To book in your 15 minute taster for just £5 please contact me on: 07713198335 *Brenda:* Auoroa Orbs are meditation orbs that contain flower, crystal and minerals that help to shift energy blocks helping you to see which is the next step for you to take on your journey. Aurora Orbs has been a ten year journey for me and I have loved being part of every step. This year I am launching the orbs globally and I look forward to introducing them to you. To book in your 15 minute taster with the orbs for just £5 please contact me on: 07707 984 851 *Rachel:* Mizan (pronounced like Milan) is an Arabic word that means balance. By using traditional reproductive healing techniques, Mizan Therapists seek to restore balance when life feels unbalanced – physically, emotionally or spiritually. Mizan uses traditional healing techniques to address conditions involving reproductive organs, the digestive system and emotional health. These techniques are commonly used in India and further east for optimising women’s health. It is a gentle, external massage that brings healing to the womb space and optimum health and well-being to women on both physical and emotional levels. Come and join me for a mini Mizan treatment where you will be warmly welcomed. As part of the mini treatment I will talk to you a little more about the wonderful benefits of Mizan and demonstrate the self-care routine, which plays a vital role in Mizan. To book your place, please call me on: 07572884555 *Jayne:** Well you may be well into your new 'New Year's Resolutions' by now, and you may even be doing OK - Well done! But what is the difference between 31st December and 1st January? Have you ever wondered why so many New Years Resolutions end up falling by the wayside? If you'd like real help and understanding in being more 'resolute' with your resolutions and getting ready for your best year yet, letting 2017 be your year to finally fully shine, come with me for a brief journey into what really helps us with motivation and to be fully ourselves... and it's all in the emotions! Oh and, and this is really important, don't, whatever you do....don't think of a pink elephant!!!!! (You thought of the pink elephant didn't you!) I look forward to meeting with you. I have ten spaces available for my talk, tickets are £5 each, please contact me on 0798 454 5518 to book your ticket. *Ruth:* Ruth is a qualified herbalist, she makes her own blends of tea each is designed to suit different times of day, as well as individuals emotional and physical needs. To find out more about Ruth please visit: www.hadaduendeherbs.co.uk Thank you so much for reading this post, we do hope to see you at the open day. x

Police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery at an address in Bedlington. It happened at 1.20pm on Sunday, January 8, at a house in Centurian Way in Northumberland. Three men wearing masks entered the house via the rear door. They threatened the householder, an elderly man, and held him down, and searched the house. They stole jewellery including a gold necklace featuring a Krugerrand coin encrusted with diamonds around the edge set on a gold chain and a gold charm bracelet with charms one of which was a gold padlock. The offenders then left in a black coloured VW Golf saloon car. The householder was shocked and was taken to NSEC Hospital in Cramlington as a precaution. Officers have been carrying out house to house enquiries in the area and are appealing for witnesses. Neighbourhood Acting Inspector Garry Neill said: "We want to hear from anyone who was in the area of Centurian Way at the time of the offence and who may have seen or heard anything which could help officers. This type of incident is unusual and we have extra offices in the area to speak to residents and answer any concerns they may have. "We have an image of the car believed to have been used by the offenders driving away after the robbery and are appealing for help from the public in locating the offenders and the vehicle." Police are appealing for witnesses, anyone who was in the area and who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, is asked to contact police. Officers also want to speak to anyone who knows the whereabouts of the offenders and the vehicle they used, or who may be offered the stolen jewellery for sale. Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting reference number 469 of 08/01/17 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Pictured, the vehicle police want to trace

Bedlington Colliery, St Cuthberts Church and Hollymount all clearly marked

Map of Bedlington in 1769 including interesting place names such as Humside Mill, Iron Mines and Grotto