mercuryg

A call to close the stable door after the horse has bolted....Of course there will be jihadists among the refugees; they will use every opportunity they can. There will also be refugees, who need our help.

You're a cheeky monkey mr Robinson! No, it's because it's a great song!

Proper band, proper music, going to see these guys Saturday

Drones are the future, like it or not. Cheaper than manned craft, without the need for expensive pilots, the likes of Taranis will in future firm do away with the current generation of fighter aircraft.

Webtrekker, a little quick research says the Muslim birth rate is around 3, and predicted to fall. Clearly, the answer is for all of us 'good' people to have more kids.

i assure you it is excellent!

I've heard there were many armed coppers there - no idea what it was all about.

The first signs of an alien invasion?

We're all doomed!

I think they are relating the opening of a new supermarket as a new beginnin following the closure of an old one. Jobs to be created etc etc. I welcome it.

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but has anyone else been in The Craft HIve, at the top end of Front Street? Not much in there for me, I must admit, but went in with mother and have to commend the ladies who run it for putting together a very pleasantly laid out shop with a friendly attitude (loved the coffee machine at the back) and a truly eclectic and interesting selection of goods on offer.Different, inviting and worthy of success - more like this please, it's what the town needs. Examples of people trying something like this should be highlighted (and I'll take this moment also to promote one local to me, the very wonderful Post Box Cafe in Choppington; if you're passing and hungry go in - you won't find a better bacon sandwich or enjoy a full breakfast in more pleasant surroundings and at great prices!)

While I didn't get to talk to any of the dignitaries present (bar the one and only Malcolm) I can say I was distinctly unimpressed.

Fair comments Paul

Paul I think that a little unfair; NCC is also a day job so I would expect it to be on a weekday, and there's plenty time to drop in on the way home from the office. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt until I've seen the actual presentation....

Great newsletter Malcolm, excellent content, very informative.Please feel free to send me copy for proofreading (free of charge) for future issues, the pedant in me notices typos!

Just a question Malcolm, but is this going to actually constitute a consultation - in other words, will they ask for our opinions - or are we simply going to be told 'this is what you're getting'? (I understand, of course, it's not of your doing - not shooting the messenger!)

Absolutely right, Malcolm, and that is one clear advantage that must be considered. There is, however, this point: I can get a bus to Morpeth and do the same. My concern is solely that too few people would use it to make it viable. I hope I am proven wrong, but not sure I'll still be here when it opens anyway!

U have no doubt you would, Malcolm, and I can see a few others being attracted to the idea of not having to take the car into Newcastle, for example. Looking at the bigger picture, I just don't see it as a viable concern. The bus, for example, is convenient, regular, and takes me into the centre of the city as I want, from one of many stops around the area. of course, there's the element of cost (which is frankly ridiculous) , but a train won't be cheap either. My point is that most people who have cars will use their cars (they are paying for the privilege, after all) and those who use buses they can catch five minutes from their door will not choose to travel to The Station to catch a train. Of course, I'm being very Bedlington-centric here! On the other hand, if they were to reopen Choppington Station, that would be great. Problem is I can see me being the only user..... One other thing that struck me is this: many times I've been in places where the SENRUG people have had a stall - I think the last one was possibly at Woodhorn a few years back - and I'vetalked to them about their plans and been impressed. I've also signed the petitions, as the idea of a railway reopening appeals to me on a purely nostalgic and rose-tinted level. When the crunch came, and the station opened, I'd probably jump on for the fun of it. On a regular basis, however, I simply wouldn't use it. How many are like me who have been impressed, signed the papers yet, when it comes down to it, did so - and will do so - for reasons other than practicality? Please understand I'm not trying to be negative - I'm simply being realistic.

I may be the one beating a diferent drum here, but I simply can't see just how reopening the line would benefit the greater area of Bedlington; Bedlington Station, of course, but are people from the housing estates in the West End, from The Chesters, and so on, really going to travel to the Station to get a train when they can hop on a bus a couple of minutes walk away? It begs the question - for me at least - who is this proposed railway line aimed at? It's a lovely idea - a romantic one, indeed - but that's really all it is; I just cannot see the purpose when we already have what, from my experience, is a perfectly reliable bus service. Remember also that usage of the line was in terminal decline before it was closed because of the buses and the growth in use of private cars;neither of these have declined and, let's face it, few people are going to swap the convenience of a car outside their front door for a once/twice an hour (correct me if I'm wrong but I can't see it being more than that) rail service. So who, precisely, is going to use it? I can see answers along the lines of 'it will bring more people to Bedlington'; again, why would it? There are roads, with buses and cars, and nobody comes here. I prepare to batten down the hatches and await the onslaught, but I am afraid I see it as a colossal white elephant from the Bedlington point of view.

You make an interesting point, Vic. That post war period was the absolute heyday of the aviation industry in this country, right through from there until the early 70's. A quick look online lists nine 'aircraft manufacturing plants' in the UK today, although Warton is listed twice and I'm no convinced Filton is still building anything. There must have been loads back then! I lived very close to one - Avro Woodford, where the Vulcan, among others, was built - and would regularly ride my bike down the farm track to the perimeter fence and watch all manner of planes coming and going. Great fun in those days!

For those who may be interested it is now confirmed she will leave Doncaster at 1pm, estimated time over Newcastle 1.40.

As of this morning still no times for Vulcan forecast as departure time from Doncaster has not been fixed. She willbe at Newcastle Airport 40minutes after leaving Doncaster, Eshott 5minutes later.

For anyone wishing to see this spectacular, quite extraordinary old girl in flight (note - this is weekend is NOT the final flight, but almost certainly the last time she will be seen in these parts) she is following a path that includes a low level flypast at Newcastle Airport then a straight route approximately following the A1 with a flypast at Eshott Airfield. I am probably heading to the latter. The details can be found at http://www.vulcantothesky.org/ - no times have been released yet but it will be pm, I will keep you posted. This aircraft was part of my young life, having been built at the airfield close to my childhood home, and it will be an emotional moment to see her for the last time. What is also extraordinary is that the testbed prototype for the Vulcan design - the Avro 707, essentially a third-scale Vulcan - first flew in 1949; think about that - it's just four years after WW2; the Vulcan itself first flew in '52, itself an incredible achievment. Go and see her; she's worth it.

The warnings to stay away from Doncaster are valid, as people have been parking over safety exits and entrances. As for kerping her flying, it's no longer about money. She's exhausted her natural life. I'll be there - where yet I don't know- to bid her farewell this weekend. Just sorry I missed her at Coningsby yesterday in company with seven Spitfires and a pair of Hurricanes

This county has the most wonderful coastline. Is there a more magnificent vista in the country tgan Bamburgh, for example? Furthermore, you'll go a long way to find a better beach than Blyth! Do we tell them or do we leave them believing the south coast is the place to be?