mercuryg

Fabulous information Pilgrim, thanks! And Foxy, you're in this one too, on your bike!

Malcolm wrote: "The objection I have is that there isn't any infrastructure to support the community 25 years ago never mind now. Lack of recreational avenues and no investment into the commercial offer have left us hopelessly mismatched as a viable Town." Couldn't agree more! I'm all behind your ongoing push for leisure facilities, for example. As I said, though, this is a commuter town, somewhere nice to live, within easy reach of the main employment areas, good schools, and with a few nice places to eat and a handful of decent pubs. I'm afraid that, with fear of being shot down, shops as we knew them are no longer a prime consideration for home buyers. The number of Asda vans I used to see making deliveries on Dunstanburgh Close was an eye opener. Toffo wrote: "We were informed the spare land on Hazelmere ten years ago was allocated for a first school, I think the majority of residents on Hazelmere would have welcomed the afore mentioned shops / pub / school if asked, last year?" That's right, but Adam is correct in that it was originally earmarked for the pub/shop/centre. I don't agree the majority of residents would have welcomed a pub (pubs don't belong in housing estates); the school was unnecessary; a shop would have been nice but is hardly missed, and the community centre, as I've said, would not have been used to a viable extent. "Wonder where the supporters will stand then if having to run the gauntlet of leaving arriving during peak times?" But isn't this always going to be a problem in a town with just a few single file in and out roads? There will always be traffic at peak times, it's just how it is; however, see my comments about the rise in telecommuting. In twenty years time the idea of driving fifteen miles to an admin job in Newcastle will be long forgotten; more and more people will work from home. It's cheaper, more convenient, and just as efficient. For the record, I'm neither for nor against the new housing - I won't be upset if they don't get built - but I simply see that there will be a need for new housing on an ongoing basis. I champion the town, it's a lovely place to live and has everything I need (says a Choppington resident!) but as Malcolm says, there are certain aspects missing. Let's hope these can be resolved. **Before I go, regards the peak time traffic in Bedlington: it's nothing. A few minutes wait on the run from Hazelmere to the roundabout may be a little annoying, but compared to some places I've lived, with similar populations, it's nothing.

"3 properties empty/up for sale in Hazelmere" is that empty, or up for sale? Again, I'm not being deliberately obtuse; there will always be houses for sale as people need bigger properties, or downsize. "They may want to live in the area but will they work in the area, socialise in the area?" Why not? Work in the area perhaps not - this is a commuter town already, has been for many years - but socialise in the area, of course, they already do. For example: why would anyone from bedlington choose to eat out anywhere other than here?The town has several highly regarded restaurants, after all. The social scene is not as it was 20 years ago, trends change, but everything is still here. I don't see the demographic of persons working locales changing much in the next few decades, bar the fact that many more people will start telecommuting, which will of course mean they can live where they want. Local shops may be poor, but I'd much rather have independent, boutique shops in the town than major supermarkets, of which there are several within easy driving distance. Your idea that things will become more expensive is of course right, but in relative terms the availability of online shopping (which is very much the future) will allow for prices to be driven down. It's already happening in the online services industry, within which I work. I admire your attitude very much, but - and this is with respect once more, as I have plenty for you - I do think you're beliefs are very much those of someone who has yet to amass the life experience that will allow you to look at the bigger picture. Quite simply, the digital age is upon us; we don't actually need shops when all is said and done, and that will become more evident much more quickly than you realise.

"Second point Merc, the land was not "Spare" it was the community gain which was earmarked for a pub, community centre and shop, but I wonder why the powers that be never enforced it" I am aware of that; my mother bought her house off-plan, we watched it being built, and she moved in when those around her were still just frames. At that point the land on the plans was indeed for those schemes you mention; the residents didn't want a pub, a shop might have been nice, and a community centre I don't believe would have been used to any reasonable extent. I'm not being contrary here: I lived their for many years, know many families (including a sister) who also live there, and it was clear there was no demand for the original proposed schemes, not were there any takers to build a pub on the site, anyhow. "Also if there is demand for them type of houses why are ones standing empty in Hazelmere, slaley court, Hartford hall all for which are "new" estates." Hartford Hall is ludicrously expensive for what it is; it's also rife with problems, from what I've heard. I am not aware of any empty properties on Hazelmere, although you may be able to correct me on that, and don't know Slaley Court. With respect, while I understand your commitment to the locale and the community - it is indeed admirable - it's a little rash to throw one's hands up on horror at the prospect of investing in housing for future inhabitants. You may believe you have the concerns of locals at heart - and in many cases you have, and that's very loyal of you - but what of those who live in their parents homes now and, in a few years, will have jobs, families and such - and parents still living - an want their own home in their home town? It's a necessary consideration, and there's a lot more to it than 'we don't want more houses in our lovely green fields'. For the record, I've yet to find anyone on Hazelmere who objects to the scheme. After all, it will barely register on their radar. Personally, I'm not bothered one way or the other, but you have to remember that, in business, nobody produces anything unless someone wants it. The same applies to housing.

Thanks for the info Pilgrim, I have lived in Choppington - just up the hill from the Willow Bridge - now for a couple of years and love the place. It's quiet, I have great neighbours, two pubs and shops within a short walk and a lovely nature reserve outside my back gate. I'm interested in a few details: where was Station Terrace? I note "at the top of the bank and over the railway line on the right side (west) was station terrace"; I'm no good with directions, is/was this terrace on the Swan/Lord Clyde side of the road, or the other? Also, where exactly was the station? I was in The Swan last night; the current owner's father is looking after the place while Chris and Kirsty are away; he apparently took the place on when it still was the Lord Clyde. It's a very friendly place to sit and have a couple of beers while reading the paper, and the food is good too. One thing I discovered last night that may have just changed my life is that they do take-out meals!

Malcolm, this has long intrigued me; why did the MOD object to the turbine (I would have done too, I hate the things, waste of space); it's not as if they have low flying jets around here, so was it something to do with radar? As for the houses, my mother - who was the very first resident of the then new Hazelmere Estate - has received the letter outlining it, and says she has no objection. I have to say I see her point. Hazelmere is a nice estate to live on; it's a cleverly designed not to involve too much regimented conformity. Her point is that if other people want a similarly nice place to live, then give them the chance. Clearly there is demand as the houses that are currently being built on the 'spare; land that was left within the estate have pretty much all been snapped up. Not wanting to provoke ire, and I'm a great one for enjoying our green spaces, but the population of the town WILL grow, and more homes will be needed.

Interesting stuff this 'secret army' business! I had a dig around and found an interesting letter in The Northumbrian (https://www.thenorthumbrian.co.uk/127/letters.html?letter_id=104 - can somebody make that a 'clickable please?) that indicates the Plessey OB may never have been operational, I quote: "There were 21 Operations Bases (OBs) built by the 184th Special Tunnelling Company, the Royal Engineers. One at Paxtondene and another near Bedlington were moved, one after being seen during construction and the other for water issues." Also, if you access his site - address in the letter - and do a bit of reading he makes mention of a patrol at Choppington, but not Bedlington.

"If Tesco goes then the town is dead!" Can't agree at all; I'd argue, in fact, that Tesco's destroyed much of the life in the town.

More to their worry, Symptoms, is that they will find their sponsors deserting in droves....

There were Bronze Age remains discovered during the building of Millfield, Maggie, but no indications of Iron Age settlers exist.

You haven't changed a bit, Foxy

I believe one can still see the crater left by the bomb at Choppington; I live yards away but have ever looked. I will later, and will take a photo if I can find it. **Incidentally, I think the postcard predates Photoshop by some years! Perhaps the word has now entered usage as meaning 'an altered picture'?

Tomtom...I'm quite distinctive! Look for a geezer with long grey hair and glasses, or ask the bar staff to point out deaf steve!

Someone will have to explain this a little more to me; where, and when, and what are we talking about? All sounds very interesting.

Despite my known curmudgeonly attitude to all things Christmas, I too would like to take the opportunity to wish all on here a merry Christmas, and all the best for the year to come. The diverse variety of those who contribute here makes it a must-visit site for me each day; I enjoy the fact I can indulge in serious discussion and jovial banter, as well as having an eye what is 'goin' down in the 'hood'. Enjoy the seasons festivities, and feel free to join me for a jar in the Lion.

I think they look very pretty. Mind, I'm probably seeing double by the time they come on.

I'm surprised young PennyLane has not contributed to this thread, muso that she is!

Foxy.......stop it, right now. It's bad enough having to see a bloody christmas tree every time I go for a pint!

Sadly, for a music lover, I couldn't name an album released this year, so thanks for the lists, I shall delve into them.

I take it, Symptoms, you're not a fan of Sting!

"The ones I see in Ukip at the moment are (almost) exclusively the rarer kind." This is where I become wary (and why I am wary of UKIP). It will take a lot of convincing, for me, to truly believe ANY politician at that level is in it for anything other than personal gain. As for why the policies can't be brought to bear: the problem I have is that UKIP is promising a number of attractive and enticing moves (attractive and enticing to those who believe the popular press which is keen on bandwagons that sell papers - 'they're coming here, taking our jobs' etc) which, in turn, produces votes. Great, but how do you follow through on leaving the EU, for example? Do people actually believe it's that simple? I'm sure you don't, as you display more than a touch of intelligence. Major changes, such as those promised, take time: people these days simply do not understand the concept of waiting a long time for something to happen.

Some enjoyable stuff from 3G here, well written and clearly put, but some issues: "If you are not an "I'm all right Jack, pull the ladder up, socialist" you should be supporting the millions of decent people who now see that we need to reject the whole of the LibLabCon alliance, and restore some true democracy to our country." Quite frankly, and with respect, that's not for you - or me - to say. Because Tony, for example, has differing views to you and I does not mean we have the right to tell him he's wrong. The above is precisely the sort of bandwagon electioneering, the shout above everyone else type favoured by Mr Brand et al, that is not conducive to anything productive. Democracy, after all, is not about everyone having the same ideas; 'you can't please all of the people, all of the time' applies to democracy in no small fashion. People do not like to be told that someone knows better than them, which is how the above comment comes across. It jarred with me instantly, and I'm sure with some others. I couldn't agree more that something is very wrong in the UK political balance of power at the moment, but it takes more than an 'I know better than you' assertion to get the ball rolling. Further: "...we need fundamental change in this country, and just at this moment only Ukip can deliver that!" I remain far from convinced. In fact, not even close to beginning to be convinced. From what I can see, having read, listened to and digested the UKIP approach, they have created what they believe to be a 'people's manifesto'; by that, I mean they've read the Daily Mail opinion page and concentrated upon 'what the people want'. I hear it said often that they are 'saying what the people want to say'; you could apply that to the BNP if you took the right cross section. Their policies concentrate far too much on the likes of immigration, which is far from the biggest problem the country faces at the moment. Yet, there it is, at the top of the policies list, 'controlling our borders' etc. I could go on, but my point is that this is a party, from my point of view, that is concocting a campaign based on offering people something that they cannot actually provide. I remain unconvinced that they would perform any better than the current bag of....

Well, no, nothing does Adam. She is the most glorious aircraft of all time. Fortunately, stories of XH558 being grounded for good from now seem to be a little wide of the mark. The latest is she WILL be flying in 2015.

I have one small part of your comment that I vehemently disagree with, Threegee, and it's this: "If you didn't catch it this particular one is probably worth the 59 minutes and 34 seconds of your life." No, it's not. Not even probably. It was a complete waste of what used to be an excellent programme.

Love the B1! What a glorious shape.