mercuryg

"Johnson's shoe shop, which seems to have come to a sudden stop where renovation is concerned" If the owners were not asking extortionate rent for this shop I have no doubt it would be occupied - it's in THE prime position in the town. I have mentioned before that I was trying to secure it, a couple of years back, for a friend who wanted to open a shop; then, they were asking £14,000 p.a.

"However the building is important the our history like the listed buildings in the area like the vicarage, the old barclays bank and st cuthberts some of which have been allowed to fall into a state of disrepair." Is it really that important to our history though, Adam? I understand your reticence and annoyance at the planning procedure, but surely it's best to have usable, inhabitable buildings on the site than one that, as far as I can remember, has been crumbling away? How old is it, anyway, and what is its historic importance other than, as I said before, nostalgia? Also, I don't think any of the buildings mentioned above are listed, as such.

Threegee, in many ways I agree with you; while I love exploring local history, and find old buildings fascinating, it's worth remembering that much of it is deservedly that - history. I'm not sure renovating the building concerned would have been commercially viable - I don't have the details, of course, but am sure there are many considerations to be made - and to be fair, it's been standing, falling evermore into a state o disrepair, for many years now, so there's a clue there, I think. Bedlington is a fine town to look at in many ways - especially thanks to the heritage initiative of recent years - but preservation for the sake of it is not the way forward. Is this building actually historically important, or is it just an old building, looked at nostalgically? I strongly suspect the latter.

Lovely stuff! I love these little critters, they come into my garden all the time and I just know they're after me nuts. A couple of years ago one tried to get into Chisholms when I was in there; I think it had a tip for the 3.30 at Towcester. It couldn't, so went into the TSB instead. Much fun ensued as everyone in there engaged in trying to catch it in a box. It left eventually, without opening an account. My cat is fascinated by them, too.

Did you know that Northumberland has the least number of electric cars in the country? There you go, learn with Merc.

Mmm, what's 'interesting'? Mine is in a half-built state, does that count?

Keith, are you busy moulding a replica of the pit heaps out of mashed potato ready for their arrival?

By the way, I think you'd make a fine Bond. I hope you kicked the living daylights (see what I did there) out of Daniel Craig; his missus is the love of my life. Lucky sod.

How long did you work on that anagram, Keith?

"there was a time team style dig there about5yrs ago but don't/t know any results." It was more than five years ago as I lived at Hollymount Terrace at the time. They uncovered foundations of unknown origin which one of the lads told me they believe to be 16th/17th century. Houses on top now.

Thanks for that! I will certainly have a look at it!

That's classic! I'll have to use that one. Except I have no wife, and the cat can't read.

Gem, Bex.....If you are looking to start a quiz night I have no doubt the Red Lion would welcome you. I used to do one for them on a Monday but had to drop it due to time constrictions (i.e it impinged on my monday night beer). As the boss, Ritchie, you'll get a good crowd there.

Of course I know him, not well, but talk to him often! It's the social centre of the universe, that table.....

I'm not great with names, but if Robin frequents the Red Lion I have absolutely no doubt I know him. I know of one Robin - the one associated with the football club?

It was at last count, surprise surprise, a hairdressers/beauty salon......

A good night, a sore head.......

"The explanation has to be a freak combination of factors, because no single explanation adds-up." Couldn't agree more.

It didn't fly anywhere 'by itself', someone flew it. Why is anyone's guess; something, somewhere, went wrong and it crashed.

Highly unlikely theory, but interesting.

Too late, Adam....

Well that was my intention! Unfortunately circumstances prevented my appearing on Friday. Contractual issues, that sort of thing.....

There is a small book available on the history of Plessey - mother got it from one of the libraries around here and perhaps the shop at the park would have it - that had some information on the windmill, although not a great deal. It's still an interesting read. Apparently it's quite a rare construction as, unlike traditional windmills, its walls are vertical, rather than tapering.

I heard people are FLOCKing to see these.......

Sorry I missed this last time, although I have it on good authority that I missed a cracking night!