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Thanks Adam! me loves chuffer trains! Will traipse down the woods to the line to watch!

The banking industry in this country is a shambles, and this is just another example of why. It is there entirely to line the pockets of those in charge, not to help customers in any way, shape or form. I mentioned elsewhere about starting my business; I needed £500, maximum, to get off the ground. I had banked with Lloyds-TSB for thirty odd years and had a fair record. The computer said no. I could have paid them back in the first month of trading and had firm orders to prove it. Utterly useless.

Indeed Keith, they'll FLEECE you

no,, but it's well EWEsed....

That was all a front; it was actually closed so a seemingly invisible Malaysian airliner could land.

Thanks for both replies!

An interesting subject. Looking back at earlier posts I noticed the Hartford Bridge Inn/Jolly Anglers noted as the same; a short book I read recently on the history of Plessey says the Anglers was on one side of the bridge (it remains there as a private residence) while the Hartford Bridge Inn was on the other side - you can see the old wall and gateway to where it would have stood. It also said there were two further ale houses, I believe, in the vicinity.

Hi Alan, Where was the old chapel? I am interested in the history of the area around the Willow Bridge as I now live up the hill from it (next to the speed camera).

"we have to target the indigenous businesses and help them develop to their potential." Indeed; I was, I believe, the very last client of Wansbeck Works, who allocated me funds to buy some of the equipment needed to set up my (very inexpensive) business, and also one of the final grantees from Go Wansbeck, where I can only say Dave Gibbon, and the rest of his team, could not have been more helpful. I'm not sure what help is available to those looking to start a business such as mine, but the demise of the latter is certainly a sad move from my point of view. I have been extremely lucky in managing to find a niche to work in, having lost a long-term job and house and more) thanks to a chronic illness; the support, in the early days, of Wansbeck Works - and, I might add, the Jobcentre - in helping me gain the confidence to actually start making a living for myself was tremendous; unfortunately my business is never going to support more than myself and, if I start putting my mind to it, two or three other work-from-home types; there is copious work to be had in the commercial writing world, and rather than take the traditional (and cheap) route in finding others to work for me, it is my intention to employ locally. The traditional route, you may be interested to know, involves using 'writing factories' (yes, really) which are generally found on the Indian sub-continent (no racial overtones intended, it's just how it is) which charge pennies for their output. All too often I've had potential clients reject my bid as being too expensive; yet, later, many come back to me to have me rewrite the poorly phrased articles they are provided with - Google, I am at odds to tell the, puts a great deal of worth on Quality these days. On the plus side, if anyone wants advice on perhaps trying to do something along these lines there is plenty - and I mean plenty - of work about, and not just in writing; remote admin workers, data entry, design, and more are all out-sourced on a massive basis these days. I am more than willing to help guide you through the mire! Meanwhile, let's see some enterprising ideas for Wansbeck businesses!

Miss Penny, I hope you were duly satisfied! Was fun, come along and join in guys and gals

"WHAT.......Merc's gonna be singing, I thought the plan was to get people there!" Yeah, i'm not sure the lovely miss pennylane has considered the consequences of me making that public....

This promises to be a fun night as I can confirm these two young ladies are great friends of mine and excellent company. If I can stay awake (it's well past my bedtime when this starts) those present can count on being serenaded by none other than myself!

It was Malcolm's bike. I've seen him on it down at the BMX track.

That was ten minutes back, have they served you yet?

I'll just pop around the corner and tell them......

Thank you Adam and yes, you're probably spot on.It's their fault, however, as the beer is just too cheap.

"When beer was available a monkey was placed in the window to let locals know to call in for refreshments." Yet another explanation of how the pub came to be known as The Monkey, and perhaps the best one so far!

Thanks to you all for your birthday wishes, sorry I'm a bit late, thought it was still Wednesday.......

I'd question whether you can trust the UK, to be honest!

When Tesco came in with their promises of major redevelopment and plans I predicted exactly this, that nothing would come of it. I was shot down by various people who insisted that people would flock here to a new store: my point was they have no need to, when Asda is situated next to the Spine Road. Bedlington has insignificant through traffic to generate footfall in a store the size of Tesco's original plans.

I'm not sure they do, Adam. Further North, yes. Besides, look across towards Ashington and there are loads of windmills to be seen, all closer to the coast, where flying does take place. I'm curious as to what their objection was.

Given the high rents I have no idea. The estate agents question is easy - not all the houses they sell are in Bedlington, and the commission they make is colossal.

I think the 'problem' of climate change (whatever happened to Global Warming?) has been exaggerated in no small part thanks to the see-all-instantly news coverage we are party to these days. prior to the wonders of t'internet it was standard practice to actually research news before reporting it; now it's both feet in look at the depth of this flood missus isn't it terrible without resort to an actual reason or the debacle.

That's an interesting development! The good old MOD stepping in, hey? Wonder what it meant to them?

It is disappointing to see the Chamber of Trade fold, and perhaps I could have done my bit and joined, but a quick look down the Front Street is enough clue as to why there was little interest. Unless you are a hairdresser or beautician it seems there is no business for you in the town. I would, I suppose, have felt something of a charlatan as most of my business is from overseas sources.