mercuryg

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.

Can I ask why, Adam?

I thought it was generally accepted that Bedlington is a somewhat convoluted corruption of 'Bede's Land' thanks to the links with the Prince Bishops?

Having been a regular at Wansbeck General. for the past couple of months it may be helpful to point out that the football club, just down the road, is the official overflow car park, and is free. This information is imparted only in very small letters on the signs.

Sorry I missed this one - hope you had a good day, Keith

And a grand job she did, too! It was a fine turnout; the only blip to my evening was bumping into a pair of decidedly dodgy characters in Moby Dicks. I didn't now they let them out in pairs.....

hey Keith, glad you're here. I bought a telescope recently, and am disappointed to find out the moon is not made of cheese. Should I complain to the manufacturer, or the sneaky eBay seller?

Malcolm, if you like that, watch this....http://www.ted.com/talks/vijay_kumar_robots_that_fly_and_cooperate.html (and if someone can make it a clickable link for a technophobe me, please do....) edit; ooh, it is one! ** also, scroll a few minutes in to where the fun starts

"I still can't understand how Anthony Rutherford could not use Solar Power" It's not the power he's interested in, it's the money.

Welcome to the forum, billy, and don't be taken in by Foxy's come-to-bed eyes. The best of us have been.....

"The real villain on energy prices is the green levies" Nail on the head, 3G.

The shop has been renovated and is up for let. A couple of years ago I looked into it on behalf of a friend who was looking at opening a retail outlet, and that spot was considered the best available. Upon enquiry we were told there was 'a lot of interest' and that there were many parties in line for rental; as a result, the rent went up in a matter of seconds from £12000p.a. to £14000p.a. We - and I suspect others - were not interested in getting into a bidding war. I suspect greed has made it a less interesting option.

Hi Dan, Thanks, it's not necessary, I will drop Viv a line as it's all clicked into place now!

Just a quick question, is this the Viv, my good friend Viv? (I am, for the record, Deaf Steve!)

Daniel, Thanks for the reply. Good luck with your quest.

Daniel, A fine sentiment for what appears to be a fascinating old building; I do have a couple of concerns, however: firstly, what do you intend to do with the building should you secure its future? Also, who will pay for the upkeep or restoration, should either be necessary? Is this building easy to access, and will the public be able to visit it? I'm not sure the presence of Red Squirrels will hold much water as, despite their relative rarity in much of the country, they are widespread around here. Good luck with your attempts, and any information on what you intend for the future would be interesting.

Adam raises a few relevant points but there are other reasons why HS2 really is a white elephant, not least the fact that, given the sheer cost of it, it follows that few people will be able to afford to use it. I know of a number of local businessmen who, when they need to get to London at short notice, fly, as it's cheaper. Perhaps the major issue - as far as I'm concerned - is that we simply don't need it; I know I'm trotting out an old cliche but logic dictates that, by the time it is complete, more people than ever before - and vastly more than now - will be telecommuting; the cost savings speak for themselves, and with high-speed broadband pretty much a given these days it also makes for a much more efficient use of time. Comparisons with high-speed rail systems in Germany and France are pointless; we do not have the distance to cover that exists in those countries, after all. Upgrade the existing networks, by all means, but don't waste money on HS2. One other point - who wants to go to Birmingham anyway?

Foxy, I'll make up for it sometime! Canny Lass, the Travellers is my local, at Choppington. Actually, I'm closer to the Swan, but it's somewhat more expensive!