Malcolm Robinson

Schnitzel, that's half a turkey Kiev isn't it Brian, except the cheese is on the outside.

Lest anyone forget.........

Jackie............ http://uk.news.yahoo.com/probe-smith-home-painting-094427223.html

New Olympic logo..............

Lowdown on Hackersgate..........

'Kill the minimum wage…….' WNBL……..That was introduced to stop exploitation of low paid workers, the problem is it has now become a pay scale in its own right, not something it is designed for. Maybe it's time for a pay CEILING! Dole should be based on what has been contributed by the individual, probably for a set term. Planning, I daren't even start with that one! Overregulation in banking led to the present mess….????? Wasn't it lack of regulation which allowed the likes of chaos theory to be used when valuing assets and made these institutions ''too big to fail.'' Share Capital…….the theory doesn't match the delivery! It's the big boys which call all the shots at the expense of smaller investors. The big boys are the super-rich who take equity stakes, pension and hedge funds who have no real interest in the company other than to see it pay out more by way of dividends, banks, venture capitalists and financiers who are only there to make a quick buck. The whole thing has been corrupted to give advantage to a certain group at the expense of the swath of private investors. I will only read and watch the BBC if Peston doesn't have anything to do with it, if there was ever anyone who demonstrated the Peter Principle……… That BBC article sums up what has already been said on this board months ago, you can't have a fiscal union with some sort of political union and trying to drive the latter with the former cannot work, irrespective of what the personal objectives of the EU political class are! As for Greece (and the others) the whole thing is now in the realms of fantasy. They are being forced to sell any national assets they hold, implement an austerity policy detailed by others who have no real empathy with the Greek people and all in the name of saving the Euro project. Greece has no possible chance of being in a position of actually making any sort of reparation to these bailouts and in fact the actions taken will make her end up in a worse position rather than cure anything. At the inception of the Euro there were no polices written down for any country to exit and the fact that most didn't even hit the entry criteria would seem to me to be tantamount to irresponsibility, if not worse, by our political class.

Ahhhhh, if only foxy, if only............

Merlin, I have made enquiries about running a Bedlington Fair, as was, and guess what your favourite bug bear raised its head straightaway, health and safety legislation! There is no chance a community group can get through that! So for the moment we have to work with what we have and at least we have this Heritage Day we can hang our hats on so let's make it as successful as possible. It's all to do with the THI (Townscape Heritage Initiative) and I think we should be thankful the lead officers are willing to promote Bedlington and its upgrades in this way, they don't have to!

Bedlington Heritage Fair taking place Saturday 10th September (10am-3:30pm) in Bedlington Market Place and other venues as advertised. The Fair is being run as part of the Bedlington THI. It coincides with events and activity by St Cuthbert's Church and Sustrans. There are activities / entertainment for all ages, ranging from heritage talks, walks, heritage skills demos, vintage bus tour, music and crafts. Bedlington Heritage Fair p.1 (1).pdf Bedlington Heritage Fair p.2 (1).pdf

GGG, I will read that properly when I have time but I am starting to wonder if the way business raises its investment is the most beneficial or even productive? The 'ism's' don't seem to be able to work for very long maybe we should be looking at some form of mutuality. I can certainly see the case for that in delivery but not too sure how that could work a finance vehicle to preplace private equity? As for the politicos………….

Interesting report just come out which says football fans spend 38% more than any other tourists. So for no real investment if we had the world cup instead of the Olympics we would have attracted the biggest leisure spenders.

If markets continue today as yesterday expect another weekend of hectic activity by world leaders. European debts, American recession, Chinese inflation, Japanese deflation......what price a global economy now?

Sign up folks it only take a minute! http://www.fairfueluk.com/

:lol:

I thought the NCC one was bad............ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2025760/Fury-taxpayer-gold-card-cover-Ministers-blame-head-Civil-Service-blocking-exposure-abuse.html

Hester could probably buy Fulham with his annual bonus......for presiding over a bank which reported a £3.6 billion loss last year and a £1.1 billion loss this year. Could be worse could be called Fred!

For Brian and Vic who probably haven't seen this. The guy has every luvvie coming out now to call him a racist. Funny how people just pick out the bits they want to hear! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14513517

Tuesday 6th Sept 2011 6-30 – 8-30pm Venue: Salvation Army AGENDA 1. Welcome and introductions . 2. Apologies. 3. Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 14th June 2011. 4. Matters arising. 5. Police update. 6. Trish Coonan (NCDN) presenting for UK Online, on behalf of the Bedlingtonshire Development Trust. 7. THI update. 8. SNRG (radio group) update 9. Bedlingtonshire Development Trust update. 10. Any other business. 11. Date and time of next meeting. MONDAY 28th Nov 2011 6.30pm, Salvation Army, Hartford Road.

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 14th June 2011 at the Salvation Army, Hartford Road, Bedlington. Present: Brian Oliver - Chair Malcolm Robinson – Vice Chair Margaret Oliver – Secretary County Cllr Pegg Town Cllr Aynsley Help Hub Terriers FC Northumbria Police Salvation Army Friends of Gallagher Park Leading Link 19 Residents 1. Welcome and Introductions o The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and added that he thought it was appropriate at this point to update those present what had happened since our last meeting with regards to the running of this Forum. He went on to assure everyone that we still had the validity to continue and it would not reduce our standing with NCC or any other organisation. Everyone then introduced themselves to the meeting. 2. Apologies o Eight apologies were received. 3. Minutes of meeting held on Tuesday 29th March 2011 o These were confirmed as a true record by Val Tyler and George Webster. 4. Matters arising o The Chair had been informed that there was a new planning application, for the Elliott Garage site which shall effectively double the number of Care Home beds which had previously been approved. Concerns were raised by the members present to the impact this new development may have to the Town. o Extension to the Conservation Area in Bedlington has now been adopted. Some discussion took place between members concerning the effects this shall have on individual people who will be affected by this decision. 5. Police Update o Total crime figures for Bedlington showed that there were 15 offences less than last year. o Over the last 28 days period there has been 23 fewer offences (11% down). o Detection rate for all crime is 41.1%, slight reduction to last year. o Youth ASB (Anti Social Behaviour) 26 fewer (32% down). o Non Youth ASB 22 fewer which is a decrease of 32% compared to last year's figures. o Dwelling Burglaries, 5 fewer than last year figures, (50% down), but 3 more over this same 28 day period. o Burglary Other Than Dwelling, 6 fewer than last year (60% down) but 5 fewer over the last 28 days period. o Violence Against Person, 12 fewer than last year and 17 fewer over the last 28 days which is encouraging as this included the Bank Holiday and the holiday for the Royal wedding. o Criminal Damage, 7 fewer for the same period as last year however there has been an increase in damage to motor vehicles which mostly relates to the Stakeford area. o Operation Mohawk is now in place to tackle this emerging crime. 6. Leading Link (St Benet Biscop) o Lyn Horton and Natalie Smith came along to explain that they have set up a new social enterprise company which will be based in the new building, at present under construction at the entrance to St Bennets opposite the Ridge Farm. This building will have full community access and will be called the "Lodge”. Lyn explained they will work with other Bedlington groups, community groups and business groups, to make that happen. Some links were made with other groups and information required by Leading Links was also exchanged. If anyone wishes to view the building plans they can contact Lyn or Natalie (see web link below) and they will be more than pleased to arrange a meeting with you. More information on their website at www.leadinglink.co.uk 7. Friends of Gallagher Park update o A new committee is now in place and includes 3 young cyclists who also use the park. It was decided to keep the meetings as an open format so that members of the public could come forward and approach them with their views or concern. A working group has been set up so that they will be able to move forward in the right direction. A questionnaire is to be sent around all schools in the area and the public to get feedback which will assist them with the way forward. A comment from a BMX track user was "This is the start of something to look forward to in Bedlington”. Elected officer are: Chair………….Val Tyler. Vice Chair…….George Webster. Secretary……..Peter Angus. Treasurer………Keith Dalton. 8. Bedlingtonshire Development Trust update o The three people for the Portrait Bench which will be located in Gallagher Park close to the football pitches are; Dr Brown; Mary Weightman; Sir Daniel Gooch, as well as the Bedlington Terrier being featured somewhere in the artwork. o Funding has been obtained from Bernicia to help with our architectural services and planning permission but a lot more funding money has still to be found before we can progress further with the regeneration of the property acquired. After initially rejecting our application, following a personal presentation to the Heritage Lottery Fund by Malcolm, they decided to change their minds and stated that they will now welcome our application but a lot more work is still to be done if we do take this route. More funding applications will be submitted in the future. Further meetings are to take place with NCC senior project officer with regards to the building the Development Trust is hoping to regenerate into community usage. o We now have a NVQ qualified Mentor. o Completed procurement and commissioning training modules through NESEP. o We attended a VCS Alliance meeting and took part in the CVS Alliance meeting as well as attending an employability and training delivery seminar. o After a productive meeting with a Newcastle IT company we hope to get several refurbished computer systems which come complete with operating system and ready to plug in and play. This will help us address the digital deprivation figures in our area. As we have been successful in getting a small grant we can now hold some 'Silver Surfer' training sessions which is for people unfamiliar with computers and the use of the internet, this will be very basic instructions and nothing to be frightened of! Also available is an online course which shows how to get more out of your internet and email. Anyone interested please give Malcolm details. There were 6 people who gave their names straight away. We hope this will result in us supplying (free) the refurbished computer to our members who wish to join the internet age! o Spoken to and offered assistance to, Bedlington Community Soccer Club, to help with funding application forms. o The Development Trust now has up to date policies and procedures documents, all 15 of them! o We have registered an interest in Earth Balance as we believe the current situation there is far removed from the original ethos of that site! The 'Mission Statement' which is adopted in the constitution of the Development Trust is: ''The Trust will seek to be at the centre of regeneration of the community providing and encouraging practical, deliverable and economically viable projects that make significant contributions to the improvement in the quality of life for Bedlingtonshire residents. It shall promote, maintain, encourage and advance the prosperity and social welfare of its inhabitants of Bedlington town and surrounding areas.'' 9. Any Other Business o The Chair thanked Malcolm for his time and very hard work which he has applied to gain funding money for the Forum. Fingers crossed that we will ultimately be successful with the Hadrian Trust as we have made it through to the second round. o Question: What is happening with the Community Centre? Answer: It was explained that there was some legal issues regarding land to the rear of the . premises but the centre had been transferred to the Town Council o John Garbutt of Bedlington Terrier Football Club informed the meeting that players and managers were flying to America, in one week's time, all expenses paid by Lord Bedlington who has invited them out there to play football with American teams. The club are looking to the future and how they can progress for the benefit of the club but have no idea yet as to what plans there are as discussions will take place once they are out there. o Question: Tesco? Larry Roberts reported that he had been in touch with the London HQ and was informed that the building plans are still on the books. o Question: Hartford Road? Russell Hogg reported that the reinstatement of the road surfaces following Northumbrian Waters upgrade is of a very poor standard. BKO is to investigate further. *Information received since the meeting…the road surface on Hartford Road is under review and appears to be only temporary. Date & Time of next meeting: Tuesday 6th September 2011 6.30pm Venue: Salvation Army, Hartford Road, Bedlington.

Not sure they need it Merlin.......... http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2011/08/10/taxpayers-foot-120-000-annual-bill-for-northumberland-councillors-pensions-61634-29208130/

It would seem we are seeing a backlash to the criminal behaviour of late with the authorities cracking down on wrong doers. About time when some people think it's all right to take what doesn't belong to them, ride rough shod over the laws of the land, force people out of their livelihoods, squander their ill-gotten gains in a feast of self-ingratiation and generally believe they can get away with it. Right that's enough of the bankers these looters now………. Funny how we even get class divides in criminality with one law applied to the rich and quite another to the poor. It would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic. So to help the SFS at the Met, if anyone knows the whereabouts of the following could they let them know as they seem to have misplaced their addresses!

Well it is Sunday! Our father, who art in prison, my mum knows not his name, thy Riots come, read it in the Sun, in Birmingham, as it is in London. Give us this day our Welfare bread & forgive us our looting, as we're happy to loot those who defend stuff against us, lead us not into employment but deliver us free housing, for thine is the Tellies, the Burberry & the Barcardi, forever and ever… Innit.

Roger , 85, married Jenny, a lovely 25 year old . .. Since her new husband is so old, Jenny decides that after their wedding she and Roger should have separate bedrooms, because she is concerned that her new but aged husband may over-exert himself if they spend the entire night together. After the wedding festivities Jenny prepares herself for bed and the expected knock on the door. Sure enough the knock comes, the door opens and there is Roger her 85 year old groom, ready for action. They unite as one. All goes well, Roger takes leave of his bride, and she prepares to go to sleep. After a few minutes, Jenny hears another knock on her bedroom door, and it's Roger, Again he is ready for more 'action'. Somewhat surprised, Jenny consents for more coupling. When the newlyweds are done, Roger kisses his bride, bids her a fond good night and leaves. She is set to go to sleep again, but, aha, you guessed it -Roger is back again, rapping on the door and is as fresh as a 25 - year - old, ready for more action'. And, once more they enjoy each other. But as Roger gets set to leave again, his young bride says to him, 'I am thoroughly impressed that at your age you can perform so well and so often. I have been with guys less than a third of your age who were only good once. You are truly a great lover, Roger.' Roger, somewhat embarrassed, turns to Jenny and says: 'You mean I was here already?' The moral of the story: Don't be afraid of getting old, Alzheimer's has its advantages.