Malcolm Robinson

Vic/Brian, I am not sure 'negative' is the right word maybe 'fearful'? We now have one of the country's most aggressive pub chains in the town and they will claw their market share by whatever means necessary. Let's not kid ourselves this is a slick operation targeting a specific marketplace and within that they have achieved market dominance. The recently announced 'austerity' measures by our Gov and increasing price inflation will mean less disposable incomes for just about everyone here and putting the two together I can see only one conclusion, but that bet still stands! If we now consider the Tesco expansion, again another aggressive national player, I think the face of Bedlington will change. What we should be doing is recognising that and working with it to lever in more investment into the town instead of sitting back taking a supine stance.

Pete, The problem I have is, like I said, I agree with the sentiment of a joined up Europe, I just disagree with the way it has been rolled out and governed. There is nothing wrong with the idea of a Europe 'sans frontiers' but one which respects cultural differences and in fact celebrates them. I think the idea is way beyond the capabilities of the people involved that's all! In fact it seems more about self-aggrandisement of the few rather than something which promotes universal benefits for all the peoples involved. Maybe that's just a cynical view on all political democracy at the moment? As for the governing laws, well I do agree we seem hog-tied down in a lot of respects but again looking at the other side of the coin we should be glad the likes of the European Court of Human Rights is there, especially regarding some of their rulings which took precedence over our own governments intentions! It certainly needs sorting out and the sooner the better but until we start to take a real interest in what happens 'across the water' in the far off land of Eurotocrita we will only be in a position of feeling the effects rather than influence the directives. Oh and don't think we are alone in questioning the machinations of Europe Ltd most of the other European nationals I have spoken to over the last 15 years are of the same opinion!

You will never see them, they are watching out...... Turn the volume right down!!!!!!

I think you are unsprung too monsta!!!

What a difference an election makes..........

For anyone who doesn't know who Van Rompuy is you are not alone.......

As an aside to this thread you might like to consider just what Mr Camerooon has been up to. Remember him, 'The British people demand a referendum!' Our newly elected leader. Van Rompuy wants a new treaty pushed through to 'strengthen economic governance in the EU'. Dave told us there would be no more devolving sovereignty to Brussels without a referendum so we can rest assured. Err not quite……. ''Downing Street has indicated that David Cameron may be prepared to trade agreement on a new treaty in return for a deal to cap the EU's runaway budget.''

Pete, Remember 'Yes Minister'? Sir Humphrey would suggest a line of action where he overplayed his hand to begin with and eventually bamboozled Hacker into thinking he had cut the original proposal by half when in reality that was what was wanted all along. I think the last Government did a similar thing where there was a press leak about a controversial plan, all very deniable of course, then once the public had digested it and the Gov bods had seen reaction it was then brought out as a white paper if there wasn't too much public anger.

I believe there was more than 350 applicants.......... I certainly agree with your assertion......''seems to me that the solution to one problem may create the escalation of another'' but this is what happens when there is no forward planning for the town in place!

I am not sure that is the best course of action at the mo Pete. If the present currency wars continue it won't be long before we see trade sanctions and we need to be part of a much larger grouping if that happens to have any chance.

Anyone noticed what the Eurocrats have done……….passed a bill for a 6.9% budget increase! And here's me thinking 'we are all in this together' in every sense of the wording, not! These people are space cadets and should be blasted into space! At a time of austerity with just about every national government trimming budgets these guys have upped theirs? As for the UK increased contribution the figures I have heard seem to suggest an increase of around £5-6 billion. Coupled with a similar amount for an increase in foreign aid, that equates to the amount the coalition have just chopped out of council budgets this year as an extra measure of savings, (£10b) that's before the spending review stuff takes hold. That alone look to be going to cost NCC around £50M+ and if we then perm in the £10m extra hit they took and their savings already this year of about £15M+ we can see we are heading up to £100M local cut in 2 years. That is a massive hit for an area which has almost 50% employment in the public sector! While this is going on what has been happening to our rates bills, ah yes they haven't been cut in fact quite the opposite! So we can expect even less of a service but pay even more in, there is a hell of a black hole somewhere!

Stop it GGG, you know what happened last time!

:lol:

Anyone else puzzled by the amount of re-surfacing and pot hole filling been done around Bedders recently? Just seems a bit strange for a cash strapped council.....

Another 4 possibly 5 Mr D if its on midweek, Tue, Wed or Thur nights.

Good post cally.

Number 3, Monsta!

1. You would be supporting a locally based enterprise. 2. Content will be more localised. 3. Easy to customise content for audience.

Pete, I had to save it 6 ways to Christendom before I got it to load on here!

And therein lies the case for the defence Me-Lud!

I'd be surprised if you used a public house as a venue they mightn't like to donate a winner's cup or sommik, especially if you made it a tournament and even more especially on a 'quiet' night.

Thanks for joining the dots nellington. It's a bit like waiting for the X33 to the Toon, we have waited 30 years for something like this then 3 turn up at the same time! Joking aside I can only wish each one well and hope at least one makes it to completion.

You and me too Pete!!!!!

Maybe this should be their ad......

Actually Merlin if the whole point was to have a COASTAL cycle track right along the NE coast then Cambois should have played an important part of that shouldn't it, certainly for us? First they had their bridge to Blyth scrapped then half the cycleway down there was scrapped. (Possibly just to maintain their Fantasy Island status!) Don't know how supportive I was about the idea to begin with and some of the ancillary ideas left a lot to be desired but I am fuming we have taken the hit on it! Seems we have been so used to being ignored by WDC then NCC, we are now getting ignored Regionally too! Man the barricades brothers!