Malcolm Robinson

As some will know all NCC elected members received an email which I read last Monday about being able to access some of their member’s local improvement scheme funding for local Covid relief. This was put in place by the Leader and the CeO of NCC. I was initially highly critical and sent an email to all members and some officers saying my main concern was the time lag because accessing this funding usually takes weeks even months! Given the dire straits we found ourselves in that couldn’t be allowed to happen and I wanted that funding available to use ASAP! I was assured this wouldn’t be the case with this initiative. Last Monday afternoon I visited a local charity and discussed putting together two projects with them so they could access this funding. The costed plans were submitted last Tuesday and almost immediately agreed. On Wednesday after work I started asking where the schemes where and how long would they take to expedite the funding? I was told they were going through as we spoke. Thursday morning and I again spoke to the charity and asked them to let me know when they received my funding. I took that call on Thursday afternoon! So for something that usually takes week upon weeks to get through, these were advanced extremely quickly and I again had to write to all members telling them my experience and thanking the Leader and the CeO of NCC. The recipients of the funding is the Salvation Army food bank in Bedlington and we have managed to put in funding for the next 10 weeks. The other initiative is to do a meals on wheels service to our seniors at Xmas because the usual seniors Xmas lunches will not be able to be held in the Salvation Army building. This funding means we can double the provision! More about that closer to the time. So once again a huge shout out to the Bedlington Salvation Army because whenever I have asked them for help their reply has always been…..how many, when, we will be ready! No doubt others have the same attitude; it just leaves me in awe of their values and commitment to our local communities and that’s why we won’t be beaten and we won’t leave anyone behind!

Happy to finally unveil the new plaque at the entrance to West Lea Cemetery. Many thanks to Craig Leathard (NHS) and Issy Easson (Friends of West Lea Cemetery) for agreeing to do the honours. As usual thanks go to Mike Robertson and the team at Barrington Metals for their usual high standard of workmanship with special thanks to Ethan Brown who takes my raw designs and turns them into the CADs needed to actually cut them out. At this time I think it’s important that we recognise the sorrow many families are going through and the grit, determination and professionalism everyone involved in the fight is putting in on our behalf. I have tried to include as many people and professions as possible but if I missed any I apologise. Pictured, Isabel Eason (Friends of West Lea Cemetery), Craig Leathard (NHS), Malcolm Robinson (NCC councillor for Bedlington West).

Right to left…….. Lorna Moore, Sue Rowley, Lee Madderson and Bedlington West NCC Councillor Malcolm Robinson. Very happy to buy these two new additions for Plessey Woods Country Park. Working with Sue and Lorna from Beach Access North East (BANE) and seeing them at Whitley Bay I quickly realised these ‘all terrain wheelchairs’ would be suitable for Plessey Woods to give our disabled youngsters and adults a better and fuller experience in the Park. Still a few admin processes to put into place but we should see these new chairs available to anyone who needs them from next spring. I’ll let everyone know once we get the full scheme in place and how they can be booked.

Well its seems there are a few people dancing around burning piles of books after yesterday’s tumultuous NCC council meeting. At last I found out what this voting secret I have been asked about recently was all about! To preface I received an email off the Labour Leader on the eve of the meeting outlining what they intended doing. Well not exactly the specifics only the general intent, we intend doing something. That was the first official notice I had of anything unusual taking place at yesterday’s meeting. Short stepping to the meeting itself and probably the main crux of contention, the vote to suspend normal procedures and then a special motion brought. As any viewer would have seen I asked about this suspension and what would any likely motions be. Never got an answer to that one! The vote was to suspend normal procedures and off down the rabbit hole we went. Then we had a special motion proposed to get rid of Councillor Jackson as Leader of NCC. What followed were callous and vicious personal attacks as what seemed to be old scores were settled and political points scored. I reiterated the remarks made by the last Auditors of NCC in their resignation letter. “The council operates within a highly charged environment and we have observed growing tension between the main political parties over the last few years. Management has commented that the politics of the council can make it difficult to carry out their ‘day job’ and it is clear that the historical issues are still at the forefront of managements mind.” I then suggested that looked at alongside the current situation it all makes a clarion call for more independent members in this council. I again asked what happened if the current motion went through and again no answer. “Curiouser and curiouser.” The motion passed and council Jackson was out of his job as Leader. For me it’s like they convicted the guy without any factual evidence or even, in fact, waiting for the results of the recently inaugurated investigations. That’s just wrong in my view and there was precious little fairness on show as some were essentially gagged in their replies. It was a very unedifying spectacle for anyone looking in trying to give a reasoned and balanced approach. Had this been done after these investigations had reported and found evidence of wrong doing then fine but what happened was nothing more than inter-tribal rivalry of the worst kind. Are there questions that need to be answered, of course there are and I’m as interested as anyone to find out the answers. Was this the answer, no. Has it hurt getting the answers, almost certainly! Its then suggested that my and my colleagues Bedlington votes had been somehow bought with our Town Centre scheme. We have been working on that for years to progress it and I have been working flat out since Covid hit to still enable a scheme and one which is achievable and better suits driving the town forward for the next few decades. We put in for the “Boris fund” months ago so I’m not sure how all of that can be dependent on a vote no one knew about until yesterday. Course I’m sure I’ll find out and probably by the people who achieved nothing for the town in their decades of tenure. “Contrariwise,’ continued Tweedledee, ‘if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn’t, it ain’t. That’s logic.” View on Councillor Robinson's Blog

Well its seems there are a few people dancing around burning piles of books after yesterday’s tumultuous NCC council meeting. At last I found out what this voting secret I have been asked about recently was all about! To preface I received an email off the Labour Leader on the eve of the meeting outlining what they intended doing. Well not exactly the specifics only the general intent, we intend doing something. That was the first official notice I had of anything unusual taking place at yesterday’s meeting. Short stepping to the meeting itself and probably the main crux of contention, the vote to suspend normal procedures and then a special motion brought. As any viewer would have seen I asked about this suspension and what would any likely motions be. Never got an answer to that one! The vote was to suspend normal procedures and off down the rabbit hole we went. Then we had a special motion proposed to get rid of Councillor Jackson as Leader of NCC. What followed were callous and vicious personal attacks as what seemed to be old scores were settled and political points scored. I reiterated the remarks made by the last Auditors of NCC in their resignation letter. “The council operates within a highly charged environment and we have observed growing tension between the main political parties over the last few years. Management has commented that the politics of the council can make it difficult to carry out their ‘day job’ and it is clear that the historical issues are still at the forefront of managements mind.” I then suggested that looked at alongside the current situation it all makes a clarion call for more independent members in this council. I again asked what happened if the current motion went through and again no answer. “Curiouser and curiouser.” The motion passed and council Jackson was out of his job as Leader. For me it’s like they convicted the guy without any factual evidence or even, in fact, waiting for the results of the recently inaugurated investigations. That’s just wrong in my view and there was precious little fairness on show as some were essentially gagged in their replies. It was a very unedifying spectacle for anyone looking in trying to give a reasoned and balanced approach. Had this been done after these investigations had reported and found evidence of wrong doing then fine but what happened was nothing more than inter-tribal rivalry of the worst kind. Are there questions that need to be answered, of course there are and I’m as interested as anyone to find out the answers. Was this the answer, no. Has it hurt getting the answers, almost certainly! Its then suggested that my and my colleagues Bedlington votes had been somehow bought with our Town Centre scheme. We have been working on that for years to progress it and I have been working flat out since Covid hit to still enable a scheme and one which is achievable and better suits driving the town forward for the next few decades. We put in for the “Boris fund” months ago so I’m not sure how all of that can be dependent on a vote no one knew about until yesterday. Course I’m sure I’ll find out and probably by the people who achieved nothing for the town in their decades of tenure. “Contrariwise,’ continued Tweedledee, ‘if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn’t, it ain’t. That’s logic.”

Where is this Sarah? Im surprised Environmental services can't help.

I wish Alan.................Im hoping for an update soon. The more observant will have seen quite a few 'suits' walking around Bedlington of late, some who had never been here before! I have it from the head of Council, Bedlington is one of the main market Town priorities for NCC so Im pressing for a much more adventurous and ambitious development because like _pauls said 'people are rethinking their priorities' and like it or not Covid has changed the shape of our commercial landscape and we need a development which will shape our Town for decades to come. In my view a dozen shops selling the same as what the next town offers will not do that!

Sounds like the folding stuff and coins are the last thing our local taverns will take..........contactless seems to be the preferred option.....

In a manner of speaking Eggy.........but as Foxy can attest my pockets are bereft of anything resembling coinage of the realm these days! 🙃

At last the upgrades to the front of the West Lea Cemetery have started. This is a jointly funded project between West Bedlington Town Council and myself. After being contacted by residents who asked about getting this path line and hedging sorted out because it was an eye sore and at times impassable, the Town Council agreed to help me fund it. Many thanks to them on another joint project in my ward. The first phase is nearing completion with the installation of a new metal fence designed to match the existing ones at the entrance. The second phase will be to plant mature hedging in all of the gaps in the existing hedge line. This will be carried out when the time for planting is suitable. View on Councillor Robinson's Blog

At last the upgrades to the front of the West Lea Cemetery have started. This is a jointly funded project between West Bedlington Town Council and myself. After being contacted by residents who asked about getting this path line and hedging sorted out because it was an eye sore and at times impassable, the Town Council agreed to help me fund it. Many thanks to them on another joint project in my ward. The first phase is nearing completion with the installation of a new metal fence designed to match the existing ones at the entrance. The second phase will be to plant mature hedging in all of the gaps in the existing hedge line. This will be carried out when the time for planting is suitable.

Brilliant..........nicked it.......hope you don't mind.

1. Which was the first team to win the FA Cup at Wembley? Something Wanderers. 2. What is the name given to an all-consuming passion for power? Macavellian 3. Wenceslas looked out on the feast of whom? Stephen 4. Which palace was the main London residence of the monarch until it was superseded by Buckingham Palace? 5. Which is the largest of these islands: Zanzibar, Sri Lanka or Madagascar. Madagascar 6. How long is a dog watch at sea? 4 hrs 7. Which creature’s Latin name is Bufo bufo? Toad. 8. Which drug of abuse is known as Smack? Heroin 9. In which street is the New York Stock Exchange situated? Wall Street 10. What was Chris de Burgh’s 1986 nr.1 hit? Lady in Red 11. Who was Frank Sinatra’s second wife? Ava Gardena 12. Galena is the chief source of which metal? Lead

1. What was Christopher Dean’s job before he became a professional ice-skater? Copper. 2. Which vocal group comprised Cass, Michelle, John and Denny? Mammas and Pappas 3. Who was Worzel Gummidge’s girlfriend? Miss Sally 4. What was the name of Edward VII’s mistress, when he was Prince of Wales? Daisey…..a Duchess? 5. Which sign of the zodiac was Elvis Presley born under? Virgo? 6. What was the title of the first UK number one hit for the pop group Queen? Killer Queen? 7. Between which two cities did the first international air service take place in 1919? Bedlington and London……….or London and Paris. 8. In what year did Martin Luther King make his famous “I have a dream” speech? 1967? 9. During which process in the Roman Catholic Church do they use a bell, a book and a candle? (Keep it clean!) ????self flagellation? 10. In which sport would you find a shotgun, a bomb, a blitz and tight end? 11. Mary is 5cm taller than Kate and Kate is 15cm shorter than Laura. Who is the tallest? Laura? 12. Who had the nickname Scarface? Al Capone.

1. What car was produced in Britain in 1913 for the first time? Modle T 2. Which Star Trek character was played by Leonard Nimoy? Spock. 3. Who is the first female in the order of accession to the British throne? 4. What spirit forms the base of the liqueur Benedictine? Brandy 5. Which city is the headquarters of the Mormon Church? Salt Lake City. 6. What name is given to a young goose? Gosling 7. Denmark Strait separates which two countries? Greenland and Iceland. 8. If something is described as ‘eolithic’ from what age is it? 9. In cricket, what do the Australians call extras? Byes? 10. What was unusual about the Roman consul Incitatus? Horse. 11. (XLVIII + II) x X = ? (Answer in Roman numerals) MDCX? 12. In which English county can Cresswell Crags be found?

1. What name do we give to the study of flags? Vexioligy……..thanks Big Bang Theory! 2. In which Dickens novel does Richard Carstone appear?.............. 3. What is the boiling point of water on the Fahrenheit scale? 212 4. Who painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? Michelangelo 5. In which year was Grace Kelly born? 1934? 6. The Colorado Beetle attacks which plant in particular? Potatoes 7. With what is the organization CER N concerned? Boson particles 8. What breed of dog is Scooby Doo? Great Dane. 9. Which part of Britain was called Vectis by the Romans?.......... 10. Who, in a song, was thrown out ‘with nothing but a fine tooth comb? 11. Euclid is associated with which branch of mathematics? Geometry 12. Which boxer’s real name was Walker Smith? Sugar Ray Robinson.

I honestly wasn't standing up canny lass but I was in my romper suit........🤣

My dog just came in and told me a better plan to tackle covid19 than the President of the USA! True!

You know when you are in trouble when you work in a bank and two guys come in with masks and thankfully they are just robbing the place......

Politically incorrect or just bad taste.......literally. . Since everybody has now started washing their hands, the peanuts at the bar have lost their taste.

1. Who was the mother of Queen Elizabeth 1? Anne Boleyn. 2. Which guitarist is nicknamed ‘Slow hand’? Eric Clapton. 3. In general terms, what kind of food is bisque? Sea food soup. 4. Which English cathedral is also a college chapel? Oxford cathedral. 5. How many noughts are there in 9 billion? 9000000000…9 6. Who directed the 1989 film The War of the Roses? Blake Edwards. 7. Who did Maddy Prior sing with?????? 8. What is James Bond’s favourite tipple? Macallan whiskey. 9. Which Prime Minister made Queen Victoria Empress of India? Disraeli. 10. Which football club chairman once called his fans ‘scum’ and offered to forfeit a match? Brian Cluff. 11. How many legs does a queen bee have? None. 12. In the 1962 TV series ’The Saint’, what was the registration number of the Saint’s car, a 1962 Volvo P1800? (Bonus point if you know the original registration number when newly purchased). ST1. (Don’t know the original reg but do I get a bonus because I had one? Really heavy car with no power steering, bit better when they brought in the injected version. )

I tried to upload a video file and it said finished but never loaded onto the post?

Wimbledon. Egypt. USA and Canada. Summerset. Gunthers chain??? Sarah Brightman. A, B, O Resus negative Bald Eagle. Canary islands. 1900, 1901. Percy Sugden Copernicus. Galileo. ?/

Latest Northumberland figures........ https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/health/coronavirus/more-30-new-northumberland-coronavirus-cases-confirmed-death-toll-rises-2498497