Maggie/915

Well reader I did buy locally. Even visited their other shop not too far away. We all need to consider 'use it or loose it' . Rather nice feeling walking down the Main Street and buying something more than a paper and Don Lynn's pies. Result I do feel good but not too sure if I am out of pocket. It's only money afterall . Wish it was all done forget the dusting. Old ceiling tiles mean we still need plaster work and more effort. We cannot even claim it as a Sport Relief challenge.

More on Mr Lavery today in the Times. Headline page 10 'MP 's home loan from Union Fund' believed to be £250,000. He says the arrangement with the NUM ended eight years ago and any suggestion of impropriety is inaccurate. Also headlines in the Newspost Leader for him. The truth has to be in there somewhere.

Colin it was always said 'you will get your reward in heaven'. I never did understand the logic in that one. Anyway well done for you initial ideas. Strategy games seem at play in Bedlington overall. Our town has to rise again to some sort of 'Glory Days'. You are part of that process. Unsung hero. Maybe some one could write some lyrics. Passionate people passionate process.

Strange times. Yesterday Morpeth Town (The Highwaymen) won their semi final and are heading for Wembley FA Vase on the 22nd of May. I remember Bedlington having success one year , I have a flag somewhere. Today the toon and rivals Sunderland draw. Leaving the season in doubt for both teams. One year I bought a scarf outside the ground. Bright colours the Newcastle away strip. After the match one of my kids said do you realise what it says, no I did not. 'Sunderland are S---'. Happy days. Then the Sport Relief challenges result in Eddie Izzard completing 27 Marathons in 27 days. Two marathons today. I guess we should all take up sport but I am exhausted just thinking about it all. I think a cup of coffee is in order. Possibly we need a Nelson Mandella figure (for our politics ) right here right now.

Good comments mercuryg. It seems everyone is angry but not with the 'local group' who are desperately trying to help the town we all love. Now there seems to be a plan. I would like to see the County Councillors input. Maybe I have missed what they have said or done to help the process. Ok they did have their pictures taken when Arch bought the site, but now we need their views on this hugely significant development. Maybe even a comment from the MP would help. 'Affordable houses ' that statement needs definition. We have flats and houses standing empty. Some at reasonable prices. Government help to buy can prove a problem. We have friends whose daughter bought a new flat with help to buy. The value of the property has not been maintained and now she cannot move. A mortgage can prove to be a problem with negative equity. New builds look great to start with but can and do have huge problems. I wonder what will be built first houses or retail !

When a walk involves a 'clarty' path or a dangerous route stepping into the road.

One hundred and eleven years later the issue is who will drop out of the Premiership not the cup final

Now now threegee in years to come people may have a sense of humour. I do not think any time in history has been without its element of drama. i also hate the 'live now pay later' mentality. The whole Private Finance Initiative never made sense to me. Making light of a serious situation has always been a Geordie / Northumbrian characteristic. Maybe you have lived abroad too long. The important match on Saturday is on the Morpeth Common. still time to make it. Not too sure about Sunday's match but it could define the season '

Now what about 'Bread and Circus' At least the shows are in town. Also important football matches this weekend. 'Come on Morpeth'

More to celebrate. Have a great day Brian and a good year.

Newcastle United 1905 playing at The Crystal Palace. 'Divvent let th' Black and White Torn t' grey'

Fifty plus houses. Library , small /ish supermarket and other units. Basically anything is better than 'Nowt.' Two options at the display : lots of people to talk to about it all. The three rejected options are on display. No answers to more school places and other related issues. Why have other towns been developed with masses of money? The steering group have put in a huge amount of work and I am sure have raised the same issues. Could it all work : I hope so !

Great to see the amount of work that has gone into the new developments. Sadly it is all very controversial. All the work appears to be funded by the controversial new housing. This means loss of parking spaces and therefore will mean no extra land for development after regeneration. All space will be used to the maximum .

We have been more successful with other local shops. All comments have been noted. Now the paper is off and the old walls may need skimming. No chance to sit and stare Eggy. 'Whats this life if full of care we have no time to stand and stare'. No wallpaper, no objects of art to stare at : in our case the old framed newspapers are hidden away till all is done and dusted . I might add Eggy they are history objects . Start of War 1939 (old Evening Chronicle ) then (The Journal's) Victory in Europe and finally Japanise surrender .

Lovely weather here today in Bedlington very misty this morning but lots of sunshine. We only needed the layers if that cold wind did blow. I remember cutting edges off the wallpaper , happy days. Now I just want things finished and back to normal. i find myself thinking this decorating will see us out! Pathetic really , that and being offended by not a lot.

Great minds think alike or fools never differ Canny Lass We posted together . So once again Vic have a great birthday . My wishes are also on another thread .

And another thing Have a very happy birthday Vic. many years young.

Sadly Vic I did express my opinion. The lady assistant/manager walked away. They do have another shop locally may try there when we have more idea what we want. Sadly I am not sure what the answer is, indeed I did attempt saying that shopping locally could be a better alternative for many reasons one being that too little or too much of the wallpaper could become a'Unique Selling Point' on a return or buy more basis. The shop was empty at the time I visited and I wonder if these rules stop people from visiting. Customer service is always something to go back for in my opinion. I think part of the problem is that in the past things were not a problem . I do very much accept their viewpoint but I was there with a will to buy locally if I could.

We do not decorate often but need Wallpaper , paint and more. My husband visited a well known local shop, liked what he saw so I followed to view. The Staff appeared very helpful until I asked for a piece of paper to write down which papers I liked. Numbers codes etc cannot be written down or indeed pictures taken. Why was the obvious next questions :- People come in accept our help and then buy on the Internet . As I had no intention of buying today, not even sure of the number of rolls needed , I left. Despite knowing the family of this business for a lifetime and despite buying pictures and lots more from them in the past I do not feel like returning. Maybe I am being a sensitive old git but surely you can browse and accept help without being made to feel guilty. Is the help only offered in a 'police state' situation to stop you taking notes or pictures. We all window shop from time to time. Personally I am not to keen on the whole process of shopping. Would others be put off if they shopped and felt obliged to buy or get out of the shop. One lady assistant apologised for their rule and how it made me feel . The other lady simply ignored me as I left. Not sure I want to shop there again.

More on our MP yesterday in the Times. It seems he resigned from the NUM to become an MP . After that he recieved £60,000 in redundancy , which he recieved in the years after he became an MP. One issue, is that , It should have been declared in the House of Commons. He has faced questions and there maybe an enquiry. He says 'Any suggestion of impropriety on my part is completely inaccurate and I reject it completely'

A 'Nice' man gone to soon.

Master Racers not Master Race written in December 1945

That must be a joke 3g.

Allowances surely do not get any better (or worse) than this lot! £12,000 basic £27,000 for the leader per year . I wonder what these amounts cover each year. Basically what do the Council Tax payers get for these amounts of money. What have the Romans , oops the NCC Councillors, ever done for us ? I seem to remember the finance director was not needed and made redundant. Clarity , transparency ,it has got to be there somewhere.

'Spin' or 'The Men in the Shadows'. Even you must think 'Whatever' at times 3g.