Maggie/915

This is the cover of the Young Uns cd. They won best group at the folk awards.

This is nearer to home. Why are there different coloured stones / bricks near the roof. Scaffolding again, clerestory or triforium or any other ideas. The church our Saint Cuthbert's Bedlington.

Worth a read :-

Perhaps relevant :-

How could you say that about a cuddly little bear mercuryg. Think marmalade sandwich and learn.

The basis of the editorial is :- 'The people of Bedlington deserve better ' However the blame is Tesco not the political power base.

The Journal today has a report and an editorial comment about Bedlington

Ashington yesterday hosted a Triathlon. Swimming , Cycling and Running. It would be great if we still had the swimming baths at Humford because the rest of Bedlingtonshire would be ideal for an event. Maybe we could put suggestions to the officer in charge of leisure facilities at NCC. There is a Northumberland Triathlon initiative.

Old age brings on strange thoughts about life. Within Bedlington there is the ability to laugh at oneself and make light of even the worst situation. Family gathering can seem to reinforce this ability to laugh or make a serious situation seem funny. However it does not apply to all there are the people who you do not under any circumstances laugh at / or about. In a dangerous occupation where you rely on your workmates is this essential? After all, we can all make mistakes but we are defined by how we deal with them. Within politics there is a culture of its not my fault. When it comes to War then people see a common enemy and work together. This weekend I am thinking about our town, politics locally and nationally and how things could and should be done. Basically not got a clue. Do we learn from our nurture or do we just act because of our nature. When need arises do we go into fight or flight mode.

Melanie's suggestions for Bedlington are well worth a read. Excellent ideas regardless of who wins on Thursday. All the candidates and councillors should take note. No 'Doom and Gloom ' politics allowed. Working together sharing ideas. No one getting annoyed or unpleasant . Democracy. The pictures last night from Glasgow were shocking. Intimidation and shouting surely never wins the argument. Protest is fine but work for the good of all.

Happy Birthday to you both. The weather here is not to good today but I hope it is a bright and sunny year for you both.

Just watched Paddington. Very good and very relevant to political debate on immigration.

Remembering yesterday and listening to a group called The Young'Uns. Their cd seems very relevant :- Drown your hatred in a barrel of love, But never forget. There is even a track called :- The Running Fox.

Ah happy memories. Garden vegetables grown in the back garden. My folks also had pigs and chickens not in the back garden. Produce shared with neighbours. A life well lived here in our little town . Deliveries to the door , vans or horse and cart.

Peter Kay's latest comedy is very good.

The event reminded me of 'Picnic Day' Everyone going into town with one purpose. The church was full and everyone was determined to get out to the event. People talking , laughing, taking pictures basically showing how protests should be done. The weather even proved a winner. The town looked great. The ancestors would have been proud of everyone standing up to injustice but doing it in such an incredibly good humoured way. After all :- 'Bad things happen but working for change' Anyone not seeing it as a positive should look again'

There are some great comments . 'A cold wind is blowing over the Cheviots' 'The techtonic plates are shifting ' I can promise 'straight questions but not straight answers'

Well said Brett.

They are never mentioned now Canny lass. People used a special cream bought in little pots. Can't remember the name. Chilblains the very name reminds you of the past. Stone hot water bottles , coal fires, toasting forks, playing cards on a card table ! All by the fire

Yesterday was an event that was fun. Serious concerns for the town but a unique way to involve everyone regardless of political allegiance . Everyone was smiling , making a noise in so very many different ways. Even some of the police were clapping. Buses , cars all joining in. You really had to be there!

I overheard someone singing the praises of Melanie Hurst it seems she had a good meeting in Morpeth last week.. Someone else was called a Nazi by a phone caller because she said she would vote UKIP. Sadly her father had been a prisoner of war and it was a very upsetting comment. Politics is changing. Politicians are going to have to work to get our votes.

The pub is open again. Worth a drive around the work for the new developments in Morpeth. Change is in the air. Roads closed . Compounds signposted, probably for the new road Then there is the new site for something called Saint Andrews Gardens. Money no object it seems.

HPW you set the scene perfectly. We took some Grandkids down the National Mining museum near Wakefield. One could not stand being underground . It is claustrophobic and my guess is that museum is a whole different affair to the real working situation for most miners

Urine is a cure for bites and stings I believe. Waste not Want Not! Potties needed. Everyone used to have en suite facilities.

Very interesting day. Most people desperate for change. I hope the initiative now started continues after the election. No backstabbing and everyone working together to make our town viable. Well done to the current MP for turning up maybe delivering leaflets first. However he seemed to be getting a little bit of an earful about the state of the town. His answers did not seem too accurate reference the Old School and the perhaps 18 years it has been empty The point was made to him that if someone left their house in that state they would be in trouble. He appeared to agree. Next Thursday my hope is that everyone votes. No apathy