Maggie/915

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

Now for something completely different . 24 hour coverage of the nesting Kittiwakes raising their young by the Tyne. Two cameras are installed on the Baltic. Until June 14 people can watch on www.durhamwt.co.uk/kittiwake-cam Funded by a £10,000 grant from Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the Sharing Heritage programme. This project is working towards maintaining support for the conservation of the breeding colony into the future.

HPW I undrstood the Top Club was something to do with dodgy concrete. It was quite a futuristic building and next to our very own dual carriageway. When the coal seam folds that is dangerous. Is that right? Fascinating what you learn about the Earth beneath our feet here in Bedlingtonshire.

I wonder if the sale will go through and what money will change hands. Still don't think anyone knows about what happened when Tesco's bought the site. Interesting development maybe all down to Andy Brown and his campaign.

The Journal front page today:- £80m plan for homes and hotel in Morpeth. Whilst later in the day the big news for Bedlington is Tesco agree to sell their site to Arch.

It is simple mercuryg they may not have a poster to display. However the lack of political posters may tell a different story.

Everyone should put the posters in their windows. The Main Street businesses who do not have a poster should be noted . There are very few election posters around.

Has the new police station got a problem with subsidence? I hope it is just a rumour .

This campaign must go 'National'. The local press are involved and soon it will be international. (Hopefully) One cute dog, a history story, so much background worthy of recording. Now injustice. Doom and Gloom no way. Maybe Robson Green could do a series of programmes about a town's fight for survival. He did live locally for a while and shop in Bedlington! Even a fishing story How about 'Robson Green steps in to protect Crayfish at Humford.' Anything to get all the political parties working together and not being negative !

Even a nomination for a 'Tony' award. Winners to be announced in New York June 7th

On page 50/51 of The News Post the candidates for Wansbeck put their case for peoples vote.. Strangely it is the Conservative candidate who makes the most of the plight of Bedlington. Indeed half of his plea is given over to details of the plight of our little town . He also supports 'Make a noise for Bedlington' None of the others make comment about the state of Bedlington. Sadly it needs everyone seeing how desperatly Bedlington needs support. Maybe Saturday will see all the would be politicians turning up. If not they say more than their fine words .

Reading the first post it seems these young people knew the arguments and were making up their own minds. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Given the facts people decide for themselves.

The News Post leader is very interesting this week. 1) The headline is 'we will only get louder' promises pressure group (Bedlington) 2) Jayne Middlemiss is now supporting the campaign 3) There is a letter from Simon Tyler in which he claims to have 'noticed an increasing number of doom and gloom letters concentrating on Bedlington' He goes on to state that 'from the small amount of research he has conducted there is a plan for Bedlington' He asks one thing :- Keep believing in Bedlington. I think he has his wish in the campaign, maybe not quite in the way he intends. ACTIONS not WORDS

The Man and the Donkey. 'He gave his life so others may live' The Customs House South Shields are commemorating his life 19th to the 23rd May 2015 John Simpson Kirkpatrick Born South Shields 6th July 1892 Died Gallipolli 19th May 1915.

The Last Ship still sails.

Thanks Ovalteeny. Good to read the article. The whole show was very good.

Should have said every hotel in Newcastle must have been full. The show was a sell out.

Sting , Jimmy Nail, The Unthanks, The Wilsons, Katherine Tickell and more were at the Sage Friday and Saturday. We needed to take out a mortgage to get a ticket or two but the concert was one of the very very best. People from all around the World were at the venue. The car park was not full and after there were so many people outside taking pictures You just had to be there.

The boiler is in Hereford Cathedral. Actually more than just the one. Not sure if they work or how! The Mappa Mundi, an original Magna Carta, a chain library even a bishops palace make it a must to visit yesterday not tomorrow.