Maggie/915

Maybe I am being cynical but 'Moral Outrage' is a grand way to get your message across. Surely we all want the same things ! Who said 'Patriotism is the last refuge'? Right now you can all just have a go at me 'job done' Democracy, freedom of speech, common decency: Not to mention a good and , maybe , happy life. The morals and ethics of our country UKIP , FUKP or there are other parties available. The choice is up to the individual. No right and no wrong. On a different note , I had not realised who owned Cross Country Trains nor that they were part of the Arriva group. Must tell Al Murray!

My Grandfathers name is in the book at Saint Cuthbert's Carolyn. He died eventually because of the effects of Mustard Gas. Somehow it is nice to know he is remembered. War memorials can be incomplete sadly. Life in Bedlington past and present has always been interesting.

" Howay Bedlington" 'Champion' We know we are one of the best place to live. That all is regardless of our way of fighting.

I am up to my neck in Grandchildren and sorting out an unfair situation with Cross Country trains. Your posts on this thread have made my week. They are excellent and so important for our Bedlington History. They make you feel proud to be associated with the town. HPW you might be interested to read :- The Narrow Road to the Deep North. By Richard Flanagan. It is not easy to read but gives an insight into the War and the building of the Railway.

I remember a leading scientist saying this could happen in the late 70s. The TV needed to be on standby, Life used to be so very simple, or so it seemed.

No simple answer. Seems we as a society have a lot to learn. Even Al Murray as his spoof character jokes that :- 'we will brick up the Channel Tunnel with British bricks but we may need Polish workers to do the work' If we insist on everyone having an academic background before becoming an apprentice etc how many great people do we loose along the way. Not everyone is good at the exam game. Everyone has a role to play in a diverse society. Private Education is an interesting subject in itself. If it is right for the individual and money allows then we all have a choice to make for ourselves Large schools can be intimidating to Year 7 children. Even to certain teachers or visitors. ( if you make it past the fence and security) The 'Old Middle Schools' , which are being swallowed up , allowed children to retain a sense of purpose without to much focus on exams. My original post I thought summed up a life where we push all along a narrow path. Some succeed others fail. Personally I was educated in Bedlington and have never felt at a disadvantage. Certain Grandchildren are being privately educated. It has led to heated discussions at times in our family. There are no definitive answers.

This play is on at the Crucible Sheffield and is then touring. It is extremely thought provoking. Set in the Neil Kinnock years, it describes the politics of that era. Very controversial both now and then. The quote the title comes from appears to be this :-

If you are in the UK threegee this play might be worth seeing.

Worth a thought.

A warning to all those skinny people. Yes you Symptoms

If the 'Mortgage' was the only issue mercuryg then properties would not be going to Auction after repossession . Sadly the help to buy scheme can end up not helping.

Renewable energy I like that pilgrim it could catch on. Dying because local services have been eroded is a serious subject. We saw an accident near Flodden years ago. Traffic diverted to Berwick . ( the journey was very slow) It was only as we got to Berwick that we saw an Ambulance racing to the scene. The delay must have caused a problem if not death. Supporting the Air Ambulance was essential but I am not sure what has happened to that service. ( publicly funded ) That and the Lifeboat Crews need our support )

On that note pilgrim we need to consider how many properties are just not selling in Bedlington. Sadly even on that subject the figures can mislead us all. If population figures are so inaccurate ( when is a Shire not a Shire ) what we are told and what we see to be true are totally different. Consider the number of 'bankruptcy ' or properties repossessed . All these figures for our town could be relevant. Basically are people being conned into buying properties they simply cannot afford! Government help to buy etc Do the jobs available support the growing housing market.

Maybe a historical inquiry into abuse of public funds. Should 'historic ' read 'hysterical' Where is Tony Hancock when you need him. I am thinking of the programme where Tony and Sid decided to get the National Trust to do up their address at Railway Cuttings.

It could just say 'Other Parties Available'

Great pondering and not so trivial outcome. Informative and interesting comments. I wonder how much money was spent doing that stretch of dual carriageway with underpass.. Ah! A time when money was available for Bedlington. I realise I can get any subject around to lack of investment in the here and now. Sorry.

Sorry for there read their. Too much excitement !

Just 'Working My Ticket' mercuryg. The developments in the market place, that have never been fully developed, need attention . Maybe the threat of a compulsory purchase order could help. A roundabout using the old school land ! Historical Dig First to a level of interest. Bishops Place Era several metres down. If the new houses are built on the Broadway House Field then access will be needed. How many years has the land been left? I believe a fire destroyed or melted windows nearby.. The present owners of the land have had there chance. Land Banking maybe.

Interesting thought

May interest anyone at home or abroad.

Just as well I am not holding my breath for an answer.. Very very sad Bedlington and The Shire is so important to us all. So many opportunities lost. It seems sad that our town has been 'let down'. I remember a Bedlington Forum meeting where one of our elected leaders insisted on telling us how brilliant The Miners Picnic was. Not in Bedlington but in Ashington at Woodhorn! I am not against Ashington but I do remember the picnic days here in Bedlington.

Lovely today . The Priory , sea and sky described. Who would want to live anywhere else!

All proves the figures can be misrepresented. The truth is there we just have to find it. It seems very sad that (it appears ) we have been left out because people have interpreted the population numbers incorrectly . We need clarification or an apology before voting in May.

A friend could not buy either sweet potatoes or yams in Bedlington. I could not buy Aubergines or yeast ! Anyone anything else that stores in Bedlington did not sell. I personally do not shop on the internet but many people do. Could this be because we lack a choice in Bedlington.

We can now accept Bedlingtonshire has a population to match Ashington and Blyth. So Dear NCC and the Labour Controlled Bedlington Council, Show us you care!! (Or maybe not) Please please can we have a shopping centre (like the Keel Row) maybe call it The Lonnen. Waitrose and a Marks and Spencer Food store plus other retailers. Anyone who wants a way into a huge potential untapped market. Lots of available space. Bus station and parking on level ground. Two other levels with a walkway over to the old Elliott's Garage site and the old school Obviously there will be space available on the GAP Site. Space may become available if and when The Court House and Police Station close. All it needs is a little thought. Maybe a leisure centre would be a step to far but if it could or would be viable then that too could be considered. I sincerely hope this is not too much to ask after the years of no investment in a fantastic old town.