Maggie/915

Now now Symptoms I may have to refer you to a higher authority 'God' Actually God may already be after Sting! To understand you would have to listen to the Last Ship and decide if he is blaspheming!

The play at the Theatre Royal this week 'Tyne' is excellent. Great use of music. ( including a couple of Sting songs) Michael Chaplin has produced a book 'Tyne View' which describes his walk along the river. It was from this, that the play became a reality.

The slip /up is the 24th is not the last day of the month! The History Society is to still go ahead with the 24th ! So still a clash, with the Forum meeting.

Welcome to the site Alan.

Yet again people claim the date of 12th Dec 1069 as the only reason for our church being here in Bedlington. From the writings of Rev Alexander Campbell -Fraser MA who wrote and published a history of Bedlington Church in 1924; it is stated that Bedlington Church reaches back to the seven years wanderings of the monks with the body during the period 875/882. One of these people was Eilaf . This man and his descendants are associated with Bedlington for many generations. Bishop Cutheard purchased the town about the year 900. We need a Time Team investigation or a follow on from the Walking through history programme about Saint Cuthbert.

Sorry won't make it but hope it goes well.

Supporting any local team is a test of character. No fair weather supporters here! Win or lose it is the team that matters. Love the headlines in the Chronicle, something to the effect that Pardew is now one of us! Border Reiver Genes maybe. You can fall but you must not lie down. A line from Dougie Maclean

Aurora Borealis the display here on Thursday was spectacular. We missed the show , did anyone witness the great event!

The THI event was very good ! The History Society explained about Canon Whitley being a 'Senior Wrangler' There is a plaque in his memory in the church near the high altar. It seems he was a friend to Charles Darwin and William Wordsworth

Surely you liquidate the company thereby loosing all the depts you have amassed , then you start up again under another name. How about 'the Hall at Longhirst' The poor people who have lost money really have had their money stolen. My subjective viewpoint.

Your Dad was a kindly sort. I can't believe he ever clipped anyone around the lugs. Not unless they needed a little help to behave. Today they would be seen as having 'Attention Deficit Disorder' or in need of help for 'Hyperactivity' Drugs or therapy?

Tynemouth World War 1 commemoration project is worth a look. Their information is set to go live on June 28th this year. The date is an anniversary of note! Their information on the First World War and the associated events are worth a look. Today there have been several talks at North Shields library. Excellent

Now Symptoms :- What's wrong with heavy?

I think people on both sides of the Border have a shared history and outlook on life. I feel,often, I have more in common with attitudes and ideas of people in Scotland than in other parts of England. However we all move around so much these days, no one can make rash generalisations. I have to declare an interest as four grandchildren were born North of the Border. I do not like the prejudiced thoughts of either side.

Happy Days

I think this guy used to cycle from Pegswood to Bedlington each day. The film Ken Russell made in the 60s features him and then he is in the follow up film that was made in the oo's. If I am correct, he was in a brass band, and talks to Ken Russell in the bottom club.

Today on Radio 4 at 3:45 there was a new series of essays on the topic of the Anglo /Scottish Border Crossings. Katrina Porteous was first exploring the history of the Northumbrian Hills. Worth a listen and worth recording our own thoughts. My early thoughts are linked up to the poem Lochinvar. Chivalry , bravery and a touch of history.

Symptoms , have you seen 'Purely Belter' the film or read the book 'The Season Ticket' Sometimes what you think you hate can change to maybe not love but respect. Pushing my luck! Sting's The Last Ship' is very very good. The imagery he creates is second to none. Even 'Balthazar's Feast' makes an appearance.

There was Merrydown Cider sold in the South which later had to be classified as a wine. Mandy s are immortalised by Ian Dury!

Yep

Stagey Bank Fair! In the Northumbrian this month an article on the old Drover Roads informs me that there was a huge fair at Stagshaw Bank. It is the junction of the Roman Roads that followed the Hadrian's Wall and Dere Street. Evidently, at their peak, the fairs held here on Whitsun Eve, July, August and October were reckoned to have been the second largest livestock markets after Smithfield. Maybe that is where we got the statement about an untidy house being 'Stagey Bank Fair'

This months Northumbrian Magazine has an article by Gordon Wilkinson How a Pub Makes a Name for Itself. In the article he explains that during the Second World War sometimes beer was in short supply. The Barrington Arms took action! When beer was available a monkey was placed in the window to let locals know to call in for refreshments.

The meetings are held in the Bedlington Christian Fellowship Church on the last Monday of the Month Sept To May (except Dec) at 7:30! Our forum Meetings seem to clash 28th Oct 24th March These meetings start at 6:30 Slight conflict of interest, maybe no one would want to go to both.

24th February 2014 at 7:30 The life and times of Canon Whitley a talk by Reverend Ian Hennebry Bedlington History Society Coffin Chapel

No Symptoms, get a ticket! Michael Chapman, and Kathryn Tickell involved. You might even get to like Sting's music.