Maggie/915

I wonder how the Harrying of the North affected our community. Hiding in the woods, escape by sea, may have helped. Records and even a church building would not, necessarily, have survived from that Anglo/ Saxon time. Buildings were often made of wood and any Stone church may have been recycled. After all History is written by the victors, maybe the current Norman Church was built by a guilt complex. We know our town predates the Normans.

Another thought after reading the Leader! Bedlington Community Centre this week has an evening if classical music. The Sage is mentioned together with a String Quarter from The ROYAL Northern Sinfonia. Perhaps more important for Bedlington the Northumbrian Piper Alice Burn. I know of two families with that name in Bedlington, just maybe we have a link. After that Wonky must know musicians and could gain fame and fortune by playing at an event. Maybe he is already famous and hides his qualities and musical connections.

News Post Leader has an article on free summer concerts. Attlee Park would be ideal our own Glastonbury.

This could be the year to do more Malcolm. Our connection to Durham and the Lindisfarne Gospels. Kathryn Tickell mentioned last night the Northumberland Society who tried years ago to get the Gospels to Durham permanently. Years ago we went to hand in a petition to Downing Street. Kathryn wanted to play the Northumbrian Pipes but was told busking was not allowed and then threatened with arrest. Her father thought that would have been good publicity. Must still be loads of support.

There is a folk story about a young lad playing a trick on the Venerable Bede who was old and could not see. He took him to a natural hollow and said lots of people were waiting for him to speak. The lad got worried because the speech was so inspiring. At the end birds, animals and the wind made so much noise that it sounded like a great crowd. The lad dedicated his life to the church. Our Natural Ampitheatre could be part of that story!

Full page on Bedlington in this weeks Morpeth Herald. Roger Hawkins admits that more research could be done maybe the Durham archives. He suggests that 'There's a gold mine for future local historians of Bedlington and its surrounding villages'

Worth a look at Segadunum. A mystery, exactly where was it found? Backworth Earsdon Or even Holywell. North of the Wall, it was found in 1810. Pity we have not found anything similar here in Bedlington.

Kathryn Tickell tonight at the Sage included the Royal Northern Sinfonia. The new title as of yesterday. A nostalgic night that made you proud to come from this magical place. They sang about the Oak and the Ash and the bonny Ivy tree. My recollection is the song should be the bonny Rowan tree. The Rowan Tree has special significance because a ship made with the wood can beat evil spirits. So goes the folk tale of Bamburgh and the serpent.

Seriously the open cast is a monstrous blot. Maybe it will not be so ugly for to long.

She seems to have been Lady Mona Taylor, but not sure of any other information. Interesting when a lot of our residents in Bedlington were born there, or others travelled to Rothbury. Why, I wonder what Rothbury had to offer that Hepscott did not. Birth for some of my ancestors, seems to include Mitford, Bothal etc and I wonder if there were Maternity facilities around that have been forgotten.

My grandad died from the effects of mustard gas. Very relevant today with the American agreeing to arm the Syrian Rebels. War is evil but there are times when we all need to stand up to the bullies of the World. Interesting article in the Guardian a couple of weeks ago. JFK it seems made good use of pointing out what unites us and not what divides us. Eddie Izzard does just that in his act.

Thanks for the re tweet

Keith your talents are wasted.

Maybe not important people to some. However if we want to raise the profile of our forgotten town then they are worth publicity. The Northumberland Miners Picnic was and still is important. Now it is History and very worthwhile to record as such. That is regardless of your politics or lack of them. We have Ken Russell recording the event and then many years later doing an update. Bedlington is important in so very many ways. The speakers are part of the History and story.

The problem with one e mail was that I was expecting a link from my son and noticed after that the spelling of his name was not quite right. Damage limitation after I had opened the link, I have deleted and just hope friends and contacts do not get something similar apparently from me. Dangerous times.

Is there a 'Wilt Alternative' Afterall Tom Sharpe's ashes are to be scattered in the North.

Raising the profile of our little town is important. How many famous people have spoken from the band stand. It seems we are in for money to refurbish. I bet we have some brilliant memories, mine are a bit hazy. I guess the shows were more important. I did always go down but now an action replay of those times would be great. Maybe a time machine

The plays titled Wondrous Place were very good, even if one included a boy who had an accident by falling from his bike. Tomorrow is Kathryn Tickell at the Sage.

The travelling shop was great.

He lives nearer than Woodhorn! A friend from Bebside has been on that bridge. I had no idea that there were tunnels, that the authorities had tried to block off. Seems really dangerous, maybe I have self preservation head of my list of priorities.

A friend said today that her cousin had said 'she had been swanking' or boasting. Does anyone else use that term?

The Gospels return later this month. Bedlington has a part to play in the story. What value have they in the British Library, that has been describe as like a bike shed behind Kings Cross Station. Contrast that with Durham Cathedral, surely that is where they belong.

Tom Sharpe has died this week and all I could think was 'Wilt' as we came along the road to Blagdon. The opencast is taking over the World as we know it. Richmond,Raby Castle, Corbridge, Ponteland and our wonderful Northern Landscapes and then the Blot

That's the problem Keith they were from a family member and a friend of long standing. Guess the hackers are getting more and more sinister. Not sure how they can get into someone's account. I thought the Apple products were safer.

How can we stop people. I have received two suspect E mails. One about green coffee beans and the other about working from home. Both look as if they are from friends. Once you have opened these things, what should you do. I thought Apple products were save!