Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)

Construction is well underway on a new outdoor climbing attraction for Plessey Woods Country Park. The investment in specially constructed ‘climbing boulders’ will complement the refurbished and improved visitor centre and toilets which are due to re-open in the coming months. Three large manmade boulders, around ten feet in height, will be installed in a clearing in the trees, providing fun and fitness for a range of skill levels and abilities. There will be a rubberised surface underneath alongside safety signage. And as part of the scheme a child-friendly boulder climbing is also being put in by the current playpark. The boulders have been paid for by the County Council, Section 106 monies and local County Councillor Malcolm Robinson through his Member’s Small Schemes fund. The boulders will complement the range of improvements to the park’s visitor centre, also supported by Cllr Robinson, which include an enlarged cafe area, modernised kitchen and improved serving area and new toilets. Councillor John Riddle, cabinet member for environment, farming and rural, said: “We are committed to ensuring our parks and green spaces are well managed and maintained, and to invest in them so that they continue to be among our most popular attractions. “We know how important our open spaces are for people’s health and wellbeing and this will be a fantastic new addition for the park, alongside our refurbished and improved visitor centre and toilet facilities.” The climbing structures have been designed to look realistic and provide a range of different holds and routes for climbers and non-climbers of all abilities to have a go at the growing sport of ‘bouldering’. Bedlington West County Councillor Malcolm Robinson said: “This is going to be a great new feature for this wonderful park, and it’s something I’ve been keen to support through funding. “Plessey Woods is so popular with residents and visitors and we hope that this exciting new free-to-access facility will allow non-climbers to get involved, helping them to keep fit as well as attracting those already involved in the sport that want to practice and improve their skills in a safe outdoor environment.”

I am suirprised that they wanted tpo upgrade the pitch to artificial turf. I have no idea how many, if any, other teams in the league the terriers played in had 3G. But I would always want Bedlington Dr. Pit Welfare Park to have a Bedlington football team playing there🤞. Good luck Mal

@Pegwoman - 1924 map showing Puddlers Row at the end of Puddlers Road (now Stead Lane) :-

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So a mini Beamish for Bedlington. Sounds good @Pegwoman. Do you think there is a spare plot of land, with Carparking, in Bedlington? The grassed area at the top of the Elenbel & Tomlea Avenue where Puddlers Row used to be? Our home is like yours as my wife keeps everything, stashed away in cupboards, just incase we ever need it

Unfortunately @Pegwoman I would thing any artefacts of Bedlington's history will surely be with existing collections outside of Bedlington. Probably all Bedlington has left are a few photos