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Join us on Friday 13th October as we celebrate all things 80's! Flux Capacitor are the North East's Premier 1980's Tribute band, covering the likes of Duran Duran, Bon Jovi, Prince, Huey Lewis & The News, Hall and Oates, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Kenny Loggins, Robert Palmer, Don Henley, A-Ha, Spandau Ballet, David Bowie, Queen and more! Fancy Dress is encouraged, and we'll be giving out prizes on the night for best dressed! Tickets are £5 and are available from East Bedlington Community Centre, East Bedlington Parish Council Offices, the Buffet Car, online at wegottickets.com or via the 'Buy Tickets Now' button on our page (online ticket sales are subject to a 50p charge). Tickets are going fast, so get yours quickly before they all go! Doors open from 7pm

Back by Popular Demand, Dean Man's Shoes return to Platform 1 to bring you a night jam packed of top class acoustic covers. Those who have seen them play before will know the high calibre performance they can expect - for those of you who haven't, you won't be disappointed! Dead Man's Shoes will be on stage around 9pm, and before that there will be live acoustic music in the bar from 8pm. Free entry, bar open from 11am, under 16's MUST be accompanied by an adult.

It's time to get your scary face on and party in style this Halloween! Join us as we celebrate all things spooky on Friday 27th October, accompanied by a rockin' soundtrack provided by the awesome Jo James Band! Bar open from 7pm, it's free entry, and fancy dress is a must! We first welcomed the Jo James Band back in April when we first opened, and they certainly set a standard - we're looking forward to welcoming them back for what is going to be a scarily good night!

The Kings of Rhythm - Born out of The Stax Brothers, The Kings of Rhythm take soul music and add some R & B, blues and a little rock! https://www.facebook.com/thekingsofrhythm/ Band on stage at 9pm - acoustic support in the bar to be announced! Free Entry! Bar open all day!

This is the killer danger driver who left one teenage girl dead and another seriously injured. Jordan O’Donnell was behind the wheel of a Ford Mondeo when he lost control last month. Passenger Bethany Fisher died from her injuries while Meg McBurnie, who was also in the car, was badly her. After the crash in Bedlington, Northumberland, O’Donnell rang police and pretended his car had been stolen. As we revealed previously, he has been warned he faces a significant spell behind bars after admitting offences including causing death by dangerous driving. Now police have released his mugshot ahead of his sentencing hearing next month.

The deadline is looming for community groups, charities and young people in the county to apply for funding from a much valued community grant scheme. Grants of up to £5,000 are available from Northumberland County Council to help deliver activities that benefit residents and communities - but applicants need to hurry as the deadline for the first round of applications is Friday 29 September. The council’s long running Community Chest Fund was improved and relaunched earlier this summer following consultation with local communities. One of the key improvements to fund is a new grant called ‘Help For You’ which is aimed specifically at the under 18s. Grants of up to £200 are available to help individuals in pursuing a particular ambition - whether it is sporting, musical or academic. Other changes to the scheme include: Community chest budgets will be managed and allocated by local area councils; The budget for each area council is based on the population living in that area; Local area councils are able to identify funding themes relevant to their communities; For local schemes there will be a £5,000 upper grant limit with a maximum award of 75% of the cost of any proposal; The countywide element of the fund has doubled to £60,000, with no upper limit but the maximum grant award of 75% of the project’s costs, and There will be two funding rounds each year. Leader of Northumberland County Council Peter Jackson said: “We’ve listened to the views of local communities and feel we have made a number of very helpful changes to the grant scheme to widen its appeal, including opening it up so that young people are eligible to apply. “We would like to see this fund providing support to the many valued local groups and voluntary organisations that are making a real difference in every corner of the county. If you have a project that you think could benefit please don’t hesitate to get in touch.” The community chest fund has been in operation in Northumberland since 2009 and over its lifetime 1,450 awards totalling £2.6million have been made to voluntary and community groups to develop projects that enhance the environment, improve health and wellbeing and strengthen communities. If you are not in a position to apply for funding this month, you can still apply at a future date. The second deadline for funding applications is 12 January 2018. To apply, applicants must fill out an application form. This can be done online or by downloading the form from www.northumberland.gov.uk. If you have any queries, please email iain.hedley@northumberland.gov.uk Find out all about the fund here.

Northumberland residents are being asked to vote for their favourite Green Flag park - putting it in the running to be the nation’s favourite in the People’s Choice Awards. In July we found out that nine Northumberland parks had gained Green Flag Awards this year - marking them out as some of the UK’s very best parks and green spaces. Now members of the public can vote for the Northumberland Green Flag park that they think should be the whole nation’s favourite. Green Flag parks in Northumberland are: Ridley Park in Blyth; Doctor Pit Park in Bedlington; Alexandra Park in Cramlington, Hexham Parks; Carlisle Park in Morpeth; Castle Vale and Coronation Parks in Berwick; Plessey Woods Country Park near Bedlington; and Bolam Lake Country Park near Belsay. Councillor Glen Sanderson, cabinet member for environment and local services at Northumberland County Council said: “We have some exceedingly beautiful and very special parks in Northumberland - all with their own unique set of attractions. “In each you will find a range of opportunities to suit all ages and interests - from sports and play facilities - to areas where those who seek it can enjoy peace and tranquility. “I urge everyone to get behind their favourite park in Northumberland - giving it a chance to become one of the nation’s favourites.” To vote for your favourite Green Flag park go to www.greenflagaward.org Simply find your park on the map and click the vote button. Once you’ve voted, why not encourage others to get involved too. Paul Todd, International Green Flag Award manager said: “Following the huge success of #LoveParks Week, the People’s Choice Award is another chance to show how much your favourite park means to you. Make your voice heard and vote now.” Voting is open now and closes on 30 September, with the top 10 winning sites due to be announced on 11 October. Last year saw tens of thousands of people voting for their favourite park, with winners coming from all across the UK, from London to Lanarkshire.

Speed & Agility resumes tonight

Killer driver Jordan O’Donnell has admitted causing the death of a teenager and seriously injuring another girl in a horror crash. The 20-year-old was behind the wheel of a Ford Mondeo with no insurance when he lost control in Bedlington, Northumberland, last month. Passenger Bethany Fisher tragically suffered fatal injuries while Meg McBurnie, also in the car, was left seriously hurt. After the collision, O’Donnell rang police and lied that his car had been stolen. Now he has been warned he is likely to receive a lengthy prison after he admitted offences including causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and doing acts intending to pervert the course of justice Judge Tim Gittins, at Newcastle Crown Court, told O’Donnell, who appeared on a video-link to HMP Durham: “You having pleaded guilty to the offences you face, obviously the likelihood is a significant custodial sentence.

A thug who stamped on an innocent stranger’s face during a horrific and unprovoked attack in a Northumberland pub has been jailed for five years. Vile Jack Stevenson floored David Wailes with a punch and began stamping on his head, leaving him with a broken eye socket. The vicious attack took place two days before Christmas, while the victim was celebrating a Christmas night out at the Grapes Pub in Bedlington. Stevenson, 25, who had previous convictions for battery, criminal damage and dangerous driving, has been locked up for five years. His “mindless” attack has been condemned by police, who say there was no altercation or argument that provoked Stevenson to attack. After brutally assaulting Mr Wailes, Stevenson punched an 18-year-old man and fled the scene.

A man has been jailed after he repeatedly stamped on a stranger’s head as he was celebrating a Christmas night out in Bedlington. Jack Stevenson, 25, launched an unprovoked attack on David Wailes as he was in The Grapes Pub in the Northumberland town on 23 December last year. Stevenson, of Carlton House, Bedlington, was convicted on September 4 at Newcastle Crown Court for wounding, assault and breaching a suspended sentence and as a result, handed down a five year sentence. There was no altercation or argument that provoked Stevenson to attack the victim. He launched a single punch that sent Mr Wailes to the floor and then proceeded to stamp on his face. Stevenson then punched an 18 year old man before fleeing the scene. Less than two weeks later, officers caught up with him and swooped in to make an arrest. Detective Sergeant Jason Kell said: "The victim was left with a fractured eye socket but given the ferocity of the attack, his injuries could have been much more severe. Thuggish behaviour like this is simply not acceptable. We want people to feel safe to enjoy their night out, at whatever time of year, without worrying about people like Stevenson. "We're pleased with the sentence that's been handed down to the offender and hope that this serves as a warning to others about the consequences of launching a mindless attack like this."

Category is... BIG BANG THEORY! Register your teams now by dropping us a message here on our Facebook page, or pop in and see us at the bar! £3 per ticket. Maximum of 50 tickets, no more than 6 people to a team. First come first serve!

Arch is inviting Bedlington residents to hear about the progress with its development plans for the town centre.

A free limited places event to help key members of the emergency services will take place in Bedlington next month.

Three options are now on the table in relation to the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Humford Country Park in Bedlington.

Northumbria Police has taken on more of its youngest ever recruits as its successful Mini Police scheme is extended. Earlier this year Northumbria Police’s Mini Police was launched with seven primary schools across the force area signing up to the scheme. School children were selected from the participating schools to become Mini Police where they work with their local police and volunteer police cadets to learn about a host of topics to help keep them and their friends safe. Mini Police, recognisable by their uniform, also carry out work in the community and since the scheme began have attended some of the region’s biggest events such as the Sunderland International Airshow - at the airshow they played a vital role and helped hand out wristbands to children their own age and younger, the wristbands included the contact details of the child’s parents or guardian so that if they did become separated they could quickly be reunited with them. Now, due to the success of the scheme it has been extended with eight more schools now signing up and an extra 88 nine and ten year olds becoming Mini Police - meaning there are now 164 primary school children enrolled on the scheme. Superintendent Sarah Pitt was instrumental in launching Northumbria Police’s Mini Police. She said: “Since we launched the scheme in April we’ve had a lot of interest in our Mini Police with people getting in contact to see how their children or school could get involved. It’s been a great success so far and we’re really pleased we’ve been able to extend it and welcome more children into the police family.” Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Dame Vera Baird QC, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for children to engage with their local communities and learn more about how our officers tackle crime and help people who need it. It’s great that we have more youngsters signing up – I hope their involvement inspires them and they have lots of fun as new Mini Police recruits. “ The schools now involved in the scheme are:- In Northumberland: Newborough School, Hexham Grange Primary School, Blyth Meadowdale Academy, Bedlington Chantry Middle, Morpeth In North Tyneside: St Columba’s RC Primary School, Wallsend Riverside Primary School, North Shields In Newcastle: Westgate Hill Primary School, Newcastle St Bedes Primary School, Newcastle Thomas Walling Academy, Newcastle In Gateshead: Falla Park Primary School, Felling Eslington School, Gateshead In South Tyneside: Laygate Community Primary, South Shields St Mary’s Primary School, Jarrow In Sunderland: Academy 360, Sunderland Easington Lane Primary School, Houghton Southwick Community Primary, Southwick View the full news release

Green fingered Northumbrians have done the county proud yet again as they collected a string of awards after impressing judges in this year’s Northumbria in Bloom awards. Dozens of towns, villages and businesses showed off their floral displays, summer planting and well tended parks and gardens in the competition which has seen communities and council staff pull together to show off local neighbourhoods at their best. The county did exceptionally well in the Towns category with Morpeth winning overall Gold for the bright displays that have produced a blaze of colour right across the town. Alnwick won Gold, Bedlington won Silver and Berwick and Hexham were awarded Silver Gilt. In the Large Towns category, Blyth won Silver and Cramlington won Silver Gilt. In the Small Towns category Ponteland and Seaton Sluice won gold with Seaton Delaval achieving bronze. Seaton Delaval won the Most Improved entry for enthusiastically taking on a number of neglected areas for transformation and for the hard work and vision of the community. The county’s villages also scooped a number of fantastic awards against tough competition. Ord near Berwick won the Large Villages category. Judges found the village to be pristine throughout with residents taking a great pride in keeping their neighbourhood spotless as well as caring for the many tubs and planters. There were celebrations elsewhere as Holywell and New Hartley won Silver and Seghill won Bronze in the Large Villages category. East Hartford won Silver in the Small Villages category and Lesbury won Silver Gilt in the Villages category. The popular Ridley Park in Blyth was winner of the Best Park award for its beautifully landscaped public space. Young growers in the county also got involved and Tweedmouth West First School in Berwick scooped the Growing Together for Schools award. Other Gold winners included Alnmouth Railway Station ( best bus/metro/rail station) The parish hall garden, Corbridge ( best Grounds of a hospital, university or public building) Ord Country Park ( best commercial premises) Berwick Bowling Club ( best sports ground) Woodbine Terrace, Corbridge ( best residential community). A number of very worthy awards were made for outstanding voluntary contributions. Neville Rutherford of Corbridge for his inspiring leadership of Corbridge in Bloom; Kenneth Thompson from Morpeth for his commitment to the ‘In Bloom’ entry and George Anderson for his contribution to the betterment of Ord Village Councillor Glen Sanderson, cabinet member for environment and local services at Northumberland County Council, said: “It is wonderful that the hard work and efforts of a few have made the towns and villages where we live such attractive places. We really do appreciate their work and congratulate everyone involved. ”

East Bedlington Parish Council Present... Sound of the Station - a FREE 3 day music festival, held at East Bedlington Community Centre! Completely FREE to everyone, the weekend features music from varied acts and there is something for everyone. FRIDAY 29th SEPTEMBER: 7pm - Kitchy Retro - Americana Duo, combining country, blues, roots and folk sounds - https://www.facebook.com/kitchyretro/ 8pm - Tony Bengtsson - "socially conscious Country music" - https://www.facebook.com/tonebengtsson/ 9pm - Fossil - Big songs, big guitars and big harmonies - playing the finest in classic and melodic rock - https://www.facebook.com/FossilBandUK/ SATURDAY 30th SEPTEMBER: 3pm - Daryl Burns - Acoustic rock & pop - https://www.facebook.com/darylburnsofficial/ 4pm - Tom O'Donnell - American folk-singer - https://www.facebook.com/TomODonnellFolksinger3/ 5pm - The Corn Shacks - featuring a Washoard, Ukulele and their own unique folk/Americana mix - https://www.facebook.com/thecornshacks/ 6pm - McDade - Local Country legend signed to Boomchang Records 7pm - Alan McCullock and Mike Waller - vocal harmonies, guitar and piano, playing popular covers from the last 4 decades 8pm - Anthony Simm - Top notch solo artist playing a range of songs - https://www.facebook.com/anthonysimmmusic/ 9pm - Rhythm Emission - An eclecticmix of covers featuring top class vocals, saxophone and harmonica. Playing a range of popular music guaranteed to get you dancing - https://www.facebook.com/RhythmEmission/?ref=br_rs SUNDAY 1st OCTOBER: 4p-6pm Bedlington Choir 6pm onwards - Buskers Night - our monthly open mic night, for anyone who wants to get up and play us a tune, or just have a listen - pints for players! All welcome - full bar all weekend - under 16s are welcome but MUST be accompanied by an adult.

The public are being invited to have their say on the next stage of plans for the Portland Park site in Ashington. Portland Park is Northumberland County Council’s major regeneration site in the heart of the town. The site is being delivered by Arch on behalf of the County Council which has already seen works start to create a new road network system designed to improve existing traffic issues within the town centre as well as to help pedestrians move round the town more quickly and easily. Arch and the County Council are organising two public consultation sessions being held to encourage as many people as possible to attend and have their say on what facilities they would like in the town centre. Those ideas and views are intended to be collected and developed to inform a new masterplan for the town, and will be shared again with the public in the near future. The two public consultation sessions will take place on Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st September, from 1pm-7pm at Unit 1, Wansbeck Square, Ashington NE63 9XL. The consultation material will be made available on-line after the public consultation events have finished, with the public also having the opportunity to provide comment electronically should they not be available to attend the sessions. Peter Jackson, Leader of Northumberland County Council said: "The Council is determined to work with local people to create a new centre to the town which the community can be proud of. In addition I can confirm that the County Council will deliver the £2.9 million make over of Hirst Park and that the County Council has committed funds to further develop the £190 million Ashington to Newcastle passenger rail connection. The future for Ashington and the surrounding area is definitely exciting." Cllr Richard Wearmouth Chair of Arch said: “We’re looking at potential community uses, how we can enhance the environment in the town and how we can attract business use. We want to involve local residents in giving their views on what they would like in their town centre, and start a new exciting chapter in the development of the town. We are confident that working with the people of Ashington we can create a fantastic new development for Ashington that people will be proud of".

Join me for a hour as I take you through this wonderful flowing form of gentle Yoga. Dru Yoga can help you to control stress, increase flexibility and build up core strength. The first class you attend is free, after that it is £5.00 per class. Please call me on 01670 222735 to find out more and book your place.

Meditation for wellness is beneficial to all age groups. We will be working with the breath to aid in relaxation. By slowing and deepening our breathing it will help you to achieve a meditative state. As part of the class we will explore different meditation techniques. Meditation has been shown to relieve stress, help with low moods and has been practised for 1000 of years. First class that you attend is free.

Join me for a hour as I take you through this wonderful flowing form of gentle Yoga. Dru Yoga can help you to control stress, increase flexibility and build up core strength. The first class you attend is free, after that it is £5.00 per class. Please call me on 01670 222735 to find out more and book your place.

Meditation for wellness is beneficial to all age groups. We will be working with the breath to aid in relaxation. By slowing and deepening our breathing it will help you to achieve a meditative state. As part of the class we will explore different meditation techniques. Meditation has been shown to relieve stress, help with low moods and has been practised for 1000 of years. First class that you attend is free.

Join me for a hour as I take you through this wonderful flowing form of gentle Yoga. Dru Yoga can help you to control stress, increase flexibility and build up core strength. The first class you attend is free, after that it is £5.00 per class. Please call me on 01670 222735 to find out more and book your place.

Meditation for wellness is beneficial to all age groups. We will be working with the breath to aid in relaxation. By slowing and deepening our breathing it will help you to achieve a meditative state. As part of the class we will explore different meditation techniques. Meditation has been shown to relieve stress, help with low moods and has been practised for 1000 of years. First class that you attend is free.