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A popular Choppington pub is set to blossom after the completion of a major refurbishment.

In October there is World Mental Health Day on the 10th and OCD Awareness Week from the 8th - 14th. I am delighted to be able to honour these two events as part of the #ListeningPost programe and host a #ListeningPost on Wednesday 11th October between 9am - 12. Listening Posts are a concept that has been set up in the UK for individuals to host Listening Posts so that people can come and visit and have the opportunity to talk and be listened to. The idea is to support people so that they feel heard and supported by individuals who have spent time understanding the importance of good mental health either through their own journeys or through professional coaching training. My interest comes from my own journey with mental health and inparticular OCD and anxiety. I offer a welcoming space as part of the Listening Post event for you to be able to have a space where you can talk and be heard. I'm not taking bookings for the event, if you would like to join in all you need to do is turn up to my treatment rooms on Wednesday 11th October between 9am - 12. The Listening Post spaces will run on a first come first served basis and can last as long as you feel you need. If you have any questions please feel free to message me, you can find out more about The Listening Post project here: https://listenforwellbeing.com/about/

A mobile phone app which makes it easier for residents to report issues affecting their local community is being rolled out across the region. The mobile app, ‘MyStreet Northumberland’, was designed by the Safer Northumberland Partnership and Improving Croft and Cowpen Quay (ICCQ) following a pilot in the “12 Streets” campaign which focused on identifying issues affecting twelve streets in Cowpen Quay and putting in long-term solutions. Residents can download the new app and use it to access information on a number of problems such as anti-social behaviour, noise, litter, street lighting and roads all in one place. From here, app users can access advice or report specific incidents to the council or if they have information or concerns about crime and disorder where they live they can access advice via the app or they can contact their local neighbourhood policing team direct. Councillor John Riddle, chair of Safer Northumberland, said: “While Northumberland has low crime levels, we know there are issues that affect people’s quality of life and it’s important communities can easily access advice and report anything they’re worried about. “The app has already been successful, being downloaded thousands of times in its first year, and we’re delighted it’s being rolled out by Northumbria Police to other local authorities in the area.” The app is free to download onto iPhone, Android, and Windows devices by searching ‘MyStreet’ in the app store. People should always call 999 when it’s an emergency.

Control freak Carl Tennant subjected his partner to a terrifying attack after complaining that his breakfast was not ready - then set about giving her a “broken nose for Christmas”. The brute had already sought to snuff out any independence the woman had, even discouraging her from travelling to visit friends and family. A court heard he viewed his then-girlfriend’s primary duty as being to serve and look after him. In October last year he launched an attack after complaining about their relationship and about his breakfast not being ready, Newcastle Crown Court heard. He grabbed her and pushed her, threw a piece of metal artwork at her and lifted her up by her ankles. When Tennant noticed she was bleeding he dragged her upstairs to run a bath and threw the hysterical woman in, fully clothed.

The devastated family of tragic Bethany Fisher have opened up their hearts for the first time since the teenager’s death. The 19-year-old was on a night out celebrating her birthday with friends when she was fatally injured in a car crash on Victoria Terrace, Bedlington, on August 19. Jordan O’Donnell was behind the wheel of a Ford Mondeo when he lost control of the vehicle. Passenger Bethany died from her injuries while her best pal Meg McBurnie, who was also in the car, was seriously hurt in the crash. Bethany’s auntie Suzanne Scott, from Blyth, revealed the family is still struggling to come to terms with losing their “beautiful girl”. Holding back the tears, the mum-of-three said: “I’m absolutely heartbroken and can’t believe I won’t see or hear her voice again.

New beginners Jillates Pilates with Jill class. Book your place to strengthen your core, improve your posture and joint mobility.

Reiki Share- Everyone Welcome :) Informal and friendly session for anyone interested in or practicing Reiki- bring your friends so they can experience the relaxing, calming benefits of Reiki. Due to the continuing success and expansion of the group and several enquiries recently for disabled or limited mobility access IReiki Share Bedlington has moved to East Bedlington Community Centre, 16 & 17 Station Rd, Bedlington NE22 7JW. It is a large, light and airy room with a beautiful feel. There is also a small room we can use if anyone wishes to have a more private treatment as well as a mezzanine area for watching/ chatting!. There is loads of parking and I am still able to offer tea/ coffee. The time is slightly different as the room is already booked in the morning so the new time is 1pm-4.30pm (drop in). The session will be £5 per person or £4 concessions, please note it will no longer be donations based, however once the expenses have been covered I will be donating the remaining of the funds to Water Aid. Many thanks Lindsey x

Ian Lavery has welcomed the news that the future of Bedlington’s Humford Dam looks like it is becoming increasingly secure.

Volunteers collected more than 20 bags of rubbish during a litter-pick at Gallagher Park in Bedlington.

All lined up in their new uniforms with their new classmates and teachers, these photographs are a historic document for every child pictured - and their families - and they are very cute too! The half-days and half-classes are over and the children are settling in to their new routine with new friends. We are delighted to feature roughly 1000 of them - and wish every one very many happy and successful school days to come. Some of the photographers were sent in by schools and others were taken by our staff. They will all feature in our First Class supplement printed in the Chronicle on Friday, September 29, a lasting memento to treasure. So put that date in your diary! You can buy a copy of the photographs we took for your family archive at www.chroniclelive.co.uk/buyaphoto You can also telephone 0191 201 6001 or call in to our reception in the Groat Market, Newcastle, NE1 1ED. Or just enjoy them here! The schools who took part are Appletree Gardens, Monkseaton; Backworth Park Primary School; Balliol Primary School, Longbenton; Beaconhill Community Primary School, Cramlington; Bearpark Primary School, Durham; Blackfell Primary School Washington ; Bridgewater, Newcastle; Browney Academy in Durham; Byker Primary School ; Caedmon Primary School, Gateshead; Canning Street Primary School, Benwell; Colliery Primary School, Dipton; Delves Lane Primary School, Consett; Denbigh Community Primary School, Wallsend; Dunston Hill Community School, Gateshead; Forest Hall Primary School. Also Kelvin Grove Community Primary School, Gateshead; Larkspur Community Primary School, Beacon Lough East; Malvin’s Close Primary Academy, Blyth; Moorside Community Primary School, Arthurs Hill; Mortimer Primary School, South Shields; Mountfield Primary School, Kenton; New York Primary School; Prudhoe Castle First School, Prudhoe, Northumberland; Seaton Sluice First School; Seghill First School, Cramlington; Sherburn Primary School Hill Site, County Durham; St Aidan’s RC Primary School, Ashington.

Northumberland County Council has secured funding to further expand childcare provision for three and four year olds, increasing the overall number of places available for 30 hours of free childcare per week from September 2017. The national roll out to offer an additional 15 hours of free childcare to three and four year olds from all eligible families begins this month and supports the government’s commitment to give working parents of three and four years olds 30 hours of free childcare a week. Northumberland County Council has already successfully piloted the scheme from September 16 in rural areas, with over 600 families benefitting. The council has secured £2m extra funding allowing it to increase the amount of free places across four early year providers within the county. The additional funding will allow for a total growth in places which will see nearly 9,000 hours of additional free childcare available for families. The areas set to benefit from the investment include; Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth, and Seahouses. Bedlington Central Councillor Russ Wallace, who sits on the Cramlington, Bedlington and Seaton Valley Local Area Council, said: “I am delighted that Northumberland County Council has secured this additional funding to provide extra places for free childcare. “Not only will this help families throughout the county, but it means that there will be additional places in the West Bedlington Early Years Partnership and this will directly impact families within our local area and will form part of helping parents of young children return to or continue working.” Councillor Wayne Daley, cabinet member for children’s services at Northumberland County Council said: “The offer of additional hours of free childcare is very important to families with young children and I am delighted that Northumberland County Council has secured funding to increase the number of places of free childcare we can offer throughout the county. “This funding is very important in allowing the council to support even more working families with young children with their childcare costs.”

Heartbroken friends have paid tribute to a teenager who was tragically killed in a car crash while out celebrating her birthday. Bethany Fisher was fatally injured when the Ford Mondeo she was in hit several parked vehicles on Victoria Terrace, Bedlington, on August 19. Childhood friend Sophia Chisholm described the 19-year-old as having a bubbly personality who always kept a smile on everyone’s faces. Sophia, 16, said: “We were like a married couple at work. We would bicker about little stupid things and wind each other up but we were the closest. She was like my best friend. “She text me and my friend Cheryl the day before she died telling us how much she loved us and she said we made her feel like we were all a little family. “Unfortunately a member of our little family has been taken away from us but she has left a big mark on my life.”

You're invited to come along and join a lovely group of friendly, like minded people to share Reiki. Everyone is welcome including children. You are welcome if you have never had a Reiki treatment before and would like to experience it. If you are a student currently practicing or want to refresh your skills you can come along practice. Its 5 pounds per person and includes tea and coffee Any questions please call/ text Lindsey on 07884451877 Looking forward to seeing you there!

A devastated teenager who survived the crash which killed her best friend on a birthday night out has spoken of her heartbreak. Bethany Fisher was fatally injured when the Ford Mondeo she was in hit several parked vehicles on Victoria Terrace, Bedlington, on August 19. Despite the efforts of neighbours and paramedics, the 19-year-old died of her injuries before she could reach hospital. Meg McBurnie, 19, was also in the vehicle and has been left with serious injuries after the collision. Paying tribute to her best friend, Meg said: “Everyone loved her and her funeral was the hardest day of my life. “From the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep, I’m always thinking about her. It still doesn’t feel real.

Playing the East Bedlington Music Festival support slot for Tony Bengstton

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.