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Thanks Everyone for the Birthday greetings. Its the big one next year I'll have to consider a face lift or maybe not. Just be happy with a bus pass.

Nice seasonal website, thank you! Vic

This was when things were starting to go downhill, with multiple pit closures. The kids "Jazz Bands" were an attempt to pad things out to make up for all the many, by then missing, brass bands. I think there was an element of copying the American cheerleader phenomena. An interesting bit of research to see when the "Jazz Bands" started, who introduced them, and where the influence came from. Something nobody has so far mentioned is the quaint name of the event. Why was it called a picnic, when in fact it was quite clearly a trade union movement political rally? The answer is that when it was first held in the 1860's such rallies were illegal, so it was dressed up as a day out for the family complete with brass band competition and sideshows. The banners behind which everyone marched weren't those of the trade union branches, but those of the associated colliery bands. But by reading some of the banners - at least by post WWII, and probably long before - a visitor could have been excused for thinking they'd taken a wrong turn somewhere and ended up in the former Soviet Union. By sheer coincidence I've just dredged up Ken Russel's nostalgia piece from 2005 with clips of the 1960 picnic in b&w. At nearly a gigabyte it's going to take some processing to make it streamable. He's included a bit of colour 8mm amateur footage from somewhere. It looks to me as though this was also taken in 1960. The really exciting thing is that we have some 8mm colour that has never been seen in public. I've probably mentioned this before, so it's about time we got it digitised. It's late '50s, and I will probably be able to pin the year down exactly. This could be the earliest colour film of the picnic, though I doubt it. It's more likely to be simply the earliest 8mm colour film.

I have to say, im trying to get my grandad set up on Sky's base broadband, thats 2BMps (4 times as fast as yours) for only £5.99pm without skly talk, otherwise its free. I used BT for a while and it was terrible, sorry to break it to you, but they have you hoodwinked... if you dont want to change, call BT up and tell them that if they do not increase your download speed then you will be moving to another ISP. We did that and they offered us an upgrade from 2 to 8 MBps for half the price. BT is known for this AND their bad line quality. Seriously, new ISP needs to be on christmas list ;-) Toby

Toby, Great response and interesting to hear from someone with a current insight into the 'youth problem'. You raise some great points, but also miss some: while I fully understand you have - or had - 'nowhere to go' you clearly point out, conversely, that that is not the case. You have a home - granted, your parents like their privacy - and you have friends, and you have sixth form socials, which you choose not to attend. Quite why is your choice, but it does draw some questions. I can clearly see how you're frustrated at being glowered at by old ladies; I walk down the street in my full length black leather winter coat and they glower at me, and i'm 45! You're in the majority, for the majority of 'kids' - I use the term to describe a wide range of the younger generations, and without prejudice or other - are great, enjoyable and truly lovely people: I know, I work with many occasionally, have been involved with employing youngsters, and know a great number of the local youth through friends and family. The minority, which you rightly poin out are those who the likes of Jester has a problem with, are a true minority, and that is something we should be thankful for. Before I conclude I would like to draw your attention to this: "As i was growing up, if i had a centeral place where i could 'hang out' and somewhere where my parents will believe i am safe, i would have been alot more comftorable in groups my age " The problem I have is this: when I was growing up I didn;t have anywhere sich as you describe, those that followed me didn't, those that preceded me didn't, and so on. What's changed? What is it that this generation 'need' that we didn't?

Ok, this is from the point of view of an 18 year old lad, from Bedlington, who is still curently in Bennies 6th form. Jester, my advice to you is a mobile phone or even better, a video camera, when they come again, try and catch them on camera. the more identifiable features you can get, the better. About the 'lack of things to do' issue; i have to completely agree that there is nowhere for me to go and 'hang-out' with my friends. Ill admit, im not perfect, but iv had a bloody good upbringing. Iv been punished at home, and i have to say, it has worked becuase i understand what i have done wrong! I have been wrapped in a protective blanket all my life. Iv had alcohol at home since i was about 12, but it was strictly monitored by my parents, 1 can of lager, then no more. they wouldnt let me watch a damn 12 rated film untill i was 13, the first internet connection we had, used parental controls to stop me from doing 'whatever i wanted'. I am an only child, therefore iv learned to be quite lonley, and how to cope/entertain myself. Most of the kids causing problems, i can almost guarantee will have siblings, rivalry and the like causes most of the problems. Then when a sibling moves on, they are left alone, meaning that they rely on their friends to kee them entertained. Iv never been very sociable with kids my own age, infact, i only have 2 close friends who i will make an effort to see, most of the time, i entertain myself on my computer or playstation playing games. EVERY NOW AND THEN, i have a friend in the house to have a game on the playstation, very rare because my prents like their privacy and iv only ever had 1 sleepover! My being alone hasnt helped me socially, i dont hang around with a group of friends, i dont even attend the 6th form socials which are held even though i can legally drink. As i was growing up, if i had a centeral place where i could 'hang out' and somewhere where my parents will believe i am safe, i would have been alot more comftorable in groups my age (i can cope with older people no problem). So now, the only regular socialisation is at school which i only attend for my lessons and over my damned computer just becuase i had nothing to do! Infact, the most fun I had in bedlington was Tommy turning on the christmas lights. May i point out that Bennies provided the band and equipment for that, as well as some trusted 6th formers working to keep the peace? The question raised about Bennies is what can they do to solve anti social behaviour? i know for a fact that if the 'kept me in detention' i would refuse to turn up. Outside of their gates is WELL out of their control. the FULL issue here is parenting and i think that i am the perfect example of that. Im sick of being the minority, walking down the front street with all the grannies glaring at me just because of my age... i have done nothing wrong, and i am sick of being tarred with the same brush. These are groups of 10-15 people who cause the problems, we are not all taboo'd. Again, to Jester who is the main victim (that we know of) listen to what Symptoms said They WANT a reaction from you, iused to kick a football against a garage door when at my grandparents, ill point out that i had the garage owners permission, however the noise disturbed some of the people in the houses around the area, they came and complained and we were able to say 'and what can you do about it?' (this was a good few years ago mind, in the summer holidays when i was BORED, with NOTHING to do except play outside with my friends, no computers/playstations ect.) Once again, it comes down to the fact that we have nothing to do! you mentioned morpet earlier, they have a damn'd park to play in, things which can entertain them in some way shape or form. Anyway, i just figured that this opinion from someone who has just left the age group could be an important part of the discussion. I feel for you Jester, i really do and if there was something i could do to help you, i would do it! Toby

What was said was that 90% of 'climate researchers' believe; how one defines a climate researcher i'm not sure, but it's safe to say the spread among those who do agree is varied. This is a particular bugbear of mine - not that climate change (note the non-use, these days, of 'Global warming') is happening, for it is, but that we, the human race, are solely responsible for it. Logically, we can't be, for without going into the details here - I don't have them to hand admittedly - the figures simply don't add up. Schoolkids these days are being fed the line that leaving a light bulb on at home kills a polar bear; it might if its a new fangled low energy one and the poor bear eats it, but otherwise it's !*!@# . I'm a known and hardened skeptic - i simply don't believe the !*!@# we're being fed.

If you figure out how to stop it snowing let me know, it might work over here!

The BBC hasn't had governors for almost three years. The Board of Governors was abolished in place of the BBC Trust and its activities are overseen by a Board of Trustees. It is not within the Trustees' remit to determine the day-to-day editorial policy of BBC News. Vacant positions at the BBC Trust are publicly advertized and open to competitive application by members of the public. Errr...yes they are! This is Lord Lawson's outfit, barely a fortnight old, which has recently come to public attention following the release of e-mail communications at UEA. It can hardly be described as balanced - it merely promotes a mirrored agenda to those who affirm climate change as a result of human activity. This is the same Nigel Lawson who, from 1995 -- 2003, served as President of the British Association of Energy Economics whose activities are heavily supported by BP and Royal Dutch Shell and other such companies. Many of the other GWPF members (a lot of economists, I see) are also involved in front organizations lobbying on behalf of oil companies (especially Ian Pilmer.) As an academic and scientist I quite agree, but scrutinizing the truth from the junk is a tricky business and depends heavily upon whoever performs the examination.

Thank you so much for sharing this. It's fabulous & brought back so many memories for me of growing up in Bedlington in the 1970's. Picnic Day & 'The Gala' trip to Whitley Bay were the highlights of the summer for us kids back then. Thanks Again.

That was great, brings back so many memories of what Bedlington used to be like. I have fond memories of my childhood in the 70's loking forward to the Miners Picnic thinking it was the biggerst event in the world. Even into my teens we all looked forward to Picnic day. xx

Hi Ian, like 3g, I also have met you, and your mum several times. If I can find them, as we have since moved house, I have some photos of you taken at our house in Bedlington as a baby with your mum and maternal grandmother. PM me if you would like any more information. And yes, your grandfather was a wonderful man. He always had time to stop and speak to everyone, whatever age, and was always good to our two children.