Rea

Great, thanks for the replies, you did better than I could well done

Hi,

Can anyone tell me what is being built on the site of the old Aged persons home next to Meadow Park on Glebe Road? I cannot find any plans or permissions for the site. cheers

We should go and knock on Elliot's door in Bomarsund where he lives and ask him?

Just another thought does anyone have any idea as to what was there prior to Elliot's garage, I have asked many people and they have no idea, and if anyone does know, are there any photos of it?

I agree and that is why I am actively promoting this website and now I am aware of the issues I will continue to do so, as it precisely this matter of communciation that worries me, I understand the cost implication and the complacancy of many people but when Bedlington has never had any facilities provided by the local authority before on anything of this scale then I believe everyone who would use a leisure centre be asked, so as a suggestion unless of course it has been done before;- why not ask everyone who attends any of our other leisure centres upon arrival the necessary questions as there is a strong likelyhood that many of them will be from Bedlington.

Communication is a massive problem here and that is one of the things we are improving with the website. People can voice an opinion and have it reach the decision makers and the decision makers can canvas opinion at no cost. The people in the town should be making an effort to find out these things and a quick glance at the news pages once a week will give them all the information they need. There's even an RSS feed here you can subscribe to and not miss a thing.

Expecting this independant group of people to make sure everybody in the town is aware of it is unrealistic. A leaflet drop costs hundreds of pounds out of money that could be better spent elsewhere especially as the vast majority will just ignore it. As an example 5,000 flyers personally hand delivered by myself resulted in less than 20 new members here. After delivering these flyers I asked one of my neighbours what they thought of it and got the response "Oh is that what that was, I remember seeing something with Bedlington on it."!!

I know 3g is in the process of putting together a monthly email that will go out to all members as well so the people that aren't regular visitors will be made aware of issues in the town and hopefully may become more regular visitors as a result.

If you've got any other suggestions on how we can help make people aware I'd love to hear them too as there's always scope for improvement. Let's not forget the guys at SNRG as well who are dedicated to getting set up to help as well. here's the news article you missed http://www.bedlington.co.uk/2009/08/bedlington-base-for-county-radio/

Who has control of the convenant? why not use the space on the 20 acre site to good use not just for the odd dog walker, or incorporate it and develop it as a community facility. As far as publicity is concerned not everyone reads the NPL or visits websites or indeed attends meetings, that is where a proper survey of everyone's opinions is needed not just the few in the know. I dont mean to be harsh but as I said have never heard of the independant report being done so if i haven't and I read the NPL and visit websites regularly what chance has anyone else, surely everyone is entitled to have an opinion.

My original post was based upon the survey being carried out by the council in Ashington only when infact many resisdents here in Bedlington have to travel to their centre so why are we not entitled to our opinion on what happens to it as well.

Interesting Malcolm, I was unaware of the professional study being carried out, will there be some publicity on the matter to make sure everyone in Bedlington knows about it and the meeting on the 25th March, I hope so. As for location, there is a large area on the 20 acre field next to the golf course, this would be a good location with easy access and visibility to promote its use, and particularly the close proximity of the golf course would be a good marriage.

Will 'a survey' of all residents be carried out for their views on where it should be located, how much should be spent and what should be on offer?

Of course they are, i forgot, just wait till they are knocking on doors wanting our support in May for the next generation Yes men and women

Page 3 of this week's Newspost 'Survey on the future of town leisure facilities' makes me wonder if i need to move out of Bedlington and into another Town altogether such as North Tyneside, why have 1000 people in Ashington been surveyed on whether there should be investment in the old leisure centre or a new one built, well what do you think everyone will say -- of course,, a new one!, it's a no brainer. Why is nothing we here in Bedlington say never listened to, I am sick to the back teeth of it, we are a democracy and one Council after all! There will be 1000's more sent out in Ashington in the next few weeks, why not send us some as well for our opinion as we are also user's of the centre not just people in Ashington

Yes it would be great to have the line open again, but I hope the pricing and timetabling will be adequate for everyone, for example the first train to Newcastle from Cramlington is 8.11am and is never big enough to accommodate the number of passengers, this is no good for people who start earlier or indeed work 8am-4pm shifts, or cleaners etc, some people like to go early, some people work later than 6pm when the train stops running, we need a service for the 21st century that operates within our 24hr society.

Then of course there is the pricing, £6 return on Arriva buses from Bedlington, no good for families or couples, in Newcastle the £2.40 all day any bus is a great deal on Stagecoach, although this is not on every bus company, there is an apt bus called 'The Highwayman', the driver with his mask and gun of course .

Additionally people like to go to Newcastle for a night out, drinking or going the Theatre, or late night shopping. If we are to get people out of their cars and onto public transport we need something that runs like the Metro.

So I hope the powers at be listen to the views and opinions of the public who are going to use the service afterall.

All I can say is thanks to the council, they actually listened to our requests, I rang the council yesterday and asked for the roads on our estate to be ploughed because we couldn't get out of the estate properly, well they came out today and did it, so well done....also seeing you on the main street gritting footpaths and clearing snow makes us think you are actually listening to the residents, well done.

The food here is great, where else can you get a korma pizza, delicious.....everything from indian food to fish and chips is delivered hot, just try it out in Bedlington Station.....

Although in some respects i think it is a great idea i somehow think the council will not allow planning permission for one, most landlords of the vacant properties wont allow hot food takeaways either i suspect. Shame though.

I have just read in the News Post about the fair people of Ashington not wanting their leisure centre to close, it will close in October according to the report. There is a suggestion that the a 'new' one will be possibly built, and they state that a Town the size of Ashington needs a leisure centre, can the canny folk have a look at how long we have waited for our leisure centre or indeed any leisure facilities and we are just as big as Ashington, so before any money is spent from our 'one' council we should be at the top of the list for a leisure centre or any consultation of where our money should be spent. Also there was a report on the One North East and the investment on the redevelopment of the old Asda site and within the town centre, if my memory serves me right it isnt long ago that the town centre was done with pedestrianisation and such like, a new bus station area, etc etc, will One North East look a little South of the Wansbeck border and see us here and maybe help redevelop our centre with grant funding

I went in to Netto and the queue was down the aisle, only one till on as usual, I complained and asked that instead of stacking shelves you could open a till, to which the kind man said "Are you addressing me!!" a great sarcastic remark to which the whole queue went stone quiet in disbelief, I complained to the Head office in London and now they have changed their policy, the bloke was reprimanded but still works there, so bear that in mind when talking to anyone with a beard.

I have heard the ground floor is to be a furniture shop by the people who had the one at the back of Tesco's, it wasnt long ago that the old Maxi Freeze had one, it has gone the journey

Hi Rea welcome to the site. There's two recent discussion topics on this.

here...

http://www.bedlington.co.uk/community/topic/2230-red-lion-planning-notice/

and here...

http://www.bedlington.co.uk/community/topic/2568-red-lion-restaurant/

The second link contains the most up to date information.

Hi thank you, hope i can add something to the forums

I looked at the links, the applications have been withdrawn, but the Red Lion is now owned by someone else not Mr Martin as in the planning apps.

Its definately the chicken and the egg, we will never have big brand name stores here in bedlington, not enough people using the Town unlike Ashington, Morpeth, Cramlington, Blyth. Tesco tries to sell everything, it wants to corner the town, it closed the other stores, how long before Greggs goes, their lease i am sure will be up soon as well. As soon as they get planning for Stobhill they'll probably go as well. I'm afriad until things move on and 'brands' do venture here we are stuck with what we have

Is there any truth in the rumour that the Red Lion Pub in Bedlington is to become a furniture shop? Although I would wish any business success I feel that a pub that has been there for such a long time should always be a pub, I am sure a decent Weatherspoons would be nice.