News

Northumberland's new super council is preparing to start spending £2.7m of Government funding on "pump priming" key sites earmarked for a major housing-led regeneration programme.

South East Northumberland was designated an official Growth Point a year ago as part of a Government initiative involving 6,300 new homes in the county by 2017.

Blyth Estuary, the Ellington/Lynemouth area, the former St George's Hospital in Morpeth, Cambois, East Ashington and south west Cramlington have been earmarked as the six areas to benefit from the programme, which aims to deliver regeneration and increased affordable housing.

He might be called Harry Potter but he doesn't have a flying car.

So when this particular Harry drove his Vauxhall Corsa off a jetty into the River Blyth it was hardly a magic moment - he nearly drowned himself and his teenage son.

Harry Potter's Vauxhall Corsa in the River Blyth at Cambois

Driver, Mr Potter, who is in his late 30s and from Longtown, Cumbria told lifeboat workers he had left his car in gear and when he turned the key in the ignition the car lurched forward over the jetty and into the water.

Traffic disrupted after Bebside accident

Posted by The Journal on Jul 2, 09 03:52 PM in News

A crash caused traffic problems in a Northumberland town.

The accident happened at around 6.20pm last night when a Ford Fiesta collided with a Honda Civic on the A189 south-bound near to Bebside roundabout in Blyth.

No-one was seriously hurt in the crash but the road was blocked for a short time while the debris was cleared.

A wakeboarding clown being towed by a lifeboat is not a usual sight in Northumberland, or indeed anywhere, but it will be the latest stunt by a heroic crew to raise much-needed funds for their station.

Gerry Moore, Gordon Willis, Phil Morgan, Matt Fairburn, Bruce Furness, Keri Merilo make up the crew for the Blyth All Weather Lifeboat Service.

More used to springing in to action on a life-saving mission, they are taking on a new challenge by organising a fundraising open day.

Driver escapes plunge into River Blyth

Posted by The Journal on Jul 2, 09 09:43 AM in News

A motorist had a fortunate escape when a car plunged off a sloping jetty and into a river in Northumberland.

The driver was helped out of the water by a passer-by after the Vauxhall Corsa went into the River Blyth at the Seven Stars jetty near Cambois just after 8pm on Tuesday.

Police and ambulance paramedics attended the incident after being alerted by the public.

Funds raised for Blyth lifeboat station

Posted by The Journal on Jul 2, 09 09:27 AM in News

Workers at the Procter & Gamble factory in Longbenton, Newcastle have raised £2,500 for Blyth's RNLI lifeboat station.

The money will be used to pay for new safety helmets and other lifesaving equipment used by the crew of the Jennie B lifeboat.

Wildlife gardenGreen-fingered enthusiasts are being offered invaluable advice on how to transform their gardens into wildlife havens.

Heather O'Neill, of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, will visit South Beach Library next month to give a presentation on the most effective methods of allowing a variety of species to thrive.

The event at the library, in Fulmar Drive, takes place on Monday, July 20, from 10am to noon. Admission is free, but places are limited and need to be booked on 0845 600 6400 or (01670) 363091.

2,000 female workers set for payout

Posted by The Journal on Jul 1, 09 03:27 PM in Councils

More than 2,000 female council workers in Northumberland are set for payouts after agreement was finally reached to settle a long-running, £50m equal pay claim.

Women county council employees such as cleaners, kitchen assistants and carers are in line for the compensation payments as a result of being underpaid for years in comparison to male colleagues who earned bonuses.

Northumberland County Council is the last local authority in the North East to settle its equal pay dispute with the GMB and Unison - and defended its case as far as an Employment Tribunal scheduled for earlier this month.

Agonising wait for decision on centres

Posted by The Journal on Jun 30, 09 12:26 PM in News

Hindreds of elderly and disabled people who use seven council-run day centres in Northumberland face a three-month wait to find out whether they can be saved from closure.

A series of public meetings on the future of the threatened centres in Amble, Bedlington, Blyth, Hexham, Haltwhistle, Ponteland and Prudhoe - which are used by 370 people a week - has now been completed, and final decisions will be taken in September.

Further private meetings will be held with individual centre users and their families, and feedback from the public consultation analysed, before reports setting out the various options are presented to county councillors.

Sisters who lost their mum to cancer are running together to help other families going through the same heartbreaking fight.

Eldest sister Debbie Hepworth, 40, has completed Race for Life before, but this will be the first time all four sisters have taken part together.

She will be joined by sisters Malana Jarvis, 36, Amanda Huggan, 32, and Jemma Watson, 28, all from Blyth at the Cancer Research UK Race for Life at Newcastle's Exhibition Park on Sunday, July 12.

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