Council News - May 2009

Transcription

Springtime new arrivals at
Bill Quay Farm
Chelsea here we
come!
On your marks - for
the Junior Games
Contact us: 0191 433 3000
www.gateshead.gov.uk
“I’m going to hospital - will
you look after my cat?”
Gateshead Council’s customer service
team try to answer all your questions...
from bin collections to the bizarre we’ll do our best!
“... and by the way NO, but we could help
find someone who can look after it!”
For queries about council services phone us on:
0191 433 3000
Email: customerservices@gateshead.gov.uk
or drop into one of our customer services centres:
G
G
G
G
G
Birtley - 16 Durham Road, Birtley,
Blaydon - 5 Wesley Court, Blaydon,
Dunston - Dunston Activity Centre, Ellison Road,
Dunston
Leam Lane - 129 Cotemede, Leam Lane Estate
Town Centre - Gateshead Civic Centre
Gateshead Council News is
published by Gateshead Council
and distributed to every household
and business in the borough, free
of charge. It aims to provide news
and information about Gateshead
Council, its partner organisations
and local community groups and
organisations. Every effort is made
to ensure that all information is
accurate at the time of publication.
It is distributed to all homes and
businesses across Gateshead by
AMARO Distribution. (For delivery
queries call 0191 461 8080). The
next issue should be delivered (print
schedules permitting) during week
commencing Monday 15 June
2009.
If you would like to receive
Council News in large
print, Braille or on
audiotape, or have a
distribution query, please
contact Diane Brennan on
0191 433 3444 or email
dianebrennan@
gateshead.gov.uk
Front cover: Springtime with Katie
Kemp and Rosie the lamb.
Photograph by Doug Hall.
Published by Communications
Service, Gateshead Council,
Civic Centre, Regent Street,
Gateshead, NE8 1HH.
© Gateshead Council.
Designed and produced by
Greymoon LLP 0191 209 4228.
Printed by The Engage Group on
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renewable forest resources.
Other dedicated numbers:
0191 433 7131 (automated switchboard)
0191 433 7000 (refuse collection/street services
0191 433 7007 (pest control)
0191 433 4646 (benefits)
0191 433 3600 (Council Tax)
0800 408 6008 (Council house repairs)
2
Gateshead Council News - May ’09
Contents
4
Claim your benefit
5
Free swimming
WELCOME FROM LEADER
6
Budget update
OF THE COUNCIL,
7
Star home care
service
9
Junior wardens
10
Bridge turns colour
11
Chelsea Flower Show
12
Made in Gateshead
13
Live Gateshead,
Love Gateshead
14
Leisure work begins
15
Local History Month
16
Jobs news
COUNCILLOR MICK HENRY
Councillor Mick Henry
Leader of Gateshead Council
Welcome to the latest
edition of Council News.
We’ve an update on our
eagerly anticipated Chelsea
Flower Show exhibit with
details of how you can follow
its progress online. And
we’ve great news for
everyone 17 and under or
60 and over about how they
can swim for free!
You can also read about a royal
visitor, a school that celebrated its
100th birthday and the latest on
our new leisure developments.
Jobs and the economy are much
in the news, so we bring you a
round up of some of the positive
developments around the
borough, as well as where to go
for help and advice.
We take a stroll in the countryside
with a four-page focus on wildlife,
woodlands and what’s been
happening at Saltmeadows
Riverside following a £2 million
clean-up.
All this plus our usual mix of
business and health news,
together with what’s on in the
borough, our young peoples- pullout ‘Breakthru’ and a view from
Central Gateshead.
17-20 Your countryside
21
Starter for ten
22
Carers' focus
23-26 Breakthru
Mick Henry
27
ContactPoint
28
Waste update
29-32 A view from
Central Gateshead
8 Century of learning.
11 Chelsea here we come!
33
Conservation success
34
Homeless unit reopens
35
Gateshead
Together Week
36-37 Health Talk
38
Skipping Festival
39
Primary school review
41
Dragons' Den
42-45 What's On
28 Waste update.
29 Respect Awards.
3
The Apprentice
STEPPING STONE FOR SIXTEEN YEAR OLDS
Gateshead Council’s search for
people aged between 16 and 18 to
take up apprenticeships has been
a huge success.
The eleven apprenticeships
available - for highways operatives,
joiners, bricklayers, electricians,
heating and ventilation engineers
and motor vehicle fitters - attracted
more applications than ever. These
will now be assessed and the lucky
eleven will begin their careers at the
council in September.
Benefits
The benefits of an apprenticeship
speak for themselves. Take former
apprentice Craig Nicholson. Craig who now keeps heating and
ventilation installations in council
buildings in top class condition was the council’s Apprentice of the
Year in 2008 and was also
nominated for the prestigious
Association for Public Service
Excellence Awards.
Award winning apprentice Craig Nicholson.
Cabinet member for children and
young people, Councillor Catherine
Donovan said: “We know that times
are tough at the moment, which is
why we want to create more
opportunities for young people to
start their career in Gateshead.”
For more information on
future apprenticeship
opportunities, contact the
Training Section within Local
Environmental Services on:
0191 433 7354.
Are your finances a bit tight?
WE COULD HELP REDUCE YOUR COUNCIL TAX AND RENT
We all need to make our money
go further these days and just a
phone call or email could reduce
what you spend on Council Tax or
rent. It’s that simple.
All you have to do is contact the
council’s benefits team and they’ll
advise if you qualify for the benefit
or not. This is especially important
if your circumstances have
changed, or you’ve never claimed
Council Tax or housing benefits
before - it’s time to think again and
put in a claim.
It’s easy to find out if you qualify
for benefits - you can call in
person to Gateshead Civic Centre
or phone or email the contact
details given opposite.
4
Home visits
If you think you might be entitled
to benefit, but find it difficult to get
out and about we can come and
see you at home. Someone from
our friendly home visiting team will
call at your home and tell you if
you qualify or not.
If you, or someone you know,
would like a home visit please
phone us on: 0191 433 4823.
Call Gateshead Council’s
Benefits team on:
0191 433 4646, or email:
claimbenefit@gateshead.gov.uk
Visit: www.gateshead.gov.uk
Dive in!
OVER 83,000 COULD SWIM FOR FREE
IN GATESHEAD
If you are 17 or under, or 60 or
over, you can now dive in to any
council swimming pool for free.
All you have to do is pick up your
free Gateshead Active card from
any council leisure facility and
you’re ready to take the plunge!
As well as free swimming, your
Active card also means that you
can get reduced prices on other
leisure activities including
swimming lessons and courses.
Legacy
Over 83,000 people in Gateshead
could take advantage of the
government’s Swim4Life free
swimming scheme. This £140
million scheme is currently set to
run for two years and is a central
part of plans to ensure a lasting
legacy from the London Olympic
and Paralympic Games in 2012.
We are one of 300 councils taking
part, but our scheme has been
extended to cover everyone aged
17 and under as opposed to 16
elsewhere.
Opportunities
Cabinet member for culture,
Councillor Linda Green said:
“We’re very keen to make sure
that people in Gateshead know
how they can take advantage of
free swimming as soon as
possible. The government’s free
swimming scheme will provide
new opportunities for residents to
discover the health benefits of
regular exercise like swimming.
Swim for free.
“With a £29 million investment in
new and refurbished swimming
pools and leisure centres already
under way alongside many other
schemes, sport in Gateshead has
a very bright future.”
For more information contact
your local leisure facility,
phone: 0191 433 3000 or
email: sportandleisure@
gateshead.gov.uk
Here’s looking at you kid!
NEW SCHOOL KITCHEN GETS VIP OPENING
High Spen Primary school
welcomed three very special guests
last month to officially open its
brand new kitchen.
Newcastle Vipers, David Longstaff,
Derek Campbell and Rob Wilson,
were on hand to cut the ribbon and
taste the food!
The event was part of the school’s
healthy lifestyle week, aimed to
encourage exercise and healthy
eating for both school pupils and
their parents.
The school has already reported an
increase in its school meals uptake
since the new kitchen was
completed, and the facility allows
chefs to provide a wider range of
food.
young people, Councillor Catherine
Donovan said: “The Newcastle
Vipers are great role models for
health and well-being, so it’s great
to have had their support in officially
opening this state-of-the art facility.”
Headteacher Jean Fisher added:
“Having our own kitchen on site
enables us to be more meticulous
with our menus and use local
produce to provide healthy,
balanced lunches.
Newcastle Viper forward Derek Campbell having a school dinner with pupil Alfie Mortimer.
“The children who use the
community garden to grow
vegetables will also see the fruits of
their labour cooked in school and
enjoyed by their classmates.”
5
Budget update
LOWEST EVER COUNCIL TAX INCREASE
Primary school buildings, waste
management and leisure facilities
are all set to be the focus of an
extra £16.5m investment in
Gateshead this year after the
council unveiled the lowest ever
increase in council tax since the
system was introduced.
Protect
Despite strong pressure on council
budgets due to the recession,
reduced income and lower public
funding, we announced a new
spending plan that will protect key
front line services that local
residents rely on and invest in the
things that local people said they
really wanted.
Most people living in Gateshead
have seen council tax increase by
just 52 pence per week - a rise of
just 2.99 per cent.
Council Leader, Mick Henry said:
“Gateshead Council has a welldeserved reputation for sound
financial management. Over the
last three years, we’ve unlocked
over £25million of efficiencies, but
looking to the future we’ll need to
look at new ways of working with
partners to ensure we can continue
to deliver high quality, efficient
services for local people.
“I’m confident that this budget
reflects what we and our partners
agree we need to deliver in a
challenging economic climate, to
achieve our vision for the future.”
“Inevitably, the budget this year
involved some difficult decisions,
and our budget proposals have
been developed following an
extensive process of consultation.
We also pledged to make £7.8m
worth of efficiency savings to
ensure that taxpayers get the best
value for money and that budgets
are focused on the right areas.
“Amongst others, we’ve reviewed
proposals relating to libraries, the
voluntary sector, activities for young
people, grass cutting and tackling
unemployment.
A £163 million programme of
investment in buildings and
construction over the next year will
also help local firms and people in
difficult economic times.
Little Oliver gets his name
FIRST CHILD NAMING CEREMONY
Celebration
Oliver’s mum Lynne Thompson
said: “As neither of us attend
church, we felt that a Christening
wasn’t right for Oliver or for us.
We still wanted to do something to
celebrate his arrival, so this
naming ceremony was perfect.”
Oliver Thompson-Hogg was the
first baby to go through an official
child naming ceremony at the
registry office in Gateshead Civic
Centre. Lynne Thompson and Iain
Hogg held the celebration in front
of family and friends to welcome
their new arrival into the world.
Lynne Lancaster, deputy
superintendent registrar, presided
over the ceremony. Lynne and her
colleagues are now also offering
people who are already married
the chance to reaffirm their
wedding vows in front of invited
loved ones.
The child naming ceremony is a
new alternative to the traditional
religious baptism but offers more
than simply registering a birth with
the local authority.
For more information please
contact Lynne Lancaster on:
0191 433 2205 or email:
lynnelancaster@gateshead.
gov.uk
A seven-month-old baby and his
proud parents have become the
first people to take advantage of a
new service provided by registrars
at Gateshead Council.
Baby Oliver with proud parents and
Lynne Lancaster.
6
Eureka!
SHOPPERS SEE STARS AT SCIENCE SHOW
Visitors to the MetroCentre saw
stars recently when science was
brought out of the classroom as
part of National Science and
Engineering Week.
The Thomas Hepburn Science
and Engineering Showcase
involved more than 200 pupils
from eight Gateshead primary, six
secondary and two special
schools, as well as representation
from North East universities.
Insight
The event was designed to give
people a greater insight into how
science and engineering are
taught in schools. Judges from the
Association of Science - which
promotes good science teaching
in schools, were also on hand to
judge the event - as part of the
‘Best School Event’ competition.
Shoppers were able to see the
stars in an inflatable planetarium,
and get involved with a variety of
interactive displays and other
Katie Gerry, aged 13, at the Science Showcase event.
science projects. There was also a
mock-up classroom so people
could see how science is now
taught in schools.
The event showed how schools
make the teaching of science and
engineering more relevant and
interesting, with the long-term aim
of tackling the shortfall of
graduates in this area.
The event was organised by The
Thomas Hepburn Community
School in Gateshead, which has
specialist science college status,
and is one of only three schools to
be nominated for the title.
Star service
NATIONAL PRAISE FOR HOME CARE SERVICE
The inspectors, from the agency
responsible for inspecting
standards of social care in the UK,
also rated the service as highly as
those receiving it - giving it a
maximum three star rating.
“We heard many positive
comments from those receiving a
service, their relatives, care
professionals and members of the
staff team”, said the inspectors.
“People told us that their needs
are being met by staff who are
courteous, kind and professional.”
The inspectors also spoke to a
number of people who currently
receive domiciliary care, and
published their comments in their
report. “Without them I would not
be able to carry on looking after
my partner the way I do,” said
one. “The service I receive is
excellent,” said another.
Cabinet member for adult social
care and health, Councillor Peter
Mole said:
❝
This is an excellent
report which I
suspect will come
as no surprise to
those who actually
receive these
services
❝
“More like friends than carers”, is
just one of the personal comments
given to inspectors looking at the
home care service we provide to
older people in Gateshead.
“Helping people to stay in their
own homes by providing them with
a little extra support is one of the
most worthwhile things a local
council can do, and one of the
most appreciated.
“Our Domiciliary Care Workers
give the highest levels of care and
attention to the people they
support and they can feel
justifiably proud of the report that
they have received. I know the
people they support appreciate
them - I am delighted to add my
own appreciation.”
Domiciliary Care phone:
0191 433 3000 or to read the
full inspector’s report go to:
www.csci.org.uk
7
Century of learning
LOCAL SCHOOL CELEBRATES MAJOR MILESTONE
When Greenside Primary School
first opened its doors 100 years
ago, children wrote on slates and
had their nails inspected every
day.
How things have changed! In
1909, computers would be the
stuff of science fiction and life was
certainly very different for pupils
compared to today.
As part of a year-long celebration
of the school’s centenary, today’s
pupils turned back the years, and
travelled back to 1909 for an
Edwardian day.
Dressed in authentic period
clothing, they were met formally
by staff before filing in to the
school building. They then went
through a morning registration,
complete with nail, shoe and hair
length inspections.
During the morning classes, which
saw the pupils writing on slates,
they covered arithmetic, spelling,
Greenside Headteacher Dawn Foster checking the boys have washed behind their ears.
prayer time, class rules, reading
and drill.
The day was painstakingly
researched and developed by
school staff and pupils, who
received help from the local
history society, and in particular,
historian and former teacher at the
school, Audrey Pyle.
Headteacher Dawn Foster said:
“This was a great opportunity for
the children to share their
learning, reflect upon the history of
their village and provide an
exciting community event to
launch our centenary
celebrations.”
Joy of text!
MASTERCLASS FOR OLDER PEOPLE ON TEXTING
The number of older people who use mobile phones
is increasing but not everyone knows how to make
full use of their features.
So, Gateshead Older People’s Assembly answered
the call by organising a special drop-in event
recently for older people, to help them discover
amongst other things, the joy of text!
This mobile phone masterclass offered expert advice
from people who know how to get the best from a
mobile phone - young people! Drawn from the
Gateshead Youth Assembly, they put the older
people through their paces, explaining how things
worked and how to get the most out of your mobile.
Esther Ward, Chair of Gateshead Older People’s
Assembly said: “Mobile phones offer a valuable
lifeline to older people. But many phones are
8
designed with younger, more technically-able people
in mind, so they can be quite complicated to use.
“That’s why we organised this drop-in event. After
all, young people are always the first to adopt new
technologies, so who better to teach older people
how to make proper use of their phones?”
The Gateshead Older People’s Assembly is a
voluntary organisation, run by older people for older
people, which aims to support the empowerment of
older people, to lead fuller lives in their local
community.
For more information phone: 0191 438 1721,
email: admin.assembly@btconnect.com or
write to: Gateshead Older People’s Assembly,
65 High Street, Felling, Gateshead.
Duke visits Dunston
ROYAL OPENING FOR NEW LEARNING CAMPUS
His Royal Highness, The Duke of
Kent was in Dunston recently to
officially open two of the area’s
schools - both of which have
moved into brand new buildings.
History
The Duke meets Dunston residents.
A whole host of memorabilia and
old photographs, including the
school’s original punishment book,
was on display at Dunston Hill
Community Primary School,
detailing the 99-year history of the
school, which opened to pupils on
its new Market Lane site in
September last year.
At Kingsmeadow Community
Comprehensive School, which was
rebuilt on its original site, The Duke
met an intergenerational group,
members of the senior citizens’ club
and young people; representatives
from the school’s Young Apprentice
Business and Enterprise course,
and a number of people who were
instrumental in the construction of
the new school building.
While in Dunston, His Royal
Highness also attended the
rededication of The War Memorial
at St Nicholas’ Church.
Junior wardens
YOUNGSTERS TAKE CLASSES IN BEING GREEN
Young recruits from Larkspur
Community Primary School in
Beacon Lough are leaving the
classroom behind to take part in
the council’s Junior
Neighbourhood Wardens scheme.
Over six weeks, the pupils aged
nine and ten, will learn about
important environmental issues
and get a practical insight into
how they can help improve things
where they live.
neighbourhood such as road
sweepers and gritters.
The Junior Neighbourhood
Wardens scheme complements
our ‘It’s Your Gateshead’
campaign, which encourages
people of all ages to take a pride
in their borough.
Involvement
Cabinet member for the
environment, Councillor Michael
McNestry said: “It’s really
important that children get to meet
the people who help look after
their community and learn how
important they are in making sure
that their neighbourhood is a clean
and safe place.
“I hope the children take away a
new understanding and sense of
involvement about their
neighbourhood.”
They have already been armed
with disposable cameras to
capture any examples of
environmental crime in their area.
Cameras
Working with the council’s
neighbourhood wardens, they
have visited a new play park to
find out about the impact of
littering, graffiti, dog fouling and fly
tipping on the environment.
Also on the cards is a visit to a
council depot where they will learn
about how closed circuit television
is used to help keep people safe
and see some of the vehicles that
help to maintain their
Junior wardens get put through their paces.
9
Heroes Annexe
NEW EXTENSION ENCOURAGES LINKS WITH COMMUNITY
Two former pupils were the
inspiration behind the name of a
new extension at High Spen
Primary school, that will not only
support school activities, but the
community as well.
Called the Heroes Annexe, it
recognises the heroism of Frederic
Dobson and Thomas Young who
both attended the school, and who
were veterans of World War One.
Both were awarded the Victoria
Cross.
The Heroes Annexe provides the
school with a large meeting space,
interactive white board and wi-fi
connectivity, as well as tea and
coffee making facilities. Future
plans for the space include
teaching, parents, carers and
community association meetings
and local Live at Home scheme
social events.
They also enjoyed a display of
Chinese arts produced by the
pupils that were showcased in the
new space.
Parents and local people joined the
Deputy Mayor Councillor Joe
Mitchinson, at the official opening.
Cabinet member for West
Gateshead, Councillor John
McElroy said: “This is an amazing
James Chryser, eight, with war veterans and the Chinese Dragon at the opening of High
Spen’s Heroes Annexe.
facility that has taken almost a year
to complete. It has blended the
traditional school building with its
21st century purpose beautifully
and will be a great asset to all who
make use of it.”
What a turn on!
GATESHEAD MAN LIGHTS UP THE TYNE
Greenside resident, Jonathan
Marshall beat off the competition
to have the honour of turning the
Gateshead Millennium Bridge a
range of different colours.
Jonathan Marshall (pictured), was
chosen from scores of entrants to
a Gateshead Council competition,
to officially switch on the bridge’s
brand new brighter and more
energy efficient lighting.
He joined the Deputy Mayor of
Gateshead Councillor Joe
Mitchinson in February to carry
out the switch on, and reilluminate the 50 metre tall arch of
the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.
Let there be light!
10
The new system, using Light
Emitting Diodes, is expected to
bathe the 800 tonne bridge in light
for 15 years.
Councillor Linda Green said: “The
Gateshead Millennium Bridge is
one of the structures that has
made Gateshead what it is today.
Alongside The Sage Gateshead
and The BALTIC Centre for
Contemporary Art, it has become
one of the North East’s biggest
tourist attractions.
“These new lights will bring an
exciting look to the Tyne at night
as well as doing their bit to help
the environment and reduce our
energy consumption.”
Flower power
CHELSEA HERE WE COME
Phil Gregory loading up the van with fruit trees ready for Chelsea.
The final touches are now being
made to Gateshead Council’s
Chelsea Flower Show garden.
The council’s horticultural experts
have laboured long and hard to get
this year’s garden ready for the
opening of the show on 19 May.
And we are hoping for great
things, after acclaimed designers
Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway
agreed to exercise their design flair
in creating a garden for the council.
Their design ‘A Window of
Gerardine Hemingway at
Kingsmeadow School.
Opportunity’ - not only promises to
be radically different, but will go on
to become a permanent feature of
a new community recreation area
in Teams, Gateshead.
Sponsored by Northumbrian
Water, the garden includes a
number of unusual water features.
As well as ‘living walls’ of edible
plants to emphasise the joy of
growing plants to eat.
Pupils from Kingsmeadow School
in Dunston have also played their
part in the build, interpretation and
presentation of the garden.
Chelsea chat
Strawberries
To make sure the strawberries
in our garden were set with
ripe fruit (months before they
should be), we turned to Ken
Muir Ltd of Clacton-on-Sea,
whose award winning
strawberries have won 13 gold
medals at the Chelsea Flower
Show.
Well done!
Wayne Hemingway explained:
“Their input is contributing directly
to the design of the Chelsea
garden - and they are then helping
to adapt it so it can be installed as
a permanent feature in Dunston
for everyone to use and enjoy.”
The winners of our Council
News competition to win
tickets for the Chelsea Flower
Show together with free rail
travel are: Nicola Bagnall,
Mrs D Douglas, Rosamund Sticks
and Mrs J. Anderson. So, well
done and thank you to
everyone who entered - better
luck next time!
Reputation
Inside view
Councillor Linda Green added: “We
are delighted to have such
distinguished designers on board.
With Wayne and Gerardine
Hemingway to help us, we can
expand our reputation for design
excellence and innovation into a
wholly new direction.”
Visit: www.gateshead.gov.uk/
chelsea to join Phil Gregory,
the council’s horticultural and
technical services supervisor
for an inside look at what it
takes to prepare a Chelsea
Flower Show exhibit.
11
Made in Gateshead
DRESS FOR LESS HELPS KIDS LOOK TOP CLASS
Two Gateshead mums have set up
an innovative school uniform
business in Blaydon with help from
the council and a £5,000 grant
from the Barbour Trust.
‘Class I Kids’ was awarded the
grant to help support the running
costs of the not-for-profit company
which aims to helped hard-pressed
families pay for their children’s
school uniforms. According to
research, the average yearly cost
of sending a child to school is
£1,077, with school uniform
accounting for a quarter of this
cost.
Mary Fleming and Tracey
Patterson were concerned that
high street stores offer discounted
deals prior to the new school term,
but that some parents had major
problems affording school clothing
at other times of the year when
discounts were not available.
Affordable
Their idea was to create a
business that would give parents
access to affordable school
clothing throughout the year.
Mary explained: “As parents of five
children between us, Tracey and I
put our heads together to come up
with a solution to try and alleviate
Care call
the strain placed on families when
covering the cost of ‘free education’
and reduce the stigma on children
for wearing incorrect uniforms. The
result was Class I Kids.”
They approached us for help to
develop a business selling new
and recycled school uniforms
throughout the year.
We were able to show them how
they could set themselves up as a
social enterprise and provide a
service to the community on a notfor-profit basis.
Class I Kids are open for business
at 5 Park Avenue, Blaydon.
If you have a good idea for a
community business call the
economic development
service on: 0191 477 3747.
KEEPING YOU SAFE
For over 10,000 people in
Gateshead the fact that ‘big
brother’ is monitoring their every
move is not a negative thing, it
could be a lifesaver.
This year alone an extra 400
people will be able to stay in their
own home rather than a care
home thanks to a series of high
tech sensors and monitors which
can alert carers, doctors or even
ambulances should the need
arise.
12
Mary Flemming and Tracey Patterson show off their wares to two young customers.
The rapidly growing 24 hour Care
Call service - which celebrates its
25th anniversary this year - offers a
vital service to vulnerable, disabled
and elderly people all across the
borough. As well as traditional
‘panic’ alarms, equipment can be
used to alert carers to falls, to
activity (or inactivity) and even when
someone goes out of their home.
If a fall or other emergency is
detected then staff at a remote
contact centre can alert
emergency services within
seconds. Care Call staff made
over 20,000 calls to emergency
services in the last year as a
result of information from
sensors and alarms with
lifesaving results.
The Care Call service is
available to all Gateshead
residents, more information
is available on: 0191 433 2650
or at: www.gateshead.gov.uk
Live Gateshead, Love Gateshead
TRANSFORMING NEIGHBOURHOODS
Over the past few years, we’ve
been working hard to transform
neighbourhoods across
Gateshead for all of our
residents.
Improvements, renovations and
refurbishments have been made
in many areas and we’re starting
to see real changes in our streets
and communities.
Here we highlight the work that
has been carried out so far to
improve Gateshead, and look at
the exciting plans for the future.
£8 MILLION IMPROVEMENTS
Our block improvement scheme where properties are renovated
with new railings, doors, walls,
painting and other external features
- has proven very popular with
residents since its launch in 2006.
By 2011 we expect to have spent
a whopping £8 million on
improving properties in the
borough - making a real difference
to our streets and communities.
Improved
Around 140 properties on
Sunderland Road and 348 in
Bensham and Saltwell have been
improved, and a further 292 are
eligible for a make over in the next
phase of the improvement scheme.
Sunderland Road before.
Sunderland Road after.
What’s next for Gateshead?
New homes for residents
Many residents living in
development areas have been
relocated to new homes in
Gateshead.
disturbance payments to help
with the costs of removals,
reconnecting household
equipment and solicitors’ fees.
The Neighbourhood
Management team has helped
almost 160 residents find
alternative homes that offer
better conditions, space and
facilities for their families.
If you’re living in a
development area and
want more information
about the support
available, contact:
0191 433 2699.
We’ve also paid just under £1.2
million in home loss and
Plans to improve Gateshead
for the future are well
underway. Here’s what’s
coming up in the rest of 2009:
Summer - The newly
refurbished Avondale Park
opens
Autumn - Street
Representatives’ meeting
Winter - Consultations on the
next phase of block
improvement works begin.
13
New beginnings
WORK STARTS ON NEW LEISURE AND HEALTH CENTRE
The official start of work on the
multi-million pound combined
leisure centre and primary care
centre on Shibdon Road in
Blaydon got underway last month.
To mark the occasion, a traditional
sod cutting ceremony was carried
out by Councillor Linda Green,
cabinet member for culture, and
Alan Baty, chair of Gateshead
Primary Care Trust (PCT).
When the centre opens in summer
2010, it will feature:
• a six lane, 25 metre swimming
pool and learner pool;
• a large gym, and a multi
purpose room with views over
Shibdon Pond Local Nature
Reserve;
• additional changing rooms for
outdoor athletics and sporting
activitie; and
• a primary care centre offering
GP led health centre, walk in
and minor injuries unit as well as
a range of other health related
services.
Blaydon Leisure Centre will be the
first of two brand new leisure
centres built as part of the
council’s £29m ‘Building an Active
Future’ programme. Work on the
second, in Heworth, is due to
begin in June with completion
expected in Winter 2010.
Gateshead Leisure Centre plus
Birtley and Dunston pools will also
Interior and exterior shot of proposed new Blaydon Leisure Centre and
Primary Care Centre.
be heavily redeveloped as part of
the programme which is due to be
completed by 2011.
“Construction projects of this
magnitude are a once in a lifetime
opportunity to transform the
leisure and health services on
offer to people in Blaydon and the
surrounding communities.
“We believe Gateshead can
become a shining example of an
active and healthy society but the
only way to do that is by creating
facilities and opportunities that
people want to use. This massive
Park and enjoy
14
New parking facilities at the
Angel of the North have now
been completed ensuring that
the landmark is ready for the
tourist summer season.
new visitor facilities will remove
those concerns and will make
the whole experience of visiting
the Angel so much more
pleasurable.
The council was concerned for
some time about the potential
danger posed by parking on the
side of what is sometimes a very
busy road. Our creation of these
There are also plans to install
some new public benches at the
site after a donation by Lamesley
Parish Council to help further
improve facilities for visitors.
investment will go a long way to
achieving that aim.”
The Primary Care Centre will offer
local people access a GP-led
health centre and walk-in and
minor injuries unit. Other services
include community and out-ofhours dentistry, podiatry, speech
and language therapy,
contraception and sexual health,
primary care mental health, long
term conditions, and
musculoskeletal services.
Alan Baty, Chair of Gateshead
PCT said: “Our aim is to bring
services closer to local people and
I believe this tremendously
exciting development will bring
great benefits to the people of
West Gateshead. This is a
wonderful opportunity for us to
extend the range of services
available locally to patients,
making it easier for them to
access the healthcare they need
near to where they live and work.”
For more information on the
Building an Active Future
programme contact your
nearest Sport & Leisure
facility or visit:
www.gateshead.gov.uk/
buildinganactivefuture
Take a swing at the past!
GATESHEAD LOCAL HISTORY MONTH
There’s still time to catch some of
the weird and wonderful events
taking place during May for Local
History Month, which runs until the
end of May.
This annual showcase of all things
nostalgic reveals the hidden
secrets of Gateshead’s past,
bringing to life long forgotten
stories and characters. Always
popular with local people, this is
your chance to step back in time
guided by expert story tellers and
local history buffs.
From graveyard walks and
ghoulish goings-on to public art or
a quirky Quaker tea party - come
along. Most events are free but
should be booked in advance to
make sure you don’t miss out.
Demolishing Hillgate c1930
What’s On
What’s On
What’s On
Wed 27 May, 10am-12 noon
& 2-4pm:
Tales among the tombstones seek out our resident storytellers
lurking among the gravestones
and pillars of St Mary’s! At
Gateshead Heritage @ St Mary’s.
No need to book - just turn up!
Thurs 28 May, 7.30pm:
Music for a Georgian drawing
room performed by the Concert
Royale. Gateshead Heritage @
St Mary’s, tickets £6/£5
Sun 31 May, 10.30am:
St Mary’s Gateshead - inside &
out - guided tour of St Mary’s
and its graveyard. Gateshead
Heritage @ St Mary’s.
Fri 29 May,12.30pm:
Art all around us - a look at some
public art including art we might
otherwise miss with Tom
Yellowley. At Shipley Art Gallery.
Sun 31 May, 11am:
Walk around Whickham discover more about this historic
village. Meet at War memorial
outside council offices.
Wed 27 May, 7pm:
Stories behind the stones - a
cholera memorial, a grave
without a body and a sporting
hero are just some of the
memorials to be found in this
walk around Gateshead East &
St Edmund’s cemeteries. Meet at
the war memorial, Wordsworth
Street.
Thurs 28 May, 2pm:
David Almond’s Felling - a look
at some of the places featured
in David’s books. Meet at Felling
Library.
Thurs 28 May, 7pm:
A walk around bygone Bill Quay
- learn more about Bill Quay’s
past. Meet outside Bill Quay
Methodist Church. No need to
book - just turn up!
Fri 29th May, 2.30pm:
How to fix a bridge in four minutes
- the High Level Bridge restoration.
Gateshead Heritage @ St Mary’s.
Fri 29 May, 3.30pm:
Quirky Quakers tea party - meet
some of the Victorian characters
who visited one of Gateshead’s
loveliest houses and enjoy
afternoon tea. Bensham &
Saltwell Heritage Group at
Bensham Grove. Book in
advance plus £3 on the day.
Sat 30 May, 7pm:
Something old, something new
with the Felling Concert Choir.
Tickets £3, Gateshead Heritage
@ St Mary’s.
Sun 31 May, 2.30pm:
The Church Yard in Quykham take a walk back in time around
the fascinating church yard at
St Mary’s, Whickham. No need
to book - just turn up!
Bonus event!
Short tours of St Mary’s offered
on Wednesdays, & weekends
10.30am & 2.30pm. No need to
book - just turn up!
All events must be prebooked unless otherwise
stated. You can do this at
any library or by phoning
Gateshead Heritage @ St
Mary’s on: 0191 433 4699 or
the Central Library on:
0191 433 8420.
15
Jobs plus
EXPANSION PLANS HELP CREATE OVER 280 JOBS
In the current economic climate, the
creation of any new jobs as the
result of expansion or
redevelopment is very welcome.
So, it’s great to report that four local
companies have all been granted
planning permission by the council
to expand and - as a result - create
new job opportunities.
Marks and Spencer
Marks and Spencer at the
MetroCentre is to undergo a limited
expansion that will lead to the
creation of around 60 new jobs. The
work will see not only additional
floor space, but new modern glass
frontages and a new entrance.
Express engineering
And 40 new engineering jobs are on
the cards following council approval
for the redevelopment of an empty
warehouse on the Team Valley
Trading Estate.
The development will include the recladding of the front of the building,
the erection of a new electricity substation, and minor changes to
access and car parking.
International Paints Ltd
Another company looking to expand
is International Paints Ltd, who have
been given the go ahead for a new
building to be built on a redundant
sports field within their Felling site.
The new building will be used as a
research and testing centre for the
development of fire protection
coatings. The company expects
around 12 news jobs to be created.
Arnold Clarke
Arnold Clarke Automobiles in Birtley
is to build a new 4,000 sq m vehicle
sales and servicing centre that is
likely to create up to 175 jobs. The
proposed centre will include facilities
such as a vehicle showroom, body
shop, parts department, valeting
16
and car wash facilities, and vehicle
service bays. Jobs are likely to
include clerical, sales, mechanical
trades and catering.
❝
In the current
difficult economic
circumstances, the
creation of over 280
local jobs is welcome
news. I know that
there are challenging
times ahead and as a
council we will be
working with our
partners to provide
as much help and
support as we can to
people and
businesses in
Gateshead
❝
The former Parceline warehouse on
Princesway, Team Valley is to be
converted into additional
accommodation for Express
Engineering, who already occupy
part of the site.
Improved
access
Gateshead Council has
improved facilities at a number
of its sites by installing
Changing Places Toilets, which
are specifically designed for
those with complex physical or
learning disabilities.
They have been installed at
Gateshead Civic Centre,
Central Library, Leam Lane
Library and a number of
children’s centres.
Carer Janet Holliday said:
“People without a disability
accept the provision of
adequate public toilets as
normal, these toilets will have
a huge impact on our ability to
do the same.”
Your
Countryside
URBAN OASIS REOPENS
Saltmeadows Riverside has now reopened following a
£2 million investment and a lot of hard work.
Gateshead Council closed the
area to the public in 2005 after
serious contamination was
discovered on the site. Now the
site has been made safe and the
popular riverside picnic area has
re-opened to the public.
The previously diverted Keelman’s
Way - a long distance cycleway
forming part of the national cycle
network - has reverted to its
original, yet much improved,
riverside path.
People can also get their first
close-up view of Gateshead’s
unique Kittiwake Tower in four
years. The tower provides a home
to around 100 nesting pairs of
Kittiwakes and is believed to be
the UK’s only aerial Local Nature
Reserve.
Cabinet member for the
environment, Councillor Michael
McNestry reopened Saltmeadows
Riverside accompanied by
children from Bill Quay Primary
School. He said: “The re-opening
of the riverside, and the
completion of this long and
difficult reclamation scheme,
means that local people can once
more take full advantage of this
delightful urban oasis.”
Left: Pupils from Bill Quay Primary School
enjoy the re-opened Keelman’s Way at
Saltmeadows Riverside.
HELP US TO HELP THEM!
Did you know that Gateshead is
home to 26 species of butterfly
including the Small Tortoiseshell?
Recently, the charity Butterfly
Conservation, announced an 81
per cent decline in the numbers of
Small Tortoiseshells in Britain. It is
thought that the reason for this is
a parasitic wasp, which is eaten
by Small Tortoiseshell caterpillars.
We want to keep track of the
numbers of Small Tortoiseshells
within the borough. If you see a
Small Tortoiseshell butterfly
please send the details of your
sighting with:
• Where you saw it
• When you saw it
• How many times you saw it
This will help us monitor how the
butterfly is doing in Gateshead.
Other butterfly sightings would
also be helpful - especially for
senior countryside ranger Brian
Pollinger, who is compiling a book,
‘The Butterflies of Gateshead’.
To report a sighting email:
countryside@gateshead.gov.uk
or write to: Butterfly records,
c/o Thornley Woodlands
Centre, Rowlands Gill,
Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
NE39 1AU.
17
Your Countryside
Winning team
Marian Foster of
BBC Radio
Newcastle recently
presented members of the
Countryside Projects Team with
a plaque in recognition of their
contribution to the BBC
Breathing Places Cities Year of
Action in 2008.
Funded by the Big Lottery, the
purpose of the Year of Action
was to encourage as many
people as possible to ‘Do One
Thing’ for wildlife. Although
Gateshead was the only town
amongst 14 cities, we managed
to involve 6,000 people in over
150 events and recruited 25
new Countryside Volunteers.
FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY!
The 2009 Blaydon Burn Festival
For a great family day out this
summer get yourself down to the
Blaydon Burn festival on Saturday
6 June.
Organised with the help of the
Friends of Blaydon Burn - a group
of community volunteers - the
festival celebrates the history and
wildlife of this important site,
including its fascinating industrial
past.
Starting at 1pm, you can take part
in a whole host of free family
friendly activities including:
• A real archaeological dig at
Massey's Forge, back by
popular demand!
• Bill Quay Farm animals
• Countryside crafts
• Local and natural history walks
and bug hunts
• Face painting
18
• The Newcastle All Stars steel
band
• A free chipping service usually
costing £15 provided by dog
wardens.
If you're worn out after enjoying all
of that - don't worry because the
local Scout group will be on hand
to provide refreshments!
A wide range of events were
held including bat walks, bug
hunts, pond dipping and family
“have a go at” conservation
days. Some of the events tied in
with the BBC’s programming
including two Springwatch
Festivals, an Autumnwatch Tree
Party, events for International
Dawn Chorus Day and the Bird
Box Challenge.
To find out more about The
Breathing Places campaign
and how you can help wildlife
visit: www.gateshead.gov.uk
The Blaydon Burn festival takes
place between 1-4pm at Cowen's
Lower Yard next to the Black Bull
pub. There are parking spaces in
Blaydon town centre, a fiveminute walk away, and limited
Blue Badge parking on site.
future events at Blaydon Burn
contact Frances Mudd,
Burn Project Officer, on:
0191 433 3525 or visit:
The BBC’s Marian Foster presents
Clare Ross with the award.
Your Countryside
BABY TALK
Bill Quay farm has long been
known for its rare breed animals.
And in March, the brood
increased as 80 new baby lambs
were welcomed into the world.
One young visitor, ten month old
Katie Kemp from Low Fell, was
one of the first to meet some of
the new arrivals, including Rosie,
a rare breed Jacob lamb who had
been born that morning.
Bill Quay Farm, Hainingwood
Terrace, is open from
9am-5pm seven days a week,
call: 0191 433 5780 for more
details.
Katie Kemp befriends Rosie the lamb and Bill Quay Farm’s Kimberley Hedley.
CREATURE FEATURE
Volunteer power
This month we look at the Great Crested Newt or
triturus cristatus.
The Thornley Woodlands Centre
has recently benefited from the
support of a number of volunteers
who have been handling enquiries,
advising on walking routes and
helping out in the shop.
Where do you live?
We prefer deep ponds with plenty
of aquatic vegetation, in
Gateshead we are known to
breed in about 40 ponds.
You are one of Britain’s most
highly protected species,
how can we help you?
There are loads of ways! You
could:
• Create a wildlife friendly pond.
• Provide areas for hibernation.
• Leave areas of longer grass
around wildlife ponds and
please always check long grass
before mowing!
• Encourage minibeast food by
creating a compost heap or
wood piles.
The volunteers have had such a
huge impact that the centre has
been able to double its weekday
opening hours to 10am-2pm.
Thank you!
Thanks to everyone who has
returned the Garden Pond
Amphibian survey from the
February/March issue of Council
News, your responses will help us
to take better care of this
endangered species.
For more information and to
report sightings of the Great
Crested Newt contact Peter
Shield on: 0191 433 3441
or email: petershield
@gateshead.gov.uk
Thornley Woodlands acts as the
main visitor information centre for
the Derwent Walk Country Park
so this means increased access
to several waymarked walks,
observation hides, woodlands,
meadows, lakes, riverside walks,
and the Red Kite Trail, which
starts and finishes in the park.
Thornley Woodlands Centre
phone: 01207 545 212. For
information on volunteering
opportunities phone
Jayne Calvert on: 0191 433 3524
or email:
jaynecalvert@gateshead.gov.uk
19
Your Countryside
ACCESS FOR ALL
Making our countryside
more accessible to all is a
priority for the council. As
a result, exciting
developments have been
taking place to improve
Watergate Forest Park.
We have
worked
with the
Gateshead
Access Panel, Sight Service
and local disabled people to
ensure work carried out was
suitable for their needs. And
a number of improvements
have been made including:
• a circular, easier access route
from the car park and around
the lake;
• resurfacing on large areas of
path;
• easing of gradients;
• the installation of a ‘radar key’
gate to provide access for larger
mobility scooters; and
Take in the view and artworks in Watergate Forest Park.
• a new signage/wayfinding
system to assist navigation
around the route.
The route has also been
enhanced by the installation of
public art by the sculptor Jim
Roberts and viewpoints around
the route have been improved to
open up interesting views at key
locations throughout the park.
This has all been possible thanks
to funding from the SITA trust and
money assigned from the
council’s budget to improve
accessibility to services.
Kelly O’Sullivan on:
0191 433 5787 or email:
kellyosullivan@gateshead.gov.uk
OUTSIDE GUIDE
Fancy exploring some of the great countryside on offer in Gateshead
If you’re interested in getting out
and about then pick up a copy of
our Outdoor Events guide. The
guide is available from all
Gateshead Council Sport and
Leisure facilities, Gateshead
libraries and the Civic Centre. A
copy can also be downloaded from
our website where full details are
also listed on the events pages.
20
The guide is packed full of
activities for the whole family to
enjoy and includes a month-bymonth break down of things to do
across the borough.
the Countryside Team on:
01207 545 212 or visit:
this summer?
Star Wars
THE FORCE IS WITH LOCAL DESIGN COMPANY
A Gateshead-based design
company, Keltie+Cochrane, is
reaching for the stars after
illustrating the first three covers of
the hotly-anticipated new series of
Star Wars novels.
The company, based at
Gateshead Council’s International
Business Centre, won the highly
prized assignment in a tough
competition against two rival
design agencies, including a wellknown movie poster design
company in New York.
“It feels amazing to be associated
with the Star Wars novels, which
have a huge international
following,” said Ian Keltie, a
director of Keltie+Cochrane.
Ian Keltie (left) and Jason Cochrane of Keltie+Cochrane with friends!
“We submitted some outline
proposals to David Stevenson, a
senior art director at Random
House, who really liked them and
they were presented in person to
Lucasfilm at their San Francisco
headquarters.”
Ian and his business partner,
Jason Cochrane, met while
working for BBC Interactive in
London. They both returned to
work in the North East with the
long-term intention of going into
business together. Ian specialises
in graphic design, while Jason is
primarily a web designer.
The first book of the series,
Outcast by Aaron Allston, launched
worldwide on March 24. It is the
newest of several hundred Star
Wars novels dating back to 1976,
two years before the first film.
“We’ve been contracted for the
first three books, with the
opportunity to do a further six,”
added Ian. “The first cover is
already creating a stir in the Star
Wars web forums, and we’ve just
finished the next two, which will be
published in the next few months.”
To find out more about
Keltie+Cochrane visit
www.keltiecochrane.com For
information about Gateshead
International Business Centre
and other business centres in
the borough contact the
council’s economic
development service on:
0191 490 9100 or email:
economicdevelopment@
gateshead.gov.uk
Starter for ten HOT BED OF CREATIVITY
A former bed store in Gateshead High Street is to
be the flagship building for the council’s new ‘Starter
for ten’ scheme, which aims to attract artists and
creative businesses into empty buildings.
giving the creative community a helping hand and
putting empty units to good use. It has the potential
to attract leaders and entrepreneurs to Gateshead
and give the local economy a boost.”
Launched last year by the council and design guru
Wayne Hemingway, ‘Starter for ten’ aims to make
use of empty buildings in the town centre, providing
creative business with a temporary base for little or
no cost.
If it proves successful, the council could create
further clusters across the borough to promote
vibrant new areas and bring redundant properties
back into use.
The first of these - the Bed Shed store, which is
earmarked for demolition in the future - has now
received planning permission to be converted into a
series of small units for creative businesses.
Wayne Hemingway said: “This scheme is about
Apply now If you are interested in applying for rent
free space in the Starter for ten scheme, visit
www.gateshead.gov.uk/starter4ten to find out more.
Application forms are now available to download.
For more information on the ‘Starter for ten’
scheme phone Sam Peace: 0191 433 2095.
21
Speak up
NEW CAMPAIGN CALL TO ALL CARERS
Do you look after someone who is
ill, disabled or elderly? Would this
person struggle to cope without
your help? Consider yourself a
carer? Probably not!
neighbours - doing what anyone
else would; caring for a loved one
unpaid and just getting on with
things.
Most of us who ‘qualify’ as a carer
are most likely to consider
ourselves as simply mums and
dads, brothers and sisters,
grandparents, or even just good
Here in Gateshead, The Carers’
Action Forum - which is part of
Gateshead Carers’ Association - is
spearheading a new campaign to
raise awareness of what carers do
and highlight their concerns and
issues. Set up by a group of carers
who felt that carers were not being
fully listened to, their campaign
features real carers with tape over
their mouths, graphically illustrating
this point.
Carers speaking out!
The forum is keen for carers to get
involved and ‘have their say’ and
to come forward and find out what
kind of help and support is
available. They highlight areas
such as respite care, financial
recognition, emergency support
and flexible working as priorities
but what do you think? Please get
in touch and let them know.
To find out more about the
help and support available or
to get involved in the Carers’
Action Forum, please contact
Laura Dixon, Campaigns and
Development Worker on:
0191 490 0121.
Which school
Tyne and Wear has won two
national awards for its
commitment to promoting and
improving its network of
footpaths and bridleways.
The Tyne and Wear Rights of
Way Improvement Plan drafted by Gateshead Council
on behalf of the five Tyne and
Wear authorities, won two
awards at a national awards
ceremony organised by
Natural England.
One was for its work with the
area’s Local Access Forum,
and another for its efforts to
work with local equestrian
organisations. Tyne and Wear
were also shortlisted in the
cycling category.
“It’s a great honour to win
these awards,” said cabinet
member for environment,
Councillor Michael McNestry.
“We have made great efforts to
ensure that our Rights of Way
Improvement Plan reflects
what people want from our
countryside. Our plan is
designed to encourage greater
access and greater opportunity
to all groups, but we could not
have done that without
listening to people first.”
INDEPENDENT ADVICE FOR PARENTS
Parents in Gateshead can now access the help of a
dedicated school choice adviser to offer expert,
independent advice in choosing the right primary or
secondary school for their children.
Funded by the Department for Children, Schools
and Families (DCSF) the choice advice service is
totally independent of the local authority and offers a
host of guidance to parents including:
• School admissions policy • Transport policy
• School performance
• Filling out forms
• The refusal and appeals process
22
Double
award
Sandra Arkless runs the service in Gateshead. She
said: “I can help and empower parents to make an
informed and realistic choice about primary or
secondary schools in Gateshead. I am totally
independent of the council, which is responsible for
allocating school places, and I am here to help
parents understand the process and make the best
choices.”
To contact the service call: 0191 433 2446 or
email: sandraarkless@gateshead.gov.uk
OUT
PU LL
WRECKA
Hello
to all our readers!
This month we report
back from a key conference
organised by young people
on the environment complete with panda and
polar bear; celebrate the
achievements of some
world class Irish dancers
and bring you a taste of
what's on in your area.
The Editorial Team
x
Get
involved
with
We’re on the look out for
new members to our
Breakthru team. So if you
love writing and you’re aged
15 or over, then get in touch.
E-mail:
Breakthru@gateshead.gov.uk
Phone Terry on: 0191 490 1900
B-boys!
BREAKING MOVES NOT WINDOWS
Do you wish there were
more things to do in your
area so you don’t get
accused of behaving badly
when you’re just hanging
out with your mates?
Recently a group of young
people from Wrekenton
had the opportunity to do
just that as part of a
Gateshead Council funded
initiative to help steer
young people away from
anti-social behaviour.
The newly formed Wrecka B-boys
have had seven weeks of
coaching from UK Break Dance
champions Bad Taste Cru after
school to pick up some of their
best moves. The coaching took
place in local community centres
and all of the students involved
are between 13 and 19 and live in
the Springwell, Seven Stars,
Beacon Lough East and Meadow
Rise estates.
The Wrecka B-boys then put the
most energetic and body-defying
moves they’d learned from Bad
Taste Cru to good use when they
performed alongside them at
Cardinal Hume School to mark
the end of their coaching. A
recently formed crew from
Bad Taste Cru’s Darren O’ Kane with Kirsty
Ford, Kristina Brown and Ellen Cockburn.
Northumberland who have also
received coaching joined the
Wrecka B-boys and the audience
went wild.
If you fancy seeing the Wrecka Bboys in action then check out the
video footage on our website probably best not to try this at
home though, they have been
trained by the best!
For more information
contact The Wrekenton
Communities Matter team
on: 0191 491 3987 or email:
wcm@gateshead.gov.uk
Be Healthy • Enjoy and Achieve • Make a Contribution • Stay Safe
Lights out!
IT’S OUR PLANET
TOO... LET’S TAKE
CARE OF IT
On Saturday 28 March the
Gateshead Youth Assembly
(GYA) organised a conference in
partnership with the council to
raise awareness of environmental
issues and sustainability.
The conference coincided with
the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth
Hour, which highlighted the need
for action on climate change by
having iconic landmarks across
the world - including our very own
Gateshead Millennium Bridge switch off their lights for an hour.
The GYA were on hand with
electric wind-up torches to help
guide people safely over the
bridge when the lights were out.
Some pedestrians caught sight of
creatures not often found in
Gateshead as GYA members
Nicola Carter and Lee Holmes
assisted dressed as a panda and
a polar bear!
Climate change
This followed a day of
discussions around climate
change with an audience drawn
from schools and youth centres
across Gateshead.
They were joined by local
councillors, MPs, council officers
and environmental groups.
The young people’s views will
now be fed back to the council
and its partners to help develop
the Gateshead Climate Change
Strategy.
Valerie Ender on:
0191 490 1900 or email:
Valerie.ender@gbyoc.org
24
V.good volunteers
Helping hands
(and minds).
The young people’s volunteering
charity v launched its Talent Year
this March, which will see £10.5
million being spent on a national
full time volunteering programme
for 16-25 year olds. And
Gateshead is one of the 33
councils who have signed up for
2009.
The scheme aims to improve two
skills and job prospects of young
people while at the same time
giving the volunteers the
opportunity to directly influence
the services offered by the
council.
So far our 15 - yes, 15! - happy
helpers have taken part in a
residential where they
participated in team-building
exercises, and started learning
about how the council works. In
return for their efforts they will
work towards a level 2 NVQ and
receive loads of great training,
which will help them in their
future careers. They’ll also get a
substance allowance and a
development grant on completion
of the scheme - so we’re sure the
early mornings will be worth it!
Donna Smith on:
0191 433 2778.
Cash for ideas? Yes please!
CALLING ALL 13-19
YEAR-OLDS!
Did you know that Gateshead
Council has a pot of money that
has been set-aside for you to
spend on things to do and
places to go?
money towards their flights and
accommodation. That’s got to be
worth filling a form in for hasn’t it?!
Please contact Dave Graydon
on 0191 433 2565 or email
davidgraydon@gateshead.gov.uk
or visit: www.gateshead.gov.uk
Gateshead’s World Championship competitors l-r Siobhan Foy, Rebecca Dawson,
Fay Dellow, Paige Thompson, Jessica Dawson and Jennifer McHugh.
Applications are submitted to a
panel of other young people who
have the final say about who is
awarded money and how much
they get.
One group who have benefited
loads from the fund are the young
people who attend the Kelly
Hendry School of Irish Dancing. A
number of students, including six
girls from Gateshead, qualified for
the World Irish Dancing
Championships in Philadelphia
and they were granted some
Philadelphia here we come!
We caught up with two of the competitors, Siobhan Foy and Fay Dellow
before they jetted off across the pond.
You must be excited about
your trip to Philadelphia - how
does it feel?
Siobhan: This is the first time I
have qualified for the Worlds so I
am so pleased because I have
worked very hard. I am proud to
be representing the Kelly Hendry
School. There are so many great
dancers in the class.
What will you be doing when
you’re out there?
Fay: We have scheduled practice
for two hours every morning. As
the oldest dancer, I’m also
required to help the teacher.
When the dancing is over, I’m
sure we’ll all be going out for
food and doing a lot of shopping!
What are your dancing plans
for the future?
Fay: I’m currently at university, but
dancing plays just as big a role in
my life. When uni is out of the
way, I’d love to take my teacher’s
exam and maybe teach with Kelly.
You applied for some money
from Gateshead Council’s
Youth Opportunity Fund, how
has this helped you reach
your goals?
Siobhan: The world
championships are usually held in
Ireland, so the cost is much
higher than usual. The money
really helps because it means
that the whole team can take part
and not just those whose family
could afford it.
How did you find the process
of applying for and receiving
the grant?
Siobhan: The process was really
quick and efficient and I would
recommend it to other groups. I
enjoyed doing the presentation
and I like the fact that it is young
people who decide which
projects are helped.
Rinn tu el!
STOP PRESS!
The Kelly Hendry dancers have
since returned from
Philadelphia with 19 medals and
the junior team, which includes
three of our Gateshead girls, are
reigning world champions!
Gle mhaith girls!
25
The what, when, where and who of stuff out there for you!
Avenues Project
eting
Magazine me
Sailing
qualifications
What: Do three sessions and get
an RYA qualification in sailing or
power boating.
When: Every Wednesday from 6
May to 23 September. 9.30am3pm or 4-9pm.
Where: The mini bus will take you
to the reservoir from WinG on
Durham Road in Low Fell.
Who: Call Jenny Jackson on
0191 487 9356.
h Council
ateshead Yout
What: G
ine.
Online Magaz
4Monday from
y
er
Ev
n:
Whe
6pm.
ce,
ladstone Terra
Where: 12 G
Gateshead.
if
Terry Eccles
Who: Contact
ur
yo
e
ar
sh
e to
you would lik
ine
for the magaz
e
rit
w
or
s
idea
1900.
on 0191 490
What: All sorts of activities
including free web access and a
weekly health drop-in session.
When: Activities throughout the
week, Mon - Fri, health drop-in 47pm Thursdays.
Where: 61 Coatsworth Road,
Bensham.
Who: Contact Andy Goulding on
0191 478 6983.
Stay connected
Wayout in Gateshead
Stop by
What: No Limits inclus
ive group,
youth drop in.
When: Fridays from 5-9
.30pm.
Where: Deckham Comm
unity
Centre.
Who: Contact Kevin Ro
bson on
0191 477 9210.
What: Open Evening at WinG
(refreshments provided) for 15-19
year olds.
When: 9 June, 5-7pm.
Where: WinG, Durham Road in
Low Fell.
Who: If you are interested in
volunteering for WinG and gaining
outdoor experience, qualifications
and leadership skills the call us to
confirm a place on 0191 487 9356.
Use your mouse
To find out more about what’s happening
in Gateshead for young people click onto:
www.gateshead.gov.uk (for info on your local leisure centre or events info)
www.gbyoc.org.uk (packed full of info from Gateshead Youth Council)
www.gatesheadcyptrust.co.uk (for details of services and other useful stuff)
www.solutionfinder.org.uk (for details of services and other useful stuff)
26
Did you know that you
can keep up to
date with everything
that’s going on
at Gateshead Youth Co
uncil from the
comfort of your favou
rite chair?
There’s loads of informa
tion on this little
site called Facebook we’re pretty sure
you’ve heard of it?! Ch
eck out the
Gateshead Youth Counc
il pages for
information, discussions,
posts from your
MYP and useful links, wh
ich include the
online magazine group
where you can
submit ideas and sugges
tions.
It’s an open group so any
one can join in
- just type “Gateshead
Youth Council” in
your Facebook search
bar and click
away til your heart’s con
tent!
ContactPoint
A NEW CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S DIRECTORY
A simple, computerised directory
holding very basic information
about all children and young
people up to the age of 18 living in
England, goes online in
Gateshead at the end of the year.
Known as ContactPoint, this
directory contains information already held by a number of
services - in one place. Details
such as the name and address of:
• The child or young person and
their date of birth;
• The child’s parents/carers;
• Their school and doctor;
• Their social worker or health
visitor
ContactPoint is only available to
professionals who work with
children - like doctors, head
teachers, or social workers - and
strict security checks are in place.
The aim is to help professionals
find out who else is working with
the same child, so that the services
they need can be provided as soon
as possible. Plus the child, young
person or their family don’t have to
explain the same basic things over
and over again.
Before ContactPoint, it could take
a long time for a professional to
know who else was involved. This
could cause delays, or in some
cases children, young people or
families could miss out altogether
on the services they need
altogether.
young people, Councillor
Catherine Donovan said: “By
making it easier for professionals
to know who is involved with a
child, they can make sure they get
the right support as early as
possible, before problems get
bigger. ContactPoint will be a
superb tool for all professionals
helping them to work better
together and for the good of the
child and their family.”
Once a child has reached 18, their
record is removed (apart from some
young people who can choose to
stay on until they are 25).
You (or your parent/carer) can see
the information held on
ContactPoint and have something
corrected if you believe it needs
changing. Email:
informationrights@gateshead.gov.
uk or write to the Information
Rights Officer at: Gateshead
Council, Civic Centre, Regent
Street, Gateshead NE8 1HH.
For general information on
ContactPoint go to:
www.ecm.gov.uk/contactpoint
Scam letters
GATESHEAD CALLS A “SCAMNESTY” ON POSTAL SCAMS
If you receive ‘scam’ letters from
Nigerian banks, foreign lottery
offers, so-called free offers or
other scams - don’t throw them
away, give them to us instead!
You can drop these unwanted
letters into Scamnesty boxes,
which are available at your local
library, and at Gateshead Civic
Centre.
The idea behind the boxes is to
give Fair Trading Officers vital
intelligence about the kind of
scams that are circulating, when
and where they are being
targeted, and what tricks and
cons they use. Then, armed with
this information, we can hopefully
begin to target warnings to the
people most likely to receive
particular scams before they
receive them.
We receive dozens of complaints
each year from people who have
been unwitting victims of postal
scams. Many of them have been
put together so cleverly that they
look completely legitimate - and it
is only later that the victim
realises that they have been
conned.
Around 28 million people are
targeted by scammers every year
and it is thought that around three
million UK residents lose money
to scams each year. Don’t be one
of them!
For more information or if you
are concerned about any letter
you may have received contact
the council’s trading standards
team on: 0191 433 3000.
Councillor Brian Richmond, Chairman
of the Tyne and Wear Joint Trading
Standards Committee, empties his
scam mail into a Scamnesty box at
Gateshead Central Library.
27
What a waste
TACKLING OUR RUBBISH ISSUE
Let’s face it, burying rubbish in
landfills is pretty rubbish. For the
past few decades that’s what
we’ve been doing with our
household waste. But the way we
handle our rubbish in Gateshead
is set to change.
Landfill not only contributes to
climate change creating the
greenhouse gas, methane, but it
costs you money. Your Council
Tax ultimately pays for this and
costs are rising.
So what’s the answer? Well,
reusing and recycling as much as
we can is our priority. When we’ve
done that, we then have to find
better ways of handling the
rubbish that’s left.
Along with our partners, South
Tyneside and Sunderland
councils, we are developing a
high-tech facility to treat the
remaining rubbish in order to
extract valuable resources from it.
Fuel, compost, building materials,
electricity and heat, can all be
created by treating rubbish.
Eight leading green energy and
waste management companies
have now been shortlisted to
propose ways of treating our
rubbish.
All the treatments put forward will
be assessed against environmental
criteria, performance, deliverability
and cost. The
treatments that
may be
considered are:
• Mechanical
biological
digestion this involves a
mix of sorting,
separating,
cutting or grinding
of rubbish into
smaller pieces or
composting it. It creates a
soil improver, like a fertiliser,
or a fuel. Fuels produced from
waste can be used to power
cement kilns, for example.
• Advanced thermal treatment this involves heating waste so
that the waste doesn’t fully burn.
This creates a gas that can be
extracted and used as a fuel.
• Autoclaving - this involves
sterilising rubbish using steam.
Some of the by-products can be
recycled or converted to fibre for
use as a fuel or building
products.
• Energy from waste - this is
burning rubbish with very low
levels of emissions to produce
electricity that can be sold to the
National Grid, plus steam for
heating hospitals, homes and
other buildings.
These are not the only options - it
could be a mix of the above or
another solution that is put forward
by waste companies
To help you recycle as much as
you can, a brand new kerbside
recycling system will be
introduced from April next year.
The black boxes will be phased
out and one new, blue wheeled
bin that will allow you to recycle
plastic and cardboard, as well as
paper, glass and cans, will be
introduced. Watch this space!
For more information about
recycling and the proposed
treatment facility visit:
Nominate now!
QUEEN’S AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE
The Lord-Lieutenant for Tyne and Wear, Nigel
Sherlock, is urging people to nominate local
volunteer groups and organisations for the 2010
Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Around 20 per cent of people in the North East give
up time to volunteer at least once a week, and these
awards are one way of acknowledging their
28
contribution and hard work. More than 600 groups
have won this prestigious award in the past,
including eleven from Tyne and Wear.
For more information on the Queen’s Award for
Voluntary Service and how to nominate a
group, visit: www.queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk
A VIEW FROM
Central Gateshead
BRIDGES
•
DECKHAM
•
LOBLEY HILL & BENSHAM
•
SALTWELL
•
BRIDGES
•
DECKHAM
•
•
SALTWELL
LOCAL HEROES EARN SOME RESPECT
A special awards ceremony at
Gateshead Civic Centre has
honoured local people for taking a
stand against anti-social
behaviour.
The awards form part of the
government’s Respect agenda,
which encourages people to work
together to take a stand against
anti-social behaviour in their
community.
One of the groups who received
an award was the Argyle Estate
Residents’ Association – a group
of 175 residents who worked
together to tackle anti-social
behaviour by securing funding to
develop a new park on their
estate.
Association members open and
close the park each day and
control the use of the multi-use
games area and toddler play area.
They report any anti-social
behaviour in and around the
estate to the police, council and
ward councillors.
The result of their efforts has been
a great success. Local children
are using the park, there is a
stronger community spirit among
residents and vandalism and
disorder has reduced greatly on
the estate.
Margaret Walker, Chairwoman of
the Argyle Estate Residents’
Association said:
❝
This is the second award we
have won recently and we’re
really delighted to receive it.
It’s great for us to have our
hard work recognised in this
way and we’re just so
pleased that the
improvements to the park
Representatives of the Argyle Estate Residents’ Association with their award. Back row,
Marjorie Phillips (Committee member), Sharon Pegram (Treasurer), Teresa Moyle
(Committee member), front row: Margaret Walker, (Chairwoman).
have been so successful.
We’re very happy that our
efforts have benefited our
community
❝
•
To nominate a group or
individual for a respect award
contact Gateshead Council’s
community safety team on:
0191 433 2807.
29
•
A VIEW FROM
•
BRIDGES
•
DECKHAM
•
Central Gateshead
Bridges
Cllr Angela Armstrong
Labour
Tel: 0191 460 3477
•
SALTWELL
•
BRIDGES
•
DECKHAM
•
•
SALTWELL
STREETWISE
Email: cllr.aarmstrong@gateshead.gov.uk
Bridges
Cllr John Eagle
Labour
Tel: 0191 422 4874
Email: cllr.jeagle@gateshead.gov.uk
Bridges
Cllr Bob Goldsworthy
Labour
Tel: 0191 469 5082
Email: cllr.bgoldsworthy@gateshead.gov.uk
Deckham
Cllr Brian Coates
Labour
Tel: 0191 420 3483
Email: cllr.bcoates@gateshead.gov.uk
Deckham
Cllr Martin Gannon
Labour
Tel: 0191 482 6314
Email: cllr.mgannon@gateshead.gov.uk
Deckham
Cllr Bernadette Oliphant
Labour
Tel: 0191 478 7376
Email: cllr.boliphant@gateshead.gov.uk
30
Some of Gateshead’s street rep’s celebrating the launch.
A Street Representative scheme
has been launched by Gateshead
Council and more than 90 people
from Bensham and Saltwell have
already signed up to get involved.
As Bensham and Saltwell are
currently part of a multi-million
pound housing-led renewal
programme, this scheme will
ensure local people’s views are
considered in plans for future
improvements.
The street reps met in March to
discuss plans for the development
of the area, the progress of the
current demolition programme,
and how far they can be involved
in planning for the future.
Osher Marks, a street rep from
Bensham said: “We have had a
very valuable opportunity to raise
areas that concern us personally
in our neighbourhood and to
consult with the council and the
police.”
Further quarterly meetings are
planned and the scheme will be
rolled out across the borough,
allowing any resident in
Gateshead to work with us to
improve their quality of life.
If you are interested in
becoming a Street Rep please
contact Deborah McKenna on:
0191 433 2699 or
email: deborahmckenna
@gateshead.gov.uk
•
•
BRIDGES
•
DECKHAM
•
•
SALTWELL
•
BRIDGES
•
DECKHAM
CLEAN AND TIDY
This work is part of the council’s
‘It’s Your Gateshead’ campaign,
which aims to encourage
residents to take pride in their
neighbourhood. The campaign
also aims to tackle issues such as
graffiti and littering.
Cabinet member for Central
Gateshead, Councillor Linda
Green said: “The people of
•
SALTWELL
Lobley Hill & Bensham
Cllr Kevin Dodds
Labour
Tel: 0191 477 7639
Back lanes are cleaner and tidier
than ever in Bensham and
Saltwell, but we’re stepping up the
campaign to keep the area spick
and span.
We’ve worked with residents and
local schools and have carried out
highly visible investigations to
tackle the back lanes. In the last
four months 21 persistent fly
tippers have been given fixed
penalty notices and the latest fly
tipping figures indicate that this
has reduced the amount of waste
now dumped in back lanes by 83
per cent.
•
Email: cllr.kdodds@gateshead.gov.uk
Rob Hubbard, enforcement officer.
Cllr Catherine Donovan
Labour
Tel: 0191 420 5091
Email: cllr.cdonovan@gateshead.gov.uk
Gateshead consistently tell us that
they want to live in a clean and
tidy neighbourhood so we’ve
increased the number of
enforcement officers we have
working in Gateshead and we will
continue to tackle anyone who
thinks our streets are rubbish
dumps.”
Anyone with information on
fly tipping, or who wants to
confidentially report a fly
tipper, can contact Gateshead
Council on: 0191 433 3000.
KIDS HELP TACKLE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Cllr Frank Donovan
Labour
Tel: 0191 478 3860
Email: cllr.fdonovan@gateshead.gov.uk
Saltwell
Cllr Mick Henry
Labour
Tel: 0191 477 5804
Email: cllr.mhenry@gateshead.gov.uk
Pupils from South Street School
have worked with the council to
make Hodkin Park a greener,
safer and more pleasant place
for everyone in time for the
lighter nights of spring and
summer.
They planted one of several new
herb beds created as part of a
package of improvements to
make the park more open and
less secluded in order to reduce
incidents of anti-social
behaviour.
Working with local residents,
police and The Gateshead
Housing Company, Gateshead
Council has cleared dens and
hideaways in the park to make
local people feel safer.
Funding for the work at Hodkin
Park has come from the
Neighbourhood Pride scheme.
This is a joint venture between
the council and The Gateshead
Housing Company and provides
cash to help tackle issues which
matter most to residents, and to
make neighbourhoods a better
place to live in.
For more information
contact Louise Redpath on:
0191 433 7451 or email:
louiseredpath@gateshead.
gov.uk
Saltwell
Cllr Ian Mearns
Labour
Tel: 0191 490 0541
Email: cllr.imearns@gateshead.gov.uk
Saltwell
Cllr Joe Mitchinson
Labour
Tel: 0191 478 5162
Email: cllr.jmitchinson@gateshead.gov.uk
31
•
Central Gateshead
A VIEW FROM
•
BRIDGES
•
DECKHAM
•
•
SALTWELL
•
BRIDGES
•
DECKHAM
•
•
SALTWELL
SUMMER FUN
This year’s Lobley Hill
Community Festival
will take place
between 11am and
3pm on the 13 June
at Rutherford AFC, Beggarswood
Park. The festival, supported by
Councillor Catherine Donovan and
Councillor Kevin Dodds
representing Lobley Hill and
Bensham will build on the success
of last year, when over 1,000
people attended and took
advantage of the 34 stalls on offer.
CENTRAL AREA
FORUM
Hill Primary School, Kingsmeadow
School, Hillside Church,
Immaculate Heart RC Church and
Lobley Hill Community Centre.
It’s a great day out for all of the
family with sports, children’s
activities, face painting, arts and
crafts, entertainment and stalls
selling books, DVDs, cakes and
Fairtrade products.
The festival involves all sections of
the community including Lobley
CHILD’S PLAY
There are a number of children’s
centres in central Gateshead
offering services for you to enjoy
with your under fives. Each
centre has developed
programmes through
consultation with the local
community so each one offers a
unique range of services,
including:
• A range of fun activities for
For details
phone:
0191 433 3148.
you and your child
• Training to help you find a job
• Information, support and advice
To find out more about what’s
on offer for you and your
family, call your local centre on:
Bensham
0191 433 6453
Deckham
0191 433 6300
Bede
0191 433 5633
Matov
0191 433 6356
• Quality nurseries offering full
day care
• A range of health services
YOUR
NEIGHBOURHOOD
MANAGEMENT
TEAM
Central:
Dave Andrew 0191 433 3824
Recycling Bring Sites in Inner West Gateshead
32
The Central Area Forum meet
every six weeks. It is chaired
by Councillor Linda Green
(pictured), cabinet member for
sustainable communities in
Central Gateshead, supported
by Councillor David Napier.
The next meeting is on
May 11 at 3.30pm in the
Whickham
Room at
Gateshad Civic
Centre.
paper
glass
Bensham Claremont Walk
Yes
Yes
Gateshead Civic Centre
Yes
Gateshead Tesco
Yes
Park Road Netto Store
Yes
Shipcote Shipcote lane
Yes
plastic
food &
textiles
drink cans
bottles
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
cartons cardboard
East:
Stephen Ward 0191 433 3148
Inner West:
Paul Cairns 0191 433 3020
West:
Gary Carr
0191 433 2043
South:
Alison Rigg
0191 433 2042
email:
neighbourhoodmanagement@
gateshead.gov.uk
Yes
•
Conservation success
HISTORIC MANOR HOUSE NO LONGER AT RISK
The future looks brighter for an
important historic ruin in
Gateshead after English Heritage
removed the building from their
Heritage at Risk register.
Although this year’s register will
not be published until later in the
summer, English Heritage has
already announced that Hollinside
Manor in Whickham, which was
previously considered to be at
risk, will be removed from the
register as a result of the council’s
work to conserve it.
The Old Hollinside fortified manor
house in Whickham, Gateshead is
a Grade I-listed building which
was first recorded in 1317. For
Work in progress.
Completed conservation of Hollinside Manor.
400 years it was a symbol of
wealth and strength in the area,
and gained the nickname ‘Giant’s
Castle’ as its owners reputedly
stood some seven feet tall.
now secured the building’s future.
We have cleared away overgrown
vegetation, stabilised the
remaining stonework and installed
two grilles to prevent vandalism.
The fortunes of the house
changed when it was downgraded
from a manor house in its own
right to simply a tenanted house,
but its fate was sealed in the early
1800s when it was abandoned
and allowed to fall into ruins. It
has been on the Heritage at Risk
register since 2002.
An illustrated interpretation panel
is also in place to tell the story of
the building to people taking a
stroll along the Derwent Walk.
However, thanks to grants of over
£14,000 from English Heritage
and £18,000 from the SITA Trust
we have been able to carry out a
£46,000 rescue project that has
High-tech homes
A brownfield site that has been set aside for housing
development will soon have access to the fastest
broadband in the UK.
Plans are underway to connect the site of the former
Freightliner depot near the town centre, to the ultrahigh speed broadband communications service
being developed by Gateshead Technology
Innovations Ltd, (G-ti) for the nearby Baltic Business
Quarter.
The plans ensure that homes built on the site would
have direct access to a sophisticated fibre optic
Councillor Linda Green, said:
“Hollinside Manor is one of
Gateshead’s oldest buildings, and
the work we have carried out
means that we have safeguarded
it for the future. Now many more
people can visit and enjoy a
building which I believe is one of
Gateshead’s hidden gems.”
UK’S FASTEST BROADBAND
network with potential download speeds of 100mb
per second and more.
Connecting the site to the nearby Baltic Business
Quarter network can be achieved simply by running
a fibre optic cable under the A184 Felling bypass - a
relatively simple operation.
Council Leader, Mick Henry, said: “This is an
exciting new development, which could completely
transform housing potential in this area and turn the
Freightliner site into one of the most sought after
locations in the region.”
33
St Bede’s House
IMPROVED SERVICE FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE
Homeless people in Gateshead
are now able to call a former
convent home following a £1.5
million refurbishment.
St Bede’s House - which is
managed by Three Rivers
Housing Association - was
originally opened in 1994 offering
supported housing to homeless
people.
Now it has been refurbished and
reopened providing 15 selfcontained one-bedroom
Manhattan style apartments.
Office facilities and space for
training and support activities is
also on site. The work was
undertaken by Koru Property
Services.
Tenants are issued with a sixmonth tenancy agreement. A
support service then helps them to
move on into independent living.
Head of Care and Support at
Three Rivers Housing Association,
Chris Reed, said: “This wonderful
new scheme has been delivered
on time and within budget. Our
tenants and staff have been
consulted throughout the design
and implementation stages of the
refurbishment and included in the
discussions around specification
and design.”
Cabinet member for housing,
Councillor David Napier added:
“The council has an important role
to play in eradicating
homelessness. This new
development not only offers
homeless people that all-important
address from which they can
begin to rebuild their lives, but
much needed personal support
which will help them back into
mainstream housing.
“Three Rivers Housing should be
congratulated for carrying out an
excellent and imaginative
scheme.”
Taxi review
Gateshead Council has begun
a root-and-branch review of
the whole taxi and private hire
trade to ensure you are
receiving a safe and
satisfactory service, and one
that is consistent with the
changing needs of the
borough. It will look at:
• people's perceptions - good
or bad - of using a taxi.
• whether passenger needs
are being adequately met
and the level of service.
• whether people understand
the difference between
Hackney Carriages and
Private Hire Vehicles, and
whether this has implications
for vehicle liveries.
The review involves rank and
street observations, a public
attitude survey, consultation
with the trade and
stakeholders, and 'mystery
shopper' journeys.
The review - which is expected
to cost around £20,000 - will
be paid for out of taxi and
private hire licence fees.
Funding success
YOUR IDEAS, OUR MONEY, SAFER COMMUNITIES
Almost 50 community groups
across the Northumbria Police
Force area are set to benefit from
new funding after an X Factor
style voting event.
The event, held at Gateshead
Civic Centre, was part of a Home
Office scheme to get local people
and community groups directly
involved in deciding how public
money is spent with the aim of
creating safer communities.
Local people awarded around
£50,000 to projects across the
region, after watching each group
pitch their idea and then voting for
their favourite. The successful
projects included:
34
• Off the Streets Club - a group
offering youth club provision in
Newcastle
• Gateshead Deaf Forum - a
project to help keep the deaf
community safer.
• An anti-knife crime group in
South Tyneside
• A drugs education and
prevention scheme in
Northumberland.
Councillor Mick Henry, Chair of
Northumbria Police Authority said:
“This event is about Northumbria
Police Authority giving communities
a real say in how money is spent
locally. The people we have seen
here today are the real experts on
what’s going
on in their own area,
because they live and work there.
“They can use this local
knowledge and experience to
develop ideas for funding that can
lead to real benefits for the whole
community. The schemes that
were given funding today will
focus on building trust and
reducing the fear of crime.”
For more information phone
Northumbria Police Authority
on: 0191 433 2091, email:
enquiries.npa@gateshead.gov.uk
web: www.northumbriapoliceauthority.org
Gateshead Together Week
CELEBRATING GOOD NEIGHBOURS AND COMMUNITY PRIDE
Gateshead Together Week is a
week-long celebration bringing
together a host of different
communities with at least one
thing in common - they all live in
Gateshead.
The week kicks off on European
Neighbours Day (Tuesday 26
May) when a variety of public
events are planned, including a
street party in Felling.
Other events during the week will
include a health walk over the
Gateshead Millennium Bridge, a
children’s workshop led by
musicians from The Sage
Gateshead exploring tunes and
nursery rhymes, a creating safer
communities event on May 27th at
10.30am at Dryden Road Fire
Station and an event to celebrate
the 30th anniversary of the
Gateshead Youth Council.
Local community groups will also
take part in a unique community
cash give-away. In a blend of the
BBC programme ‘Dragon’s Den’
and the ITV game show ‘Who
Wants to be a Millionaire’, groups
will be invited to pitch for funding
for activities that promote
neighbourliness. A live audience
will then vote on whether they
should receive funds or not.
Free tickets for Evolution Festival
To celebrate ‘Gateshead Together
Week’, we’ve got two weekend
passes for two people to give
away for the fantastic Evolution
Festival taking place on Newcastle
and Gateshead Quaysides on
Sunday 24 and Monday 25 May.
To enter you can go online at:
www.gateshead.gov.uk or email:
councilnews@gateshead.gov.uk
and answer this simple question:
Who wrote the theory of
evolution? Was it Charles Darwin
or Charles Dickens. Deadline for
entries: Monday 18 May 2009.
Good Luck!
Let’s play
MILLION POUND PLAY TIME
Seven parks right across the borough will benefit
from exciting and stimulating new play equipment in
the next twelve months as part of the £1.2m ‘Play
Builder’ programme.
Parks in Bill Quay, Birtley East, Springwell and Lea
Field (Birtley) are all set to be transformed with the
play needs of local children in mind. Carhill Park,
Watergate Park and Swalwell Park will get new
accessible and entertaining play equipment too.
Enjoying
Children at six other parks are already enjoying their
new play equipment which was installed during the
first phase of the three-year programme. By the end
of the scheme no fewer than 22 parks in Gateshead
will have new and improved play equipment offering.
The improvements in Gateshead are part of a
national investment of £235 million intended to
Full details are available on
our website:
promote an increase in independent outdoor
adventurous play.
All of the parks have been designed in conjunction
with local people and the specification for each
varies according to the needs and wishes of local
children and residents.
Cabinet member for children and young people,
Councillor Catherine Donovan said: “Good quality
play contributes massively to learning and helps to
ensure that children grow up to be healthy and
active citizens.
“I’m sure that hundreds, if not thousands, of children
will be having hours of fun on the play parks that
have already been completed and hundreds more
will be looking forward to brand new play
opportunities in their area in the next twelve
months.”
35
Health Talk
NO APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY AS WE BRING YOU A ROUND-UP OF
HEALTH NEWS AND ADVICE
Dr Clive Kelly, Consultant Rheumatologist, Ian Rewick, Chief Executive, Mrs Joan Lewer, first patient, Sharon Pearson,
Divisional Manager, Assessment and Diagnostic Services.
New outpatient service
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital has
opened an exciting new hospital
outpatient facility, QE Metro
Riverside, right next to the
MetroCentre, on the Metro
Riverside Business Park.
Some people living in parts of
Gateshead (mainly in the west)
told us that it can be difficult to get
to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
This new outpatient facility will
help patients get the same high
quality care from the Queen
Elizabeth, but in a location that is
easier to get to.
This excellent location is a few
hundred yards from the
MetroCentre bus Interchange and
station, and a shuttle bus service
(the S2), will run every 15 minutes
from the MetroCentre into the
Metro Riverside Park.
Patients can choose to be seen at
QE Metro Riverside or the QE if
36
their GP needs to make a referral
for an outpatient appointment or xray. So far, more than 250 people
have already chosen QE Metro
Riverside.
Services available at QE Metro
Riverside will include a range of
outpatient clinics. These will include:
• Orthopedics
• General surgery
• Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)
• Gynaecology
• Rheumatology
• Audiology
• Some physiotherapy services
• Plain x-rays.
A big campaign across buses and
GP practices throughout
Gateshead has been launched to
promote the centre and the
services. Further information plus
a map showing its location can be
found at:
www.gatesheadhealth.nhs.uk/metro
You can find out more about
the facility and its services
by speaking to your GP or
contacting:
Sharon Pearson, Divisional
Manager for Assessment &
Diagnostics on: 0191 445 2734
Denise Reay, Assistant
Divisional Manager on:
0191 445 6105
Faye Butler, Modern Matron,
Assessment & Diagnostics
on: 0191 445 3452
Karen Green, Deputy Service
Manager, Radiology on:
0191 445 2479.
New health centre
A new combined GP practice and
walk-in centre for minor injuries
and illnesses will open in
Gateshead in June.
The new GP-led health centre will
initially be at Blaydon Clinic
transferring to Blaydon Primary
Care Centre when the new building
is completed in Autumn 2010.
Open from 8am to 8pm, seven
days a week, it will provide a core
doctors’ surgery alongside a range
of other mixed healthcare services
including a minor injuries walk-in
centre.
Brent Kilmurray of NHS South of Tyne
and Wear Provider Services signs the
new contract with Jan Forster, Director
of Primary Care Commissioning.
Brent Kilmurray of NHS South of
Tyne and Wear Provider Services,
said: “The new facility will bring
greater patient choice and
improved access to new health
services for patients in Gateshead.”
Eat well, move more
Newcastle United lent its
support to a new local health
campaign aimed at
encouraging local middle-aged
men to pay more attention to
the importance of healthy
eating and regular exercise.
NHS South of Tyne and Wear,
which includes Gateshead
PCT, used a football theme to
encourage men aged 40-plus
to live longer by eating well and
moving more. The message
‘Eat well, move more’ was
promoted at St James’ Park.
For more information go
to: www.sotw.nhs.co.uk A
special ‘text Health to
61122’ messaging service is
available to put you in touch
with local health trainers.
Open wide!
More people in Gateshead are
going to see an NHS dentist
than in other parts of the country
- but if even more were attending
it would help overcome the
area’s poor oral health situation.
Nonnie Crawford, public health
lead for dentistry for NHS
South of Tyne and Wear, which
includes Gateshead PCT, said:
“Oral health can have a major
impact on quality of life and a
regular check-up and dental
treatment is a vital part of
maintaining good general
health. Even older people with
dentures should attend at
least once every two years for
a check up of their gums.”
Newcastle United players Peter Lovenkrands and Steven Taylor with Alan Baty, chair of
Gateshead Primary Care Trust at the launch of the local men’s health campaign.
To find out which practices
are currently taking on new
NHS patients please phone:
PALs on 0800 731 2326,
NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or
go to: www.nhs.uk
37
Healthy minds, healthy bodies
SKIPPING AND CHEERLEADING FESTIVAL
More than 250 pupils from around
20 Gateshead schools showed off
their skipping and cheerleading
skills recently.
They were taking part in the
annual Skipping and Cheerleading
festival held at the English
Institute for Sport based at the
Gateshead International Stadium
site.
This event targeted young people
as part of a drive to combat
obesity and increase physical
activity.
The youngsters took part in an allschool skipping warm-up and the
event gave school teams the
chance to demonstrate their
unique skipping and cheerleading
skills. They also took part in
speed skipping contests.
Catherine Donovan said:
“Skipping is a great way of
keeping fit and healthy. Young
people can increase their daily
physical activity, either in the
playground, or in their own time at
home.”
The Skipping Festival is part of
the Healthy Schools initiative,
which comprises a range of other
events throughout the year.
To do list
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary
School in Blaydon picked up a
prestigious international award
for its outstanding efforts in
educating pupils about other
cultures - for the third time.
The school, which also has
the Arts Mark, was selected
for the award for its
outstanding work in bringing
the wider world into the
classroom.
This work includes maintaining
partnerships with schools in
France, Finland, Ireland and
Portugal, and recent project
work about how Christmas is
celebrated across the world,
changing global weather
patterns, and looking in detail
at life in an Indian village.
St Joseph’s is among just
1,200 schools across the UK
to receive the International
Schools Award since the
scheme’s inception in 1999.
£800,000 TO SOLVE LIFE’S LITTLE PROBLEMS
Repairing footpaths, new signs and improving street
lighting are just some of the things on the council’s
2009 ‘to do list’ in wards across Gateshead.
Over 40 schemes suggested by residents and local
councillors to improve neighbourhoods are included
in the list of works approved by councillors last
month. Funding of up to £800,000 was allocated to
this work.
The ward improvement schemes are mainly small in
scale and while they don’t cost huge amounts of
money, they will make a big difference to areas and
people’s lives.
Improvements will include repairing footpaths in
Portmeads estate, Birtley, providing new seating in
the Garths area of Winlaton and installing a
38
School scores hat-trick
in international
excellence
pedestrian crossing on Dunston Road.
Council Leader Mick Henry said: “Each and every
one of these schemes has come about because
local people have asked for improvements in their
neighbourhood.
“While so much of what we do is necessarily large
scale and far reaching, we realise that it’s vitally
important to keep up with the smaller things that
make such a difference to people on a day to day
basis.”
For details of the ward schemes in your area
visit the council’s website:
www.gateshead.gov.uk or phone
Jane Bench on: 0191 433 2058.
Star service
TOP MARKS FOR HOUSING COMPANY
Housing services provided by The
Gateshead Housing Company are
‘excellent’ with ‘excellent prospects
for improvement’, according to the
Audit Commission.
On a scale from zero to three
stars, the Inspection team gave
the company the top ‘excellent’
three star rating.
This was because it has a strong
commitment to customer care,
estates are well managed and
major improvements are being
made to thousands of homes.
Strengths included:
• Modern, accessible local offices
providing customer friendly service
and good quality information
• High quality home improvements
to more than 7,000 homes to a
standard above that required by
the Government
• Rent collection rates are above
average and the best they have
ever been in the borough.
Bill Fullen, chief executive of the
housing company said: “We have
clearly made a lot of progress in a
very short time since the company
was created just over five years
ago. But, we will carry on making
even more improvements to
ensure that local people have the
standard of services and homes
they truly deserve.”
More information is available
online at:
www.gatesheadhousing.co.uk/
inspection2009
• Clear information, support and
choice for local people to bid for
vacant properties
Kirsty Carroll, Demi Watson and
Saraleigh Clarke help to clean up.
Just one example of local people
working with The Gateshead Housing
Company.
• Estates are well maintained and
•
common areas are secure and
welcoming
Effective working with partners to
address anti-social behaviour
School news
PRIMARY SCHOOL REVIEWS
Two primary school reviews are
currently underway focusing on
schools in the Whickham area and
including some of the Roman
Catholic schools that were not
included in the borough-wide
review three years ago.
The reviews will help to ensure
the long-term future of schools
and maintain Gateshead’s very
high standards of primary
education, ensuring provision
matches parental preferences as
far as possible.
Catherine Donovan said: “We
hope to manage this review
process carefully and sensitively
to find the best way forward for all
of Gateshead’s primary schools,
so that they are able to deliver the
best and most efficient education
possible.
“This involves making the most
effective use of resources and
reflecting parental choice as far as
possible. Maintaining too many
surplus places or too many small
schools represents an inefficient
use of resources, which can have
an adverse effect on educational
standards across the borough.
Saltwell Park
The Grove Entrance to
Saltwell Park on Saltwell Road
South with be closed between
mid July and October for the
construction of a new
Japanese Garden.
The garden - designed by the
people of Komatsu City in
Japan - celebrates the
friendship between Gateshead
and Komatsu. It will have
traditional Japanese features
such as a gravel pond and
gravel waterfall (where water is
simulated by gravel), a stone
lantern and appropriate planting.
A formal opening of the garden
is expected to be one of the
activities taking place to mark
the 20th anniversary of
Gateshead and Komatsu
City’s twinning in 2011.
“The Primary Capital Programme
(PCP) will bring millions of pounds
of investment to primary schools
over the next 14 years, and it is vital
this is invested carefully, in schools
that are sustainable over the longterm.”
39
The winner!
We recently asked people
what they would change in
Gateshead if they were King
or Queen for the day. Local
resident Kay Morrison had her
say beating over 300 others
and winning £200 of goodies
from the MetroCentre for her
efforts!
Kay commented on the
council’s ‘Issues and Options’
planning document, which will
evolve into the blueprint for
how Gateshead develops in
the future. Further
consultation will take place
later in the year.
Thank you to those who made
comments; we look forward to
hearing more of your views in
the future.
Word of
mouse
A new website offering
information about drug
treatment services available in
Gateshead is now available.
People who use the services
and those who provide the
treatment have been involved
in the design of the website to
make sure the information is
both relevant and easy to
follow. The new website was
commissioned by the
Gateshead Drug Treatment
Partnership.
To find out more click onto:
www.gatesheaddrugs.co.uk
Clean up!
TIDY RESULT
A recent clean up day recently on
the Seven Stars Estate in
Wrekenton saw over 14 skips
worth of rubbish being collected.
This fantastic achievement
involved local people, (including
the Seven Stars Residents’
Committee), Wrekenton
Community Matters team,
Gateshead Council, The
Gateshead Housing Company,
Police, and Fire Brigade.
Local school children from Fell
Dyke Larkspur and St Oswald’s
primary schools also took part in
a poster competition to alert
residents to the problems of
dog fouling. The four winning
designs will see their posters
displayed on waste bins in the
area.
Poster by
Georgia A
rmstrong,
Top book
Larkspur P
rimary sch
ool.
LOCAL BOOK FLIES OFF THE SHELF
‘Views that time forgot...
sketches of Heworth and Felling’,
featuring the illustrations of Ernie
Wearmouth is the fastest selling
book ever published by
Gateshead Council. Selling 500
copies in just six weeks, a
reprint has been ordered
immediately.
Ernie first developed his
prodigious drawing skills at
Windy Nook School and his
book features drawings of the
original Felling railway station
and the remains of Nether
Farm - reputed to be the
oldest house in Felling.
Copies of his book can be
reserved by visiting
Gateshead Central Library
or Gateshead Heritage @
St Mary’s, Oakwellgate) or
phone: 0191 433 8400.
40
Nineteen not out!
DRAGON SURVIVORS ON ROAD TO SUCCESS
Nineteen would-be Gateshead
entrepreneurs have been launched
into a new life of self-employment...
after surviving a visit to
Gateshead’s own Dragons’ Den.
The 19 people who faced the
dragons and survived to forge a
new life in business included:
• Ray Fenwick, who has devised
a new supermarket trolley
design to reduce people’s
dependence on plastic bags;
• Sarah Kucukmetin, who is to
develop a soup and salad food
delivery service to encourage
healthy eating;
• Aaron Lodge, who wants to
become a comedy hypnotherapist
and entertainer; and
• Oscar Carballo, a self-employed
baker who wants to develop a
range of cinnamon muffin cakes.
Cabinet member for economy,
housing and transport, Councillor
John McElroy said:
“Our first round of Dragons’ Den,
which we launched last year,
proved to be so successful that we
simply had to repeat the exercise. I
am delighted to say that this year’s
Round Two has proved to be every
bit as successful!”
Residents are being warned to
beware of dodgy traders
calling at their homes and
offering home or garden
improvements.
Every year from June until
October, the council’s Fair
Trading section is inundated
with complaints about dreadful
home improvement work everything from dodgy
driveways to ghastly gardening
work.
The 19 decided to face the
dragons after being offered the
chance to fulfil their ambitions of
setting up in business on their own.
The council’s ‘Not All Dragons
Bite’ scheme operates just like the
BBC Dragons’ Den programme,
except our dragons don’t offer
cash - instead they provide their
experience and business skills,
and practical support such as
marketing and legal advice,
business contacts, and long-term
guidance and mentoring, all of
which is aimed at giving new
businesses the best possible start.
Watch out
Problems usually start when a
trader turns up on the
doorstep and asks if there are
any jobs that you need doing or reporting a problem they
have spotted themselves.
Ray Fenwick with dragons, Jan
Massey (Photography for Little People)
and Ron Abrahams (McAlpine’s).
If you have a business idea
that you would like to pursue,
then Gateshead Council’s
economic development
service might be able to help.
Contact our advisors on:
0191 477 3747 for more
information.
However, residents should
beware because huge costs
can be involved, the work is
often shoddy, and such
doorstep traders are usually
untraceable, with no listed
business address and no
invoices for the work they do.
Even if consumers do get
contact details, they are often
just a mobile phone or an
0800 number - which after a
short time is never answered.
Every year consumers lose
thousands of pounds to
traders who simply disappear
after having been paid. So you
should be very wary of
companies who call at your
door offering their services.
For advice on how to
protect yourself from
dodgy traders, visit the
Fair Trading pages on the
Business and Industry
section of our website
www.gateshead.gov.uk or
contact Fair Trading on:
0191 433 3930.
The Dragons’ Den project is
aimed at encouraging private
enterprise in areas of Gateshead
with some of the lowest business
start-up rates, and is funded by
Gateshead Council.
41
Junior Games
ON YOUR MARKS, GET SET...GO!
For over 30 years the Junior Games
has been a showcase of young
athletic talent and has provided a
grassroots platform for young
people to get involved in athletics.
This year is no exception, and this
summer the NewcastleGateshead
Junior Games Final makes its
annual visit to Gateshead
International Stadium.
Junior Games heats take place
this June at venues across
Gateshead and Newcastle and are
open to children aged between five
and 14 years old. Just come along,
it’s free to enter and is open to
boys and girls of all abilities.
The winners of the Gateshead
heats will compete against the
winners from the Newcastle heats
in the Grand Final held at
Gateshead International Stadium
(competing for the Stan Long Cup).
Every child that enters the heats
will receive a goody bag, and on
final day medals and prizes will be
presented to the winners.
Join in the Junior Games, it’s great fun!
Gateshead Heats:
Wednesday 10 June, Ryton Comprehensive School
Thursday 11 June, Derwent Park, Rowlands Gill
Tuesday 16 June, Oliver Henderson Park, Felling (Football Pitches)
Wednesday 17 June, Saltwell Park (Northern Fields)
Registration 5.30pm, races begin 6pm
Summer
blooms
Summer is coming and it’s time
to show off your blooms!
Gateshead Summer Garden
competition is here again and
we want all you green-fingered
folk to enter - it’s free and you
could win a prize! And don’t
worry if you don’t have a
garden, why not plant up some
window boxes, hanging baskets
or containers? There are also
categories for commercial,
industrial and religious grounds.
Pick up an entry form at your
nearest library or contact the
council’s events team on: 0191
433 6900.
Free to enter, open to boys and girls aged 5-14years
For more information phone the events team on: 0191 433 6900
or email: events@gateshead.gov.uk
Let’s bowl!
TAKE UP A NEW SPORT
Looking for
something
a bit
different to
do? Why
not head
down to
Gateshead
Indoor Bowling Centre, Gladstone
Terrace and have a go at bowls?
This year, the centre is open all year
42
round with sessions available for
individuals and groups of all ages.
Taster sessions are also available and you don’t have to be a member
to take part. Other fitness classes
are also on offer from pilates to
cycle-cise and you can enjoy a
cuppa at the centre’s cafè.
Contact Gateshead Indoor
Bowling Centre on:
0191 433 5750.
What’s On?
Take a swing at the past! May is Local History Month and a full
programme of events is on offer at numerous sites. Events can be booked at any
library in Gateshead or through Gateshead Heritage @ St. Mary’s. 3 - 31 May
Evolution Festival A key date in the national music calendar, this ticketed
event provides a top showcase for the region’s bands and artists as well as big
stars like Dizzee Rascal. Performances will take place at Baltic Square, and The
Sage Gateshead has collaborated on the programme. Fri 22 - Mon 25 May.
Scarecrow Day Bill Quay Farm hosts this unusual family event. Reuse your
cast off clothes to keep the crows off the crops - make and take home your own
mini Scarecrow! Please book in advance, Weds 27 May, 1- 3pm.
EXHIBITIONS BALTIC Centre for
Contemporary Art
South Shore Road, Gateshead.
Tel: 0191 478 1810.
Mon-Sun 10am-6pm. Free.
www.balticmill.com
Until 31 August
Tilting Planet - American artist
Sarah Sze creates sculptures
using common disposable objects
to rivet and challenge the viewer.
13 June - 23 August
Sat 16 May, 7pm
A Century of Olympic Posters This vibrant exhibition, on tour from
the V&A museum, London, explores
the representation of the Olympic
Games through the poster.
The Prudhoe Gleeman Male
Voice Choir Annual Concert
Emmanuel College. Tickets: £6.
Call 01661 833895 for more details.
First Tues of every month, 8pm
MUSIC The Sage Gateshead
St Mary’s Square, Gateshead Quays
Box Office: 0870 703 4555 or email:
boxoffice@thesagegateshead.org
www.thesagegateshead.org
Until 31 August
Overhang - Tobias Putrih and
MOS have collaborated on an
installation using software that
calculates and generates optimal
equilibrium structures.
Until 20 September
A Duck for Mr. Darwin - a group
exhibition of nine contemporary
artists exploring evolutionary
thinking and the theory of natural
selection.
Shipley Art Gallery
Prince Consort Road
Tel: 0191 477 1495. Mon-Sat,
10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm. Free.
Future highlights
Tues 26 May, 7.30pm - Heather
Small, £7-£25
Sat 30 May, 7.30pm - City of
Birmingham Symphony Orchestra,
£7-£29.50
Wed 3 & Thurs 11 June, 7.30pm Northern Sinfonia , £7-£29.50
Sun 28 June, 7.30pm - Neil
Sedaka, £25-£42.50
Fri 22- Mon 25 May
Evolution Festival - performances
at Baltic Square and The Sage
Gateshead. See
www.evolutionfestival.co.uk for
more details or call 08444 771000
for tickets.
Gateshead Ceilidh Club - Thomas
Wilson Social Club, Low Fell.
Newcomers very welcome, entry £2.
Tues nights and the first Thurs
of every month, 6pm
Redheughers’ Ceilidh Band - at
The Sage Gateshead. Newcomers
very welcome, contact Marilyn
Charlton on 01207 542043 for
more information.
COUNTRYSIDE EVENTS Tues 26 - Fri 29 May, 10am-3pm
Thornley Spring Challenge event at Thornley Woodlands
Centre, open to all on a drop-in
basis. Cost £1. Call 01207 545 212
for more details.
Wed 27 May, 1-3pm
Wonderful Watergate - free event
at Watergate Park open to all on a
drop-in basis. Call 01207 545 212
for more details.
43
What’s On?
Wed 20 May, 6.45pm
Thurs 28 & Fri 29 May, 12-2pm
All About Birds - at Saltwell Park
Stable Block (next to Pets Corner).
Family drop-in event, cost £1. Call
0191 433 5918 or email:
kellyanderson@gateshead.gov.uk
Bill Quay Farm
Hainingwood Terrace, Bill Quay
Tel: 0191 433 5780
Sat 6 June, 1-4pm
Sat 16 May, Sat 20 June, Sat 18
July, 10am-12noon
Blaydon Burn Festival - fantastic
day out for all the family. Limited
disabled parking on site, call
0191 433 3443 for more information.
Farm Club - please book in
advance, available to 8-16 year
olds. Cost £1.
Sun 7, Sat 13 & Sun 28 June,
Sat 11 July, 11am-3pm
Kitewatch - at Derwent Walk
Country Park. Free event, just turn
up. Call 01207 545 212.
Sat 13 June, 11am-3pm
Lobley Hill Community Festival at Rutherford AFC. Call Tony
Mulholland on: 0779 490 2299.
Volunteer Countryside Rangers’
Plant Sale - at Swalwell Visitor
Centre
Sun 14 June, 2-4pm
Pond Dip - at Thornley Woodlands
Centre. Free event, just turn up.
Call 01207 545 212 for more details
for five years plus only.
Sat 20 June, 10am-12.30pm &
Sun 5 July, 1.30-4pm
Kitey Kids! - Derwent Walk
Country Park - meet at Winlaton Mill
car park. Suitable for 5-11 year olds,
please book in advance. £1 charge,
call 01207 545 212 for more details.
Wed 27 May, 1- 3pm
Scarecrow Day - please book in
advance. Cost £1.
Tues 9 June, 11am-1pm
Teddy Bears Picnic - free family
event.
Sun 14 June - 11am until
sheep are sheared!
Sheep Shearing - Free family
event.
OTHER EVENTS Weds, 10.30am-12.30pm,
at various venues
Carers’ Adventures - Getting
carers and former carers back into
the community. Please contact
Anne or Douglas on:
0191 477 5775
information@equalarts.org.uk
Gateshead Floral Art Club - at
Civic Centre, Regent Street.
Floral Dance - demonstrated by
Jan Faulkner from Great Ayton.
Wed 17 June, 6.45pm
Designing with Nature demonstrated by Ken Watson
from Nelson, Lancashire. This is
an open meeting and entry is by
ticket only. Please contact Pat
Thompson for more details on:
01207 545135.
Ryton & District University of
the Third Age
Crawcrook, Ryton & District
Youth Centre - Coffee mornings
take place on the first
Wednesday of every month from
2pm, and main meetings are held
on the third Wednesday of every
month between 10 and 11.30am.
Call 0191 413 9820 for more
details.
Fri 15 and Sat 16 May,
7pm - late
The Late Shows NewcastleGateshead’s cultural
scene will be exploding into life
as 29 cultural venues, usually
closed in the evening, stay up
late. Free entry.
Sun 17 May, 11am-3pm
Final Frontier - at Riverside
Park. An arts/cultural event, free
entry. For more details email:
info@rednile.org or see
www.rednile.org
Council News different format request
I would like to receive Council News in: Large Print
Braille
Audio Cassette
CD
Name
Address
Post Code
PLEASE RETURN FORM TO: Council News, Gateshead Council, FREEPOST NEA 3381,
Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE8 1BR.
44
Upcoming Events in 2009
Until Sun 17 May
EAT! - Venues across Gateshead
and Newcastle.
Craft Market - Admission is
free.
Newcastle Gatehsead’s food and
drink festival showcases the very
best of local produce and culinary
talent.
Fri 12 June, 7.30pm
Sun 17 May
Sun 14 June, 1-4pm
Race for Life - at Saltwell Park.
Cancer Research UK returns to
Gateshead to host the Race For
Life. A 5km course takes you
round the park and its
surrounding areas.
Brass in the Park - Normal
admission applies.
Sat 23 May, 11am-4pm
Ryton Hirings Spring Event - at
Ryton Village Green. Featuring
live music, children’s entertainers,
fancy dress, local history displays,
craft stalls, a mini beer festival
and the choir from Ryton Junior
school singing a selection of
Geordie songs.
Bat Watch - £10. Booking is
essential, call 01207 570229.
Have you got an event for
Council News?
Contact Laura Straker on:
T: 0191 433 2071
laurastraker@gateshead.gov.uk
For latest events visit
What’s on entries must be
received by end of May 2009.
Council Diary
All meetings listed below are open to the public and are held in
Gateshead Civic Centre unless otherwise stated.
Please check details of meeting before attending on: 0191 433 2128
11 May & 29 June
3.30pm
Central Area Forum*
19 May, 16 & 30 June
10am
Cabinet
19 May & 30 June
1.30pm, 5pm
Regulatory Committee
20 May & 10 June
10am, 6pm
Planning and
Development Committee
21 May
4pm
South Area Forum
1 June
4pm
Inner West Area Forum*
2 June
4pm
West Area Forum*
3 June
4pm
East Area Forum*
8 June
10am
Corporate Vitality OSC
9 June
5.30pm
Healthier Communities OSC
10 June
1.30pm
Sustainable Communities
People OSC
11 June
2.30pm
Council
12 June
10am
Licensing Committee
15 June
10am
Audit Committee
15 June
1.30pm
Sustainable Communities
Place OSC
Plant Fair - Normal admission
applies.
18 June
1.30pm
Children and Young People OSC
4 June, 10.30am-12pm
26 June
2pm
Accounts Committee
Sharing Stories - Admission is
free.
*venue not confirmed at time of going to press, please phone number above for details.
Sun 9 June
The Blaydon Race 2009
Blaydon Harriers and Athletics
Club host the annual 5.7mile
race, finishing by the ‘The
Geordie Ridley’ in Blaydon
Precinct.
Gibside, Rowlands Gill
Tel: 01297 541 820
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Sat 16 May, 10am-3pm
Farmers Market - free.
Sat 23 May - Sun 31 May,
11am-4pm
Food Glorious Food - Family
activities. Normal admission
applies.
Sun 31 May, 10.30am-4pm
45
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Real help
for business & people
now
For Business Advice and Support.
0845
600
9
006
www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast
For Getting back to work.
0845www.direct.gov.uk
606 0234
For Changing Jobs. Updating Skills.
0800
027
7944
www.nextstepnortheast.org.uk
www.realhelpnortheast.co.uk
Supported by:
Buy a Discover pass and save £££'s this summer at top attractions in Tyne and Wear. With
offers from almost 40 attractions including Blue Reef Aquarium, Bede's World, Gibside,
Centre for Life and Washington Wetland Centre there's sure to be something here for you.
Get your Discover Pass from any Tourist Information Centre
in Tyne and Wear or BUY ONLINE at
www.visitnewcastlegateshead.co.uk/discover

Council News - May 2009

Transcription

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