Whickham's Chase Park to reopen this weekend

Major renovation work on Whickham's historic Chase Park has now been completed. To celebrate the £1 million refurbishment, Friends of Chase Park are holding a re-opening event on Saturday, 23rd September, from 11am to 3pm.

The Mayor of Gateshead, Cllr Pauline Dillon, will lead the re-opening ceremony. There will be lot of entertainment, activities and a fair.

Everyone is welcome to join in the celebrations.



The renovation of the Park was the result of the Friends of Chase Park's campaign to restore it to its former glory. A partnership of the Friends and Gateshead Council saw a successful bid for £1 million made to the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund. The work was carried out during 2017 and includes:

•​Restoration of the listed windmill, entrance gates, paths and ornamental garden

•​Replanting of flower beds and trees

•​Remodelling and enhancement of the toddler play area

•​Resurfacing of the tennis courts and new table tennis installed 

•​New junior play area and skateboard park

•​Outdoor gym/trim trail 

•​Development of community garden 

•​New benches, signs and interpretations of heritage points of interest.

Labour Rebels Hand May a Blank Cheque - Wallace

Liberal Democrats in Gateshead have accused the Labour Party of handing Theresa May a blank cheque over the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. A vote held on 12th September  on the EU withdrawal Bill saw 7 Labour MPs vote with the Conservatives, helping to boost May’s majority.

The Withdrawal Bill will pass all current EU laws and rules into British law and give Government ministers unprecedented powers to change them without requiring further legislation.

Lib Dem candidate for Blaydon, Jonathan Wallace, said, “Despite Labour flip-flopping over their stance on the EU and the Single Market, they at least had a definite position on this Bill, which was to oppose it. In the Commons, Theresa May blew away her majority at the snap General Election in June so even a small rebellion by the chaotic Labour Party saves the Conservatives.

“That’s exactly what’s happened here. Those Labour rebels, and those who abstained, in effect teamed up with the Tory Right and the DUP to hand ministers massive powers to by-pass Parliament.”

Tom Brake MP, Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson, said, “This Bill will hand the Government unprecedented new powers. MPs, especially those who campaigned to leave the EU on the basis of ‘taking back control’ for our Parliament, should be ashamed.  They have abdicated their responsibility to scrutinise legislation and relinquished Parliamentary sovereignty to Theresa May’s unrepresentative cabal.

“This is a dark day for the mother of parliaments.  The Liberal Democrats will fight to amend the bill in Committee to stop this affront to democracy.

“Labour rebels have handed the Government sweeping anti-democratic powers.  A significant number walked hand in hand with the Tories and have given the Government extreme powers not seen since the Middle Ages.”