Lib Dems choose Frank as candidate for Gateshead

Liberal Democrats have chosen experienced local Councillor Frank Hindle to fight the Gateshead Constituency at the coming general election.

Frank said “I am delighted to have the backing of our party members, and am looking forward to taking the battle to Labour and to speaking up for local people.

“People are tired of Gordon Brown and of being let down by Labour, but know that the Tories won’t be good for Gateshead.

“It is time for a change in how the country is run, and in how Gateshead is represented. If elected my key priorities will be keeping in touch with local people, working for more and better jobs for them, and for improvements in health and the environment.”

The Gateshead constituency covers nearly half of the Gateshead Council area and includes Dunston, Lobley Hill, Bensham, Saltwell, Low Fell, Wrekenton and Felling.

Frank has been a Lib Dem councillor in Low Fell since 1991 and is deputy leader of the opposition on Gateshead Council. At the last general election he was Lib Dem candidate for Gateshead East & Washington West, and took second place, with Labour’s majority cut by 4500.

He has worked closely with Lib Dem MEP Fiona Hall and was election agent in her successful election campaigns in 2004 and again this June.

Flower power petition continues in Whickham

Residents of Whickham, Gateshead, are continuing to protest against cuts to flower beds in the village.

 

Over the weekend, another 70 residents signed the petition organised by local Liberal Democrats which calls for an end to the cuts which are being forced through by the Labour group on Gateshead Council. This brings the total number of signatures to over 300.

 

Neil Bradbury, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Blaydon and Whickham, led the efforts on Sunday 12th July to collect the signatures.

 

“The petition is getting a very good response,” said Neil. “The village has a reputation for excellent flower displays. They boost the appearance of Whickham, attract visitors and help the village in Northumbria and Britain in Bloom competitions.

 

“There are fears that the removal of so many flowerbeds will seriously affect the village. We will therefore be continuing to collect signatures over the summer.”

Swalwell Park Consultation

Residents of Swalwell, Gateshead, are being encouraged by local Liberal Democrat Councillors to give their views about how best to develop the village’s park as a popular, local facility.

Councillors Peter Craig, Chris Ord and Mary Wallace want residents to go to a consultation event in the park on Saturday 20th June, from 11am to 3pm. Proposals for improvement of the park will be on display.

“We are keen to ensure the views of Swalwell residents and park users are considered,” said Councillor Craig.

“There is great potential to ensure improvements to the park add to community facilities in Swalwell.”

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Blaydon, Neil Bradbury, said, “Peter, Chris and Mary have worked hard with other organsiations and groups to ensure improvements are made to Swalwell Park.

“But it is important that what is planned is what people want. So if you are a resident of Swalwell, please go to the event on Saturday 20th.”

Fiona Hall re-elected as Gateshead's Member of the European Parliament

It was no change in the representation of the North East in the European Parliament following the elections on 4th June. The results were declared in Sunderland for the region and Stephen Hughes (Labour), Martin Callanan (Conservative) and Fiona Hall (Liberal Democrat) were all re-elected.

The votes cast in Gateshead for the parties contesting the three North East seats were:

Labour: 13,196
Lib Dem: 8,873
UKIP: 6,387
Con: 5,725
BNP: 4,062
Green: 2,435
English Dem: 1,030
Socialist Lab: 911
No to EU: 637
Christian: 544
Libertas: 234
Jury Team: 160

Liberal Democrats in the borough have expressed their delight that Fiona Hall has been re-elected. Fiona has had a leading role in a number of campaigns in Gateshead, helping to fight landfill at Pathhead and opencast mining between Whickham and Rowlands Gill.

Sunniside double yellow lines not to be extended

Chapel goers in Sunniside, Gateshead, are being reassured that double yellow lines on Gateshead Road will not be extended outside the entrance to their building.

Traffic lights are to be installed next to Sunniside Methodist Chapel on the junction of Sunniside Road and Sunniside Front Street. The original proposals included extending the existing double yellow lines in front of the whole of the chapel.

“Chapel goers were very concerned that this would make it impossible for wedding cars and hearses to pull up outside the chapel,” said Cllr Jonathan Wallace.

“We raised this with the Council’s highways engineers and we can now assure chapel goers that the existing double yellow lines on the junction will not be extended.

“That means wedding cars and hearses will be able to pull up right outside the main doors to the chapel.”

The work on the traffic lights is expected to be carried out by the end of June.

Lib Dem councillors take parking charges battle to shoppers

Liberal Democrat Councillors in Whickham, Gateshead, have launched a petition against revised plans for parking charges in the village.

Plans to introduce charges in the car parks in the centre of the village were first announced three years ago. An angry outcry by residents, businesses and Whickham’s nine Lib Dem Councillors persuaded Gateshead Council’s cabinet to suspend the plans.

The time since has been used to put together revised proposals which allow for the first 20 minutes in the short stay car park behind the Library to be free. After that, a charge of 20p an hour will apply.

The car park behind the Gibside Hotel will be used for long stay with a charge of £1 a day.

Liberal Democrat Councillors set up a street stall in Whickham on Saturday 23rd May to collect signatures and copies of the petition were also places in local shops and businesses. They were also joined by Neil Bradbury, Parliamentary candidate for Blaydon, which includes Whickham.

“Whilst the free 20 minutes is a concession, it does not go far enough,” said Councillor Peter Craig. “It is too short a time and people will barely be out of their cars before they have to pay the charge.

“There are serious concerns about the impact of the recession on local businesses,” said Neil Bradbury. “Whickham has to compete with the Metrocentre where parking is free.

“There should be no charges introduced during the recession and if the Council does introduce a charge at a later date, it should at least make the first hour free.

“That will give the small shops in Whickham, many of which are locally owned, a fighting chance to compete with the Metrocentre.”

Visit Gateshead!

Liberal Democrats in Gateshead are encouraging people to visit the borough as part of a tourism drive. And they have produced this video to tell people what's on and what to visit.

Nick Clegg visits Gateshead

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg MP visited Gateshead in early May to launch the North East European Parliament elections.
Nick in Baltic Square with Fiona Hall MEP and campaigners from across Tyneside.

Gateshead Councillor Ron Beadle greets Nick.

The Euro Team with Nick Clegg - Neil bradbury, Fiona Hall and Chris Foote Wood.

Fewer job vacancies in Gateshead

Fewer jobs are available in Gateshead following the publication of vacancies available through Job Centres.

Vacancies in Job Centres based in Gateshead have fallen by a fifth in the year to the end of March 2009. There were 16,814 vacancies available at the Job Centres at Blaydon, Felling and central Gateshead, down 4,208.

Felling and central Gateshead have reductions of 19.5%. Blaydon has a larger decrease with a 23.1%.

Neil Bradbury, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman for Blaydon, said, "The drop in the number of jobs available for residents of Gateshead is worrying but not surprising, given the state of the economy.

"The Government's VAT cut has failed to boost the economy. Gordon Brown should scrap it and use the money to invest in housing improvements and green schemes.

"And he should reform the tax system to take all those earning less than £10,000 a year out of income tax completely."

Scrap VAT cut to boost jobs - Bradbury

A LEADING Liberal Democrat in Blaydon constituency is calling on the Government to boost job opportunities in the area after figures showed a worrying rise in the numbe r of jobless people in Gateshead.

Neil Bradbury is battling Labour’s David Anderson at the general election to be MP for Blaydon.

He said that the rise of 2,400 people without a job and on jobseekers allowance in Gateshead over the past year shows the Government’s decision to cut VAT has not saved jobs and businesses.

6,078 people in Gateshead were on Jobseekers Allowance in March, up from 3640 in March 2008.

“6,000 people on Jobseekers Allowance is not the full picture as many unemployed people are not on this allowance,” said Neil.

“What is clear though is that the Government’s hopes of boosting the economy by cutting VAT are having no effect at all.

“The cut should be scrapped and the money put instead into real jobs. Liberal Democrats are calling for the money to be used to insulate people’s homes. This will create jobs in manufacturing and renovation.

“But it will also help people struggling with higher fuel bills this coming winter.”

Blaydon Lib Dems choose candidate

Liberal Democrats in Blaydon constituency have chosen Neil Bradbury as their candidate at the general election.

In a contest between five people, Neil, 33, who lives in Prudhoe, won the hearts and minds of members at a meeting on Saturday 9th May.

Neil is a manager for the Citizen’s Advice Bureaux and is married to Donna. He is a councillor for Prudhoe on Northumberland County Council. He won his seat from Labour last year and is now looking forward to the battle to take Blaydon.

“It is a great privilege to be chosen to stand for the Liberal Democrats in Blaydon,” said Neil after the meeting. “Labour’s majority at the last election was down to just 5,000. That means the seat is within reach of the Liberal Democrats.

“Having already campaigned in the Chopwell and Rowlands Gill by-election in the constituency, and spoken to hundreds of people there, I know just how unpopular Labour are.

“People are desperate for change in Blaydon and they know they can only get it by voting Liberal Democrat.”

The previous Liberal Democrat candidate for the constituency, Peter Maughan, had to stand down due to business commitment.

Peter said, “I am delighted Neil has been chosen as our candidate. I know he will work hard for the area and will make a great MP for Blaydon. I am giving him my full backing.”

Highfield path needs urgent action - Lib Dem Ray

Lib Dem campaigner Ray Callender is calling for urgent action to prevent the path leading to the new Highfield Schools campus turning into an accident blackspot for children.

The path runs along the edge of a big drop but there are no barriers to stop anyone slipping over the edge - see the picture on the left.

"It’s a big drop and kids going to a fro from school could easily have an accident," said Ray. "Rather than waiting for an accident to happen, we are pressing for a barrier to be installed. Having spoken to many parents, I know how concerned they are about this site."

Ray Callender is pictured above at the site where a barrier needs to be installed near Highfield Schools Campus

Whickham School

The Comprehensive has been awarded a grant of £6,525 from the Big Lottery Fund to set up a range of after-school and weekend clubs catering for those not involved in mainstream sports. The aim is to help young people taking part to become fitter and healthier.

Whickham Hermitage Garden Restoration

The community group, based at the Hermitage Centre, Whickham Front Street, has been awarded a grant of £5,000 from the Big Lottery Fund. The award will be used to extend the successful Hermitage Garden restoration project and involve all sections of the community in creating and establishing a community garden for all to enjoy.

Next Gibside Farmers' Market

The next farmers' market at Gibside Estate in the Derwent Valley will be held on Saturday 16th May 2009 from 10am to 3pm.

You can get a taste of what is there with this video shot at the market held in March: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmApezipZNc

Byermoor extended school project

Planning permission is being sought to put up a 2.4m high steel palisade fence, with 2 single gates and double vehicular access gate on unused land next to Sacred Heart Primary School. The site is for use by the community as part of an extended schools project.

Whickham garage site plans approved

Plans for a new development on the site of the former Whickham Motor Company have been given the go ahead by Gateshead Council’s planning committee at a meeting on Wednesday, March 18th.

This followed successful intervention by Whickham Lib Dem councillors acting on behalf of local residents. Originally the draft proposals were objected to on grounds of the height and bulk of the building, but these were withdrawn following discussion between councillors, residents and council planners.

“Following a meeting with planners, it became clear that the main height of the building was to be towards Whickham Bank and the area nearest to residents would be single storey” said Cllr Peter Craig. “The residents were satisfied with this.”

Another reason for objection was the limited amount of space available for car parking and maneuvering of refuse collection lorries. A revised version of the plans increased the number of parking spaces and introduced a turning circle for the lorries. This addressed the concerns raised by residents.

The one remaining main objection was that the proposed entrance to the development conflicted with highways engineers’ plans for a new crossing facility on Whickham Bank.

The plan for a refuge island had been prepared following requests from Lib Dem councillors concerned over the safety of residents trying to cross Whickham Bank. However, this issue was resolved after discussions between Lib Dem councillors, planners and engineers resulted in a proposed new location for the crossing.

“We have actively campaigned for a crossing at this point,” said Cllr Mary Wallace, “and we are delighted that we have been able to resolve this issue. The crossing should be installed later in the year.”

Whickham & District May Fayre – 16th May

On Saturday May 16th, a host of local community groups and charity organisations will be coming together in Chase Park at the Whickham & District May Fayre. They will be joined by local school children competing in art and sports events, together with musicians and dancers who will be providing the entertainment.

For the 7th year, the event will be hosted and organised by 2nd Whickham (33rd Gateshead) Scout Group and they are looking for voluntary organisations, charities or crafters to join them for the event. There are very few events in Whickham district which bring together people of all ages from the local community and this is a perfect opportunity for you to raise funds, promote your activities or recruit members for your organisation.

If you are interested in taking part in the event, please contact Cllr Peter Craig on 0191 488 0787 or email him on cllr.ptcraig@Gateshead.Gov.Uk.

Hollinside Manor

Repair work has been carried out to Hollinside medieval manor house in the Derwent Valley following the award of a grant of £14,000 by English Heritage to Gateshead Council. The video gives a bit of background on the work.

St Petersburg's Hermitage Ensemble in Gateshead

The Hermitage Ensemble from St Petersburg will be singing a mixed programme of Orthodox and Russian folk music on Saturday 25th April at 7.30pm. The Ensemble are one of Russia's finest male choirs, and we are very fortunate to have them singing in Gateshead. Tickets are 7 full, 5 for concessions and are available from Reverend Jim Craig on rev.jim@btopenworld.com.

Revd Jim Craig is Community Arts Chaplain in Bensham and Gateshead.

The Ensemble are only performing in a limited number of venues for their visit to the UK, and have specifically sought to perform in Gateshead because of its reputation for excellence in the arena of the arts.

The outstanding acoustics of St Chad's church will prove to be a fitting setting for such vocal talent, complimenting its marvellous Arts and Crafts decor. Tickets are available now, though a small number will be made available on the door.

You don't have to consider yourself a religious person to enjoy such vocal talent. Rev Craig has heard the Hermitage Ensemble perform before, and and reports that there is nothing to compare the sound to.