Sent in by Bedlington Terriers Community Football Club
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For the Bedlington Terriers Community Football Club, their recent trip to North America yielded more than just experience on the pitch.

"People had the misconception that the trip was all about playing a couple of matches. It was a lot more than that. We are adopting the techniques and approaches they use to take a simple baseball match into a fun packed family day of entertainment," commented David Holmes, Bedlington Terriers FC Chairman.

Sent in by Bedlingtonshire Development Trust

Working in partnership with Bedlington's Townscape Heritage Initiative, these Bedlingtonshire Development Trust volunteers took part in a day's training in conservation building techniques under the expert tutelage of Gary Simpson of Heritage Consolidation, the company currently doing the conservation work at the Post Office on Front Street.

Pictured from left to right: Adam Hogg, Russell Hogg, Brian Oliver, Andrew Milne, Malcolm Robinson, Gary Simpson and Gary Robinson

Chair of the Trust Malcolm Robinson said: ''Having these fast disappearing skills retained in our community is vital considering the architectural heritage which abounds in and around our Town. Having members of our community willing to give up their Sunday to 'up skill' and train for community benefit is heartening, especially the younger members.''

Local transport charity WATBus are celebrating a double gift of £1000 from the Linden Family Trust and £1000 from Rio Tinto Alcan.

Transport Manager Lynn Mcintosh said: ''We are experiencing increasing demand for our Minibus service at a time of rising fuel and maintenance costs which is stretching our resources to the limit. We are very grateful to the Linden Family Trust for their timely injection of cash towards our running costs and to Rio Tinto Alcan for supporting our WATBike cycle maintenance programme.

"Two of our minibuses are now ten years old and we are trying to raise funds to replace them. Since November we have raised £18,000. When we reach £25,000 we have been promised another £10,000 and that will enable us to buy a super new mini bus with electric tail lift for wheelchairs''.

Local charity Blyth Star Enterprises have expanded their Garden maintenance team since winning money from the ITV Peoples Millions competition and buying a new truck and gardening equipment.

Neil Hedley said: ''The response from the Peoples Millions has increased our number of customers in Blyth Valley and we have doubled our team to cover Wansbeck as well. Both teams are now based at Stakeford Nurseries with our experienced horticultural supervisors.

This has created new jobs and more work experience for our clients and we are now open daily to the public to sell our plants and vegetables.''

Neil can be contacted on 01670 855130

P & G employees have donated £500 to the WATBus appeal fund to buy a new wheelchair accessible minibus.

WATBus manager Lynn McIntosh said: ''This is brilliant news, to receive support from local people who know that the new bus will benefit many local community groups and people of all abilities. We are moving towards our target of £35,000.

"A big THANK YOU to everyone trying hard in these difficult times.''

Lynn can be contacted on 01670 522999 email lynn.watbus@yahoo.co.uk

A fundraising 1st birthday celebration took place at the South Beach Community Centre in Blyth last night.

Cycle development officer Colin Hall said: "WATBike has turned my dream into a reality. We have past our first milestone of 100 guided rides in our first year and over 800 people have joined us exploring Northumberland by bike.

"I am looking forward to rolling out our new bike training programme and planning new routes for this year.

Sent in by Malcolm Robinson

The official opening of the £90,000 nationally recognised BMX track at Gallagher Park in Bedlington takes place this Saturday March 12th. 

A full day's worth of events is planned with Kelvin Batey, British BMX Champion, stunt riders, instruction and training and 'Go Ride Racing' for children of all ages up to 16.  Trophies and prizes will be awarded to winners of the races in the 5 age restricted categories.

The first registration and coaching will take place at 11.00am and all entrants welcome from novices to experienced cyclists.

As well as cycling related activities a fun fair will be present and the day rounded off with a firework spectacular.    

Local charity WATBus Community transport have received a grant of £5,000 from 'Christ's Hospital in Sherburn' towards a £35,000 fundraising campaign for a new wheelchair accessible minibus.

Transport manager Lynn McIntosh said: ''This is a fantastic start to March. We have been fundraising since November and this grant increases our new bus fund to £14,000.

"Everyone is working hard to raise funds so this is a great boost to all our volunteers. A big thank you to all our fundraisers, as every penny counts.''

Photo: Lynn Mcintosh with the good news letter

Land clearing has started for a new community garden at Choppington.

Neil Hedley from Blyth Star Enterprises said: "The land is more like a mud bath than a garden, we really are getting stuck in."

Volunteer Carly Bell from Guidepost said: "It's great fun and fits in well with my Course at Kirkley Hall where I am studying for a Diploma in Horticulture."

Jenny Murray from Ashington said: "I was pleased to get a 13 week work placement from WCVS. I enjoy the work at Stakeford Nurseries and also here preparing the land for the new community garden. Its totally different from my previous job."

Pupils from New Delaval Primary School presented WATBus with a cheque for £292.98 towards a new wheelchair accessible minibus.

Deputy Head Andrew Miller said: ''As part of our community education the children decided to help WATBus and organised sponsored circuits on the new assault course and a cake stall. It really was self raising.''

WATBus manager Lynn McIntosh said: ''This is fantastic support from the school. We are all inspired by the childrens ideas, generosity and community spirit. The cheque is the icing on the cake, so a big THANK YOU to everyone at the school, every penny really does count.''

Pictured: Andrew Miller and Lynn McIntosh with fundraisers from New Delaval Primary School, Blyth