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Welcome<br />
To the July/August edition of<br />
<strong>City</strong>life magazine.<br />
I just want to say a huge welcome to<br />
Anna Foster from Metro Radio who has<br />
kindly agreed to find time in her hectic<br />
“rock ‘n’ roll” life to have a bit of a<br />
gossip with us.<br />
Well, Summer is here and things are<br />
hotting up! In this edition we tell you<br />
all about our Summer sports activities,<br />
so get your trainers on for some fitness<br />
and fun.<br />
On a more serious note - do you know<br />
your local councillor? Find out who they<br />
are and how to contact them. And on<br />
page 28 meet our new Lord Mayor and<br />
hear about his sporting challenge.<br />
Before I go, I would just like to<br />
congratulate Jane Bell who features on<br />
our front cover. She works for us and<br />
has just won Apprentice of the Year –<br />
what a star!<br />
Well, have a smashing summer and the<br />
<strong>City</strong>life team will look forward to<br />
speaking to you in September.<br />
Kind regards<br />
Julie Knox – Editor, <strong>City</strong>life.<br />
Competition Winners<br />
From the March/April’s <strong>City</strong>life<br />
Moscow Ballet performs Swan Lake winners were: L Gordon,<br />
Gosforth; N Slee, <strong>Newcastle</strong> upon Tyne; C, Sunderland;<br />
R Rosenquist, <strong>Newcastle</strong> upon Tyne; K Kirby, North Tyneside;<br />
M Easton, Hillhead Estate; B Gray, Chapel House; D Ash,<br />
Newbiggin Hall Estate; S Elliott, Lemington; J Espie, High<br />
Heaton; B Harker, Fenham; and M Hayward, Gosforth.<br />
Getting Spiritual - clairvoyant competition winners were:<br />
S Burnip, Jesmond; E Stirling, Heaton; K Horwood, High<br />
Heaton; G Heron, Chapel House; A Whitley, Blakelaw;<br />
K Leckey, West Denton; and M Atkinson, Fawdon.<br />
The Gusto restaurant and bar competition was won by<br />
I Coghill, Gosforth. The Beach Boys competition was won<br />
by S Elliot, Lemington. D Willia, Throckley won a pair of<br />
tickets to see Guo Yue as did J Black, Gosforth. E Storey,<br />
Fenham and S Murphy, Brunswick Village won a pair of<br />
tickets each to see the Tianjin Opera Troupe.<br />
From the May/June edition <strong>City</strong>life<br />
The Lennex Davis competition has been withdrawn as his<br />
concerts at Gosforth Civic Hall were cancelled. The winners<br />
of the Great North Miners book were: L Totton, West<br />
Denton; A Hamilton, NE2; and S Mooney, High Heaton.<br />
The tickets to see Oh! What a Night were won by P Robson,<br />
Walkergate; L Watson, Heaton; and A Frizzell, Hillheads<br />
Estate. We’ll bring you the winner of the Bindi competition<br />
in the next issue of <strong>City</strong>life.<br />
Front cover:<br />
Jane Bell, Apprentice of the Year<br />
Design by Paul Burgess Graphic Design<br />
Photos by Steve Brock (unless otherwise credited)<br />
<strong>City</strong>life is produced by<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
and <strong>print</strong>ed by NCJ<br />
Media Ltd.<br />
Contents<br />
6 Help with rent and<br />
council tax<br />
8 Our new recycling<br />
scheme<br />
12 Know your<br />
councillors<br />
19 Summer reading<br />
challenge<br />
30 Be cyberbullying<br />
aware<br />
33 Have your say<br />
on alcohol<br />
34 Better support<br />
for carers<br />
36 <strong>Newcastle</strong>’s<br />
first Pride<br />
Parade<br />
If you’ve got any<br />
questions or suggestions<br />
for <strong>City</strong>life, we want to<br />
hear from you. Please call<br />
0191 211 5073 or email:<br />
citylife@newcastle.gov.uk<br />
Useful numbers<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong> switchboard<br />
0191 232 8520<br />
<strong>Council</strong> Tax and Housing Benefit enquiries<br />
0845 111 4101<br />
Payments for <strong>Council</strong> Tax; parking fines;<br />
and other council bills (debit and credit<br />
cards only) 0845 111 4199<br />
Envirocall – the one-stop environmental<br />
hotline 0191 274 4000<br />
Neighbourhood Helpline 0300 1000 101<br />
Find out more at www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
If you would like a free<br />
copy of <strong>City</strong>life in large<br />
<strong>print</strong> or on tape, please<br />
call 0191 211 5073.<br />
19<br />
34<br />
Gordon enjoys the<br />
carers’ day out<br />
<strong>City</strong>life info<br />
There are six issues of <strong>City</strong>life every year.<br />
The next edition is due out at the end of<br />
August.<br />
Contacting us<br />
You can contact <strong>City</strong>life by:<br />
Phone: 0191 211 5073<br />
Email: citylife@newcastle.gov.uk<br />
Post: Freepost CITYLIFE<br />
Distribution<br />
<strong>City</strong>life is supposed to be distributed to<br />
every home and business in <strong>Newcastle</strong>. If<br />
you are not getting your copy, or you know<br />
someone who isn't, please let us know.<br />
Phone 0191 211 5073. We sometimes have<br />
problems delivering <strong>City</strong>life to flats and<br />
houses of multiple occupation because we<br />
cannot get access to them. If you live in a<br />
flat and would like to discuss this problem<br />
with us, phone 0191 211 5073.<br />
2 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 Use the internet free at all <strong>Newcastle</strong> libraries 3
NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...<br />
<strong>City</strong>life podcast<br />
Too busy to read <strong>City</strong>life? You can listen on-line or<br />
download our podcast to your mp3 player. Go to<br />
www.newcastle.gov.uk/citylife<br />
What a load of rubbish<br />
Every day we pick up around 27 tonnes of litter from our<br />
streets, that's the equivalent of four double-decker buses,<br />
every 24 hours.<br />
Our staff do a great job, but we'd like<br />
you to do your bit to make our city<br />
look even cleaner and greener.<br />
Our surveys tell us that dropping<br />
rubbish is near the top of your list of<br />
bugbears about living in <strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />
That's why we've developed a zerotolerance<br />
approach to litter-bugs. If<br />
we catch you dropping litter, and that<br />
includes anything from a crisp wrapper<br />
to a cigarette end, anywhere in the<br />
city you'll be slapped with a £50 fine<br />
and a possible court appearance.<br />
But tough enforcement is only part<br />
of the solution, we’re also<br />
Search for a Star<br />
encouraging people to change their<br />
ways and stop treating the city like a<br />
giant rubbish tip.<br />
Our environmental campaign,<br />
our<strong>Newcastle</strong>, aims to make you aware<br />
of the difference you can make, by<br />
taking part in clean-ups or by<br />
recycling as much as possible. See<br />
pages 8 to 11.<br />
The message is simple, from recycling<br />
waste to picking up litter to saving<br />
energy, if it will make our<br />
environment more enjoyable or help<br />
preserve it for future generations, we<br />
want you to do it.<br />
✁<br />
I would like to nominate ..................................................................<br />
They work in ...................................................................................<br />
Please tell us why you think they should get an award ............................<br />
......................................................................................................<br />
......................................................................................................<br />
......................................................................................................<br />
What makes them shine? ....................................................................<br />
......................................................................................................<br />
......................................................................................................<br />
......................................................................................................<br />
About you<br />
Your name .......................................................................................<br />
Your address ....................................................................................<br />
......................................................................................................<br />
............................................................. Postcode ...........................<br />
Phone ............................................................................................<br />
Email .............................................................................................<br />
Once you've completed the coupon send it to: Freepost CITYLIFE<br />
Search for a Star. Don’t forget to put all your coupons in one envelope.<br />
Please note: Competition is open to nominations for <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />
<strong>Council</strong> staff only.<br />
High Level<br />
Bridge<br />
The High Level Bridge reopened<br />
on May 30 to great fanfare and<br />
few will be happier than the<br />
city’s pedestrians, cyclists and<br />
bus travellers.<br />
Not only is the treasured Grade 1<br />
listed structure back in action to<br />
provide a quick, direct link between<br />
the centres of <strong>Newcastle</strong> and<br />
Gateshead, but it’s also free from the<br />
cars and lorries which can make daily<br />
journeys an ordeal.<br />
After a complex, three-year<br />
restoration, the public transport-only<br />
route, one-way from north to south,<br />
will preserve Robert Stephenson’s<br />
classic structure for another 50 years.<br />
Gone is the single carriageway, with<br />
buses slowing to a crawl to inch past<br />
each other on the narrow lanes. Buses<br />
and taxis are now restricted to 20mph,<br />
making the experience all the more<br />
pleasant.<br />
And whilst a few commercial and<br />
business drivers are unhappy that they<br />
can’t cross the bridge, this is for<br />
important safety reasons. We can all<br />
feel lucky that the bridge is back in<br />
service. At a cost of £40 million, the<br />
bridge’s owners Network Rail had to<br />
dig deep into their pockets to ensure<br />
the viability of the project.<br />
So next time you cross the bridge and<br />
gaze at the spectacular views of the<br />
quaysides, enjoy it to the full.<br />
Udecide<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong>’s<br />
Udecide team is celebrating<br />
after scooping an award for<br />
“Innovative Engagement”.<br />
Presented by the Academy for<br />
Sustainable Communities, the award<br />
recognises a locally run pilot scheme<br />
where children and young people were<br />
allocated a pot of public money and<br />
were given the the opportunity to<br />
decide how to spend it.<br />
The inclusive process involved children<br />
aged from three to19, from a wide<br />
variety of backgrounds and<br />
geographical areas of the city. In all,<br />
£120,000 was made available from the<br />
Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.<br />
More than 2,000 children and young<br />
people were involved with the project,<br />
helping to influence ideas for events<br />
and later voting on them.<br />
The scheme was integral to a<br />
successful Big Lottery bid, which<br />
generated more than £1m for play in<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> over three years.<br />
In addition, in May 2008 Udecide gave<br />
children a say over the allocation of<br />
£2.2m of Children’s Fund monies for<br />
the city.<br />
Other supported projects ranged from<br />
samba drums for a special school and a<br />
play area at a project for homeless<br />
families, to kit for a boys' and girls'<br />
boxing club<br />
and trim<br />
tracks at a<br />
number of<br />
schools.<br />
<strong>City</strong> for Peace<br />
Thursday 10 July sees the launch of <strong>Newcastle</strong> - <strong>City</strong> for Peace,<br />
a celebration of friendship between people and communities.<br />
There will be music, dance and films<br />
plus stalls and stands from a wide<br />
range of organisations and<br />
communities. The Lord Mayor of<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> will officially launch <strong>City</strong> for<br />
Peace, with the help of celebrity<br />
guests.<br />
Why not come along, enjoy the fun<br />
and help celebrate everything that<br />
makes <strong>Newcastle</strong> a neighbourly and<br />
inclusive city? There's no need to<br />
book, just come to the Banqueting<br />
Hall of the Civic Centre between 10am<br />
and 3pm on 10 July.<br />
<strong>City</strong> for Peace has the backing of many<br />
groups in <strong>Newcastle</strong> committed to<br />
working for understanding, respect and<br />
harmony among all our people and<br />
communities.<br />
The idea came from Hari Shukla, an<br />
honorary freeman of <strong>Newcastle</strong> ‘The<br />
aim is to focus attention on those who<br />
are disadvantaged and discriminated<br />
against’ said Hari ‘from the victims of<br />
racism, homophobia or bullying to<br />
those excluded by circumstances such<br />
as homelessness, poverty or disability’<br />
‘We're asking all citizens to play their<br />
part. It's a great city but we can do<br />
more - will you commit yourself to<br />
working for understanding and respect?’<br />
For more information phone Angela<br />
Hamilton on 0191 211 5019 or email<br />
angela.hamilton@newcastle.gov.uk<br />
Meet<br />
Anna Foster<br />
Firstly can I start by saying it<br />
is a miracle that I have made<br />
it to <strong>print</strong>!<br />
Yes when Julie, the lovely editor of<br />
<strong>City</strong>life, offered me the chance to talk<br />
to you every couple of months in a<br />
brand new column I jumped at the<br />
opportunity but did worry that being a<br />
mother, wife, cleaner, cook, slave to<br />
Tony Horne in the Morning on Metro<br />
Radio and athlete in training for The<br />
Great North Run, time would indeed<br />
run away with me. However, here I<br />
am, ready and raring to go...well as<br />
A sign of fire safety<br />
Pupils at Northern Counties School in Jesmond, <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
have been the first in Tyne and Wear to have a fire safety talk<br />
with a difference.<br />
Firefighters from Tyne and Wear Fire and<br />
Rescue Service recently visited the school, to<br />
deliver a fire safety lesson in sign language.<br />
While the Service has an ongoing education<br />
programme, this was the first time sessions<br />
have been communicated in sign language.<br />
Northern Counties School provides<br />
education and care for children with complex<br />
communication needs, including a large<br />
number of deaf children who use sign<br />
language.<br />
Children saw a specially subtitled fire safety<br />
video, a chip pan fire demonstration and had<br />
a look around a fire appliance.<br />
Watch Manager Steve Graham, whose six year<br />
old son, Euan, is profoundly deaf and attends<br />
the school, went along to help his colleagues<br />
by signing what they said to the children.<br />
Steve explains: "The children really enjoyed<br />
having fire appliances at the school.<br />
Capturing their imagination with exciting<br />
displays helped us get across our serious fire<br />
raring as you can be when you get up<br />
at twenty five past four every day!!<br />
The last few weeks have been fairly<br />
hectic in the Foster household, as well<br />
as living the “rock ‘n’ roll” lifestyle of<br />
a thirty five year old mother of three<br />
(that is to say lots of ferrying,<br />
washing and hoovering!) I have also<br />
been pretty busy in and out of the<br />
studio.<br />
For the second year in a row I spent<br />
the middle of June hosting the<br />
MetroCentre fashion shows which was<br />
good fun. However, being surrounded<br />
by size eight, 20 year olds is never<br />
good for a lass’s confidence. So I did<br />
what every self respecting girl does in<br />
that situation, I gorged myself on<br />
some rather splendid comfort food at<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong>’s newest restaurant, Starters<br />
and Puds.<br />
It’s just next to The Theatre Royal on<br />
Shakespeare Street and is situated<br />
underground which makes it a cosy<br />
place to eat. I had mini sticky toffee,<br />
chocolate torte, banoffee pie and<br />
treacle tart! You can try spanish<br />
meatballs, steamed mussels or Thai<br />
spring rolls, what the heck, have em<br />
all! Plus any establishment that has<br />
leopard <strong>print</strong> loo seats is worth a<br />
return visit in my book!<br />
After all that unashamed eating, I<br />
have balanced out the guilt by<br />
starting to train for this years Great<br />
North Run. I will once again be<br />
Competition<br />
donning my two bras and unattractive<br />
leggings to pound the streets from<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> to South Shields.<br />
As ever I will be running for Metro<br />
Radio’s charity Cash for Kids and hope<br />
to raise lots of money this year. If you<br />
fancy getting fit, losing weight and<br />
supporting children in our area, then<br />
email me at Anna.Foster@metro<br />
radiouk.com and you could be a part<br />
of the very slow Team Foster!!<br />
Of course, with the summer hols<br />
looming if you are a parent like me<br />
you will be desperate to find ways of<br />
entertaining your offspring over the<br />
next couple of months.<br />
I have always been a big fan of The<br />
Laing Art Gallery is really worth a<br />
safety messages."<br />
Kevin Gardner, District Manager for <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
said: "Trying to prevent fires from happening<br />
through education is a major part of the work<br />
we do, and reaching vulnerable groups who<br />
may be at greater risk of fire is a priority for us."<br />
The school’s headteacher, Judith James,<br />
said: "We are very grateful to Tyne and Wear<br />
Fire and Rescue Service for providing this<br />
unique lesson to our pupils. They learnt a<br />
huge amount and we’re delighted this has<br />
happened."<br />
Kevin continued: “Tyne and Wear Fire and<br />
Rescue Service does more than put out fires<br />
and carry out rescues. The Service also<br />
works to prevent them from happening in<br />
the first place. This is just one example how<br />
we do this.”<br />
For more information on how to stay<br />
safe from fire visit www.twfire.gov.uk or<br />
www.direct.gov.uk/firekills<br />
We have a meal for two to give away to the fabulous<br />
new bistro Starters and Puds. To enter our competition<br />
just answer the following question: Where is the new<br />
Starters and Puds bistro situated?<br />
Northumberland Street Westgate Road Shakespeare Street<br />
Name ...............................................................................................<br />
Address ............................................................................................<br />
........................................................................................................<br />
Post Code ............................ Phone ...................................................<br />
Send to Freepost CITYLIFE by 25 July.<br />
Remember to put all of your coupons into one envelope<br />
✁<br />
visit. Entry is free and there are lots<br />
of arty activities on over the summer<br />
to keep the bairns from driving you<br />
crazy.<br />
Tony is heading for sunny Australia,<br />
but the show will be in the capable<br />
hands of Brian Moore, the Dogsbody<br />
and myself. So, please drop me an<br />
email at the above address over the<br />
summer. I will reply but I must warn<br />
you my typing is just like my running<br />
...Very slow!<br />
Happy holidays!<br />
Anna xx<br />
Steve Graham with his son Euan<br />
4 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 This article is paid for by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service 5
Are you a<br />
benefit<br />
claimant?<br />
If you are, we need you to tell us<br />
about any changes in your<br />
circumstances which could affect<br />
your Housing and <strong>Council</strong> Tax Benefit.<br />
Changes in circumstances you need to tell us:<br />
• If you change address.<br />
• If you stop or start receiving Income<br />
Support or Jobseekers Allowance.<br />
• If there are changes to members of the<br />
household. For example births, deaths or<br />
people moving in or out.<br />
• Details of any benefits awarded or benefits<br />
ending. These include Working and Child<br />
Tax Credits, Incapacity Benefit, Disability<br />
Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance,<br />
Industrial Injuries, Carer’s Allowance, Child<br />
Benefit, Severe Disablement Benefit and<br />
Retirement Pension.<br />
• If you start or stop work for any reason.<br />
• If your landlord changes the amount of<br />
rent you are charged.<br />
• If there is a significant change in your<br />
savings or investments, either they go up<br />
or down. These include any bank,<br />
building society, ISAs, shares, bonds,<br />
savings certificates, and so on.<br />
• If you buy or sell a property or if you rent<br />
one out.<br />
This list is a guide only. If you are in doubt<br />
about what change should be reported<br />
please phone us on 0845 111 4101 for advice.<br />
How to report a change<br />
• Phone – 0845 111 4101;<br />
• In person at any of our customer service<br />
centres;<br />
• Email – benefits@newcastle.gov.uk; or<br />
• In writing - Housing and <strong>Council</strong> Tax<br />
Benefits, P.O. Box 1UP, <strong>Newcastle</strong> Upon<br />
Tyne, NE99 1UP.<br />
Changes to Housing<br />
Benefit for private<br />
tenants<br />
The government has changed Housing<br />
Benefit to make it fairer and easier to use.<br />
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is a new<br />
way of working out Housing Benefit for<br />
some tenants on a low income who live in<br />
private rented accommodation.<br />
The change affects tenants renting their<br />
home from a private landlord. LHA applies<br />
when a private tenant makes a new claim for<br />
Housing Benefit. LHA also applies if a<br />
private tenant already claims Housing<br />
Benefit and they change address or have a<br />
break in their existing claim for more than<br />
one week.<br />
LHA is based on:<br />
• the area the tenant lives in and the rents<br />
most people in the area are paying;<br />
• who lives in the property; and<br />
• what money the tenant has coming in<br />
and what savings they have.<br />
It is not be based on how much rent is<br />
charged (but on a flat rate allowance known<br />
as the Broad Rental Market which is set by<br />
the Rents Service).<br />
In most cases Housing Benefit is paid direct<br />
to the person claiming Housing Benefit. And<br />
wherever possible it is paid directly into a<br />
bank account. It is up to them to then pay<br />
their rent directly to their landlord. If you do<br />
not have a bank account, you can get advice<br />
on how to open an account from us.<br />
For more information contact the Benefits<br />
service on 0845 111 4101 or e-mail<br />
benefits@newcastle.gov.uk<br />
Make the<br />
move to Direct<br />
Debit and<br />
discover the<br />
easiest way to<br />
pay your<br />
<strong>Council</strong> Tax!<br />
Why pay by Direct Debit?<br />
Paying your <strong>Council</strong> Tax by Direct<br />
Debit saves us time and money,<br />
helping us pass these savings onto<br />
you.<br />
There are many other reasons why<br />
you should make the move to Direct<br />
Debit.<br />
It’s more convenient<br />
• Saves you time – no more trips to<br />
our offices.<br />
• No queues, no fuss, no stress.<br />
• Choice of three dates to pay each<br />
month.<br />
For peace of mind<br />
• Your bill is paid automatically.<br />
• No chance of forgetting to pay.<br />
It’s safer and more secure<br />
• No need to carry cash payments.<br />
• Gives you greater control over<br />
your money.<br />
• You get the Direct Debit<br />
guarantee.<br />
How do I apply?<br />
Paying your <strong>Council</strong> Tax by Direct<br />
Debit couldn’t be easier! All you<br />
need is a bank or building society<br />
account then just fill in the form<br />
enclosed in your <strong>Council</strong> Tax bill and<br />
send it back to us.<br />
If you can’t wait that long, call us on<br />
0845 111 4199 or visit your local<br />
customer service centre and we’ll<br />
give you a form to fill in.<br />
You can also find the form for paying<br />
<strong>Council</strong> Tax by Direct Debit at<br />
www.newcastle.gov.uk/<br />
counciltaxdirectdebit<br />
And, more information on <strong>Council</strong> Tax<br />
is available from<br />
www.newcastle.gov.uk/counciltax<br />
Contact Centre offers a<br />
five star service!<br />
Staff in the corporate Contact Centre are delighted with a new<br />
survey that asked customers how well they are doing. One customer<br />
said “This was a five star service” and another said “I’d give the<br />
Contact Centre ten out of ten.”<br />
Our corporate Contact Centre currently deals<br />
with calls to the switchboard, <strong>Council</strong> Tax and<br />
Housing Benefit enquiries, parking payments,<br />
e-payments and the new Neighbourhood<br />
Helpline. We handle 900,000 calls each year<br />
and we are looking to expand the range of<br />
services we offer.<br />
Around 400 customers took part in the<br />
survey and researchers phoned them to ask<br />
questions about how helpful, polite and<br />
knowledgeable Contact Centre staff are. 91%<br />
of customers said they were satisfied with<br />
the overall service provided.<br />
We also consulted residents taking part in a<br />
citywide customer service focus group about<br />
their experience of contacting us by phone.<br />
One commented “I would suggest that the<br />
council encourage people to use the<br />
telephone more often…”. Another said “I<br />
rang about <strong>Council</strong> Tax because I wanted to<br />
change the day of payment. I received a<br />
follow up call to see how the prior call had<br />
gone …that is good service!”<br />
In fact, 95% of customers found our Contact<br />
Centre staff to be helpful. <strong>Council</strong>lors were<br />
also given an opportunity to have their say<br />
and one remarked, “As far as I can assess,<br />
my constituents receive a better service due<br />
to the Contact Centre.”<br />
The research included a number of ‘mystery<br />
callers’ carried out by experienced<br />
researchers posing as customers.<br />
A massive 98% of customers are satisfied<br />
with the opening hours of the Contact<br />
Centre. Phone calls are taken from 8am to<br />
6pm, Monday to Friday so that customers<br />
arriving home from work can call to speak to<br />
an experienced officer.<br />
Staff in the Contact Centre have not stopped<br />
to catch their breath, though! Earlier this year,<br />
the council decided to keep the non<br />
emergency helpline going – after the<br />
government withdrew funding. It had proved<br />
a popular and successful service with local<br />
people. It was re-launched as the<br />
Neighbourhood Helpline on a new number<br />
0300 1000 101. This 24 hour service deals with<br />
council related anti-social behaviour such as<br />
noise nuisance, litter, vandalism and so on.<br />
But we’re not stopping there - by the end of<br />
this year we hope to have gained national<br />
recognition for our efforts by getting the<br />
Customer Service Excellence Standard<br />
(formerly known as Charter Mark).<br />
<strong>Council</strong>lor Anita Lower, Executive Member<br />
for Community Safety and Regulation said "I<br />
am extremely pleased by the positive<br />
feedback we have been given. The whole<br />
team has worked exceptionally hard to build<br />
a good reputation and now our customers<br />
are letting us know just how good they think<br />
the service is. It's a fantastic result for our<br />
Contact Centre."<br />
Setting the standard<br />
in customer service<br />
For several years now, customer service<br />
centres (CSCs) across <strong>Newcastle</strong> have been<br />
dealing with face-to-face enquiries from<br />
customers. Residents, visitors and<br />
businesses use the centres to contact us for<br />
information and advice about over 90 council<br />
services. We regularly ask customers for<br />
their views on how we are doing.<br />
Once again, the results of our customer<br />
satisfaction surveys are outstanding this year.<br />
We asked customers how helpful and<br />
efficient our staff are, if they felt they were<br />
treated fairly and how satisfied they were<br />
with our overall service. Our Outer West CSC<br />
even scored 100% on two of their results,<br />
being helpful and efficient. Whilst at Kenton<br />
CSC, 99% of customers surveyed felt they<br />
were treated fairly. Staff at the Civic Centre<br />
CSC continue to deliver consistently high<br />
quality services each year, scoring 97 % for<br />
helpfulness, efficiency and fairness. The<br />
popular East End CSC is well used and<br />
appreciated by its customers with 94% of<br />
respondents satisfied with the overall service<br />
they received. Staff at the East End CSC are<br />
looking forward to moving into a new larger<br />
building just a few doors away at the end of<br />
the year which will provide more private<br />
interview rooms and more payment points to<br />
improve levels of service.<br />
6 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 Use the internet free at all <strong>Newcastle</strong> libraries 7
Recycling gets rolling<br />
Our new recycling scheme – which will replace the<br />
black boxes with new recycling wheelie bins - hit the<br />
streets last month. We’re already seeing improvements<br />
in the amount of materials we collect.<br />
David’s<br />
boxing<br />
clever<br />
David Large of<br />
Walker is delighted<br />
with the new<br />
system<br />
“We’re keen recyclers and<br />
it’s great to be able to<br />
recycle so much on our<br />
doorstep. We’re especially<br />
pleased that you can now<br />
recycle cardboard as well<br />
as paper so easily.”<br />
How to use your new<br />
recycling wheelie bin<br />
Your recycling wheelie bin comes with a black caddy<br />
which sits inside the top of your bin.<br />
Use the caddy for:<br />
Use the main part of the bin for:<br />
Remember:<br />
Glass goes in the caddy, NOT the bin.<br />
The materials in the main part of the<br />
bin are sorted by hand, so any glass<br />
put in this section could cause injuries.<br />
It could also lead to the paper and<br />
cardboard collected being contaminated<br />
with glass. If this happens, the paper<br />
mills won’t recycle it.<br />
United fans score<br />
in the Recycle<br />
and Win draw!<br />
Three generations of a Toon-barmy family scored big time<br />
when they enjoyed a VIP day out at the <strong>Newcastle</strong> v<br />
Chelsea match after winning the top prize in the Recycle<br />
and Win! prize draw.<br />
Why<br />
recycle?<br />
We can dump valuable materials<br />
in a hole in the ground or we can<br />
recycle them. It’s not a difficult<br />
choice is it? But just in case you<br />
need some more persuasion…<br />
• One recycled tin can would save<br />
enough energy to power a<br />
television for three hours.<br />
• One recycled glass bottle would<br />
save enough energy to power a<br />
computer for 25 minutes.<br />
• One recycled plastic bottle would<br />
save enough energy to power a 60-<br />
watt light bulb for 3 hours.<br />
• £36m worth of aluminium is thrown<br />
away each year.<br />
• Glass is 100% recyclable and can<br />
be used again and again.<br />
• Recycled paper produces 73% less<br />
air pollution than if it was made<br />
from raw materials.<br />
• It takes just 25, two litre pop bottles<br />
to make one adult-size fleece.<br />
Don’t forget: You can also make a<br />
difference by buying less; choosing<br />
products with less packaging; re-using<br />
things instead of throwing them away;<br />
and buying recycled products.<br />
We’ve started collections in Gosforth,<br />
Lemington, Newburn and Walker and<br />
we’ll be extending the service to the<br />
whole city over the next nine months.<br />
In the meantime, please do your bit<br />
and carry on using your black box<br />
until you get your wheelie bin. If you<br />
The new recycling bin and inner caddy<br />
don’t have a black box, let us know<br />
and we’ll get one out to you.<br />
Don’t worry – we won’t be wasting the<br />
black boxes. We’ll be using the ones<br />
we collect from residents during the<br />
roll-out as spares and then recycling<br />
them when we’ve finished.<br />
If you have any questions about the recycling collection or if you<br />
don’t have a black box, contact The Bin Hotline.<br />
Phone: 0191 278 3022 or 278 3023 (8.30am – 6pm Monday –<br />
Friday) email: binhotline@newcastle.gov.uk<br />
David Cox, 61, of Newburn won 5<br />
seats and meals in Reed Print's<br />
Gallowgate Club Suite at St James'<br />
Park. Mr Cox shared his prize with his<br />
two children, son-in-law and grandson<br />
who are all lifetime supporters of<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> United.<br />
Mr Cox (pictured above), a retired<br />
firefighter, and his whole family have<br />
all been keen recyclers since we<br />
launched our recycling service in 2003.<br />
Mr Cox said: "The day was fantastic<br />
from start to finish. We still can't<br />
believe we won this wonderful day out<br />
- just for recycling. If more people<br />
recycled, it would help the<br />
environment and reduce <strong>Council</strong> Tax<br />
waste bills!"<br />
Mark Reed, Managing Director of Reed<br />
Print added: "Reed Print actively<br />
encourages our clients to use recycled<br />
paper and paper from sustainable<br />
forests. We're delighted that our<br />
donation has helped to encourage<br />
more people to take on board the<br />
recycling message!"<br />
Other lucky winners won a £500 cash<br />
prize, three first class National Express<br />
east coast rail tickets, organic<br />
champagne and shopping vouchers.<br />
The Recycle and Win! draw is open to<br />
any <strong>Newcastle</strong> residents who use their<br />
black recycling boxes or their new<br />
wheelie bins. Just make sure you put<br />
your box or bin out on collection day<br />
and you could be a winner too!<br />
8 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 Use the internet free at all <strong>Newcastle</strong> libraries 9
Eager to help the<br />
environment<br />
Pedal-powered smoothies are on the menu at Kids’ Kabin<br />
in Byker thanks to a £4000 grant from leading green<br />
support services company Eaga.<br />
we can actually go ahead’’ said Dan<br />
Alliband from the BAN Waste group.<br />
Eaga supports projects that educate,<br />
raise awareness and demonstrate<br />
engagement in addressing<br />
environmental issues at a grass roots<br />
level.<br />
To find out more about making an<br />
application, contact the Community<br />
Foundation on 0191 222 0945.<br />
Kids’ Kabin which provides activities<br />
for children aged eight to 16, will run<br />
a six-month project developing<br />
environmental machines built around<br />
bicycles. As well as the smoothie<br />
maker, they’re planning to set up a<br />
cycle-powered amplifier for the music<br />
studio.<br />
Will Benson from Kids Kabin said: “We<br />
have been given a great opportunity<br />
with this grant to allow children to use<br />
creative approaches in understanding<br />
environmental issues. Children learn in<br />
different ways and by using this handson<br />
method they can get a real grasp of<br />
the amount of energy different<br />
electrical appliances use.”<br />
Eaga handed out a total of £80,000<br />
with the help of the Community<br />
Foundation to organisations around<br />
the region in a bid to get their<br />
environmental projects off the ground.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> Healthy <strong>City</strong> Project<br />
received a £13,200 grant which the<br />
BAN Waste project will use to work<br />
with local communities on a range of<br />
projects to reduce food waste.<br />
One of the projects will be installing<br />
wormeries – which use worms to<br />
munch through food waste and turn it<br />
into top quality compost – in five<br />
locations across the city.<br />
“We are delighted to receive this grant,<br />
BAN Waste has been wanting to carry<br />
out this work for some time and now<br />
August Bank Holiday<br />
Bin Collections<br />
Normal<br />
collection day<br />
Monday 25 August<br />
Tuesday 26 August<br />
Wednesday 27 August<br />
Thursday 28 August<br />
Friday 29 August<br />
Revised<br />
collection day<br />
Tuesday 26 August<br />
Wednesday 27 August<br />
Thursday 28 August<br />
Friday 29 August<br />
Saturday 30 August<br />
These changes apply to your refuse, garden waste and<br />
recycling wheelie bins.<br />
There is no change to black box collections.<br />
New website makes it easier<br />
to report faulty streetlights<br />
SEC Lighting Services, the company which maintains and replaces our<br />
streetlights, has set up a new website.<br />
You can find out more about the streetlight replacement and report<br />
faults online. www.lightsoninnewcastleandnorthtyneside.co.uk/<br />
Laura Armstrong, from Eaga helps out Will Benson and some Kabin crew<br />
The Spacenet<br />
Pupil power takes park<br />
into the space age<br />
Summer visitors to the Iris Brickfield community park in<br />
Heaton will be able to enjoy a great new range of play<br />
equipment which was all chosen by local children.<br />
We had £50,000 to spend - £45,000<br />
from the developers of Chillingham<br />
Garden Village and £5000 from the<br />
local ward committees.<br />
We wanted to make sure that we spent<br />
the money on things the community<br />
wanted. So we asked local schools,<br />
nurseries, park users and community<br />
groups what they’d like to see.<br />
They came up with some great ideas<br />
and the park now has bird and bat<br />
boxes and an improved pond. We have<br />
also put in new recycled plastic<br />
benches and bins around the park.<br />
There was £45,000 set aside for play<br />
equipment – enough for three<br />
separate pieces. We wanted pupils at<br />
Chillingham Road and Ravenswood<br />
Primary Schools to choose how we<br />
used it so we worked with Udecide to<br />
give them a vote.<br />
We gave every child in both schools a<br />
leaflet with pictures and descriptions<br />
of seven different pieces of<br />
equipment. They told us which ones<br />
they liked best – and least - by<br />
ticking smiley or sad faces.<br />
This gave us a short-list of five. Our<br />
Enviro-Schools team and Stephen<br />
Green, the local Neighbourhood<br />
Response Manager, then organised a<br />
special event for 30 pupils from each<br />
school in partnership with the<br />
Udecide Team.<br />
The children saw presentations on<br />
each piece of equipment and asked<br />
questions about them. They then<br />
voted for or against each piece using<br />
special electronic pads.<br />
Their top three, which were being put<br />
into the park as <strong>City</strong>life went to press,<br />
were:<br />
• Spacenet, a rope structure that kids<br />
can climb;<br />
• Funtrail, an adventure trail which<br />
promotes fitness and active play;<br />
and<br />
• A selection of play equipment,<br />
which includes a set of swings,<br />
seesaws and roundabouts for young<br />
children.<br />
The Enviro-Schools team works with<br />
schools across the city to help<br />
children and young people learn<br />
about caring for our environment<br />
in a fun and enjoyable way. To find<br />
out more, call Alistair Wilson on<br />
0191 277 3572 or email:<br />
alistair.wilson@newcastle.gov.uk<br />
Our expert panel prepares to be grilled<br />
Decision time<br />
Casting their votes<br />
What is Udecide?<br />
Udecide is a new way of giving<br />
children and young people more say<br />
in <strong>Newcastle</strong>. You can find out more<br />
on page 26.<br />
10 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 Use the internet free at all <strong>Newcastle</strong> libraries 11
Know your <strong>Council</strong>lors<br />
Know<br />
Benwell & Scotswood<br />
Blakelaw<br />
Fawdon<br />
Fenham<br />
Kenton<br />
your<br />
<strong>Council</strong>lors<br />
Over the next four pages we<br />
introduce you to the city’s<br />
councillors and give you<br />
details of their ward surgeries.<br />
To get the latest ward surgery<br />
information, call members’<br />
services on 0191 211 5042.<br />
Sir Jeremy<br />
Beecham<br />
D<strong>CL</strong> DL<br />
Labour<br />
39 The Drive<br />
Gosforth<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE3 4AJ<br />
0191 285 1888<br />
Rob<br />
Higgins<br />
Labour<br />
11 Highwood<br />
Road<br />
Denton Burn<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE15 7UR<br />
0191 274 7623<br />
Hazel<br />
Stephenson<br />
Labour<br />
36 Thorntree<br />
Drive<br />
Denton Burn<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE15 7AR<br />
0191 274 1159<br />
Gerry<br />
Keating<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
2 Lavender<br />
Gardens<br />
Jesmond<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE2 3DE<br />
0191 281 8507<br />
Philip<br />
Lower<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
27 Oulton Close<br />
Meadow Rise<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE5 4SX<br />
0191 271 5625<br />
Bill<br />
Schardt<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
3 Maudlin Place<br />
North Fenham<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE5 3LE<br />
0191 242 1448<br />
Ron<br />
Clark<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
'Ruach' 32<br />
Fawdon Lane<br />
Fawdon<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE3 2AB<br />
0191 284 4763<br />
David<br />
Faulkner<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
3 Bloomsbury<br />
Court<br />
Gosforth<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE3 4LW<br />
0191 284 5662<br />
Brenda<br />
Hindmarsh<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
The Beeches<br />
4 Fawdon Lane<br />
Fawdon<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE3 2AA<br />
0191 285 1528<br />
Terry<br />
Cooney<br />
Labour<br />
19 Caldew<br />
Crescent<br />
Slatyford Estate<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE5 2XN<br />
0191 274 3696<br />
Colin<br />
Daglish<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
65 Netherby<br />
Drive Fenham<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> upon<br />
Tyne NE5 2RU,<br />
0191 274 8075<br />
0191 274 6969<br />
01670 855 983<br />
PJ<br />
Morrissey<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
15 Pangbourne<br />
Close<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE15 8UX<br />
0191 243 1426<br />
Ged<br />
Bell<br />
Labour<br />
c/o Members'<br />
Services Unit<br />
Room 150,<br />
Civic Centre<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE99 2BN<br />
0191 230 0399<br />
Margaret<br />
Carter<br />
Labour<br />
c/o Members'<br />
Services Unit<br />
Room 150,<br />
Civic Centre<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE99 2BN<br />
0191 284 8088<br />
Stephen<br />
Lambert<br />
Labour<br />
32 Ivy Road<br />
Gosforth<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE3 1DB<br />
0191 213 1641<br />
Byker<br />
Castle<br />
Dene<br />
Lemington<br />
Newburn<br />
North Heaton<br />
George<br />
Allison<br />
Veronica<br />
Dunn<br />
Nick<br />
Kemp<br />
Ian<br />
Graham<br />
Ian<br />
Laverick<br />
Anita<br />
Lower<br />
Sharon<br />
Bailey<br />
Bob<br />
Renton<br />
Wendy<br />
Taylor<br />
Lawrence<br />
Hunter<br />
Liz<br />
Langfield<br />
Joanne<br />
Park<br />
Mike<br />
Curthoys<br />
Mike<br />
Lynch<br />
Linda<br />
Wright<br />
Doreen<br />
Huddart<br />
Karen<br />
Robinson<br />
Greg<br />
Stone<br />
Labour<br />
113 Allendale<br />
Road<br />
Byker<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE6 2SY<br />
0191 265 8995<br />
Labour<br />
18 Merchants<br />
Wharf<br />
St Peter's Basin<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE6 1TR<br />
0191 276 1358<br />
Labour<br />
36 Ravenswood<br />
Road<br />
Heaton<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE6 5TU<br />
0191 240 3068<br />
0777 621 3186<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
5 Colnbrook<br />
Close<br />
Kingston Park<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> upon<br />
Tyne<br />
NE3 2TP<br />
0191 286 7869<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
21 Grey Street<br />
Brunswick Village<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE13 7DT<br />
0191 236 6818<br />
0788 511 1146<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
27 Oulton Close<br />
Meadow Rise<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE5 4SX<br />
0191 271 5625<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
2 Heathdale<br />
Gardens<br />
High Heaton<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> upon<br />
Tyne NE7 7QR<br />
0191 209 9992<br />
0775 645 4291<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
36 Etherstone<br />
Avenue<br />
Cochrane Park<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE7 7JX<br />
0191 266 5168<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
12 Boundary<br />
Gardens<br />
High Heaton<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE7 7AA<br />
0191 281 7018<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
58 Combe Drive<br />
West Denton<br />
Park<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> upon<br />
Tyne NE15 8XD<br />
0191 267 4156<br />
0770 693 9999<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
41 Ingoe Street<br />
Lemington<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE15 8DQ<br />
0191 264 6738<br />
0771 161 5262<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
16 Rokeby<br />
Avenue<br />
Lemington<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE15 8AE<br />
0778 797 6480<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
5 Clipstone<br />
Close<br />
Throckley<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE15 9LU,<br />
0191 267 4045<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
33 Apperley<br />
Denton Park<br />
Estate<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> upon<br />
Tyne NE5 2JT<br />
0191 264 1376<br />
0788 288 5047<br />
Labour<br />
27 Hewley<br />
Crescent<br />
Throckley<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE15 9PU<br />
0191 267 3562<br />
0752 255 1741<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
144 Biddlestone<br />
Road<br />
Heaton<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> upon<br />
Tyne NE6 5SP<br />
0191 240 1084<br />
0798 433 3804<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
441 Chillingham<br />
Road<br />
Heaton<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE6 5QU<br />
0191 265 7813<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
28 Victoria<br />
Street<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE4 7JU<br />
0191 261 9753<br />
0774 786 2582<br />
Denton<br />
East Gosforth<br />
Elswick<br />
North Jesmond<br />
Ouseburn<br />
Parklands<br />
Peter<br />
Arnold<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
30 Chapel<br />
Grange<br />
Westerhope<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE5 5NF<br />
0191 264 4811<br />
Graham<br />
Middleton<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
c/o Room 150<br />
Civic Centre<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE99 2BN<br />
0191 243 4357<br />
0799 970 0701<br />
Sharon<br />
Middleton<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
17 Styford<br />
Gardens, South<br />
West Denton<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE15 7RQ<br />
0191 243 4357<br />
Mike<br />
Cookson<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
7 Honister<br />
Avenue<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE2 3PA<br />
0191 285 7725<br />
0798 049 8445<br />
Peter<br />
Leggott<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
29 Keyes<br />
Gardens<br />
Jesmond<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE2 3RA<br />
0191 285 8255<br />
David<br />
Slesenger<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
2 Westfield Park<br />
Gosforth<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE3 4XX<br />
0191 285 3337<br />
Dipu<br />
Ahad<br />
Labour<br />
37 Benwell<br />
Grove<br />
Benwell<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE4 8AN<br />
0781 236 8173<br />
Doreen<br />
James<br />
Labour<br />
15 Dobson<br />
Close<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE4 7EA<br />
0191 273 3550<br />
0785 1340 866<br />
Derek<br />
Malcolm<br />
Labour<br />
c/o Members'<br />
Sevices Unit<br />
Room 150,<br />
Civic Centre<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> upon<br />
Tyne<br />
NE99 2BN<br />
0191 211 5042<br />
Ron<br />
Armstrong<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
73 Grosvenor<br />
Avenue<br />
Jesmond<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE2 2NQ<br />
0191 281 0030<br />
Peter<br />
Breakey<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
57 Larkspur<br />
Terrace<br />
Jesmond<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE2 2DT<br />
0191 281 9625<br />
Catherine<br />
Pagan<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
69 Osborne<br />
Avenue<br />
Jesmond<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE2 1JT<br />
0191 281 4657<br />
Gareth<br />
Cooper<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
108 Heaton<br />
Park Road<br />
Heaton<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE6 5NR<br />
0788 777 4666<br />
Gareth<br />
Kane<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
157 Stratford<br />
Road<br />
Heaton<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> upon<br />
Tyne NE6 5AS<br />
0191 265 9850<br />
0798 600 5382<br />
Stephen<br />
Psallidas<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
63 Teviotdale<br />
Gardens<br />
Heaton<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE7 7PX<br />
0191 209 4115<br />
David<br />
Down<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
9 Chelton Close<br />
Hazlerigg<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE13 7NF<br />
0191 236 3161<br />
0780 956 6995<br />
Diane<br />
Packham<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
9 Moorfield<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE2 3NL<br />
0191 285 0454<br />
John<br />
Shipley OBE<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
Leader of the<br />
<strong>Council</strong>’s Office<br />
Civic Centre<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE99 2BN<br />
0191 211 5151<br />
12 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 Use the internet free at all <strong>Newcastle</strong> libraries 13
Know your <strong>Council</strong>lors<br />
Know your <strong>Council</strong>lors - Ward Surgeries<br />
Christopher<br />
Bartlett<br />
Labour<br />
77 Roseberry<br />
Crescent<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE2 1EX<br />
0191 209 4352<br />
0796 756 4595<br />
Pauline<br />
Allen<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
45 Laburnum<br />
Avenue<br />
Walkerville<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE6 4PP<br />
0191 263 5947<br />
Nick<br />
Forbes<br />
Labour<br />
Labour Group<br />
Office<br />
Room 254<br />
Civic Centre<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE99 2BN<br />
0191 211 5154<br />
South Heaton<br />
Henri<br />
Murison<br />
Labour<br />
Flat 3<br />
40 Chillingham<br />
Road<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE6 5BJ<br />
0191 228 9251<br />
Walkergate<br />
Peter<br />
Allen<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
45 Laburnum<br />
Avenue<br />
Walkerville<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE6 4PP<br />
0191 263 5947<br />
Westgate<br />
Joanne<br />
Kingsland<br />
Labour<br />
34 Valley View<br />
Jesmond<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE2 2JS<br />
0191 212 1076<br />
Geraldine<br />
Ormonde<br />
Labour<br />
c/o Room 150<br />
Civic Centre<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE99 2BN,<br />
0191 211 5042<br />
Dave<br />
Besag<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
24 Glenthorn<br />
Road<br />
Jesmond<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE2 3HN<br />
0191 281 0685<br />
Geoff<br />
O'Brien<br />
Labour<br />
6 Percy Terrace<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE3 1RS<br />
0191 285 9882<br />
0191 227 3745<br />
Chris<br />
Boyle<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
3 Mowbray<br />
Street<br />
Heaton<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE6 5NY<br />
0775 369 1204<br />
Nick<br />
Cott<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
11 Broomfield<br />
Road, Gosforth<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE3 4HH,<br />
0191 246 1571<br />
0774 085 1241<br />
Irim<br />
Ali<br />
Labour<br />
8 Middleton<br />
Avenue<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE4 9NB,<br />
0191 241 4489<br />
South Jesmond<br />
Bob<br />
Walker<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
6 Manor House<br />
Road<br />
Jesmond<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE2 2LU<br />
0191 281 4657<br />
West Gosforth<br />
Bill<br />
Shepherd RD<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
27 Bath Terrace<br />
Gosforth<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE3 1UH<br />
0191 284 8473<br />
Wingrove<br />
Joyce<br />
McCarty<br />
Labour<br />
166 Wingrove<br />
Road<br />
Fenham<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE4 9BX<br />
0191 273 4727<br />
Tom<br />
Woodwark<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
34 Valley View<br />
Jesmond<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE2 2JS<br />
0191 429 8675<br />
0789 999 1527<br />
Jackie<br />
Slesenger<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
2 Westfield Park<br />
Gosforth<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE3 4XX<br />
0191 285 3337<br />
Nigel<br />
Todd<br />
Labour<br />
1 Croydon Road<br />
Fenham<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE4 5LN,<br />
0191 273 6418<br />
John Stokel-<br />
Walker<br />
Labour<br />
1 Keyes Gardens<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE2 3RA<br />
0191 285 3447<br />
Marc<br />
Donnelly<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
17 Ladybank<br />
Chapel Park<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE5 1UH<br />
0191 264 1302<br />
0770 920 0804<br />
Kevin<br />
Graham<br />
Labour<br />
51 Yetholm<br />
Place<br />
Newbiggin Hall<br />
Estate<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> upon<br />
Tyne NE5 4ED<br />
0191 271 0126<br />
0779 146 4476<br />
Walker<br />
Dave<br />
Wood<br />
Labour<br />
51 Borrowdale<br />
Avenue<br />
Walkerdene<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE6 4HL<br />
0191 263 0017<br />
0780 123 1294<br />
Westerhope<br />
Neil<br />
Hamilton<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
10 Ingleton<br />
Drive<br />
Throckley<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> upon<br />
Tyne NE15 9DR<br />
0191 267 2448,<br />
0777 956 0073<br />
Woolsington<br />
George<br />
Pattison<br />
Labour<br />
202 Trevelyan<br />
Drive<br />
Newbiggin Hall<br />
Estate<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE5 4BD<br />
0777 182 6790<br />
Margaret<br />
Wood<br />
Labour<br />
51 Borrowdale<br />
Avenue<br />
Walkerdene<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE6 4HL<br />
0191 263 0017<br />
Pat<br />
Hillicks<br />
Liberal<br />
Democrat<br />
50 Grosvenor<br />
Way, Highgrove<br />
Westerhope<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE5 1RU<br />
0191 267 0228<br />
Sharon<br />
Pattison<br />
Labour<br />
202 Trevelyan<br />
Drive<br />
Newbiggin Hall<br />
Estate<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne<br />
NE5 4BD<br />
0788 161 1808<br />
BENWELL AND SCOTSWOOD<br />
2nd Saturday of each month:<br />
Except August, December and Bank Holidays<br />
Denton Burn Library, West Road 10am - 11am<br />
3rd Saturday of each month:<br />
Except August, December and Bank Holidays<br />
Benwell Library, Atkinson Road 10am - 11am<br />
4th Saturday of each month:<br />
Except August, December and Bank Holidays<br />
Ferguson's Lane Community Association<br />
10am - 11am<br />
BLAKELAW<br />
1st, 3rd and 5th Monday of each month:<br />
Except August and Bank Holidays<br />
Blakelaw Library, Binswood Avenue<br />
5.45pm - 6.45pm<br />
2nd and 4th Monday of each month:<br />
Except August and Bank Holidays<br />
Fenham Library, Fenham Hall Drive<br />
5.45pm - 6.45pm<br />
BYKER<br />
1st Saturday of each month:<br />
Except August and Bank Holidays<br />
Byker Community Centre, Headlam Street,<br />
Byker 10.30am - 11.30am<br />
1st Saturday of each month:<br />
Except August and Bank Holidays<br />
St Martin's Church Hall, Roman Avenue<br />
9.30am - 10.30am<br />
2nd Saturday of each month:<br />
Except August and Bank Holidays<br />
Allendale Community Centre,<br />
Allendale Road, Byker 10am - 11am<br />
2nd Saturday of each month:<br />
Except August and Bank Holidays<br />
The Chevron, Gordon Road 11am - 11.30am<br />
Last Thursday of each month<br />
The Willows Club, Scrogg Road 6pm - 7pm<br />
CASTLE<br />
1st Tuesday of each month<br />
St John's Church, Kingston Park Shopping<br />
Centre 6pm - 7pm<br />
3rd Tuesday of each month<br />
Robert Allen Court, Brunswick<br />
6.15pm - 7.15pm<br />
Brunswick, Hazlerigg and Dinnington<br />
15 minutes before Parish <strong>Council</strong> meetings<br />
See parish notice boards for variations<br />
DENE<br />
Last Thursday of each month*<br />
(Except Christmas and New Year)<br />
St Georges Church Hall, Boundary Gardens<br />
6.30pm - 7.30pm<br />
DENTON<br />
Every 2nd and last Monday of each month:<br />
Except Bank holidays and between<br />
Christmas and New Year<br />
Interview Room, Outer West Customer<br />
Service Centre, West Denton Shopping<br />
Centre 9.30am - 11am<br />
EAST GOSFORTH<br />
1st Saturday of each month<br />
Street Stall on Gosforth High Street<br />
(next to BOOTS) 10am - 12 noon<br />
3rd Tuesday of each month<br />
Gosforth Residents Association Community<br />
Centre, Christon Road 6.30pm - 7.30pm<br />
Other locations will be arranged in the<br />
ward - see local community notice boards<br />
Contact the Community Co-ordinator on<br />
0191 211 6289<br />
ELSWICK<br />
2nd and 3rd Saturday of each month:<br />
Except August<br />
The Library, Cruddas Park Shopping Centre<br />
11am - 12 noon<br />
4th Saturday of each month: Except August<br />
Benwell Health Resource Centre, Adelaide<br />
Terrace 11am - 12 noon<br />
FAWDON<br />
Every Thursday Fawdon Community Centre,<br />
Fawdon Park Road 5.30pm - 6.30pm<br />
Second Monday of each month<br />
Customer Service Centre, North Kenton<br />
5.30pm - 6.30pm<br />
FENHAM<br />
1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month:<br />
Except August and Bank Holidays (LAB)<br />
Slatyford Tenants Hall, Pooley Road<br />
11am - 12noon<br />
1st and 3rd Thursday of each month:<br />
Except August and Bank Holidays (LAB)<br />
Fenham Library, Fenham Hall Drive<br />
6pm - 7pm<br />
1st Monday of each month:<br />
Except August and Bank Holidays (LIB DEM)<br />
Fenham Library, Fenham Hall Drive<br />
5.45pm - 6.45pm<br />
4th Saturday of each month:<br />
Except August and Bank Holidays (LIB DEM)<br />
Denton Residents Hall, Slatyford Lane<br />
10am - 11am<br />
KENTON<br />
1st Saturday of each month:<br />
Except August and Bank Holidays<br />
Kenton Bar Drop-in Centre, Mallowburn<br />
Crescent 10.30am - 11.30am<br />
1st Saturday of each month:<br />
Except August and Bank Holidays<br />
Kenton Neighbourhood Centre, Hillsview<br />
Avenue, North Kenton 10.30am - 11.30am<br />
2nd Saturday of each month:<br />
Except August and Bank Holidays<br />
Montagu Estate Residents Association<br />
(MERA) Hall, Wyndley Place, Montagu Estate<br />
10.30am - 11.30am<br />
3rd Tuesday of each month: Except August<br />
Cowgate Leisure Centre, Harehills Avenue<br />
5.30pm - 6.30pm<br />
LEMINGTON<br />
1st Thursday of each month: Except August<br />
Lemington Centre, Tyne View<br />
10.30am - 12 noon<br />
2nd Saturday of each month:<br />
Except August and Bank Holidays<br />
Lemington Centre, Tyne View<br />
10.30am - 11.30am<br />
3rd Wednesday of each month: Except August<br />
Waverley Primary School, Maple Close,<br />
Dumpling Hall 6pm - 7.30pm<br />
NEWBURN<br />
1st Saturday of each month (LAB)<br />
Blucher Methodist Church, Blucher Colliery<br />
Road, Blucher Village 11am - 12 Noon<br />
1st Wednesday of each month (LIB DEM)<br />
Community Centre, corner of Newburn<br />
Road/Park Road 10am - 11am<br />
2nd Saturday of each month (LAB)<br />
The Grange Centre, Newburn Road<br />
11am - 12 Noon<br />
2nd Wednesday of each month (LIB DEM) -<br />
from July The Grange Centre, Newburn<br />
Road, Throckley 10am - 11am<br />
3rd Saturday of each month (LAB)<br />
Newburn Library, High Street, Newburn<br />
11am - 12 Noon<br />
3rd Saturday of each month (LIB DEM)<br />
Walbottle Institute, Walbottle Road,<br />
Walbottle Village 10am - 11am<br />
4th Saturday of each month (LIB DEM)<br />
Blucher Methodist Church, Blucher Colliery<br />
Road, Blucher Village 10am - 11am<br />
4th Thursday of each month (LAB)<br />
Walbottle Institute, Walbottle Road,<br />
Walbottle Village 5.30pm - 6.30pm<br />
NORTH HEATON<br />
2nd Wednesday of each month*<br />
(Except Christmas and New Year)<br />
Ravenswood Youth Centre, Ravenswood<br />
Road 6 pm-7.30 pm<br />
NORTH JESMOND<br />
1st Thursday of each month: Except August<br />
Jesmond Library, St George's Terrace,<br />
Jesmond 6pm<br />
3rd Saturday of each month: Except August<br />
Jesmond Library, St George's Terrace,<br />
Jesmond 10am<br />
OUSEBURN<br />
2nd Monday of each month:<br />
Except August and Bank Holidays<br />
Caring Hands, Wretham Place, Shieldfield<br />
11.30am - 12.30pm<br />
2nd Thursday of each month:<br />
Except August and Bank Holidays<br />
United Reformed Church, Heaton<br />
Road/Cardigan Terrace<br />
6.30pm - 7.30pm<br />
3rd Saturday of each month:<br />
Except August and Bank Holidays<br />
St Ann's Tenants Association Hut, Breamish<br />
Street, Battlefield 10am -11am<br />
PARKLANDS<br />
1st Saturday of each month<br />
Gosforth Library and Customer Service<br />
Centre 11am - 12noon<br />
3rd Wednesday of each month<br />
Brunton Park Community Centre,<br />
Princes Road 6.30pm<br />
<strong>Council</strong>lors can also be contacted by<br />
telephone at any reasonable time.<br />
SOUTH HEATON<br />
Last Friday of each month<br />
Molineux Grafton Community Rooms,<br />
Heaton Park Road 6pm-7pm<br />
Last Saturday of each month<br />
Charles Street Community Centre<br />
9am - 10am<br />
Last Saturday of each month<br />
Trewitt Road Community Centre<br />
10.30am - 11am<br />
SOUTH JESMOND<br />
No surgeries. <strong>Council</strong>lors can be contacted<br />
at any reasonable time.<br />
WALKER<br />
1st Thursday of each month<br />
Walker Library, Welbeck Road<br />
6pm - 7pm<br />
2nd and 4th Friday of each month<br />
Lightfoot Sports Centre, Wharrier Street<br />
6pm - 7pm<br />
3rd Thursday of each month<br />
Monkchester Community Centre,<br />
Monkchester Road 6pm - 7pm<br />
WALKERGATE<br />
1st Saturday of each month: Except August<br />
and Bank Holidays<br />
Walkergate Primary School, Sutton Street,<br />
Walkergate 11am - 12noon<br />
<strong>Council</strong>lors also hold advice stops in<br />
streets across the Ward - residents are<br />
informed in advance<br />
WEST GOSFORTH<br />
1st Saturday of each month (Not Bank<br />
Holidays) Gosforth High Street - Street<br />
Surgery (directly outside the main entrance<br />
to the shopping centre) 10am - 12 noon<br />
2nd Wednesday of each month<br />
Gosforth Customer Service Centre and<br />
Library 1pm and 2pm<br />
<strong>Council</strong>lors can also be contacted at any<br />
reasonable time<br />
WESTERHOPE<br />
2nd Thursday of each month<br />
Room 1, Westerhope Methodist Church,<br />
Stamfordham Road 9.30am - 10.30am<br />
WESTGATE<br />
4th Monday of each month<br />
Prior to, and in same venue as ward<br />
committee meeting 6.30pm<br />
4th Saturday of each month: Except August<br />
or Bank Holidays. Moorside Primary School,<br />
Beaconsfield Street (Shared surgery with<br />
Wingrove Ward) 10am - 10.45pm<br />
4th Saturday of each month: Except August<br />
or Bank Holidays. St Matthew's Church,<br />
Summerhill Street 10.45am - 11.30am<br />
There will also be regular city centre<br />
surgeries - please contact your councillor<br />
for details.<br />
WINGROVE<br />
1st Tuesday of each month: Except August<br />
and Bank Holidays Community House, 4<br />
Clarewood Green, North British Estate off<br />
Stanhope Street 6pm - 7pm<br />
2nd Tuesday of each month: Except August<br />
and Bank Holidays<br />
Robert Stewart Memorial Church Hall,<br />
Wingrove Road 6pm - 7pm<br />
3rd Tuesday of each month: Except August<br />
and Bank Holidays Community Centre,<br />
Morpeth Street, Spital Tongues 6pm - 7pm<br />
4th Saturday of each month: Except August<br />
and Bank Holidays Moorside Primary<br />
School, Beaconsfield Street - (Shared<br />
surgery with Westgate Ward) 10am - 10.45am<br />
4th Wednesday of each month: Except<br />
August and Bank Holidays CHAT Shop,<br />
Philip Street, Arthur's Hill 6pm - 7pm<br />
WOOLSINGTON<br />
1st, 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month<br />
(Except August) Library, Newbiggin Hall<br />
Shopping Centre 10am - 11am<br />
2nd and 3rd Sunday of each month<br />
(Except August)<br />
Westerhope Comrades Club, Newbiggin Hall<br />
Shopping Centre 11 - 12 noon<br />
4th Sunday of each month (Except August)<br />
Poacher's Cottage, Callerton Village<br />
11am - 12 noon<br />
For the latest information on when<br />
ward surgeries are held, please call<br />
member services on 0191 211 5042<br />
or look on our website at<br />
www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
14 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 Use the internet free at all <strong>Newcastle</strong> libraries 15
everyone’s tomorrow<br />
Putting<br />
Building bridges<br />
Active ageing receives<br />
a public health boost<br />
A new three year programme, funded by the New<br />
Leaf New Life Big Lottery well-being programme, is<br />
now underway.<br />
It is aimed at encouraging<br />
greater participation of people<br />
over 50 in physical activity.<br />
Initially the programme will<br />
focus on developing new active<br />
ageing programmes in both the<br />
city centre and Inner West areas<br />
of <strong>Newcastle</strong>, offering older<br />
people more opportunities to<br />
stay fit and active.<br />
One example of this new<br />
programme is a 50’s+ cycling<br />
programme called ‘On Yer Bike’<br />
which currently runs from<br />
Exhibition Park. Aimed at the<br />
total beginner and novice cyclist,<br />
this 13 week programme seeks<br />
to build confidence and develop<br />
cycling skills in a safe and<br />
supportive environment led by<br />
fully qualified cycling instructors.<br />
New worker Michelle Mordue is<br />
delighted with the response: “It<br />
is proving to be so popular that I<br />
am already taking names for a<br />
reserve list in the hope of<br />
developing a second programme<br />
later in the year.”<br />
If you want to learn more about ‘On yer bike’ or any future<br />
partnership working or networking opportunities, phone<br />
0191 255 1985 or email michelle.mordue@qualityoflife.org.uk<br />
WorkFirst<br />
In the last edition of <strong>City</strong>life, we told you about our<br />
in-house recycling scheme helping people with<br />
disabilities to access work.<br />
This time, we are focusing on our<br />
WorkFirst team, which matches the<br />
needs and skills of adults with<br />
disabilities, with those of the local<br />
labour market.<br />
Our team is dedicated to helping<br />
adults to develop their work-ready<br />
skills. We do whatever it takes to help<br />
someone achieve their goal of<br />
employment in the city.<br />
Everyone who takes part in the<br />
scheme has their own keyworker who<br />
works with them to develop a<br />
personal development plan. This<br />
helps them to work towards short to<br />
medium term goals and looks at their<br />
longer term plans for employment.<br />
Keyworkers help people access further<br />
education and training. This includes<br />
basic skills and travel training, so<br />
they are supported until they are able<br />
to travel independently.<br />
Once they have gained the skills and<br />
knowledge they need for the work<br />
that they are looking for, the<br />
keyworker then helps them to get a<br />
job they are interested in.<br />
This includes supporting the job<br />
seeker to find information on local<br />
jobs in job centres and in the papers.<br />
Keyworkers also help with on-line<br />
applications, cold calls and mail<br />
shots.<br />
They support the job seeker through<br />
the interview process and they are<br />
there to help them to settle into the<br />
work.<br />
The keyworker even offers an aftercare<br />
service supporting the employer<br />
to maintain and develop the role.<br />
They also regularly check to make sure<br />
that every thing is working out for<br />
both the employee and the employer.<br />
Steve Williamson, Team Leader, said<br />
”WorkFirst offers a unique service to<br />
both job seekers and employers.<br />
We have proved that adults with<br />
disabilities can be very successful in<br />
gaining the right skills to access a<br />
huge variety of local jobs. They now<br />
have more choice and more<br />
opportunities and can be very<br />
successful with the right<br />
encouragement and support from the<br />
WorkFirst team”.<br />
WorkFirst is part of our Supported<br />
Employment Initiatives.<br />
If you would like more information<br />
phone Steve Williamson on<br />
0191 278 8100.<br />
Watch out for our next feature in<br />
September on WorkStep.<br />
Edward Denham<br />
Edward was referred to the WorkFirst team in 2003. His first<br />
work experience placement was at the Marriot Hotel Gosforth.<br />
In 2004 Edward’s keyworker<br />
approached the head of human<br />
resources. She in turn spoke to the<br />
chef who ran the department that<br />
Edward was working in. They agreed<br />
to employ Edward under the<br />
supported permitted work rules.<br />
Edward is still working at the<br />
Marriott and is a well established<br />
member of the kitchen staff team.<br />
He is liked by his colleagues and<br />
managers. He is eager to do his<br />
work and learn anything new.<br />
Edward continues to be supported<br />
by WorkFirst with any employment<br />
issues and development needs that<br />
may be identified by the Marriott<br />
Hotel or Edward.<br />
between young<br />
and old<br />
Increasingly we are getting clear messages about<br />
the importance of providing opportunities for young<br />
and old to come together to share ideas, experiences<br />
and get to know one another.<br />
We would like to find out more<br />
about what is already happening<br />
in the city and to feature projects<br />
which bring the generations<br />
together in the next issue of<br />
<strong>City</strong>life.<br />
This will coincide with UK Older<br />
People’s Day on 1 October 2008<br />
which will have a major focus on<br />
intergenerational work.<br />
If you have a good story to tell,<br />
please contact <strong>City</strong>life on<br />
0191 211 5073 or email<br />
citylife@newcastle.gov.uk no<br />
later than Monday 21 July 2008.<br />
If you are looking for ideas,<br />
contact the Centre for<br />
Intergenerational Practice and<br />
sign up for their newsletter<br />
by logging onto<br />
www.centreforip.org.uk or<br />
generations@bjf.org.uk or<br />
01782 844 036.<br />
Safe at home with Telecare<br />
Most of us want to live independently in our own<br />
homes for as long as we can.<br />
Telecare can give us the<br />
reassurance that help is never<br />
far away when needed, and it<br />
doesn’t take away any of our<br />
independence.<br />
Many of us are already familiar<br />
with community care alarms.<br />
Telecare can offer that little bit<br />
more as it can detect hazards<br />
such as fires, floods or gas leaks,<br />
or health and safety risks like<br />
falling or if you forget to take<br />
medication.<br />
Telecare uses new technology to<br />
monitor your home<br />
environment. When any of your<br />
Telecare devices are activated<br />
they automatically dial our 24-<br />
hour response centre, who can<br />
send a mobile warden to help or<br />
call the emergency services.<br />
Telecare doesn’t interfere with<br />
your everyday life, so it is often<br />
the least restrictive care option<br />
for older people, people with<br />
physical or learning disabilities<br />
or mental health issues, and<br />
people who are carers for<br />
others. The capabilities of the<br />
devices and services are<br />
advancing all the time, and in<br />
some cases a special Telecare<br />
package can be created to meet<br />
your needs.<br />
To find out more about Telecare<br />
phone 0191 278 8699 or email:<br />
telecare@yhn.org.uk web:<br />
www.yhn.org.uk<br />
Samiulla Ahmed<br />
Sami as he likes to be known was referred to WorkFirst at the<br />
beginning of 2005. At this time Sami wanted to explore<br />
working in retail.<br />
While his keyworker searched for a<br />
placement he encouraged Sami to<br />
look at local vacancies. And he<br />
supported him with job searches at<br />
his local Job centre.<br />
At this time Sami received training<br />
in retail from Shops for Jobs and<br />
decided to open up his work search<br />
from retail to labouring, cleaning<br />
and office work.<br />
Sami started with the recycling<br />
scheme at the civic centre in June<br />
2006. At this time the scheme was<br />
unpaid and was being used as an<br />
opportunity for employment training.<br />
At the end of November 2006 Sami<br />
was appointed into a 15 hour post<br />
with our Neighbourhood Services<br />
team.<br />
Sami is now an established staff<br />
member who is willing to pass on<br />
what he has learned to the new<br />
staff in his section.<br />
In April 2008 Sami was feeling more<br />
confident and felt ready to increase<br />
his hours building up to full time.<br />
His WorkFirst keyworker made a<br />
referral to the WorkStep programme.<br />
WorkStep supports people who have<br />
disabilities into employment of<br />
more than 16 hours a week.<br />
Sami Ahmed said “WorkFirst has<br />
helped me develop my skills and<br />
get into real employment”.<br />
Courses Fair<br />
Monday 14 July, 10am to 8pm<br />
St James Park, Alnwick Suite<br />
• Find the right course for you<br />
• See displays of current learners’ work<br />
• Enrol on a course<br />
Have fun, improve your employment prospects and get a<br />
qualification in a friendly and supportive environment. It may<br />
not cost as much as you think! Courses range from Plastering<br />
to Level 4 NVQs.<br />
For more details, phone 0191 277 7497.<br />
Look out for the Guide to Lifelong Learning dropping through<br />
your letterbox in July.<br />
www.newcastle.gov.uk/lifelonglearning<br />
16 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 Use the internet free at all <strong>Newcastle</strong> libraries 17
All change<br />
for our<br />
libraries<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> Libraries have an exciting<br />
programme of new library developments,<br />
Gosforth Library is now open, High<br />
Heaton and Benwell Library will be<br />
completed before the end of the year and<br />
the new <strong>City</strong> Library opens next summer.<br />
Libraries are also being transformed in many other<br />
ways. New technology means that you don’t always<br />
have to go to a reference library to consult reference<br />
books when you want information, we can make them<br />
available on PCs, some you can even access from<br />
home, all you need is your library membership number.<br />
Self-service machines are being introduced in all of<br />
our new libraries but don’t worry, your friendly<br />
library assistants are still there to help you choose<br />
books or find information.<br />
The way people access music and film has changed<br />
and fewer people are borrowing CDs from libraries.<br />
You can now download music using the computers in<br />
some of our libraries and we hope to extend this to<br />
all of our libraries. We want to find out if you would<br />
like to borrow computer games or films on high<br />
definition blu-ray DVDs as well.<br />
Because we want our service to be responsive to<br />
your needs we are asking <strong>City</strong>life readers to help us<br />
by completing our questionnaire, so please cut this<br />
out and hand it in at any library or council customer<br />
service centre in <strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />
What’s your<br />
favourite book?<br />
Our former Lord Mayor <strong>Council</strong>lor Peter<br />
Arnold, shared his views about reading with<br />
Tianna Burns, aged 9 and poet Craig<br />
Bradley who took part in the celebrations<br />
to mark 100 years of Benwell Library.<br />
She asked the Lord Mayor about the types of<br />
stories he likes and how often he reads. He<br />
revealed that he loves to read for pleasure<br />
every day and that he enjoys all types of books<br />
from mysteries to Russian poetry. However, the<br />
book he would take to his desert island would<br />
be ‘Kim’ by Rudyard Kipling. Tianna on the<br />
other hand, likes fairy books and the Tracy<br />
Beaker stories by Jacqueline Wilson.<br />
Opening times and Access<br />
Would you use a library<br />
• in a building shared with other community services. Yes No<br />
• with longer opening times using self service at some times of the day. Yes No<br />
New <strong>City</strong> Library (please tick the times you prefer)<br />
Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm 8am-8pm 8.30am-8.30pm<br />
Friday and Saturday 9am-6pm 8am-5pm 8.30am-5.30pm<br />
Sunday 10am-4pm 11am-5pm<br />
Do you have any other suggestions for opening times? ..............................................................<br />
Using computers to find information<br />
What do we need to do to make this information more accessible to you?<br />
• Show us how to use computers Yes No<br />
• Make the information simple to access and use Yes No<br />
• Publicise the information Yes No<br />
Any other ideas? .....................................................................................................................<br />
..............................................................................................................................................<br />
..............................................................................................................................................<br />
How you can help us<br />
Would you be interested in helping <strong>Newcastle</strong>’s Library Service by becoming a friend or working<br />
as a volunteer?<br />
• Become a community champion Yes No<br />
• Sharing your specialist knowledge (of local history for example) Yes No<br />
• Helping at library events Yes No<br />
• Help choose new books Yes No<br />
Audio visual services<br />
• Are you ready to download music? Yes No<br />
• Would you borrow computer games? Yes No<br />
• Should we provide Blu Ray high definition DVDs? Yes No<br />
Please use the space below if you have any other comments and questions<br />
..............................................................................................................................................<br />
..............................................................................................................................................<br />
..............................................................................................................................................<br />
You do not have to give your name, address or phone number but if you want more information or<br />
would like to get involved in any way, please tell us how to contact you<br />
Your name ................................................................................................................................<br />
Your address .............................................................................................................................<br />
..............................................................................................................................................<br />
.................................................... Your phone number .............................................................<br />
Your email address .....................................................................................................................<br />
Please send to Freepost CITYLIFE or hand in at any of <strong>Newcastle</strong>’s Libraries.<br />
Thank you for your help<br />
Tony Durcan, Head of Culture, Libraries, and Lifelong Learning<br />
✁<br />
This year’s National Summer Reading Challenge is all about<br />
sport, so if you’re aged 4-11 why not join in with this free<br />
‘Team Read’ at your local library?<br />
• Lots of new books to read<br />
• Games and sports<br />
• Competitions<br />
• Science workshops<br />
• Wii Fit ‘experience’<br />
You can win a certificate, as well as your very own<br />
Olympic bronze, silver or gold medal!<br />
So what are you waiting for? Come along to the<br />
special ‘Team Read’ events, workshops and activities,<br />
which will run from 21 July to 6 September and on<br />
the following days have lots of fun along the way in<br />
this National Year of Reading!<br />
Day Library Time<br />
For more information about any library activities:<br />
Phone: 0845 002 0336 Click on www.newcastle.gov.uk/libraries<br />
Monday Newbiggin Hall 2pm – 3pm<br />
Tuesday Benwell 3.30pm – 4.30pm<br />
Fenham 2pm – 3pm<br />
Outer West 2.30pm – 3.30pm<br />
Thursday Blakelaw 2pm – 3pm<br />
Cruddas Park 2pm – 3pm<br />
Denton Burn 2.30pm – 3.30pm<br />
Jesmond 2.30pm – 3.30pm<br />
Kenton 10.45am – 11.30am<br />
Newburn 2pm – 3pm<br />
Walker 2pm – 3pm<br />
Friday East End 10.30am – 11.30am<br />
Fawdon 11am – 12noon<br />
Gosforth 10am – 11am<br />
Moorside 2.30pm – 3.30pm<br />
Saturday Blakelaw 10.30am – 12noon<br />
All events are free. Some events may have a limited<br />
number of spaces. Remember all children under the age<br />
of eight must be accompanied by a parent or carer.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
Mela 2008<br />
24 and 25 August.<br />
12 noon – 7pm<br />
The Mela is a free event, based around<br />
Punjabi, Pakistani, Bengali and Hindi<br />
cultures. It is open to anyone who wants to<br />
learn more, be entertained and meet new<br />
people, as well as enjoy different music, art<br />
and food.<br />
This year’s line up includes the hottest<br />
contemporary Asian acts, as well as<br />
traditional displays of music and dance.<br />
Taking place in Exhibition Park, the Mela<br />
promises to be a weekend packed full of<br />
fun. There will be music, games, stalls and<br />
exhibitions to help everyone have a bank<br />
holiday to remember.<br />
For more information go to<br />
www.newcastlemela.co.uk or phone<br />
0191 277 2067.<br />
Voucher<br />
Bring this voucher along to the Mela<br />
information tent to be included in a free<br />
prize draw to win prizes such as a meal<br />
for two and Leisure Plus passes.<br />
Name ........................................................<br />
Address ....................................................<br />
...................................................................<br />
...................................................................<br />
...................................................................<br />
Have you visited the <strong>Newcastle</strong> Mela<br />
before?<br />
Yes No<br />
Please do not send to <strong>City</strong>life.<br />
✁<br />
18 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 Use the internet free at all <strong>Newcastle</strong> libraries 19
Calling all<br />
young<br />
explorers<br />
If you’re looking for family fun and<br />
adventure this summer, you’ll find it in<br />
one of <strong>Newcastle</strong>’s quirkiest and most<br />
fascinating places – the Ouseburn Valley.<br />
And just to make things really<br />
interesting, a great new guide to the<br />
valley puts children in charge, and adults<br />
in the hot seat.<br />
Called Ouseburn Explorer, the colourful booklet of<br />
four easy-to-follow walks gives children questions so<br />
they can quiz their adult companions, and hidden<br />
answers for their eyes only.<br />
It’s the latest publication from the city’s <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
Community Heritage Project, whose aim is to widen<br />
access to local heritage.<br />
“We think this will be a great way for children and<br />
adults alike to really look at and learn about the<br />
Ouseburn,” says project staff member Alison<br />
Stancliffe. “There are curiosities everywhere you turn<br />
in the valley. Strange chimneys, odd turrets, orange<br />
water, flying horses and so much more. Do one walk<br />
and you’ve found out some tall tales to tell, do<br />
them all and you become a mine of information!”<br />
Designed to last up to an hour each, the four walks<br />
focus on different aspects of the valley. They explore<br />
the area’s hidden history and the little river that<br />
gives the valley its name. Children can look beyond<br />
the buildings to the creatures living in and around it,<br />
including the Stepney Bank Stables’ famous horses.<br />
The Stables and Seven Stories already attract lots of<br />
families to the Ouseburn Valley, and Ouseburn<br />
Explorer is a great way to unlock even more of its<br />
secrets. It will be on sale at Seven Stories and<br />
Stepney Bank Stables in the Ouseburn, and in<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong>’s tourist information and museum outlets,<br />
for £3.99.<br />
Or, you can order a copy by sending a cheque for<br />
£4.50, payable to `<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong>’, to<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> Community Heritage at the Ouseburn<br />
Byker Regeneration Centre, Spillers Quay, <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne, NE6 1BU.<br />
You can also find out more by logging onto<br />
www.newcastlecommunityheritage.org<br />
Competition<br />
<strong>City</strong>life has teamed up with <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
Community Heritage to offer two lucky readers<br />
a free copy of the Ouseburn Explorer booklet.<br />
Just answer the question below -<br />
Which river does the Ouseburn flow into?<br />
…………………………………………………<br />
Name ………………….……………………….<br />
Address ……..………………………………….<br />
.................................................................<br />
.................................................................<br />
Send to FREEPOST CITYLIFE no later than 25<br />
July. Don’t forget to put all your coupons<br />
into one envelope.<br />
Be a Quayside<br />
Detective!<br />
Unlock the secrets behind 12 special<br />
buildings on the quayside and find out about<br />
12 people connected with them, on an easy<br />
to follow trail.<br />
Our colourful sticker trail booklet has a great<br />
panorama of the quayside as well as lots of<br />
fascinating facts. It comes in a handy pack complete<br />
with crayons and pictures. The Quayside Discovery<br />
Trail is on sale at <strong>Newcastle</strong>’s Visitor Information<br />
Centres, for £1.50.<br />
Competition<br />
To win a copy of the Quayside Discovery Trail<br />
answer the following question -<br />
What was the name of the banker’s daughter<br />
who eloped from a house on the Quayside?<br />
…………………………………………………<br />
Name ………………….……………………….<br />
Address ……..………………………………….<br />
.................................................................<br />
.................................................................<br />
Please send your answer to FREEPOST<br />
CITYLIFE no later than 25 July. Don’t forget<br />
to put all of your coupons in one envelope.<br />
✁<br />
✁<br />
Summer fun for families<br />
Fun with FiS<br />
The Families Information Service holds information<br />
on what’s going on across the city during the<br />
summer holidays from libraries and museums to<br />
leisure centres and theatres.<br />
We can send you information about activities for<br />
different age groups or a general information pack<br />
about what’s going on. There are activities for the<br />
whole family such as fun days, play schemes for the<br />
younger children and plenty of ideas to get active<br />
and creative for teens.<br />
If you need part or full-time childcare over the<br />
holidays you can also contact us to find out about<br />
your nearest holiday scheme or childminder.<br />
Call us on 0191 277 4133, email us at<br />
fis@newcastle.gov.uk or check out<br />
www.newcastle.cyp-directory.org.uk to find out more.<br />
Parks and rangers’ events<br />
Saturday 12 July, 1.30pm – 3pm<br />
Creepy-crawly hunt and pond dip<br />
Benwell Nature Park<br />
Join the rangers to discover what strange animals<br />
you can find in the park’s pond and mini-beast area.<br />
Under 13s must be accompanied by an adult.<br />
Disabled access is limited.<br />
Sunday 13 July, 2pm – 4pm<br />
Minibeast hunt Information Room, Millfield House,<br />
Jesmond Dene. Come and join our hunt for some<br />
minibeasts. Disabled access is good.<br />
Sunday 13 July, 2pm - 4pm<br />
Music in Nuns Moor Park<br />
For information, phone 0191 211 6205.<br />
Sunday 13 July, 2.30pm - 3.30pm<br />
Salvation Army Band Leazes Park at the bandstand<br />
Tuesday 22 July, 2pm – 4pm<br />
Nature Trail<br />
Information Room, Millfield House.<br />
Become a wildlife explorer as you trek through<br />
Jesmond Dene. Contact Lynette on 0191 284 6884.<br />
20 July - 17 August, 2pm - 4pm<br />
Summer Sundays<br />
There will be afternoons of music and children’s<br />
entertainment at various parks throughout the city<br />
Phone 0191 211 6215.<br />
Sport in the Parks At various parks throughout the<br />
city there will be afternoons of sports coaching<br />
during the summer school holiday in August.<br />
Phone 0191 211 6215.<br />
Every Wednesday during the holidays from 23 July,<br />
1pm - 3pm<br />
Street Games Hodgkin Park North<br />
Phone 0191 211 6205.<br />
Sunday 14 September, 11am – 4pm<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> Allotment and Garden Show<br />
Civic Centre, Banqueting Suite For an entry form,<br />
contact the Allotment Office on 0191 232 8520.<br />
Sunday 14 September, 11am – 4pm<br />
‘Paws in the Park’ Dog Show. Paddy Freeman’s Park<br />
Lots of stalls to visit and classes for your dog to<br />
enter. Phone 0191 211 6214.<br />
For an up to date list of park and ranger events<br />
visit: www.newcastle.gov.uk/parkevents, or pick<br />
up a leaflet from a library, leisure centre or<br />
Customer Service Centre.<br />
Activate your summer<br />
Isn’t it great to feel alive during the summer months?<br />
When it’s lovely and warm, you just want to get a bit more active don’t you?<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> Leisure has a whole host of things you<br />
can do this summer – even if the sun doesn’t quite<br />
make it out from behind the clouds as much as<br />
you’d like. And with the kids off school, there’s<br />
plenty for them to do.<br />
You can find sports centres and pools at the<br />
following locations:<br />
• Eldon Leisure in Eldon Square<br />
• <strong>City</strong> Pool on Northumberland Road<br />
• Gosforth Pool<br />
• East End Pool, just off Shields Road<br />
• The Lightfoot Centre in Walker<br />
• Outer West Pool and Impulse Gym just off West<br />
Denton Way<br />
• Elswick Park and Pool<br />
• Scotswood Sports and Social Centre on Denton Road<br />
• Newburn Activity Centre<br />
• Cowgate Leisure Centre<br />
Most of the following activities take place between<br />
21 July and the end of August. Please make sure to<br />
call the centre to check whether they are open<br />
outside of the times mentioned.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> Leisure centres are closed on Bank<br />
Holiday Monday, 26 August.<br />
Fusion card<br />
Many events for children at <strong>Newcastle</strong> Leisure<br />
venues are free or discounted with a Fusion card.<br />
To find out how your child can get one, visit one of<br />
our centres.<br />
To find out what Fusion is about, visit<br />
www.newcastlefusion.co.uk.<br />
Celebrate the<br />
great outdoors with<br />
Newburn Activity<br />
Centre<br />
There are exciting activities taking place<br />
at Newburn Activity Centre this summer.<br />
Our adventure activities will keep the most active of<br />
youngsters entertained and tired out by day’s end.<br />
Activities revolve around the river in bell boats,<br />
kayaks and speedboats, while biking will explore the<br />
countryside. And if the weather is a little murky,<br />
we will be scaling the heights with indoor climbing<br />
and archery.<br />
At the same time, younger family members can access<br />
our soft play for the summer holiday price of only £1,<br />
or take part in our Monday teddy bear’s picnics.<br />
There is a lot more taking place.<br />
Call 0191 264 0014 to get a copy of our leaflet and<br />
book early to avoid disappointment.<br />
Bouncing higher summer days<br />
You can join in crafts, water sports, street games and<br />
much more on Wednesdays between 12.30pm and 4pm<br />
• 30 July<br />
• 6 August<br />
• 13 August<br />
• 20 August<br />
£1 or free to Fusion card holders.<br />
Activities must be booked and paid for in advance.<br />
Parental consent forms are required.<br />
For more information about times and prices,<br />
phone 0191 264 0014.<br />
20 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 Use the internet free at all <strong>Newcastle</strong> libraries 21
Fun for kids at Eldon Leisure<br />
Free to Fusion card holders, Junior Allsports takes<br />
place on weekdays between 10am and 12noon and<br />
2pm and 4pm. Or, if they want to try something<br />
different, you could sign the kids up for the<br />
climbing course on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The<br />
two-day courses take place between 10am and<br />
1pm and there’s an intermediate course on<br />
Tuesday 26 and Thursday 28 August. These are<br />
also free to Fusion card holders.<br />
If their interest is more gym-based, Impulse<br />
Evolution takes place every weekday between<br />
1pm and 5pm. You will have to come with them<br />
to do an induction if they haven’t worked out at<br />
Impulse before. Participants have to be between<br />
13 and 15 years old.<br />
The dancers (10-15 years old) in your family can<br />
sign up for Hip Hop Aerobics on Wednesday<br />
afternoons, and if dancing isn’t their thing they<br />
could do Kids’ Karate for eight – 15 year olds.<br />
East End Pool<br />
Summer at the East End Pool means fun<br />
and fitness as well as a huge range of<br />
leisure activities. Whatever your age or<br />
ability – there is something for you.<br />
In the water:<br />
• Adult swimming<br />
• Women only swimming<br />
• Fun sessions<br />
• Underwater hockey<br />
• Toddler session<br />
• 50s+ swimming<br />
• Competitive swimming<br />
• Aqua natal swimming<br />
• Swimming lessons<br />
• Disabled swimming club<br />
• Sauna<br />
• Steam room<br />
In the dance studio:<br />
• 50s+ exercise class<br />
• Bodyblast<br />
• Step aerobics<br />
• Total body conditioning<br />
• Bodytone<br />
• Pilates<br />
• Ab attack<br />
• Boxerkick<br />
• Stepping stones<br />
• Karate<br />
• Yoga<br />
• Cardiac rehab sessions<br />
Starting at the East End Pool:<br />
• Weekly guided walks at 10am every Tuesday and<br />
Thursday<br />
• Bike rides every Thursday at 9.30am (bikes are<br />
provided)<br />
Walkers and cyclists should meet in the Street Café<br />
in the centre.<br />
For more information about costs,<br />
call 0191 277 1277.<br />
Fusion sessions<br />
Swimming – free to children with a valid Fusion<br />
card.<br />
• Monday 2pm – 4pm<br />
• Tuesday to Friday 10am – 12noon<br />
• Tuesday 5pm – 6pm<br />
• Wednesday 4pm – 6pm<br />
Family Fusion session<br />
Sunday 10am – 1.15pm (last admission 12.30pm)<br />
Also at the centre<br />
The East End Library has a large range of books to<br />
cater for every need as well as a children’s library,<br />
CD and video section, and free internet access.<br />
For more information about what’s going on at<br />
the centre, phone 0191 278 8444.<br />
Win a bike competition!<br />
During the summer holidays everyone<br />
who use the East End Pool can fill out<br />
a form and be entered into a prize<br />
draw for a bike. The winner will be<br />
drawn on 29 August. You must go<br />
into the East End Pool to be eligible.<br />
<strong>City</strong> Pool<br />
Not all of our summer activities are<br />
aimed at the younger members of your<br />
family. There’ll be adult only swimming<br />
in the <strong>City</strong> Pool’s main pool throughout<br />
the school holidays.<br />
All adult-accompanied children under eight can<br />
have a free swim in the learner pool.<br />
For more information call the <strong>City</strong> Pool on<br />
0191 277 1844.<br />
Elswick Park and Pool<br />
For tiny people<br />
• Women and toddlers’ swims<br />
Wednesday between 9.30am and 11am<br />
For the kids<br />
• Free junior swimming sessions<br />
Tuesday and Thursday 10.30am – 11.30am,<br />
Friday<br />
1.30pm – 2.30pm<br />
• Inflatable sessions<br />
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,<br />
Thursday and Saturday 1.30pm – 2.30pm<br />
Sunday<br />
10.30am – 11.30am<br />
Tennis, basketball and football coaching will be<br />
available through out the summer holidays, phone<br />
for more information.<br />
For the grown-ups<br />
• Adults only swim Monday 8pm – 9.30pm<br />
• Over 50s swim Monday 10am – 11am<br />
The sauna, steam room and gym are available at a<br />
discount with a swim.<br />
Fusion Sessions<br />
Wednesday Swim 5.30pm – 6.30pm<br />
Saturday Gym 10am – 11.30am<br />
Sunday Family Swim 10am – 11am<br />
For more information, phone 0191 277 3456.<br />
West Gate Centre<br />
for Sport<br />
There’s plenty to keep the youngster<br />
occupied this summer at the Centre for<br />
Sport.<br />
Youth Gym Monday and Wednesday 1pm – 2pm<br />
Trampoline Monday 1pm – 4pm (one hour sessions)<br />
Skateboarding<br />
Alternate Tuesdays starting 22 July,<br />
1.30pm – 3pm and 3pm – 4.30pm<br />
Skipping<br />
Alternate Tuesdays starting 29 July,<br />
1.30pm – 3pm and 3pm – 4.30pm (to be confirmed)<br />
Games<br />
For the under fives, Thursday 1.30pm – 2.30pm<br />
except during the Sports Festival<br />
For sevens and over, Thursday 2.30pm – 4pm<br />
except during the Sports Festival<br />
Games include Kwick Kricket, rounders, relay races<br />
and so on.<br />
Multi Sports session<br />
Friday 1pm – 3pm<br />
Register now for the West<br />
Gate Centre for Sport Sports’ Festival<br />
20-22 August, 11am – 4pm<br />
Join us in a three-day extravaganza of sport<br />
coaching and fun games. We have the best coaches<br />
available to improve your basic skills in football,<br />
basketball, trampoline and much more. This course<br />
will be one of the highlights of your summer<br />
holidays. Book your place now, don’t miss it!<br />
For more information phone 0191 241 7700.<br />
Outer West Pool and Impulse Gym<br />
Children’s fun inflatable sessions<br />
Monday 2pm – 3.30pm<br />
Tuesday 10am – 11.30am and 2pm – 3.30pm<br />
Wednesday 10am – 11am and 2pm – 3.30pm<br />
Thursday 10.30am – 11.30am and 2pm – 3.30pm<br />
Friday 10am – 11.30am and 2pm – 3pm<br />
Saturday 10am – 11.30am and 2pm – 3.30pm<br />
Morning sessions on Tuesdays, Thursdays and<br />
Saturdays, and afternoon sessions on Wednesdays<br />
and Fridays are free to Fusion card holders.<br />
Sundays only – A grown-up can swim for free when<br />
accompanied by a child holding a Fusion card.<br />
ASA Aquatics programme<br />
• Children’s crash course Monday 18 – Friday 22<br />
August, 9.15am – 10am<br />
• Children’s once a week swimming lessons (Stages<br />
1 to 5 and levels 6 to 8)<br />
• Adult swimming lessons<br />
• Flip n fun (Diving Stage 8)<br />
Scotswood<br />
Sports and Social<br />
Centre<br />
Activities for children over the<br />
summer holidays.<br />
Monday and Friday, 1pm – 3pm, £2<br />
• Trampoline<br />
• Badminton<br />
• Table tennis<br />
• Fitness room for children over ten years old.<br />
Wednesday, 1pm – 3pm, £1<br />
• Outdoor football<br />
• Volleyball<br />
• Handball<br />
• Street Cheer (cheerleaders)<br />
Monday, Wednesday and Friday,<br />
1pm – 3pm, £2<br />
• Soft play for the under sixes.<br />
For more information, phone 0191 274 3716.<br />
Impulse Evolution – the gym project for 13 to 15<br />
year olds<br />
• Monday to Friday 1pm – 5pm<br />
• Saturday<br />
8.30am – 4.30pm<br />
• Sunday<br />
9am – 12 noon<br />
Free sessions for Fusion card holders on Saturdays<br />
between 2pm and 3.30pm.<br />
Also available from the<br />
Outer West Pool<br />
• Late swimming every Tuesday evening until<br />
8.30pm<br />
• Over 50 session, Wednesdays 11am – 12 noon –<br />
no children<br />
• Women’s evening, Wednesdays 5.45pm – 8.30pm<br />
• North and Outer West Walkie Talkies programme<br />
for July and August.<br />
For more information, visit the Outer West Pool<br />
reception or call 0191 277 7980.<br />
Gosforth Pool<br />
Learn to swim<br />
• Children’s crash course lessons<br />
(10 half hour lessons cost £39)<br />
Contact the pool for starting dates and times<br />
• Baby lessons, 21 July – 1 August<br />
10am – 10.30am<br />
• Individual tuition<br />
(£13.50 per half hour. Fusion card discounts<br />
available)<br />
Free Fusion sessions<br />
Inflatables<br />
• Monday<br />
• Tuesday<br />
• Wednesday<br />
• Thursday<br />
• Friday<br />
• Saturday<br />
• Sunday<br />
2pm – 3pm<br />
10.30am – 11.30am and 2pm – 3pm<br />
10.30am – 11.30am and 2pm – 3pm<br />
10.30am – 11.30am and 1.30pm – 3pm<br />
10.30am – 11.30am<br />
2pm – 3pm<br />
10.30am – 11.30am<br />
Gym induction sessions<br />
• Monday 9.30am – 12noon<br />
• Wednesday 1.30pm – 4pm<br />
• Friday 2pm – 4pm<br />
• Saturday 10am – 3pm<br />
Only for the adults<br />
• Monday 7.05pm – 8.45pm<br />
• Tuesday 5.30pm – 8.45pm (ladies only)<br />
• Thursday 7.05pm – 8.45pm<br />
For more information<br />
phone 0191 284 3696.<br />
Your <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
Leisure centres can<br />
be found at<br />
<strong>City</strong> Pool<br />
Northumberland Road, NE1 8SE<br />
Phone 0191 277 1844<br />
Cowgate Leisure Centre<br />
Harehills Avenue, NE5 3HD<br />
Phone 0191 286 9521<br />
East End Pool<br />
Hadrian Square, Byker, NE6 1AL<br />
Phone 0191 278 8444<br />
Eldon Leisure<br />
High Friars, NE1 7XY<br />
Phone 0191 277 1277<br />
Elswick Park and Pool<br />
Beech Grove Road, NE4 6SQ<br />
Phone 0191 277 3456<br />
Gosforth Pool<br />
Regent Farm Road, NE3 3HD<br />
Phone 0191 284 3696<br />
The Lightfoot Centre<br />
Wharrier Street, NE6 3BR<br />
Phone 0191 278 2800<br />
Newburn Activity Centre<br />
Grange Road, Newburn, NE15 8ND<br />
Phone 0191 264 0014<br />
Outer West Pool and Impulse Gym<br />
West Denton Way, NE5 2QZ<br />
Phone 0191 277 7980<br />
Scotswood Sports and<br />
Social Centre<br />
Denton Road, NE15 7HB<br />
Phone 0191 274 3716<br />
West Gate Centre for Sport<br />
Westgate Community College,<br />
West Road, NE4 9LG<br />
Phone 0191 241 7700<br />
For more information about <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
Leisure, visit<br />
www.newcastle.gov.uk/newcastleleisure<br />
22 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 Use the internet free at all <strong>Newcastle</strong> libraries 23
The Lightfoot Centre<br />
Walker is United<br />
(Show Racism the Red Card)<br />
Saturday 19 July, 10am – 3pm<br />
A family festival to celebrate diversity and<br />
combat racism.<br />
Activities include:<br />
• A girls’ football tournament<br />
• Soccer skills<br />
• Hair braiding<br />
• Face painting<br />
• Arts and crafts<br />
• International food<br />
• Dance mats<br />
• Kids’ gym<br />
• Drumming workshops<br />
• Bouncy castle<br />
• Hip hop dance performances<br />
• And lots more<br />
The Lightfoot play scheme<br />
Mondays to Fridays (except Bank Holiday -<br />
25 August) 10am – 12 noon and 1 – 3pm<br />
Activities include: trampolining;<br />
team games; kids’ gym, dance mats, football,<br />
Cowgate Leisure<br />
Centre<br />
Our summer activities are provided in<br />
partnership with Cowgate community<br />
forum, the Play Service and Children’s<br />
Services.<br />
The Cowgate Leisure Centre play scheme<br />
Monday to Friday (except Monday 25 August and<br />
Wednesday 27 August), 10am – 12noon and<br />
1pm – 3pm<br />
Activities include trampolining, team games,<br />
football, soft play for under sevens and lots more.<br />
Phone 0191 286 9521.<br />
Art and food<br />
Tuesday and Thursday, 10am – 12noon<br />
Arts and crafts sessions and food activity sessions<br />
offering great fun, educational skills and creativity.<br />
For more information, contact Lyndy Mountain on<br />
0191 277 1775 or Rachael Arnott on<br />
0191 277 1784.<br />
Family fun day<br />
Wednesday 27 August, 10am – 3pm<br />
Fun, games and activities for all the family,<br />
including face painting, balloon art, soft play,<br />
trampoline, bouncy castle, arts and crafts, football,<br />
basketball, fitness inductions and much more.<br />
All children under eight must be accompanied by an<br />
adult and everyone should be dressed appropriately<br />
for activities.<br />
For more information phone 0191 286 9521.<br />
skating, soft play and small bouncy castle for<br />
under sevens; and much more.<br />
Under-eights must be accompanied by an adult<br />
and everyone must wear appropriate clothing for<br />
the activities (including socks for trampoline)<br />
For more information, phone 0191 278 2800.<br />
Fusion community<br />
fun runs<br />
Each young persons’ fun run is about two<br />
miles along tracks suitable for all ages and<br />
abilities. You will receive a free t-shirt and<br />
bottle of water for taking part.<br />
The runs take place on:<br />
• Sunday 27 July, starting and finishing in<br />
Hodgkin Park<br />
• Sunday 3 August, starting at the Lemington<br />
Centre and finishing at Newburn Acitivity<br />
Centre.<br />
Pick up an entry form from your local sports<br />
centre or phone 0191 278 3093.<br />
Bouncing Higher<br />
Did you ‘Bounce On’ last year? Well,<br />
bounce higher this year with a great mix of<br />
sports, adventure, arts and play acitivites for<br />
children and young people.<br />
Get bouncing at<br />
• Newburn Activity Centre<br />
• The Lemington Centre<br />
• All Saints Community College<br />
• Westerhope Institute<br />
For more information, phone<br />
0191 278 3093.<br />
Have smashing fun<br />
with tennis<br />
Have you watched Wimbledon and felt<br />
inspired to pick up a racket?<br />
Throughout the summer, <strong>Newcastle</strong> Tennis<br />
Development Scheme is offering a range of junior<br />
and adult courses. All abilities are catered for and<br />
equipment is provided.<br />
If you’ve got a Fusion card, the cost is £8. If you’re<br />
an adult, prices start at £15 with a LeisurePlus card.<br />
The courses take place at<br />
• Bohemians’ Tennis Club<br />
• Benwell Hill Tennis Club<br />
• David Lloyd Club<br />
• Gosforth Tennis club<br />
• Walbottle Campus<br />
The <strong>Newcastle</strong> Tennis Development coaches will also<br />
be visiting schools, giving young people the<br />
opportunity to try their hand at mini-tennis, tennis<br />
or skills festivals.<br />
For more information, phone 0191 278 3093.<br />
Soccer Weeks<br />
We’ve got football happening all over the<br />
city this summer. For your chance to join in,<br />
check out:<br />
Monday 21 July to Friday 25 July<br />
at West Gate Centre for Sport<br />
10am – 2.30pm - Boys and girls aged eight to 14<br />
10am – 1pm - Boys and girls aged five to eight<br />
Monday 28 July to Friday 1 August<br />
at West Gate Centre for Sport<br />
10am – 12noon - Boys and girls aged four to seven<br />
(Beginners’ course - ‘Mini Kickers’)<br />
Monday 4 August to Friday 8 August<br />
at Lightfoot Sports Centre<br />
10am – 2.30pm - Boys and girls aged eight to 14<br />
10am – 1pm - Boys and girls aged five to eight<br />
Monday 11 August to Friday 15 August<br />
at West Gate Centre for Sport<br />
10am – 2.30pm - Boys and girls aged eight to 14<br />
(FUSION Fun Day - Friday 15 August ONLY)<br />
Monday 18 August to Friday 22 August<br />
at Lightfoot Sports Centre<br />
10am – 2.30pm - Boys and girls aged eight to 14<br />
(FUSION Fun Day - Friday 22 August ONLY)<br />
All soccer activities are provided by <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
Football Development Scheme.<br />
For more information phone 0191 278 3093.<br />
Take part in the MCC<br />
Spirit of Cricket<br />
Monday 28 July to Friday 1 August<br />
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 10am – 3pm for<br />
seven to 10 year olds.<br />
Monday 4 August to Friday 8 August<br />
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 10am – 3pm for<br />
11 to 14 year olds<br />
All cricket activities at <strong>Newcastle</strong> Football Centre,<br />
Benwell with the <strong>Newcastle</strong> Cricket Development<br />
Scheme<br />
For more information phone 0191 278 3093.<br />
North East Heritage<br />
Skills Fair<br />
Come and get your hands dirty at the North East Heritage<br />
Skills Fair!<br />
There’s everything from<br />
blacksmithing, lime pointing and<br />
stone masonry to horse-logging,<br />
woodland crafts and steeplejack<br />
displays. You can meet the<br />
skilled tradesmen in your region,<br />
see the crafts people in action<br />
and then roll up your sleeves<br />
and have a go yourself.<br />
The fair is at the Gibside Estate<br />
near Rowlands Gill, Burnopfield<br />
in Gateshead on 11, 12 and 13<br />
July, 10am – 4pm daily and<br />
admission is free!<br />
For more information phone<br />
0191 232 9279 or visit<br />
www.nect.org.uk<br />
Be amazed this summer<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong>Gateshead is the place to be this summer.<br />
Get face-to-face with a former<br />
Prime Minster 150 feet in the air or<br />
witness a massive eighth bridge<br />
being built from bamboo across<br />
the Tyne. Don’t miss being part of<br />
some of the most talked about<br />
events of 2008, all part of<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> Gateshead’s world-class<br />
festivals and events programme.<br />
Hotel Monument<br />
15 Aug-15 Sept, Grey’s Monument<br />
Renowned Japanese artist,Tatsu<br />
Nishi’s vision to create a fullyfunctioning<br />
hotel room at the top<br />
of Grey’s Monument is set to<br />
become reality when Hotel<br />
Monument opens, subject to<br />
planning, on 15 August. Day<br />
visitors and overnight guests will<br />
be able to enjoy views from the<br />
top and meet Earl Grey, around<br />
which the room will be carefully<br />
constructed. For information and<br />
how to book tickets visit<br />
www.hotelmonument.org.uk.<br />
Bambuco bridge<br />
across the Tyne<br />
In July an Australian company,<br />
Bambuco, will use 20 tons of<br />
bamboo to create a massive<br />
temporary bridge between the<br />
Tyne Bridge and Gateshead<br />
Millennium Bridge. Its construction<br />
will be a real spectacle with a crew<br />
of skilled riggers displaying<br />
extraordinary nerves of steel and<br />
amazing agility. On the evening of<br />
Friday 18 July, a magical evening<br />
event will celebrate the moment of<br />
its completion and mark the start<br />
of SummerTyne. The bridge will be<br />
on display over the festival’s<br />
opening weekend - though<br />
crossing is strictly reserved for the<br />
skilled Bambuco team!<br />
www.<strong>Newcastle</strong>Gateshead.com<br />
30 and 31 August 2008 in<br />
Exhibition Park<br />
A two-day festival in the lungs<br />
of the city, including:<br />
• local music • arts<br />
• food • kids’ activities<br />
• traders and campaign groups<br />
• community entertainment and<br />
• practical ways you can make a<br />
difference to the environment<br />
Visit www.newcastlegreengathering.com or email<br />
info@newcastlegreengathering.com for more information.<br />
Walk through time<br />
with <strong>City</strong> Guides<br />
Ever walked past some old building in the heart of the city<br />
and thought ‘I wonder who lived there?’ Or saw a statue of<br />
some long forgotten hero and wondered who it was? Well,<br />
there’s a team of experts who are able to answer your<br />
questions and take you on an amazing tour of the city.<br />
Members from the <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
Association of <strong>City</strong> Guides are all<br />
qualified to reveal the secrets of<br />
the city and have specialist local<br />
knowledge on a wide range of<br />
topics, from architecture to the<br />
city’s famous sons and<br />
daughters.<br />
Before they hit the streets, each<br />
guide must complete a rigorous<br />
eighteen month training course<br />
in all things <strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />
Following that, the Green Badge<br />
qualification, accredited<br />
nationally by the Institute of<br />
Tourist Guiding, allows them to<br />
visitor guide professionally<br />
across <strong>Newcastle</strong>Gateshead.<br />
Recipients of that highly<br />
regarded award include Maureen<br />
Toward who has been a Green<br />
Badge <strong>City</strong> Guide for around<br />
four years and a <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />
Guide since 1991.<br />
She said: “Our guided tours<br />
give people the opportunity to<br />
have a look behind the scenes of<br />
our city’s famous streets and<br />
landmarks. It’s also great when<br />
you can point out to local people<br />
some of our hidden gems and<br />
tell them about their history.”<br />
John North, who has recently<br />
Maureen and John show you the way<br />
been awarded his Green Badge,<br />
qualified as a <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />
Guide six months ago.<br />
He said: “I’ve always been<br />
enthusiastic about the city’s<br />
buildings and history so being a<br />
city guide has given me the<br />
chance to promote <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
and Gateshead’s rich and diverse<br />
heritage.<br />
“The guides also allow us to<br />
highlight the lives of those who<br />
have contributed to the life of<br />
the city including Bewick, Grey<br />
and Armstrong and the<br />
Stephensons.”<br />
You can pick up “Explore<br />
Heritage” including the full 2008<br />
programme of guided tours from<br />
Tourist Information Centres and<br />
Libraries, phone 0191 277 8000<br />
to have a copy sent out to you or<br />
download a PDF from<br />
www.newcastle.gov.uk/<br />
exploreheritage.<br />
This year the leaflet also lists<br />
guided tours in some of our best<br />
buildings and how to access<br />
those “hidden gems” not always<br />
open to the public.<br />
For more information about our<br />
latest guided tours go turn to<br />
What’s On, on page 42.<br />
24 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 <strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 Use the internet free at all <strong>Newcastle</strong> libraries 25
Mini beast fun for<br />
Gosforth school kids<br />
A group of school children from Gosforth kick-started the month of<br />
May hunting for mini beasts and pond-dipping with staff from<br />
Northumberland Wildlife Trust.<br />
Year one pupils from Archibold First School<br />
visited the Trust’s St Nicholas Park Wildlife<br />
Garden to learn more about creatures which<br />
live both on and off dry land.<br />
Meeting up with the Trust’s people and<br />
wildlife officer Lynette Whitehouse, the<br />
children learnt about the need to have<br />
respect for wildlife and how to identify and<br />
handle certain creatures found in the garden.<br />
This term the pupils are learning all about<br />
mini beasts from their habitats, appearances<br />
and characteristics to their lifecycles and<br />
food cycles.<br />
Lynnette Whitehouse said “It is great when<br />
school children visit us as it gives us the<br />
opportunity to tell them all about the<br />
environment in which they live. It makes<br />
them more aware of what is going on<br />
around them”.<br />
The final word must go to the year one<br />
pupils whose enthusiasm was not<br />
dampened by the rain. Thomas Davidson<br />
said: “The pond-dipping was my favourite<br />
because I caught two stickleback fish and<br />
one was huge!”.<br />
Below: Archibold pupils search for mini beasts<br />
Elswick Park and Leisure<br />
Centre refurbishment<br />
We have recently got new funding to help with the refurbishment of<br />
Elswick Leisure complex.<br />
We hope to create a more modern<br />
environment which will promote the benefits<br />
of well-being. We aim to increase awareness<br />
about obesity and cardio-vascular diseases<br />
within the local community.<br />
The leisure centre will continue to provide<br />
a range of aqua-therapy activities and there<br />
will be new cardio fitness facilities on site.<br />
A new secure cycle shelter will encourage<br />
visitors and staff to cycle to and from the<br />
leisure centre.<br />
The leisure complex is in Elswick Park<br />
grounds. Elswick Park has historic links to<br />
Charles I (1539 – 1628) and associations with<br />
the monks of Tynemouth Priory.<br />
The land was given to the <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
Corporation around 1975 and after redevelopment<br />
it was opened to the public in<br />
1980. The park still provides a home for<br />
wildlife and contains a diverse range of<br />
trees.<br />
<strong>City</strong>life will keep you up to date on the<br />
redevelopment and will let you know when<br />
work is expected to be completed.<br />
Newburn<br />
swimmers dive<br />
into the money!<br />
Newburn swimming club has taken the<br />
plunge and bought brand new diving<br />
blocks thanks to you!<br />
The club was voted as one of the winning<br />
projects to be awarded almost £4,000 from<br />
the Udecide participatory budget<br />
This unique grant scheme gives local people<br />
the power to spend some public money, to<br />
benefit their community. This means that<br />
residents get to share some of the<br />
responsibility for what happens where they<br />
live, and make some real changes.<br />
Local people did just that by listening to<br />
over 30 suggested projects at an unusual<br />
event at the Centre for Life.<br />
Adrian Allen, Head Swimming Coach for<br />
Newburn Swimming Club said “ The event<br />
was special because it gave residents the<br />
chance to make their own decisions and<br />
vote about how the money would be spent.<br />
It really was a great opportunity for local<br />
people to make a real difference to the<br />
places where they live. Thanks to the grant,<br />
we now have modern diving facilities at the<br />
club, and we would like to encourage more<br />
young people to come along to the club and<br />
join in the fun”.<br />
Newburn swimming club is open to anyone,<br />
whether looking for fitness or fun. It is also a<br />
competitive club that trains swimmers up to<br />
national level<br />
For advice and information on Udecide<br />
phone Maggie McKenna on 0191 211 5893 or<br />
go to www.newcastlepartnership.org.uk<br />
If you would like to get involved in Newburn<br />
Swimming Club go to the Outer West Pool<br />
on the first Saturday of the month at<br />
2.45pm or email adrian13allen@hotmail.com<br />
Don’t forget to use our walk-in<br />
centre during weekend evenings<br />
People are being reminded that if they suffer a minor injury or ailment<br />
– especially during the evening of a weekend - they can access the<br />
walk-in centre which recently opened in the east end of <strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />
Based at the new £8 million Molineux Street<br />
NHS Centre, Byker, the walk-in centre<br />
provides another way patients can access<br />
healthcare in the community.<br />
If you suffer from ailments or minor injuries<br />
such as cuts, burns, strains, sprains and<br />
minor eye injuries you can now be treated at<br />
the centre, instead of having to go to hospital.<br />
The walk-in centre is open 8am to 10pm,<br />
seven days a week, and no appointment is<br />
needed.<br />
Patients will be seen by experienced nurse<br />
practitioners, some who can prescribe<br />
medicines. For minor injuries of children<br />
under two years old – parents should take<br />
their child to the Royal Victoria Infirmary<br />
minor injury unit which is open from 9am-<br />
4pm or your nearest hospital accident and<br />
emergency department.<br />
Phone: 0191 275 5862 to find out more<br />
information or to check if your injury can be<br />
treated.<br />
Give your views on urgent<br />
healthcare services<br />
A public consultation to improve access to urgent healthcare has been<br />
launched in <strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />
The consultation, which started on 1 May<br />
2008 and lasts for three months, gives local<br />
people the chance to air their views and<br />
experiences about urgent healthcare<br />
services.<br />
These are the services people need if they<br />
suddenly become ill, or have an accident,<br />
whether serious or minor. They include<br />
services available during the day in GP<br />
surgeries, overnight, at weekends and over<br />
bank holidays from the out of hours GP<br />
service, walk-in centres, minor injuries units,<br />
accident and emergency departments,<br />
ambulance services, emergency admissions<br />
to hospital and NHS Direct.<br />
We want your views on draft plans, shaped<br />
following earlier discussions with the public,<br />
for the way these services should be<br />
delivered in the future.<br />
If you are interested in responding to the<br />
consultation, which will end on 25 July, go<br />
to www.northoftyne.nhs.uk/urgentcare or<br />
phone 0191 202 2023.<br />
Consultation on<br />
new health centre<br />
development in <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
Local people are being asked for their<br />
views on the development of a new health<br />
centre in <strong>Newcastle</strong> to improve access to<br />
GP and other healthcare services.<br />
They are also being asked to comment on<br />
the development of a further two new GP<br />
practices in the city.<br />
A consultation is running until 5 August to<br />
seek comments on where the new health<br />
centre should be sited and what services<br />
should be included.<br />
The health centres will each include GP<br />
services providing bookable and walk-in<br />
appointments, available from 8am to 8pm,<br />
seven days a week. They will include a range<br />
of other healthcare services such as x-ray,<br />
ultrasound, echocardiography and specialist<br />
services, for example, musculoskeletal for<br />
muscle and bone problems and skin clinics.<br />
The two additional new GP practices in<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> will provide the usual range of GP<br />
services but could also focus on other<br />
services such as childhood obesity, teenage<br />
pregnancy, alcohol and substance misuse<br />
and mental health services.<br />
The developments follow an announcement<br />
by the Department of Health to boost<br />
capacity in primary care services. This was<br />
following the initial findings of a major<br />
review of the NHS by Prof Lord Ara Darzi.<br />
In <strong>Newcastle</strong> the areas under consideration<br />
for the new health centre and new GP<br />
practices are Cowgate/Blakelaw,<br />
Byker/Walker, Great North Park, Elswick,<br />
Scotswood/Benwell and Lemington.<br />
During the next three months there will be<br />
meetings with local communities to seek<br />
comments on the new development.<br />
Further information is available at<br />
www.northoftyne.nhs.uk/improvingaccess<br />
or by phoning 0191 202 2014.<br />
26 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 This page is paid for by <strong>Newcastle</strong> Primary Care Trust www.newcastle-pct.nhs.uk 27
<strong>City</strong> welcomes new Lord<br />
Mayor and Lady Mayoress<br />
<strong>Council</strong>lor David Wood was formally elected as the new Lord<br />
Mayor of <strong>Newcastle</strong> at a ceremony at the Civic Centre this May.<br />
As well as representing the Walker area<br />
of the city, <strong>Council</strong>lor Wood was given<br />
the title of <strong>Newcastle</strong>’s first citizen.<br />
He will be supported during his civic<br />
year by the new Lady Mayoress, his<br />
wife and fellow Walker councillor<br />
Margaret Wood.<br />
<strong>City</strong>life spoke to <strong>Council</strong>lor Wood<br />
about becoming the new Lord Mayor.<br />
What do you hope your civic<br />
year will bring?<br />
I hope to be able to bring my own<br />
personality to the role of Lord Mayor<br />
but still remembering what a<br />
tremendous honour and privilege it is<br />
to represent this wonderful city.<br />
What is your chosen charity?<br />
I’ve decided to choose two charities<br />
which I’ve been involved with for<br />
many years. Our city’s hospitals do an<br />
amazing job, so I’ve chosen the<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> Hospitals Trust Charity to<br />
be one of my official charities. I’ve<br />
also chosen to support fuel poverty<br />
charity National Energy Action.<br />
What are you looking forward to<br />
as Lord Mayor?<br />
The duties and role of the Lord Mayor<br />
are many and varied and I hope to be<br />
able to visit as many local groups and<br />
schools as I can during the year. The<br />
position of the Lord Mayor belongs to<br />
everyone in the city and hopefully as<br />
many people as possible can share in<br />
whatever way they can.<br />
Is the role as you expected?<br />
Being Sheriff and Deputy Lord Mayor<br />
for the past 12 months has given me<br />
an insight into the role. Whilst being<br />
a councillor for nearly 20 years, I<br />
never really appreciated how busy the<br />
role could be. Most of all I<br />
underestimated how much residents of<br />
the city appreciated the role.<br />
Challenge the<br />
Lord Mayor<br />
During his civic year the Lord<br />
Mayor would like the opportunity<br />
to meet <strong>Newcastle</strong>'s young sports<br />
people and experience a wide<br />
variety of sporting activities from<br />
aerobics to yoga.<br />
We invite you to challenge the Lord<br />
Mayor to participate in your<br />
favourite sporting activity.<br />
If the Lord Mayor cannot meet the<br />
challenge himself, he will provide his<br />
'Champion' to assist him.<br />
To arrange a challenge write to the<br />
Lord Mayor's Office, Lord Mayor's<br />
Chambers, Civic Centre, <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
upon Tyne, NE1 8QA, telephone<br />
0191 211 5050 or email<br />
lord.mayor@newcastle.gov.uk.<br />
Lord Mayor’s Award Scheme<br />
Earlier this year, our Community Development Unit arranged a<br />
focus group to seek residents’ views on the introduction of a<br />
citizens’ awards scheme in <strong>Newcastle</strong>. We listened to your views<br />
and the recommendations from the focus group were considered at<br />
the Honours Panel in early March.<br />
They felt that there clearly was a need to celebrate and recognise the<br />
contribution which individuals made to life in the city and that these awards<br />
should be reserved for those who have made an exceptional contribution.<br />
The new scheme will be known as the Lord Mayor’s Awards and<br />
administered through the Lord Mayor’s Office. It is hoped that the first<br />
awards ceremony will take place in the autumn of 2008.<br />
For further information on the awards scheme phone 0191 211 5050<br />
or email lord.mayor@newcastle.gov.uk.<br />
Help build Civic Centre’s history<br />
If you remember the building of the Civic Centre or know<br />
anyone involved in its construction, we want to hear from you.<br />
This November sees the building<br />
celebrate its 40th anniversary and<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong> would like those<br />
who worked on the building to get in<br />
touch and share their experiences.<br />
We would also like to hear from staff<br />
who were working in the building<br />
especially those who were involved in<br />
its official opening which was<br />
performed by His Majesty King Olav V<br />
of Norway on the 14 November 1968.<br />
If you have any special memories of<br />
this day or if you worked on the<br />
building please write to Ian<br />
Humphries, Lord Mayor’s Office, Lord<br />
Mayor’s Chambers, Civic Centre,<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> upon Tyne, NE1 8QA or<br />
email lord.mayor@newcastle.gov.uk.<br />
Free for every <strong>City</strong>life reader *<br />
2008 is our 80th anniversary - and we'd like <strong>City</strong>life readers<br />
to celebrate with us!<br />
Saturday 26 July<br />
Every reader (over 18's) can request<br />
their free tickets and receive:<br />
• admission<br />
• one drink<br />
• snack supper<br />
Over the past three years, readers<br />
of <strong>City</strong>life have enjoyed some great<br />
nights here. If you've never<br />
experienced the electric atmosphere<br />
of live greyhound racing - then<br />
don’t miss this opportunity.<br />
How do I get my tickets?<br />
Simply call the stadium reception<br />
on 0191 210 5300 and quote<br />
<strong>City</strong>life.<br />
First 200 callers only. Please<br />
remember to quote <strong>City</strong>life when<br />
ordering your tickets.<br />
*Over 18s only please<br />
Highland cows help<br />
breeding birds<br />
Our rangers recently welcomed some new arrivals to<br />
the grasslands at North Walbottle.<br />
Some Highland cattle, well known for<br />
their shaggy coats and long horns, are<br />
spending the summer there, managing<br />
the grass in an environmentally<br />
friendly way. By their munching, the<br />
cows will create a more interesting<br />
grass sward of differing lengths. Their<br />
droppings will attract insects which<br />
the skylarks will feed on.<br />
The fields, which were once part of<br />
the Coronation Pit, have been used for<br />
hay cropping for the last six years.<br />
The return of cattle will help the<br />
skylarks, those lovely birds whose<br />
soaring song is a sign that summer is<br />
finally here. Skylarks are a protected<br />
species whose numbers have declined<br />
by more than half in recent years.<br />
They are highlighted in our<br />
Biodiversity Action Plan as a species<br />
which needs our help to survive.<br />
Skylarks nest on the ground, where<br />
they are very vulnerable to<br />
disturbance by dogs. Dogs running<br />
loose in the field will frighten the<br />
birds away from their nests and their<br />
chicks may die. The skylarks see dogs<br />
as predators, even if they don’t<br />
deliberately chase them. So it is<br />
important that visitors stay out of the<br />
fields and keep to the public<br />
footpaths around the outside.<br />
Highland cattle have a reputation for<br />
carefully avoiding the birds’ nests, and<br />
as cows are vegetarians, the birds are<br />
not afraid of them!<br />
If you would like to know more about<br />
farmland birds such as the skylark and<br />
grey partridge, a free leaflet is<br />
available which will help you identify<br />
the birds.<br />
You can also contribute valuable<br />
information towards our survey by<br />
completing a questionnaire about the<br />
farmland birds you have seen. You can<br />
get the leaflet by phoning our<br />
ecologist, Derek Hilton-Brown on<br />
0191 277 7195 or you can email him at<br />
derek.hiltonbrown@newcastle.gov.uk<br />
or you can pick one up from the<br />
Rangers at the Visitor Centre, Tyne<br />
Riverside Country Park at Newburn.<br />
Tyneside Cinema - the waiting is over<br />
The Tyneside Cinema opened the doors of its spectacular revamped<br />
home on Pilgrim Street on 22 May.<br />
Visitors can come and marvel at the<br />
amazing transformation of this much<br />
loved building. You will be dazzled<br />
by the colours and designs of the<br />
mosaics on the ground and first floor;<br />
slip back into the reassuring<br />
restoration of the classic cinema; and<br />
enjoy the sumptuous leather seats<br />
and sofas in the classic circle.<br />
Why not stop and linger for a drink<br />
and something to eat in the muchloved<br />
coffee rooms, together with the<br />
Intermezzo Café Bar on the ground<br />
floor? There is also a third place for<br />
you to enjoy a drink or discuss the<br />
merits of the latest film in the<br />
dazzling third floor Tyneside Bar.<br />
It will not just about seeing a film, it<br />
will be a great night out in<br />
sophisticated surroundings!<br />
For more information check out their<br />
website www.tynesidecinema.co.uk<br />
and the local press for details of<br />
programmes. You can contact the<br />
Tyneside cinema box office on<br />
0845 217 9909.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> United’s commitment to<br />
the community<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> United is using the power of football to raise educational<br />
standards and promote healthy lifestyles in the city.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> United Foundation is the club’s new charity arm. It aims to use the local<br />
passion for football to make a real difference to the lives of children, young people<br />
and families in our region. We are supporting the Foundation to run a number of<br />
community and education projects which will benefit residents.<br />
Kevin Keegan tells kids – Get<br />
Match Fit!<br />
Manager Kevin Keegan launched the<br />
brand new ‘Match Fit’ initiative when<br />
he visited St Vincent’s Primary School<br />
in Walker to talk to the children about<br />
healthy eating and keeping fit.<br />
Match Fit aims to increase physical<br />
activity and health awareness in<br />
children under 11 in the East End of<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong>. Over the next three years,<br />
the club will be sending messages to<br />
youngsters that good food, fitness and<br />
football can be fun and enjoyable!<br />
Match Fit is funded by the Premier<br />
League PFA Community Fund and<br />
delivered in partnership with <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
<strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong> and <strong>Newcastle</strong> PCT and as<br />
part of the Lean East campaign.<br />
For more information about Lean<br />
East and Match Fit go to<br />
www.leaneast.org.uk.<br />
Young Toon Fans get a kick out<br />
of playing football<br />
Young people in the West End of the<br />
city are getting their ‘Kickz’ playing<br />
football thanks to <strong>Newcastle</strong> United.<br />
The Club is running free sessions for<br />
12 to 18 year olds at Westgate Centre<br />
for Sport every Monday, Wednesday<br />
and Friday night.<br />
60 young people will get a chance to<br />
train with professional football coaches<br />
and play matches. They are encouraged<br />
to learn and develop new skills, and make<br />
new friends in a fit and healthy way.<br />
During the season, the youngsters had<br />
a chance to visit St James Park to<br />
meet Manager Kevin Keegan and<br />
played a competitive match against<br />
the Sunderland Kickz Project at the<br />
Club’s Academy.<br />
Kickz aims to engage young people in<br />
constructive activities and increase<br />
playing and coaching opportunities. It<br />
helps to break down barriers between<br />
the police and young people and<br />
reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.<br />
Kickz is delivered in partnership with<br />
a number of partners, including<br />
Northumbria Police, <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />
<strong>Council</strong> and the Youth Offending Team.<br />
If you live in the West End and would<br />
like to find out more about Kickz,<br />
phone <strong>Newcastle</strong> United community<br />
department on 0191 461 1330.<br />
28 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 Use the internet free at all <strong>Newcastle</strong> libraries 29
Come and play!<br />
It’s a really exciting time for us, but<br />
you might be wondering what exactly<br />
it is we do.<br />
Play is a vital part of a child’s<br />
development and is really important<br />
to their health and happiness.<br />
It also helps them develop skills for<br />
life, understand the environment around<br />
them and it brings families, friends and<br />
even whole communities together.<br />
We know many of you are worried about<br />
letting your children play outside<br />
because of heavy traffic, a lack of space<br />
and the occasional ‘no ball games’ sign.<br />
So we’re here to provide fun and safe<br />
environments for our children.<br />
We also provide year round and<br />
holiday activities for children aged<br />
five to 12 at our five play-centres in<br />
Nunsmoor, Benwell, Scotswood, Byker<br />
and Walker, and at community centres,<br />
church halls and schools.<br />
There have been several developments<br />
recently which will help to improve<br />
and increase the play opportunities for<br />
our children even more.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> Play Strategy<br />
We have written a plan which looks at<br />
all the play areas, parks and green<br />
spaces, across the city and what we<br />
can do to improve them for everyone.<br />
It also looks at what else can be done<br />
to make it easier for children and their<br />
families to play more safely in the city.<br />
Lottery funding for<br />
children's play<br />
Earlier this year we successfully bid<br />
for £735,000 of Lottery money and<br />
Una MacDermott and her team<br />
Hi! I’m Una MacDermott and, as I’m Head of Play, I’ve<br />
probably got the best job title at the entire council!<br />
attracted an extra £365,000 to<br />
improve our play facilities, and we’ve<br />
now been able to introduce:<br />
• a street play project based in<br />
Cruddas Park;<br />
• new playworkers working with<br />
children with disabilities;<br />
• a new games area in Denton;<br />
• refurbishments to play areas in<br />
Waverly Park, Kingston Park Green,<br />
<strong>City</strong> Stadium, Heaton Park,<br />
Westerhope Park; and<br />
• a holiday playscheme in Gosforth.<br />
‘Playbuilder' status<br />
We were also successful in a bid for<br />
£1million to develop our play areas.<br />
The funding will be used to develop<br />
adventurous play using<br />
environmentally friendly materials to<br />
create attractive community play<br />
spaces across <strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />
To celebrate all these changes we held<br />
a competition with local children to<br />
design a new logo for us. We had<br />
loads of fantastic entries, but our<br />
favourite was designed by Liam<br />
Surtees of Walkergate. The design will<br />
now appear on all our leaflets, letters<br />
and uniforms. Congratulations Liam!<br />
We’ll also be celebrating our National<br />
Play Day with special family play<br />
events on Northumberland Street and<br />
in Exhibition Park between 10am and<br />
3pm on 6 August. I really hope we see<br />
you there!<br />
If you want anymore information<br />
about <strong>Newcastle</strong> Play Service and the<br />
play opportunities we provide,<br />
please contact me on<br />
0191 278 2852 or email<br />
una.macdermott@newcastle.gov.uk.<br />
Also check out www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
for information.<br />
Are you cyber-bullying<br />
aware?<br />
Both students and parents at some of our schools have been<br />
learning about the dangers of cyber-bullying.<br />
We gave our youngsters tips on<br />
staying safe while using the internet<br />
and their mobile phones, and what to<br />
do if affected by cyber-bullying.<br />
Special workshops for their parents are<br />
also being run by our RESPONSE antibullying<br />
team.<br />
“It's vital that children and young<br />
people, who are particularly good at<br />
using new technology, use their<br />
mobiles and the internet safely. As<br />
technology develops, so do bullying<br />
techniques and schools, parents and<br />
young people have to work together<br />
to prevent it and to tackle it head on<br />
wherever it happens,” said Michelle<br />
Crawford from the team.<br />
The RESPONSE team works across the<br />
city to help our schools develop the<br />
way they tackle bullying, including<br />
providing training for school staff and<br />
helping schools develop student peer<br />
mentoring programmes.<br />
The team have also developed a<br />
secure online system for schools to<br />
report incidents of bullying and detail<br />
their response, and an anti-bullying<br />
accreditation scheme, Accreditation<br />
for Action.<br />
Staying safe from cyber-bullying -<br />
advice for children and young<br />
people<br />
• Always respect others online as you<br />
would on the street.<br />
• If you publish a picture or video<br />
online, anyone can change it or<br />
share it. Think before you send - it<br />
could be out there forever!<br />
Diplomas in Hair and Beauty and<br />
Business Administration and Finance<br />
will now go on offer to students<br />
aged 14 - 19 from September 2009.<br />
The first series of the diplomas – in<br />
Construction and the Built<br />
Environment; Engineering; Society<br />
Health and Development,<br />
Information Technology; and<br />
Creative and Media - will be on offer<br />
to students aged 14 to 19 at city<br />
secondary schools and <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
College from this September.<br />
• Treat your password like your<br />
toothbrush - change regularly and<br />
never share. Try not to give out<br />
your personal details to online<br />
contacts. This can include:<br />
Messenger ID, e-mail address,<br />
mobile number, home address or<br />
any pictures of you, your family or<br />
your friends.<br />
• Block the bully. Find out how you<br />
can block unwanted messages.<br />
• Never retaliate. If you receive<br />
unwanted messages, don’t reply as<br />
this could make the problem worse.<br />
• Save the evidence.<br />
• Make sure you tell someone. Share<br />
what is happening with your mum<br />
and dad or carer, your teacher, your<br />
friends, or other members of the<br />
family.<br />
Advice for parents and carers<br />
• Talk to your children: understand<br />
the ways in which they use the<br />
internet and their mobile phones.<br />
Use the above anti cyber-bullying<br />
code as a starting point for<br />
discussion.<br />
• Use the tools: most software and<br />
services on the internet has built in<br />
safety features - such as MSN<br />
block contact list and save<br />
conversations, and setting social<br />
networking profiles to private. Find<br />
out how to use them.<br />
• Speak to your internet service<br />
provider and mobile phone companies<br />
to see what protection they offer.<br />
New diplomas for<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
The government has announced <strong>Newcastle</strong> will be among the<br />
first cities to offer new subjects for teens.<br />
The diplomas will be offered at three<br />
different levels, with the two highest<br />
being the equivalent of GCSE A*-C<br />
grades and A-level qualifications.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> is one of only 10 areas<br />
in the country approved by the<br />
government to deliver all of the<br />
first five diplomas, which form part<br />
of the government's 14 - 19 reform.<br />
For information on the diplomas<br />
phone Tim O’Grady on<br />
0191 211 5318 or go to<br />
www.dfes.gov.uk/14-19<br />
Howzat! Cricket<br />
tickets reward perfect<br />
school attendance<br />
Over fifty pupils who went a whole month without missing a<br />
minute of school were rewarded with free cricket tickets<br />
after we teamed up with Durham County Cricket Club.<br />
One winning pupil with 100%<br />
attendance and no late marks in all of<br />
March won four tickets to see Durham<br />
Dynamos take on Yorkshire Carnegie at<br />
the Riverside Stadium.<br />
Durham mascot, Chester the Lion, also<br />
visited Wharrier Street Primary School<br />
in Walker to present the school's<br />
winning pupil with their tickets during<br />
assembly.<br />
Private fostering<br />
Is someone else looking<br />
after your child?<br />
• Are you making arrangements for<br />
someone else (not a close relative<br />
of yours) to look after your child<br />
for 28 days or more?<br />
• Have you already made<br />
arrangements for someone else to<br />
look after your child?<br />
The law says that you must tell<br />
your local children’s services<br />
about this.<br />
Chester the lion and one thrilled <strong>Newcastle</strong> student<br />
"Regular attendance at school is very<br />
important if children are to do well. It<br />
will help them aim high and have the<br />
best possible chances in life,” said<br />
Gillian Sanders, our Attendance<br />
Initiatives Development Officer.<br />
Pupils were also rewarded for perfect<br />
school attendance throughout May<br />
with a prize draw for free family<br />
tickets for the Centre for Life.<br />
Are you looking after someone<br />
else’s child?<br />
• Have you agreed to start looking<br />
after someone else’s child (not a<br />
close relative) for 28 days or more?<br />
• Are you already looking after some<br />
else’s child? If so, you could be<br />
privately fostering.<br />
The law says that you must tell your<br />
local children’s services about this.<br />
Children’s services must provide you<br />
and the child with support and advice<br />
and ensure the child is safe.<br />
If you live in <strong>Newcastle</strong> and you think this may affect you, please phone<br />
the Initial Response Service on 0191 277 2500.<br />
Five minutes with...<br />
Christine Clark,<br />
School Choice Adviser<br />
We have recently employed Christine as our School Choice<br />
Adviser. We thought we would see how she is settling in and<br />
find out all about the services she will be offering.<br />
What is your new role?<br />
I am the new School Choice<br />
Adviser, which means that I am<br />
here to provide advice and support<br />
to families about choosing the<br />
right secondary school.<br />
How will chidren and parents or<br />
carers benefit from the services<br />
you offer?<br />
I can provide support to families to<br />
help them to make the best and<br />
most realistic choice of secondary<br />
school. I explain the admissions<br />
process and how the appeals<br />
process works. I can get specific<br />
information about uniforms and<br />
travel arrangements. And I can find<br />
out how schools have performed in<br />
Ofsted reports.<br />
What is the best bit about your<br />
job?<br />
Working with local parents and<br />
The campaign wanted to bring<br />
together all the breastfeeding mothers<br />
in the city, to feed at the same time<br />
and promote the acceptance of<br />
breastfeeding.<br />
children to find a school which is<br />
right for them and helping to take<br />
away some of their worries and<br />
concerns. I really feel like I am<br />
making a difference.<br />
Do you work across the city or in<br />
specific areas?<br />
I work across all areas of the city.<br />
But I will be focusing on the<br />
transfer between primary and<br />
secondary schools.<br />
What do you have planned in the<br />
next year?<br />
I plan to visit all secondary and<br />
primary schools in the city to meet<br />
Parent Support Advisers and Parent<br />
Link workers. I will be putting<br />
together promotional material<br />
which will be sent to all schools,<br />
libraries, and children’s centres.<br />
Where do people go to if they<br />
want more information?<br />
You can contact me on my mobile<br />
07775 800 763 or by email<br />
christine.clark@newcastle.gov.uk<br />
I’m waiting for your call!<br />
Christine’s post is funded by an<br />
annual grant from central<br />
government for three years. It<br />
provides arms length support for<br />
parents during the transfer<br />
between primary and secondary<br />
school.<br />
You can also phone Christine on<br />
0191 277 4462.<br />
The Big Breastfeed<br />
Breastfeeding mothers across the city came together to join in<br />
the Big Breastfeed campaign at the Monument in May.<br />
As part of the awareness week, there was<br />
also an information stand at High Friars,<br />
Eldon Square where people could get<br />
more information about breastfeeding as<br />
well as free gifts bearing the “Breastfeed<br />
fit 4 life” slogan.<br />
The campaign is being run by<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> Breastfeeding Support<br />
Group<br />
For more information about the<br />
campaign and how to get involved,<br />
phone Natasha Moulding on<br />
0191 272 7824.<br />
30 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 Use the internet free at all <strong>Newcastle</strong> libraries<br />
31
Delivering support<br />
to every child<br />
We want all children in the city grow up to be well-rounded, happy, healthy<br />
young adults who feel able to make a valued contribution to their families and<br />
society as a whole.<br />
Our Inclusion Services aim to support<br />
children and young people to achieve<br />
their full potential by working in<br />
partnership with our local schools and<br />
a variety of other partners.<br />
It is vital that our young people are<br />
able to attend, enjoy and achieve<br />
whilst at school. We are ambitious for<br />
all young people and are keen to<br />
support them all to succeed at school<br />
and into adulthood.<br />
We are sure that all parents and<br />
carers share this and we want to work<br />
closely with you all to help us to<br />
achieve this.<br />
These are some of our Inclusion<br />
Services you and your child may<br />
come into contact with -<br />
Healthy schools team<br />
We work to reduce younger<br />
pregnancies and support young<br />
women who are pregnant. We are<br />
tackling obesity and trying to<br />
increase the take up of school<br />
lunches. We are also focusing on anti<br />
bullying, substance misuse by young<br />
people, emotional health of children,<br />
travel to school and participation in<br />
high quality PE and sport.<br />
We are striving to achieve National<br />
Healthy School Status (NHSS) for all<br />
schools.<br />
Educational<br />
Psychology Service<br />
We work with children and young<br />
people from birth to 19 who may<br />
experience problems with learning,<br />
getting along with others or who<br />
have other physical or medical<br />
difficulties.<br />
We aim to work closely with parents<br />
and carers to help children whatever<br />
their difficulty, overcome barriers to<br />
achievement. We want them to<br />
become the best they can and be<br />
included in their community.<br />
Schools, with the permission of<br />
parents and carers, can make a<br />
referral to our service.<br />
Education Welfare<br />
Service<br />
We deal with issues relating to school<br />
attendance. We can also offer<br />
support with issues such as bullying,<br />
exclusion from school, special<br />
educational needs, child employment<br />
and child protection issues.<br />
We play an important role in<br />
establishing and maintaining links<br />
between school and home. We offer<br />
support to families to help children to<br />
make sure they take full advantage of<br />
the educational opportunities<br />
available to them.<br />
Our service accepts referrals from<br />
schools, parents, children, and other<br />
family members, statutory and<br />
voluntary agencies.<br />
For more information phone<br />
0191 277 4500 or email<br />
ews.education@newcastle.gov.uk<br />
Special Educational<br />
Needs Teaching and<br />
Support Service<br />
(SENTASS)<br />
Our team of specialist teachers and<br />
support assistants work with children<br />
and young people with special<br />
educational needs in schools across<br />
the city<br />
We have a special team that works<br />
with very young pre-school children<br />
with special educational needs in<br />
their homes and through support<br />
groups.<br />
Our service works closely with<br />
parents, carers and adults in schools<br />
and other settings. We offer training,<br />
support and guidance with speech,<br />
language and communication, autism,<br />
dyslexia, co-ordination difficulties,<br />
physical disability and hearing and<br />
visual impairment.<br />
The Jump Ahead project is an<br />
innovative school-based project which<br />
works with young children with<br />
attention difficulties and problems<br />
with co ordination. It provides lots of<br />
fun activities which help these<br />
children improve their skills whilst<br />
involving their parents in the<br />
approach.<br />
We are launching Dyslexia Friendly<br />
Schools across the city to encourage<br />
and support schools to be dyslexia<br />
friendly. We want to make sure<br />
children and young people get the<br />
best possible support and reach their<br />
potential.<br />
Special Educational<br />
Needs Development<br />
and Administration<br />
Service<br />
We provide additional funding to<br />
schools for children and young people<br />
with complex Special Educational<br />
Needs (SEN). We carry out statutory<br />
assessments and reviews of children<br />
and young people with SEN. We also<br />
deal with placements and transport<br />
for children with SEN.<br />
Behaviour Support<br />
Service<br />
We support children and young<br />
people, their schools and families<br />
with emotional, behavioural and<br />
social issues.<br />
We have a team of teachers, support<br />
assistants and educational<br />
psychologists working in partnership<br />
with schools to help children and<br />
young people to maximise their<br />
potential for learning.<br />
We support schools in developing<br />
their Social and Emotional Aspects of<br />
Learning curriculum (SEAL). This<br />
helps children and young people to<br />
develop their social skills, empathy,<br />
motivation, managing feelings and<br />
self awareness.<br />
If you would like more information<br />
on any of the Inclusion Services,<br />
please phone Jane Crawford on<br />
0191 211 5303 or email<br />
jane.crawford@newcastle.gov.uk<br />
You can read more about the work of<br />
another Inclusion Services at the<br />
Linhope Pupil Referral Unit in West<br />
Denton in the next edition of <strong>City</strong>life.<br />
The Future<br />
is here!<br />
By the time you read this,<br />
the first schools transformed<br />
by our Building Schools for<br />
the Future project will have<br />
reopened!<br />
Phase one of our £180 million<br />
Building Schools for the Future project<br />
is nearing completion. This means new<br />
facilities for 16 of our schools, which<br />
are being either refurbished or entirely<br />
rebuilt – the biggest ever investment<br />
in schools in the history of <strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />
In June, the first new schools to be<br />
completed – Canning Street Primary<br />
and Thomas Bewick Special School -<br />
enjoyed their first lessons in their<br />
new look homes.<br />
Four more schools, Walkergate Primary,<br />
Kenton College, Walbottle Campus<br />
(first phase) and Stocksfield Ave<br />
Primary will move to new schools in<br />
September, while the first phase of<br />
the refurbishment of Benfield School<br />
was also completed in June.<br />
The work includes:<br />
• new buildings, classrooms and<br />
outside spaces designed to<br />
encourage and inspire learning, and<br />
access to new technologies to<br />
support teaching;<br />
• better sports and PE facilities helping<br />
promote health and fitness; and<br />
• a wider range of extended services,<br />
facilities and activities for out-ofschool<br />
access by young people,<br />
families and communities.<br />
The completion of the first stage of<br />
the Building Schools for the Future<br />
programme makes 2008 a very exciting<br />
year for the <strong>Newcastle</strong> school children<br />
who will benefit from rebuilt and<br />
refurbished schools, and also for the<br />
schools from the second phase of the<br />
project, where work will be starting<br />
next year.<br />
We are determined young people in<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> have the very best learning<br />
opportunities and the highest quality<br />
facilities. The Building Schools for the<br />
Future programme is allowing us to<br />
make sure every child in <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
gets the education they deserve.<br />
The project is managed by a Local<br />
Education Partnership made up of<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong>, Aura Learning<br />
Communities and Building Schools for<br />
the Future Investments.<br />
Aura Learning Communities is a<br />
consortium including Sir Robert<br />
McAlpine, Robertson Capital Projects<br />
and PB (Parsons Brinckerhoff).<br />
Have<br />
your<br />
say on<br />
alcohol<br />
How do you want the<br />
authorities to tackle<br />
this issue?<br />
• Binge Britain: Hospital<br />
admissions 'rise 300%' since<br />
introduction of 24-hour<br />
drinking.<br />
• Ban the bargain booze.<br />
• Police report 50% more<br />
women drunks.<br />
• Is British drinking out of<br />
control?<br />
There isn’t a day that goes by<br />
without newspaper headlines<br />
like this warning us about the<br />
dangers of alcohol. But what are<br />
the facts?<br />
Did you know that the North<br />
East has more people who drink<br />
at harmful levels than the rest of<br />
the country?<br />
We have fewer services for treating<br />
people with serious alcohol<br />
problems and longer waiting<br />
times. We also top the league of<br />
binge-drinkers in England.<br />
Alcohol misuse affects individuals,<br />
families and communities. It is a<br />
major factor in anti-social<br />
behaviour and crime. It affects<br />
everything from the quality of<br />
home life, family finances,<br />
education, health and how safe<br />
we feel on public transport.<br />
This is a serious problem for the<br />
city and one that the <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
Partnership aims to target with<br />
the city’s first ever multi-agency<br />
alcohol strategy. The strategy sets<br />
out how all the agencies are<br />
going to deal with this issue<br />
including the police, the council,<br />
the Primary Care Trust and the<br />
voluntary and community sectors.<br />
There are four main areas that<br />
the strategy deals with:<br />
• stopping alcohol from being a<br />
problem in the first place by<br />
sending out safe drinking<br />
messages and targeting<br />
binge-drinkers<br />
• improving services for problem<br />
drinkers and their families<br />
• taking strong legal and<br />
enforcement action to stop<br />
under-age drinking, alcohol<br />
related violence and<br />
irresponsible drink promotions<br />
in pubs and shops<br />
• working together to<br />
co-ordinate services and plans<br />
to ensure <strong>Newcastle</strong> is a<br />
healthier and safer for everyone<br />
The <strong>Newcastle</strong> Partnership is<br />
asking for your views about<br />
what you want tackled first. Have<br />
your say on what you think the<br />
authorities should be doing and<br />
what are the key alcohol issues<br />
that affect your life and<br />
community.<br />
Your views will be gathered<br />
along with those from GPs,<br />
police officers, the licensed<br />
trade, pub landlords, teachers,<br />
students, health professionals,<br />
community groups, elected<br />
members, the council and many<br />
others. All of these views will<br />
direct how the partners of the<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> Partnership will work<br />
together to tackle this issue. It’s<br />
important that you have your<br />
say on how we make <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
a safer and healthier place to<br />
live and work in or visit.<br />
To read the full consultation document and strategy please go<br />
to www.newcastlepartnership.org.uk<br />
The <strong>Newcastle</strong> Partnership includes <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong>,<br />
Northumbria Police, <strong>Newcastle</strong> Primary Care Trust and other public,<br />
private, community and voluntary sector organisations who work<br />
together to improve the quality of lives of <strong>Newcastle</strong>’s residents.<br />
Alcohol<br />
Questionnaire<br />
Let us know your views on<br />
alcohol and you could win<br />
£50 of Eldon Square<br />
vouchers. All the information<br />
you provide will be treated as<br />
strictly confidential.<br />
Please rank the top three statements in order that you would<br />
like to see tackled by the <strong>Newcastle</strong> Partnership and partners:<br />
(1 being most important and 3 being least important)<br />
• Improve services for people with serious drinking<br />
problems and their families<br />
• Reduce the number of people going into hospital<br />
with drink related illnesses or injuries<br />
• Educate people about harmful drinking levels<br />
/units<br />
• Penalise shops who sell alcohol to children<br />
• Have tough consequences for people who cause<br />
anti social behaviour or commit crimes when drunk<br />
• Work with licensed premises and supermarkets to<br />
stop irresponsible drinks promotions<br />
• Work with schools to educate young people about<br />
the dangers of harmful drinking<br />
• Tackle problems in the city centre as a<br />
consequence of binge drinking<br />
• Tackle problems of drink related disorder<br />
• Encourage people to take more responsibility for<br />
their own drinking habits<br />
Finally - is there anything else you think we should be doing?<br />
...........................................................................................................<br />
...........................................................................................................<br />
...........................................................................................................<br />
...........................................................................................................<br />
...........................................................................................................<br />
...........................................................................................................<br />
...........................................................................................................<br />
Prize Draw<br />
If you would like to be entered into the prize draw to win £50<br />
of Eldon Square shopping vouchers, please fill in your name<br />
and address and return to Freepost CITYLIFE by the 31 July<br />
✁<br />
Name ................................................................................................<br />
Adress ..............................................................................................<br />
...........................................................................................................<br />
...........................................................................................................<br />
...........................................................................................................<br />
32 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 This page is paid for by Safe <strong>Newcastle</strong> 33
Better support<br />
for carers<br />
So how can being involved with Carers Centre<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> make a difference to you as a carer?<br />
Your Homes <strong>Newcastle</strong> -<br />
first in North East to get top<br />
marks from watchdog<br />
Dawn got in touch with the<br />
carers centre when she and her<br />
family were coping with the<br />
devastating news that her<br />
husband had fibromyalgia (a<br />
debilitating disease). This meant<br />
a change in their financial<br />
situation as well as having to<br />
deal with the physical and<br />
emotional challenges of his<br />
condition. We arranged for a<br />
Welfare Rights Officer to visit the<br />
family and this resulted in<br />
benefits being secured. A<br />
support worker encouraged<br />
Dawn to take a break from<br />
caring and consider her own<br />
needs. With encouragement,<br />
Dawn went on a confidence<br />
building course which has had<br />
astounding results. She now has<br />
a voluntary job, has completed<br />
her jury service, is tackling her<br />
driving test and is looking<br />
forward to more successes in<br />
the future.<br />
Linda contacted the carers<br />
centre for help in managing her<br />
son’s individual budget.<br />
She cares for her adult son as<br />
well as her mother. Linda now<br />
receives support at meetings,<br />
enjoys massage sessions and<br />
going for a meal with the<br />
Evening Dining Out Group. She<br />
enjoyed a day of relaxation at<br />
Minsteracres Retreat Centre<br />
organised for Carers Week by<br />
the centre.<br />
Carers Centre <strong>Newcastle</strong> is an<br />
information, advice and support<br />
service for unpaid carers in the<br />
city. Carers make a significant<br />
contribution to community care,<br />
yet their role is not always<br />
recognised or understood. One<br />
in eight people in Britain is now<br />
a carer and most of us can<br />
expect to be a carer at some<br />
point in our lives. Not all carers<br />
live in the same household as<br />
the person they care for, but all<br />
have taken on a major<br />
commitment to care for a<br />
dependent relative or friend on<br />
an unpaid basis and this can<br />
have a significant impact upon<br />
their own lives.<br />
Contact Carers Centre <strong>Newcastle</strong> on 0191 260 3030 or go to<br />
www.newcastlecarers.org.uk<br />
Carers enjoy a walk at Minsteracres<br />
Glen Lumsden of the Hancock pub signs up to smoke free with<br />
Angela Wallis, Health Improvement Officer<br />
Getting the<br />
smoke free<br />
message across<br />
It is one year since the smoke free legislation was<br />
introduced and our work to make <strong>Newcastle</strong> a smoke<br />
free city has been a huge success.<br />
We have carried out more than<br />
1,800 visits to shops, businesses<br />
and entertainment venues<br />
across the city. Ninety nine<br />
percent have complied with the<br />
new rules that prohibit smoking<br />
in enclosed public spaces.<br />
We’ve also continued to offer<br />
advice and support to businesses<br />
and respond to phone calls from<br />
the public who want to tell us<br />
about alleged breaches of smoke<br />
free legislation.<br />
And the last twelve months have<br />
also seen tough new measures<br />
put in place to stop young<br />
people from starting smoking in<br />
the first place. From October it<br />
became illegal to sell tobacco<br />
products to anyone under the<br />
age of 18 – an increase from the<br />
previous age limit of 16 – and<br />
shopkeepers must clearly<br />
display signs explaining the new<br />
age restrictions.<br />
Our Trading Standards service<br />
has been working hard to make<br />
sure retailers are aware of the<br />
new age limit. We sent under 18s<br />
into 46 shops across the city to<br />
try to buy cigarettes and not a<br />
single sale was made.<br />
Smoke Free <strong>Newcastle</strong> is a<br />
group of people representing<br />
statutory and voluntary<br />
organisations and is coordinated<br />
by <strong>Newcastle</strong> Primary Care Trust<br />
and <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong>. The<br />
aim is to improve the health of<br />
people living and working in the<br />
city and contribute to a better<br />
environment for all.<br />
If you want to give up smoking,<br />
the <strong>Newcastle</strong> and North<br />
Tyneside NHS Stop Smoking<br />
Service offers practical advice<br />
and support on giving up. Phone<br />
0191 219 5111 for more<br />
information and details of stop<br />
smoking sessions or visit<br />
http://gosmokefree.nhs.uk/.<br />
We’ve just been given the findings of our latest government inspection - and<br />
it’s exciting news for tenants and leaseholders of <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong>. We<br />
have been rated as providing an ‘excellent’ service which has excellent<br />
prospects for further improvement.<br />
We are the Arms Length<br />
Management Organisation<br />
(ALMO) that <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />
<strong>Council</strong> set up in April 2004 to<br />
manage its 32,000 council<br />
homes. The inspection was<br />
made by the Audit Commission,<br />
an independent public spending<br />
watchdog. On a scale from zero<br />
Over 15,000 homes have been<br />
improved<br />
Our work on supported housing impressed inspectors<br />
to three stars they gave us a<br />
three star ‘excellent’ rating, which<br />
is the highest rating possible.<br />
This makes us the first housing<br />
organisation in the north east to<br />
achieve that standard.<br />
The inspectors were particularly<br />
impressed with our work on<br />
supported housing and financial<br />
inclusion. They praised us for<br />
putting customers firmly at the<br />
heart of everything we do. They<br />
singled out our approach to<br />
tackling anti social behaviour in<br />
estates and our multi-million<br />
pound Modern Homes<br />
refurbishment programme for<br />
particular praise.<br />
Their report says we have a<br />
'strong performance culture' and<br />
that tenant involvement in our<br />
broad range of services is<br />
excellent. It also highlights the<br />
fact that eight of our most<br />
important teams have been<br />
awarded the government’s<br />
coveted Charter Mark status in<br />
recognition of their superb<br />
customer service.<br />
Inspectors found that customer<br />
satisfaction with our services is<br />
increasing year-on-year with more<br />
than 78 percent of tenants<br />
satisfied and the report praises our<br />
'welcoming and knowledgeable'<br />
staff. The overall appearance of<br />
estates and multi-storey blocks is<br />
good and we deal with the<br />
majority of complaints we receive<br />
within ten days.<br />
The report also recommends<br />
how we can continue to offer<br />
three star services and<br />
highlights areas where we can<br />
improve. If you’d like to read<br />
more about the inspection<br />
please visit our website at<br />
www.yhn.org.uk or the Audit<br />
Commission website at<br />
www.audit-commission.gov.uk/<br />
reports<br />
The search is<br />
on for the<br />
North East's<br />
best neighbour<br />
We are working with the<br />
Evening Chronicle to<br />
promote the No 1 Neighbour<br />
Awards, which will recognise<br />
and reward the contribution<br />
that great neighbours can<br />
make to communities.<br />
The winner of the No 1<br />
Neighbour of the Year award will<br />
take home £1,000 and a hand<br />
crafted trophy at a ceremony<br />
hosted by radio and television<br />
personality Kathy Secker.<br />
Two of the categories - 'North<br />
East Neighbour of the Year' and<br />
'North East Contribution to the<br />
Community' - are open to<br />
everyone in the North East -<br />
whilst the other three categories<br />
- 'YHN Tenant or Leaseholder of<br />
the Year', 'YHN Community<br />
Award' and 'YHN Young Person's<br />
Community Award' - are<br />
exclusively for tenants and<br />
leaseholders living in YHNmanaged<br />
homes in <strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />
Nomination forms are available<br />
in Your Homes <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
Housing Offices across the city<br />
or through the YHN website at<br />
www.yhn.org.uk. The closing<br />
date for nominations is August<br />
13. If you're nominating<br />
someone, make sure you give<br />
examples of what makes your<br />
neighbour special!<br />
34 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 This page is paid for by Your Homes <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
35
Pride Parade<br />
and the Pink<br />
Picnic<br />
Get your glad rags on and start<br />
painting your banners in<br />
preparation for <strong>Newcastle</strong>’s first<br />
ever Pride Parade.<br />
The parade, organised by Northern Pride, will<br />
be taking place on Saturday 12 July and will<br />
begin at 12pm at <strong>Newcastle</strong> Civic Centre.<br />
It is a new and exciting lesbian, gay, bisexual<br />
and transgender (LGBT) ‘not-for-profit’<br />
festival for the North East. Residents will be<br />
coming together to ensure that Pride<br />
celebrations become part of the region’s<br />
cultural celebrations.<br />
You will be able to learn more about LGBT<br />
history or dance the night away, admire the<br />
work of LGBT artists or chill out at a Pink<br />
Picnic. There is definitely something for<br />
everyone!<br />
The parade will end at Leazes Park to kick off<br />
the Pink Picnic at 1pm. It will be a relaxed<br />
affair with lots of activities to take part in.<br />
Young people and families with children will<br />
have lots to do when the Play and Youth bus<br />
rolls up.<br />
Whether you want to try your hands on the<br />
DJ decks or get your face painted, there will<br />
be activities to suit you whatever your age.<br />
The sporty among us will be represented too,<br />
with football and rugby teams showing us<br />
how it’s done. For those of us who haven’t<br />
played sport since school there will be an<br />
opportunity to take part in relaxed and<br />
informal ‘taster’ sessions.<br />
There will be lots more besides: with<br />
information stalls, music and much more.<br />
Of course, if that all sounds a bit energetic<br />
then you could just pack a picnic, chill out<br />
and watch the world go by!<br />
For more information on Northern Pride<br />
phone Sian Broadhurst LGB Community<br />
Development on 0191 277 7539 or<br />
email commdev@newcastle.gov.uk.<br />
Seven Stories Writers and Artists Group<br />
Seven Stories Writers and Artists Group (SSWAG) began life two years ago. Two<br />
courses at the Centre for Lifelong Learning had attracted a group of talented<br />
students who returned year after year.<br />
SSWAG members live across the North East, as far<br />
apart as North Yorkshire and Alnwick, and are<br />
passionate about producing good books for children,<br />
from picture books to books for teenagers. They<br />
meet once a month to discuss their work and find<br />
new ways to improve their skills.<br />
They even have associate members in Canada.<br />
Illustrator Anne Yvonne Gilbert recently left<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> and moved there with her husband<br />
graphic artist Danny Nanos. They believe that this<br />
unique group of writers and illustrators is a very<br />
exciting venture and they are hoping to start a<br />
satellite group in Toronto.<br />
SSWAG is very proud to be exhibiting some of its<br />
members’ work at Seven Stories. They wanted to<br />
show residents just how many stages actually go<br />
into creating a book.<br />
You can see everything from the very first glimmer<br />
of a scribbled idea, to first drafts and all the<br />
intervening stages up to completion and<br />
Recent cycling improvements being pedalled across<br />
the city and aimed at making <strong>Newcastle</strong> more cyclefriendly<br />
include:<br />
• 45 new free public bike racks, with more planned<br />
for the future. The racks give you somewhere safe<br />
and secure to leave your bike, and reduce the<br />
number of bikes chained to railings on the street.<br />
New racks are available on St Mary’s Place East,<br />
Saville Row, Pilgrim Street, Quayside, Clayton<br />
Street and Newgate Street. Racks are also<br />
available in the car parks at Eldon Gardens, Dean<br />
Street, Oxford Street, Manors and Grainger Town,<br />
which are monitored by car park attendants and<br />
include lockers.<br />
• £272,000 investment in cycle routes across the<br />
city, including both off-road cycle paths and<br />
dedicated cycle lanes.<br />
• New maps of the locations of city cycle routes<br />
and lanes, and sites of bike racks across the city.<br />
• Publication of a magazine, “Get Cycling in<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong>”, available in libraries, schools, pools<br />
and leisure centres and the Tourist Information<br />
Centre, giving advice on getting started in<br />
cycling, choosing the right equipment, safety<br />
and maintenance tips along with guides on the<br />
routes and cycle lanes of <strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />
The recruitment of the city’s first dedicated Cycling<br />
Officer responsible for the co-ordination of the<br />
city’s cycling policy.<br />
“As a compact city, <strong>Newcastle</strong> is ideal for cycling. A<br />
bike is one of the best ways of getting around there<br />
is – it’s free, clean, green and it keeps you fit - and<br />
publication. This is quite a unique opportunity to<br />
see how they create stories and illustrations.<br />
The group feel they are very lucky to be so closely<br />
involved with Seven Stories, which is the only<br />
exhibition space in the UK dedicated to the<br />
celebration of children’s literature. It is an exciting,<br />
vibrant, and stimulating environment which<br />
encourages and inspires the group.<br />
Come and see the exhibition which tells the story of<br />
who they are and how they work. You may even find<br />
yourself inspired whatever your age or experience!<br />
The exhibition is open during Seven Stories normal<br />
opening hours: Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm,<br />
Sunday 11am – 5pm. If anyone is only going to the<br />
SSWAG exhibition (and not the other Seven Stories<br />
galleries) then entrance is free.<br />
You can phone Seven Stories directly on<br />
0845 271 0777 or Alisoun Gardner Medwin on<br />
01661 852 318 or email sswaginfo@yahoo.com<br />
for more information.<br />
Pedal power for <strong>Newcastle</strong> as city<br />
gets on its bike<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> is getting into gear with a series of new developments aimed at cutting<br />
congestion, confronting climate change and helping people to be fit and active – by<br />
leaving their car at home and getting on their bikes.<br />
we want to encourage more people to do it, and to<br />
support the people who already do,” said Gary<br />
MacDonald, our Transport Policy Manager.<br />
“The new routes and racks open up the city to<br />
cyclists and give people greater opportunities to<br />
bike to work, to the shops, and on trips out and<br />
the more people who are getting on their bikes, the<br />
better it is for our environment, the better it is for<br />
their health, the better it is for congestion, and the<br />
better it is for business too, as more bikes mean<br />
less cars on the road.”<br />
Stella Carmichael, Fairtrade council officer, Malcolm Gluck, Chris Jewitt, chair of <strong>Newcastle</strong> Fairtrade Partnership<br />
Fabulous Fairtrade!<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> is a Fairtrade <strong>City</strong>. Fairtrade promotes a way of trading that means<br />
a better deal for growers and small scale producers in developing countries.<br />
It aims to guarantee producers in the Third World a<br />
fair price for goods including bananas, chocolate,<br />
cotton, coffee and tea.<br />
It has been a busy few months for our Fairtrade<br />
team as they continue to get the message out that<br />
fairly traded goods are great quality and buying<br />
them makes a real difference to some of the world's<br />
poorest people.<br />
BBC Newsreader George Alagiah, Patron of the<br />
Fairtrade Foundation, came along to a Fairtrade<br />
business breakfast in <strong>Newcastle</strong>. He talked to<br />
leading business people in the city about how they<br />
can support the movement.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> hosted a Fairtrade wine tasting with<br />
renowned wine buff Malcolm Gluck lending his<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
Changes to the complaints procedure<br />
From 8 May 2008, the responsibility for<br />
considering complaints that a councillor may<br />
have breached the Code of Conduct for Members<br />
has moved to the standards committees of local<br />
authorities. Previously, such complaints had to<br />
be made to the Standards Board for England.<br />
What this means to you<br />
If you want to complain about the conduct of a<br />
member of <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong>, or a member<br />
of one of our parish councils, you must submit<br />
your complaint to:<br />
The Standards Committee<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong>,<br />
c/o Mrs V A Dodds, Monitoring Officer and<br />
expertise to the event that was held at the city's<br />
Art Works Galleries.<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> also hosted the second meeting of the<br />
Regional Fairtrade Forum where we brought together<br />
people from across the region to decide how the<br />
North East can best promote Fairtrade.<br />
And on 20 September, there will be another Fairtrade<br />
Fayre in the Grainger Market in <strong>Newcastle</strong>, where<br />
you'll have a chance to buy fairly-traded goods and<br />
meet the people who make and sell them.<br />
To find out more about Fairtrade in<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> phone Stella Carmichael on<br />
0191 211 6117 or you can email<br />
stella.carmichael@newcastle.gov.uk<br />
Code of conduct for members: complaints process<br />
Head of Legal Services,<br />
Civic Centre,<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> upon Tyne,<br />
NE99 2BN<br />
Any complaint should be made using an<br />
appropriate complaint form which can be<br />
requested from the <strong>Council</strong>’s Head of Legal<br />
Services or Head of Democratic Services at the<br />
above address.<br />
The committee can only deal with complaints<br />
about the behaviour of a member. It will not<br />
deal with complaints about things that are not<br />
covered by the Members Code of Conduct. If you<br />
make a complaint to the committee it must be<br />
about why you think a member has not followed<br />
the Code of Conduct.<br />
Name the mascot<br />
and win spectacles or<br />
sunglasses worth up<br />
to £150!<br />
To celebrate their<br />
second birthday,<br />
Gosforth Eye<br />
Company<br />
encouraged local<br />
youngsters to get<br />
creative when<br />
they asked them<br />
to design a<br />
company mascot.<br />
The winning mascot was created by Craig Watson of<br />
Kenton School and it will be used throughout the<br />
business, on their newsletters and their website.<br />
In the second part of their celebrations, they are<br />
looking for a name for their mascot. So get your<br />
thinking caps and send in your entries. The winner<br />
will win spectacles or sunglasses to the value of £150!<br />
Please send your entries no later than 25 July<br />
directly to Gosforth Eye Company, 223-225<br />
High Street Gosforth, NE3 1HQ or email<br />
Denise@gosfortheyecompany.co.uk.<br />
Please include your name, address and contact<br />
telephone number. Please do not send your<br />
entries to <strong>City</strong>life.<br />
Bringing people and<br />
opportunities together<br />
Community Transport <strong>Newcastle</strong> is part of a<br />
national charity helping local people to<br />
access local opportunities. They operate from<br />
two sites in the East and West End of<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> and have four areas of activity<br />
which you may be interested in.<br />
Training<br />
They have built up an excellent reputation for<br />
delivering high quality training and provide work<br />
experience to local people. People who take part<br />
can receive nationally recognised qualifications.<br />
Furniture recycling service<br />
Local people can donate good quality furniture<br />
which can be made available to others in the<br />
community. This reduces waste and recycles<br />
resources for the benefit of the environment. They<br />
will even pick up and deliver the items for you!<br />
Volunteering<br />
Whether you are looking for something rewarding to<br />
do with your leisure time, or looking to develop your<br />
confidence or gain work experience, they have a<br />
volunteer role for you.<br />
They are happy to accept whatever time you have to<br />
offer and will pay out of pocket expenses. The<br />
community bus is getting more popular, so they<br />
would particularly like to hear from you if you would<br />
like to volunteer as a driver.<br />
If you would like to find out more phone<br />
0191 265 9267 or email<br />
julietait@communitytransport.org<br />
36 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 Use the internet free at all <strong>Newcastle</strong> libraries 37
<strong>Council</strong> Diary 30 June 2008 - 26 August 2008<br />
All the meetings listed<br />
below are open to the<br />
public. Times are correct at<br />
time of going to press, but<br />
please check in case of any<br />
changes. Unless otherwise<br />
stated, all meetings take<br />
place in a Committee Room<br />
in the Civic Centre.<br />
No meeting<br />
Audit Committee<br />
Phone Jo Miller on<br />
0191 211 5119<br />
<strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong><br />
Phone Linda Couch on<br />
0191 211 5121<br />
30 July 2008 at 11.30am<br />
Conservation<br />
Advisory<br />
Committee<br />
Phone Linda Couch on<br />
0191 211 5121<br />
Constitutional<br />
Committee<br />
Phone: Judith Curran on<br />
0191 211 5119<br />
24 July 2008 at 5pm<br />
Corporate Parent<br />
Advisory Committee<br />
Phone Elaine Campbell on<br />
0191 211 5183<br />
11 July 2008 at 9.30am<br />
1 August 2008 at 9.30am<br />
22 August 2008 at 9.30am<br />
Development<br />
Control Committee<br />
Phone David Long on<br />
0191 211 5129<br />
16 July 2008 at 4pm<br />
Executive<br />
Phone Bernard Dale on<br />
0191 211 5121<br />
7 July 2008 at 5pm<br />
Holocaust Memorial Day<br />
Working Group<br />
Phone Andrew Rothwell on<br />
0191 211 5610<br />
Neighbourhood<br />
Committee<br />
Phone Elaine Campbell on<br />
0191 211 5183<br />
14 July 2008 at 9.30am<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> Great<br />
Park Advisory<br />
Committee<br />
Phone Susan Armstrong on<br />
0191 211 5122<br />
24 July 2008<br />
25 September 2008<br />
Planning and Transport<br />
Strategy Committee<br />
Phone Judith Curran on<br />
0191 211 5119<br />
7 July 2008 at 4.30pm<br />
Procurement Committee<br />
Phone Ian Stearman on<br />
0191 211 5166<br />
Shared Housing<br />
Working Group<br />
Phone Steve Laws on<br />
0191 211 5118<br />
18 July 2008 at 4pm<br />
Standards Committee<br />
Phone Jo Miller on<br />
0191 211 5119<br />
SCRUTINY PANELS<br />
17 July 2008 at 1pm<br />
Children and Young People<br />
Scrutiny Panel<br />
Phone Victoria Demchenko<br />
on 0191 211 5184<br />
8 July 2008 at 4pm<br />
Environment Scrutiny Panel<br />
Phone Terry White on<br />
0191 211 5119<br />
28 July 20087 at 2pm<br />
Health and Adult Services<br />
Scrutiny Panel<br />
Phone Rob Smithson on<br />
0191 211 5184<br />
15 July 2008 at 3pm<br />
Scrutiny Management<br />
Committee<br />
Phone Elaine Campbell on<br />
0191 211 5183<br />
21 July 2008 at 4pm<br />
Regeneration Scrutiny Panel<br />
Phone Rob Smithson on<br />
0191 211 5184<br />
14 July 2008 at 1pm<br />
at the Mansion House<br />
Neighbourhood Scrutiny Panel<br />
Phone Steve Laws on<br />
0191 211 5118<br />
WARD COMMITTEES<br />
If no venue given, please ring<br />
extension number listed.<br />
22 July 2008 at 7pm – In ward.<br />
Dates, times and venues to be<br />
confirmed<br />
Benwell and Scotswood Ward<br />
Committee<br />
Phone Amy Redpath on<br />
0191 211 6264<br />
24 July 2008 at 7pm<br />
(Venue to be confirmed)<br />
Blakelaw Ward Committee<br />
Phone Helen Warneford on<br />
0191 211 6286<br />
15 July 2008<br />
(Venue to be confirmed)<br />
Byker Ward Committee<br />
Phone Cardine Collinson on<br />
0191 278 3129<br />
24 July 2008 at 6.30pm<br />
Castle Ward Committee<br />
Phone Sue Wannop on<br />
0191 211 6263<br />
7 July 2008 at 7pm<br />
(Venue to be confirmed)<br />
Dene Ward Committee<br />
Phone Amanda Quinn on<br />
0191 278 3196<br />
17 July 2008 at 6pm<br />
Denton Ward Committee<br />
Phone Dorothy Procter on<br />
0191 277 3533<br />
14 July 2008 at 7pm<br />
East Gosforth<br />
Ward Committee<br />
Phone Ann Gilks on<br />
0191 211 6296<br />
To be confirmed<br />
Elswick Ward Committee<br />
Phone Susan Johnson on<br />
0191 278 3136<br />
22 July 2008 at 2pm<br />
Fawdon Ward Committee<br />
Phone Rob Gillie on<br />
0191 211 6265<br />
24 July 2008 at 10.30am<br />
Fenham Ward Committee<br />
Phone Amy Redpath on<br />
0191 211 6264<br />
To be arranged<br />
Kenton Ward Committee<br />
Phone Amy Redpath on<br />
0191 211 6264<br />
24 July 2008 at 6pm<br />
Lemington Ward<br />
Committee<br />
Phone Andy Eastwood on<br />
0191 277 3540<br />
15 July 2008 at 6pm<br />
Newburn Ward<br />
Committee<br />
Phone Andy Eastwood on<br />
0191 277 3540<br />
2 September 2008<br />
North Heaton<br />
Ward Committee<br />
Phone Susan Johnson on<br />
0191 278 3136<br />
North Jesmond<br />
Ward Committee<br />
Phone Paul McKinnell on<br />
0191 211 3183<br />
23 July 2008 at 6.30pm<br />
Ouseburn Ward Committee<br />
Phone Elizabeth Grace/Cass Winlow<br />
on 0191 278 3193<br />
To be arranged<br />
Parklands Ward Committee<br />
Phone Amy Stillwell on<br />
0191 211 6272<br />
Wednesday 9 July 2008<br />
(Time and Venue to be confirmed)<br />
South Heaton<br />
Ward Committee<br />
Phone Caroline Collinson on<br />
0191 278 3129<br />
8 July 2008 at 6.30pm in a<br />
committee room at the Civic Centre.<br />
South Jesmond<br />
Ward Committee<br />
Phone Paul McKinnell on<br />
0191 278 3183<br />
To be confirmed<br />
Walker Ward Committee<br />
Phone Debra Lagun on<br />
0191 278 3180<br />
8 July 2008 at 6.30 pm - In Ward<br />
9 September 2008 at 6.30pm<br />
- In Ward<br />
Walkergate Ward Committee<br />
Phone Carol Lamb on<br />
0191 278 3199<br />
10 July 2008 at 6.30pm<br />
Westerhope Ward Committee<br />
Phone Judith Paxton on<br />
0191 277 3533<br />
Westgate Ward Committee<br />
Phone Elizabeth Grace on<br />
0191 278 3193 and Cass Winslow<br />
on 0191 211 6289<br />
16 July 2008 at 6.30pm<br />
(To be confirmed)<br />
West Gosforth<br />
Ward Committee<br />
Phone Ann Gilks on<br />
0191 211 6296<br />
15 July 2008 at 7.15pm - In Ward<br />
Wingrove Ward Committee<br />
Phone Susan Johnson on<br />
0191 211 3136<br />
2 September 2008 at 6.30pm<br />
- In Ward<br />
Woolsington<br />
Ward Committee<br />
Phone Helen Warneford on<br />
0191 277 7938<br />
What’s<br />
happening in<br />
the East<br />
End?<br />
The official opening of Belmont Green<br />
took place on Saturday 3 May following<br />
months of hard work by the local<br />
community to design a pocket park on<br />
Walker Road.<br />
The new park complements the improvements<br />
to footpaths, the addition of a cycle lane and<br />
additional planting on Walker Road between<br />
Monkchester and St Anthony’s Road. Janet<br />
McLean, a former resident of the area who<br />
had played an important role in planning and<br />
design in the area, officially opened the park.<br />
Janet was joined by Nick Brown MP and<br />
<strong>Council</strong>lor John Shipley in complimenting<br />
local residents for their contribution and<br />
recognising Belmont Green as a further<br />
improvement to the Walker Riverside area.<br />
Over 200 residents and children came along<br />
to see their hand-made cobbles, the new<br />
French oak seats and a granite circle which<br />
includes dozens of words chosen by local<br />
school children and residents.<br />
The residents worked closely with Belmont<br />
Area Residents’ Group, <strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong><br />
<strong>Council</strong>, Places for People and Bridging<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong>Gateshead.<br />
Bridging <strong>Newcastle</strong>Gateshead is working to create great places to live in parts of<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong>Gateshead. Want to know more? Visit www.bridgingng.org.uk, email<br />
info@bridgingng.org.uk or call 0191 277 2666.<br />
Back row: Anne Mulroy, Director of BNG; Nick Brown MP; Cllr John Shipley, Leader of<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> <strong>City</strong> <strong>Council</strong> (centre back); Karen Brown, Walker Riverside team and Father<br />
Dominic Madzimure of St Anthony’s of Egypt joined residents including former resident<br />
Janet McLean (centre front) to open Belmont Green.<br />
What’s happening in the West End?<br />
Door to door salespeople are being<br />
shown the cold shoulder by elderly<br />
residents as part of a clampdown on<br />
rogue traders. A ‘no cold calling zone’<br />
has been set up in streets around<br />
Scotswood in a bid to cut doorstep<br />
crime. Posters and flyers warning<br />
prospective traders that they are not<br />
welcome have been posted around the<br />
controlled zone, which is among the first<br />
of its kind in the region.<br />
Forty bungalows in Ferguson’s Lane, Yewcroft<br />
Avenue and Broadmead Way have been<br />
equipped with sophisticated ‘dome cameras’,<br />
making it possible for residents to assess<br />
each visitor through a preset channel on their<br />
televisions. The scheme is run in partnership<br />
between the city council, Your Homes<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong>, Northumbria Police and the<br />
residents’ association and is funded by Your<br />
Homes <strong>Newcastle</strong>, Safe <strong>Newcastle</strong> and<br />
Bridging <strong>Newcastle</strong>Gateshead.<br />
Louise Stobbart, of the Scotswood and West<br />
Benwell Neighbourhood Management<br />
Initiative said: “The main aim of the scheme<br />
is to deter bogus callers or anyone who<br />
might try to prey on the more vulnerable<br />
members of our community. We want to<br />
make people feel safer in their own home.”<br />
Residents have also been issued with<br />
information packs containing contact<br />
numbers and window stickers to be<br />
displayed as a further deterrent.<br />
Residents in the Benwell area joined forces<br />
with the Benwell Neighbourhood<br />
Management Initiative in May to give their<br />
neighbourhood a week-long spring clean.<br />
The aim of the week was to improve the<br />
environment and this year’s activities all had<br />
an environmental theme. Activities included<br />
a community litter pick competition led by<br />
the neighbourhood wardens, a junk music<br />
workshop and making and selling hanging<br />
baskets. The week rounded off with a<br />
relaxing teddy bears’ picnic in Ladykirk Road<br />
community garden. Carolyn Wood, Benwell<br />
Neighbourhood Manger said: “The aim of<br />
this week was to give the area a spring clean<br />
and ultimately make Benwell an even better<br />
place for now and the next generation.”<br />
38 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 This page is paid for by Bridging <strong>Newcastle</strong> Gateshead 39
COMMUNITY NEWS...COMMUNITY NEWS...COMMUNITY NEWS...COMMUNITY NEWS...<br />
COMMUNITY NEWS...COMMUNITY NEWS...COMMUNITY NEWS...COMMUNITY NEWS...<br />
Biking for<br />
Bobby!<br />
Dave Johnston and Peter<br />
Harrison work for our Leisure<br />
Services at Eldon Leisure.<br />
Dave and Peter have been<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> United season ticket<br />
holders for over 15 years and<br />
are loyal supporters of Bobby<br />
Robson and the Toon army.<br />
When they heard about the Sir<br />
Bobby Robson Foundation they<br />
decided to try and raise some<br />
money. They will be cycling from<br />
coast to coast. Their route will take<br />
them from Whitehaven to Penrith<br />
and onwards to Barnard Castle.<br />
On day three they will cycle to<br />
Tynemouth covering a staggering<br />
160 miles.<br />
If you would like more<br />
information you can phone Dave<br />
and Peter at Eldon Leisure on<br />
0191 277 1277 or email Peter at<br />
peter.harrison@newcastle.gov.uk.<br />
Donations can also be sent<br />
directly to The Sir Bobby Robson<br />
Foundation, PO Box 307, Heaton,<br />
<strong>Newcastle</strong> Upon Tyne, NE7 7QG.<br />
Please quote charity reference<br />
number SBR /06/08.<br />
An international success!<br />
Residents in Cowgate had great fun at a recent International Family<br />
Day held at Cowgate Neighbourhood Centre.<br />
Building on the success of last year’s<br />
event, residents came along to join in<br />
with the celebrations and fun was had<br />
by all.<br />
There were various activities including<br />
face painting, wall climbing,<br />
tattooing, Chinese arts and crafts, nail<br />
art and t-shirt painting.<br />
Hidden talents were spotted at the<br />
karaoke stand, and families teamed up<br />
to take part in the quiz. There was<br />
bingo throughout the day and a<br />
chance to taste a selection of dishes<br />
from around the world.<br />
The day was a huge success and was<br />
supported by Cowgate Community<br />
Forum, Family Health and Community<br />
Project, The Youth Service, Play Service<br />
and supportetd by Arts Development,<br />
Ward Co-ordinators, Sure Start Blakelaw<br />
and Leisure Services.<br />
For further information regarding<br />
activities in the Cowgate area,<br />
contact Amy Redpath, Kenton Ward<br />
Co-ordinator on 0191 211 6264.<br />
Low cost love affair?<br />
Have you flown easyJet, Jet2 or Ryanair for pleasure or business<br />
during the last three years? If so, Dr Mark Casey at <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
University would like to speak to you.<br />
The arrival of low cost airlines in the<br />
region has changed our holiday and<br />
travel experiences over the last<br />
decade. Low cost airlines now provide<br />
an affordable link between <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
and major cities across Europe.<br />
Mark wants to talk to <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
residents (aged 18 and over) for his<br />
research on how the arrival of low cost<br />
air travel has changed the way we<br />
travel and holiday.<br />
His research is focused upon the many<br />
potential benefits and positive<br />
experiences low cost air travel has<br />
given to <strong>Newcastle</strong> residents. Has the<br />
arrival of low cost air travel increased<br />
the number of trips you take each year?<br />
Do you own a holiday home which you<br />
can now easily visit using low cost<br />
airlines? Have you visited countries and<br />
cities using low cost airlines which you<br />
thought you would never be able to<br />
see? For those residents who also travel<br />
for business, have the low cost airlines<br />
allowed your business links with Europe<br />
to grow stronger?<br />
For more information or to take part<br />
in Mark’s research please email him<br />
at casey.mark10@yahoo.co.uk before<br />
15 September 2008.<br />
All interviewees will be entered into<br />
a prize draw (to be drawn late Oct<br />
2008) with the chance to win £50<br />
in easyJet vouchers.<br />
Ouseburn<br />
Festival<br />
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July<br />
2008<br />
The 12th annual Ouseburn Festival will<br />
take place across the Ouseburn Valley.<br />
Always a highlight on the region’s<br />
events calendar, this year’s festival aims<br />
to celebrate the region’s diverse culture<br />
by bringing together communities and<br />
groups from the Ouseburn Valley to<br />
provide entertainment for all the<br />
family!<br />
There is a huge range of activities<br />
available for all ages – from horse<br />
riding and boat building to plays,<br />
exhibitions, open studios and music.<br />
There’s so much to do, its guaranteed<br />
fun for all the family! Visit<br />
www.ouseburnfestival.org for<br />
continued updates.<br />
For further information on the<br />
Ouseburn Festival please contact<br />
Claire Dupree at<br />
info@narcmedia.com or call<br />
07748 907914, or Angela Barker at<br />
angela.barker@newcastle.gov.uk or<br />
call 0191 275 5612.<br />
SunWalk 2008<br />
Charity Walk the Walk is holding<br />
their next SunWalk in <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
on 7 September.<br />
Families and friends of all ages will<br />
take on a 5k, 10k or half marathon<br />
power walk. Whilst they are all getting<br />
fit and having fun, they will be raising<br />
money for breast cancer charities.<br />
For more information about the<br />
SunWalk and information on how to<br />
register go to www.walkthewalk.org<br />
Waywood launches<br />
new selling gallery<br />
Waywood launched its new selling<br />
gallery in May. Waywood Art<br />
Boutique is a place for buying and<br />
selling contemporary art.<br />
You can shop for unique small<br />
presents or invest in a piece of art for<br />
the office or home.<br />
Gallery staff and artists are on hand to<br />
advise on choosing, purchasing and<br />
displaying art for investment or pleasure!<br />
Opening times are 11am – 3pm<br />
Wednesdays to Saturdays at 31 High<br />
Bridge Street, <strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />
Pregnant women go<br />
back to basics<br />
Expectant parents in <strong>Newcastle</strong> can benefit from a new<br />
business providing antenatal classes.<br />
Birth Basics has been set up by<br />
Janine Rudin, who has been<br />
providing antenatal classes in the<br />
area for five years.<br />
She runs two types of classes to meet<br />
the needs of expectant women.<br />
Positions, Movement and Relaxation<br />
for Labour courses are women-only.<br />
Women can relax and bond with their<br />
baby. They can practise positions for<br />
labour and simple breathing<br />
techniques to ease tension and<br />
anxiety. This course costs £40.<br />
Birth preparation courses are for<br />
expectant women and their birth<br />
partner. The course is packed full<br />
of information on different ways of<br />
coping with contractions and how<br />
birth partners can provide support.<br />
It also covers complicated labour,<br />
caesareans, plus recovery from birth<br />
and coping strategies for life with a<br />
new baby. This course costs £60.<br />
New classes have started at the<br />
Trinity Centre Gosforth. Or you can go<br />
to the Linshill Centre in Tynemouth.<br />
One-to-one sessions are also<br />
available for people who are unable<br />
to attend a group course.<br />
For more information go to<br />
www.birthbasics.co.uk or you can<br />
email janine@birthbasics.co.uk<br />
Queen’s award for Scotswood<br />
volunteers<br />
Congratulations to the volunteers at Scotswood Neighbourhood Centre who have<br />
been granted the Queen’s Award for all their hard work. The drop-in centre<br />
based at 221 Woodstock Road, Scotswood, offers a range of advice and support<br />
services.<br />
Ouseburn Market – 13 July<br />
Visit the arts, crafts and flea market from 11am - 4pm in the atrium<br />
of the Star And Shadow Cinema, Stepney Bank, Ouseburn.<br />
Its a great place to grab a bargain or<br />
pick up something a bit different.<br />
There will be 15 stalls offering a<br />
diverse range of products from<br />
independent designers and artists as<br />
well as private traders offering good<br />
quality second hand and vintage<br />
goods.<br />
Hot and cold drinks will be served from<br />
the bar area along with some great<br />
music from a DJ from 1pm onwards.<br />
Entrance is free to the public.<br />
The venue is wheelchair friendly and is<br />
located at the top of Ouseburn Valley<br />
opposite the Tanners pub.<br />
For further info please visit<br />
www.myspace.com/ourmarket or email<br />
starandshadowmarket@googlemail.com<br />
Friends of Jesmond Old Cemetery<br />
Ken Scott our Bereavement Services Officer has been working with<br />
the Friends of Jesmond old cemetery.<br />
It is a group of people who voluntarily work in the cemetery and tidy the graves<br />
of the famous <strong>Newcastle</strong> citizens buried in the cemetery.<br />
They are looking for more volunteers to work with them.<br />
If you are interested contact Ken Scott on 0191 211 6940<br />
or email kenneth.scott@newcastle.gov.uk<br />
Adults needed for new Guide unit<br />
Girlguiding <strong>Newcastle</strong> is on the lookout for adult volunteers to help<br />
with the opening of a new Guide unit in Heaton to meet rising<br />
demand for places from local girls.<br />
All other Guide units in the area are<br />
currently full and another group is<br />
needed to provide places for girls who<br />
are waiting to join Guides. It is hoped<br />
that the new unit, for girls aged 10 to<br />
14, will open in September 2008.<br />
Volunteers in guiding can get just as<br />
much enjoyment out of it as the girls<br />
– many go on international trips and<br />
go to concerts.<br />
Volunteers are needed to work directly<br />
with the girls, either at weekly Guide<br />
meetings or in another supporting role.<br />
Win a meal at the Tavistock Italia<br />
Tavistock Italia is now widely regarded as one of the premier<br />
eateries in <strong>Newcastle</strong>, having wowed critics and customers alike with<br />
its special blend of understated elegance and irresistible charm.<br />
<strong>City</strong>life has teamed up with<br />
restaurant owners Tavistock Leisure,<br />
to offer two lucky winners the chance<br />
to dine for free and sample the<br />
restaurant’s sophisticated<br />
atmosphere.<br />
One winner will receive an evening<br />
meal for four, to be taken on a day of<br />
Competition<br />
To enter, tell us which of the following is in Italy?<br />
Antwerp Genoa Houghton le Spring<br />
Help is needed at this new unit and in<br />
Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and Ranger<br />
units across <strong>Newcastle</strong>.<br />
To volunteer for Girlguiding <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
at this or any other unit please<br />
contact the County Office on<br />
0191 224 4021, email<br />
ggeastnewcastle@btinternet.com or<br />
visit www.girlguidingnewcastle.org.uk<br />
their choosing (subject to availability)<br />
with a complimentary bottle of house<br />
wine thrown in.<br />
The second lucky entrant will be able<br />
to enjoy a ‘lazy Sunday afternoon’ at<br />
the jazz club with a free Sunday lunch<br />
for four and a complimentary bottle of<br />
house wine.<br />
Name …….......................................…………….……………………….<br />
Address ……..…………………………………........................................<br />
........................................................................................................<br />
........................................................................................................<br />
Send to Freepost CITYLIFE by 25 July.<br />
Don’t forget to put all your coupons in one envelope.<br />
✁<br />
Terms and conditions: Competition prize is subject to availability. The meals<br />
must be taken at the Tavistock restaurant on <strong>Newcastle</strong>’s Quayside and can not<br />
be redeemed in conjunction with any other offer. No alternatives will be given.<br />
40 www.newcastle.gov.uk<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
<strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008 Use the internet free at all <strong>Newcastle</strong> libraries 41
What’s On<br />
LET US KNOW<br />
Post Freepost CITYLIFE<br />
Fax 0191 211 4888<br />
Email charlotte.sly@newcastle.gov.uk<br />
Deadline for the September/<br />
October edition is Friday 8 August.<br />
EXHIBITIONS<br />
DISCOVERY MUSEUM<br />
Blandford Square 232 6789<br />
18001 0191 232 6789<br />
www.twmuseums.org.uk/discovery<br />
Sound & Vision This exhibition examines<br />
the difference between analogue and digital<br />
broadcasting and traces the history of<br />
broadcast media over the last 100 years. Free<br />
LAING ART GALLERY<br />
New Bridge Street 232 7734<br />
18001 0191 232 7734 (text phone)<br />
www.twmuseums.org.uk/laing<br />
Mon - Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2-5pm<br />
Until Sun 13 July<br />
Love Love is a new National Gallery<br />
touring exhibition which looks at the ways<br />
artists have responded to the pains and<br />
pleasures of love over the centuries.<br />
From Sat 26 July<br />
Painting in the Open Air Yorkshire artist<br />
Ashley Jackson's haunting moorlands<br />
landscapes have made him one of the<br />
country's most successful watercolourists.<br />
Untold Stories: Experimental Chinese<br />
Ink Painting Traditional Chinese ink<br />
painting will be given a new lease of life<br />
in this new exhibition. Free<br />
UNIVERSITY GALLERY<br />
Northumbria University 227 4424<br />
www.northumbria.ac.uk/universitygallery<br />
Mon-Thurs 10am- 5pm, Fri and Sat<br />
10am-4pm. (Closed Bank Holidays)<br />
Until Fri 18 July<br />
Stephen Chambers Prints<br />
Brita Granström Painting from life<br />
From Fri 1 August<br />
The People Show<br />
Sponsored by Cravens. Free<br />
MUSIC<br />
SUMMER MUSIC IN JESMOND<br />
Jesmond United Reformed Church<br />
281 4676<br />
Programme includes Pongos Youth Choir: 'A<br />
Musical Tour' including traditional, gospel<br />
and Eastern European music (5 July),<br />
Engelspiel: 'Great Things' - British music<br />
for soprano, baritone, flute and Bob Bell<br />
(organ) - 'Not an Organ Recital' - organ<br />
music in lighter vein (26 July). All<br />
performances are at 12 noon and are free<br />
but there is a retiring collection.<br />
Fri 8 to Sun 10 August<br />
The Distraction Weekender<br />
£5 per day (no advanced tickets)<br />
NEWCASTLE ACADEMY<br />
Westgate Road 0844 477 2000<br />
www.newcastle-academy.co.uk<br />
Tues 10 July at 7pm Goo Goo Dolls £19.50<br />
Wed 27 August at 7pm<br />
The Animals with Steve Cropper £19.50<br />
THE SAGE GATESHEAD<br />
443 4661 www.thesagegateshead.org<br />
Fri 18 – Sun 27 July<br />
SummerTyne 2008 This year's festival<br />
includes big names, the Americana<br />
Weekend with free outdoor programme,<br />
family events and activities. The season<br />
also features KD Lang, Sinéad O’Connor<br />
and Martha Wainwright. SummerTyne is<br />
part of <strong>Newcastle</strong>Gateshead’s world-class<br />
festivals and events programme, managed<br />
by culture10, based at <strong>Newcastle</strong>Gateshead<br />
Initiative.<br />
OTHER EVENTS<br />
SELEFEST 2008<br />
Hexham Parks<br />
Sat 12 July from 12.30pm to 6pm<br />
On the Sele in Hexham Parks, a free<br />
festival for young people that’s all about<br />
expression, with live bands, board, blade,<br />
BMX, Team Extreme professional riders,<br />
graffiti wall, acrobatics, dance, acoustic<br />
acts and more. For eight to 25s, plus the<br />
young at heart. Under 13s accompanied.<br />
Details on www.tynedale.gov.uk, or on<br />
the day ring Hexham Tourist Information<br />
Centre 01434 652 220.<br />
PICNOPOLIS<br />
Gateshead Quays<br />
Sat 16 to Mon 25 August<br />
As part of the EAST ’08 festival, Tokyo<br />
Picnic Club (TPC), founded in Japan as a<br />
contemporary art unit, is going to<br />
celebrate <strong>Newcastle</strong>/Gateshead as<br />
PICNOPOLIS - the city of picnic. With a<br />
gigantic airplane with the grass on its<br />
back and smaller babyplane installations<br />
around the city, TPC connects the public<br />
spaces, the local food industries, and the<br />
people of <strong>Newcastle</strong>/Gateshead.<br />
For more information go to<br />
www.picnicclub.org/picnopolis_ncgh.<br />
THEATRE<br />
THE JOURNAL TYNE THEATRE<br />
Westgate Road 0844 493 9999<br />
www.thejournaltynetheatre.co.uk<br />
Fri 11 (4.30pm) and Sat 12<br />
(11am and 2pm) July<br />
Milkshake! Live ‘My First Concert’<br />
For the first time ever Milkshake! is hitting<br />
the road with a colourful LIVE concert!<br />
Get ready for a new, action packed all<br />
singing, all dancing musical extravaganza.<br />
Fifi & Bumble, Peppa & George, Rupert<br />
Bear, Little Princess, Noddy & Tessie Bear<br />
and Mr. Bump & Little Miss Daredevil all<br />
together on one stage! £14.50 and £12.50.<br />
Fri 22 (2pm and 5pm) and Sat 23 August<br />
(11am and 2pm)<br />
CBEEBIES at the Theatre<br />
There'll be plenty of excitement and<br />
surprises as the Jakers, Bill & Ben, Boo<br />
and even the Koala Brothers get in on the<br />
action as they join together with Tommy<br />
Zoom to combat the dastardly deeds of<br />
Polluto. £14.50 and £12.50.<br />
Wed 13 September at 7pm<br />
The Best of British Variety Tour<br />
Featuring Cannon & Ball, Paul Daniels,<br />
Frank Carson, Jimmy Cricket, Brotherhood<br />
of Man and the Krankies. £25<br />
PEOPLE’S THEATRE<br />
Stephenson Road 265 5020<br />
ptag.org.uk<br />
Tues 15 – Sat 19 July at 7.30pm<br />
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to<br />
the Forum<br />
NEWCASTLE CITY GUIDES<br />
WHAT’S ON COMPETITION<br />
A slapstick comedy musical about mistaken<br />
identity in Roman times by Stephen<br />
Sondheim. Book by Larry Gelbart and Burt<br />
Shevelov. £9 (£7)<br />
THEATRE ROYAL<br />
0844 811 2121<br />
www.theatreroyal.co.uk<br />
Death defying acrobats and classic<br />
musicals are just some of the<br />
entertainment coming to the Theatre Royal<br />
this summer. The Flying Dragon Circus<br />
makes its European premier in <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
on 15 to 19 July. It’s a ground breaking<br />
celebration of the very best of Chinese and<br />
European circus traditions. The family<br />
entertainment continues with the return of<br />
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor<br />
Dreamcoat from 1 to 13 September<br />
featuring Any Dream will Do‘s Craig<br />
Chalmers.<br />
Date Month Tour Meet at Time<br />
13 July Stories behind the Stones The War Memorial, Wordsworth 2.30pm<br />
Street, Gateshead<br />
16 July West Wall and Blackfriars Grey’s Monument 7.15pm<br />
22 July Pages of History Lit and Phil, Westgate Road 6pm<br />
27 July A Taste of <strong>Newcastle</strong> Grey’s Monument 2.30pm<br />
30 July Saints and Sinners Grey’s Monument 7.15pm<br />
3 August Armstrong’s Garden Pets Corner, Jesmond Dene 2.30pm<br />
6 August Nasty <strong>Newcastle</strong> Castle Keep 6.45pm<br />
10 August Newburn Newburn Library 2.30pm<br />
13 August Bridges of the Tyne Castle Keep 6.45pm<br />
17 August Arty Facts Grey’s Monument 2.30pm<br />
20 August Civic Centre (Tickets must Outside the <strong>Council</strong> Chamber 6.45pm<br />
be obtained in advance)<br />
24 August As aa cam thro Sandgit Quayside Law Courts 2.30pm<br />
27 August Top of the Town St Thomas’ Church, Haymarket 6.45pm<br />
These walks are no smoking. To book or for more information go to the <strong>Newcastle</strong><br />
Tourist Office, 28 Market Street, NE1 5BQ or telephone 277 8000. £3 (£2)<br />
Heartbreak Productions have given <strong>City</strong>life tickets to see their productions to<br />
celebrate their return to Jesmond Dene. We’ve got a family ticket for Midsummer<br />
Night’s Dream and a pair of tickets to see Charley’s Aunt or Henry V.<br />
To win just tell us what is the name of the famous Shakespearean theatre?<br />
The Globe The World The Sphere<br />
Please tick which show you would like tickets for.<br />
Henry V 23-25 July<br />
A Midsummer Night’s Dream 26-27 July<br />
Charley’s Aunt 31 July- 3August<br />
We’ve also got two family tickets to see Barney at the Journal Tyne Theatre<br />
on 30 August.<br />
To win just tell us what colour is Barney?<br />
Sun sets on<br />
theatre fun<br />
This summer the play’s the thing as our region’s stages present a wide<br />
selection of dramas and musicals including future classics and<br />
children’s favourites. Here are some treats to tempt you.<br />
Below: The lovable purple dinosaur<br />
Barney comes to the Journal Tyne<br />
Theatre on Sat 30 and Sun 31<br />
August. Barney Live! The Lets Go<br />
Tour takes children of all ages on a<br />
magical journey to a toy factory<br />
including an Imagination Machine.<br />
£12 (£10). For tickets and<br />
information phone 0844 493 9999.<br />
Left:<br />
A Midsummer<br />
Night’s Dream<br />
Below:<br />
Charley’s Aunt<br />
Heartbreak Productions returns to<br />
Jesmond Dene with another selection<br />
of Shakespearean and classic stories.<br />
They start with Peter Pan on Fri 18<br />
to Sun 20 July. Henry V will follow<br />
from Wed 23 to Fri 25 July. The<br />
Shakespearean classic A Midsummer<br />
Night’s Dream takes place on Sat<br />
26 and Sun 27 July. Their summer<br />
season closes with Charley’s Aunt on Thurs 31 July to Sat<br />
3 August. For tickets and times call Northern Stage on 230 5151 or<br />
go to www.quaytickets.com. (See competition on page 42).<br />
Above: The Theatre Royal plays host to the world wide smash<br />
Disney’s High School The Musical from Mon 21 July to Sat 2 August.<br />
Sing along with Troy, Gabriella and their friends in this uplifting musical<br />
featuring songs Breaking Free and We're All In This Together. £11.50 -<br />
£32.50. For tickets and information phone 0844 811 2121.<br />
Right: New York<br />
matchmaker Dolly Levi<br />
sets out to capture the<br />
heart of wealthy<br />
merchant Horace<br />
Vandergelder in the<br />
classic musical<br />
Hello, Dolly.<br />
The show, featuring<br />
songs Hello, Dolly and<br />
Motherhood, stars<br />
Anita Dobson in the<br />
lead role and Darren<br />
Day. The show, at the<br />
Sunderland Empire,<br />
Purple Yellow Pink<br />
Above: Eurovision Song Contest<br />
fans will be able to relive the<br />
Name …….....................................................…………………………………<br />
excitement as the Theatre Royal<br />
Address ……………...........…………………………........................................<br />
presents Eurobeat – Almost<br />
THE <strong>CL</strong>UNY<br />
Eurovision from Mon 7 to Sat 12<br />
36 Lime Street 230 4474<br />
..................................................................................................................<br />
July. Why not dress up and<br />
www.headofsteam.co.uk<br />
Click and go!<br />
Post code .…….…....….…..… Phone ……….....…....…...………………………<br />
All start at 8pm<br />
support your favourite country in<br />
Log on to the best listings<br />
Fri 18 July The Brute Chorus<br />
Send to Freepost CITYLIFE by 18 July.<br />
this interactive musical with Les<br />
service in Tyne & Wear<br />
The Bubble Project £5<br />
Don’t forget to put all your coupons in one envelope.<br />
www.newcastle.gov.uk/cityeye<br />
Dennis and Mel Giedroyc.<br />
Sun 20 July Watermelon Slim £12<br />
£10.50 - £26.50.<br />
For tickets and information runs from Mon 18 to Sat 23 August. £12 - £30.<br />
42 www.newcastle.gov.uk <strong>City</strong>life: July/August 2008<br />
phone 0844 811 2121.<br />
For tickets and information phone 0844 847 2499.<br />
43<br />
✁