The curtain is ready to rise for the Scouts performing in the Blyth Valley Gang Show, which is taking place between Tuesday 14th to Saturday 18th February at The Phoenix Theatre in Blyth.

The family variety show features sixty four talented Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Leaders performing a wide range of musical numbers, packed full of song and dance, along with the traditional comedy sketches. This year the show includes a sunny and upbeat 'holiday' section, along with a majestic 'Fire' number. There is also a number based on eighties music and the scouts very own take on the Dr Who theme. The young people have been rehearsing and perfecting the show since October last year and can't wait to hit the stage at the Phoenix.

WATBus Community Transport has been awarded funding from Fair Share Trust to provide FREE mini bus use for community groups in the Seaton Valley area.

The project will offer a limited number of free bookings to any community group operating in New Hartley, Seaton Delaval, Holywell, Seaton Sluice or Seghill. If you run a community group in any of these areas and would like to make use of a mini bus for trips, away days, group activities or transport to venues contact Colin Hall at WATBus on 01670 522999 or email colin.watbus@yahoo.co.uk

Written by Kevin O'Hara, conservation officer at Northumberland Wildlife Trust

Where do they all go in winter? - Part 1

Recently I felt the first twangs of winter; the 'first frost' gripped my garden, the chickens came skidding out of their ark, and I had to break the ice on their drinking water. I really like those first days, when we still have some daylight left to enjoy the wonderful colours and smells. I take the camera and binoculars with me when I walk the dogs, keeping an eye out for winter thrushes or other visitors. The clocks have altered and we start the long haul of winter - not until February will some real light return to the sky, and warmth to the sun.

It is during these months that we wonder where, exactly, many of our resident wildlife species go to survive the coldest and wettest days of winter, especially those that are more delicate and less mobile.

CVA Blyth Valley and Carers Northumberland are jointly hosting an event on Thursday 13th October 2011 from 10 am - 2 pm at Seaton Sluice Community Centre.

A day full of information from statutory and social care for all carers, including parent carers and young carers. There will be a chance to meet others in the same position as you - tired, worried or frustrated. A perfect opporunity to see what you can do, what's out there, what's available, but most of all a day which will be informative and fun, also enjoy a FREE pampering session.

For more information please contact Fiona Wardlaw on 01670 353623 or fiona.wardlaw@cvabv.org.uk

Free event for community and voluntary groups

Groundwork North East has teamed up with Community Voluntary Action Blyth Valley to raise awareness of how communities can beat rising prices of utilities.

Rising utility costs are an area of key concern to many people. With the colder months looming and the central heating systems gearing up to spring into action there is no better time to look at the tools and support available to communities to tackle rising utility costs.

Groundwork North East has therefore teamed up with Community Voluntary Action Blyth Valley in running an event to help communities tackle these important issues. The event will be held at Seaton Sluice Community Centre where great strides have been made to reduce their bills and lower their Carbon Footprint.

The event will feature a range of activities and speakers on a variety of important issues including; paying for energy, reducing energy consumption in the home and community buildings, renewable energy generation and the forthcoming green deal, energy consumption of different appliances, reducing water consumption, how and what to recycle and much more. Information will be available on the support mechanisms available for communities. There will also be an opportunity to take away energy monitors and talk to the experts. Fresh pizzas will be available for lunch from a real stone baked mobile pizza oven with loads of delicious toppings on offer as well as hot drinks and fresh scones. Every person attending will have the opportunity to enter a prize draw.

Mark Huggins Green Communities Coordinator for Groundwork North East said "this event aims to give the local community valuable tools and information to beat the rising cost of utilities. We hope that those people who come along will then be able to relay this information to their own friends and families and other people in their local community."

Attendees will also get the opportunity to find out more about the support available from the Green Communities project and Groundwork North East's wider services and current projects at Community Voluntary Action Blyth Valley.

This FREE event will be held on Friday 14th October from 9.30 - 3.30pm at Seaton Sluice Community, Seaton Sluice, Northumberland NE26 4QX and is available to all community and third sector organisations. To book a place contact Gina Robson at Community Voluntary Action Blyth Valley on 01670 365783 or email gina.robson@cvabv.org.uk.

Sent in by Blyth Resource & Initiative Centre

Blyth Resource & Initiative Centre (BRIC) is providing FREE Basic IT courses in Seaton Valley thanks to funding received from the Tyne & Wear and Northumberland Community Foundation (Seaton Valley Fairshares).

The courses begin on Monday 12th September and will cover everything from how to use the mouse and keyboard to surfing the net safely.

Seaton Sluice Community Centre- Monday 12th September 10am - 12pm
New Hartley Community Centre- Monday 12th September 1pm - 3pm
Seghill Community Centre- Monday 12th September 10am - 12pm
Seaton Delaval & Holywell Community Centre- Monday 12th September 1pm - 3pm

To book for your free place or for more information contact Rachael Logue on 01670 353817.

View Blyth Resource & Initiative Centre September course list

Isn't it strange how despite what appear to be massive breaches of security, the illegal tapping of phones, the involvement of police in cash payments for information and whatever else, there is still a tacit acceptance of this being a high-level problem and somewhat remote from the ordinary people like us.

I can quite imagine if the papers involved had been the Morning Star or any other left-wing publication there would be a holy outcry for hangings and the disgrace and abuse of the media.

William Carr was without doubt the most remarkable man in the history of Blyth.

Willie "Samson of England," was in his prime reputed to be the strongest man in the world.

Strongman William Carr

He was born on April 3, 1756, at Hartley Old Engine, half a mile from Old Hartley. Willie was the son of a blacksmith, who soon afterwards moved his family to Blyth to live.

Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell writes for the Blyth & Cramlington Extra

The current debate on care for the elderly is one that isn't going to end soon and nor should it.

The reality is that as our society grows older we will continue to face a growing situation where caring for the elderly becomes a higher and higher priority and some would say drain on our resources. Personally I don't call this need a drain; instead, I see it as a testimony to the success better standards of living and health care has been having.

Quentin took this footage of crowds at Seaton Delaval Hall for the filming of the BBC's Antiques Roadshow.

View our gallery of pictures »