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SPRING 2017 newsNorthumberland NEW LEISURE CENTRES Tour of Britain 3FOR THE COUNTY What’s on? to return Events and Activities 24 June 2017 29 July 2017 BLYTH BEDLINGTON [Blyth Beach NE24 3PL] [Gallagher Park NE22 7LA] ON SITE PARKING NO ON SITE PARKING www.blythtowncouncil.org.uk NorthumberlandLiveFestival NorthumberlandliveBedlington16 The Undertones The Commitments Plus many more* Plus many more* ********** FREEFREE FamilyFamily FestivalsFestivals ********** LIVELIVE MUSICMUSIC // STREETSTREET THEATRETHEATRE // FUNFUN FAIRSFAIRS FOODFOOD ATAT AFFORDABLEAFFORDABLE PRICESPRICES OROR BRINGBRING AA PICNICPICNIC HAVE-A-GOHAVE-A-GO ACTIVITIESACTIVITIES FORFOR ALLALL THETHE FAMILYFAMILY (MOSTLY(MOSTLY FREE)FREE) ForFor moremore informationinformation aboutabout tthehe eventevent pleaseplease emailemail [email protected]@gmail.com oror forfor moremore information regarding public transport please visit http://jplanner.travelinenortheast.info/ * Both headline acts are supported by a wide range of bands which are suitable for a family audience Working for you Inside this issue 5TOUR OF BRITAIN RETURNS Available online, by email or in print. 5 Tour Of Britain returns Northumberland News is a magazine packed with features and news articles written specifically for county residents. 10 Local elections - why not vote by post? Published quarterly, it is distributed free of charge by Northumberland County Council. Every effort is made to ensure that all information is 11 Local news accurate at the time of publication. Community and investment news in your area 15 Support to improve your health If you would like to receive Northumberland 20 Investing in leisure News in large print, Braille, audio, or in another format or language please contact us. 22 What’s on guide Events throughout Northumberland Telephone: 0345 600 6400 Type Talk: 18001 0345 600 6400 Northumberland SPRING 2017 Follow Us: news Facebook at: www.northumberland.gov.uk/facebook Twitter at: www.northumberland.gov.uk/twitter NEW LEISURE CENTRES Front cover: Tour of Britain 3FOR THE COUNTY What’s on? YouTube at: The Tour of Britain Cycle Race to return Events and Activities www.northumberland.gov.uk/youtube passing through Alnwick in 2015 3 Events Tall Ships net a multi-million pound boost for the county Visi The North Sea Tall Ships Regatta held in Blyth mon tors s ey on pent last summer boosted Northumberland’s economy accommo eating ou dat t by a staggering £13.5million. touris ion , m and and o whi leisur ther ch far e se The spectacular four day event saw nearly half “This world class event produced a huge targ exceeded rvices a million people flock to the town - spending economic impact for the county as a whole, and ets a ini nd de tial money in both Blyth and across the wider county. particularly so in Blyth and surrounding areas. the hug monst e v rated The economic impact has been verified by “These figures more than demonstrate the alue the c to independent research, which also shows that importance of bringing high profile events ounty there was an extremely high satisfaction rate to Northumberland. from visitors to the event. “Feedback at the event itself was marvellous, A remarkable 99% of those attending the regatta and this independent research confirms how described it as ‘very good’ or ‘good’ - while much people really enjoyed it. more than eight out of ten visitors from other “The legacy is not just in finance and memories parts of the UK said they would be more likely however - it also gave opportunities for to return to the area, and spend, as a result. volunteers and trainees to become involved Council Leader, Grant Davey said: “Benefits from in learning and in gaining life skills of huge holding the Tall Ships event in Northumberland benefit to them in the future.” have far exceeded our initial expectations. 8/10 VISITORS WOULD RETURN TO THE AREA 99% RATED THE EVENT AS ‘GOOD’ OR ‘VERY GOOD’ ECONOMY BOOST OF £13.5M HIGH SATISFACTION RATE 500,000 VISITORS 4 Events Mon Tour of Britain returns day 4th Septe mber The Tour of Britain, the UK’s biggest and most prestigious cycle race is set to return to Northumberland this September. The county is to host day two of the race on Residents and businesses dressed the route 4th September which will include a start in in the distinctive red and gold colours of the Kielder and a finish in Blyth passing through Northumberland flag and thousands of the Northumberland National Park and many spectators lined the route to cheer on the rural and urban communities along the route. cyclists and give them a fantastic welcome. The Tour is set to be broadcast in over The eight-stage race runs from 120 countries, including live coverage on Sunday 3 to Sunday 10 of September. ITV4, which will raise the profile of the county to an international audience. Leader of Northumberland County Council, Grant Davey said: Northumberland County Council has worked with Active Northumberland, sponsors Northumbrian The race will showcase our county, Water and race organisers SweetSpot to bring “heritage and iconic landmarks and the race to Northumberland. bring major investment into the county, In 2015, The Tour of Britain swept through while providing a fantastic opportunity the county creating a wave of excitement as for us all to enjoy a wonderful some of the world’s top cyclists, including UK international sporting spectacle. favourite Sir Bradley Wiggins, cycled through our communities. ” 5 Leisure news A new chapter for libraries Unlimited across Northumberland opportunities to get active As an Active Northumberland member you have the freedom to work out when you want, where you want, the way you want, at 14 leisure centres across the county - including Ashington, Blyth, Cramlington, Book borrowers are seeing Morpeth, Newbiggin, Ponteland, the benefits of a new chapter Prudhoe, Rothbury, Berwick, for library provision across Hexham and Alnwick. the county. Adult members have unlimited access to state of the art gym facilities, 450 weekly fitness Libraries are being integrated with leisure centres Ponteland Library moved from Thornhill Road classes and 10 swimming pools, with regular – bringing a host of benefits for book borrowers into the leisure centre’s reception area and consultations and detailed programme and other users, including better facilities, former creche in November 2016 where it will development with a fitness consultant. extended opening hours and access to more stay until its new shared site development, services under one roof. which includes new school buildings, leisure Newbiggin Library moved into its new, permanent and information services, is completed in 2019. home on the ground floor of the Sports and Councillor Val Tyler, Cabinet Member for Arts, Community Centre, at the end of January 2017, Leisure and Culture, said: “By integrating our giving visitors a bigger, brighter, more modern libraries with leisure centre services, we can and welcoming library space with better facilities. offer an improved service, longer opening A year after its move to the £21million purpose- hours and better accessibility and convenience built complex at Ashington Leisure Centre, for residents. Integrating services in this way membership levels have soared at Ashington has had proven results, with clear benefits for Library. The library - which boasts a huge range residents and cost effectiveness for the council.” of books, an IT hub with 18 computer terminals Library and leisure services are managed and a bespoke children’s library - has attracted by Active Northumberland on behalf of over 2,000 new members and seen book Northumberland County Council. borrowing levels increase by 25%. Last July, Cramlington Library moved from its premises on Forum Way into a newly created space at the front of the Concordia Leisure Centre building as part of a £3.5 million transformation programme. Visitors now have access to customer services, gym, new soft play facilities, a Clip ‘n’ Climb experience, spa facility and a 10 lane bowling alley. @ Visit www.mylibrary.co.uk or follow @NlandLibs on Twitter 6 Leisure news Dancing to your own tune Make a splash With 450 weekly fitness classes on offer - including An hour spent swimming can burn more calories than the Body Combat, Kickboxing, same time spent lifting weights in the gym and its low impact Salsacise and Zumba - keeping nature makes swimming an ideal way for people of all ages fit doesn’t have to be boring. and abilities to stay active. One member who is embracing the benefits of social aspect of the aqua classes. The instructors swimming is 83-year-old Pearl Hall, from Prudhoe, and fellow swimmers are supportive and who regularly swims at Prudhoe Waterworld and encouraging, which makes a huge difference.” takes part in Active Life Aquafit classes. Active Northumberland runs a series of Active She said: “Swimming gives me a gentle Life sessions, tailored to help members build workout without putting too much pressure on up their fitness at their own pace. Swimming my body. I’ve been able to slowly build up my pools cater for swimmers of all ages and abilities. pace and I feel fitter and healthier as a result. The facilities are fantastic and I really enjoy the One class proving popular with members in Ashington, Blyth, Cramlington and Newbiggin is Clubbercise. Suitable for beginners and more Banish the fear experienced fitness fans, Clubbercise uses simple, energetic dance routines using glow As well as improving fitness sticks to club classic anthems from the 90s to the latest chart hits. levels, exercise is known to Instructor, Amy Fenwick, said: “I get such a reduce anxiety, boost energy buzz from teaching Clubbercise. It’s great when and self-confidence and make I can see the smile on people’s faces and can hear them singing along to the tunes. I also feel you feel happier. Heading to like I am making a difference to people’s lives, the gym doesn’t have to be which is fantastic.” a daunting experience.