tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-11-22:/A blog dedicated to the history, culture and politics of the Northumbrian region of Britain.MokoFeed2009-11-22T02:30:52+01:00tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-11-10:/2009/11/10/british-journalism-is-appalling-bad-7346724/reiverman2009-11-10T20:02:05+01:002009-11-10T21:10:34+01:00 <p>Following the <a href="http://the-sun-lies.blogspot.com/">Sun's</a> disgusting attack on Gordon Brown is it a fact that most British journalism is appalling bad ?<br> Although to be fair most local newspapers do strive for higher standards than their national - London based counterparts.<br> When you think about the balls of slime like Richard Littlejohn, Piers Morgan, Kelvin Mckenzie etc that our newspaper industry has produced it doesn't say much for the rest of them.<br> The likes of the The Sun, the Daily Wail, Star etc seem to survive on negativity, sensationalism and scaremongering.<br> They seem to have power without responsibility.<br> And the low quality seems to have spread to TV and so called quality newspapers as well.<br> But ultimatley is it our<br> fault for buying this rubbish ?<br> Have a look at the following <a href="http://tabloid-watch.blogspot.com/">blog</a> to read the facts behind the newspaper lies. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/11/10/british-journalism-is-appalling-bad-7346724/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-10-20:/2009/10/20/remembrance-day-7208511/reiverman2009-10-20T15:17:52+02:002009-10-20T15:17:52+02:00 <p>People in the UK have great respect for our armed forces, both past and present.<br> One of the ways to acknowledge the sacrifice made both in the past and equally in the present is to buy and wear a poppy.<br> Remembrance Sunday is one of the most long standing and dignified occasions in this country.<br> Buy a poppy and support the <a href="http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/">British Legion </a>. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/10/20/remembrance-day-7208511/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-10-20:/2009/10/20/northumbria-our-land-our-heritage-7208385/reiverman2009-10-20T14:57:29+02:002009-11-20T15:28:30+01:00 <p>At its height the Kingdom of Northumbria was the most powerful nation in the British Isles, before England or Scotland even existed.<br> At its peak it stretched from Humberside in the South to the river Forth in the North.<br> The Scottish capital city of Edinburgh is named after one of the great Northumbrian Kings, Edwin (Edwin-burgh)</p> <p>While London was an underdeveloped, backward city in the middle of a marsh, Northumbria was recognised as a major centre of learning and culture throughout Europe.<br> Later there was the Earldom of Northumbria, which corresponds, with that part of Britain, which consists of Teesside, County Durham, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.Northumbria had its own language, laws, system of government, capital (Bamburgh) Monarchs and flag.<br> We had (and still have) our own patron saint, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Cuthbert">St Cuthbert </a>,Cuthbert has his own saints day, which is on the 20th of March.And unlike the fake St George (who was from the Middle East and never even set foot on British soil) Cuthbert was a verifiable historical figure.<br> Cuthbert lived and worked on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindisfarne">Lindisfarne the Holy Island </a>and is laid to rest in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durham_Cathedral">Durham Cathedral </a>, which was built in his honour.</p> <p>He carried on the work started by St Aiden who was an Irish-Scottish monk and the Celtic influence is strong in Northumbria.One of the greatest Northumbrian achievements was the creation of the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/features/gospels/gospels_tense_past.shtml">Lindisfarne Gospels</a> , also in honour of Cuthbert,there has been an ongoing campaign to have the Gospels returned from London after they were stolen from us.</p> <p>Northumbrians should rise up and reclaim our heritage.<br> Much is made of the influence of the Romans, Vikings and Normans had on this part of the world, but Northumbria and the legacy it left us is not celebrated nearly enough in my opinion.<br> And I think that is a great shame.</p> <p><em>NORTHUMBRIA, UK</em>.<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/maps/3443542" title="maps"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/542/3443542_94919e0bc6_s.gif" alt="maps"></a></p> <p><em>ST CUTHBERTS CROSS</em><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/pectoral/4023148" title="pectoral"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/148/4023148_c3e051f13b_s.jpg" alt="pectoral"></a></p> <p><em>NORTHUMBRIAN FLAG</em><br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/gb_nthum/4023145" title="gb-nthum"><img src="http://data6.blog.de/media/145/4023145_acac2dd245_s.gif" alt="gb-nthum"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/10/20/northumbria-our-land-our-heritage-7208385/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-10-14:/2009/10/14/is-the-bbc-still-worth-the-licence-fee-tax-7169924/reiverman2009-10-14T20:19:11+02:002009-10-14T20:24:00+02:00 <p>Is the BBC still worth the licence fee tax ?<br> Sadly, over recent years I believe that the BBC has slowly lost the ability to provide wide ranging and good quality TV and Radio programmes which have wide appeal.<br> Take comedy for example, at one time the corporation could say with justifiable pride that their comedy output was both high in quality and was watched by a large cross section of the British public.<br> But when was the last time a BBC sitcom was produced which had appeal to a wide section of people across all age groups and backgrounds ?<br> The comedy programmes which create most affection in the memory were made a long time ago.<br> Now all the BBC produces in comedy is “topical” comedy quiz shows, with the same half dozen people seemingly doing and endless round of guest appearances. That’s the way is seems.<br> Have I got news for you was probably the first and best of this type of programme, and now all we get is endless rehashed versions of this format.<br> Not everyone likes this kind of snide, sneering humour.<br> But the people at the BBC love it, so that’s all they are interested in commissioning.<br> The drama output focuses on wife beating alcoholic drug addicts on council estates, want something uplifting or thought provoking ? Best avoid the Beeb at all costs.<br> Its got to be “gritty” and make people feel bad about themselves, god knows why.<br> As for news and current affairs the BBC is the place to go to be depressed, take one example, Afghanistan, the BBC will only report the most negative aspect possible of any situation.<br> Want to hear about the sense of duty, courage and sacrifice of British forces, the BBC aren’t interested in saying anything about that.<br> It might suggest something is going right, not nearly dreary enough for them.<br> Even Andrew Marr, the leading BBC political correspondent has admitted that the BBC is <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6764779.stm">biased</a>.<br> In defence of the BBC people will put forward David Attenborough and the still excellent documentaries he has a major role in producing, but Attenborough isn’t getting any younger and when he is no longer around there will be precious little to defend the BBC with.<br> Maybe David Attenborough represents the an older generation of BBC types who had a genuine commitment to quality entertainment.<br> The current lot seem to be smug, self important over-age student types who are more interested in their own agenda than the needs or interests of the people who are forced by law to pay the over-priced licence fee tax to keep them in their very well paid and comfortable lifestyles.<br> The only positive thing they seem to think of Britain as a country and the British public,is as an endless cash machine.<br> While whole sections of that same British public have been marginalised and are ignored.</p> <p>Should the BBC licence fee tax continue ?<br> On balance, the answer has to be no. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/10/14/is-the-bbc-still-worth-the-licence-fee-tax-7169924/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-10-07:/2009/10/07/david-champagne-cameron-at-140-quid-a-bottle-7120586/reiverman2009-10-07T20:41:40+02:002009-10-07T20:45:50+02:00 <p>So there we have it, good old David "man of the people" Cameron and the Tories (or is that the new Tories?) prove they are on the side of all the working people by guzzling bottles of champagne at a mere £140 a bottle.<br> Mind, the bloke is worth £30 million.<br> Of course we all do it ... don't we <img src="/img/smilies/grayno.gif" alt=":no:" class="middle" border="0"><img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"><br> <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/10/07/david-cameron-seen-drinking-champagne-as-tories-reveal-wage-freezes-and-pension-cuts-115875-21728511/"> David Cameron seen drinking champagne as Tories reveal wage freezes and pension cuts </a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/10/07/david-champagne-cameron-at-140-quid-a-bottle-7120586/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-10-01:/2009/10/01/so-what-has-labour-ever-done-for-the-british-people-7079744/reiverman2009-10-01T20:23:40+02:002009-10-01T20:23:40+02:00 <p>So what has Labour ever done for the British people?<br> Well since they were elected in 1997 quite a lot.<br> Lets look at some facts.<br> Shall we start with the minimum wage ? The minimum wage which the Tories opposed.<br> The same minimum wage which ensures that the lowest-paid are no longer abused and have protection under the law.<br> What about health ?<br> The NHS has changed substantially for the better since 1997. Waiting lists are down by 600,000 with the normal wait for treatment just four weeks.<br> 99% of suspected cancer patients are seen by a specialist within two weeks of being referred.<br> A&E waits are now four hours at the most.<br> There are over 40,000 more doctors and an extra 83,000 nurses since Labour came to power. There now are 100 new hospitals, 90 new NHS walk-in centres and over 650 one-stop primary care centres.<br> Look at education, there have been substantial improvements in primary and secondary school standards. More teachers. And billions spent on school buildings.<br> Now up to 89% of pupils achieve five GCSEs at grades A-C.<br> In some areas there are schools which are still not up to standard. But secondary education across the UK has improved because of policies like the National Challenge Initiative, which means that every school must have at least 30% of pupils achieving five C grades at GCSE by 2011.<br> Recently, Schools Secretary Ed Balls announced that the number of schools below that minimum standard has dropped by nearly 40%.<br> Labour’s new deal with doctors means that over three quarters of GP practices are open at least one evening a week or for weekend surgery.<br> Cancer mortality rates in under-75s have decreased by 18.2 per cent since 1996 and all prescriptions for people being treated for cancer are free.<br> Although you won’t read about these achievements in most of our press and media who for the most part are mere propagandists for the Tories.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/so-what-has-labour-ever-done-for-the-british-people-7079744/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-10-01:/2009/10/01/time-to-bring-a-swan-hunter-ship-back-home-7079358/reiverman2009-10-01T19:30:39+02:002009-10-01T19:30:39+02:00 <p>There are ongoing plans to bring life back to the old Swan Hunter shipyard on the Tyne.<br> Shipbuilding has now gone from the North East, although thankfully new life is coming to the Tyne and the Tees with major work linked to the renewable energy industry and offshore oil and gas projects.<br> One of the iconic industrial names in regional history is Swan Hunter.<br> The Swan Hunter site has been earmarked for future development and one suggestion is to bring home a ship which was built here.<br> In the near future two existing Royal Navy Aircraft Carriers, HMS Illustrious and HMS Ark Royal are due to be decommisioned and replaced.<br> Both of the vessels were built on the Tyne.<br> I believe one of these famous ships should be brought home to the Tyne as a centre piece for the new developments.<br> These ships have served the country in war, they could now be used to serve Tyneside and the wider region in peace.<br> <a href="http://www.newsguardian.co.uk/latest-news/Swan-Hunter-shipyard-is-bought.5651512.jp">Swan Hunter shipyard</a></p> <p><img src="http://www.maritimeandenergy.com/maritimeandenergy/bilder/Intersleek-Ark-Royal.jpg" alt="" title=""> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/10/01/time-to-bring-a-swan-hunter-ship-back-home-7079358/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-09-22:/2009/09/22/lib-dems-want-more-crime-then-vote-tory-7019174/reiverman2009-09-22T18:13:07+02:002009-09-22T18:13:07+02:00 <p>Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne has launched a gloves off atttack on David Cameron and the Tories.</p> <p>Home Office statistics showing a 81% rise in recorded crime between 1979 and 1997, the last period of Conservative rule.</p> <p>"The Tory party is snuggling up to with a bunch of people in Europe who frankly are shameful. Their Czech allies deny that climate change is man-made at all ...</p> <p>"The Polish party is homophobic and the Latvian party actually celebrates Adolf Hitler's Waffen SS."</p> <p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/sep/22/chris-huhne-tory-party-crime"> Tories the party of crime </a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/09/22/lib-dems-want-more-crime-then-vote-tory-7019174/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-09-03:/2009/09/03/photostream-north-east-6882081/reiverman2009-09-03T11:07:39+02:002009-09-04T12:24:47+02:00 <p>One of the best photo collections from around our region is this one, reflecting a wide range of the character of the North East, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40933629@N03/">jevys' photostream</a>. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/09/03/photostream-north-east-6882081/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-09-02:/2009/09/02/from-the-tees-to-the-tyne-the-energy-coast-6876480/reiverman2009-09-02T16:22:26+02:002009-11-20T15:27:45+01:00 <p>There are plans to build a <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/8193001.stm">biomass energy plant </a>by the banks of the Tyne, following the building of a similar plant on Teesside, which is due to come on line in 2012.<br> On the Tees work is being done to develop <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tees/8253965.stm">wave power </a>technology.<br> Narec is a national centre for the UK and is dedicated to the deployment and integration of renewable energy and low carbon generation technologies, utilising wind, wave, tidal, solar PV and thermal power.<br> Based in Blyth read more about the work of the centre <a href="http://www.narec.co.uk/">here</a>.<br> Along with the work which is ongoing to further develop other areas of renewable energy, particularly <a href="http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2009/09/17/4-4m-clipper-windpower-project-is-a-giant-of-a-challenge-but-we-re-up-for-it-51140-24715238/">wind power</a>, and the substantial <a href="http://www.subsea.org/company/listdetails.asp?companyid=1925">oil and gas offshore</a> industry which already exists here, the future for this region is in energy.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/09/02/from-the-tees-to-the-tyne-the-energy-coast-6876480/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-08-16:/2009/08/16/dave-cameron-flying-hypocrite-6738682/reiverman2009-08-16T20:03:33+02:002009-08-16T20:03:33+02:00 <p>It has been disclosed that Dave "green" Cameron has taken 24000 miles of free flights from his rich pals.<br> Should he be accepting feebies from people who will want favours returned if he gets into power.<br> And how is this supposed to fit in with his green credentials ?<br> <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/im-dave-fly-me-private-flights-revelations-are-latest-blow-1772824.html"> I'm Dave. Fly me: Private flights revelations are latest blow </a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/08/16/dave-cameron-flying-hypocrite-6738682/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-08-14:/2009/08/14/do-the-tories-hate-the-health-service-6726469/reiverman2009-08-14T22:37:12+02:002009-08-15T07:42:39+02:00 <p>It looks like they may do, but then so many Tories have the wealth to buy private health treatment so they don't need a service which so many rely on.<br> Also, there is something unpleasant about this tory going abroad to slate an institution based in the UK.<br> <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/08/13/tory-mep-in-rant-against-british-nhs-115875-21593179/">Tory MEP slags off the health service </a></p> <p>And <a href="http://www.hsj.co.uk/news/finance/tories-planning-nhs-cutbacks/5004720.article">Tories planning health service cuts.</a> Worrying. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/08/14/do-the-tories-hate-the-health-service-6726469/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-08-10:/2009/08/10/dialects-history-and-identity-6692728/reiverman2009-08-10T16:48:00+02:002009-08-10T16:50:27+02:00 <p>Right across the North East there are a wealth of names relating to the people and the history of where they are from. </p> <p><em>Geordies.</em><br> Geordie people and the dialect are pretty well known around the UK these days. The name comes from the railway pioneer and engineer George Stephenson, who in 1815 invented a miners' safety lamp before Sir Humphrey Davy.<br> The Northumberland and Durham miners stayed loyal to the George Stephenson lamp in preference to the one invented by Sir Humphrey Davy which was adopted by miners elsewhere in Britain at around same time, and the lamp, and eventually the miners themselves became known as Geordies.<br> These days the term Geordie is usually reserved for the people of Tyneside and Newcastle.</p> <p>The term also used to be used to loosely describe the people living in the areas of Wearside and Teesside but this has been dropped by most of the people in these parts of the region who now are referred to Mackems or Smoggies respectively.</p> <p><em>Mackems.</em><br> The main theory about the term Mackem is that it was a term used by Wear shipyard workers in the 19th century. The Mackems would make the ship and the shipping companies would take it. Hence “mackem and tackem"<br> 'Mackem' refers to both the people of Sunderland and their accent.<br> To people from outside the region the differences between Mackem and Geordie accents often seem marginal. But those from within this region can usually tell the difference with no problem.</p> <p><em>Smoggies.</em><br> The nickname Smogmonster (Smoggie) is more recent and relates to a person originating from Teesside particularly Middlesbrough and Stockton, and so called because of the Smog produced by the chemical plants and other industry on the Tees.</p> <p><em>Monkey Hangers.</em><br> Monkey Hangers are what people from the town of Hartlepool get called.<br> According to local legend a French ship was wrecked off the Hartlepool coast during the Napoleonic Wars . The only survivor was a monkey, wearing a French uniform for some unknown reason. The people didn’t know what a Frenchman looked like.<br> Some of the locals decided to hold a trial there and then and when the monkey - naturally enough - couldn’t answer questions put to it some of the locals decided that it was a French spy and hanged it from the mast of a fishing boat on the Hartlepool headland. Hartlepudlians have embraced the term with good humour, and very few find the term 'Monkey Hanger' offensive. </p> <p><em>Sand Dancers.</em><br> A person from South Shields is quite often called a Geordie or more locally known as a Sand Dancer. There were a lot of Yemeni born Arabs living in South Shields, many serving in the British Merchant Navy.<br> That fact combined with the location of South Shields which is known for long sandy beaches is where the name Sand Dancer comes from.</p> <p><em>Pit Yakkers.</em><br> Pit Yakkers was the nickname given to the miners and people from the pit villages which were once prevalent across the North East region. “Yakker” may have been a local word for hewer - i.e. a man who worked at the coal face. </p> <p><em>Northumbrians.</em><br> Northumbrian can relate to anyone from the Northumbrian region, that part of the world between the Tees and the Tweed. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/08/10/dialects-history-and-identity-6692728/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-08-01:/2009/08/01/remember-him-this-way-sir-bobby-robson-6628807/reiverman2009-08-01T07:09:19+02:002009-08-01T07:09:19+02:00 <p>Legend is a word used freely.<br> In this case no other word will suffice.<br> <img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44447000/jpg/_44447116_robson_getty.jpg" alt="" title=""> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/08/01/remember-him-this-way-sir-bobby-robson-6628807/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-07-26:/2009/07/26/the-tory-who-bankrolls-the-tories-but-don-t-don-t-ask-where-the-money-s-from-6592639/reiverman2009-07-26T18:26:51+02:002009-07-26T18:27:52+02:00 <p>The Tories are the party of the rich, and there is one particularly rich individual who currently subsidises them to a greater extent than just about anyone else, that man is Lord Ashcroft.<br> But don't ask where he gets his money from or if he pays UK taxes on his vast fortune.<br> Apparently the British public don't deserve to know about the financial affairs of someone who bankrolls a major UK political party.<br> Thats wrong.<br> <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8148905.stm"> Tory donor under pressure </a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/07/26/the-tory-who-bankrolls-the-tories-but-don-t-don-t-ask-where-the-money-s-from-6592639/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-07-03:/2009/07/03/the-tories-and-their-nice-little-earners-6442662/reiverman2009-07-03T14:41:43+02:002009-07-03T14:41:43+02:00 <p>The Tory MP'S are notorious for having a lot of extra jobs on the side.<br> These jobs don't involve voluntary work at the local hospital, however, funnily enough they seem to mainly involve being overpaid and underworked company directors.<br> Don't worry "citizen" David Cameron has said they should give up these additional jobs - but only until after the next election.<br> Cynical ? Well it is slippery Dave we are talking about.</p> <p><a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/05/03/4m-that-s-what-top-tories-get-for-2nd-jobs-115875-21328246/"> The Tories second jobs </a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/07/03/the-tories-and-their-nice-little-earners-6442662/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-07-02:/2009/07/02/are-the-tories-revolting-6438263/reiverman2009-07-02T18:37:39+02:002009-07-02T18:37:39+02:00 <p>It seems so according to this article <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/top-tories-revolt-over-plan-to-cut-spending-1702153.html"> Top Tories in revolt </a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/07/02/are-the-tories-revolting-6438263/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-06-23:/2009/06/23/electrifying-the-car-industry-6372836/reiverman2009-06-23T19:06:27+02:002009-06-23T19:06:27+02:00 <p>A major step forward has been taken to promote electric cars in this region.<br> A consortium, including Nissan, in Sunderland, and Smith Electric Vehicles, part of the North-East based Tanfield Group, have been given government support to put a fleet of electic cars on the road next year.<br> Another opportunity for our region to get a foot on the ladder of a new industry.<br> <a href="http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/business/4453119.Group_gets_funding_for_electric_car_fleet/"> Funding Electric cars </a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/06/23/electrifying-the-car-industry-6372836/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-06-07:/2009/06/07/new-northumbria-blog-thirty-thousand-hits-thankyou-6254389/reiverman2009-06-07T10:36:50+02:002009-06-09T21:59:28+02:00 <p>I have had 30,000 hits since creating this blog, in the grand scheme of the internet his might be pretty small beer, but I do appreciate everyone who has taken the time to pay a visit.<br> (even those who only wanted to give me a bit of abuse <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0">)<br> Hopefully some people may have even learned a little bit about this region they didn't know before.<br> And one day a new autonomous Northumbria may arise to take our rightful place as a respected part of the British Isles.<br> I live in hope. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/06/07/new-northumbria-blog-thirty-thousand-hits-thankyou-6254389/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-05-30:/2009/05/30/show-your-support-armed-forces-day-27-06-6203083/reiverman2009-05-30T15:18:11+02:002009-05-30T15:18:11+02:00 <p>The first UK National Armed Forces Day has been launched and will be held on the 27/06/2009.<br> Not before time.<br> To find out more visit the website and click to show your support <a href="http://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/Default.aspx"> UK Armed Forces Day </a><br> <img src="http://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/img/UK-Armed-Forces-Day.png" alt="" title=""> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/05/30/show-your-support-armed-forces-day-27-06-6203083/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-05-23:/2009/05/23/it-s-great-its-in-the-north-its-a-museum-and-from-today-it-s-open-6162278/reiverman2009-05-23T08:57:27+02:002009-05-23T08:59:20+02:00 <p>The new museum incorporates collections from the Hancock Museum and Newcastle University’s Museum of Antiquities, Shefton Museum and Hatton Gallery, bringing together the North East’s premier collections of archaeology, natural history and geology under one roof.<br> The project has been led by Newcastle University in partnership with Tyne & Wear Museums, Newcastle City Council, the Natural History Society of Northumbria and the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle upon Tyne.<br> The Great North Museum will also serve as the gateway to the environment and landscape of the Northumbrian region. The Hadrian’s Wall Gallery displays exhibits from the entire length of the wall in the single greatest collection of artefacts from the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site. Visitors can discover the fascinating history of Rome’s North Western frontier, including an inscription stone which proves that the wall was built on the orders of Emperor Hadrian.<br> See it here <a href="http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/news/great-north-museum-to-open-on-23-may-2009"> The Great North Museum </a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/05/23/it-s-great-its-in-the-north-its-a-museum-and-from-today-it-s-open-6162278/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-04-29:/2009/04/29/the-tyne-we-get-knocked-down-but-we-get-up-again-6028772/reiverman2009-04-29T12:16:54+02:002009-11-18T15:28:14+01:00 <p>3 years ago the famous and historic Swan Hunter shipyard was closed down for the last time and people felt that this was the end of the Tyne as a major working river.<br> Not likely.<br> The people of this region might get a kicking now and again but they never keep us down for long.<br> The Swan Hunter yard is being sold to North Tyneside Council for development.<br> We already have a cluster of world class firms in the offshore industry and engineering giant SLP revealed plans to bring hundreds of jobs to the Tyne over the next few years, with around 450 being created at the former Amec-Hadrian yard in the short-term.<br> The government is investing more than £500m to help get offshore wind farm projects off the ground, Tyneside is already leading the way.<br> Marine company Shepherd Offshore is building a wind turbine factory which started in May at the old Neptune yard, in Walker, in Newcastle’s East End, with more jobs set to follow.<br> <a href="http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2009/04/24/river-tyne-to-be-revamped-in-regeneration-bid-72703-23464522/">The Tyne will rise again.</a></p> <p>The Renewable Energy Park, Newcastle, <a href="http://www.energyparknewcastle.co.uk/index.html"> The centre for the UK's wind energy industry </a></p> <p>Another Tyne shipyard has been reborn by winning a multi-million-pound contract which will create 200 jobs relating to the offshore wind electricty industry.<br> <a href="http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2009/05/12/offshore-electricity-deal-will-create-200-tyne-jobs-51140-23600686/"> Mcnulty shipyard South Shields wins major order </a> </p> <p>Fishing has had a presence on the river Tyne for hundreds of years and this investment will secure commercial fishing on the river for the future,<a href="http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2009/11/11/5-75m-bid-to-rescue-north-shields-fish-quay-72703-25143217/"> North Shields Fish Quay improvements </a></p> <p>An organisation exists here in our region to promote interest in traditional seagoing activities in the region and restore classic boats <a href="http://nemaritimetrust.co.uk/"> The North East Maritime Trust </a> </p> <p>And even elements of shipbuilding has returned to the river as a Tyne shipyard will build part of two new Royal Navy Aircraft Carriers.<br> <a href="http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2009/11/10/a-p-tyne-win-huge-aircraft-carrier-contract-61634-25129054/">A&P Tyne win huge aircraft carrier contract.</a> </p> <p>And it isn't just on the banks of the Tyne or on the river itself where developments are happening, under the river a new tunnel is being built in one of the biggest civil engineering projects for years <a href="http://www.newtynecrossing.info/wps/wcm/connect/NTC"> New Tyne crossing </a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/04/29/the-tyne-we-get-knocked-down-but-we-get-up-again-6028772/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-04-26:/2009/04/26/northerners-know-your-place-6010168/reiverman2009-04-26T14:14:16+02:002009-04-26T19:03:05+02:00 <p>An excellent website which portrays in all its gory details the in-built bias of the media based in London towards the North.<br> We Northerners really shouldn't attempt to get above ourselves.<br> Light hearted in places but accurate as well.<br> <a href="http://www.seaham.i12.com/myers/ns.html"> The North South Media Divide </a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/04/26/northerners-know-your-place-6010168/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-04-24:/2009/04/24/want-good-food-produced-locally-look-no-further-than-northumbria-larder-6001368/reiverman2009-04-24T19:04:39+02:002009-04-25T09:03:10+02:00 <p>Northumbria Larder promotes food and drink from Northumbria, from the Scottish border through Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham, to the Tees Valley.<br> Good quality produce made here which can be promoted to a UK and international audience.<br> If you feel like feeding yourself and those close to you find out more here <a href="http://www.northumbria-larder.co.uk/"> Northumbria Larder </a>.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/04/24/want-good-food-produced-locally-look-no-further-than-northumbria-larder-6001368/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-04-23:/2009/04/23/why-an-english-parliament-would-be-bad-for-the-north-5994562/reiverman2009-04-23T14:30:07+02:002009-04-23T14:30:07+02:00 <p>Some people are advocating an "English Parliament".</p> <p>I think this would be bad for the Northeast. </p> <p>The population of London and the Southeast is far greater than that of the Northeast therefore it follows that the interests of the South would dominate such a body. </p> <p>And London already has an assembly to represent its interests.</p> <p>The last thing we need is another gravy train for politicians and massive London bureaucracy to go with it.</p> <p>In elections and opinion polls Labour & the Liberal Democrats have done better in the North while the Tories have done well down south therefore it follows that an English parliament would be full of southern representatives while we would be marginalised.</p> <p>And such a body would be divisive for other reasons.</p> <p>For a start it could be a dangerous step on the road to the death of Great Britain. And because different regions within England have different voting patterns an "English Parliament" could lead to the existing North South divide becoming a permanent break.</p> <p>Not one of the three main political parties are interested in creating such a parliament for very good reasons. </p> <p>An English parliament could at best be an irrelevance to the Northeast region and at worst would prove to be very detrimental to our interests. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/04/23/why-an-english-parliament-would-be-bad-for-the-north-5994562/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-04-22:/2009/04/22/harvesting-the-northumbrian-wind-5989517/reiverman2009-04-22T19:43:45+02:002009-04-22T19:46:21+02:00 <p>There are plans to build a major offshore wind farm off the North East coast which could supply as much energy for this region as a nuclear power station.<br> I hope that the plans for the wind turbines come to fruition, and this region can benefit from the developments.<br> We already have seen investment in the offshore industry with the wind farm at Blyth(the first in the UK) and the new and renewable energy centre, also at Blyth.<br> And we also have an in-built advantage with a succesful oil and gas offshore industry and ship building heritage, one site which is already being earmarked is next to the <a href="http://www.shepherdoffshore.com/offshore/index.htm">Walker Offshore Technology park </a>in Newcastle.<br> The plans are in an advanced stage to create a new industrial revolution for the North East <a href="http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2009/03/10/tyneside-s-new-industrial-revolution-72703-23107643/"> Wind Power revolution </a><br> It is up the appropriate goverment agencies and the companies concerned to take advantage of the possibilities for the future. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/04/22/harvesting-the-northumbrian-wind-5989517/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-04-19:/2009/04/19/bloodsports-the-tories-want-to-bring-back-legalised-cruelty-5970204/reiverman2009-04-19T14:16:10+02:002009-04-19T14:17:58+02:00 <p>The Tories complained bitterly that too much parliamentary time taken up when Labour stopped fox-hunting with dogs.<br> So what is going to be one of their priorites if they were to win the next election ?<br> Thats right they are going make sure that those sections of society who want to set dogs on foxes for no apparent reason should be allowed to do so, using up that parliamentary time in the process.<br> I have no objection if people like to dress up in silly fancy dress and ride around the countryside if they want to.<br> But lets be honest the only reason to go fox hunting is bloodlust.<br> David Cameron is a fraud who does his best to try and disguise his wealthy, upper class background, but every now and then the mask slips and we can see the leader of the nasty Tories as he - and they - really are.<br> <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/04/08/top-tory-i-ll-bring-back-fox-hunting-115875-21262350/"> Tories to reintroduce fox hunting </a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/04/19/bloodsports-the-tories-want-to-bring-back-legalised-cruelty-5970204/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-04-13:/2009/04/13/the-tories-still-the-party-of-the-rich-yes-and-here-s-the-proof-5937803/reiverman2009-04-13T16:17:15+02:002009-04-15T11:38:45+02:00 <p>There is an argument about inheritance tax although very few people will ever even pay it.<br> A mere 6% of families pays inheritance tax. The tax is 40% on the balance of inheritances above a £300,000 tax-free threshold. Most of the 6% are to be found in London and the south east of England. Inherited wealth should be taxed and the money used to improve public services, thats fair.<br> The Tories want to raise the threshold from £300,000 to £1 million.<br> That means they would share one billion pounds between the richest 9,000 families in the country.<br> And we know that essential public services would wind up being cut to support the Tories' wealthy pals in London and the South East.<br> There are 19 millionaires on the Tory front bench alone !<br> Unfairness is built into the Tory attitude and nothing much changes. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/04/13/the-tories-still-the-party-of-the-rich-yes-and-here-s-the-proof-5937803/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-03-25:/2009/03/25/the-lindisfarne-gospels-another-insult-from-london-5827215/reiverman2009-03-25T10:21:43+01:002009-04-24T18:34:32+02:00 <p>The British Library in London has decided that the Lindisfarne Gospels can come back to our region.<br> But unbelievably they have decided that they can only come back to the Northumbria that created them once every 7 years for a mere 3 months at a time.<br> Probably to Durham Cathedral.<br> This is disgraceful and unethical but typical of London- centric domination in this country.<br> We do not want anything which rightfully belongs to London so why the hell should something that was created here and historically and culturally belongs to us be kept there?<br> Thankfully the Northumbrian Association has already said the campaign to have the Lindisfarne Gospels returned to their rightful home permanently will continue.</p> <p><em>THE CROSS OF ST CUTHBERT</em><br> <img src="http://imagecache.allposters.com/images/pic/BRGPOD/52385~St-Cuthbert-s-Cross-found-1827-when-the-Saint-s-tomb-was-opened-Posters.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/03/25/the-lindisfarne-gospels-another-insult-from-london-5827215/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk,2009-03-05:/2009/03/05/thatcher-and-the-oppression-of-the-miners-during-the-1984-1985-miners-strike-5697822/reiverman2009-03-05T12:01:25+01:002009-03-05T12:01:25+01:00 <p>It is the 25th anniversary of one of the major events in the history of post war Britain.<br> That event, was of course the 1984/1985 miners strike.<br> A dogmatic right wing government led by Margaret Thatcher was in power and was determined to destroy the miners union, the NUM.<br> The destruction of the vast majority of the UK's mining industry during this period was a spiteful political act and a huge, short sited economic mistake.<br> Britain is an island built on coal which now has to import most of our coal from unstable countries around the world - madness.<br> There may have been mistakes made on how the strike was organised but there is no mistake in recognising the stupitity of the policies and brutal oppression of the miners by the Thatcher government at that time.<br> Whole comunities were destroyed here in the North East and around the UK, some never to recover.<br> The same miners who had provided this countries energy for generations were described as the "enemy within" by Thatcher, the most disgraceful comment ever made by a British Prime Minister.<br> Thatchers legacy is a shameful one.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://newnorthumbria.blog.co.uk/2009/03/05/thatcher-and-the-oppression-of-the-miners-during-the-1984-1985-miners-strike-5697822/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>