Today was last Ryton Local Produce Market until the spring. Having to trade from the core of a quagmire didn’t dampen spirits at all, and we were treated to a selection of carols courtesy of […]

Today was last Ryton Local Produce Market until the spring. Having to trade from the core of a quagmire didn’t dampen spirits at all, and we were treated to a selection of carols courtesy of […]
I was delighted when the head of St Agnes School in Crawcrook, Mr Laidler, allowed me to sit in on their atmospheric production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! I’ve seen professional productions of the show twice, […]
Christmas is a time beloved of the young, the lead up to it being more exciting than the day itself I think. A major joy during the run up to December 25th is the school […]
I think it’s gradually dawning upon me that I’m not going back to work. I’ve dreamt of being retired since I was sixteen, and I’m certainly not complaining, although I suppose that in all of […]
Walking through the Haymarket Metro Station yesterday my attention was drawn to an illuminated poster advertising Day of the Flymo, about to begin its second run at the Live Theatre, Newcastle. The lead role in […]
Traders at Ryton Market got themselves into the Halloween spirit last Saturday. Don’t forget, the next market will be the Christmas one, on 12th December.
Last month I published photographs taken at the Ryton Local Produce Market. Whilst I was there I got chatting to the organiser Melanie Cornish. Melanie has a busy schedule, but she kindly agreed for me […]
It’s half term, so while the students have their break, preparation is underway to begin demolishing the old Thorp Academy, to make way for the new. I’ve been down there this foggy autumn morning to […]
I have always believed in this simple concept. If you’re feeling lonely, or a relationship has just ended, you will never get anywhere if you sit moping in the house. Ten years ago this weekend […]
Last Wednesday was an enjoyable day; I spent it on the set of the ITV detective series Vera, which has just completed filming season six. Created by ITV Gallowgate, Vera is based on the […]
This following paragraph is the gist of an article published in the Evening Chronicle a couple of months ago. Following a new round of financial predictions and spending reviews, Northumbria Police face further cuts to […]
Many many thanks to the people of Greenside, Ryton, Crawcrook, and our surrounding villages, for inviting us to the marvellous fundraiser at Greenside Social Club on Saturday night. This was to help students from Thorp Academy fund their […]
Have I mentioned that I am retiring next week? Possibly not, I don’t tend to talk about it very much. Anyway, in anticipation of a bit of spare cash I’m busy sorting out a few […]
We’ve been to Harrogate and York recently, but we haven’t been to rural Yorkshire for ages. It’s easy to see why Alf Wight fell in love with the place and settled in Thirsk to become James […]
On Sunday night Heather and I had a walk around the ponds at Blaydon, you’ll know where I mean, the back of where the old swimming pool used to be. I’ve never been down there before, but it […]
Heather and I went to see an ingenious piece of theatre last night at the Live Theatre. 11 Plus is a short performance based on interviews with a group of young people aged 11 years […]
I rang my friend Irene on Friday afternoon. “You know that cycle shop in Newburn, KB Cycles or something?” (KB Cycles Newburn) “Yes.” “Well is that the shop you use? It’s just we’ve been in and […]
I haven’t been on my blog because we’ve been to Liverpool for a few days, and what a fantastic place it is. We wanted a city break and we chose Liverpool, simply because neither of […]
Mr Hall, of Thorp Academy, has most kindly asked me if I will write (in my blog) about the demise of the old school, and the rise of the new. This will be an on-going […]
Thorp Academy had better watch out, because the KS2 Drama Club, at St. Agnes Catholic Primary School in Crawcrook, are snapping at their heels. When it comes to end of term celebrations, St. Agnes know how to do […]
I’ve been back to Thorp Academy this afternoon, to tell sixth form students about my day job. What an impressive bunch of young people they all are – and set to lead lives far more […]
The bands performing at the Corbridge Festival in July, may not have been my genré exactly, but I had a fantastic time in the midst of a great atmosphere and lovely company. I took a […]
I suppose that at any given moment, in any school or college in the country, you will find a young person who is going to be the next Gary Barlow, Katherine Jenkins, Fred Astaire, Dame Maggie […]
Names have been changed for this article. However, there is nothing written here which isn’t already in the public domain, and freely available on the internet via a Google search using real names. I love […]