Druridge Bay
Alan Beith on the nuclear future

Magical torchlight procession
Images of the event

New pier access
Help for storm damaged pier

Care - but at what cost?
Why are local care home owners also concerned about Council decisions

Amble GPS
Wanted: young people for computer game project

Bruner's Beasties
Aka the weird and wonderful world of Mr R. Galvin

New Face on Queen St
Shop face lift brightens town

Second Supermarket meeting
Public meetings continue over supermarket development

Platinum wedding celebrations
Bill and Dorothy Dobson

Centenary celebrations
Nellie Priest is one hundred

Amble First School
Sponsored walk from Edwin St children

Improved standards
Coquet High School's OFSTED inspection

First School smiles
Amble Links school brush up on healthy teeth

Through the lens
Photography comeptition

From the Team
It's our birthday!!

The Ambler is free
just an opinion..

Sales free money guidance
No selling, just the facts

Christmas recipe
Yummy pudding from Warkworth House Hotel

Marina and Lifeboat celebrate
Dredging of the Marina has finished in record time

Police make a difference
Together with Amble Funeralcare and at the Boys Club

Birds on a wire
Discussing Mr Almond on Twitter

Your letters and email
Help children at Christmas, praise for Zecca and more...

James Charlton
Local boy made good

Indian Summer
Why not have a Bollywood Party?

The Lost Sister:
Part one of our online serialisation of Paul Harris' book. 1/6

ACT
Thoughts from Amble Churches together

St Cuthbert's in Botswana?
Amble hosts visit by theologian from Botswana

Recognition for Outstanding Carers
Age Concern Northumberland awards

Artograffi
It's Christmas!

David's Diary
News from Amble Development Trust

Town council report
News and updates from the Town Council

County Councillors reports
Reports from Robert and Jeff

Poetry page
Poems from Matt Donaghue, Arnold Frost and T.J. Landles

Penny...
reflects on 2009

Recycled
Tommy Welsh's latest handywork

Operation Christmas Child
Another successful year

Peace on Earth
Remembrance Day 2009

What's On
Including Christmas services and the Pantomime

In memory of Alan
Football match to commemorate Alan Gair

Emma gains her Black Belt
News from Shotokan Karate Club

Loch Ness Marathon
Alison Lowes raises money

Ray King
Those left behind

Druridge Bay: power and the powerful

By Sir Alan Beith M.P.

It was quite a shock to get a phone call from Environment Secretary Ed Miliband warning me that he was going to refer to Druridge Bay in a statement he would make on the future of nuclear power.

I was in the London Underground, on my way from King’s Cross to the House of Commons, when the Downing Street switchboard operator managed to get through to me, (the Downing Street operators are famous for finding anyone, anywhere, any time).

The story, confirmed later that day in the Commons, was that the Government had asked consultants to come up with a range of planned and possible sites for new nuclear power stations. The consultants dusted off the files on Druridge Bay, and said that it was suitable for consideration.

Over 20 years ago many of us fought a massive campaign to prevent a nuclear power station being built at the bay, and to stop the sand being taken away. The good news is that the Government agrees that Druridge Bay is the wrong place, much too far from the national grid transmission lines and the areas where power is needed.

The worry is that a future government could take a different view; planning rules have been changed to weaken the influence of local communities on these big decisions. I made it clear in the Commons that, if necessary, the campaign to save our magnificent bay would spring back to life.

Top: Druridge Bay during the 2009 charity run Above: part of the area is a country park

My own view is that the push for nuclear power will prove hugely expensive, and there is no plan to deal safely with nuclear waste. We still have the option of meeting our future energy needs with more use of renewable energy sources, clean coal technology (which Alcan want to develop at Lynemouth) and much greater energy efficiency.