Surf spectacular
National championship at Druridge Bay

A Dog's life
We have the best dog beaches - it's official!

Affordable housing
Dreaming of your own house?

Deer Ambler
Spring surprise

Everybody's talking
Community forum promotes our interests

Hedging bets
Doing what comes naturally

Saving wildlife
Making a river change its mind

RNLI station shop
Spend money and save lives

Amble slimmers
Get thin and save lives

Editorial
Supermarket snags and what's in this "life saving" issue.

Have your say
Letters and email, including photos

Improving Queen Street
Grants can give you an uplift

National 'Elf
Dress up as an elf and save lives

Veggie basket scheme
Disadvantaged people help community

Neighbourhood watch
Keeping an eye on your neighbours

Coquet High School Partnership
Expected drop in pupil numbers

Women's house building project
The house that Jill built

Artograffi
Easter fun

David's Diary
News from Amble Development Trust

Town council report
News update from the Town Council

Confessions of an addict
Harry gives up the weed

Age Concern Northumberland
...need people who are concerned

Chinese freeze affects Welfare
Snow stops take-away

Child Trust Fund
Invest in your child's future

Penny
New year Resolutions

Amble Churches Together
Thoughts for New Year

County Councillors report
Future developments

A tale of two thefts
You have been warned

The Peer Mentors
Students help each other

Residents get the hump over bumps
Calming the traffic?

Dirty wellies in a wine bar
Rural romance

Small skinny latte
Toddlers make their own coffee shop

Poetry corner
Safe to shore

Paddlers Paradise
New look play area

Snippets...
Local food, recycling, school numbers, welfare update

What's On
Including live music, Easter services, volunteering at Warkworth Castle and more.

Greetings from Aglaia
Message from a tall ship

Ray King column
Kevin Keegan takes over. "We all eagerly await"

A.C.T. I - A very modern Mary

“Doctor, I’m pregnant.”
“Pregnant?! How do you know?”
“An angel told me.”
“An angel! – Mary are you sure you are not dreaming?”
“No. He was very real.He said his name was Gabriel and God had sent…”
“Hang on a minute – I’ve known you and your family all your life.You are deeply religious people, you couldn’t let this happen ….”
“I know, that’s the funny thing – this Gabriel said that’s why I was chosen.”
“I suppose Joseph had nothing to do with this?”
“Oh no! He doesn’t know anything about it yet.”
“Mary---this is getting worse by the minute. Are you – I mean have you – I hardly dare ask you…….”
“Oh it’s alright Doctor, I am a virgin, I promise you.”
“Well I can hardly believe that in the circumstances. How did you get pregnant?”
“Gabriel said it would be the Spirit of God entering into me.”
“Well I think you will have a job convincing people of that!”
“I know, that’s my problem, how do I explain to Joseph and my family?”
“I could help you get rid of it and then no-one but you and I need know…”
“Oh no! I’ve given my word to Gabriel. There must be something special about this baby or an angel wouldn’t have been sent.”
“I can’t go on with this charade Mary. I’m sorry but either you are hallucinating or telling lies, and I don’t know why”.
“I don’t know either. There must be something really special about this baby, but what, and why me?”
“Well, Mary, I’m a man of science, I only believe what I can see and understand.”
“That’s it! That’s the answer – God is to become a man so that we can see and understand. Thank you Doctor, thank you very much, you have been a great help – goodbye.”

Lou Pickering