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"

Letters & emails

Skating round the issue

Dear Ambler,
We – the skaters, bladers and BMXers of Amble and surrounding villages are disgusted and hurt at the fact we personally received only six days notice before our skatepark was demolished before our eyes. Our place of socialisation is no longer and therefore we have been shunned back to the unsheltered memorial or town centre.

We have regular after school meetings during our own free time at the Dovecote Den. During these meetings we were informed that there were plans to erect a replacement skatepark at the newly developing Amble Welfare. In other meetings we have talked with the Development Trust about these issues. We really feel unsure about the reconstruction of a new park. We believe that the Council has pushed this issue to the back of their heads, to the bottom of their agendas until recently.

Recently we have received some replies to our letters of concern. Audrey Jones said, “Today I have been in touch with several officers from Alnwick District Council including the Chief Executive and everyone is trying all kinds of avenues to get a temporary venue for the skatepark.”
To help towards a future skatepark we have successfully raised £2000 ourselves!!!
On behalf of the regular Amble skaters I would like to thank Chief Executive Bill Batey and other Councillors who are trying to help, also thanks to the Development Trust.
We have formed a committee so please keep talking to us and keep us informed. We are the experts and know what will work!

Amble Skaters
via email

Across the divide

Dear Ambler,
Thank you to all those people who responded to my Survey asking for your preference for Amble to be included in North Northumberland or South East Northumberland.

The vast majority preferred to be included in North Northumberland. This result was conveyed to the County Council Coordinator Mr Robert Baker and also to the Northumberland Strategic Partnership (NSP) Head of Strategy, Ms Janice Rose.

At the meeting of the Alnwick Area Partnership last Thursday (22 Nov) it was decided to support Amble’s wish to go in with North Northumberland. At this meeting a representative from the Government Office - North East said that other Parishes to the south of Amble didn’t want to go in with the South-East either!

I have every confidence that the NSP will recommend to the Joint Implementation Team (who will make the decision) that Amble be included in North Northumberland.

Ian Hinson
Eastgarth Ave, Amble

Let there be light

Dear Ambler,
On behalf of Amble Development Trust, I would like to extend a warm thank you to the community of Amble who, despite the poor weather, turned up to support the Christmas Lights and Procession on Sunday night, 18th November.
A special thanks to all the community groups, and particularly all the local school children, who worked hard to make their willow lanterns, which made the Procession such a success this year! The Coquet Extended Partnership Services are to be congratulated for organising the Lantern Parade and we hope the artists who worked with the schools will come back again next year!
The Procession included: The Willow Lantern Parade, Amble Christmas Lights Committee, Amble & Warkworth Rotary Club, Amble & Warkworth Round Table, Brambles, the RNLI, Pier 81, Amble Coastguards, Amble Bikers, and the local Police. Thanks also to Amble’s Mayor, Helen Lewis, and the local Church Choir, Bill Read, Mark Beswick and live band, The Arty Clark Experience, the Viper Performance Company and Tommy Boswell of Funworld.
Congratulations also, to the Amble Christmas Lights Committee, for yet another excellent display. An extra special thank you for all their hard work in putting up the displays - without the dedication of this Committee, Amble would not have any lights at all.
£73 was raised for the Christmas Lights through public donations. P.A.R.R.T (People's Animal Rescue & Re-homing Team) raised £194 for their charitable cause and the RNLI raised around £164 for their Lifeboat charity. So congratulations to all!
Merry Christmas everyone and best wishes for the New Year!

Louise Stott
Project Officer, Amble Development Trust

And then there was light!

Dear Ambler,
I would like to sincerely thank all the lads who have worked so hard over the year ensuring another brilliant display. To everyone who helped on the ‘put up day’ and to Sharon at the Dock Hotel who made sure they were well fed.
The procession and entertainment was once again fantastic thanks to all the hard work by Louise Stott at Amble Development Trust, to all those who participated and to the great turnout once again from the community.
A special thank you to the community and business people who so generously donate each year. Without your support there would be no lights.
Already plans are afoot for next years display. If anyone would like to help our lads (3 in all) they would be most welcome. Please contact me at 01665 710241 (business) 0r 01665 711274 (home).

Mrs. F. Angus (sec)
Morwick Rd. Warkworth