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"

Ray King Column

In a glass of its own...

I’ve been writing articles for more than 30 years in various newspapers, interviewed on radio, and occasionally television, given talks at sports meetings and schools.
However, to suggest I’ve been leading a lucrative lifestyle during those years could not be further from the truth. In fact, there are only two occasions when I received monetary gain.

One of those transactions occurred at the time I was manager of Poole Town Football club. I’d been invited by the BBC to meet the great John Arlott, undoubtedly the finest cricket commentator of all time; his distinctive voice fascinated millions of cricket lovers who listened in to his commentaries.

John at that time also performed as an interviewer for the BBC sports programme based in Southampton, and it was here that the interview with me took place.
Television in those days was black and white and all programmes were live. This can place extra pressure on both interviewer and interviewee. Mistakes cannot be rectified.

Before the talks began, which were to be half an hour on youth football and cricket, John invited me into his small dressing room – more like a closet- to partake in a little refreshment. He was renowned for his wine consumption, but on this occasion it was vintage sherry!

Between us we consumed a full bottle and any nerves I may have had were completely obliterated and my memory of this broadcast still remains extremely vague! It was gratifying when those who saw the programme told me I’d done very well and John Arlott was superb. It was then I knew why he performed so well – drink half a bottle of sherry or wine before going on air.

Apart from the sherry, I received £6 from the BBC six months later!
My only other monetary gain was an occasion when I gave a talk to the Amble History club. My cheque for £15 went into the Alzheimer’s Trust.

Wishing you all the compliments of the season
Ray