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

Newcastle United!

“We all love Sam” Every Utd player is 100% behind him! These were the words of Shay Given Newcastle Utd keeper at the time when manager Sam Allardice was subject to extreme pressure during United’s woeful exhibition of Premiere League Football.

Following those patriotic words, Dear old Sam was jacked in the following week,
‘So much for players ‘Patriotism!!”

‘Kevin Keegan’, now there’s a name to conjure! After days of speculation, names rolling off the tongue by the media as to who was destined to claim the ‘Poisoned Chalice!’ Kevin returns to restore the type of fantasy football every United supporter craves! Kevin is renowned for his tremendous enthusiasm. He makes people believe he is a larger than life kinda guy. He loves everyone; particularly United fans who he would have them believe are the world’s greatest. Sad to say, Kevin is regarded as a joke by the majority of football writers who view Kevin as an individual who will run for the nearest exit should the performances on the pitch fail to function.

Kevin is a complex and undervalued character whose aim is to restore the hopes and dreams of those fanatical supporters who for decades have been denied the excitement generated by a team wearing black and white shirts who respond to the cry “Howay the lads.” We all eagerly await!

The name of Alan Shearer has been consistently mentioned in the tabloids as the eventual manager of United, but of course this is mere speculation. Alan is a shrewd operator, keeps his thoughts to himself and allows the media to reach their own conclusions.

I wrote in this column some time ago that Alan has got himself a nice little niche, sitting comfortably in the BBC studio discussing televised matches together with Gary Lineker, Alan Hansen and Marie Lawrenson. Not one of them are likely to give up such a plum assignment, the ‘crême de la crême!’

Shearer is wise enough to realise that his image as a local head would quickly be forgotten should results on the playing field fail to reach the standards he performed as a player! The same criterion applies to Keegan who has set his own standards during the period when the great success as a player, then later as manager propelled him into legendary status. That successful period can only increase the pressure which will be thrust upon his shoulders, and for him to fail third time round would be nothing short of catastrophe.

Yes, Kevin has many faults, but haven’t we all? I should be the first person to chastise him for his failure to answer my letter asking to invite me to St James Park for an FA Cup tie against my other old club, Port Vale. Not one to hold grudges I never the less wish him well on his momentous task.
Ray