Issue 57: June/July 2009

Fourways 2, 6 Dilston Terrace, Amble, Northumberland, NE65 0DT editor@theambler.co.uk

Injured Amble Soldier
Amble soldier wounded during Afghan tour

Day Centre reform
Controversy and unease at reform plans

David counts on a bright future
Local lad becomes Fulbright Scholar

Bronze Age burials
Why archaeologists are worried about Low Hauxley's coast

A piece of history
The day the roof fell in

Amble meets Ab Fab
Fashionistas come to town

Help for jobseekers
Jobs board, CV service etc

Amble's community forum
How to join in the fun

Selfridges has Empathy with Amble
Luxury products from the Friendliest Port

Zecca opens doors
New restaurant could put Amble on food map

Beach safety
RNLI concerned about holidaymakers

Links First School
Graduation and recycling

Strawberries and Bubbly
All in aid of a good cause

Your letters and email
Amble Day Centre - Politicians and Council argue it out . Plus what did the Vikings call Amble?

Cycling for charity
Gillian and Tony take a three day challenge

Brambles Celebrations
What these top tots are up to!

Enterprise and Initiative
Year three youngsters show us how it's done

Funday at the Welfare
Healthy fun in the sun at the Welfare

Coronation street party
Do you recognise anyone in the picture?

Attendance allowance
Are you getting what you're entitled to?

Help for volunteers
Country-wide project will help local people

Capt'n Coquet's corner
Lord of the (Coquet) rings!

Comment
How Amble is strutting its stuff

Artograffi
Including why we wake up early only in the holidays

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

Bringing in the cha-ching
Staff at Kathleen's hold a coffee morning

Amble Churches Together
Keeping things safe

Penny says..
Pity the teachers

Armed Forces Day
Images from the Town Square

Swine 'flu: the facts
Information at your fingertips

Talk to your doctor, guys
Delicate subject delicately discussed

What's On
Local events and activities

Dance Divas and St Cuthberts
Youngsters with a lot going on

Ray King blog
Including a tribute to Bobby Robson

Castles and Islands challenge
Why a hi tec firm supported a local yacht race

No referrals in the north!
The Ambler received a letter from reader, Mr G. Moore, telling us of the difficulties he believes people in our area face when trying to improve their health. The N.H.S. runs an ‘exercise referral scheme’, providing free gym or leisure centre membership to patients with health problems (such as obesity or depression) which can be improved by regular exercise.

Mr Moore asked local doctors to refer him to the scheme, only to be informed that it was no longer available to patients in Amble, although G.P.s and Practice Nurses can offer help, advice and support to those who want to change their lifestyle or improve their health.

He contacted Alan Beith M.P., to find out why the scheme was no longer on offer. Mr Beith referred his question to Chris Reed, Chief Executive of N.H.S. North of Tyne, who replied:
“The exercise referral scheme in Alnwick, which would have covered Amble, was discontinued by the Northumberland practice based commissioning group for the north locality in 2007. This was because it served such a very small number of patients”.

However this could reflect a lack of knowledge about the scheme, rather than a lack of need for it, as Mr Moore points out: “If people aren’t told about the free gym then they can’t use it”.

Mr Reed suggests that patients in North Northumberland can instead go on free Health Walks, but as Mr Moore said in his letter; ‘A walk around Amble on a wet Monday or windy Wednesday is not the same as an hour in the gym.’

If any other Ambler readers have had similar problems in finding support we would like to hear from you. Email editor@theambler.co.uk

The views expressed in The Ambler and The AmblerOnline are not necessarily the views of the Editorial Team.
The Ambler is a project of Amble Development Trust