What You Say #157
Children’s charity says thanks
A new group, HD Kidz has been awarded funding to support children with hidden differences, including autism, ADHD, fetal alcohol spectrum conditions, and acquired brain injury. The group gives support by providing fun activities for children, and free training workshops for parents.
Thanks to this funding, we have been able to deliver a range of activities, such as free days at Lilidorei and Puffin Cruises, giving them opportunities to build confidence, friendships, and skills in an understanding environment. Families have told us how valuable it has been to have safe, inclusive activities that understand their children’s needs.
A series of free training and support workshops for parents and carers, such as Makaton, and EHCP are now being prepared.
If as a parent or carer you feel you could benefit from these workshops, or if you support a child with a hidden difference and would like to get involved, please get in touch.
For more information or to register your interest in the workshops, please contact us at: info@hdkidz.org
Saphire Took
www.hdkidz.org
A poem to remember Maureen Bird
My partner’s mum Maureen Bird had lived up in Amble for over 25 years. She passed away last September and we were looking for a poem relating to beaches (she loved walking the dog on the beach) and the sea, that we could include in the funeral service.
We couldn’t find an appropriate one, so I asked my partner Nicky where her Mum used to like to go and what she liked to do and I decided to write one myself especially for her.
Nicky read it out at the funeral and since then some of the people that came have been in similar circumstances with relatives and asked to use it as a remembrance eulogy of a life lived up in the north especially up around the Amble area.
Maureen loved to read the Ambler and I thought it may be a nice thing to put it in the paper for other people to have a look at and use as they see fit if they wanted to. Please have a read and see what you think.
Paul Shepherd via email
The Beach
ake a walk with me, to be by the coast,
Sandpipers and swallows can be our host,
Low Hauxley, Boulmer and Warkworth beach,
Sea glass treasure, within our reach.
White horses breaking over golden grains,
Feel the sky and the wind running through our veins,
Amble, Beadnell, Howick and Craster,
How fast can you run? well I can run faster
Pebbles and shells beneath our feet
Walking the dog, I wonder who we’ll meet?
The ocean breathes……. it’s Vast,
There’s plenty of time to think about our past
Lifeboats, lifelong loves and friends,
Walks over the sand dunes, that never seem to end.
Memories of blue skies, smiles and tears
Can’t believe we made it through all these years
Time to go back from where we came
Say goodbye and we’ll meet again.
Just this last time, come and take my hand,
And let’s see the universe, in a grain of sand
Paul Shepherd 2025
Feeling boxed in
am writing to express my concerns regarding the planning application for the proposed Togston Farm East Holiday Park (26/00741/FUL), on the outskirts of Amble.
The scale and nature of the development are in my opinion inappropriate for open countryside and risk harming local landscape character, views, and wildlife.
Tourist accommodation in the area has expanded significantly, placing pressure on local communities, infrastructure, and the wider environment.
No evidence has been provided to show a need for additional static caravans, especially when many existing sites operate below capacity.
Traffic and highway safety impacts are also a major issue. The junction serving the site is already dangerous, and increased vehicle movements would add further strain to the A1068 and nearby roads, worsening congestion through Amble, Togston, Radcliffe, and Hauxley.
Consultation has been limited due to the site’s location, and the proposal raises broader concerns about similar development extending further into open countryside around Amble, including areas unsuitable for housing.
While I understand that tourism is vital for the local economy, there must be appropriate balance, otherwise our community risks becoming over-pressured and seasonally unsustainable, characterised by long periods of low occupancy.
A concerned resident, feeling boxed in!
Name supplied
via email
