4 - Newcastle City Council

Welcome
to the January to March edition
of Citylife.
We begin the year with a new editor for
Citylife. I am Nadine Aston and I joined
the team at the end of 2008. I hope you
enjoy our first edition for 2009.
The evenings are still dark and the
weather gloomy, but the Newcastle
Gateshead Comedy Festival is here to
lift our spirits. The festival runs from 2
to 8 March with a host of star names to
keep our minds off the financial pinch.
As the credit crunch continues it is
more important than ever to make sure
that you are claiming all the money you
are entitled to. On page 32 we let you
know how you can check that you’re
claiming all your benefits.
At the moment we’re preparing the
council spending plans for 2009 to 2010
and we want to know what you think.
We want to make sure that our plans
are in line with your views on Council
Tax levels and how the money should
be spent. There is more information on
page 6 and a budget survey form on
page 7 to send back to us.
There are important changes to parking
in Newcastle this year. We will be taking
over parking enforcement from the
police. You can read about this on page
11; but don’t worry, if you park correctly
in the city, you won’t see a difference.
And finally, as a dedicated knitter, I was
delighted to hear about the knitting
exhibition that will be touring the region.
40 Newcastle women have been knitting
the stories of their lives and I hope you’ll
agree they are an inspiration!
Nadine Aston and the Citylife team
Front cover: Zoë Easton and her son
Charlie at High Heaton Library
Design by Paul Burgess Graphic Design
Photos by Steve Brock (unless otherwise credited)
Distribution by Amaro
Citylife is produced by
Newcastle City Council and
printed by NCJ Media Ltd.
Contents
4 Sapna Chaddah – our
star award winner
8 Our Newcastle – let’s
take care of it
13 Trace your family tree
at Newcastle libraries
19 Share your views in
our Safe Newcastle
survey
30 Kids get motivated
with Judo Joe
33 Know your welfare
rights
Useful numbers
30
Newcastle City Council switchboard 0191 232 8520
Council Tax and Housing Benefit enquiries 0845 111 4101
Payments for Council Tax; parking fines; and other council bills (debit and
credit cards only) 0845 111 4199
Envirocall – the one-stop environmental hotline 0191 274 4000
Neighbourhood Helpline 0300 1000 101
Find out more at www.newcastle.gov.uk
If you would like a free copy of Citylife in large print
or on tape, please call 0191 211 5073.
Citylife information
There are five issues of Citylife this year. The next edition is due out in April.
You can contact us by: Phone 0191 211 5073;
Email citylife@newcastle.gov.uk; Post Freepost Citylife
Distribution Citylife is distributed to homes and businesses across
Newcastle. If you are not getting your copy please let us know. We sometimes
have problems delivering to flats and houses in multiple occupation because
we cannot get access to them. If you live in a flat and would like to talk to us
about your Citylife delivery please contact us on 0191 211 5073.
If you’ve got any questions or suggestions for Citylife, we want to hear
from you. Please call 0191 211 5073 or email: citylife@newcastle.gov.uk
www.newcastle.gov.uk/citylife - download the podcast!
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2 www.newcastle.gov.uk
Citylife: January to March 2009
Citylife: January to March 2009 Use the internet free at all Newcastle libraries 3

NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...
Sapna – a real
shining star
Sapna Chaddah works in the Civic Centre Customer
Service Centre (CSC) and gives such good service that
no less than four people nominated her for a star award.
Miss Satchell from Gosforth made the winning nomination
that earned her a £25 Eldon Square voucher. Miss Satchell
said she nominated Sapna: ‘For extra special service and
Sapna's kindness in giving me a lot of her time. Sapna found
me the right person to speak to who would help me to
protect a tree in my garden. I entered the CSC worried and
came out feeling much happier that my beech-lime tree was
in the hands of the right people. Thank you Sapna.’
Sapna was also nominated
by Allan McMillar from
Heaton, George Hart of
South Jesmond and Robert
Baugh of West Denton.
Star award winner
Sapna Chaddah
Search for a Star
✁
I would like to nominate ...................................................
They work in ....................................................................
Please tell us why you think they should get an award
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What makes them shine? ...............................................
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About you
Your name ........................................................................
Your address ..................................................................
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.............................................. Postcode ...........................
Phone ...............................................................................
Email ..............................................................................
Once you've completed the coupon send it to:
Freepost Citylife Search for a Star. Don’t forget to put
all your coupons in one envelope.
Please note: Competition is open to nominations for
Newcastle City Council staff only.
Adult Services
officially amongst the
best in the country
Independent inspectors awarded our Adult Services the
highest possible rating of three stars. The annual inspection
of Adult Services by the Commission for Social Care
Inspection (CSCI) rated our services as “excellent”.
Ewen Weir, Director of Adult Services is delighted with this
report. He said “Achieving three stars is a demonstration of
the rapid progress we have made”.
CSCI inspectors examine how well councils serve adults who
use social care services. This is based on seven outcomes –
such as improving the quality of life for service users and
improving their health and emotional well-being.
Inspectors found services in four of these seven areas to be
of the highest possible standard. They also stated that
services have a “promising” potential to improve even further.
To read Adult Services’ full report by CSCI, you can visit
their web site www.csci.org.uk
“Significant improvements”
at Children’s Services
Improving GCSE results, falling levels of young people
committing offences, timely child protection reviews,
increasing levels of 16-19 year olds in education or
employment and good work done in schools to keep children
healthy are among the “major strengths” of our Children’s
Services - according to their Annual Performance
Assessment.
In early 2007, we were graded as “adequate” in all five
assessment areas.
Now, three areas – “Being healthy”, “Making a positive
contribution” and “Achieving economic well-being” – are
rated “good”.
Although our overall rating remains “adequate” (grade 2),
independent inspectors Ofsted reported “significant
improvements” in some of our services.
“We are pleased that Ofsted have recognised many of the
improvements made in services for children and young
people in Newcastle,” said Catherine Fitt, our Executive
Director of Children’s Services
“Although the overall judgement remains adequate, this
report shows clearly that we are heading in the right
direction.”
You can read the report yourself online at
www.ofsted.gov.uk.
The Year of the Ox
starts with a bang!
Chinese New Year will explode into life on Sunday 8
February against a soundtrack of firecrackers.
Traditional dragon, lion and unicorn dances will banish
evil spirits and make way for good fortune and
prosperity in The Year of the Ox.
The celebrations will start at 11am, with traditional Chinese
entertainment in Bath Lane. BBC Radio Newcastle will also
be broadcasting there.
You can drop in to the North East Chinese Association in
Stowell Street where there is an exhibition of Chinese
costumes, a demonstration of traditional Chinese brush
painting and calligraphy and Chinese food.
In Waterloo Street there will be arts and crafts stalls. You
can visit the Chinese Centre where you can take part in a
computer workshop, surf the internet or get crafty by making
Chinese New Year cards.
There’s fun for the children in Charlotte Square. In the
children’s marquee, they can make lanterns and Chinese
masks and get their faces painted.
“Chinese New Year is a celebration of revival, regeneration
and revitalisation, “ said Florence Qiu, Chair of the Chinese
Festivity Group.“ Each year we look forward to this
celebration of Chinese culture where East meets West and
hundreds of families enjoy a great day out.”
People born in the Year of the Ox are said to be stable,
persevering, tolerant and of strong character.
Previous years of the Ox, are 1913, 1925, 1947, 1949,
1961, 1973, 1985, 1997.
King Harald V of Norway receives
Honorary Freedom of Newcastle
His Majesty King Harald V of Norway received the
Honorary Freedom of Newcastle when he visited the city
on 13 November 2008.
The Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor David Wood,
presented King Harald with the city’s highest award to mark
the fortieth anniversary of the official opening of Newcastle
Civic Centre. King Harald’s father King Olav V opened the
centre on 14 November 1968.
During the ceremony His Majesty signed the honours
register, which dates back to the 1800s. His Majesty’s name
joins his father’s on a special wall in the Banqueting Hall of
the Civic Centre which features past recipients of the honour
including the former US President Jimmy Carter, Nelson
Mandela and Sir Bobby Robson.
Councillor Wood said, “Forty years ago the people of
Newcastle celebrated the opening of the Civic Centre and
that wonderful occasion also marked the cultural and
Year of the Ox competition
To celebrate Chinese New Year,
we’re giving you a chance to win a
meal for four at Landmark
restaurant on Stowell Street. Give
us the name of another
Chinese horoscope character …………….........................
Name ................................................................................
Address .............................................................................
...........................................................................................
.......................................... Postcode ...............................
Please send your entries to Freepost Citylife by
Friday 20 February 2009. Please put all your coupons
in one envelope.
economic links we continue to enjoy with the people of
Norway. I am delighted His Majesty accepted the Honorary
Freedom of Newcastle.”
His Majesty concluded his visit to the region when he visited
The Sage Gateshead for a business event organised by One
NorthEast and NOF Energy, highlighting the opportunities for
North East firms to do business in Norway.
King Harald, the Lord Mayor and Newcastle’s mace
bearer and sword bearer
✁
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Citylife: January to March 2009
Citylife: January to March 2009 Use the internet free at all Newcastle libraries 5

How we plan to spend our
money next year
Please let us know what you think!
We’re asking you about our budget for 2009/10 and we’d like
to know what you think. We also want to know what you feel
the level of Council Tax should be.
We’re planning to increase Council Tax next year by 3 per
cent which is less than the rate of inflation. We don’t want to
increase Council Tax more than the rate of inflation. We want
to know what you think – make sure you have your say by
filling in and returning the questionnaire.
Where does our money come from?
It comes from the government and our share of national
business rates and Council Tax. In 2009/10, for every £10
we spend £6.18 is from the government and our share of
national business rates and £3.82 is from Council Tax.
Government money for schools and council houses is separate.
What will we spend the money on?
Our plans are based on our vision for Newcastle. We want
to create a lively, safe, and modern European city and
improve the quality of life for everyone in Newcastle.
We’re planning to spend £266.4 million next year. We have
to do certain things by law – such as caring for vulnerable
people. We need to spend more on a range of things such
as increasing the amount of waste that is recycled. Also the
things you’ve told us are important to you such as dealing
with anti-social behaviour. We’ll continue to invest in
important services such as libraries.
As a result, we need to spend £23.5 million more in 2009/10,
but we only have £3.8 million extra coming in.
How much are we saving?
This means we need to find savings of £19.7 million next
year to balance the budget. We’ll do this by making further
improvements in how we run the council, and by making
things more efficient. This includes how we run our buildings
and how we buy our supplies.
Importantly, no front line services will be cut.
Do we provide good value for
money?
Our residents’ survey told us that you think we do provide
good value for money. Also the level of Council Tax is
decreasing when compared to other local authorities and we
think it will decrease further in 2009/10.
How well are we performing?
In February 2008 the Audit Commission said “the council has
kept Council Tax increases to a minimum while investing in
priority areas, which are all improving well. Educational
attainment has improved faster than rates nationally and has
reached the national average overall. Adult social care is
good and has improved, with more vulnerable people
encouraged to take up benefits and more older people
helped to live independently.”
“There are good levels of improvements in the local
environment. Waste levels have reduced, more has been
recycled or composted and public spaces are cleaner. The
quality of the council’s housing stock has improved. Rent
arrears have reduced significantly. Crime rates have fallen,
with good work to strengthen vulnerable families, and more
local people feel safe.”
“The council has improved accessibility and the quality of life
for local people through enhanced engagement in local
neighbourhoods and regeneration activity across the city.
Capacity has been strengthened through more integrated
working, improved project planning and reduced sickness
absence. Good arrangements for value for money are
delivering improvements and efficiency targets have been
exceeded.”
Council Tax bills in Newcastle have gone up less than in
most other areas over the last four years – just over 11%
added up against a national average of nearly 18%.
In a national satisfaction survey, local residents rated
Newcastle City Council as the fifth best in the whole country,
and the best in the North East.
What will it mean for you?
Council Tax will go up by 3 per cent. For most people this will
be around 65 pence per week, or less.
What happens next?
We want to hear what you think about how we intend
spending our money. We’ll look at what you say and make a
final decision taking this into account. So please fill in this
questionnaire and give us your views.
You can find more information and complete the
questionnaire at www.newcastle.gov.uk/budget.
What do you think?
Let us know by 30 January 2009 and you could win £50
of Eldon Square shopping vouchers. All the information
you provide will be treated as strictly confidential.
Please answer the questions by ticking the appropriate box
or writing in the space provided. Or complete our survey
on-line at www.newcastle.gov.uk/budget
1. Is it acceptable to increase the overall Council Tax
by 3%?
Yes No
2. Would you prefer the Council Tax increase to be:
Higher than 3% and have more or improved services
Around 3% as proposed
Lower than 3% and have fewer or reduced services
3. What is your opinion on the overall level of Council Tax?
Too high About right Too low
4. Is the Council addressing the issues that are
important to you?
Yes No
If no, please say what issues the Council should be
addressing?
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5. How strongly do you agree or disagree with the
following statement ‘Newcastle City Council does the
best it can with the money available’?
Strongly agree Tend to agree
Neither agree nor disagree Tend to disagree
Strongly disagree Don’t know
If you disagree strongly with the above statement, what
particular concerns do you have?
…………………………….......................................................…
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About you
To make sure that we are meeting the needs of all residents
it is important that we ask you a few questions about
yourself. Your answers will be completely confidential.
6. Are you male or female? (Please cross X one box)
Male Female
7. How old are you?
Under 18 years 18 – 34 years 35 – 49 years
50 – 64 years 65 and over
8. Do you have a long standing illness, disability or
infirmity? (longstanding means anything that has troubled
you over a period of time or that is likely to affect you over a
period of time) (Please cross X one box)
Yes No
9. To which of these groups do you consider you belong?
White British Irish
Any other white background (please say which)
…………………………….......................................................…
Mixed White and Black Caribbean
White and Black African White and Asian
Any other mixed background (please say which)
…………………………….......................................................…
Black or Black British Caribbean African
Any other black background (please say which)
…………………………….......................................................…
Asian or Asian British Indian Pakistani
Bangladeshi Any other Asian background
(please say which) ...................................................................
Chinese Other ethnic group (please say which)
…………………………….......................................................…
10. Please enter your postcode in the boxes
Many thanks for your help. Please return your questionnaire
to Freepost Citylife by 30 January 2009. Please write
‘budget’ on the outside of your envelope.
Prize draw
If you would like to be entered into the prize draw to win £50
of Eldon Square shopping vouchers please fill in your name
and address below.
Name .......................................................................................
Address ....................................................................................
..................................................................................................
............................................... Postcode ..................................
6 www.newcastle.gov.uk
Citylife: January to March 2009
Citylife: January to March 2009 Use the internet free at all Newcastle libraries 7

Blue bins turn city green
We are now entering the final stages of our recycling
roll-out. 85,000 households now have blue recycling
wheelie bins.
During January and February, we’ll be delivering bins to
people in parts of Byker, Benwell, Cowgate, Elswick, Heaton,
Gosforth, Jesmond, Kenton and the New Mills estate.
By the end of March 110,000 homes will have recycling
wheelie bins.
We’re delighted with your response to the new recycling
collection.
Thank you for helping us make our Newcastle a greener city.
If you have any questions or comments about your bin
collections, call the Bin Hotline on 0191 278 3022 or 0191
278 3023 (8.30am to 4.30pm – Monday to Friday).
Keep tabs on your temperature
In this chilly winter weather it’s a
relief to get indoors where it’s
warm. But if you turn your heating
up too high, you could be in for a
nasty shock when you get your
next bill. Luckily, help is at hand.
Pick up the handy ourNewcastle
thermometer from one of our
libraries or customer service
centres and you can always be
sure that the temperature is just
right.
Eco-Schools is an international environmental
education programme. The aim is for the pupils to
do something about environmental issues as well
as learning about them.
Schools gain Bronze and Silver awards leading to
the top award, the Green Flag.
To get the Green Flag, schools have to be
inspected by Encams who run the Keep Britain
Tidy campaign.
Our Enviro-schools Team support schools to
become Eco-Schools.
Don’t miss your collection
Your recycling and refuse bins are emptied on the same
day. But we have separate crews for refuse and recycling
so they are not emptied at the same time. So, if one bin
is empty and the other isn’t, please leave it out so the
crew can empty it.
Know
your
plastics
We know lots of you are
keen to recycle even
more and have asked us
if we can take plastic
other than bottles.
Unfortunately we can’t do this at the moment, even if they
display a recycling symbol, because we don’t have anyone
who will recycle them.
Recycling only works if there is a market for the recycled
product – which is why it’s important to buy recycled goods
as well as recycling at home.
There isn’t a market for these kinds of plastics at the minute.
So we are currently only collecting plastic bottles. Bottles are
made of better quality plastic and can be recycled into a
range of products included fleeces and fillings for pillows!
We are always looking for ways to recycle more and we hope
to be able to recycle a wider range of plastic in the future.
In the meantime, please give us your plastic bottles.
Remember to take the tops off (and wash and squash them
too if you can) before you put them in your recycling bin.
That way we can get more of them into our vehicles and
carry more recycling.
Feeling the pinch after
Christmas?
Save £££s this winter
Taking part in our energy saving campaign will save
you money and help reduce the amount of carbon
dioxide released into the atmosphere and combat the
global warming which threatens to wreck the planet.
Insulate
Insulate your loft and cavity
walls. You could save up to
£300 per year. To find out
more contact Newcastle
Warm Zone on
0191 277 7373.
Turn down
Turn your thermostat down.
Reducing your room
temperature by one degree
could save you around £40
per year. Remember: cold
kills. Don't overheat your
home but make sure it's
warm enough too.
Switch off
You’ll also be helping the
planet. Saving energy
reduces the amount of
carbon dioxide – one of the
biggest causes of global
warming – going into the
atmosphere.
www.newcastle.gov.uk/ournewcastle
Gosforth Park First flies the flag
Put the flags out
Pupils at Gosforth Park First and Hadrian Schools are
now officially eco-heroes after their schools were
given prestigious green flag awards in recognition of
their commitment to the environment.
Hadrian School, a primary special school for Newcastle
youngsters with severe and complex learning difficulties is
the first special school in the city to gain the award.
The pupils have taken part in a range of environmental
activities including litter picks, recycling and designing
posters about saving water and energy. The school is also
developing two new gardens.
The Secret Garden is a peaceful place where the children can
learn about and enjoy nature. Subhan Sadiq aged 11 is already
a fan. “The Secret Garden has made our school much nicer.
We can look after the plants and smell and feel the leaves”.
The Wildlife Garden will have wildlife and wildflower habitats
and provide an exciting place for them to explore.
At Gosforth Park First School, the children have recycled
paper and composted waste. And they’re putting those cardependent
adults among us to shame with their Walk to
School on Wednesdays (WOW) campaign.
They have also started a school vegetable garden which last
year produced an impressive crop of potatoes, onions and
courgettes.
The pupils are delighted with their award but they’re not stopping
there as Anna Brett, aged eight, explains “Everyone is really
happy that we have
the Green Flag. We
will keep working to
become even greener
and we want to see the
school become a Fair
Trade school.”
Hadrian School’s
Secret Garden
A monumental
improvement
The final resting place of
some of Newcastle’s most
famous names is being
restored to its former glory
thanks to the work of a
dedicated group of
volunteers.
You’ll find the grave of
architect John Dobson in
Jesmond Old Cemetery as
well as the founders of
Fenwick and Pumphrey’s
coffee and other examples of
Newcastle’s founding fathers.
Yvonne Brown from Ward
Hadaway helps out
Sadly the cemetery had become overgrown and many of the
fine memorials were in need of repair.
In May last year, the Friends of Jesmond Old Cemetery was set
up to give it some much-needed love and attention. They’ve set
to work cutting down and removing the brambles, ivy and
weeds that cover many of the monuments and footpaths.
Their efforts were given a boost In November when staff
from local law firm Ward Hadaway joined them for a day.
They were there as part of their contribution to the ‘Business
in the Community’ project which gets businesses involved
with good causes.
Staff from our Bereavement Services Team, which looks after
the city’s cemeteries, have supported the group with advice
and equipment. And we gave them 2,000 bulbs which the
friends braved the winter weather to plant.
We’re also carrying out large-scale restoration work on the
cemetery such as repairing the perimeter wall in early 2009.
If you’d like to know more about the Friends of Old
Jesmond Cemetery go to www.jesmondoldcemetery.co.uk
or call 0191 211 6941 or 211 6942.
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Citylife: January to March 2009
Citylife: January to March 2009 Use the internet free at all Newcastle libraries 9

Volunteers restore
Bluebell Dene
The newly formed group ‘Friends of Bluebell Dene’
braved icy conditions to give the area a clean up.
They cut back overgrown areas, removed litter and cleared
three quarters of a ton of rubbish from the dene.
The group, made up of local residents, worked with a
Neighbourhood Environmental Action Team, local councillors
and rangers from across the city in an effort to restore the
dene to its former glory.
Bluebell Dene is an ancient woodland. It contains a large
amount of wildlife including woodpeckers, sparrowhawks,
dragonflies and deer. In spring it has woodland plants such
as wild garlic, wood anemone and, of course, bluebells.
Future projects for the Friends of Bluebell Dene include
planting native trees and bulbs, coppicing overgrown areas
and putting up bird and bat boxes. Plans are also being
considered for a community orchard.
If you would like to join the Friends of Bluebell Dene
phone Michael Hancock, Bluebell Dene Ranger on
07887 717 907.
A Divine event for
Fairtrade Fortnight
As part of Fairtrade Fortnight celebrations, the
Newcastle Fairtrade Partnership, the Tyneside
Cinema and Shared Interest are offering a unique
insight into Fairtrade on 1 March.
As the world’s only 100% Fairtrade lender, Shared Interest
(www.shared-interest.com) is the perfect joint host for this
special event. Working on a global scale, this unique
financial co-operative has its headquarters in Newcastle,
regional offices in Costa Rica and Kenya and another soon to
open in Peru. Almost 8,700 UK members have invested
anything from £100 to £20,000. Shared Interest pools these
funds to lend to Fairtrade businesses in the developing world.
Last year, over £30 million was lent to farmers and handicraft
makers to help them trade their way to a more fruitful future.
Held at Newcastle’s recently revamped Tyneside Cinema
(www.tynecine.org), the event will also include a visit from
the Divine Chocolate Company (www.divinechocolate.com)
cocoa farmers based in Ghana. They will talk about the
pioneering organisation that they co-own. There will be
plenty of opportunities for questions and to see, firsthand,
how Fairtrade changes lives.
‘Friends of Bluebell Dene’; ready for action!
flavour of Fairtrade. There will be stalls, free samples, goody
bags, food and much, much more. Add in a sprinkling of
stylish fashion and live music from renowned Newcastle
based act Jinski (www.jinski.com), as well as topic-related
films and you’ve got Fairtrade Fortnight sewn up.
Look out for further details in the Tyneside Film Guide
for January to March 2009. Or call Stella Carmichael on
0191 211 6117 or email
stella.carmichael@newcastle.gov.uk.
Information will be posted on
www.newcastle.gov.uk/fairtrade nearer the time.
Changes to
parking
enforcement
In early 2009 we will take
over most parking
enforcement from the
police.
This will be known as Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE). It
means that enforcement of parking on yellow lines and
zigzag lines will transfer to us from the police.
How will it affect you?
The rules won’t change. If you park correctly and responsibly
then you won’t notice any difference.
How can you avoid a penalty charge notice?
Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time. Signs tell
you the times that there are restrictions on single yellow lines
and at school keep clear markings.
You should always check the signs and lines and not park in
spaces reserved for road users such as blue badge holders
or taxis, unless you are entitled to do so.
If you park in a pay and display area, your pay and display
ticket should be clearly displayed so that the officer can
check the details on the front of the ticket.
We will have a team of trained Civil Enforcement Officers who
will follow guidelines and issue penalty charge notices to any
vehicle parked in contravention of the parking restrictions.
For more information on Civil Parking Enforcement
(CPE) phone the Parking Services Team on
0191 277 2736
Book yourself in at our first
“corner shop library”
If you live in Fawdon why don’t you come down to see
our first Library Express – a library you can use like a
corner shop.
A ‘Library Express’ is a small library based in a community
building. It brings services closer to you and can offer longer
opening hours than traditional libraries.
Newspapers and magazines are available in the centre’s
café area, alongside an under-fives play area, free
computers and self-issue terminals. You can also order
books, audio books, CDs and DVDs free-of-charge from any
Newcastle library and have them delivered to Fawdon.
This is a real first for Newcastle and the North East. If
Fawdon Library Express is a success, we plan to open more
libraries like this across the city in the future.
Fawdon Library Express is at Fawdon Community Centre
on Fawdon Park Road, phone 0191 285 2724.
Making
your bus
service
better
Nexus have drawn up a new bus strategy setting
out ways to improve the way people get around
their communities.
Priorities include making sure bus routes meet the
needs of local people, buses run on time, and are
clean, comfortable and affordable.
Making sure buses get better will help reduce
congestion and damage to the environment by
encouraging more people to use public transport more
often.
Information also needs to be of the highest standard
so passengers can travel with confidence.
To find out more about the bus strategy and how
it could benefit you go to
www.nexus.org.uk/strategy
Join us on Sunday 1 March 12.30 to 4pm in the Tyneside
Bar on the third floor of the Tyneside Cinema to get a real
Rose Birago with the Divine chocolate bar she helps to
produce.
10 www.newcastle.gov.uk
Citylife: January to March 2009
Citylife: January to March 2009 Use the internet free at all Newcastle libraries 11

Retired? Looking for
friendship, learning
and fun?
Join Newcastle U3A
There’s no need to sit alone in your home wondering what to
do with yourself. Newcastle U3A has a wealth of stimulating
learning to offer – and all in a setting where you may make
and meet some new friends.
What is U3A?
U3A stands for University of Third Age. U3As are learning
co-operatives for older people who are no longer in full-time
work. The people who join want to keep their interests active,
learn new skills or share their own expertise informally with
others. It’s learning for fun, not for qualifications.
Newcastle U3A
Newcastle U3A offers over 30 groups or courses. Members
can join groups which, for example:
• visit gardens;
• discuss books;
• learning how to use computers;
• share enjoyment of the theatre or cinema;
• play whist or mah jong;
• sing; or
• join in tai chi exercise.
Many groups meet at Newcastle U3As offices at Pink Lane,
opposite the Central Station.
Knitting lives in Newcastle
40 Newcastle women have been telling their life stories
through their knitting skills. They have been making
everything from knitted bikes to bags, cakes to cricket bats.
Cynthia Nicholson knitted her tap shoes. “Tap dancing is the
love of my life. I started when I was 49 and have been doing
it for seventeen years. It was daunting walking in, but
everybody was so welcoming. There are over fifty of us and
it’s like a Hollywood musical when we all strike up.”
Group members recalled some amusing knitting memories.
Rene Orton recalls knitting a bathing costume for her
boyfriend in grey wool. “He was from Newcastle and swam in
galas for Northumberland: but when he got into the baths
they went wide. It was a bit embarrassing. He said “Never
knit me a pair of them again!”
Local artists Fiona Rutherford and Jenny Burns led the
groups. The knitters met weekly throughout 2008 to talk and
make these incredible pieces. The project celebrates the
lives and skills of those involved, both past and present.
everyone’s tomorrow
Katie Wilkins, George Godden and Janet Atkinson
The joining fee for U3A is currently £15 per year. Anyone
who has retired from full-time employment can join.
What the members say
“Having recently retired from a demanding and stimulating
job, I was somewhat anxious that I’d find retirement a little
dull. I needn’t have worried. The U3A has an Aladdin’s cave
of interest groups that provide the opportunity to pursue
existing interests and explore new ones.” Janet
“Making friends at U3A helped me come to terms with the
sudden death of my wife and her sister.” George.
If you want to know more about Newcastle U3A, please
phone 0191 230 4430 or type ‘newcastle u3a’ into Google
(www.google.co.uk) and click. You can take part in a
taster session without any obligation.
Some of their work will be in the John Lewis window, Eldon
Square for a week in February. The whole exhibition will be
on display at Alnwick Garden, 9 April to 9 May, and Saltwell
Towers in August and at the Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead
at the end of 2009.
Equal Arts, supported by the Quality of Life Partnership
are managing the project. For more information contact
Alice Thwaite at Equal Arts on 0191 477 5775.
Become a silver surfer
Age Concern Newcastle can help you get started in
computing and the internet.
Their computer classes include:
• beginners;
• internet and email;
• card making;
• digital photography;
• digital imaging; and
• genealogy.
Silver surfers in action
at Age Concern
They also have drop-in sessions and free internet access in
the Cyber Café for people aged over 50.
The drop-in gives older people the chance to update their
skills or learn something new such as how to send email
attachments. They can practice what they have learned in a
class, or get a taste of what’s on offer before joining a class.
The Cyber Café has two open access computers for use by
older people. Dedicated help desk volunteers are happy to
help.
Become a family
history detective
Have you always wanted to find out more about
your family history?
Our Libraries and Information Service can help you. Use our
People’s Network computers to access the professional
edition of ‘Ancestry.com’. Our staff can show you how to use
the website if you need help.
Tracing your family tree is like being a detective. Begin by
gathering up information or documents from your family.
Birth, marriage and death certificates can be a good starting
point. The next step is to ask lots of questions. Older family
members are often a wealth of information. Collect all this
information together and take it to your library. If you
discover that your ancestors were born, married or died in
Newcastle, you can contact the registrar’s department at the
Civic Centre or visit www.newcastle.gov.uk/genealogy.
Newcastle women knit the stories of their lives
Our Local Studies and Family History Centre also has local,
regional and national information for family tree researchers
including:
• births, deaths and marriages in England and Wales from
1837 to the present day;
• early records of christenings and marriages;
• Newcastle electoral rolls and poll books going back to the
18th century;
Barras Bridge in 1931
everyone’s tomorrow
Greta has been a volunteer for Age Concern Newcastle for
eight years. She spends a morning each week on the help
desk in the Cyber Café, helping people email and use the
internet. She answers their questions and redirects them to
other services provided by Age Concern Newcastle.
Greta was born in 1932 and became interested in computers
because she wanted to keep up with the modern equipment
of the 21st century. She also wanted to be able to
communicate with the younger generation, including her
grandchildren, and friends worldwide. Greta uses her
computer mostly for word processing, email and surfing the
net. She also enjoys making cards, calendars and posters.
Greta says that she “thoroughly enjoys being of assistance.
The atmosphere is always welcoming. I feel it is a privilege
to be a volunteer.”
To find out more about the programme of classes, the
drop-in or the Cyber Café, contact Jennifer Taylor on
0191 235 9914 or 0191 232 6488, visit
www.acnewcastle.org/services/itcentre or email
jennifer.taylor@acnewcastle.org and you can become a
silver surfer!
• Newcastle’s census records from 1841 to 1901;
• inscriptions on the region’s grave stones in the
monumental inscription records;
• the largest collection of historical newspapers in the region
dating from 1711 to the present day; and
• a selection of 19th century newspapers online.
The centre is in the exhibition hall at the Civic Centre. It will
transfer to the new City Library when it opens in June 2009.
If you are interested in becoming a family history
detective and finding out more about the resources held
by Newcastle Libraries and Information Service phone
0845 002 0336, or call into your library.
12 www.newcastle.gov.uk
Citylife: January to March 2009
Citylife: January to March 2009 Use the internet free at all Newcastle libraries 13

Hello
What’s happening in the East End?
Sailor!
The ensemble celebrate Charles Avison’s birthday in style
Charles Avison birthday
celebrations
In 2009 we will celebrate 300 years since the birth of Charles
Avison. Charles Avison was born in Newcastle in 1709. He
was one of England’s greatest concerto composers. Since
1994, the Avison Ensemble has been performing Charles
Avison’s music on period instruments. They have also
organised a number of education and outreach projects for
adults and young people across the north east of England.
The Avison Ensemble will celebrate Charles Avison’s
birthday with a special party and concert at the Old Assembly
Rooms in Fenkle Street, Newcastle on Sunday 15 February
2009. A birthday tea with a special commemorative cake will
follow the performance.
For more information about the Avison Ensemble and
the tercentenary celebrations please visit
www.avisonensemble.com, phone 0191 226 0799, or
email info@avisonensemble.com
‘The Ingenious Mr Avison: Making Music and Money in
Eighteenth-Century Newcastle' is now available from Tyne
Bridge Publishing at £10. The Avison Ensemble will have
brought the book to press by public subscription, in the same
way that Charles Avison published his own musical works
nearly 300 years ago.
For more details contact Tyne Bridge Publishing on
0191 277 4174 or visit www.tynebridgepublishing.co.uk
An ingenious competition
Win a copy of this generously illustrated
book. In which year was Charles
Avison born?
1909 1609 1709
Name ................................................................................
Address ............................................................................
............................................... Postcode ..........................
Please send your entries to Freepost Citylife by Friday
20 February 2009. Please include all competition
entries and coupons in the same envelope.
✁
Newcastle’s
Discovery Museum is
hosting an exhibition
exploring gay life in
the Merchant Navy
between the 1950s
and the 1980s. The
exhibition opens
on 28 January and
will run until 19
April 2009.
Hello Sailor! reveals the hidden history of crew life in the
Merchant Navy, when being at sea was one of the few
places gay men could be themselves.
Graham Bradshaw, curator of Discovery Museum, says “As
homosexuality was illegal until 1967, and gay men were
often persecuted and prosecuted, there were few places
where gay men could be themselves. This exhibition sheds
light on life at sea where there was a greater tolerance of
homosexuality.”
The exhibition follows Holocaust Memorial Day on 27
January. This is an annual day of remembrance in memory
of the victims of the Holocaust. In 2009 the theme of
Holocaust Memorial Day programme is “Stand up to Hatred”.
It aims to promote justice, tolerance and equality across
Newcastle.
Discovery Museum is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to
5pm and Sundays 2pm to 5pm. Admission is free.
Photo above: Miss Everton (around 1950); one of the
ex-seafarers who helped curate the exhibition
Quaker Quest
a spiritual path for our time - simple, radical,
contemporary.
Explore the Quaker way and share experiences in five
weekly informal, open sessions starting on Wednesday
4 March 2009 7pm-9.30pm at Newcastle Quaker
Meeting House, 1 Archbold Terrace, Jesmond,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 1DB.
For further information ring 0191 212 0398 or visit
www.quakers-in-newcastle.org.uk
All welcome
Bridging NewcastleGateshead is working to create great
places to live in parts of Newcastle and Gateshead. Want
to know more? Visit www.bridgingng.org.uk, email
info@bridgingng.org.uk or call 0191 277 2666.
Bridging
NewcastleGateshead gets
top government rating
The Bridging NewcastleGateshead (BNG) partnership has
been given the top rating in a review by government
watchdog the Audit Commission. Rated as ‘performing
strongly’, it is the second time running that BNG, which is a
partnership of Newcastle and Gateshead councils and other
public and private sector organisations, has been given the
top mark.
BNG was praised for its work to come up with plans for
different areas which include housing as well as shops and
other services. In addition, BNG’s work on consulting
residents, and supporting communities, was rated highly.
Anne Mulroy, BNG’s Director said: “This top rating shows
that we are making great progress in our work to create
great places to live. We are committed to improving the local
housing market, benefiting thousands of residents.”
What’s happening in the West End?
Youngsters in Scotswood have been having a big say on the
play space planned for their area. Supported by the
Scotswood neighbourhood wardens and the Play Service,
the children took part in a weekend field trip at Whithaugh
Park in Northumberland. During the trip, the children worked
to come up with creative ideas on the type of play space
they would like to see. They then carried out a model making
exercise to build the play space area they want.
A week of action in the High Cross area of Benwell in
October saw residents and officers working together to
improve the area. Many different activities took place
throughout the week, including neighbourhood wardens and
police community support officers distributing window and
door alarms. The graffiti team was also on hand, clearing
graffiti from back lanes along with the rapid response teams
clearing rubbish from the area.
During the week, the Benwell Neighbourhood Management
Initiative, who organised the week, spent time asking local
residents about their views of the area. The week was a
huge success and a big thank you to everyone who took
part.
Poster winner Jordan McGregor and Mansell site
manager, Gary Blake
Walker Riverside staff have been working to raise pupils
awareness of building site safety. Pupils from St Anthony’s,
Wharrier Street, St Vincent’s, Tyneview and West Walker
Primary Schools, went on a visit to Safety Works.
The children also took part in a competition to design posters
reminding others of the dangers on building sites. Hundreds
of poster designs were entered and one winner and one
runner-up were selected from each school, winning
vouchers. The winning posters have gone on display around
Walker, to continue the promotion of site safety.
The new show
home at Hibernia
Village in Walker
Riverside has
opened. 143 new
homes are due to be
built in total; prices
start from £145,000
for a three bedroom
house. There are
schemes and
incentives to help
people afford to buy
the homes, available
for first time buyers
and those wanting to
move up the ladder.
Contact Kath at the
sales office, on
0781 458 7468.
New show home at
Hibernia village
14 www.newcastle.gov.uk
Citylife: January to March 2009
This page is paid for by Bridging NewcastleGateshead
Citylife: January to March 2009 15

✃
✃
✃
Anna Foster
Well here we are...2009!
I may be heavier, poorer and
more likely to need botox, but
I am optimistic that this will be
a good one! I tend not to
wallow in the January blues,
so I will kick off the New Year
by squeezing myself back into
my running leggings which
were abandoned after the last
Great North Run. I am not the
most natural of runners, but
exercise does lift your mood.
Valentine’s Day will be as uneventful as always. Being a
mum, full-time breakfast show coffee maker and married to a
proper Geordie bloke, I don’t really do romance. He does do
the washing up though and allows me to watch Gok Wan, so
I guess I can’t complain. I would rather do food than
romance so I'm hoping he takes me and the children to Pan
Haggerty, a gorgeous new restaurant on Queen Street,
Newcastle. We went for Sunday lunch at Christmas and it
was cracking. They do 'proper food'... you won’t have to rush
to the chippie afterwards! I had chicken breast on bubble
and squeak with parsnips and cauliflower cheese. The
parsnips were delicious and perfectly cooked!
I also loved the décor! Come the spring
time, I may pop on my dungarees and
paint the living room the same warm red
they have on their walls... you didn’t think
hubby would do it, did you? I already told
you I have him chained to the sink…if
only I was as assertive at work!
Speak soon, Anna x
Competition
We have a Sunday lunch for two to give away at Pan
Haggerty’s.
For a chance to win, tell us,
which day of the year do we
most associate with romance?
St George's Day
Bonfire night
St Valentine's Day
Name ...............................................................................
Address ...........................................................................
..........................................................................................
........................................... Postcode ..............................
Telephone .........................................................................
Please send your entries to Freepost Citylife by Friday
20 February 2009. Please include all competition
entries and coupons in the same envelope.
Free for the first 200 Citylife
readers at Newcastle
Greyhound Stadium*
Saturday 31 January 2009
• Free admission
• Free first drink
• Free hot roast sandwich
Everyone who comes to our readers' nights has a great
night out! If you've never tasted the electric
atmosphere at Newcastle Dogs, then don't miss this!
How do I get my tickets?
Call the stadium reception on 0191 210 5300 and quote
Citylife. First 200 callers qualify. Gates open at 6.30pm,
first race at 7.45pm, last race at 10.30pm.
Newcastle Greyhound Stadium,
The Fossway, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2XJ
www.newcastledogs.com
* Offer is for over 18s only.
Only one survives tragic
love triangle
The Moscow Ballet is presenting Giselle on Sunday 22
March 2009 at the Tyne Theatre.
Giselle is a spooky love story where Giselle has two suitors,
Halarion and Count Alberecht. But Count Alberecht has a
secret – he has a fiancée. Giselle finds out, goes mad and
dies. She is buried in the woods. When Halarion visits her
tomb, he is set upon by the ghosts of jilted girls who dance
men to death. Count Alberecht comes to plead forgiveness
and Giselle’s ghost protects him from the jilted girls.
Halarion dies, but Count Alberecht is saved.
For enquiries, phone 0844 493 4567, Ticketmaster on
0844 493 9999 or visit www.thejournaltynetheatre.co.uk.
Giselle Competition
We have 10 pairs of tickets to give to readers.
For a chance to win, tell us where is Giselle buried?
In the woods At the seaside In a church yard
Name ...............................................................................
Address ...........................................................................
..........................................................................................
........................................... Postcode ..............................
Telephone .........................................................................
Please send your entries to Freepost Citylife by Friday
20 February 2009. Please include all competition
entries and coupons in the same envelope.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service set fire to a
derelict house to illustrate how quickly fire can spread.
Fire safety
success
Over 4,000 homes are safer in Newcastle's East
End thanks to a fire safety campaign by Tyne
and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.
The 'Make Byker Safer' campaign targeted thousands of
homes at greater risk of fire in Byker, parts of Walker and
South Heaton.
During the campaign, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue
Service carried out 4,382 free home safety checks, fitted
3,500 smoke detectors and issued 712 free thermostatically
controlled deep fat fryers in return for chip pans.
Area Manager, Kevin Hepple explains: “We launched the
campaign following statistics which showed the area had the
highest number of house fires in Tyne and Wear.
“During the last five years in this area, one person has died
and 38 people have been injured in accidental house fires;
nine out of 10 house fires have started in the kitchen and 37
house fires have been caused by smoking materials – these
are sobering statistics and we needed to respond to that.”
Hundreds of local businesses also got life saving safety
advice and were reminded of their fire safety responsibilities
to the general public.
"Most fires are preventable and people need to take active
responsibility to prevent it from happening to them.
Educating people about how they can do this was at the
heart of this campaign,” continues Kevin.
For more information visit www.twfire.gov.uk or your local
community fire station.
This article is paid for by Tyne and Wear Fire and
Rescue Service.
Scores on the Doors
– 1st birthday
It’s been a year since we launched our hygiene star
rating scheme and it’s proved to be a great success. In
that time, we’ve rated over 1,500 food outlets and our
website, www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk, has had over
170,000 hits.
With Scores on the Doors you can be sure we've checked
that cleanliness, structural conditions and food safety are
well managed.
To celebrate, five of our five-star restaurants have each offered
a meal for two. They are: Avanti in Jesmond; Louis in
Jesmond; Keelman in Newburn; Twin Farms in Woolsington;
and the Black Door Brasserie in Stoddart Street, Newcastle.
1 2
3 4
Scores on the Doors competition
To win, match the pictures to the restaurants and
write the number next to its name
Avanti ........ Louis ........ Keelman ........
5
Twin Farms ........ Black Door Brasserie ........
Name ...............................................................................
Address ...........................................................................
..........................................................................................
........................................... Postcode ..............................
Please send your entries to Freepost Citylife by Friday
20 February 2009. Please include all competition
entries and coupons in the same envelope.
16 www.newcastle.gov.uk
Citylife: January to March 2009
Citylife: January to March 2009 Use the internet free at all Newcastle libraries 17

Thanks to the
hidden army
A big ‘thank you’ came from the city to the
thousands of land girls and lumber-jills who
worked on the land during the Second World War.
Following our government’s recognition of the contribution made
to the Second World War by the Women’s Land Army and
Timber Corps, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Newcastle
paid tribute to them at a special reception in December.
The Women’s Land Army and Timber Corps were established
to free up male workers to go to war. By 1943, over 80,000
young women worked in all areas of agriculture - they milked
cows, dug ditches, sowed seeds and harvested crops.
The Women’s Timber Corps worked to provide timber for the
war effort, felling trees and sawing timber.
Councillor David Wood, the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, said:
“We should never forget the contribution the Women’s Land
Army and Timber Corps made to this country during the
Second World War.
“It’s only right that we should formally celebrate their hard work
and dedication and their role in our nation’s wartime history.”
Gladys Gradwell (left) and Josie Benson (right) were
friends during World War II and are still friends today.
They were both 17 when they joined up.
Life can kick the hell out of your mouth - go and
get it checked out.
How do you know if you qualify for a free mouth check?
• Has it been more than two years since you last had your
mouth checked by a dentist?
• Are you over 40 years old?
• Do you smoke or drink heavily?
If the answer is ‘yes’ to these questions, you could qualify for
a free mouth check.
The mouth check will be carried out by a local dentist. They
will give you a simple, quick and painless mouth check. It is
designed to spot any problems in your mouth early but it
does not include dental treatment.
To find out if it is right for you, go to a chemist displaying the
‘Love your mouth’ logo. If you are eligible, you will be given
a special voucher and a list of local dentists who will be
ready to see you. The offer runs until 28 February 2009.
For general information, call freephone 0808 800 4040.
For local information, phone 0779 44 20979.
Are you interested in
education?
Would you like to join Newcastle’s
Education Admission Appeal Panels?
Education Admission Appeal Panels consider appeals
by parents whose children have been refused
admission to the school of their choice.
We are looking for volunteers who would like to serve
on the Appeal Panel for Newcastle’s Local Education
Authority. Training will be given and expenses paid.
Appeals take place during the working day.
We welcome volunteers from the minority ethnic
communities and from people with children in schools.
For details and an application form, call
Peter Moody on 0191 211 5129 or email
peter.moody@newcastle.gov.uk
You told us that anti-social behaviour was your main worry
and we’re working hard to tackle this. This includes working
with off-licenses across the city to stop young people getting
hold of alcohol. In 2008 we warned 1,500 people about their
anti-social behaviour and 11 people were given ASBOs. We
sent our youth bus to areas of the city where youth disorder
was an issue because young people had nowhere to go. Our
bus provided lots of activities and a safe place to meet for
over 6,000 young people.
We now need your views again as we are updating our plan in
April 2009. See questionnaire on page 20. This will make sure
we continue to look at things that are important to you, taking
into account all of your views and comments to make sure
we’ve got it right. We will continue to ask for your views every
year to make sure we are dealing with things that concern you.
Tell us your views on the next page and you could win
£75 of shopping vouchers. All the information you
provide will be treated as strictly confidential.
Who is doing this work?
The work is being done by Safe Newcastle. We are made up
of different organisations, who - by law - have to work together
Safe Neighbourhoods:
Making your neighbourhood safer
Safe Neighbourhoods will make your life better by
reducing levels of crime and anti-social behaviour
in your area.
If you have any problems or concerns you should speak to your:
• local ward co-ordinator: 0191 211 6203 or 0191 211 6208
• Northumbria Police neighbourhood inspector: 03456 043 043
• local councillor: Visit Where You Live on www.newcastle.gov.uk to find
details
• YHN housing manager: 0191 278 8600 or visit www.yhn.org.uk to find
details of your nearest housing office
• Neighbourhood response manager: 0191 274 4000
www.safenewcastle.org.uk
Your say on a safer Newcastle
Last year, we asked you for your views on crime, anti-social behaviour, the use of drugs and alcohol and community
safety in Newcastle. As a result of what you told us we have been doing a lot of work over the last 12 months to make
our city a safer place for people who live, work, socialise and visit here.
to make Newcastle a safer place. These organisations include:
• Newcastle City Council;
• Newcastle Primary Care Trust;
• Northumbria Police;
• Northumbria Police Authority; and
• Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.
Businesses, voluntary organisations and community groups
are also active in the partnership.
The good news
We are happy to report that, in general, the news is very
good and Newcastle is still one of the safest cities in the UK.
Since 2004 crime in Newcastle has fallen every year.
19% criminal damage
14% burglary
22% vehicle crimes
23% theft of motor vehicles
11% violent crime
Although the news is good we will continue to work hard to
improve this even more.
18 www.newcastle.gov.uk
Citylife: January to March 2009
Citylife: January to March 2009 This page is paid for by Safe Newcastle 19

Community safety in Newcastle
Please take a few minutes to fill in this
questionnaire.
We have been working to improve the
things listed and now want to know
whether they are a concern for:
• you and your family;
• the area you live; and
• Newcastle as a whole.
1. Please tick the boxes you are concerned about (you can tick as many as you like).
Community safety issues
Availability of alcohol
Misuse of alcohol
Drug dealing
People using drugs
Availability of other substances, for example
solvents or aerosols.
People using other substances such as
solvents or aerosols
Criminal damage: for example damage to a vehicle,
house or other property
Disputes between neighbours
Disturbances by adults
Disturbances by young people (under 18)
Disturbances in and around pubs, clubs and off-licenses
Dog fouling
Domestic violence
Drunkenness in the city-centre
Dumping rubbish (fly-tipping)
Graffiti
Homophobic harassment (abuse and attacks)
Illegal fires
Litter
Noise that causes a nuisance
Racist harassment (abuse and attacks)
Safety and well-being of young people
Safety and well-being of older people
Crime and disorder in the city centre
Theft related crimes: for example, burglary, theft of
and from motor vehicles, shoplifting
Safety on public transport
Violent behaviour
You and your Family The area you live Newcastle as a whole
20 This page is paid for by Safe Newcastle
Citylife: January to March 2009
2. Now is your chance to tell us about other community
safety concerns you have:
Please list any other concerns below
…………………………………………………………....…………
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3. Do you feel safer?
Although crime is falling and Newcastle is a safe city we
know how important it is that you feel safe as you go about
your everyday life. Now is your chance to tell us if you do.
How much would you say your level of worry about crime
has changed over the last 12 months?
Do you feel:
Much more worried
A little more worried
No different
A little less worried
Much less worried
Please let us know why:
(please tick one only)
…………………………………………………………....…………
…………………………………………………………....…………
…………………………………………………………....…………
…………………………………………………………....…………
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4. Finally, please give a few details about yourself so we
can find out if different groups have different opinions
A. Are you male or female? (Please cross X one box)
Male Female
B. What age were you on your last birthday? .................. years
C. Do you have a long standing illness, disability or infirmity?
(longstanding means anything that has troubled you over a
period of time or that is likely to affect you over a period of
time) (Please cross X one box)
Yes No
D. To which of these groups do you consider you belong?
White British Irish
Any other white background (please say which)
…………………………….......................................................…
Mixed White and Black Caribbean
White and Black African White and Asian
Any other mixed background (please say which)
…………………………….......................................................…
Black or Black British Caribbean African
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Eldon Square. If you’d like to enter this prize draw,
please fill in your details below.
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To find out more about Safe Newcastle visit our website at www.safenewcastle.org.uk or call 0191 277 7832,
email safenewcastle@newcastle.gov.uk
Citylife: January to March 2009 This page is paid for by Safe Newcastle 21

Take control
with Direct
Payments!
More and more, people who are able to get
community care services are choosing to
have a Direct Payment.
This means that instead of our Adult Services giving money
to a care agency or to a day centre, they give the cash
straight to the person so that they can arrange their own
care and support.
It doesn't matter if you are an older person or a young,
physically-disabled person. If you have a learning disability,
sensory impairment or mental health issues, you can now
choose Direct Payments.
What are the advantages of Direct
Payments?
You can:
• choose when you get your care and who provides it;
• employ someone you know that doesn’t live with you or
advertise for a personal assistant;
• keep your package the way it is, but buy your care from
your agency yourself, without having to speak to a social
worker to make changes; and
• save up your care hours and use them when it suits you
best.
At the moment, there are about 400 people who get Direct
Payments in Newcastle – but Adult Services is keen to get
more people taking control and having greater choice about
how they get the help they need.
Mrs Clough and her daughter Julie receive Direct Payments
for Julie’s care. Mrs Clough said: “Direct Payments have
been absolutely fabulous. They have given us the flexibility
we need to choose Julie’s carers. We welcome people into
our home to help look after Julie and we need to know that
they are people we can trust. Now Julie’s carers work
together as a team”.
To find out more, get in touch with your social worker, or
contact Social Care Direct on 0191 278 8377 or by email
on scd@newcastle.gov.uk
You can also contact the Direct Payments Support
Service at Disability North on 0191 284 0480 or by email
on directpayments@disabilitynorth.org.uk for free,
impartial advice.
Mrs Clough and her daughter Julie
Breaking down barriers
to employment
Inspectors have praised our commitment to
breaking down the barriers which stop disabled
people finding work. They have called our services
“excellent” and staff “enthusiastic, knowledgeable
and motivated”.
Our Workstep service helps people with disabilities or
long-term health issues access the world of work. It
helps them find paid jobs, develop their skills and
increase their employability.
Independent inspectors, Ofsted, rated the service
“good” overall – the second highest rating possible.
The service is the only Workstep provider in the North
East to be rated as “good” in all assessment areas.
Lead Officer, Jane Collinson, said: “There are people
whose lifelong ambition is to find work, but whose
disabilities make it very difficult for them to find and
maintain employment. We’re here to give people that
support, help them achieve their goals and help them
lead more fulfilling lives.”
You can contact Workstep on 0191 277 2098.
Do you care for someone
with a learning disability?
Are you aged over 70?
Many older family carers of people with learning disabilities
may have been caring for their relative for many years. They
may feel isolated and unsupported.
As one older carer said: “I just want to know that someone
knows we’re here.”
Helen Elliott is an older carers’ development worker for the
Newcastle Learning Disability Partnership Board.
Sometimes it can be helpful to talk to someone who can get
to know you and help you get what you need. Helen (pictured
below) can give advice on:
• carers’ assessments;
• carers’ support groups;
• how to get advice about housing and
welfare benefits; and
• services from local groups and
organisations.
Helen can come and talk to you. She can arrange to meet you in
your own home or at a place and time that would suit you. You
can have another family member or friend with you.
Contact Helen Elliott on 0191 284 9113 or email:
helen.elliot@newcastle.gov.uk
LINk up and
have your say
Ever wanted to comment on health
or social care services in your area?
Or make suggestions about how
you think we can improve them? If
so, now is your chance.
The Local Involvement Network (LINk) for Newcastle is now
up and running. You can join LINk as an individual or you can
represent a voluntary or community organisation.
This is a real opportunity for you to have a voice in how
health and adult social care services are run. If you join our
information network you’ll receive news and information on
activities and events. There are lots of ways to get involved,
like taking part in surveys and focus groups or becoming a
voting member. How much time you give to Newcastle LINk
is entirely up to you.
Angela Walls, the LINk policy officer, is running groups on
child and adolescent mental health services, social care for
older people, and domestic violence. Contact her directly at
angela.walls@newcastlelink.org.uk if you would like to get
involved in any of these.
For more information about Newcastle LINk email
findoutmore@newcastlelink.org.uk, call free 0800 756 9528
or visit our website at www.newcastlelink.org.uk where
you can also download a membership form.
Equality in Newcastle –
what do you think?
We are developing an equality scheme. This will explain what we
are going to do to promote equality and inclusion for everyone in
Newcastle. It will also say what we will do to remove inequality
on the grounds of disability, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual
orientation and religion and belief. We would like to know what is
most important to the residents of Newcastle.
Find out more at www.newcastle.gov.uk/consultation. If
you would like us to send you more information, contact
Angela Hamilton on 0191 211 5019 or email
angela.hamilton@newcastle.gov.uk
22 www.newcastle.gov.uk
Citylife: January to March 2009
Citylife: January to March 2009 Use the internet free at all Newcastle libraries
23

A number of enthusiastic local people from across the city
joined together to form community focus groups to help us
develop these centres. The groups met regularly to discuss
what services people want and need. They helped us make
decisions about how the centres could be used and how they
could be promoted. The meetings were very helpful in giving
us new ideas and ensuring that the centres are the best that
they can be.
New Adult
Social Care
How can we help?
Direct Team
A customer service centre officer helping a customer
Serving you
in your
community
In November we celebrated the opening of our sixth
Customer Service Centre (CSC). This was the final
centre in the network of CSCs across the city. Now,
the vast majority of you have a centre within one
and a half miles of your home!
The Civic Centre CSC on Sandyford Road was the first to
open in June 2000. It offered customers one single point of
contact to access over 90 different council services, rather
than having to visit a number of reception points on nine
different floors of the Civic Centre.
The Civic Centre CSC was a huge success and became the
model for delivering council services under one roof and in
the local area. And we didn’t stop there. Where possible we
have also placed libraries, leisure facilities and housing
offices together in these centres too.
Centres in the city are:
• Outer West CSC, Pool and Library, West Denton Way
• Kenton CSC and Library, Hillsview Avenue
• Gosforth CSC and Library, Regent Farm Road
• East End CSC, Shields Road
• West End CSC and Library, Condercum Road
• Civic Centre CSC, Sandyford Road
All are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 4pm
At your local CSC you can access over 90 council services.
You can:
• make council tax payments and have your queries
answered
• make enquiries about bin collections, bulky rubbish
collections, litter and street cleaning, street lighting, pest
control, grass cutting and trees;
• apply for new and replacement blue badges for disabled
people’s parking, which can be issued on the spot if you
bring your documentation with you;
• pay your council bills by cash, cheque, card or postal
order;
• enquire about council tax and housing benefits;
• find out about and apply for free school meals, home to
school travel, educational maintenance awards, higher
education student support and student loans;
• apply for LeisurePlus membership;
• get information on and apply for Newcastle City Council
jobs;
• use the PayPoint service to pay most utility bills or top up
your mobile phone;
• and much, much more.
Each of our centres has computers for public use, and
facilities for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. For
customers whose first language isn’t English, there’s access
to a telephone interpreting service to help us sort out any
problems they may have with the council, and to give advice
about council services.
Why don’t you pop into your local CSC today and find out
exactly what they have to offer?
For more details about the centres visit our website at
www.newcastle.gov.uk/customers.
The new
West End
Customer
Service
Centre
Our new dedicated team, Adult Social Care
Direct, is your first point of contact for help or
advice from Adult Social Care Services. The
team replaces the two Adult Customer Service
Teams that were at Newburn and Gosforth.
How do I contact Adult Social
Care Direct?
Phone: 0191 278 8377
Fax: 0191 278 8312
Textphone: 0191 278 8359
Email: scd@newcastle.gov.uk
Website: www.newcastle.gov.uk/socialcare
Or you can write to:
Adult Services Directorate
Shieldfield Centre
4-8 Clarence Walk, Shieldfield
Newcastle, NE2 1AL
What happens when I contact
Adult Social Care Direct?
When you contact us, a trained contact officer will deal with
your enquiry and try to help you as quickly as possible.
If you prefer to talk to someone face to face then you can
make an appointment to come to our office at Shieldfield. If
this is not possible we can arrange an appointment at one of
our offices closer to where you live.
If you need help from Adult Social Care Services we will
arrange an assessment of your needs. A member of staff
from our specialist Adult Social Care Service team will carry
this out. If we can’t give you the help you need we will try to
give you information and advice from other organisations that
could help you.
In an emergency one of our qualified social workers will deal
with your enquiry and work out how we can help.
Opening Hours
Adult Social Care Direct is open from 8am to 6pm Monday
to Friday. In an emergency outside of these times you
can contact the Emergency Duty Team on 0191 232 8520.
The new adult social care direct team
Shared Lives
Once a fortnight John and Michael share their lives.
Michael, who has a learning difficulty, looks forward to
John’s visits and the two have now enjoyed each others’
company for 20 years.
During this time they’ve visited many places and tried many
different activities, but playing pool at the local bowling alley
is top of their list. Discussing strategies and tactics adds to
their enjoyment – along with much banter and shared
laughter. Their great friendship has been helped along by
John knowing Michael’s late parents.
John volunteers his help with Michael. He says: “I have been
able to provide continuity and a link back to Michael’s parents
and have been there with Michael through various stages of
his life.”
Many people with learning disabilities need help and support
from people in their local communities. Some need support
for just a few hours a week or a few weekends a year, while
others need somewhere to live long-term.
To find out more about this fulfilling experience, contact:
the Shared Lives Team on 0191 278 8106 or email
volunteer.carers@newcastle.gov.uk
Michael and John enjoy a game of pool
24 www.newcastle.gov.uk
Citylife: January to March 2009
Citylife: January to March 2009 Use the internet free at all Newcastle libraries 25

www.yhn.org.uk
Home swap
From April this year tenants in Newcastle will have a
much easier and simpler way of finding another home
to swap with - and more homes to choose from.
Your Choice Homes, in partnership with other local
authorities in Tyne and Wear, will be introducing a mutual
exchange scheme to help you swap your home with other
eligible customers.
As there is a lack of available homes across the region, this
new scheme offers you another option to find a home of your
choice.
If you are a secure tenant of Newcastle City Council you
have a right to exchange your home. This means that you
pass your tenancy to another city council tenant or a tenant
of a housing association, private landlord, or another council.
Before you swap your home all you need is written
permission from your landlord and from the landlord you’re
swapping with.
If you are an introductory tenant of Newcastle City Council you
do not automatically have the right to exchange. You should
also be aware that if you decide to exchange with a housing
association or private tenant you will no longer be a secure
tenant - for instance, if you exchange with a housing association
tenant your tenancy will normally be an assured tenancy.
If you are currently a city council tenant, you can get more
advice and information at your local housing office. If you
are a housing association or private tenant, staff at Your
Choice Homes will be able to help once the scheme has
been introduced.
If you would like to exchange your home the new scheme
will allow you to advertise your home on the internet. If you
don’t use the internet our staff will be able to do this for you.
You will be able to match your needs with other customers
by looking at information about other customers who want to
swap homes.
We aim to introduce the scheme in April 2009 – look out for
more information in future editions of Citylife.
You can contact Your Choice Homes on 0191 277 2020.
Your Choice Homes is the name of a choice-based
lettings scheme introduced by Newcastle City Council.
This is now a partnership between Your Homes
Newcastle, Newcastle City Council and housing
associations which have homes to rent in Newcastle.
Join us!
We’re looking for volunteers who live or work in
Newcastle to join the Your Homes Newcastle (YHN)
Strategic Independent Advisory Group (SIAG).
By joining the SIAG you’ll help us continue to build
trust and confidence between YHN and communities in
Newcastle upon Tyne.
The group meets four times a year and looks at our
policies, procedures, housing services and functions.
It considers equality and diversity including race,
gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, and religion
or belief.
Your advice could help us provide a fair service to all
our customers.
Membership is voluntary and is only open to people
who are not YHN tenants.
‘Out of pocket’ expenses will be paid.
If you would like more information contact: Simone
Doyle, on 0191 278 4390, or visit www.yhn.org.uk.
Kenton School’s new buildings
Exciting times at Kenton
School
Two thousand Kenton pupils and teachers have moved
into snazzy new school buildings, not only state of the
art but also the size of four football pitches!
The new Kenton School is part of our £180m Building
Schools for the Future project – the biggest ever investment
in schools in the history of Newcastle.
Head teacher David Pearmain, said: “For nearly fifty years,
Kenton School has nurtured the highest standards of learning
and achievement. Our new building will allow us to offer
cutting edge education which will be breathtakingly modern.”
As part of the new school, both pupils and the local
community can enjoy a new performing arts centre, and new
part-Lottery funded sports facilities.
The school was described as “good” and “rapidly improving”
in its last Ofsted inspection. GCSE results are improving
each year, with the number of students taking A-levels
almost doubling between 2003 and 2008, and the number of
students achieving the highest grades also almost doubling
in that time as well.
Sacred Heart are top of the pops!
Pupils from Sacred Heart RC Primary are making a bid
for pop stardom – and trying to get the terraces at St
James Park singing – by recording their very own
football anthem.
Year 5 has recorded a song called “H’way Newcastle”, written
by Steve Halsey. The song is a special gift for Helen
Cavanagh who’s their teacher’s mother. Helen is leaving her
job at the council after devoting 25 years to our city’s children.
Steve Halsey said: “Helen has devoted her entire career and
life to the children of Newcastle, and as she’s such a fanatical
United fan I thought there would be no better way for the city
to say thank you than by writing her very own football anthem.
“The song is already proving a massive hit with the children,
and it would be the ultimate tribute to Helen to hear it ringing
around St James Park on match day!”
If you
go down
to the
woods…
An area of woodland at
Tyne Riverside Country
Park at Newburn has been
set aside for Newcastle’s
only Forest School. And
now some of our young
people are getting back to
nature making fires,
climbing trees and even
using penknives.
At school in the forest
The schools are a unique way of giving young children
independence and building their self-esteem – especially
important for children who find traditional school hard to
handle and perhaps behave badly.
Because there are plenty of adults involved, the young
people can safely experience the kinds of things that could
be dangerous if left to their own devices.
After time at the Forest School children’s behaviour and
attitude to school, to teachers and to each other improves.
They have better social skills and concentration.
Our council rangers at the park are impressed with the
benefits Forest School brings to children – and are also
impressed by the lack of damage to the woodland area they
use – they wouldn’t know they had been there at all!
Go-ahead for primary school plans
The government has approved the first stage of our
plans to transform 36 city primary schools over the next
14 years.
Earlier this year we agreed our initial investment priorities
should be the rebuilding of Westgate Hill and Hawthorn
Primary schools. We are also planning to replace Wharrier
Street and St Anthony’s primary schools in Walker with a
single purpose-built school to support the ongoing
regeneration in the area.
Catherine Fitt, our Executive Director of Children’s Services,
said: “This marks the first step towards making some of our
oldest primary schools modern, well-equipped and exciting
places where children can learn and achieve their very best.”
We’ll tell you more about our plans in the coming issues of
Citylife.
26 This page is paid for by Your Homes Newcastle
Citylife: January to March 2009
Citylife: January to March 2009 Use the internet free at all Newcastle libraries 27

£1.5m to make
us a play-full city
Last year we got £1.5m of extra funding to develop
city play areas.
The government named us a national Play Pathfinder – one
of only 10 places across the country - and gave us extra
funding, which we’ll use to:
• develop a large, staffed adventure play park in the city;
• upgrade two neighbourhood play areas to adventure
playgrounds; and
• refurbish other play areas.
We’ll also create a team of specialist play workers called
‘animateurs’, helping children and families play together
safely. The animateurs will work with children and local
communities to design local play areas and raise awareness
of the importance of play.
Play is vital in our children’s development and helps keep
them fit and healthy. High quality local play facilities also
improve the look and feel of areas. Play parks keep children
away from anti-social behaviour and act as areas for people
to come together.
This funding will help to encourage local communities to get
involved in creating safe local spaces across Newcastle
supporting children’s right to play.
Hat-trick of celebrations
for St Charles RC Primary
St Charles RC Primary School has more than just its
80th birthday to celebrate at the moment - the school is
also celebrating two outstanding inspection reports.
Independent school inspectors Ofsted judged pupils to be
“confident, articulate learners” who “thoroughly enjoy their
education” and are “exceptionally well-prepared for their
future lives”.
A separate inspection by the Diocese of Hexham and
Newcastle meanwhile judged the school to be “outstanding”
and “very well led by an inspirational head teacher who
inspires the school community with her dedication and
enthusiasm”.
Head teacher Vicky Lindsey said: “Our whole school
community does work well as a caring team and it is very
pleasing to have this work recognised!”
In a letter to children, lead Ofsted inspector Linda Buller
writes: “It was very clear how much you enjoy coming to
school and how keen you are to learn from the way you
behave.
“It was a great privilege to be able to see how hard you work
and just how much you care for each other.”
Parents involved in PPEL training play with their
children at North Moor Children’s Centre
Helping our
children learn
Parents in Newcastle have been getting to
grips with how their children learn. They've
been taking part in a year-long project called
Parents as Partners in Early Learning (PPEL).
Newcastle was one of 41 areas to be involved in the
project. The aim of the project is to help parents to
understand how they can support their children's
learning. It also looks at why support and
encouragement from parents is so important in helping
children to do well.
The project gave parents with children under five the
chance to watch and get involved in their children's
learning in different situations. And to discover how and
why children behave and learn in the ways they do. It
also gave parents practical tips and advice on what
they can do to support and encourage their children's
learning.
Parents said that as a result of the project they were
enjoying spending more time with their children doing
new activities which they wouldn't have done before.
The government funds PPEL. They will use the results of
the Newcastle project as a national case study to show its
success.
Jacqueline receives her award
Jacqueline honoured with
Diana Award
Jacqueline Nielson has been presented with the Diana
Award for the support she gives to Northbourne Street
Youth Initiative’s junior group.
The Diana Award gives public recognition to young people
aged 12 to 18 who give their time and expertise to make a
big difference to the lives of others.
Jacqueline helps the junior group with cooking and talks to
them about things that are happening in their lives. They feel
that it is good to have someone like Jacqueline to talk to.
Jacqueline, who is 16, hopes to do this type of work in the
future. She collected her certificate and pin badge from the
Lord Mayor, Councillor David Wood and the Lady Mayoress,
Mrs Margaret Wood.
Northbourne Street Youth Initiative is a registered charity that
works with children and young people aged eight to 25 years old
to support their development through activity and achievement.
For more information about the Northbourne Street
Youth Initiative contact Gillian Finn on 0191 272 3384 or
email northbourneyi@hotmail.com
City kids open the books at
new High Heaton Library
Children from Cragside and Benton Park primary
schools celebrated the official opening of the new stateof-the-art
High Heaton Library.
The ultra-modern library opened its doors in September
2008. It is part of a £40.2m project which includes the new
City Library which will open next year.
Sue Harrison from Newcastle Libraries, said “We’ve had an
incredible reaction from local people who love their new
library and the services it offers.”
The library has a massive selection of brand new books,
newspapers, magazines, CDs and DVDs. It also offers free
public access to the internet, a self-issue and return service for
books and DVDs, and a fully-equipped 30-space community
room for local groups for meetings, activities and events.
Having fun at Keilder
Fun for all at Kielder
The brand new Rowan Lodge is now open at the
Hawkhirst Centre at Kielder Water.
Our Children’s Services and The Scout Association are
working to expand Hawkhirst Scout Activity Centre so that
more people can make use of the facilities. The new lodge
not only welcomes young people. Adults can also go and
enjoy fun, educational adventurous experiences in the
outdoors.
To book a place at an open day at Hawkhirst phone Graham
Hunt on 0191 211 5308, or email him at:
graham.hunt@newcastle.gov.uk. Or you can call the centre
direct on 01434 250217 to arrange a date and time suitable
to you.
To find out more about the benefits of Hawkhirst in
supporting learning in your school telephone Marcus
Tinsley on 0191 274 1684, or email him at:
marcus.tinsley@broadwood.newcastle.sch.uk
Cragside school children at the library opening
28 www.newcastle.gov.uk
Citylife: January to March 2009
Citylife: January to March 2009 Use the internet free at all Newcastle libraries 29

Judo Joe inspires
award-winning club
Newburn Judo Club is celebrating one of its most
successful years to date.
In 2008 the club recorded a huge medal total of 106 gold
medals, 96 silver medals and 110 bronze medals. Ten of
these were National Individual Championship Medals.
Coach Joe Laws said “2008 has been a fantastic year for the
club. I am immensely proud of the young people that have
represented the club in this record breaking year.”
Joe has been the driving force within the club for a
generation. His aim is to inspire others and he is committed
to the belief that every child matters. While Joe is proud of
the medals and achievements of the club, he feels the club’s
most important principle is social acceptance and inclusion.
Joe Laws is affectionately known as “Judo Joe” because of
his commitment to the values of Judo.
Girls and boys from 5 years old can join the club based at
Newburn Leisure Centre. Newburn Judo Club is a Sport
England Club marked club. It is also a British Judo
Association centre of excellence.
For more information, go to www.newburnjudo.co.uk,
phone 0191 264 0014, or email
newburnjudo@hotmail.co.uk
Laying down the ground rules – Judo Joe watches his
award-winning students
Cure for colds
is you!
A new campaign is persuading people living in
Newcastle that ‘the number one cure for colds
and flu is you’ as antibiotics don’t work on
viruses such as colds and flu.
The campaign, which features on TV, regional radio, posters
and leaflets in GP practices and health centres across the North
East, warns of the hidden dangers of the overuse of antibiotics.
The TV commercial uses Bob Dylan’s ‘Subterranean
Homesick Blues’ with the message: ‘Forget antibiotics – the
number one cure for colds and flu is you’.
Rosie England, head of medicines management for
Newcastle Primary Care Trust said: “In the case of colds and
flu – the best cure really is you – by resting, drinking plenty
of fluids, taking your usual painkillers for sore throats; and
inhaling the steam of hot, not boiling water, if you have a
blocked nose or a chesty cough.”
Your local community pharmacist can advise you about what
you should have in your medicine cupboard to help relieve
colds and flu.
New Year quitters’ support
People living in Newcastle with a New Year’s
resolution to stop smoking can access a range of
free services and support in the city.
Going smoke free is the single biggest thing you can do to
improve your health.
You are more than three times more likely to successfully
stop smoking using an NHS Stop Smoking Service than
going it alone. The services offer the most tried and tested
way to help people give up cigarettes. This includes using a
product to help you with withdrawal symptoms such as
nicotine replacement therapy or Champix, plus lots of
support on a weekly basis.
There are four community based drop-in stop smoking
service clinics in the city where there is no need to make an
appointment - just drop in and see a trained stop smoking
advisor.
The sessions are at:
• Montagu Full Service School, Moorview Crescent,
Cowgate every Monday from 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• NHS Molineux Centre, Molineux St (off Shields Rd), Byker
every Tuesday from 5.30pm to 7.30pm
• St Martin’s Centre, Roman Avenue, Walker every
Wednesday from 9.30am to 11.30am
• Outer West Pool, West Denton Way, every Wednesday
from 4.30pm to 6pm
For further information about the sessions or to access
your local stop smoking services telephone 0191 219 5111.
Stop the spread of germs
‘Catch it, bin it, kill it’ is the message being sent to
people living in Newcastle in a campaign aimed at
preventing the spread of germs particularly during
the winter season.
‘Catch it, bin it, kill it’ urges people to carry tissues to catch
germs when they cough or sneeze; to dispose of the tissue
as soon as possible as germs can live on them for hours;
and to clean hands as they can transfer germs to every
surface they touch.
The campaign has featured interviews with actress and
mother Donna Air as well as: radio commercials; posters;
and advertisements in women’s magazines, on bus panels,
Asda trolley panels; online and ATMs.
We want to reach mothers of the under 11s in particular as
they are seen as influencers within the family. A new nursery
rhyme and Dirty Bertie storybook leaflet for young children
also carries 'Catch it, bin it, kill it' message.
For more information, visit www.dh.gov.uk/catchit where
you will also find a brand new nursery rhyme about
coughs and sneezes, available to download.
30 www.newcastle.gov.uk
Citylife: January to March 2009
Citylife: January to March 2009 This page is paid for by Newcastle Primary Care Trust www.newcastle-pct.nhs.uk 31

✃
See the sign
and ‘Eat Well’
Many people in the deaf community will not
recognise the term “obesity”. To help unwrap
the meaning, Deaflink and the Community Food
Initiative have launched a healthy eating DVD.
Deaflink believe that this work is the first of its kind; there are
no other healthy eating and exercise research and resources
specifically aimed at deaf people.
Verity Joyce, an independent researcher, worked with the
deaf community to address their needs. She looked at what
they wanted to improve in terms of recognising knowledge
and skills in relation to food.
The research highlighted that inequalities experienced by
hearing people and deaf people was due to reduced access
to information in both verbal and written communication. One
of the findings was that deaf people were more likely to
suffer from diet related illnesses and diseases than hearing
people.
They developed the DVD for the whole deaf community. The
DVD presents messages in British Sign Language (BSL)
Don’t get bitten by the
credit crunch!
Did you know that millions of pounds of benefits go
unclaimed every year?
That means that you could be one of the people not claiming
the money you’re entitled to.
Perhaps you’re a pensioner, receiving other welfare benefits
or on a low income? If so, you could be entitled to housing
and council tax benefits.
And finding out about it couldn’t be simpler…
Pop into a customer service centre and fill in an application
form where you’ll be asked to give evidence of your income,
rent and identity.
If you’re disabled or housebound - don’t worry, we can even
arrange an appointment to visit you.
Why not contact one of our dedicated and helpful advisors
on 0845 111 4101 and they can calculate your entitlement.
So if you have less than £16,000 in savings why not see if
you can make a claim – you have nothing to lose but could
have cash to gain!
If you think that you, a relative or someone you know may be
entitled to make a claim let us know and we will help them
make a claim.
Just remember that you may be entitled to some of the
millions of pounds left unclaimed each year.
from the Food Standards Agency ‘Eatwell Plate’.
There are specific sections according to lifecycle stages such
as pregnancy, children, adults and older people. A training
manual is available to assist health trainers and other health
workers to use the resources as educational tools.
For more information, please contact Rhona Stanbury,
Newcastle Deaflink on 0191 211 3594 or email
newcastledeaflink@btconnect.com or Nicola Cowell,
Community Food Initiative on 0191 211 3585
nicola.cfi@healthycity.org.uk
Free tickets
at Newcastle
theatres
Three of Newcastle’s principal theatres; Live
Theatre, Northern Stage and the Theatre
Royal, have been offered funding to provide
free theatre tickets to young people. This is
part of the national Free Theatre Initiative.
Over the next two years Newcastle’s Free Theatre
Initiative will give 4,000 theatre tickets to under 26
year olds, across all three theatres. The initiative tries
to reach new audiences and develop a new
generation of theatregoers.
The theatres have joined forces to offer targeted
groups the opportunity to enjoy performances at each
theatre for free. The tickets will be available to those
who, for a variety of reasons, rarely visit the theatre.
Look out for more information on the theatre websites
from February.
Income Support changes for single parents
When your youngest child is 12 you’ll be expected to look for work.
I am a single parent claiming Income Support. I hear that
there are changes that may affect me – what are they?
Until recently single parents have been able to claim Income
Support if they have a child under 16. If you become a
single parent after 24 November 2008 you may have to sign
on as available for work instead of getting Income Support
when your youngest child reaches 12 - unless you have
some other reason for getting Income Support. The change
will be phased in for existing single parents.
When will my Income Support stop?
If you already get Income Support and your youngest child is
between 12 and 15 you won’t lose it straight away. It will
stop some time between now and July. Jobcentre Plus will
write to you about six weeks before it is due to stop and ask
you to go to an interview to explain the changes to you.
If you have just become a single parent you cannot make a new
claim for Income Support when your youngest child reaches:
• 12, from 24 November 2008
• 10, from October 2009
• 7, from October 2010
For single parents already on Income Support on those
dates the change is being phased in.
What can I claim instead?
Most single parents will be expected to claim Jobseeker’s
Allowance. This means you will need to be available for and
actively looking for work. But these rules may be relaxed to
some extent if for example you have problems with childcare or
Our council helps small
business flourish
Entrepreneur Lee Heads set up her business
with support from our council. She sells her
wares regularly at Newcastle Quayside Market
and other local markets and craft fairs.
When Lee wanted the best treatment for her son Archie’s
eczema she gave up on creams from the doctor – they either
didn’t work or they made the eczema worse. So Lee decided
to make her own.
She took a course in natural skincare and came up with a
recipe to tackle eczema. As it did the trick for Archie, Lee
decided to set up in business and came to the council for
help. With our support, Bria Organics was born.
Jim Thompson from our Business Support Unit said: “When
someone has a good idea for a business, we’ll do everything
we can to help that business get off the ground. Lee is just
one of many fledgling businesses that we give help and
advice to to get them up and running.”
a domestic emergency. If you were getting
Income Support for your children you will
be able to claim Child Tax Credit instead.
Can I stay on Income Support?
You may still get Income Support if you can qualify under a
different rule. For example, you have a disabled child, or
you are a carer or a foster parent. If you have health
problems you may stay on Income Support or you may have
to claim Employment and Support Allowance instead.
Where can I get more information?
The new rules are complicated and it is a good idea to get
independent advice if they affect you. Send in the coupon
below and we’ll send you a list of places you can get advice
and help.
“Do you Benefit?” is written by the council’s Welfare
Rights Service. www.newcastle.gov.uk/welfarerights
Please send me information about benefits advice in
Newcastle.
Name …………….……………………………………………
Address …………….…………………………………………
...........................................................................................
............................................. Postcode ……………………
Send to Freepost Citylife. Please put all your
coupons in one envelope.
Along with the eczema balm, Bria Organics also has a baby
range, aromatherapy body butters and bath oils.
Find out more about Bria Organics at
www.briaorganics.co.uk
To contact Jim Thompson either telephone
0191 211 5684 or email jim.thompson@newcastle.gov.uk
Lee at the Quayside market
32 www.newcastle.gov.uk
Citylife: January to March 2009
Citylife: January to March 2009 Use the internet free at all Newcastle libraries 33

Council diary
27 January 2009 to 30 April 2009
All the meetings listed below are open to the public.
Times were correct at time of going to press. To
confirm the meeting time and venue please phone the
contact officer.
27 March 2009 at 8.30am
Audit Committee
Phone Jo Miller on 0191 211 5119
4 February 2009 at 6pm
4 March 2009 at 6pm
1 April 2009 at 6pm
City Council
Phone Linda Couch on 0191 211 5121
28 January 2009 at 11.30am
29 April 2009 at 11.30am
Conservation Advisory Committee
Phone Linda Couch on 0191 211 5121
3 March 2009 at 4pm
Constitutional Committee
Phone Bernard Dale on 0191 211 5121
26 March 2009 at 5pm
Corporate Parent Advisory Committee
Phone Victoria Demchenko on 0191 211 5118
6 February 2009 at 9.30am
27 February 2009 at 9.30am
20 March 2009 at 9.30am
9 April 2009, 9.30am
Development Control Committee
Phone David Long on 0191 211 5129
28 January 2009 at 4pm
23 February 2009 at 4pm
11 March 2009 at 4pm
22 April 2009 at 4pm
Executive
Phone Bernard Dale on 0191 211 5121
To be confirmed
Neighbourhood Committee
Phone Elaine Campbell on 0191 211 5183
9 March 2009 at 9.30am
Newcastle Great Park Advisory Committee
Phone Susan Armstrong on 0191 211 5122
26 March 2009 at 3pm
Planning and Transport Strategy Committee
Phone Judith Curran on 0191 211 5119
19 March 2009 at 4.30pm
Procurement Committee
Phone Ian Stearman on 0191 211 5166
23 February 2009, 10am
Shared Housing Working Group
Phone Steve Laws on 0191 211 5118
20 February 2009 at 4pm
17 April 2009 at 4pm
Standards Committee
Phone Elaine Campbell on 0191 211 5183
Scrutiny panels
To be confirmed
Overview and Scrutiny Board
Phone Elaine Campbell on 0191 211 5183
19 February 2009 at 4pm (to be confirmed)
18 March 2009 at 4pm (to be confirmed)
15 April 2009 at 4pm (to be confirmed)
Policy Performance and Budget Overview and
Scrutiny Panel
Phone Elaine Campbell on 0191 211 5183
18 February 2009 at 4pm
18 March 2009 at 4pm
21 April 2009 at 4pm
Strengthening the Economy Overview and
Scrutiny Panel
Phone Rob Smithson on 0191 211 5184
28 January 2009 at 2pm
25 February 2009 at 2pm
Health and Wellbeing Overview Scrutiny Panel
Phone Rob Smithson on 0191 211 5184
27 January 2009 at 5.30pm
24 February 2009 at 5.30pm
24 March 2009 at 5.30pm
28 April 2009 at 5.30pm
Managing Environmental Impact Overview and
Scrutiny Panel
Phone Terry White on 0191 211 5119
Dates to be agreed
Quality Places to Live Overview and Scrutiny Panel
Phone Steve Laws on 0191 211 5118
To be confirmed
Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel
Phone Steve Laws on 0191 211 5118
16 February 2009 (time to be confirmed)
16 March 2009 (time to be confirmed)
20 April 2009 (time to be confirmed)
Children and Young People Overview and
Scrutiny Panel
Phone Victoria Demchenko on 0191 211 5118
Ward committees
If no venue given, please ring phone number listed.
24 February 2009, 6.30pm, St John’s Primary School,
Teindland Close
24 March 2009, 6.30pm, St Cuthbert’s RC High School,
Gretna Road
Benwell and Scotswood Ward Committee
Phone Amy Redpath on 0191 211 6264
26 February 2009 at 7pm
26 March 2009 at 7pm
Blakelaw Ward Committee
Phone Helen Warneford on 0191 211 6286
29 January 2009 at 6.30pm
17 March 2009 at 6.30pm
Byker Ward Committee
Phone Caroline Collinson on 0191 278 3129
19 March 2009 at 6.30pm in Brunswick Village
Castle Ward Committee
Phone Sue Wannop on 0191 211 6263
March meeting to be arranged.
Dene Ward Committee
Phone Amanda Quinn on 0191 278 3196
19 March 2009 at 6pm, The Hall, West Denton
Association, Hillhead Road
Denton Ward Committee
Phone Dorothy Procter on 0191 211 6264
9 March 2009 at 6.30pm, St Nicholas Church Hall Annexe,
Wardle Street, Off Station Road, South Gosforth
East Gosforth Ward Committee
Phone Ann Gilks on 0191 211 6296
9 March 2009 at 6.30pm, Colby Court Fire Station
Elswick Ward Committee
Phone Susan Johnson on 0191 278 3136
27 January 2009 at 6.30pm
24 March 2009 at 2pm
Fawdon Ward Committee
Phone Rob Gillie on 0191 211 6265
26 March 2009 at 7pm
Fenham Ward Committee
Phone Amy Redpath on 0191 211 6264
18 March 2009 at 2pm
Kenton Ward Committee
Phone Amy Redpath 0191 211 6264
26 March 2009 at 6pm
Lemington Ward Committee
Phone Andy Eastwood on 0191 211 6272
17 March 2009 at 6pm
Newburn Ward Committee
Phone Andy Eastwood on 0191 211 6272
3 March 2009 at 7pm
North Heaton Ward Committee
Phone Amanda Quinn on 0191 278 3196
3 March 2009 at 6.30pm
North Jesmond Ward Committee
Phone Paul McKinnell on 0191 278 3183
28 January 2009 at 6.30pm
28 February 2009 at 6.30pm
26 March 2009 at 6.30pm
Ouseburn Ward Committee
Phone Cass Winlow on 0191 278 3401 or
Elizabeth Grace on 0191 278 3193
To be confirmed
Parklands Ward Committee
Phone Amy Stillwell on 0191 211 6289
11 March 2009 at 7pm
South Heaton Ward Committee
Phone Caroline Collinson on 0191 278 3129
10 March 2009 at 6.30pm
South Jesmond Ward Committee
Phone Paul McKinnell on 0191 278 3183
To be confirmed
Walker Ward Committee
Phone Debra Lagun on 0191 278 3180
10 March 2009 at 6.30pm (venue to be confirmed)
Walkergate Ward Committee
Phone Debra Lagun on 0191 278 3180
12 March 2009 at 6.30pm
Westerhope Ward Committee
Phone Dorothy Procter on 0191 211 6264
26 January 2009 at 6.30pm
23 March 2009 at 6.30pm
Westgate Ward Committee
Phone Elizabeth Grace on 0191 278 3193 or
Cass Winlow on 0191 278 3401
18 March 2009 at 6.30pm
West Gosforth Ward Committee
Phone Ann Gilks on 0191 211 6296
17 February 2009 at 7.15pm
17 March 2009 at 7.15pm
21 April 2009 at 7.15pm
Wingrove Ward Committee
Phone Susan Johnson on 0191 278 3136
10 March 2009 at 6.15pm, Galafield Play and Youth
Centre, Newbiggin Lane
Woolsington Ward Committee
Phone Helen Warneford on 0191 277 7938
34 www.newcastle.gov.uk
Citylife: January to March 2009 Citylife: January to March 2009 Use the internet free at all Newcastle libraries 35

✃
Is Citylife part
of your life?
In the coming months we’ll be
talking to Newcastle residents
to find out what you think
about Citylife and how we can
improve it.
We would like to talk to groups
around the city. If your group
would like to take part, please
contact us on 0191 211 5073, or email
citylife@newcastle.gov.uk
Competition winners
Candlelit Christmas tickets C Home, NE3; E Weldon, NE2;
Mr B M Leckey, NE5; Miss E R Watton, NE6;
Mrs M Robson, NE5; Ms J Stableford, NE4; Mrs H Graham,
NE5; C Rice, SR5
Walking with Witches book J Hall-Murray, NE4;
Mrs DM Darling, NE5; Mrs M McAdam, NE3;
L Hall-Murray, NE3; Mrs JM Donathy, NE4.
Nutcracker family tickets Mrs J Gaffney, NE5;
Miss L Moakes, NE2; R Smith, NE5; Miss D Protheroe, NE3;
Mrs C Rogers, NE4; S Chapman, NE4; E Hankin, NE5;
Miss M R Green, NE5; C Burkin, NE15; Mrs A Wilkinson, NE5
Cinderella family tickets Mrs L Chambers, NE3;
L and K Liddell, NE15; Mrs R Frain, NE15; C Driver, NE7 7;
Mrs R Cullen, NE5.
High School Musical family tickets M Atkinson, NE7;
Mrs J Wilkinson, NE6; Mr C Hampton, NE6; Mrs E Irwin, NE3;
F Davidge, NE5; D Jenkinson, NE6; B Webb, NE3;
L Fulcher, NE15; D Scrivens, NE5; M Taylor, NE3.
Lorraine Crosby tickets C Hope, NE15
Milkshake family tickets L Fulton, NE3; Mrs M E Carr, NE15.
Let Lavish
drop a big
hint for you
Lavish is a luxury gift voucher that takes the guesswork
out of buying gifts.
With a voucher you can get any beauty treatment at any of
the 200 partner salons and spas around the UK. Even
better, if you visit the Lavish website and choose the ‘Drop a
big hint’ button, you can leave the rest to them. They will fire
off a tactful little email to suggest that Lavish might put your
partner ahead of the game!
Vouchers are available at www.lavish.co.uk and are sold in
denominations of £25, £50, £100, £250 and £500.
Trinity Centre’s amazing
journey
Chris
Lincoln
at the
Trinity
Centre
As the redeveloped Trinity Centre in Gosforth celebrates
its first anniversary this spring, one man is celebrating
his own life-changing milestone.
This time last year, Chris Lincoln was settling into retirement
when he was asked to become the new centre manager at
Trinity. Now during a typical busy week he oversees the
smooth running of the new building, working hard to meet
the needs of the 2000 members of the Gosforth community
that use the centre, cafe and church each week.
“The past year has been an amazing journey of
development, both for Trinity and me. From first attending
the church last February to managing the centre on a daily
basis, it’s a huge privilege to help Trinity become so full of
activity whilst doing a job I love”, commented Chris.
Trinity Centre was developed to help regenerate Gosforth
High Street and provide a focal point for the local community.
“The centre has received tremendous support within the area,”
continued Chris. “We currently host around 100 activities a
week from church groups and children’s activities to private
parties and meetings with even more visitors to the cafe. It
looks like my retirement will be put on hold for some time!”
Competition
We have a £100 Lavish voucher to
give to three lucky Citylife readers.
Just tell us, which saint is associated with lovers?
Nicholas Kenelm Valentine
Name ...............................................................................
Address ...........................................................................
..........................................................................................
........................................... Postcode ..............................
Telephone .........................................................................
Please send your entries to Freepost Citylife by Friday
20 February 2009. Please include all competition
entries and coupons in the same envelope.
What’s on
Let us know
Post Freepost Citylife
Fax 0191 211 4888
Email charlotte.sly@newcastle.gov.uk
Deadline for the April/May edition is Friday 23
March 2009.
Exhibitions
Centre for Life
Times Square
0191 243 8210
www.life.org.uk
Sat 14 to Sun 22 February
Wild Life
Take a walk on the wild side of life this half-term as we
uncover some amazing facts about animals. Meet ‘Darwin
and the dodo’ and get a close up look at some live cuddly
creatures as we celebrate Charles Darwin’s birthday and his
theory of evolution.
Adult £7.65 (£6.55), Child £5.55, Family Ticket (2+2 or 1+3):
£23.10
Newcastle ScienceFest ‘09
Fri 6 to Sun 15 March
Two big weekends of non-stop activities will entertain the
whole family with mind-boggling experiments, hands-on
workshops and multi-sensory shows. Hosted by the Centre
for Life and other venues across the city. Catering for
curious minds of all ages, the festival will also include special
events for adults with stimulating lectures, science fiction and
even a specially brewed festival beer to celebrate Darwin’s
200th birthday!
For more information go to www.life.org.uk or phone
0191 243 8210.
Laing Art Gallery
New Bridge Street
0191 232 7734 (Textphone 18001 0191 232 7734)
www.twmuseums.org.uk/laing
Mon to Sat 10am – 5pm, Sun 2-5pm
Until Sun 12 April
Surface Reality
Hexham-born Turner Prize nominee, Glenn Brown, and
painters Gary Hume and Katy Moran are amongst the artists
whose work will be on display.
Every Saturday at 11am
Picture of the Month – Free talks at the Laing
The Friends of the Laing hold free talks on a different
painting on show at the Laing every month. No booking
required, meet in the Laing’s marble hall to take part. Free.
University Gallery
Northumbria University
0191 227 4424
www.northumbria.ac.uk/universitygallery/
Mon to Thurs 10am – 5pm, Fri and Sat 10am – 4pm
Closed Sundays
Until Fri 20 February
The Newcastle Group 1984 – 2009
The formation of the Newcastle Group in 1984 brought
together a diverse group of talented, practising painters and
sculptors who were at that time living and working in the
north of England. Their primary concern was the promotion
of fine arts, the foundation and yardstick of the visual arts.
From Sat 28 February
Disposable People: Contemporary Global Slavery
In the ‘heroic’ era of photojournalism – roughly from the
Spanish Civil War until the late 1960s – it seems that a
single image could define the greatest human dramas and
catastrophes. Today, digital manipulation has undermined
photography’s claim to veracity; video is available on
everyone’s mobile; and artists and amateurs have taken over
the territory of intimate revelation.
Free.
Waygood Art Boutique
High Bridge
0191 265 6857
boutique@waygood.org
www.waygood.org/
Wed to Sat 12-5pm
Until Sat 21 February
Sculpture by Andrew Burton, drawings by Joel Fisher
and paintings by Becky Woodhouse
From Wed 25 February
Digital work by Paul Grimmer, installation by Sarah
Wales and photography by Katy Merrington.
Daily from 10am to 10pm
High Bridge Screens
Follow the redevelopment of Waygood’s High Bridge site
through a changing display of documentary photographs by
Katy Merrington, Debbie Bower and Sarah Bayliss.
Free.
Other events
Changing the Wheel – Bert Brecht and Me
Written and performed by Peter Thomson, with the poetry of
Bertolt Brecht.
This fascinating one man show is mostly about Bertolt
Brecht, the first great socialist playwright of the 20th Century.
Join Peter on a multi-media journey through the life of a
literary giant. The shows will be performed at The Star and
Shadow Cinema on Wednesday 11 February and Newcastle
Arts Centre on Thursday 12 February at 8pm.
For more information go to www.changingthewheel.co.uk
36 www.newcastle.gov.uk
Citylife: January to March 2009
Citylife: January to March 2009 Use the internet free at all Newcastle libraries 37

✃
The Star and Shadow Cinema
Stepney Bank 0191 261 0066
Sun 1 February at 3pm
Swimming Against the Tide
A Eureka film production by Tom Fawdon. How is it possible
that Cuba has achieved so much with so few resources?
How can one of the world's poorest nations offer to help the
world’s richest nation, the US, to cope with hurricane
Katrina? The film will be followed by a speaker from the
Cuban Solidarity Movement. The screening has been
organised by Medact. For more information email the
Medact Tyneside Coordinator Liz Waterston on
a.j.r.waterston@ncl.ac.uk.
Music
Assembly Rooms
Fenkle Street
Sun 15 February at 3pm
The Ingenious Mr Avison: Birthday Tea Concert - 300th
Anniversary Concert
International soloist and countertenor James Bowman
appearing with The Avison Ensemble, led by Pavlo
Beznosiuk presents an evening of 18th century music with
works by Handel, Purcell, John Garth and Charles Avison.
The concert also sees the launch of Tyne Bridge Publishing’s
new biography of Charles Avison “The Ingenious Mr Avison -
or Two Ladies for Half a Guinea”.
£15 (£18 including tea) from JG Windows Ltd 0191 232 1356
or by emailing: info@jgwindows.com
Journal Tyne Theatre
Westgate Road
0844 493 9999
www.tynetheatre.co.uk
Sun 8 February at 7.30pm
An Evening with Andy Abraham £22.50
Metro Radio Arena
0844 493 6666
www.metroradioarena.co.uk
Thurs 26 February at 7.30pm
The X Factor Live £28.50
Sat 28 February at 7.30pm
Kaiser Chiefs £25.45
Tues 10 March at 7.30pm
Snow Patrol £29.36
Shipley Art Gallery
Prince Consort Road
0191 477 1495
Sun 8 February at 2pm
Blow the Wind Southerly
Concert Royal recreating the sound world of a bygone era
including familiar songs (Bobby Shaftoe, The Keel Row and
Water of Tyne). Refreshments and raffle.
£10 (£8 Members, OAP and Cons.)
Theatre
The Journal Tyne Theatre, Westgate Road,
0844 493 9999, www.tynetheatre.co.uk
Tues 10 and Wed 11 February at 7.30pm
Brainiac Live!
Strap on your safety goggles, boys and girls: Science's
greatest and most volatile show is arriving here with a
vengeance. £18.50 (£16.50) £60 family
Mon 16 to Sat 21 February
(contact the venue or website for times)
Thriller Live
Celebrating the incredible life and career of Michael Jackson
£17.50
Tues 24 and Wed 25 February at 8pm
Dylan Moran – ‘What it is’ spring tour £19 (£17)
People’s Theatre
Stephenson Road, 0191 265 5020, ptag.org.uk
Tues 10 to Sat 14 March at 7.30pm
Bedroom Farce by Alan Ayckbourn
Tues 31 March – Sat 4 April at 7.30pm
1984 by George Orwell
(Adapted by Robert Owens and Wilton Hall)
£9.50 (£7.50)
Theatre Royal
0844 811 2121, www.theatreroyal.co.uk
Classic drama, show stopping musicals and amazing stand
alone performances come to the Theatre Royal including
Blood Brothers, West Side Story, Loot and An Inspector
Calls. Other acts include Elaine Paige, An Evening with
Pam Ayres plus the return of Opera North.
What’s on competition
Citylife are giving two comedy fans the chance to see
the closing night of this year’s Newcastle Gateshead
Comedy Festival at the City Hall on Sunday, 8 March.
To win one of the two pairs of tickets just tell us:
Who is the director of the Newcastle Gateshead
Comedy Festival?
Warren Speed
Warren Beatty
Warren Barton
Name ………………................………………………………
Address ................……………………………………………
...........................................................................................
........................................... Postcode ...............................
Phone ................……………………………………………...
Send to Freepost Citylife by 20 February 2009.
Don’t forget to put all your coupons in one envelope.
38 www.newcastle.gov.uk
Citylife: January to March 2009
Make ‘em
laugh!
Now that the New Year’s Eve champagne has gone flat
and Christmas is a distant memory why not shake off
your winter blues and exercise your funny bone with the
Newcastle Gateshead Comedy Festival. Taking in
venues on both sides of the Tyne, the festival runs from
Monday 2 to Sunday 8 March.
Here are a few of the star names who will put a spring in your
step during these cold winter nights.
The festival kicks off at the Sage Gateshead with ‘Comedy
Excentrique’ on Monday 2 March at 7.30pm. With comedians
Rob Deering (top left), Barry Dodds, Rhodri Rhys and Anvil
Springstien, plus aerial circus performer Haylee-Mai, the CanCan
dance troupe, the Cathouse Belles and slapstick burlesque TV
star Warren Speed! £13.50 (£11.50). 0191 443 4661.
As You Like It plays host to the ‘Ivan Brackenbury Hospital
Radio Roadshow’ (top right) on Tuesday 3 March at 8pm. The
night also features Micky Flanagan - "What Chance Change?"
at 9.30pm. £6 per show (£10 both). 0191 281 2277.
Nancy’s Bordello on Argyll Street will have the pleasure of Liam
Mullone and Quincy performing on Wednesday 4 March. Liam starts his show at 8pm
with the ‘Quincy – Single Mum’ show (above right) taking to the stage at 9.30pm. £6 per
show (£10 both). 0191 260 2929.
‘Rhod Gilbert and the Award Winning Mince Pie’ (right) comes to the Sage Gateshead on
Thursday 5 March at 8pm. ‘Justin Moorhouse's ‘Ever Decreasing Social Circle’ follows at
9.30pm. £15. 0191 443 4661.
Sarah Millican, (above left) the recent winner of the If Comedy Award for Best Newcomer
will get you rolling in the aisle at the Sage Gateshead on Friday 6 March at 8pm. The bill also
includes the award winning Andrew Lawrence and
compere Warren Speed (from Britain’s Got Talent).
£13.50 (£11.50). 0191 443 4661. See the What’s On
page for the chance to win tickets to the festival
Newcastle City Hall is the venue for "Northern
Glory" - The Festival's Closing Show on Sunday
8 March at 7.30pm. Five top
comedians all born and bred in the
North East will perform including
Radio Newcastle's Alfie Joey, John
Fothergill, Mike Milligan, Seymour Mace and
Christian Steel. £14 (£11). 0191 261 2606.
If you want more information about the festival and the other acts
performing go to www.newcastlegatesheadcomedyfestival.com