A state-of-the-art sports hub has officially opened in Wallsend bringing top-tier facilities to the heart of North Tyneside the £4.4 million venue is widely regarded as a game changer for local football Funded by the Football Foundation and North Tyneside Council the former St Peter’s Playing Fields has been reimagined into a multi-million-pound sports complex four changing rooms (including one large enough for rugby teams) The St Peter’s Sports Hub is now a central part of North Tyneside’s sports infrastructure serving as the new headquarters for Northumberland FA It will also act as a premier training ground for local football and other sports teams and community engagement for years to come She said: “It’s a real pleasure to see this fantastic facility now open and ready for use “This new venue will serve as a valuable resource for football and other sports benefitting both our local community and sports teams I look forward to seeing it fully in action.” said: ”It is a real honour to be here today to see the investment that the Council the Football Foundation and others have put in to make this happen “It’s a £4.4 million pound investment for people who live in Wallsend and beyond It’s a community facility and it’s prestigious that the Northumberland FA have decided to have their headquarters here What an accolade for Wallsend and North Tyneside “Newcastle United winning the cup on Sunday will surely see even more young people and older people wanting to engage in the sport What better weekend could we have had before the opening of this facility said: “We’re delighted to be the custodians of this amazing facility It will help us to meet our strategic aims – encouraging those with mental and physical health challenges and people from communities that may not have traditionally taken part in football to become more active “We are looking forward to welcoming thousands of players coaches and match officials every year and giving them a fantastic football experience We’re also looking forward to being a cornerstone of our local community here in Wallsend” Chief Executive of the Football Foundation said: “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country  “Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities We’re delighted that the local community in Wallsend will now be able to enjoy all these benefits thanks to the fantastic new facilities at St Peter’s Sports Hub.”  Director of Participation and Development at RFL: “We are delighted to support North Tyneside Council on this new development “The North East has a rich Rugby League history and Super League’s showcase event – Magic Weekend – is set to return to St James’ Park in May This year looks to be the best yet and we would really encourage  residents to come along and get involved “We are really looking forward to supporting the Wallsend Centurions and Eagles at the new training complex and we wish them all the success for the future.” For more information about the facility visit www.northumberlandfa.com Quadrant, The Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park, North Tyneside, NE27 0BY | Directions SOUTH SHIELDS FixturesMarine (A)Our Club Pitch Booking GuideMore SearchSSFC Women held to chaotic 4-4 draw against Wallsend BCTyler ElleanorApr 183 min readA chaotic eight-goal thriller saw South Shields Women and Wallsend BC Women share the points on Thursday night The Mariners led Wallsend early into the first-half when Natalie May slotted home in the 15th minute with Ellen-Marie Atkinson scoring three minutes later Forward Ellie White snatched back the Mariners’ lead in the 32nd minute claiming her brace and Wallsend’s equaliser just seconds before the half-time whistle Impact substitute Annece Legg made a terrific impact after coming on scoring goals in the 53rd and 63rd minutes Atkinson struck for the third time in the 71st minute claiming the match ball while teammate Nicole Dack dispatched a penalty in the 74th minute to draw things level Shields came into the midweek fixture confident after their last outing The game started rather well for the Mariners with Eve Gatens being at the focal point of a few chances in the first eight minutes Gatens twice fizzed great balls into the box - which on both occasions Cat Abusada was only a few yards from reaching and causing real danger The next chance came for the home side; defender Anya Cowen bursted forward with pace cut inside and curled the ball high and wide Left-back Josie Foster slung a terrific switch to Abusada who comfortably slotted through Amelia Kirkup’s legs Wallsend got their equaliser through Atkinson; the forward was played in behind and nicked the ball over a charging-out Anna Yeakey Gatens curled in a free-kick which struck Becki McMahon making the save awkward for Kirkup -  the keeper made a quick reaction save Just on the stroke of the half-time whistle claiming a brace with what was a stunning left-footed shot from outside of the box At half-time the Mariners made a double substitution bringing on Legg for White and Scarlett Gowans for Yeakey continuing how they left off in the first-half as they scored in just eight minutes Foster whipped in an absolute stunner of a cross to Legg which took every defender out of the game The attacker took the ball in her stride and lashed the ball straight at Kirkup the in-form Legg struck again - claiming her brace in style Monica Innes chipped a delicious ball into Legg - the striker took it in her path Wallsend got their third of the game: Atkinson got her hat-trick after crashing the ball into the net with a left-footed strike the Mariners conceded a penalty and Dack made no mistake to equalise from the spot cut back to her favoured right foot and curled an effort which made Kirkup produce a massive save Up next for the lasses is their final game of the season against Alnwick Town Ladies this Sunday rescued her XL bully Smokey just as the ban on the dog breed came into effect last year "There are misconceptions that these dogs are dangerous but not all XL bullies are a risk to society," Ms Craig and must wear a muzzle at all times when outdoors - conditions which became law in England and Wales in February 2024 and now applies to the whole of the UK Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram ShareSaveTrial aims to silence tinnitus before it takes holdThe Newcastle study gives both electrical stimulus and sound therapy to people with early tinnitus. Fishing boat's very close encounter with orcaA fisherman captures footage of the killer whale off the Northumberland coast on Tuesday morning. 'Otterburn Hall was just my whole life'The grade II listed building closed in 2012 and has since fallen into disrepair. Franciscan brother on dedicating his life to others"We don't live for ourselves, it's not the reason why we're put on this earth." Relive Newcastle's Carabao Cup celebrationsA round-up of the scenes in Newcastle on Saturday as the city was brought to a standstill by crowds. Watch: Sea of black and white covers Newcastle as Ant & Dec bring Toon joyTens of thousands of supporters flocked the streets of Newcastle to honour the team's Carabao Cup win. 'Don't you drop that!': Ant & Dec join Newcastle players on paradeTens of thousands of supporters have joined the celebrations as the bus travels through the city. NUFC fans not here to celebrate cup win rememberedHundreds of people send photos of their loved ones who did not live to see the long-awaited cup win. 'Art became final piece of my Parkinson's jigsaw'"I used to have a tremor in my left hand and that’s disappeared over the last 12 months." Dan Burn's PE teacher recreates Wembley goal"Everyone thought he was going to score and when he put that header in, the roof just lifted off." 'Brazen' teenagers make multiple shoplifting tripsThe future of a Gateshead shop is at risk due to increasing levels of shoplifting, its owner says. Touring Newcastle musician revisits busking spotsVictor Ray started his career busking in Newcastle six years ago and is now selling out tours. American man flies 14 hours a game to follow NUFCJohn O'Hare has a love of English football and travels more than 4,000 miles to watch his team. Aspiring male strippers audition in North EastFor the first time, the Dreamboys show searches for new talent for its national tour in Newcastle. Homeless student reunites with 'lifesavers'Mark and Elisabeth from Whitley Bay housed Yasmina for a night when she found herself homeless. Newcastle United manager grants fan's dying wishSteven Hunter says it is "an absolute pleasure" to have met the Magpies' boss. Watch: Tower block demolished in plume of smokeThe button to destroy Hexham House in Newcastle is pressed by three children who won a competition. UK’s tallest living Christmas tree lit upThe 160-year-old, 42m (138ft) tree at Cragside is the height of two Angels of the North. 'We can reassure them that the water is good'Bathing water in Cullercoats Bay is rated "poor", but locals say it "never causes a problem". Boat tour passengers' thrill at shark sightingA shark sighting during a Farne Islands boat tour brings joy to passengers. ballroom dancing to the Queen’s Coronation Wallsend’s rich history is being brought to life on shop shutters displaying photos of the town’s past The project has unearthed some fond family memories like the photo of Christine March dancing at Wallsend Memorial Hall in the 1960s It’s now on the shutters of the Memorial Hall It’s home to a 1920s ballroom where Christine’s granddaughters Katie and Lucie take their dance lessons today and where Christine’s Mam and Dad met on the dancefloor in the 1940s The first Wallsend shutters were unveiled during Local History Week in 2024 and the scheme has since been extended to include 18 shops around the town centre They are designed to brighten up the High Street when the shops are shut, while celebrating the heritage of the town and its people. Wallsend Local History Society provided most of the photos along with historical notes to accompany each one A self-guided walk around Wallsend Town Centre allows people to take in some of the highlights, with full details below and a map available here The project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the Towns and High Streets Innovation Programme with the North East Combined Authority as the lead authority It is part of North Tyneside Council’s Ambition for Wallsend creating a vibrant and connected town that is attractive to residents The images include: The workforce leaving Swan Hunter's Yard; a former cinema on Station Road; old Wallsend with its narrow streets; the tram system; a gramophone shop and of course Christine and her pals dancing at the Memorial Hall Christine March said: “The photo that’s on the shutters of The Mem was taken when I was 12 years old I did ballet from the age of three then went on to do tap and ballroom until I was 14 “I spent most of my time dancing and competing and she met my Dad dancing at The Mem back in the 40s She made all my dance dresses on an old-fashioned treadle Singer machine We’d go to the hairdressers and get our hair done for the competitions “I can remember the other girls in the photo I’m so proud to see my own granddaughters dancing now in The Mem and doing competitions of their own Having this photo up on the shutters is a lovely thing for our family.” Sherrie Lee Lowther is Christine’s daughter-in-law She said: “When we saw the shutters we couldn’t believe it “My daughters are both talented dancers so it definitely runs in the family “My daughter Katie competes in Freestyle and Street Dance Lucie has recently started competing Street Dance too Their most recent competition was held at The Mem “Both girls have been telling their friends all about the photo they are really proud of their Nana and the family history of dancing.” Helen Telford is Principal of Move It Studios CIC which has been based in Wallsend Memorial Hall for the past nine years and has just under 200 students She said: “I’m a member of the Wallsend High Street Transformation Board and when they asked for old photos I immediately thought of the many generations of Wallsend families who have danced at the Memorial Hall “Sherrie Lee gave me the wonderful photo of Christine and we sent it in Sherrie Lee’s two daughters Katie and Lucie are dancers at Move It Studios When it appeared on the shutters it was an amazing surprise “I’m very proud to be playing a part in keeping the legacy of dance alive in Wallsend it’s been an important part of the town’s heritage for many decades “The Memorial Hall is home to Move It Studios as well as Hellcats Cheer attracting a number of dancers from across the region The venue is regularly used to host dance competitions “Wallsend has a strong history of arts and culture and it’s brilliant to see that being recognised by this project.” Deputy Mayor for North Tyneside and cabinet member responsible for Regeneration Culture and Economic Development said: “The Wallsend shutters scheme has been a real success with lots of positive feedback from businesses and the wider community We’ve heard about former shipyard workers calling into the shops to talk about the shutters and share their memories Richardson Dees School and Move It Studios for providing the photos The project is one part of our Ambition for Wallsend making the town centre and the nearby neighbourhoods great places to visit and live improving the street scene and public spaces and working with partners to make sure people feel safe we have given grants to more than 30 businesses in Wallsend to smarten up their shop fronts “We hope people will enjoy following the walking tour of the shutters and take a moment to reflect on the rich history and vibrant community spirit that continues to shape Wallsend today.” Wallsend Historic Shutters Walking Tour – follow the map here. Search Ambition for Wallsend on Facebook to find a video tour of the shutters, or watch it here Shop 3: Travelability UK Ltd 124 Station Rd Image description: Four young girls dressed up for a dancing competition at Wallsend Memorial Hall in the 1960s Shop 5: Lily’s Locks 104 High St West NE28 8HY Shop 6: Dolls House Of Hair & Beauty 16 High St E Image description: Wallsend High Street as it used to be in the 1930s Historical Note: Tom Owens is a family-run business with deep roots in Wallsend the business has been passed down through generations maintaining a tradition of quality service and community spirit Family-run shops like Tom Owens are a testament to the enduring entrepreneurial spirit of Wallsend’s residents contributing to the town’s unique character and charm SearchWootten: Wallsend BC draw "a hard one to take" for SSFC WomenNathan BellApr 192 min readJen Wootten says that South Shields Women’s 4-4 draw against Wallsend BC Women on Thursday was "a hard one to take.”  It marked a sudden end to the team’s winning streak which saw them claim maximum points during each of their last four outings “I think we are disappointed to not take away three points from the game “Especially after being on such a good run during the last few games There were positives to take from the game however - the team’s prolificacy in front of goal continued with four goals scored That was an area which the team has looked to capitalise on in recent weeks and since the visit to Harrogate Town AFC Women on Saturday “Creating chances in the final third is something we’ve really been working on in training and I think it’s definitely paying off so creating the chances we did from all over the pitch is definitely a positive.” There was some talk heading into the game about the contrasting fortunes of both teams with Shields on a winning run and Wallsend BC the opposite looking to put on a show to end their campaign on a high Wootten continued: “No game in this league is a given “I think given our last few games we were on a high and wanted to continue our winning streak but we also knew Wallsend would put up a fight but not everything quite fell right for us on the night.” Shields will follow suit in rounding up their campaign this Sunday when they host Alnwick Town Ladies and Wootten hopes the team can finish things strong “The team is more together now than ever and everyone is determined to go out on a high!” she said “We have been working hard and it’s time to put it all into practice “We want to put on a good performance to end the season with a win!” It is free entry - please join us for the lasses’ final game of the 2024/25 season Image credit: Craig McNair (@ideventphoto) North Tyneside Council and Northumbria Police have secured a three-month extension to a Closure Order for a property in Wallsend following continued reports of antisocial behaviour and criminal activity linked to the address granted by North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court ensures that the property on Atkinson Terrace remains subject to strict restrictions under section 80 of the Antisocial Behaviour The order prevents the tenant from having visitors at the property and any breach could result in a custodial sentence for those involved The council’s Community Protection Team and Wallsend Neighbourhood Policing Team took further action to address ongoing issues that have disrupted the lives of neighbouring residents Cabinet Member for community safety and tackling anti-social behaviour said: “The extension of this Closure Order demonstrates our unwavering commitment to tackling antisocial behaviour and supporting our residents we have taken decisive action to protect the community and ensure that those responsible face the consequences of their actions We hope this provides some much-needed respite for residents who have endured unacceptable behaviour for far too long.” said: “This is another great example of our neighbourhood teams working closely with local authority partners to tackle anti-social behaviour in the community and we’ll continue to take action against those who cause the most harm in our region “Nobody wants this type of behaviour on their doorstep and we’ll do everything in our power to ensure North Tyneside remains a great place to live Residents can report antisocial behaviour via Northumbria Police’s ‘Tell Us Something’ page or North Tyneside Council’s Report It page.  SearchSSFC Women face Wallsend BC in midweek league clashNathan BellApr 162 min readUpdated: Apr 17 South Shields Women visit Wallsend BC Women this Thursday for their final away match of the season (7:45pm kick-off) Shields take to the Kirkley Park lights for their second midweek match this campaign after their 2-0 win against Sunderland West End Ladies at 1st Cloud Arena a fortnight ago The lasses head into the game full of confidence after their big 6-2 away win against Spennymoor Town Ladies on Sunday in a 5-0 defeat against table-toppers Chester-le-Street Town Ladies A win could give the Mariners every chance of finishing the season in a top four spot with third place potentially up for grabs if they continue to score at an impressive rate and other results go their way Watch back the match highlights from our 2-1 win against Wallsend BC in September featuring Eve Gatens’ stunning last-minute winner Listen to co-head coach Alex Miller's thoughts ahead of the game where she discusses the team’s response to Sunday’s win as well as how the team are faring this week Our midfield maestro Natalie May spoke in the lead-up to our final away match this season She said: “The team’s spirits are high after Sunday’s game and it’s so rewarding to see the hard work we’ve put in during training really starting to pay off “We’re really looking forward to Thursday’s match – our final away game of the season – and we’re determined to finish on a high “The squad has incredible depth and talent and we’re focused on keeping our winning streak going for all the effort and dedication they’ve put into helping us grow both as a team and as individual players “The confidence across the group has grown massively and it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come!” Kick-off at Kirkley Park (NE28 8SX) is at 7:45pm this Thursday The cafe will be open throughout but please note that is cash only whether in person or on our social media channels - it would mean a lot A new active travel route has opened in Wallsend making it safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists to move between Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum and the Metro and bus station It is funded by a £1.28m capital grant from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund It is part of the Towns and High Streets Innovation Programme The scheme is part of North Tyneside Council’s Ambition for Wallsend For those who want to take in the local sights the active travel route links into a circular trail around Richardson Dees Park it connects with National Cycle Route 72 Hadrian’s Way stretching from the Cumbrian coast to Tynemouth It has been designed to be safe and accessible for families scooters and all active modes of transport The active travel route will help make North Tyneside a greener place to live and help reduce the carbon footprint of the Borough The work has been carried out by the Council’s construction partner Capita and includes: North Tyneside Council Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency said: “It is fantastic to see the Wallsend active travel route complete and being enjoyed by pedestrians It’s a great way of helping to unlock the potential of the World Heritage Site at Segedunum linking it up with public transport services at the Metro and bus stations as well as by local people enjoying Wallsend’s riverside “The route is part our wider Ambition for Wallsend which is helping to improve the town’s street scene and smarten up its public spaces easier and safer to travel around town using cleaner Kim McGuinness welcomed the new route and said: “The new route is a welcome addition to Wallsend I hope this investment helps more people visit local businesses and of course the town’s iconic Segedunum site “Active travel is something that benefits us all and I hope the new route will help more people to walk Ambition for Wallsend: North Tyneside Council has an ambitious vision for Wallsend as a vibrant and connected place that is attractive to residents Action on Climate Change: North Tyneside Council has an ambitious aim of being net zero by 2030 and has reduced its carbon footprint by 59% since 2011 Doctors are urging people in the North East and North Cumbria to take control of their heart health by having a simple blood pressure check Monitoring blood pressure through regular checks could prevent life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks and strokes North Tyneside Council is supporting the NHS in the North East and North Cumbria's new pilot scheme in areas known to have low take up of blood pressure checks Council staff at the Customer First Centres in Wallsend and North Shields can now help residents check their blood pressure The new kiosks are part of an initiative where machines will be installed in six community centres across the region providing an easy and convenient way for people to monitor their blood pressure and get vital help if needed Middlesborough and North Tyneside are funded by the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) with North Tyneside Council funding one of the North Tyneside kiosks Community Champions have also been trained at each centre to assist with using the kiosks and guiding individuals on next steps if their readings are high returnable home blood pressure monitoring kits are also available for those needing further monitoring GP in Sunderland and clinical lead for Cardiovascular Disease often called the 'silent killer,' can go unnoticed because it has no obvious symptoms This new pilot is all about making it easier for people in our communities to take that crucial step towards better heart health We're focusing on areas with a higher risk of undiagnosed high blood pressure as we know if high blood pressure is diagnosed early by a simple check many local pharmacies also offer free blood pressure checks or people can contact their GP surgery is the world's leading cause of death and disability and cardiovascular disease Managing high blood pressure often involves simple lifestyle changes such as reducing salt and high-fat food intake and limiting alcohol use to 14 units weekly for both men and women Medications can also effectively control blood pressure High blood pressure is considered to be from 140/90mmHg (or an average of 135/85mmHg at home) – or 150/90mmHg (or an average of 145/85mmHg at home) if you're over the age of 80 Around 5.5 million people in England have undiagnosed hypertension and don’t know they are at risk The only way to check is by having your blood pressure measured The NHS recommends that adults over 40 have their blood pressure checked at least once every five years - and ideally every year if your blood pressure is borderline or you have any lifestyle risk factors Further information about high blood pressure is available on the NHS website North Tyneside Council is taking action to prevent flytipping with a special two-day initiative designed to make waste disposal easier for residents The initiative will offer a free waste and recycling service on two dates in North Shields and Wallsend providing an accessible local solution for residents The activity aims to promote responsible waste disposal and help to keep communities clean and tidy Residents are encouraged to take full advantage of the offer and bring along unwanted items – from washing machines to toasters A team from the council will be on hand to offer educational advice on waste management and will ask for proof of residence in North Tyneside The initiative is funded by the DEFRA fly-tipping intervention fund and will be held in North Shields and Wallsend said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for residents to dispose of household waste and recycling for free supporting our ongoing efforts to create a cleaner “These events are part of our broader strategy to provide education and support to tackle instances of fly tipping where they occur and make our communities cleaner we have recently invested £1.5 million into our Neat Streets teams who work to keep our area clean and tidy shows we are absolutely committed to tackling this issue and encouraging behaviour change.” Flytipping – the illegal dumping of waste on land not licensed to accept it – has a negative impact on the environment and public health and incurs significant clean-up costs Offenders caught flytipping could face fines of up to £50,000 Residents are encouraged to report flytipping incidents online at my.northtyneside.gov.uk or by calling Envirolink on 0345 2000 103 The popular Wallsend Festival returns this weekend with a free and fun-packed programme the community event will take place in Wallsend town centre on Saturday 6 July demonstrations and lots of activities in the library Solo artists from North Tyneside’s Emerging Artists Project will be performing on the stage outside of the Forum Shopping Centre There will also be dance performances and a community choir Segedunum Roman Fort will host Rockfest Music Comp featuring young musicians and bands from the borough’s schools community groups and North Tyneside Music Education Hub’s Rock School The winner will have the opportunity to perform on the main stage at this year’s Mouth of the Tyne Festival The museum will be offering free admission throughout the day for those wanting to explore the town’s Roman history Wallsend Library will have their warm welcome refreshments between 10am and 12.30pm, as well as a packed morning of Encanto themed activities including a film screening (9.30am) and crafts (10am – 12.30pm). There will also be games, drama activities, singing and dancing. This event is free to attend but places need to be booked at www.bookwhen.com/ntclibraries Fairground rides will be located on the High Street and at Coronation Street Car Park while some information and food stalls can be found near the bandstand The owner of a Wallsend restaurant has been fined after selling a meal containing traces of peanuts despite a request for it to be peanut-free who operated Prince of Spice at Hadrian Park Shopping Centre pleaded guilty at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court to an offence under the Food Safety Act when North Tyneside Council’s Environmental Health team conducted a test purchase at the restaurant Officers ordered a peanut-free chicken tikka masala but a sample was found to contain enough peanut protein to trigger an allergic reaction Further investigations by the council uncovered multiple food safety lapses at the restaurant including inadequate allergen controls and insufficient staff training on allergen management The court imposed a 12-month Conditional Discharge on Ms Miah along with £200 in costs and a £26 court surcharge amounting to a total of £226 to be paid within 28 days A North Tyneside Council spokesperson said: “This case underscores the critical need for food businesses to manage allergens effectively to protect public health and prevent life-threatening allergic reactions “We remain committed to routine inspections and strict enforcement of food safety standards across the borough.” North Tyneside will honour those who sacrificed their lives in war with a series of Remembrance events throughout the borough The council will hold services on Remembrance Sunday Large screens will be available at North Shields and Whitley Bay to ensure everyone has a clear view of the proceedings All events are free and open to the public Full details for each event are provided below offering digital access to the order of service Printed copies will also be available on the day Remembrance Services and Parades – North Tyneside Sunday 10 November 2024 – Remembrance Sunday Parades A rolling road closure will begin at 10.25am Wallsend Boys Club’s reputation spread far and wide An event on Saturday (Oct 12) will highlight the history of women’s football in Wallsend and the team which from its formation in 1971 was one of the top sides in the region It will also look back at the footballing exploits of Christine Hutchinson a free-scoring centre forward who played for and captained Wallsend Ladies for almost 20 years and also turned out for England on 10 occasions The event is hosted by Wallsend Local History Society, whose chairman Ken Hutchinson will outline the ladies sides who were linked to local industries during a boom time for female football during and shortly after the First World War Read more: MOBO Awards book a date with Tyneside This follows the successful play Wor Bella, which tells the tale of Blyth Spartans player Bella Reay, who has been described as the Alan Shearer of her day.  South Shields  writer Ed Waugh, who created Wor Bella, will be in Saturday’s audience.  Bella would have played against Wallsend women’s teams like Wallsend Slipway and North East Marine.  Christine, now Mrs Christine Knox, will also speak about her part in the revival of women’s football after a 50-year FA ban. Ken said: “During and after the First World War women’s football became so popular that in 1921 it was banned by the FA to protect the men’s game. It was only in 1972 that the ban was lifted  and women’s football began to develop.” In one game Wallsend won 11-0 and Christine scored eight. She was picked for a trial for the first post-ban England team in 1972. Out of 250 women she was selected for the final trial involving 45 players but missed out in being selected for the final team squad.  in 1977 she was again invited to a trial for England and made her debut against Switzerland. Christine Hutchinson with the England cap made by team official, Flo BiltonShe and other players who appeared  for England were never awarded caps, so Flo Bilton, who helped run the national side, made her own black and white versions to give to the players. In 1976, Chrstine and friend and fellow Wallsend player Bernadette Tutte  became the first women in the country to be awarded an FA Preliminary certificate of coaching. Those skills were put to good use in the 38 years which Christine spent as PE teacher at St Mary’s Comprehensive School in Benton Park Road in Newcastle. Ken recalls Christine as a young girl joining the local boys playing football on a field near their Wallsend home. A cutting from one of Christine's scrapbooksShe was quick to join Wallsend Ladies when it was formed and managed by Vera Eland, who lived in Station Road in the town.  Vera provided pen pictures of her players for a local newspaper article. They included: Christine Hutchinson, 19, “centre forward of great acrobatic skill who specialises in overhead scissor kicks.” Barbara Armstrong,18, “centre half known as The Cruncher. Big, strong girl but well proportioned.” Liz Deighan, 21, “accomplished dribbler. Like George Best when he was at his peak.”  Vera dismissed the idea that playing football detracted from the girls’ femininity. “Three of them are engaged and nearly all the rest have boyfriends  so there is nothing ungainly about them,” she said. Christine’s scrapbooks contain another article which referred to the “Dolly Birds” team and the “Dolly Dribblers.”  Another cutting from Christine's scrapbooksShe said: “We weren’t offended; we just laughed at it.” In the early years Wallsend Ladies ran out of teams to play against in the North East and had to join a league in Hull “We had to play all our games in Hull and kick off was at 11am and we had to fund everything ourselves,” said Christine “The contrast with today’s women’s football in terms of training fitness an equipment is chalk and cheese and the coverage the women’s game gets now is fantastic “We were happy to have a few lines in the local newspaper The free talk is at Wallsend Library at 11.30am on Saturday. Booking is essential. Visit the website to reserve your place. Christine with her legacy cap presented to her by England and Manchester City player Lauren HempA Tyneside town won footballing fame for turning out top professional stars Wallsend Boys Club\u2019s reputation spread far and wide An event on Saturday (Oct 12) will highlight the history of women\u2019s football in Wallsend The event is hosted by Wallsend Local History Society, whose chairman Ken Hutchinson will outline the ladies sides who were linked to local industries during a boom time for female football during and shortly after the First World War.  Read more: MOBO Awards book a date with Tyneside This follows the successful play Wor Bella, which tells the tale of Blyth Spartans player Bella Reay, who has been described as the Alan Shearer of her day.  South Shields  writer Ed Waugh, who created Wor Bella, will be in Saturday\u2019s audience.  Bella would have played against Wallsend women\u2019s teams like Wallsend Slipway and North East Marine.  Christine, now Mrs Christine Knox, will also speak about her part in the revival of women\u2019s football after a 50-year FA ban. Ken said: \u201CDuring and after the First World War women\u2019s football became so popular that in 1921 it was banned by the FA to protect the men\u2019s game. It was only in 1972 that the ban was lifted  and women\u2019s football began to develop.\u201D In one game Wallsend won 11-0 and Christine scored eight. She was picked for a trial for the first post-ban England team in 1972. Out of 250 women she was selected for the final trial involving 45 players but missed out in being selected for the final team squad.  Christine Hutchinson with the England cap made by team official, Flo BiltonShe and other players who appeared  for England were never awarded caps, so Flo Bilton, who helped run the national side, made her own black and white versions to give to the players. In 1976, Chrstine and friend and fellow Wallsend player Bernadette Tutte  became the first women in the country to be awarded an FA Preliminary certificate of coaching. Those skills were put to good use in the 38 years which Christine spent as PE teacher at St Mary\u2019s Comprehensive School in Benton Park Road in Newcastle. A cutting from one of Christine's scrapbooksShe was quick to join Wallsend Ladies when it was formed and managed by Vera Eland, who lived in Station Road in the town.  Christine Hutchinson, 19, \u201Ccentre forward of great acrobatic skill who specialises in overhead scissor kicks.\u201D Barbara Armstrong,18, \u201Ccentre half known as The Cruncher. Big, strong girl but well proportioned.\u201D Liz Deighan, 21, \u201Caccomplished dribbler. Like George Best when he was at his peak.\u201D  Vera dismissed the idea that playing football detracted from the girls\u2019 femininity. \u201CThree of them are engaged and nearly all the rest have boyfriends  so there is nothing ungainly about them,\u201D she said. Christine\u2019s scrapbooks contain another article which referred to the \u201CDolly Birds\u201D team and the \u201CDolly Dribblers.\u201D  Another cutting from Christine's scrapbooksShe said: \u201CWe weren\u2019t offended; we just laughed at it.\u201D In the early years Wallsend Ladies ran out of teams to play against in the North East and had to join a league in Hull,  where they won the title and the cup \u201CWe had to play all our games in Hull and kick off was at 11am and we had to fund everything ourselves,\u201D said Christine.  \u201CThe contrast with today\u2019s women\u2019s football in terms of training fitness an equipment is chalk and cheese and the coverage the women\u2019s game gets now is fantastic \u201CWe were happy to have a few lines in the local newspaper The free talk is at Wallsend Library at 11.30am on Saturday. Booking is essential. Visit the website to reserve your place A brand new ‘pop-up shop’ is set to give small businesses a chance to shine in Wallsend North Tyneside Council’s Business Factory has taken on a retail unit in the Forum Shopping Centre giving small businesses and start-ups an opportunity to operate in a retail space the unit will play host to pre-starts and existing businesses from across North Tyneside who have taken part in markets or online trading and would like to test the market for their products before deciding to take on a full retail tenancy The first business is set to take the keys to the unit and operate for the weekend on Saturday 2 November a natural skincare brand dedicated to crafting premium luxury products using only the finest natural ingredients will be taking on the mantle of the shop for the first weekend They will then be closely followed by Studio GOOOS from Monday 4 to Friday 8 November their ducks (which they call team ducks) help Gen-Z & Millennials going through stressful periods instantly boost their mood and smile They will be bringing to Wallsend their adorably huggable plush toys we are always committed to supporting businesses and doing everything we can to put them in a position to be successful “This pop-up shop is a fantastic opportunity for a business to get a taste of what it would be like to own a retail unit of their own before making what is a massive step for any business.”  Expressions of interest were sought for businesses to operate from the unit earlier this year and interested businesses were offered seven or 14 day tenancies dependent on the type of business Businesses were offered support through workshops delivered by industry experts in partnership with the Business and Intellectual Property Centre This pop-up shop is funded by the Town and High Streets Innovation Programme through the North of Tyne Combined Authority and is now administered by the North East Combined Authority Further information on the pop-up shop and opportunities available from January to March, as well as support for businesses, can be found on the Business Factory’s website, or by emailing info@businessfactorynt.co.uk Match of the RoundWest Wallsend SFC 0-2 Wallsend FC  Wallsend FC coach Chris Gallagher believes individual efforts made the difference in their 2-0 victory over West Wallsend SFC in the first match of the Wallsend Derby on Sunday afternoon.  The two sides couldn’t be separated for the first half despite persistent efforts from each side.   a scramble in front of goal almost gave Wallsend an early lead but the ball was sent out of play.  West Wallsend Jed Conway had a shot heading towards the back of the net but Wallsend’s Piaget Abayo produced a goal-line clearance to prevent his side from going down 1-0.   Wallsend were forced to make another goal-saving tackle just six minutes later when James Lowe prepared to launch the ball into the goal but was denied by Angelos Karvelis.   The Bluebells came out firing in the second half with two shots on target in the 50th and 54th minute but were unable to capitalise.   The first goal of the game came in the 55th minute after the Red Devils were awarded a penalty following a tackle attempt by Bluebells' Kaleb Cox.  Wallsend’s Bailey Ryan wasted no time and launched a hard shot into the middle left securing his side a 1-0 lead.   West Wallsend’s Mitch Kramer produced a strike from the top of the box just three minutes later but sent the ball over the crossbar.  The Red Devils second goal of the evening came in the 74th minute when Matt Williams struck the ball from the top of the box into the bottom left corner.   The Bluebells' injury tally appeared to rise when Dain Greentree went down clutching his knee.   Despite having possession for the majority of the second half West Wallsend were unable to capitalise on their chances and sent the Red Devils away with a 2-0 win and bragging rights in the first match of the Wallsend Derby.  we had a clean sheet again and better decision making this time,” Gallagher said.   “Individuals did their roles and did what they were meant to do for the most part.   “There are still some things we need to work on some discipline but even set pieces today were a lot better.”  C.Gallagher believed Zach Gallagher's return to the squad also heavily contributed to their second win of the season.  “We finally have Zach as our 10 and he’s linking up much better with the other players,” said C.Gallagher.  “We didn’t really have anyone that’s an actual 10.   “We’ve got Cody Halpin to come back in and Cody until he got suspended was a goal a game I think it’s just individuals.   “We get the right individuals at the right time West Wallsend coach Bailey Cox said the lack of consistency in their squad has resulted in their recent run of results.   “It’s hard just for the players in and out and just not the consistency in the squad each week,” Cox said.   “So many chopping and changing each week but the balls in their half for the whole second half and probably was the whole first half as well and we got beat 2-0.”  Cox wanted his side to return to full focus and stop having lapses in judgment “Just again we can’t score goals and then little mistakes cost us two goals,” said Cox.   so we still can’t put together a full 90 minutes.”  The Bluebells have now only had the one win in round one and Cox is hopeful their luck will change soon.  “I’m sick of having 20 shots and not scoring goals,” Cox said.  I just don’t know when and when the luck’s going to turn West Wallsend will be looking to return to winning ways when they host Lake Macquarie City on Saturday afternoon.  Wallsend will hope to keep the good times rolling when they travel to Lydon Oval on Sunday afternoon to go head-to-head with Dudley Redhead United.  Kahibah FC 2-0 Dudley Redhead United  Kahibah FC secured the first win in the newest derby in the competition after they defeated Dudley Redhead United 2-0 under Friday night lights at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.   The two sides came out fighting for the newly formed Matt Smailes Cup who spent years at both clubs and recently passed.   It took the Rams just eight minutes to net their first of the evening when Tyson Masters continued his round five form and scored his third of the season.   Jaidyn Kianou doubled his side’s lead in the 22nd minute after he was able to find the back of the net.  Neither team could add to the scoreline for the remainder of the match which sent Kahibah away with a 2-0 win and one hand on the Matt Smailes Cup.   Kahibah remain second on the table and will look to continue their winning ways when they host South Cardiff FC on Wednesday in the round six rescheduled match.     Dudley will search for their third win of the season when they close out round eight going head-to-head with Wallsend FC.   Cessnock City Hornets 2-4 Toronto Awaba FC  Toronto Awaba FC kept their momentum going when they defeated Cessnock City Hornets 4-2 on Sunday afternoon at Turner Park.  The two sides could not be separated for the majority of the first half but it was Cessnock’s Zach Kronholm who broke the deadlock right at half-time to send his side into the sheds with a 1-0 lead.  Toronto’s Nick Roberts equalised for his side in the 61st minute when he was able to find the back of the net.    Damon Green added to the Stags' tally for the afternoon when he hit the back of the net just five minutes later in the 66th minute.   The Stags didn’t hold onto the lead for long before Kronholm scored his second of the evening and equalised for his side in the 67th minute.   but it was Toronto who broke first when Jarrod Purcell found the back of the net for the first time in the 77th minute.   Purcell secured his side all three points when he scored his second in the 88th minute sending the Stags back to Lyall Peacock Oval with a 4-2 victory.   Toronto extended their lead at the top of the table and will look to continue their winning ways when they host South Cardiff FC on Friday night.  Cessnock fell to eighth on the table with a game in hand and will hope to lock in their third win of the season when they take on Thornton Redbacks on Sunday afternoon.   South Cardiff FC 4-3 Thornton Redbacks  South Cardiff FC won their first game since round one when they defeated Thornton Redbacks 4-3 at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility in the closing match of round seven on Sunday.   The Gunners opened the scoring in the 17th minute through Elijah Nyman.  Thornton equalised in the 28th minute when Mamadou Diop found the back of the net off a corner and then quickly stole the lead four minutes later after Nathan McAllister scored in the 32nd minute from a corner.   It appeared the Redbacks would take a 2-1 lead into half-time but a goal in the 43rd from South Cardiff’s Charlie Gibson sent the sides into the sheds locked up 2-2.   South Cardiff didn’t wait long to regain the lead after Brendon King netted his side's third goal of the evening in the 47th minute.  Thomas Walker doubled the Gunners’ lead in the 53rd after they were awarded a penalty goal.  Four minutes later Caleb Walz brought the Redbacks within reach of walking away with a point after he found the back of the net in the 57th minute.  they were unable to add to the scoreboard and South Cardiff walked away with all three points for just the second time this season.   Thornton sits at the bottom of the table and will look to round eight when they host Cessnock City Hornets on Sunday afternoon.   South Cardiff jumped to fifth on the table and will hope to keep the good times rolling when they go head-to-head with Kahibah FC on Wednesday night in their round six rescheduled match.   Lake Macquarie City v Singleton Strikers  This match was postponed due to wet weather conditions.   [1] Represents installed electrolyser capacity UK – 7 April 2025 – Lhyfe (EURONEXT: LHYFE) one of the world’s pioneers in the production of green and renewable hydrogen is pleased to announce that both of its planned green hydrogen production projects in Wallsend have been shortlisted under the UK Government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round 2 (HAR2) a public auction system to support the production of low-carbon or renewable hydrogen Both facilities plan to supply green hydrogen to industrial users and transport operators in their region contributing to decarbonisation efforts and the growth of the UK’s hydrogen economy the winners will receive public financial support in the form of a Contract for Difference (CfD) a mechanism that guarantees them in the very long term a fixed price for the hydrogen produced thereby enhancing the visibility and bankability of the projects Its hydrogen is produced by water electrolysis at production sites powered by renewable electricity [1] Announced in February 2024, PR available here Lhyfe has a unique track record with the installation and operation of 6 green hydrogen production sites securing future deployments of sites with increasing capacities including in the UK the Group made more than 470 deliveries to almost 50 clients in 8 European countries relying on its nearly 70 containers fleet – one of the largest modern bulk hydrogen transport fleets in Europe - launched in 2022 and operating from Newcastle Lhyfe aims to meet the increasing demand from British companies aiming to reduce their reliance on natural gas and other fossil fuels With UK government support for its projects as well as its proven unique expertise on operational or under construction sites in France and Germany Lhyfe aims to become a major supplier of green hydrogen in the UK boosting the country’s energy security and creating new economic opportunities It also has ambitions to develop offshore hydrogen production tapping into the huge offshore wind potential the UK offers “We are delighted that our Wallsend and Kemsley projects have been shortlisted given the fiercely competitive nature of the process This demonstrates the government’s confidence in Lhyfe’s ability to rapidly develop and operate high-capacity sites We look forward to working with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to progress at pace to the next stage and ultimately get the production sites up and running.” The implementation of these projects is subject to final agreements with the UK government the granting of operational and environmental permits Click to access the Lhyfe Media Kit (press releases and visuals) Lhyfe is a European group devoted to energy transition and a producer and supplier of green and renewable hydrogen Its production sites and portfolio of projects seek to provide access to green and renewable hydrogen in industrial quantities and enable the creation of a virtuous energy model capable of decarbonising entire sectors of industry and transport Lhyfe inaugurated the first industrial-scale green hydrogen production plant in the world to be interconnected with a wind farm it inaugurated the first offshore green hydrogen production pilot platform in the world Lhyfe has installed three other production sites and currently has several sites under construction or expansion across Europe Lhyfe is represented in 12 European countries and had 199 staff at the end of December 2024. The company is listed on the Euronext market in Paris (ISIN: FR0014009YQ1 – LHYFE). Lhyfe.com The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response A man who left a baby with a broken arm has been jailed Dean Smith left the child with a spiral fracture, caused by twisting, to their arm but he continues to deny responsibility and will not say how he did it. A jury found him guilty of inflicting GBH on the baby and he has now been jailed for 21 months at Newcastle Crown Court Judge Gavin Doig told him: "There was a trial before me and you were convicted by the jury that you were conclusively guilty of this offence." The judge said the baby suffered an "unpleasant injury to their arm" and added: "How that happened will never be known because Smith, 27, of Wallsend claimed he found the youngster in the injured state but experts said the baby could not have suffered the spiral fracture they did other than by "substantial external force being applied." Keep up to date with all the latest court news from the North East with our free newsletter Judge Doig said: "Fortunately (they) will not remember this incident and there's no evidence before me of any long-term damage to them." The court heard Smith had no previous convictions at the time but has since gone on to be convicted of being drunk and disorderly said: "Mr Smith does not accept the jury's verdict but he respects it." He added that he has autism Join our Court and Crime WhatsApp community for all the latest court and crime news sent direct to your phone you can expect the day's top court and crime stories To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is click on the link and press 'join community' No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team We also treat our community members to special offers To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group' If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice CLICK HERE TO JOIN The information on this page is intended for journalists If you click NO you will come back to Mynewsdesk.com Bus operator Go North East has announced changes to services across North Tyneside The changes include the introduction of two new services and adjustments to timetables to improve reliability New service 356 combined with the existing service 355 will offer journeys every 30 minutes for passengers travelling between Newcastle and Forest Hall Service 356 will improve links to key destinations the 356 route will extend to Whitley Bay from Forest Hall This connection received positive feedback in Go North East’s consultation with passengers Go North East will also take over the operation of service 342 with changes to both the route and timetable from Wallsend to Kingston Park The service changes have been made following extensive consultation by Go North East with their customers and stakeholders The consultation feedback highlighted that service 352 between Cramlington and Newcastle provides a vital link for commuters including those travelling to work at the Freeman Hospital Go North East will continue to operate this service during peak times on weekdays Feedback from the consultation has also led to the adjustment of several timetables to provide better connections to schools and other transport services “We are pleased to confirm our finalised plans for our network in North Tyneside “We are grateful to everyone who contributed to our consultation exercise; we have listened to your feedback and made several changes from our original proposals “These changes are designed to provide a more reliable and useful service for our customers We look forward to welcoming customers on board the revised routes.” The changes are summarised below, with full timetables available on the Go North East website. Coaster 1 Whitley Bay-Metro Centre: Minor timetable changes to improve service reliability Journeys to Whitley Bay on Sunday will terminate in the town centre and will no longer extend to Bournemouth Gardens (Band stand) 340/341 Wallsend-Hadrian Park: Service renumbered from 41 (340) and 41A (341) Minor timetable changes to improve reliability 54 Newcastle-Whitley Bay: This evening/Sunday Nexus contract service has been taken over from Stagecoach by Go North East Cobalt & Coast 307/309 Newcastle-Blyth/North Shields: Timetable changes to provide a more reliable service 317 Wallsend-Whitley Bay: Minor timetable changes to improve service reliability NEW 342 Wallsend-Kingston Park: Go North East will take over the operation of this service from 23 March 2025 The route has been changed to operate from Wallsend to Kingston Park Nexus will reintroduce their service M71 to maintain links between Kingston Park and Newbiggin Hall Additional 342 journeys will operate every hour Monday – Saturday daytime between Wallsend and Benton Rise This will provide journeys up to every 30 minutes between Benton Rise and Wallsend Metro 352 Newcastle-Cramlington: The timetable will be changed with only peak commuter journeys operating on weekdays Alternative services provided by Go North East and Stagecoach are available for most customers 353 North Shields-Cramlington: Timetable changes to improve service reliability 354 Newcastle-North Shields: Timetable changes to improve service reliability NEW 355/356 Newcastle-Forest Hall-Whitley Bay: These services will provide journeys up to every 30 minutes between Newcastle and Forest Hall service 356 will also travel beyond Forest Hall to Whitley Bay via Killingworth This new service will replace most of Nexus service 359 X39 Newcastle-Cobalt Park (peak times only): Minor timetable changes to improve reliability X78 Newcastle-Darras Hall (evenings): The contract for this service has been awarded to Stagecoach who will operate the service from 25 March 2025 Go North East runs a network of bus routes across the North East region including Newcastle The Go-Ahead Group is one of the UK’s leading providers of public transport enabling more than a billion passenger journeys each year on its bus and rail services Go-Ahead places great importance on partnership adopting a collaborative approach with governments local communities and strategic partners; developing and operating services that create long-term value for all Go North East website Around 175,000 journeys are made on Go North East bus services every day to travel around this wonderful region or to visit one of the region's many tourist and leisure attractions Go North East has connected the region's towns and villages with the cities of Newcastle Durham and Sunderland and currently operates across Northumberland with a fleet of almost 700 buses and coaches and an annual turnover of £100m the company is the regional subsidiary of the Go-Ahead Group plc one of the UK's leading providers of passenger transport When you choose to create a user account and follow a newsroom your personal data will be used by us and the owner of the newsroom for you to receive news and updates according to your subscription settings To learn more about this, please read our Privacy Policy, which applies to our use of your personal data, and our Privacy Policy for Contacts which applies to the use of your personal data by the owner of the newsroom you follow Please note that our Terms of Use apply to all use of our services. You can withdraw your consent at any time by unsubscribing or deleting your account. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees People are being warned to plan their journey's in advance as a section of the Tyne and Wear Metro is being closed for nine days Trains between St James and Wallsend will be shut in both directions from today (24 August) to Sunday 1 September to allow improvements to be made to the line the operator of Metro say the closure is needed so bridge structures can be refurbished Secondary work is also being carried out during the closure Trains will return to normal service between St James and Wallsend on Monday 2 September Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.. Weekend parking is free once again this year in North Tyneside town centres throughout December making life jollier for Christmas shoppers and businesses On-street parking is already free on Sundays in North Shields with the Council extending this to Saturdays throughout December That’s on top of the hundreds of free spaces already available in some North Tyneside Council-managed town centre car parks and Priors Haven car park The scheme aims to support North Tyneside businesses and encourage people to shop local this Christmas said: “At this time of years people are dashing about and enjoying the fantastic programme of Christmas events in North Tyneside “We want to make it easier for people to spend their money here in North Tyneside and we’ve had lots of positive feedback in previous years about how free parking helps “We hope everyone has a wonderful festive season hospitality and Christmas lights displays that North Tyneside’s town centres have to offer.” Ticket machines and mobile phone parking payments will be temporarily suspended on weekends throughout December in the following locations: Front Street – please note that the current 2-hour restriction on length of stay during the day will still apply to encourage a turnover of the free parking space in this area There are also hundreds of free spaces available via the following Council-managed car parks: rich and diverse history of our local area by sharing your stories and ensuring they are recorded forever and our local writers’ group all taking part to celebrate our Wallsend Every day from Monday 1 July to Friday 5 July there will be displays of the history of our local area in Wallsend Library Come and visit the displays and talk with the History Society to find out more about how our area contributed to the wealth of our country and see how it has changed over the years Share your stories so they can be recorded forever See below for special events happening on each day from Monday 1 to Friday 5 July memories and images of the streets that used to sit across the fort site at Segedunum Join Ricardo Lopes from Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums who will record your memories and images of the community that lived on or close to the fort and civilian settlements The Wallsend Co-op Forum – share your memories Or perhaps you went to parties or even a wedding reception Join Jo Woolley from VODA to share your memories of the Wallsend Co-op Forum Jo wants to record your memories and photographs for a reminiscence project which will become a travelling exhibition to local care homes Residents will be encouraged to share conversations about their memories of the Co-op and Wallsend to celebrate our local history Discover the fascinating history about the opening of Wallsend Colliery Discover how it became the Rising Sun Colliery which only closed in 1969 and was transformed into our Rising Sun Country Park Join our tour guides for a history packed tour of Wallsend please make a donation to the Wallsend Local History Society Create a poem or short piece to share your memories and what makes North Tyneside special to you for the ‘My North Tyneside’ project Helen from Write on the Tyne will be available to assist and inspire All pieces created will go on tour at the end of the year before being archived on Write on the Tyne’s website Free guided tours of Segedunum at Segedunum Roman Fort Wallsend writers will perform stories and poetry inspired by the library’s Local History Collection that will be sure to bring our local history to life Listen to music performed by our young local musicians Explore photos and ephemera from the history society’s extensive archive to discover Wallsend’s vibrant past Chat to members and share your own stories Come and view old Wallsend town on the shutters of our shops you have another chance to see part of it in Gallery 3 This compact exhibition explores who built Hadrian’s Wall and how It looks at the substantial practical and logistical challenges involved It examines questions such as: where did they get the stone How did they deal with the rivers and streams that needed to be crossed This exhibition looks at the section of Wall between Wallsend and the original end of the Wall in Newcastle It includes ground-breaking new research from the excavation of the section of Wall just outside the fort at Wallsend including how water was supplied to the fort and bath-house and the original appearance of the fort’s west gate Free entry to Segedunum for all who live in NE28 postcode Up to 80 hydrogen trucks could be on the roads around Wallsend in the next five years if a bid for government funding submitted by French-owned hydrogen producer Lhyfe gets the go ahead The government is currently considering bids for the second Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR) of subsidised hydrogen projects and Lhyfe is hoping its proposal for a 20MW hydrogen production plant near Neptune Energy Park – capable of producing 8 tonnes of hydrogen per day – will get the green light It does not yet have planning permission for the project however and the economic viability of the plant depends on securing government funding Lhyfe now has green hydrogen production plants in development across Europe from Spain to Finland said the UK had a “very attractive landscape” for hydrogen development since then prime minister Boris Johnson put in place a hydrogen strategy that would see 10GW of capacity installed by 2030 The strategy was based on a series of rounds for private operators to bid for subsidies and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is now reviewing bids for up to 875MW of hydrogen production under HAR 2 “The question is always ‘where do we produce green hydrogen?’ and the answer is ‘do it where there is demand’,” says Davis “Northern Scotland has abundant wind energy but no customers The plant would require a very large 28MVA grid connection which would be provided by the local distribution network operator Northern Power Grid Davis would not say how much this would cost or how long it would take “The time required for the grid connection is not on the critical path,” he said “We aim to be up and up and running in the second half of this decade.” If Wallsend gets the go ahead the plant would supply roughly half its output by pipeline to a neighbouring industrial user while the other half would be transported in 1-tonne tube trailers to an unnamed local haulier with 80 trucks who sees no future in battery electric vehicles for their operation Davis said the plan for the Wallsend plant is to use an alkaline electrolyser powered by renewable electricity supply agreements but he added Lhyfe was “technology agnostic” and other plants in Europe were using proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers One argument against using limited renewable electricity to produce green hydrogen is the low well to wheel efficiency; although PEM electrolysers claim to be up to 80% efficient the losses from compressing and storing hydrogen gas mean far more electricity is required than for an equivalent battery electric solution In order to qualify for the HAR subsidy the hydrogen produced has to meet the definition of low carbon which means its energy intensity is under 20gCO2/MJ it is close but technically not zero emissions,” said Davis “There will be no renewable generation on the 4-acre site as it is too small so we would be relying on grid electricity sourced through renewable power purchase agreements.” A by-product of the electrolysis is pure oxygen; while this is used in industrial processes and the water industry Lhyfe currently has no customer for the oxygen at Wallsend so it would be vented to atmosphere Davis would not be drawn on who the transport operator was or what hydrogen vehicles they were looking at “We have one fleet customer who cannot electrify because they have no grid connection and their vehicles operate 24 hours a day,” he said “We are just looking to produce the hydrogen and we’re not involved in the refuelling station.” The refuelling station would however be based at the operator’s depot and not be publicly accessible to other operators Hydrogen internal combustion engines (HICE) are closer to being ready for the road as they are similar to spark-ignition gas engines powered by CNG though like gas engines they are not considered to be truly zero emission by the DfT JCB Power Systems in Derbyshire has built a HICE engine suitable for commercial vehicles which it has installed in a Daimler 7.5-tonne truck demonstrator German engineering giant Bosch is developing both HICE and fuel cells for commercial vehicles and is investing €2.5bn (£2.1bn) in volume production of fuel cells at its Stuttgart-Feuerbach Homburg and Bamberg factories in Germany as well as in China A joint venture with Chinese truck maker Qingling Motors has been running a fleet of 100 fuel cell electric trucks in China since 2021 and Bosch supplies fuel cells for the Iveco heavy duty fuel cell truck developed with Nikola Scania is also working on a fuel cell electric truck in partnership with Cummins and aims to have trucks on UK roads by 2025 as part of the Zehid HyHaul hydrogen demonstrator project A planning application to develop 6.5m sq ft of employment space at Northern Gateway in Greater Manchester has been submitted to Bury and Rochdale Councils Travel times in Suffolk are likely to increase when essential maintenance work on the Orwell Bridge kicks in next month Maintenance and fleet management firm Sapphire Vehicle Services has credited Truckfile workshop management software for cutting paperwork and helping win new business Site powered by Webvision Cloud A free week-long family film festival will be taking place in North Tyneside later this summer Blockbuster films will be shown outdoors on a large screen at Wallsend’s Richardson Dees Park between Monday 19th and Friday 23rd August The daily screenings will take place each day at 10am and 1pm and are free to attend People are encouraged to bring along a picnic and blanket and join in the fun The park’s café will also be open with refreshments available The Films in the Park events are organised by North Tyneside Council and funded through the Wallsend Towns and High Street Innovation Programme a North East Combined Authority initiative to maintain and increase footfall in our town centres For full details see www.visitnorthtyneside.com A man has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years for murdering a dad-of-two who intervened during a violent disturbance at his neighbour's property in Newcastle George Ness was "completely out of control" when he inflicted skull fractures and unsurvivable brain injuries on John Smyth then stamped on his body as he lay bleeding and unconscious The killer rifled through the dying man's pockets and stole his phone after the three-minutes of violence at the flat in Wallsend in September last year denied murder but was found guilty by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court he was sentenced to life behind bars and told he must serve a minimum 22 years for the killing Ness laughed loudly while Judge Paul Sloan KC was talking Judge Sloan said Mr Smyth had managed to block some of the blows with his arm but he was hit between five and eight times to the head The judge told him: "This was a particularly brutal attack involving sustained and extensive violence blow upon blow upon blow upon blow delivered to the deceased which you specifically targeted and delivered even after he had gone to the ground." had been at the home of a female neighbour who Ness had earlier bought crack cocaine from Footage released by Northumbria Police shows George Ness on his way to the address where he carried out the attack The deadly violence happened on 22 September 2024 when Ness turned up wanting more drugs which he did not have the money to pay for and had warned her "I'm coming in" while in "a drink and drug-fuelled rage" a craft knife and screw driver to confront Ness outside but was met with deadly violence Ness had claimed he was acting in self defence But Judge Sloan said: "The deceased was trying to prevent an attack by you on his neighbour's property It is he who was acting in self defence of his neighbour and her property." The court heard Mr Smyth's death has left his family devastated and traumatised said in an impact statement she struggles to believe he has gone or understand why and added: "Things will never be the same now my dad has gone." His son said the loss is "overwhelming and all-consuming" and added: "I feel sick to my stomach his life ended in this way." Judge Sloan added: "No sentence I am permitted by law to impose could even begin to ease their suffering and pain suffering and pain which will remain with them always."