This week we look at one of the more interesting characters from South East Northumberland's history. But can anyone cast any more light on why he had his unusual name?
Billy the Whaler was one of Newbiggin's real old notable characters.
Here we have two photographs of Billy. On the right, we have Billy at the sea front. On the left, he is seen posing with two Newbiggin fisher-lasses, Bella Jefferson and Ann Wake Jefferson.
The importance of the Rio Tinto Alcan smelter and power station to its employees and their families and to the economy of Wansbeck and South East Northumberland cannot be overestimated.
It is no secret that Rio Tinto are conducting a wide ranging review and considering all the options open to them, and this has caused considerable speculation over its future.
During the last few months I have raised the importance of the smelter and the power station with ministers and on the floor of the House of Commons.
I have also had discussions with both management and the trades unions and they are aware that I will do anything I can to try and secure the future of the smelter and power station.
Sent in by Norma McKellar
In The Point cafe of the newly launched Newbiggin Maritime Centre in Newbiggin bay- and running from now until October- is a photographic display of North East coastal views by the "A Ramble with Amble" collective.
The display is a high quality treatment of NE maritime themes offered to celebrate the venture of the Centre and the aims of the Seachange NE Educational project. The individual pieces are for sale by prints and or originals via aramblewithamble.weebly.com.
The display has received excellent feedback by visitors. Any interest in the work or the group please contact media and exhibition organiser Norma McKellar via SheerlightPhotography@gmail.com
I have long argued that the Government's proposals to cut police officers, police staff and police budgets is wrong and will have a detrimental effect on the ability of our police forces to operate effectively and efficiently.
The appalling riots in London and in other parts of the UK have demonstrated the Government needs to urgently rethink the cuts they are implementing. It is worth remembering the proposals will result in 627 fewer police officers in the Northumbria force area and 16,222 fewer across England and Wales.
Newbiggin Sprint Triathlon is traditionally the North East Regions final open water triathlon of the season set in the lovely Northumbria coastal town, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, approximately 14 miles North of Newcastle uponTyne. This year, British Triathlon awarded the race a prestigious major event, an ETU European Championship Qualifying for Eilat, Israel in April 2012. Hopeful athletes from all over the UK will arrive on the weekend attempting to grab one of those precious slots on offer.
I was advised this week that prompt action from the Environment Agency and the county council averted some unwelcome avoidable flooding in the heart of Morpeth.
The flooding threat arose due to a blockage in the Cotting Burn culvert that was caused by a 15ft tree that got wedged under the water pipe trapping other debris that naturally floats downstream.
It appears that the limbs of the tree had been deliberately cut and the tree disposed of in the water.
In March 1849, fisherman at Cullercoats found floating in the sea a fish of "uncommon length and of silvery and dazzling brightness".
It was later identified as one of the rare Gymmetrus species, 12ft 5in long, 13in in depth and three inches thick, with a crest of 14in in height.
The fish caught at Cullercoats in 1849
In 1846, other fishermen had caught off Alnmouth the first specimen in British waters of Trichiuvus Lepturus (the Blade Fish), 13ft 9in long.
It has been extremely busy in the constituency as I have taken the opportunity to meet with a number of community groups, local authorities, businesses, and individuals.
These have included a meeting with senior officers at Northumberland County Council, when we discussed a range of issues which included proposals for a replacement leisure and community centre in Ashington, and also the Morpeth bypass.
I have also had meetings with representatives of Ashington Town Council to discuss a number of issues relating to the regeneration of the town.
Families in South East Northumberland were set the challenge of completing a short distance run along Newbiggin Promenade as part of the London 2012 Open Weekend supported by BP - a series of sporting and cultural events taking place across the UK which will see hundreds of thousands of people participating in events to celebrate the 'One Year to Go' countdown to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Newbiggin
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