At the height of the Pandemic I feared that the growing number of places to eat and socialise that has become a defining feature of Sandyford might not survive. It's pleasing to see all have – diversifying by offering take out services. The variety of newly opened and continuing cafés, 'bistro' and restaurants have added something to the whole area.
Here's a few. If I left your favourite out then watch for a follow up when the evenings are longer and the warmer weather comes along.
Following three storms inside a week, a pause to admire the fortitude of nature:
Activists say one in three people in England cannot access green spaces, with the poorest most deprived
"Communities and NGOS would have the ability to take local authorities to court if they failed to provide healthy green space, under plans set out by more than 60 nature, planning, health and equality organisations. They argue that despite the fact there is strong evidence that accessible, nature-rich spaces boost our physical and mental wellbeing, and reduce mortality, one in three people in England cannot access nature near their home."
Those of us who understand this must make sure our local representatives and council get the message: Green space is not just a development opportunity in waiting.
Read the whole article here.
CPRE urges ministers to promise ‘equivalent of a national park for every neighbourhood’
(from The Guardian 2nd February 2022) Link to article in text below.
The CPRE has very good point. Read more here.
The City Stadium (a.k.a. Battlefield, so-called since last century Newcastle City planners wanted to turn this precious green place in to parking for projected 'much needed' (sic) offices) qualifies.
From the article:
Local green spaces are small parcels of land, close to where people live, that are demonstrably special to their community, for reasons that can include their beauty, historic significance, recreational value, tranquility or richness of wildlife. ...
Crispin Truman, the Chief Executive of CPRE, said: "This is a solution to levelling up that has been hiding in plain sight; a planning super power in the hands of ordinary people,. All that people have to prove is they use and value the land fr it to be protected like it is a national park. ...
What might be helpful is a Council that doesn't ignore, finagle, deceive, scheme and pat itself on the back at the same time.
Ouseburn above the Culvert 11th December 2022
Storm Arwen created havoc in the weeks before Christmas leaving death and destruction over several northern European countries. Damage around and about Battlefield as I saw was mostly limited to fallen roof tiles and, particularly, up rooted trees. Some along the steep sides of the Ouseburn culvert beside 'battlefield' came down blocking paths that took time to clear; many busier places had to be attended to first.
It may look sad to see some fine trees blown over; years of growth swept away and gaps opened where there was once a view enhanced by a tracery in winter or foliage in summer. But that's just us. Nature has a few tricks up her sleeve and these events, gales blowing down trees are perhaps a way of bringing about change. For these gaps and openings in the canopy will allow an understory, less towering vegetation, more earth bound, to develop and in turn have one of those beautiful circular relationships that Nature brings. More sunlight, more plants. More plants, more insect life. More insect life, more birds. The fallen wood, left in place, decays naturally and becomes a home for more life forms such as fungi and wood boring insects.
A passer by I met on my visit to watch the tree surgeons at work told me some of the neatly sliced up wood had been recovered by a local wood worker who intends to make furniture from it.
In Nature nothing is wasted. Photographic slideshow here (off site link).
Let us hope next year will see the end of the present half life we have all been leading in 2021.
Meanwhile, I forget who said this last century but sadly it has proved to be a very apposite description that applies to every issue of the Council's uber up beat City News propaganda sheet:
'The only way to understand Newcastle City Council is that it hates Newcastle'
More dross is being smeared over what's left of the city centre. Already over supplied with empty offices more and bigger ones are coming, designs that make the average budget hotel chains effort or cut price supermarket look like a Mies van der Rohe masterpiece.
Sadly, more next year if I have the strength.
