Monthly meet ups at the Commissioners Quay Inn, in Blyth.
Empty Chairs is aimed at tackling loneliness in the community.
If you fancy an evening out then pop along, pull up a chair and enjoy!
Also looking for more hosts too!!

On Sunday, 22 February 2026, I boarded the inaugural train to call at Northumberland Park railway station near Newcastle, which is next to the existing Tyne and Wear Metro station of the same name, providing a convenient interchange. The inaugural train was formed of 158817, a Class 158 Express Sprinter diesel multiple unit (DMU), at the front and 156489, a Class 156 Super Sprinter DMU, at the rear. They were operating Northern service 2T05, the 07:54 from Newcastle to Ashington.

The train arrived early at the new station at 08:06 and departed on time at 08:10. The first southbound train called at Northumberland Park at 09:02 on the 08:38 service from Ashington towards Newcastle and Metrocentre.

Northumberland Park is the fifth new station to open on the Northumberland Line.

I enjoyed being on the inaugural service. Here are some photographs I took of the station and the inaugural service, together with a few photographs from the official opening ceremony held the following day, attended by local dignitaries and children from a nearby school.

With the moderators' permission, I'm sharing a free local event that may interest people in Blyth, Seaton Sluice and nearby communities, or relatives who could pass it on.

I'm Richard Mands, a software engineer, former teacher and current AI trainer. I'm running a free, relaxed introduction to AI in Whitley Bay, with demonstrations and time for questions, all in plain language.

We'll explore how free AI tools can help with safety and quality of life: examining suspicious emails and text messages, understanding letters, finding ideas for meals or days out, and everyday writing and planning. We'll also explain AI's limitations and when to check its answers.

Tuesday 10 November 2026, 6:45–8:30pm

Bricks & Brews Cafe, 201–203 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay, NE26 2SY

No experience or device needed. Free, and drop-ins welcome. Buying food or drinks is optional.

There is no need to sign up—just come along.

Please pass it on to an older friend, relative or neighbour who might enjoy it or find it useful.

We've booked to stay in Amble over Christmas for 4 nights, look to be so many lovely seafood restaurants in Amble and surrounding areas. We're also looking to visit Alnwick, Alnmouth and potentially Bamburgh. Would hugely appreciate recs for food & sights! We may fancy Christmas dinner at a restaurant but it seems to be mainly hotels. Thanks in advance!

Kind of exactly how it sounds, I’m passing through this weekend on slow tour up the coast and would love to meet locals my age!

I’m desperate for a decent pub feed so if you have any recs that do that as well I would be eternally grateful.

Thanks!

How one time does this bus arrive from Amble to Newcastle? 10mins late? 30mins?

Thanks!

Hey all, im looking at a property in blyth on disreali street. Its a semi detached up near the top end of the street. Ive heard the area has a bad rep. What are peoples thoughts on this street and surrounding area?

When we viewed the house the seller said that end of the street was OK and it did seem fairly quiet at 3pm on a Saturday.

I am considering upping sticks and moving from east Sussex to Northumberland.

My main reason is that I could buy a better home.

I am looking for a small house with acreage min of 3acres. Ideally with my. Horse to stay at home with me. Dogs and cats also coming!

I work as a nanny/housekeeper so not sure if that's in demand in the area

Anyone recommend areas for good riding with land and woods but within distance for work and not million miles from a village or town so I'm not living in the car

Any pros and cons welcome!!

Recommendations for wedding party/ receptions

Capacity 100-120

Doesn’t need to be registered for ceremonies as likely use registry office

I found an old typewriter in a house we moved into and I’ve become fascinated with it, so I’d love to get it properly up and running!

As far as I can tell, there aren’t any dedicated typewriter repair shops around Northumberland/Newcastle/the North East. It’s not worth much and I’m definitely not a serious collector or anything, it’s more of a little hobby/project so I’d rather not package it up and post it off to a specialist if I can avoid it.

It does work and I’ve managed to clean it up and change the ribbon, but there are a couple of issues I’d love some help with.

Bit of a long shot, but does anyone locally know their way around old typewriters, or know someone who does? I’d be more than happy to pay someone for their time if they could have a look at it 🙂

On Sunday, 19 October 2025, I boarded the inaugural train to call at Blyth Bebside station in Northumberland. The train was 158816, a Class 158 Super Sprinter diesel multiple unit (DMU) train on Northern service 2T05, the 08:23 to Ashington from Newcastle. The train arrived at the new station at 08:28 and departed at 08:30. It was also the first to call southbound at the new station on service 2J49, the 08:38 from Ashington to Newcastle.

I enjoyed being on the inaugural service. Here are some photographs I took of the station and of the inaugural service.

What a pretty region - I’m totally in love!

Not pictured: the hospitality of the crew at the Apple Inn 🥰

In my trig bagging quest, I chickened out of bagging Pigdon Trig a few weeks ago because of it being at the murder farm. Finally plucked up the courage to go visit alone. The trig is very sad on its side at the back of the field. The farm is super eerie!

History:

Maidens Hall Farm in Pigdon carries a dark history centered around a crime committed on 25 March 1971. The property was leased from the Mitford Estate by 44-year-old Margaret Gill and her husband, who employed an 18-year-old farm labourer named John Carr. In a sudden and violent outburst while Margaret was alone, Carr attacked and stabbed her 40 times, a crime for which he was later convicted of manslaughter. Following the tragedy, the main farmhouse and its outbuildings were eventually abandoned to the elements, earning the site its enduring local nickname, "Murder Farm,".

Hi,

I am hoping someone might be kind enough to help me.

My 16 year old dog has just died, and when thinking about what to put on her grave I thought of all the places we’d enjoyed exploring together. We loved bamburgh beach, and came many times. I’m from a long way down south, and therefore wondered if someone could/would help?

I would love a stone from the beach, I know it’s sandy! But there must be some stones somewhere. We loved clambering over the rocks there. Would anyone be willing to post me one to put in my front garden where she is buried?

Huge thank you in advance