NE Coastal Life Issue5

Coastal
The Magazine for the North East Coast LIFE

Professional accountancy service. Est 1988
Covering the North East

Small Business Specialist Free Initial Interview Home Visits
Payroll Services Bookkeeping & VAT Returns

Email: [email protected] Tel: 0191 251 7599
* STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHS FROM ROGER COAN * BÚN & ROLL FOOD REVIEW *

HFF About Us

Civil Engineering Ltd HFF Limited are a professional Civil
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Northumberland. We specialise in all types
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paving, kerb laying, drainage and
demolition.
As well as providing haulage, heavy plant hire
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We now have the ability supply a wide
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Along with sharp sand, pipe bedding, and
screened topsoil.

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Office Opening Hours - Mon-Fri: 7:30-5pm

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FULLY LICENCED & INSURED
We have a large selection of virgin and
recycled materials available in 25kg bags, REGISTERED WASTE CARRIER

1 ton bags or by the load as required. REGISTERED WASTE TRANSFER STATION
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• Gravel • Pipe bedding

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Aug - Sept 2018

Coastal
Coastal The Magazine for the North East Coast LIFE

Issue 5 Price £2 (where sold)

CompApaeWgteihtooioflens

The Magazine for the North East Coast LIFE Professional accountancy service. Est 1988
Covering the North East

Small Business Specialist Free Initial Interview Home Visits
Payroll Services Bookkeeping & VAT Returns

Email: [email protected] Tel: 0191 251 7599
* STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHS FROM ROGER COAN * BÚN & ROLL FOOD REVIEW *

Hello again and welcome to your latest Once again local photographer Roger Coan
North East Coastal Life Magazine. has excelled himself with his stunning
images of a recent trip to Iceland and we
In this issue we bring you a lovely feature offer you part one of a two part travelogue
on our beautiful North East Harbours, from from Italy.
Beadnell to Royal Quays.
With all this and so much more you'll want
Our new contributor, Peter Angus, tells us
all about his home village of Craster and our to put your feet up and enjoy the read.
features editor Tegan writes about mighty
North Shields.

We have food reviews galore to tickle your
tastebuds and a special review of our day
out at Alnwick Gardens.

Aug - Sept 2018

Coastal To subscribe to North East Coastal Life magazine,
The Magazine for the North East Coast LIFE visit the shop on our
website at www.necoastallife.co.uk,
Issue 5 Price £2 (where sold) or call us on 01670 822012 for your nearest stockist.
A year’s supply is just £25.
CompApaeWgteihtooioflens

Professional accountancy service. Est 1988
Covering the North East
Small Business Specialist Free Initial Interview Home Visits
Payroll Services Bookkeeping & VAT Returns
Email: [email protected] Tel: 0191 251 7599
* STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHS FROM ROGER COAN * BÚN & ROLL FOOD REVIEW *

Staff and Contributors

Editor: Dave Roberts www.farhorizonsimages.com
Assistant Editor: Julie Hobbs
Features Editor: Tegan Chapman
Sales: Jade Dale
Design: DTP Design
Photography: Tony Robson
Roger Coan of Far Horizons Images

Peter Angus, Julie Hobbs, Dave Roberts
Contributors: Highlights PR
Murton Equestrian Centre
New Hope For Children Charity

Office address:
Worsdell Institute, North
Blyth, Northumberland, NE24
1SD Tel: 01670 822012
[email protected]
www.necoastallife.co.uk

August / September 2018 Page 4



CONTENTS

August / September 2018 Page 6

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August / September 2018 Page 8

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August / September 2018 Page 9

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OPEN: SUN 12-5PM MON 12-3PM TUES-THURS 12-3PM & 5-8PM FRI AND SAT 12-9PM

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August / September 2018 Page 10

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August / September 2018 Page 11

The Wedding Ring...

Words by Pete Garratt stopped smoking 2 years previously and stone 7lb. By
After seeing a picture of myself aged 43, like a lot of ex smokers turned to food Christmas I was
taken with Mike Ashley when he first took instead. Being a delivery driver, sitting down to 17 stone,
over Newcastle United back in 2007, I down all day and not getting any exercise great I thought, I
realised how big I had become. I had took me from 13 stone 7lbs to 19 stone 2lbs don’t need to pay
at my heaviest. This prompted me into for the site now
looking at different diets online and I because I know
started the Sainsbury’s Diet. After doing what I am doing.
the diet for about 6 months and losing just Wrong! Within 2
under a stone I decided to try several other months I was back
diets online including the likes of Tesco up to about 18
Diets and even Sparks People an American Stone again. In
based diet website. Anyway over the next 9 March 2017
years my weight was up and down between having talked to
17 stone and 19 stone. In September 2016 my wife Angela
someone told me to try Slimming World if I Garratt about
really wanted to lose the weight. So I joined rejoining we
the online site with a starting weight of 18 decided to join
together and give
August / September 2018 Page 12 each other
inspiration at the
Northumberland
Church of England Slimming World Branch
in Ashington. After 7 Months I was down to
Just above 16 Stone. Then after leaving my
driving job and starting a new job at
Prested Butchers in Dudley, Cramlington I
stopped going because I couldn’t get to
group. Angela kept going for a while
without me but found it hard without my
support. I then saw that there was another
group at Stakeford Methodist Church that
meet on a Thursday evening, which was
my day off. When I started with this group
I was back up to 16 Stone 12.5lb. After
joining I was again given the access to the
Slimming World Website plus a Facebook
page called Shirley’s Slimmers, which is
run by Shirley Knox the Consultant who
runs the Stakeford and Bedlington groups.
With the help of Shirley and the group
members who stay to Image Therapy (after
being weighed) I am doing better than I
have ever done and getting nearer to my
target weight. In just over 5 months of
going to Slimming World Stakeford I have
gone down from 42” Waist and XXXL Shirts
to (As of Sunday 8th July) 32” Waist and L
Shirts (Not an X in sight) as seen in the

“after”
picture. Ho!
And another
great
moment was
only 2 weeks
ago when I
was able to
put my
wedding ring
back on that I had not been able to wear
for the last 11 years. I have just weighed in
at 13 Stone 12lb.(Only 5lb heavier than
when I got married 18 years ago). A
Massive 5 Stone 4lb lighter than at my
heaviest. Thank You Slimming World!
Thank You Shirley Knox.

Go hunting for giants at Alnwick Gardens

As someone who loves nothing more The addition of the cherry orchard
than jetting off to foreign climes, I with its wooden swing forest was
can sometimes struggle to see what’s beautiful, and we have already
on my doorstep. vowed to return when the blossom
comes out.
I’ve been trying to find lots of things
to do with my little one over the After a picnic lunch in the grounds
summer holidays that are both local we ventured to the Potting Shed so
and won’t break the bank, and it’s the adults could enjoy a delicious and
fair to say I’ve struck gold when it reasonably priced hot drink.
comes to Alnwick Gardens and
treehouse, if the smiles on my We saved the rope bridges at the
daughter Nola and her friend Josh’s treehouse until the end and it would
faces are anything to go by. seem from the squeals of delight as
our children ran in delight repeatedly
It’s not hard to see why the gardens - across them, that we had saved the
along with the world's largest best until last.
treehouse - are a must see
attraction. Suffice to say they slept all the way
home, and then some! I’m calling
Now, 18-month-olds can be that a success!
simultaneously hard and easy to
please – so the stunning water For more details or to buy tickets,
fountains and diggers provided a visit www.alnwickgarden.com
good wedge of entertainment for
them and their mummies, as did the
giant having a bath and airing his
enormous underwear.

While they may not have been
interested in discussing the merits of
each flower, we were blessed with
glorious weather, and the pair of
them delighted in exploring the
gardens and looking at all the plants.
And I for one was delighted we had
chosen this over the hell of soft play.

The gardens are full of delights for all
the senses, and the scent as we
walked through the rose garden was
heavenly.

August / September 2018 Page 13

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August / September 2018 Page 14

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August / September 2018 Page 15

Freemasons Help Cycling Team
on Route To Battle Cancer

Photo shows: L to R : Jason Whiting, Jacqueline Brewster, Stuart Cairns, Jim Thompson, Jane McHugh
and Michael Hindmarsh. Front with cheque Avril Scott

Generous Freemasons from ride at a network business meeting said Stuart.
Northumberland have donated a at Alnmouth Golf Club where they
staggering £2400 to help fight the reguarly meet and decided to “In this particular case, we were
battle against women’s cancers. support women’s cancer charities. impressed with the challenge that
Monies raised will be equally was to be undertaken; the fact that
The cheque was presented to three shared amongst Breast Cancer the team aren’t trained cyclists and
businesswomen from the Alnwick Care, Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust and are doing it because it is such a
area who are undertaking a Ovarian Cancer Action. worthy cause and means so much
gruelling cycle challenge from to them.”
London to Paris. Stuart Cairns representing
Northumberland Freemasons was The cycle ride starts on 6th
Amazingly, before they decided to delighted to present the cheque to September in London and the pedal
do the 240 mile, three day ride, the intrepid and brave cyclists. He pushing team are hoping to raise
none of them had ridden very far was joined at the presentation by more than £6000 for their three
on a bicycle making the journey an freemasons from a number of charities.
even greater personal challenge. lodges in Alnwick who were also
keen to show their support. “This kind donation will really help
The three in training cyclists, us reach our fundraising target.
marketing expert Avril Scott from “Last year, Northumberland With every turn of the pedals we
Foxton, Utility Warehouse Freemasons gave more than will be nearer to Paris and raising
consultant Jacqueline Brewster £300,000 to local charities and money for causes close to all of our
from Alnwick and Jane McHugh, good causes in Newcastle, North hearts,” said Jacqueline.
hotelier from the Red Lion in Tyneside and Northumberland,”
Alnmouth discussed the idea of the

August / September 2018 Page 16

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August / September 2018 Page 17

A Crasterfarian on Craster

Most people who visit twelve houses on each side provided Robson, making Neil Robson
Craster for the first time tend accommodation for the early villagers a fourth generation kipper
to slow down as they crest who walked to the natural inlet and guru. They are still cured and
the brow of the hill coming their beached boats to go fishing. smoked in the traditional
into the village and see the Long before the piers were built the way. No dye is added, it is a
harbour for the first time. early fisher folk moved down to the truly natural preservation
Regardless of the weather, inlet and the initially constructed process providing a unique
the quaint village harbour, dwellings along the north side of the flavour. They are simply the
nestled in a natural fissure in inlet were called Craster Seahouses. best kippers and smoked
the Great Whin Sill, is simply There is evidence of eight fishermen salmon in the world and a far
stunning. cry from the pre-packed
Storms bring the harbour to living here in 1625. The brightly coloured nonsense
life; huge crashing waves walled gardens that you you see on sale in
breaking against the seaward can still see are what supermarkets.
walls of the piers send plumes of remain of these early Between the wars there were so many
angry white water high into the sky Crasterfarian properties herring boats fishing from the village
making for some spectacular Fishing has always been that it was possible to cross the
photography. Then to counter the fury a huge part of the harbour without getting ones feet wet.
of the North Sea at its angriest, there village and the vast There were up to 25 vessels fishing at
are the completely still days, tranquil, shoals of herring saw that time from the village. They were
picturesque, blue seas, blue skies, boom times. Hundreds all Cobles, the traditional north east
calm water and fishing boats, creating of ‘herring girls’ coastal vessel whose blueprint was
a view to rival any harbour in the followed the shoals of said to be based on the Viking long
country. fish down the coast ships. Easy to launch from the shore
from Scotland to with a shallow draught, it made them
As you dip down the road into the Norfolk the ideal vessel for inshore waters.
harbour and climb back out the south and helped pack salted If you head along the path to the north
side, turn and look north to the herring into barrels for pier, past the WW2 tank block with the
panorama which draws the eye along sale all over the country war commemoration on, look to the
the coast to the end of the Whin Sill and wider world. left and you will see the remains of
and Dunstanburgh Castle, a view that Herring also provided what looks like a BBQ. This was used
must be one of the best anywhere in the basis for the village’s for ‘barking the pots’ it was basically a
the country. kipper industry. There metal dish over a fire and the sap from
Craster village and harbour, were up to four willow trees was rendered and melted
surprisingly, isn’t that old. The village smokehouses at one then applied to the fisherman’s gear
was originally just down below the time but now only one before being put in the sea to help
archway you pass through on your remains. The world preserve it in the days before man
way from Craster tower. A road with famous ‘L Robson and made ropes. This is the only one left
Sons’, it is still run by the
great grandson of James

August / September 2018 Page 18

standing now from the dozens that until the end of 1907 and took much later POW camp that held Italian
used to populate the harbour area longer to complete due to some issues prisoners can still be seen as you walk
The oldest property still standing in with piling the seabed, finally being to the north.
the village is ‘the summer house’ it finished in 1909. The fishing fleet is now very much
stands right above the south pier and The idea behind the piers was not for reduced and the harbour is now
has been modernised fishing, it was a commercial enterprise owned by the fisherman themselves.
several times. It was built based around the quarrying and It’s predominantly fished by the Hogg
in 1769 as a bathing house export of whinstone for road family whose boats land shellfish and
for the Craster family, construction. You will see that the take fishing charters out. There are no
allowing them to come south pier protrudes a little further cobles in the harbour now, the only
down and enjoy the east than the north allowing large remaining one is owned by Eddie Gray
natural cove created by a ships to berth. In around 1915 who moors his boat at Beadnell now
northward pointing whin permission was granted for the as he fishes the beach for salmon and
outcrop which is now construction of large metal bins on the sea trout. He has one of the last
hidden beneath the South end of the south pier, the only part of salmon fishing drift net licenses on the
pier. After a period as the these now remaining is the ‘cover’ North east coast and as no more are
village public toilet, it was that protects some of the more hardy being issued, this aspect of our coastal
purchased in the early rod fishermen in the winter seas. fishing will eventually die out as the
1980’s and turned back Connecting these ‘bins’ to the quarry older guys retire.
into a family dwelling. It is was an aerial ropeway that carried the Craster also has an RNLI ‘D Class’
seen here to the very left stone above the heads of the lifeboat situated just over the road
of this photo, the larger building Crasterfarians and fishing boats from the slipway. It is crewed by
joining it to the right was once a depositing it in the receptacles at the brave volunteers who are all villagers.
smokehouse and also a Pub in a
recent episode of Vera. pier end. Large ships would then come The annual lifeboat day is
The harbour itself is the heart of the in on a high tide to be filled from on the 11th of August this
village, the hub around which the chutes. The remains of the engine year and is well worth a
growth of Craster has taken place. houses for the aerial ropeway can be visit as it’s a fantastic
Although a place of relative seen in the public carpark on the way cause.
tranquillity now, the harbour hides a into the village. Please visit Craster, enjoy a
very busy past. The ‘bins’ were removed from the pint in the pub after a walk
The piers were not constructed at the end of the pier as Britain headed to Dunstanburgh, or pop
same time, the north pier was built into the dark days of WW2. Old into the smokehouse and
first in 1906 and has a plaque stories of them being a landmark pick up some of the
commemorating Captain J.C.P Craster, for German bombers may have fantastic smoked fish that
who was killed in Tibet on June 28th been dispelled with more recent have made the village
1904. The plaque is located about half investigations suggesting that they famous but don’t forget to
way along the pier and the were removed as their metallic tip a nod to the history of
construction was dedicated to his construction interfered with the this beautiful place,
memory. South pier wasn’t started Chain Home radar system that are everything around you is here for a
situated on the North Hills along reason.
towards Dunstanburgh Castle. The Written by The Crasterfarian with
remains of the buildings and the thanks and credit for the use of the
historical photos to www.kipper.co.uk

August / September 2018 Page 19

Harbouring the Beauty
Photos: Tony Robson, Words TEGAN Chapman
Seaton Sluice The harbour The beach is backed by cliffs, which
They are some of the most unspoilt remained like this contain interesting geological features.
parts of our coastline, but where are new entrance until the 1760s, The harbour is also home to a marine
North East Coastal Life’s best proved a when a new laboratory, working Victorian Lifeboat
harbours. success, and entrance was Station and Fisherman's Watch House
Seaton Sluice salt created for the which can all be seen in the work of
Prior to 1550 the salt produced at continued to harbour by the famous American artist Winslow
Hartley Pans had been transported to be exported blasting a channel Homer.
Blyth to be exported, but after this from Seaton through solid North Shields Fish Quay
date it was shipped directly from the Sluice until rock, providing The fascinating North Shields Fish
small, natural harbour known as 1798, when a what was known Quay dates back to the 13th Century.
Hartley Haven. However the harbour new salt tax as 'The Cut'. The Amongst its many historical elements
was prone to silting, which limited put an end to
access by ships, and led to Sir Ralph the trade. is  Clifford’s Fort, a Scheduled Ancient
Delaval constructed a pier and sluice Monument built in the 17th Century as
gates that trapped the seawater at Cullercoats Cullercoats part of a network of coastal defences.
each high tide. At low tide the gates harbour Today’s working quay is the perfect
were opened, flushing the sand out of place for a day out... sample fresh fish
the harbour – giving the town its Cullercoats is a sandy bay enclosed by and chips, fine dining in one of the
name. small piers and as such is an excellent many restaurants or simply sit back
environment for family use. The south and take in a colourful slice of modern,
of the harbour is a launching area for Quay life.
local fishing boats and leisure craft. The Fishermen’s Mission, along with
an array of wet fish shops, is a
North Shields Fish Quay powerful reminder that the Fish Quay
is still a working environment.
Royal Quays Marina
Built around the historic Albert Edward
Dock, Royal Quays Marina is now
widely regarded as the premier

August / September 2018 Page 20

Royal Quays Marina Tibet in the 19th redeveloped harbour front
century. The incorporating a sea-front pathway
boating facility in the north of development of from the harbour to the marina.
England. Situated close to the River the harbour You can take a Puffin Cruise sailing
Tyne entrance, the Marina is ideally serves as a from Amble harbour, or opt to relax to
placed for access to the open sea and memorial to their the sound of halyards clinking in
for cruising on the sheltered waters of son. Amble’s modern, award-winning
the River Tyne. marina.
Last September the Marina was The harbour is Beadnell 
awarded 5 Gold Anchors by The Yacht
Harbour Association, the only coastal bound by the Beadnell Harbour, the only west facing
marina in the North of England to harbour on the east coast has a long
have this accolade. In addition Royal sturdy walls of the and rich history for such a small village
Quays Marina was the runner up in nestled deep in the North-
the Coastal Marina (over 250 berths) north and south Northumbrian coastline. Behind the
famous harbour on Beadnell Point you
piers. On sunny will find Ebbs Neuk Chapel, which was
built in the 13th century by King
days, the pier is a Oswald of Northumbria for his sister
St Ebba.
peaceful place to In the village you will find St Ebba’s
church (built in 1750), although this is
sit and watch the famously not as old as the Peel tower
built in the 16th century, which
world go by. provided protection from the Border
Reivers attacks.
However, on

stormy days, the

harbour is a little

more exciting. The

harbour is still Amble
owned by the

Craster Estate, but visitors are

welcome.

Amble

Craster Proudly declaring
itself the ‘friendliest
port’, this
waterfront town
hugs the River
Coquet estuary at
the southern
gateway to the
Northumberland
Coast Area of
Outstanding
Natural Beauty.

category in the NMU 2018 UK Marina An exciting Beadnell
of the Year  awards presented at the development
London Boat Show in January 2018. opened at Amble
Harbour front in
Craster recent years
boasting a
Craster is a small fishing village with seafood centre
an impressive harbour. A memorial on along with 15
the harbour wall commemorates a small retail units
member of the Craster family who and a
died serving with the British Army in

August / September 2018 Page 21

THE NCOEWMESUAMNDMTERRYMOEUNRU

WATERFORD
ARMS

'The Home of the Whale'

CURRY MONDAYCurry, a choice of starters and a drink £7.95

GRILL THURSDAY2 Grill Items* and Bottle of Wine for £24.95
*from a choice of Steak, Mixed Grill or Burger

FISH FRIDAY2 regular sized cod, chips and peas for £15

SUNDAY LUNCHTraditional home cooked Sunday lunch £7.95

ACCOMODATION AVAILABLE

The Waterford Arms, Collywell Bay Road, Seaton Sluice, Whitley Bay. NE26 4QZ | Tel: 0191 237 0450

What’s on?

Cullercoats Harbour Day

18th August, 11am-5pm.

Spanish City Funfair Wizarding Week

23rd- 25th August, Whitley Bay. 28th August - 1st September,
Alnwick Castle.
Crossing the Tyne
Buskers Festival Stride out to the Lighthouse
10k walk
25th August, 12pm-6pm,
taking place on both sides 1st September, 10:30am – 1:30pm
of the River Tyne. starting at The Parks Sports
Centre in North Shields.

Great North Run

9th September, 8am-4pm,
Town Moor in Newcastle.

Classic Car Show

16th September, 10am-3pm,
Whitley Bay.

August / September 2018 Page 23

Mighty North Shields

Small but not insignificant within North Tyneside Council to transform it into a Fishermen’s Heritage Project (NSFHP)
Tyneside, is the town of North Shields. tranquil green space with scenic walks, a recently raised tens of thousands of
Lying on the north bank of the River Tyne, herb garden, tea room, Victorian style pounds to create the stunning Fiddler’s
the fishing town has seen something of a bandstand, sculpture trail, children’s play Green statue as a permanent memorial to
resurgence in the last few years. area, and a BMX pump track. fishermen lost at sea.
Famed for its fishing heritage, the town’s The same can be said for the town’s One of North Shields' oldest landmarks is
name derives from Middle English and famous – or should that be infamous – the ‘Wooden Dolly’ statue. In 1814, the
means huts used by fishermen. Fish Quay. female figurehead of a collier brig was
Once a thriving fishing area, the town’s While the fishing industry still remains as placed at the entrance to Custom House
popularity dipped somewhat with the a major aspect of the town, it is not what Quay on Liddell Street. The Wooden Dolly
Meadowell riots of 1991, but nearly 30 it used to be, which could easily have was used by seafarers as a source of
years later North Shields is being put resulted in the dereliction of the Fish goodluck, by cutting pieces of wood from
firmly back on the map. Quay. her to be taken with them on voyages. The
Following the riots, the Government But again, the fortunes of this area were original has been replaced several times
granted £37.5m to regenerate the area once again turned on their head, and it’s and there is now a sixth version next to the
and was followed by an extensive now a popular place for residents and Prince of Wales pub.
regeneration programme of Albert Edward tourists alike. And let’s not forget that the legendary
docks which saw the creation of Wet N Though still primarily a fish quay with a Stan Laurel was a North Shields resident
Wild water park, Royal Quays outlet fish market, the quayside now has a between his formative years. Between five
shopping centre, a bowling alley, soccer mixture of residents, eateries and licenced and 15 Laurel lived in the town and
dome, and a marina. premises. And the queues for fish and considered himself a Geordie. A statue in
With huge investments being injected into chips on Good Friday need to be seen to his honour that was erected in 1989 and
the town, it is once again a thriving place be believed! refurbished a few years ago, stands
to live, work and play. Elsewhere, efforts are being made to proudly in Laurel Park on Dockwray Square
The newly refurbished Northumberland promote the area’s history. The Old Low where he used to live.
Park has seen a cash boost of £2.2m from Light centre is helping to highlight the North Shields may be small, but it is
the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery quay’s maritime heritage and fishing mighty!
Fund, as well as almost £3m from North industry, while the North Shields

August / September 2018 Page 24

Golden Gate – Farne Island Boat Trips

Born and bred in Seahouses with a As well as a love of the wildlife a maintenance work.
father and grandfather who served fascination of the history of these When all is said though the biggest
on the lifeboat and with Scott islands has always been with me kick I get is when picking visitors up
Shiel, my grandfather, starting a and I feel both honoured and from the bird sanctuaries on Inner
boat trip company as far back as privileged to be the owner of the Farne and Staple and seeing the
1918 it was inevitable that a love of only boat to have access to smile on people’s faces after having
the sea and the history of our Longstone Island and Grace seen their first puffin!
village would be in my blood. Darling’s childhood home in the
I have sailed the waters around the lighthouse.
Farne Islands ever since I was a I still carry on the tradition of
young lad, working on the tourist Grace's father William as besides
boats and fishing boats before taking out visitors to the islands I
obtaining the licence from Trinity can find myself moving the Trinity
House to be the keeper for the House engineers between the
three Farne Island lighthouses. islands when they are carrying out

August / September 2018 Page 25

Are you a future engineer?
Words & Photos by: Tegan Chapman

Unless you’ve been
living under a rock,
you’d be hard
pushed not to have
heard of the
summer-long arts
festival taking place
in Newcastle.

The Great Exhibition
of the North is
offering a string of
things for people to
get their teeth into
that celebrate what
the North has to
offer.

And part of the 12,000 people have visited the experience covers engineering feats
exhibition’s ‘Inspired GNEE since it opened at the across the North East including
by’ programme is Mining Institute. Blyth’s Offshore Windfarms,
the Great North Morpeth flood alleviation scheme,
Engineering The unique, interactive and free and shipyards and coal mining
Experience, which offers the
chance to discover how engineers across the region.
transform the world we live in.

In the opening month more than

The exhibition is
organised by the
Institution of Civil
Engineers in the
North East
alongside the
Institution of
Mechanical
Engineers,
Institution of
Electrical
Engineers, and
Engineering UK.

The event offers
a free day out
with a range of
fun hands-on
activities for
children including
Lego and

August / September 2018 Page 26

Meccano challenges, a giant Jenga so far. things to see and do in the
tower, Raspberry Pi games and Mining Institute, including
touch screen televisions. “The opening weeks have been ‘Seam’, ‘Technicians make it
incredibly successful, and we have happen’, and the Multiverse
There are also a range of talks and received excellent feedback from Arcade.
family-friendly lectures, displays by visitors.
Northern engineering companies Visitors can also enjoy a
and an opportunity to find out “A lot of work has gone in behind Lego Timeline of Northern
about careers in engineering. the scenes and it is fantastic to be Innovation constructed by
able to inspire future engineers.” local Lego artist, Steve
The Great North Engineering Mayes of Brick This, which
Experience features 12 of the As well as the free Engineering tells the story of Northern
region’s ‘invisible Experience, there are lots of other innovation in over 40
superheroes’ - intricate models, using
people who work 50,000 plastic bricks.
behind the scenes in
the North of The Great North
England’s Engineering Experience will
engineering industry run until September 9, at
to ensure we have the North of England
transport, roads, Institute of Mining and
energy, water, waste Mechanical Engineering on
disposal and Westgate Road in Newcastle upon
buildings to live, Tyne.
work and play in.
The exhibit is open Tuesday to
ICE North East Sunday, from 10am to 6pm and is
director, Penny suitable for all ages.
Marshall, said: “We
are delighted with For more details, visit
how the Great www.mininginstitute.org.uk/great-
North Engineering north-engineering-experience
Experience is going

August / September 2018 Page 27

WIN! WIN! WIN!

with North East Coastal Magazine

Winners of the June/July North East Coastal Life Magazine's competitions are:

Family ticket to Bamburgh Castle plus a handbook and souviner was Farah Kurji
Family ticket to Northumberland Zoo was Ruth Rowe
3 course lunch for two at The Wellwood Arms in Amble was Gillian Green
The following three people each won a 'Pain No More' lotion were June Garbutt, Gillian Main and Jean Curry
Thank you to all those that entered.

Win a 10 x 8 mounted print of your choice from the amazing photographer Roger Coan,
Roger is a regular contributor to North East Coastal Life Magazine.

Question: What is the name of the 1st photograph in the landscapes section of his
website www.farhorizonsimages.com

Win a Family Ticket for River Escapes Quay to Sea Cruise.
The family ticket is for 2 adults and 2 children aged 2-12 and
is worth £39.00.
Question: What year was the Tyne Bridge officially opened?
www.riverescapes.co.uk

Win a Murton Equestrian Centre fun Pony Petting session involving grooming,
petting and learning about the pony. Followed by a half hour private lesson with the
pony and your own personal instructor. (Children over 2, adults must be under 13
stone).
Question: Which charity do Murton Equestrian Centre support at Christmas wearing
Christmas Jumpers?
www.murtonequestriancentre.co.uk
Any North East Coastal Life reader will receive 10% discount when booking here. Just
mention the mag!

Win two free carvery meals at North Blyth Bar, to be used either on North Blyth Bar
their main Sunday carvery or their Wednesday evening carvery.
Carvery
Question: How many choices of meat do they offer on a Sunday?
(Hint: see their Facebook page)

Win lunch for two (to the value of £12.00) at Cafe One in Cambois.
Question: How many hours a week are Cafe One open?
(Hint: see their advert in this issue)

To be in with a chance of winning, email your answer(s) to us at
[email protected] ensuring that you clearly mark which competition you are
entering. Emails to reach us by the 27th of September

August / September 2018 Page 28

Handmade pasta Local ingredients

Stone baked Gluten free options

pizza Fresh Sunday lunches

seafood

Visit us at 80 Queen Street,
Amble, Northumberland NE65

0DD

Email us
[email protected] Or call

us at +44 (0)1665 711 862

Why not try one of our other venues?

For more information go to boathousefoodgroup.co.uk

Ladies that Lunch

Words and photographs by Julie Hobbs

A long overdue catch up with a couple best crispy crackling ever, lying on a forever watching their weight was my
of friends actually got me to venture bed of homemade Vietnamese pork friend’s GÒI (Vietnamese Salad). She
back to the ‘intu MetroCentre’ at pâté with a salad of cucumber, chose the Prawn & Papaya Salad at
Gateshead after about eight years since pickles, chilli and coriander. As I said 242kcal and it was large enough to
my last visit. the crackling was lovely and crispy share, which she kindly did. Plump king
We chose to visit Bún & ROLL a and the pork just melted in the prawns in a mountain of freshly
Vietnamese Street Food Restaurant. It mouth, oozing taste but then come shredded salad, sliced cabbage, onion,
was very easy to get to, you simply all the other flavours too, the carrot, cucumber, Iceberg lettuce, green
park on floor C of the multi-story car freshest salad, very finely shredded papaya with a little chilli, mint,
park, near to the shopmobility office, and if I thought the dish couldn’t get coriander, and a vinaigrette topped with
walk into the centre and it is directly any better I savoured the amazing crispy fried shallots and roasted nuts.
inside the entrance opposite traditional pork liver pâté. Now I am Such a light but extremely tasty dish
Wetherspoons. a great lover of homemade chicken eaten, with chopsticks.
Having arrived first I decided to get a liver pâté but this has
coffee and foolishly asked the lovely surpassed all but one Over another coffee, iced coffee this
Vietnamese server for an Americano! (my friend Gillian’s pâté) time, we chatted about the menu and
She kindly told me that all their coffee and this is on par with how impressed we were with the fact
beans were specially imported from hers. Very happy with that not only did they highlight the
Vietnam, roasted for them in Yorkshire this dish and even vegetarian options but that seventeen
and freshly ground on site and though it had pâté and items on their menu were gluten free,
suggested a nice strong blend for me. crackling it was still only very refreshing as so many times you
The coffee was so nice I bought a bag 579 kcal! need to ask for these options.
to take home and at less than five CHÀ GIÒ hot spring rolls After a final natter we thought we’d be
pounds I felt I’d got a bargain. were next: These again going but our waiter asked if we would
Sitting at one of the solid wooden are freshly made on site, like another coffee? Maybe try their
tables I took in my surroundings and it consisting of a lovely special Hanoi Egg Coffee, well this
had the look and feel of a streetside light rice pancake rolled sounded interesting so I decided to give
cafe as if I were indeed in Vietnam. The to enclose (in my choice) it a go. I am so very pleased that I did as
menu was very well set out with pork and prawns, other it was outstanding! They take two egg
translations, descriptions and options are chicken or vegetable. I was yolks and make it into a custard type
impressively the calorific values! served two generously sized rolls,
After “the girls” arrived and had their piping hot and slightly crunchy on the mix with condensed milk and then
coffee’s it was time to order: I outside and packed with the same very float that on a double espresso
chose two items, a BÁNH MÌ tasty pork as before but shredded, juicy coffee. It was simply superb, a very
(Vietnamese Baguette) filled with prawns and glass noodles. One bite and sweet topping compliments the
Crackling Belly Pork and CHÀ GIÒ I was hooked. It was accompanied by a strong coffee that follows. It just
(Spring Rolls, hot) filled with Pork little salad garnish and a dish of topped the whole lunch off to
and Prawn. beautifully made dipping sauce. This perfection.
My BÁNH MÌ consisted of a home dish is almost guilt free at only 293 This place will have me going back
baked Vietnamese baguette which kcal! The spring rolls were that nice I to ‘intu MetroCentre’ time and
is both crispy and soft at the same even bought some to take home and time again.
time making it delicious and easy freeze, along with cooking instructions,
to eat. It was jam packed with and even at home when “I” cooked
freshly cooked belly pork and the them they were just as nice.
Another almost guilt free dish for those

August / September 2018 Page 30

An invite from Melanie Words&Photosby
Julie Hobbs

Melanie had invited me to pop to Newcastle’s Ringtons coffee beans and and handcooked crisps. While I waited I
Newbiggin by the Sea and sample lunch at made my lunch choice. noticed that there were couples, ladies
Melanies Tea Room, which I recently did. Everything is homemade at Melanies tea that lunch and families all dining here and
When I arrived at midday I was amazed to Room from Quiches, Sausage Rolls, everyone was served with a smile and a
find it was almost full so early on in the Sandwiches, Jacket Potato’s to a delicious greeting like old friends.
day! I am so glad I had reserved a seat. array of freshly baked cakes, slices, scones Now I absolutely love sausage rolls and my
Access to the tea room would suit all and tray bakes. I even craned my neck to goodness this one was amazing. It was so
abilities with a ramp to the shops
and a very small ramp to get see the most amazing hot waffles with tasty I had to ask Melanie about it
inside. Most of the seating is down heaps of fresh fruit, syrup and ice cream and she said that the sausage
stairs with extra seating on a being delivered to another table (maybe meat came a few steps away from
mezzanine. next time I’m there?) the New Butcher by the Sea two
The decor is wonderful with I chose to have a homemade sausage roll doors down on Front Street. It was
distressed cabinets and antiques with a salad garnish, homemade coleslaw cooked to perfection and served
including a Singer sewing machine with creamy and scrumptious
and a lovely old typewriter, lots of homemade coleslaw, a lovely fresh
prints and nicknacks giving it a garnish and a big portion of hand
smart cottage feel, with hues of cooked crisps. All in all a really
pale blue and grey. New tables and lovely treat for lunch.
chairs make it very comfortable I noticed that they also cater for
and the kitchen area is open plan small private functions and offer
and absolutely spotless. wonderful special Teas: Cream Tea,
They have a lovely drinks menu, Barista Afternoon Tea and High Teas all need to
coffees, teas, milkshakes, frappe’s, be booked 24 hours in advance.
Fentimans soda’s and more, I soon settled As I left this wonderful food emporium I
down with my wonderfully strong, was already choosing what to order next
delicious Americano made from time....

Here at Bun & Roll we cook with passion and love and want to share our & ROLL
food with the world. We are proud to be Vietnamese and to be able to
introduce this amazing healthy and delicious cuisine to North East food Opening Hours
lovers Mon - Fri: 10.30am - 9pm
Sat: 10.30am -8pm
We have researched and studied Vietnamese cuisine by travelling Sun : 11am - 6pm
throughout Vietnam to source the best recipes and ingredients. We pride
ourselves on our home-made ingredients and traditional Vietnamese Last Order 60 Minutes
recipes, made right here in the North East, such as our Bún noodles and before Closing time
the famous Vietnamese Baguette for our amazing Banh Mi.

We import our own teas and coffee from the central highlands of Vietnam,
roasting the coffee here, to ensure they are as fresh and flavourful as they
can be.

All our dishes are authentic Vietnamese, which can be seen on the streets
of any city in Vietnam. The owner and chef team are all Vietnamese
therefore we are best placed to give you a truly unique Vietnamese
experience on your doorstep within the Metro Centre.

Restaurant : 0191 460 6990 - Take Away : 07392947453 - [email protected]
80 Russell Way, Blue Mall, Metro Centre, Gateshead, United Kingdom, NE11 9XX

The Waterford Arms
WordS and Photos by Jade Dale
both served with hefty large onion rings and battered king
Set over looking the Picturesque bay of rustic chunks of brown prawns, unfortunately Dave had to send
seaton sluice is The Waterford Arms. We stottie bread. The this back due to being gluten and wheat
arrived on a Monday evening at 7pm; the mussels were very intolerant. Our server sent the dish back to
restaurant was relatively quiet when we tasty and cooked in the kitchen and within five minutes the
got there. Our hostess Lisa greeted us and garlic and lemon with dish returned without batter. Dave chose
showed us to our table where she offered no spicy kick, this was to accompany his meal with a nice glass of
us drinks, Dave our editor opted for a a pleasant surprise as I shiraz.
glass of Pinot Grigio which was very do not like spicy foods
refreshing and I chose the Gordons Pink and mussels usually After a rest and a chat in the restaurant,
gin and lemonade served over a bed of are. The prawn we opted for dessert’s which were an
ice, this was equally as refreshing and very cocktail had a large amazing ice cream sundae and a melt in
fruity. Lisa then pointed out the gluten helping of prawns with the mouth chocolate brownie served with
free options on the menu for Dave. two king prawns custard.
Although their famous ‘Waterford Whale’ draped over the glass.
dish did not have a gluten free batter
option, but there were many other After being there for approx thirty
available dishes for him. minutes the place started to fill up. The
decor in The Waterford Arms is traditional
pub style mahogany tables, dado rail,
wooden flooring and has many specials
and wine boards hung on the walls, as
well as a fantastic cake stand in the corner
for those to indulge.

For our mains, I chose the peppered Overall we had a lovely evening, Lisa and
chicken which came as two fillets of Callum on the floor were more than
chicken covered in a pepper sauce, served helpful and thanks to Chris the chef for
on a bed of rich, creamy, soft mashed meeting the dietary needs of our editor.
potato alongside seasonal vegetables.
The Waterford are open for Breakfast from
For starters we decided to have the 8am and serve till 8pm in the evening and
mussels and a prawn cocktail, they were is well worth a visit.

Dave opted for the Surf ‘n’ Turf, Sirloin
steak with king prawns and a garlic butter
sauce; served with hand cut chips. The
steak that arrived was huge, it also had

August / September 2018 Page 32

Serving fresh food 6 days a week:

Hot and Cold Drinks

Breakfasts and Breakfast Buns

All Day Brunch

Filled Hot and Cold Sandwiches

(Over 20 fillings)

Salad Trays

Paninis

Jacket Potatoes

Beef or Chicken Burgers

Homebaked Pies & Quiches

Homebaked Cakes

Daily Specials Board

Selection of Crisps, Sweets Outside Catering Service available
and Traybakes Telephone orders welcome
Ice Lollies and Ice Creams

----------------------------
All of our meat is provided by Cowells of Bedlington

and our fresh rolls from Wrights of Bedlington
All meat is cooked on the premises
----------------------------

Cafe One

1 West Bridge Street
Cambois

Northumberland
NE24 1QP

01670 824251

August / September 2018 Page 33

Bamburgh Castle Golf Club has At first glance, the 5,604 yards may followed by the only two par 5's.
nestled on the Northumberland make it seem easy, think again! What follows is a delightful mix of
Coast since 1904. tricky par 4's and interesting par
The quirky 3's. The 8th in particular is a great
layout and tough hole.
links terrain
coupled with The view from the 15th tee is
rocky outcrops simply stunning. On a clear day it
and gorse make feels like you can see the whole of
it a course you Northumberland and way out
will feel you across the sea where Dolphins and
occasionally Whales swim by.

It is situated in an area of should have
outstanding natural beauty beaten but will
between Holy Island, The Farne have to do so next
Islands, the village of Bamburgh time.
and it's castle and the cheviot hills.
It is difficult to find a view that An unusual start
doesn't take your breathe away. sees two
contrasting par 3's

August / September 2018 Page 34

The closing stretch offers for birdie The staff and
chances but beware double bogeys members will
and lost balls await the errant shot. afford you a warm
Northumbrian
2017 saw the start of a programme welcome and will
of bunker alterations and minor expect to see you
course redesign, lead by back, many more
internationally renowned golf times.
course architects Mackenzie and
Ebert. Tom Mackenzie said "you Visitors are
cannot fail to be captivated by the welcome Sunday
beauty and charm of this place. to Friday and for
The course blends into the Open Days. A
landscape and offers a test of limited number of
accuracy and memberships are
imagination. Any
change will need
to be carefully
thought out".

The work the club
plan to do to the
course will
continue 100
years of evolution
and add to what
has attracted
people here year
after year.

Once finished also available.
the golf, and
sight seeing, you For further information ring 01668
can relax in the 214321 or email
quaint [email protected]
clubhouse and

It may pay regular visitors to enjoy a homely
acquaint themselves with the new atmosphere,
bunkers. If they know where they fine food and
are, maybe they can avoid a visit? choice of
libation.

August / September 2018 Page 35

Land of Ice and Fire

Photographer Roger Coan, shares
some spectacular images taken on
a recent trip to Iceland.
Kirkjufell will be a familiar location
to any Game of Thrones fan.
Located on the Snaefellsness
peninsula in NW Iceland.
Photographed early in the morning
before the hordes of tourists arrive
(or any dragons)

Aldeyjarfoss
Stepping off the usual
tourist route and down a
long gravel road we came
to this waterfall.
For about half an hour we
were the only two people
there, perfect.

Harbour at Siglufjordur.
A picturesque harbour in the
northern fjords - another TV
location, this time in the TV
series Trapped.

August / September 2018 Page 36

Hverfjall Hverfjall - a classic tephra ring, this crater was
formed 2700 years ago in a cataclysmic eruption. It is
about 1km across and 452m high. Near Lake Myvatn
in the north of Iceland.

Deittfoss

Sunset at Lake Myvatn. In summer it never Deittifoss - reputed to be the most
gets dark in Iceland and sunsets like this last powerful waterfall in Europe and a
for hours as the sun dips below the horizon very impressive sight.
only to rise again an hour or so later. Probably
the most impressive sky I've ever seen, this
shot was taken at about midnight.

Sunset at Lake Myvatn

Pseudocrater at Lake Myvatn

Diamond Beach - one of www.farhorizonsimages.com Pseudocrater at Lake
the best photographic www.facebook.com/farhorizonsimages/ Myvatn - formed when
locations in the world, a trapped subsurface
black beach in Southern Diamond Beach water boiled and popped
Iceland where Icebergs forming small scoria
big and small are washed cones and craters. In the
up onto the beach. This background is one of the
was a small piece of ice major volcanic
but crystal clear. Others mountains of the area.
the size of a minibus and
even bigger were
scattered across the
beach after flowing out
of a glacial lagoon.

August / September 2018 Page 37

Dome is where the heart of Whitley Bay is

A famous landmark National Lottery
that has been through the Heritage
painstakingly restored Lottery Fund and more
to its former glory has than £2.5m from the
opened its doors to Coastal Communities
the public. Fund. 

The newly restored The new Spanish City
Spanish City in Whitley will be run by Kymel
Bay opened to the Trading as a high-
public in time for the quality fine dining and
school holidays with a leisure venue.
celebratory weekend
of events and The celebratory
activities. weekend saw music
from Backworth Male
North Tyneside Voice Choir as well as
Council has invested traditional seaside fun
around £4m in its including
sympathetic entertainment,
restoration project and fairground rides and
secured grants of live jazz music.
£3.47m from the

August / September 2018 Page 38

Visitors were also “This is something
able to watch films the people of
about the iconic Whitley Bay and
building on a big North Tyneside all
screen. deserve – a high
quality venue that
Elected Mayor we can be proud of
Norma Redfearn and is completely
unveiled a plaque unique.
inside the building
and cut a ribbon at “This is the start of
the main entrance to an exciting new
officially open the chapter in the rich
building. history of this iconic
building and is the
“The new Spanish culmination of years of
City looks absolutely hard work by the council
wonderful and everyone and our partners.”
involved, including our
partners, has done a The building will host fish
fantastic job to produce and chip restaurant
something of the highest Trenchers, the Spanish
standard that we can all City waffle and pancake
be proud of,” she said. “It house, 1910 fine dining
was truly amazing to see restaurant, a champagne
so many people come bar, Valerie’s tearoom,
along and join our and a dedicated function
celebrations to mark such space for weddings,
an historic occasion. parties and corporate
events.
“I know how much this
building means to Spanish City, which is
residents and I want to operated by Kymel
thank everyone for their Trading, is now open for
patience because nobody business – more
knows more than me how information is available at
long we’ve waited for it. www.spanishcity.co.uk

August / September 2018 Page 39

North Blyth Bar Worsdell Institute,
North Blyth,
Carvery Northumberland.
NE24 1SD
Bar: 01670 822012

Carvery Served:

Sunday 12 - 3pm

Wednesday 4.30pm - 7pm

FACFVCOEIASSBRLIPOTLWEOOOCEKRUIEARPKLALSGYE

www.facebook.com/Northblythbar/ @north_blythbrew

August / September 2018 Page 40

New Hope
for Children

Registered Charity No. 1124015

www.newhope4childrenuk.org

In 1999, Richard Sanderson left his Cullercoats home for a 2 week trip to volunteer at a children’s foundation
in Bogota, Colombia. Moved by what he saw at Children’s Vision, he took a 1 year break to spend longer at the
foundation. In 2000, he made the move permanent and in 2002 married founder Jeanene.
In 2008, Richard set up UK charity New Hope for Children to support the work of the foundation which retains
strong links with the North East.
Over the years many teams from the North East have travelled to Bogota to help and Richard travels back here
twice a year to give reports. The foundation provides a free education, nutritional meals, and medical care
for 120 children who live at the foundation and a further 80 who live locally. The foundation takes children
who face the most desperate circumstances, existing on the streets and is helping to break the cycle of
extreme poverty, giving these children a new start in life and hope for the future.
Since establishing the foundation in 1993, Jeanene’s vision has been to have 5 homes, a medical centre and a
school helping the most vulnerable and needy children in Colombia. In 2016 the 4th Children’s home was
added to the medical centre and school bringing the team one step closer to fulfilling the dream. One of the
challenges of a growing family is lack of space: dinners have to be served in 6 sittings and there isn’t an area
indoors where all the children can fit at once. A brand new facility is being built with areas to seat 350 people,
sports facilities and spaces for sewing, cookery tuition etc.

A very kind UK donor has committed to a £60,000 matching grant
with any money raised by October 2018.

We are looking for businesses or individuals to donate towards this.
For any businesses who donate a thank you will be printed in the next issue.

Alternatively you could sponsor a child
to give them something we take for granted–

a hope for the future.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/new-hope-building-project
Sponsorship/BACS details available from our UK co-ordinator:
Christine Hodgson 07538 887305

August / September 2018 Page 41

Craster – Dunstanburgh Castle Walk

Distance: 6 miles Embleton Dunstan
Maps: Explorer 332 Tower Steads
Walking time: 3 hours
Start and Finish point: Craster Quarry car Burn
park. This is a pay and display car park
(Grid ref - NU256197). Toilets and Tourist P
Information Centre present.
Embleton Spitalford Dunstanburgh
Summary Castle
Cemy
The walk starts in the beautiful fishing Scrog Hill
village of Craster, famous for its kippers, Embleton
which are produced by the smoking of Mill
herring. It takes in one of the finest
stretches of coast in the country, passing Dunstan Dunstan The
Dunstanburgh castle and two important Hill Square Heughs
sea bird colonies on your way, which
provide homes for the seabirds Kittiwake, Proctors
Fulmar and Shag (extra time should be Stead
allocated if you wish to visit the castle
ruins). i Craster
You then pass inland and return through
peaceful countryside, passing a limekiln South Craster
and an unusual pillbox made from FM Tower
concrete filled sandbags.
The walk is good under foot but strong P
shoes are recommended.
Go along the lovely green path with the distinctive ‘Kittiwake’ call that gives the
Route Details shoreline on your right. You pass through bird it’s name. Six hundred pairs of these
a small gate and continue on the shore birds breed here annually, making it the
The quarry in which you have parked in path to a kissing gate. Do not bear off to largest sea bird colony in Northumberland.
once produced the hard and durable
quartz-dolerite. This was used for road either the track leading to your right Staying with the coastline you pass
stone. Since its closure it has been or the one sticking to the coast but through a kissing gate on to Dunstanburgh
established as a nature reserve under the instead stay on the main track, which Castle golf course. Bear right at the fork.
care of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust. is leading to the castle. Stick to the path as it goes along the sand
Come out of the quarry car park, by the dunes. As you continue on notice the
Tourist Information building and turn right The castle stands on crags of hard, strange folded rock on the beach a few
heading down to Craster. black rock known as Basalt. This is yards along. It is known as Greymare Rock,
As you reach the harbour bear left and part of the Whin Sill, a great layer of after its shape and colour.
pass in front of the cottages before rock that underlies much of
reaching a gate (Public Footpath sign, Northumberland. The main entrance You then pass a pillbox, which is a small-
Dunstanburgh Castle - 1 ¼). to the castle is to the South and fortified emplacement, made from
consists of two drum towers flanking concrete that was used in the wartime to
an arched gateway. The gatehouse forms protect the coast from the threat of
the keep of the castle. invasion.

After visiting the castle return to the The bay stretching off into the distance is
entrance and turn right immediately and called Embleton Bay. Sir Ivan Sutherland
walk on the path that is on the left of the gave the bay, which includes the golf
castle. As you reach the seashore
again look up to your right at the sea
bird colony. These rocks provide
homes for the seabirds which include
Kittiwake, Fulmar and Shag. These
seabirds, which spend most of the
year feeding in the North Sea, return
to Dunstanburgh each spring to breed.

If you listen closely you may hear the

August / September 2018 Page 42

course, to the National Trust in 1961. continuously topped up with fresh fuel between the farm buildings onto a tarmac
and limestone. The lime had many uses. road, which bears round to your right.
Stick to the path until you reach a second Some of these were to reduce acidity of
pill box, and then as you drop down, turn the soil and improve texture, to mix with After the corner turn left through a gate
left on a track which passes through the sand and water as mortar and to sell to onto a track opposite the houses (Public
golf course leading to a small gate onto the chemical and iron industries. Footpath sign Dunstan 1 ½ miles). Stick to
the road. this track which goes down the right hand
Just as you pass the limekiln notice the
Pass through the gate and pillbox on your right which has been made side of a field next to a hedge,
continue up the road for a short from concrete filled sandbags. until you reach a wooden gate
distance before you turn left. You then drop down to another cattle grid with a public footpath marker
Just before the buildings (Public with a fine view of the castle away to your on it. Pass through it and
Bridleway sign Dunstanburgh left. Pass through the next gate and go continue on the track to another
Square 1 mile) pass through a wooden gate into a grass field
gate. (Public Footpath marker on
gate).
After a short distance turn left
off the road as it doubles back After passing through the gate
on itself, heading for a gate turn half-right across the field
away from the buildings. Pass heading just right of the house
through it and onto a concrete with the red roof tiles. You pass
surfaced road. down to a kissing gate and go
through it, turning left along the
After a while you pass over a road.
cattle grid just before a limekiln
on your left-hand side. Stick to the main road as it bears round to
your left then turn right back into the car
These kiln furnaces were filled up with park.
coal and limestone and a fire would be lit
at the bottom. The lime would then be
drawn out when ready. The kiln would be
kept going non-stop as the kiln was

MURTON EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

Tucked away behind Murton Village is a riding establishment which way back in 1960 was featured on Tyne Tees news, when they opened
the first indoor riding school in the North East.
The news reel footage shows a very young John Craven in the newly built school as vibrant and enthusiastic as he is today, only now a
little older, on the fabulous TV show Countryfile.
A family run business, stable owners Mr & Mrs Sharp handed over the reins to their daughter Leigh Belbin (nee Sharp) in 2004. Leigh now
manages Murton Equestrian Centre with her daughter Charlotte. The stable whilst being very friendly and welcoming also has a great
community spirit about it as so many of the people in the area learnt to ride there.
The local community continue to benefit from the centre as they offer ‘work experience’ for local school leavers, as well as a training
programme for BHS/PC exams to help people step onto the equine career ladder and they also tirelessly raise awareness for charities,
arranging fun ‘open days’ raising funds for MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT and the British Red Cross (helping vulnerable and lonely
adults.) At Christmas time the Murton team are involved with the Text Santa Charity raising funds by horse jumping in Christmas jumpers!
Murton take great pride in welcoming and catering for all abilities, able bodied riders and riders with disabilities. They have achieved praise
for offering a unique programme of horse therapy, using the bond between horse and rider to soothe the soul and spirit! Pony Petting
sessions are very popular and a fun way of introducing the little ones to the joy of ponies and riding. Good therapy for parents and children
alike is brushing and petting the ponies, it seems to induce a calming influence on all involved! These sessions are available on set dates
and are really great value for money!
Murton Equestrian Centre has a lot to offer, from introductory dressage and jumping competitions for their customers and for those with
their own horses to outdoor hacking! They have recently started arranging dog agility classes in a ‘no pressure’ relaxed atmosphere, great
for getting dogs and their owners fit whilst having fun !
So….. get your boots out, relive your childhood dream of riding, or bring the children to have some fun out in the fresh air . You are
assured of a friendly, warm welcome and you will definitely leave with a big smile!

Leigh Belbin, Murton Equestrian Centre, The Bridle, Murton Village, Newcastle NE27 0QD
0191 2571369 [email protected]
North East Coastal Life readers will receive

10% discount on any booking when mentioning the magazine.

DUNCANHR This could be YOUR advert!

To advertise in North East Coastal Life Magazine for
August/September,

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August / September 2018 Page 44

The Crasterfarian to the Colosseum

Part One: Pangus to Pompeii the square, fantastic! We would were armed to the teeth and stood
recommend this hotel to any traveller. under portable gazebos alongside
Words and photographs by Peter It is off the main street and has its their military Iveco panther patrol
Angus own internal plaza that is secure from vehicles, reassuring and sobering in
the outside. The rooms are spacious equal measure as to the world we
Question, how long does it take to get and had quirky vaulted ceilings. now live in.
from Craster to the Colosseum? Vincenzo Bellini square
Sunday
In my particular case it was exactly 50 We sat for the afternoon drinking
years. beers and Aperol spritz whilst being Our first full day, we opted to take the
fed a seemingly endless supply of ferry to Capri and Sorrento, top tip,
I made a decision a long time ago that snacks. don’t do this on a Sunday as we did,
I would love to stand in the Colosseum The one thing that I did find quite the ferry times seem restricted
on my 50th birthday, a strange choice strange was the amount of soldiers on meaning we literally had one hour in
you may think, but as a true the streets, in particular in squares or Capri and 40 mins in Sorrento, enough
Northumbrian and having a love of all around religious monuments. They time for a pint and that’s about it! I
things historical, in particular Roman will return to Capri as it is stunning
history, it seemed a natural choice. and I’d love to explore the blue caves
on a boat trip. I’m an old Craster sea
I started planning my trip earlier this dog so love being on the water. We
year and, having never been to Italy skimmed over the water on the jetfoil
before, decided that Pompeii would while supping beer we bought for 5
also be a good one to tick off the old euro and looking at the ominous
bucket list. shape of Vesuvius

Booking flights with Jet 2 from Monday
Edinburgh and returning with Ryan Air
meant their flight times gave us an On the Monday we took a trip to
extra day. Pompeii. There are a number of ways
to get there but we decided to take
We arrived into Naples at around
lunchtime and hopped in a taxi to Entering Capri harbour
head to our hotel, The Piazza Bellini, in
the historical quarter of the city. I was
NOT prepared for the taxi ride! The
driver asked me if I needed anything
else before we set off, I wish I’d opted
for a blindfold! My right foot was
tapping onto the invisible brake in the
passenger foot well like Michael
Flatley in the final throes of
Riverdance. It would seem there are
no rules, Highway Code, junctions or
traffic lights and driving on the wrong
side of the road is completely normal
to the Napoli taxi fraternity!

The hotel was just up from Vincenzo
Bellini square in Napoli and we
headed straight out to take in the
Italian café/bar culture. Loving all
things Roman, there is what looks like
the foundation of an aqueduct within

August / September 2018 Page 45

ferocious recommend that you take a guide so
eruption. The you don’t miss anything of importance.
column grew to We walked through the town square
over 30 miles high marvelling at the white marble floor, a
until it was unable large portion of which was stolen.
to support itself, There is the temple of Jupiter and
collapsing into a Apollo at the top and the forum at the
pyroclastic flow bottom. Another thing not to miss is
that entombed the bath house which is virtually
Pompeii under at complete. They may be stopping
least 8 meters of people walking through this building in
pumice. Nearby the not too distant future as the
Herculaneum was mosaic floors are suffering from the
also buried to a 3,000,000 annual visitors so if you
depth of 23 want to see this amazing place please
meters. do so soon.

We can’t even The ‘Beware the dog’ mosaic, at the
entrance to one of the houses, was
begin to imagine really worth a look at and no trip to an
old sea port like Pompeii would be
the terror and complete without a trip to the
knocking shop, which, I need to warn
panic of the you, contains some quite graphic
frescos of ‘services’ rendered. There is
people in the also sometimes a huge queue for this
too but we were fortunate that it
town, many wasn’t too busy. I’ll spare you the
photographs.
thousands

perished as the

the coach from near the ferry port in 300 deg centigrade pyroclastic flow
Napoli, it was 15 euro each for the
trip. The bus is an official bus and had descended on the people of Pompeii.
headphones with language choices so
you could get interesting snippets of The town was basically wiped from
information during your trip. It took
roughly 45 mins to get to the site of the face of the earth. It was an
Pompeii. Pompeii is 15 euro each to
enter, we hit really lucky as there was extraordinarily wealthy town and
no queue when we arrived, within 15
mins the queue was snaking its way sadly some Beware of the dog
back down the road! Top tip, make of its
sure you take a hat, sunblock and
some water with you into Pompeii, it’s treasure
very exposed and you will burn and
dehydrate very quickly. Pompeii is has been
quite simply stunning; it’s basically a
macabre snapshot, frozen in time, of plundered
Roman life in 79 AD. On the 24th of
August 79 AD at 1pm in the afternoon over the
Vesuvius literally exploded. The
mountain is now several hundred years.
meters shorter than it was at the start
of that fateful day. The huge volcanic We took a
event ejected 1.5 million tonnes of guided tour
volcanic material per second during its at 15 euros
each (there
is definitely
a pricing
structure
forming
here) and
we would

August / September 2018 Page 46

Peter & Kate in Pompeii when I enter an the previous day that the museum of
amphitheatre, it antiquities in Naples contained many
of the finds from Pompeii so we
translates to thought we would have a look around
there before we travelled up to Rome.
‘those of us about
Top tip, the museum of Antiquities in
to die, we salute Naples is closed on a Tuesday …so…
disappointed not to complete our
you’. We left on Pompeian odyssey we headed to
Garibaldi station to make our transfer
the return bus at to Rome.

about 4.20pm, Top tip... if travelling by rail in Italy,
look around when you get in the
we’d been in station, there are several train
companies offering services. We
Pompeii for 4 missed that and I bought from the first
machine I could find. There was a very
hours, I could helpful employee of the railway
company stood by the machine who
easily have spent spoke better English than me. The
next train was about an hour but
another 4 hours there were no standard class tickets
left, only first class. I opted for that,
there, but having well, you’re only 50 once. it turned
out to be quite expensive at 118 Euro
The tour also takes in some of the walked almost five miles around, it for the two of us, but at least we’d be
on our way. Normal ticket prices from
houses of Pompeii including ones with was time for a beer and a Strega! Napoli to Roma are around 20-30
euros each. The train we travelled on
almost complete mosaic floors and (local liqueur) was a high speed connection and soon
we were clattering through the Italian
countryside at 300km/h. We reached
Rome in less than 1 hour!

For part two of this trip please see
our next issue (October/November)

those that still have plaster and We ate out every night in Napoli, the
frescos on the walls. food is good and there
are many restaurants to
After the tour was completed, we choose from ranging
spent the next couple of hours just from street vendors to
wandering around the remains. We fine dining, there are
took the 1km walk down to the prices to suit every
virtually complete amphitheatre; it’s pocket.
worth the walk down the streets.
There is literally something to see Tuesday
every step of the way and at the end
you get to walk into the arena just as Our last morning in
the competitors, animals’ slaves and Naples, we had been
gladiators would have. I always mutter told by the tour guide
‘Ave imperator moritiri te salutant’
August / September 2018 Page 47

Skoda Fabia Estate Car Review

Words & Photos by Dave Roberts

It’s a small world in the motor being introduced to Ian, the sales touch screen display with all your
trade. After nearly 20 years, I manager who also has 21 years necessary in car entertainment,
bumped into a friendly face (Jimmy experience in the trade, I already DAB radio, Bluetooth and USB
Fish, the service advisor) at Silbury felt like I was
Skoda in Cramlington where I had being looked
the pleasure of reviewing the after from their
Skoda Fabia Estate SE. Starting 13 vast wealth of
years ago near the forum in experience.
Cramlington, Silbury Skoda has
now been at its current site for 10 The Fabia Estate
years, just off the A19 next to the SE comes with
Willow Farm public house. After 15 inch alloy

wheels, two connectivity; it is very user friendly.
tone paint, roof The 110BHP TSI petrol engine is
rails, rear very responsive, combined with a
parking sensors, six speed gear box; this makes
air conditioning cruising down the motorway very
and a 6.5 inch enjoyable with minimum road

August / September 2018 Page 48

interior trim is
modern as well as
practical.

noise. The interior was spacious This would make an
and comfortable with plenty of ideal car for a
steering wheel and seat medium sized family.
adjustments to suit everyone. The With three models to
one thing that really impressed me choose from: the
was the large boot area which is a entry level S, the SE
very usable space with it being nice and the SE-L. I would
and square. The black and grey opt for the mid range SE
model based on the value for
money. For more information
on this and other Skoda
models, do not hesitate to
contact Silbury Skoda
directly.

August / September 2018 Page 49

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August / September 2018 Page 50