The Olympics torch relay will be coming through Newbigggin by the Sea on Friday 15th June as part of the 70 day tour before the Olympics start. In order to plan for this auspicious event and the busy summer diary, Newbiggin Town Council is hosting a planning event on Wednesday 18th January at 7pm in the Sports and Community Centre, the council very much hope that you can join them.  Please pass the message on as everyone is welcome.

Please bring ideas and enthusiasm. They'll provide the activities, tea and biscuits.

For more information or to find contact details for Newbiggin Town Council please visit their website at: http://www.newbiggintowncouncil.gov.uk

If you had a problem, wanted to start a campaign or had a really good idea on how something could be done better in your area would you know how to contact the people who make decisions on a county level who could help you make the changes you would like to see?

If you are interested in finding out how to have your voice heard or how you can represent your group more effectively then come along to:
The Corn Exchange, Morpeth Town Hall
Market Square, Morpeth, NE61 1LZ
on Thursday 28 July, 6pm – 8pm
and find out:

The first Ashington Community Gala Day is to take place on 17 July 2011, from 11:00 to 5:00pm, bringing together a mixture of live music and arts performance, sporting competition, fairground rides, street stalls and also the first Farmers Market to be held in Ashington.

What’s Your Destination is the new government website providing links to charities with opportunities for young people. 

The site will include links to a range of opportunities for young people, including jobs, work experience, apprenticeships, higher education and volunteering.The volunteering section of the site will provide a list of links to the websites of charities that work with young volunteers.

East Bedlington Parish Council is developing their Parish Plan.  Consultation will start with two launch events one at Cambois Community Welfare on Thursday 31^st March starting at 6:30pm and another at Bedlington Station Residents Building on Tuesday 5^th April starting at 6:30pm. This will provide an opportunity for local people to have a real say in the future development of the Parish.

East Bedlington Parish Council has commissioned Wansbeck Centre for Voluntary Service to carry out this work with their constituents.  To support this process a questionnaire will also be delivered to all residential properties in the East Bedlington and Sleekburn wards. 

Focus group meetings will take place around the district throughout April and May to encourage as many people as possible to take part in the process.

VONNE is looking for the stars of the sector!

The awards are open to any North East based charity, social enterprise, voluntary or community group. Each year a ceremony is held to celebrate the work done by volunteers, charities and community groups across the region
 

Do you know a North East charity, organisation or person that deserves an award for the amazing work they do?

2011 sees the return of the successful Voluntary and Community Sector Awards for the North East. The awards are designed to recognise the work of individuals and organisations from the voluntary and community sector across the region, in helping to develop and create thriving communities.

We all know of organisations and people who do fantastic work, whether they provide a local gardening scheme or a region-wide training service, daycare for the elderly, or advocacy and support. It doesn’t matter whether they work in a specific neighbourhood or across the whole region, there is an award designed to recognise and celebrate what they contribute to the community.

To make a nomination you need to tell us the story of why you think they deserve it - we don’t need lots of words we just want to know what have they done and what has the impact been.

The Localism Bill is currently making its way through Parliament. The Bill had its first reading in the House of Commons last month, and its second reading will take place on Monday 17 January 2011. Soon after that, the Bill will enter the Committee Stage.

The Bill proposes new rights for local charities and community groups. It is hoped that these rights will make it easier for a local charity to take over an unused building or to bid to take over a failing local service.

New Skills Consulting, on behalf of VONNE, are undertaking a short survey to identify the future support needs and priorities for VCS organisations in the coming year (2011/2012).

VONNE would be grateful if you could take five minutes of your time to complete the attached questionnaire and submit it to New Skills by 5pm on Friday 11th February.

Please click on this link, or copy the address into your web browser http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VCSFutureSupportNeeds