By Conservation Officer Kevin O'Hara

Recently, I came home to find the beautiful, mature whitebeam outside my home was missing. I felt utterly devastated.

Despite my frequent grumbling about masses of fallen leaves, trails of squashed berries on carpets, bird muck forcing a weekly wash of the car, I really loved that tree.

Trees are major capital assets in cities across the UK. In particular, big trees are critical. We cannot replace them in our lifetimes.

There is a current loss of urban trees by stealth. Many were planted when there was little asphalt or underground servicing to consider and in many cases the forest species selected are reaching the end of their term.

Often the poor health of the tree and the perceived risk results in its total loss. This disease may be caused after damage to the trunk from vehicles or to roots from underground cable installation.

Occasionally urban trees fall over and cause an accident, but compare this to other accidents that occur in urban areas to put this into real perspective. In fact, the environmental damage accrued by the loss outweighs the risk.

There are obvious wildlife benefits of trees for shelter, nesting, living space and as a green corridor for moving around an urban environment but there are real, measurable benefits to human inhabitants.

Shelter offered by a tree reduces heating and cooling costs of a house by 10%.
Pollution control - they produce oxygen and lock up carbon during their growth cycle.
Reduces risk of skin cancer.
Intercepts rainfall and runoff.
Reduces windiness and noise.

One of the primary reasons for planting trees in the city remain aesthetic. Otherwise ugly areas can be transformed by the introduction of several species of trees, especially natives. Tree-lined streets and green spaces have been shown to have positive psychological benefits including lower rates of mental illness, violence and crime.

Trees have a tremendous symbolic value, humanising the city by acknowledging our affinity for the natural world. They provide a focus for community participation and act as "green magnets", attracting businesses and employees into an area.

Luckily, my moaning to the council meant a replacement rowan tree was planted. But it will be some time before it provides much benefit for my local wildlife, or blocks my view of the neighbours. If only it had been planted earlier.

It has been another really busy week in the constituency. I have had meetings with scores of constituents regarding a range of issues and concerns and I have also met with numerous local businesses and organisations.
This culminated on Saturday when I visited and officially opened a new community hub in Bedlington, The Lodge, which is based at the main entrance of St Benet Biscop High School. The Lodge will be open to students, families and the local community and will offer a myriad of activities and workshops for the whole community of all ages.

This project took two years of planning and fundraising more than £130,000. I was extremely impressed with the facility and the desire and drive of those involved who are determined to ensure that The Lodge can be enjoyed by the whole community. I congratulate everyone involved and wish them every success in the future.

I listened to Nick Clegg's speech to the Lib Dem party conference and despite his rhetoric the reality is that actions speak louder than words and people will not be fooled by him. He sought votes pledging to fight savage Tory cuts and then joined a Tory-led Government days later and backs cuts that go too far too fast. He has broken a list of promises from tuition fees to the VAT rise.

Successive reports and economic forecasts are deeply concerning for us here in the UK and also the world economy. Surely it is about time that the Chancellor realised we need more people in work to really get the deficits down.

Here in Wansbeck and throughout the UK, families and businesses want to see action now, they want see action to get the economy growing and get people back to work. We need a real plan for jobs and growth in Wansbeck, in Britain and around the world, and we need it quickly.

By Conservation Officer Kevin O'Hara

Noisy and gregarious, the house sparrow is probably the most well-known urban bird.

They are real opportunists, but are now struggling to survive in the UK, along with many other once-common birds. Their recent declines have earned them a place on the UK Red List.

It was another extremely busy week in the constituency with a range of meetings with local organisations, businesses and constituents.

I spent the best of five hours visiting the Wansbeck General Hospital.

During my visit I had the opportunity to meet and discuss a range of issues with patients, staff, members of the executive management team and representatives of the trades unions at the hospital, which included UNISON and the Royal College of Midwives.

By Conservation Officer Kevin O'Hara

I read earlier that apparently a leading shark expert reckons it is possible for great white sharks to be present in British waters.

Indeed the closest verified great white shark was captured off La Rochelle, western France, a mere 200 miles south of the UK. However, because of its globally- threatened status, this is very unlikely as there are so few left anywhere.

Declines are more than 50% in some species in just a few recent years throughout the North Atlantic.

It has been extremely busy in the constituency with a range of meetings with local organisations, businesses and constituents.

I spent the best of five hours visiting the Wansbeck General Hospital. During my visit I had the opportunity to meet and discuss a number of issues with patients, staff, members of the executive management team and representatives of the trades unions at the hospital, which included Unison and the Royal College of Midwives.

The Wansbeck Disability Forum is starting its outreach sessions in the Stakeford and Choppington area.

The Stakeford and Choppington Parish Council will be hosting the drop-in sessions and are backing the WDF on the Disability Hate Crime project.

By Conservation Officer Kevin O'Hara

There are many changes afoot at the minute among our wildlife. It can be a time of great excitement, or even heartbreak as all the effort comes to nothing, but one thing for certain is that it's never dull.

The dreaded mother-in-law said the other week: "There are no birds in me garden and I've seen that blasted hawk about again."

Quick as a flash I said: "Well he mustn't have eaten them all because he's still hanging around." There was no reply, just "the look".