The Ashington Community Development Trust would like to invite you for a "cuppa in the park".

We have opened a coffee shop in the Hirst park, we sell Teas and Coffees, soft drinks and sweets . So if you are visiting the park why not sit and enjoy a cuppa. Our vountees will be pleased to meet you and have a chat.

We can serve a smile and a cuppa, but sorry we can not serve the sun shine.

Newbiggin Sprint Triathlon is traditionally the North East Regions final open water triathlon of the season set in the lovely Northumbria coastal town, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, approximately 14 miles North of Newcastle uponTyne. This year, British Triathlon awarded the race a prestigious major event, an ETU European Championship Qualifying for Eilat, Israel in April 2012. Hopeful athletes from all over the UK will arrive on the weekend attempting to grab one of those precious slots on offer.

Sent in by Caroline Ball

Bad Apples North East are a community interest company based in Ashington offering music projects. On Sunday 31st of July we are having an "It's a Knockout" competition and family fun day at the Hirst Welfare Centre from 11am-3pm.

The teams competing are all raising sponsor money to enable Bad Apples North East to work with more young people in the area and offer more workshops.

Staff from Barclays Ashington, Revolution Bar Sunderland and a team of dancers are all competing against other local companies and our three Bad Apples teams made up of supporters and young people stepping up to the challenge.

A coffee morning on August the 6th, at Trinity Church, will enable the members of Ashington U.3.a to meet the public. There will be publicity boards and photographs showing the members enjoying the activities that their groups have to offer.

The kettle will be boiled and the cake stall ready at 9.00 until 12 noon. All are welcome!!!

Families in South East Northumberland have been set the challenge of completing a short distance run along Newbiggin Promenade as part of the London 2012 Open Weekend supported by BP - a series of sporting and cultural events taking place across the UK which will see hundreds of thousands of people participating in events to celebrate the 'One Year to Go' countdown to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

A group of adults from Northumberland have completed an introductory Triathlon course aimed at newcomers to the sport.

The scheme, branded as 'Try a Tri' has been established by England Triathlon for men and women of all ages and backgrounds. In Northumberland, the programme has been organised by Blyth Valley Arts & Leisure in partnership with Tri Northumberland and England Triathlon.

A graduate will be promoting her profession while raising money for charity at the Ashington Street Fair.

Julie Carr has just finished a speech and language therapy degree at Newcastle University and is now involved in the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapist's Giving Voice campaign, to raise awareness of the profession.

While at the street fair on Sunday June 26 and Sunday July 17, she will also be raising money for the North East Trust for Aphasia, which supports people with communication difficulties following a stroke.

On the weekend of August 19th, Northumbrian music fans will welcome their biggest and, some say, best, music festival so far, when 'Rec Fest' arrives at the Recreation Ground, home of Ashington Rugby Club.

The festival will be raising funds for Teenage Cancer Trust, in particular the Teenage Unit at Newcastle-upon-Tyne's RVI.

With three stages, and over fifty acts playing over three days, it will be a celebration of both emerging North East talent, and also a showcase of touring bands from up and down the country. The music will range from the over-the-top antics of Manchester's glam/punk outfit, 'The Bad Taste Barbies,' and Scotland's top Judas Priest tribute act, 'Junior Priest,' on the Friday night, to Saturday's Rock versus Reggae day, headlined by Edinburgh's 'BombSkare' - twenty bands of both genres will play over the course of the day. Sunday will feature a string of indie bands, many of whom - 'Vinyl Jacket,' 'The Watchers,' and local lads, 'Grandfather Birds' - having recently been featured on national radio. In contrast, the weekend will also bring its fair share of acoustic and folk acts to the stages, including Alnwick's 'We Steal Flyers,' and a number of guest solo spots.

Stalls spaces are still available for the event - a donation to Teenage Cancer Trust is required - and can be booked by contacting Tony Eastlake of Guerilla Promotions on 07803026503.

Ticket prices range from £5 for the Friday evening, to £20 for the full weekend. However, there are currently a limited number of 'early-bird' tickets available at the discounted price of £17.50 from http://www.wegottickets.com/

For further information and updates, you can join the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=195517710468683

Sent in by Ashington Town Council

Residents are reminded that the annual Ashington Town Assembly, hosted by Ashington Town Council, is taking place on Monday May 23 at 7pm in the Bothal Suite at Ashington Leisure Centre.

As well as offering local residents the opportunity to raise and discuss any issues relevant to Ashington, there will also be short guest presentations on the Ashington Community Woods Project, and the important local work of the Credit Union for South East Northumberland and the Wansbeck Centre for Voluntary Service.

All local residents are warmly invited to attend; further details are available from the Town Council clerk, Mike Slaughter (Tel: 843474).

Easter launch for 'Friends' group

The newly-formed 'Friends of Hirst Park' group is combining its formal launch with an Easter school holidays activities event on Wednesday April 20th.

Councillor John McCormack the Mayor of Ashington, will be opening the event at 11am in Hirst Park.

The Northumberland Play Team has been called in to help organise an event along the lines of on 'Alice in Northumberland' day when there will be an Easter Egg hunt around the Park, with loads more activities for youngsters to enjoy.

All the proceeds made on the day will go toward supporting 'Friends of Hirst Park' which has been set up to give local people of all ages the chance to become involved in running the Park and developing activities there.

Next Wednesday's event is open for anyone to attend and will run from 11am until 3pm.