Welcome to our summer edition of Citylife, and what an exciting time this is for Newcastle.
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Not only have we had the opening of the fabulous Great North Museum, but now we have a brand new state-of-the-art library. City Library opened its doors on 7 June. The building is very impressive with great views of the city. There is a lovely new café, loads of new books, CDs, DVDs, and talking books. My favourite bit is the new machine that automatically sorts your books when you bring them back.
I had an interesting trip out last month to go and see the Walker Challenge exhibition. You can still buy artwork from the exhibition and I have my eye on a beautiful “Dragon’s Walk” photograph.
Last month we asked you for your comments on Citylife and we had 795 replies. We’ll let you know the results in the September to October issue. Quite a few people asked for a poetry section, so this month we have asked local poet Simma to write an article for us. .
In this issue we have lots of summer activities. There really is something for everyone, so get out and enjoy the summer. Unfortunately I will be missing out. I will be leaving the North East at the end of July to go and live in the Czech Republic. So I bid you “na shledanou” and thanks for reading!
You can see this edition of Citylife in pdf format here.
Nadine Aston and the Citylife team
News
Theatre Royal Youth Performance FestivalThe TRY Festival is the Theatre Royal’s brand new Youth Performance Festival. The festival includes a week of workshops with devising and performance opportunities on 27 July to 1 August.
Getting active in NewcastleAre you in a team or club that involves physical activity in any way? Let us know about it through www.activenewcastle.co.uk and we will gladly promote what you do to people living and working in Newcastle.
A taste of the North East for MoldovaA group of officials from Moldova visited our region as part of a study trip from Moldova’s Ministry of Local Public Administration.
North East’s biggest ever Gay Pride festival is hereA colourful festival of over 5,000 people will bring a Mardi Gras atmosphere to Newcastle. The annual celebration of all things gay returns to the North East in July. With everything from picnics and parades to art showings and comedy, it promises to be a fun and diverse celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities.
City Library opensNewcastle’s state-of-the-art City Library opened its doors for the first time on Sunday 7 June.
Help for young peopleYoung people in Newcastle who are arrested for alcohol related incidents will get help in a new pilot scheme being run in the city.
Welcome to our new Lord MayorLast month the city welcomed Councillor Mike Cookson as the next Lord Mayor of Newcastle. Councillor Cookson represents the East Gosforth area. He will be supported by his wife Dorrie who became the city’s new Lady Mayoress, and Fawdon councillor, Brenda Hindmarsh, who became the next Sheriff of Newcastle
Features
Summer fun - Keep on bouncing 2009Did you know that this year ‘Keep on bouncing’ is bigger and better than ever?
Do you look after someone? Read on...Carers and voluntary groups helped to produce our new booklet ‘Do you look after someone?’ You can find out about carer’s assessments, where to get benefit advice and help, and planning for emergencies. There’s also a directory of useful contact details.
Our computers have character – Urdu, Punjabi, Chinese, Arabic and many more.You can use the Global Writer email package on the computers at some of our customer service centres (CSCs) and libraries.
Summer fun - Show racism the red cardShow racism the red card are hosting a free family fun day on Saturday 11 July.
Summer fun for familiesPlaces to go and things to do
Helping visually impaired people into workNewcastle's first ever conference aimed at helping people with sight problems find work took place recently.
Simple pleasures in the sunshine – by SimmaSimma is a Newcastle poet who's told us about his view of summer and written us a special poem.
Summer fun - Join the Quest at Newcastle LibrariesAre you brave enough to become a Quest Seeker?
Challenging Walker with the Dragon’s Walk Walker Challenge offers lots of opportunities to people using mental health services in the east end of Newcastle.
Information for AllIn the last issue of Citylife we told you about our new policy called “Information for All”. We promise to provide information to you in a range of formats depending on what you need.
Kevin goes from strength to strengthKevin Pringle has taken advantage of many opportunities that he’s been given and now he earns a wage for his work. And this is despite having disabilities including learning and physical disabilities and problems with his communication.
Customer Service ExcellenceWe want to know if we are doing our jobs well and how we can make things better for our customers. The new Customer Service Excellence (CSE) standard helps us do this.
Thanks to Care at Home TeamA West Denton family has thanked our care at home staff for the support they received during their mum’s illness.
We’re over the moon that you’re happyOur switchboard and contact centre staff are over the moon with their latest customer satisfaction results.
Bonfires - It’s best not to light themAt this time of year we always get complaints about bonfires. More and more people are burning their rubbish because it’s a cheap way of getting rid of it.
Ditch the car and choose Option C!We have teamed up with Option C’s Newcastle Car Club to launch an innovative new alternative to owning your own car.
Summer fun - Make a summer resolution with Newcastle LeisureWhether the sun shines or the rain pours, this summer can see every member of the family getting active. Newcastle Leisure centres have indoor and outdoor activities for children and grown-ups.
Summer fun - Summer activities in the museumsCelebrate 75 years of the Discovery Museum and get creative at the Laing.
Pets’ Corner gets a face lift!Pets’ Corner is one of Jesmond Dene’s best loved features, attracting families from all over the city to come and look at the animals.
Newcastle’s housing strategy is being refreshedOur city’s plan for the future of its homes is being dusted down.
Residents choose Riverside DeneRiverside Dene was the overwhelming choice in a community vote for a new name for Cruddas Park.
Summer fun - Sunday in the park with…anyone you likeIf you go to your local park on Sunday between 2 and 4pm this summer, you may find yourself listening to a brass band, in the middle of a ceildh, rocking along to a 50s and 60s group or watching your children be enthralled by an entertainer.
More summer funLearn heritage skills, go to the Walker Family Fun Day or let the Ouseburn Explorer take you for an expedition
Don’t know how to make ends meet? Get expert help – free!Money advice for the over 50s
Regulars
Everyone's tomorrowFind out about Older People's Day, Knitted Lives and free swimming for people over 60.
our NewcastleFind out how you can help the environment
Everyone needs good neighbours and we’d like to hear about yoursNews from Your Homes Newcastle
News from Newcastle Primary Care TrustThink about using your pharmacy first, your views are needed on alcohol and a new planned health centre and advice about swineflu,
Do you benefit?Are you self employed or thinking about starting your own business? You may get help from the benefits system.
News from Bridging Newcastle GatesheadBridging NewcastleGateshead explains what's happening in the East End and West End of the city. They're also setting up a resident's panel.
Competition winners from April to May issue.Find out who won what from the April to May issue of Citylife
Community News
Community newsFriends of Leazes Park, Lemington Riverside Centenary Celebration, The Stroke Association charity bike ride, Sing for Water, A big thank you from Heaton Grove, a Deaf group makes a Change4Life, running for charity, Henshaw’s charity golf, Graingertown Neighbourhood Watch, help the Newcastle cat and dog shelters, pictures of the west end,
Every Child Matters
City schools are top of the classA government minister has written to schools across Newcastle to tell them they’re top of the class.
Increase in the free entitlement to early education to fifteen hours a weekAs part of the Government’s commitment to young children the offer for all three and four year olds will be increasing from 12.5 hours to 15 hours of free early education per week for at least 38 weeks a year.
Youth clubs on wheels rolled outWe’re rolling out a young people’s service with a difference – youth clubs on wheels!
New challenge for Executive Director of Children’s ServicesCatherine Fitt, our Executive Director of Children’s Services (pictured right), is leaving us to head up the national programme of training for Children’s Services Directors announced in Lord Laming’s recent review of national Children’s Services.
The Bridges – helping children get better in every wayThe Bridges School makes sure children unable to attend school due to physical or mental ill health don’t miss out on their education. It has been rated “outstanding” - the highest possible rating - by inspectors Ofsted.