National showcase for north east newcomers

The third Newcastle Gateshead Art Fair will feature an initiative aimed at helping emerging young artists from the North East.
It takes place at The Sage Gateshead from October 2-4 when 15 northern artists will have stands next to work from all over the world.
Supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and following the [...]

British Steam Car on course for world record

Britain’s speed record hall of fame is ready to add another name to its list.

After numerous technical problems the British Steam Car team has carried out four successful runs ahead of its bid to break the century-old world land speed record for steam-powered vehicles.
The 25ft-long British Steam Car dubbed “the fastest kettle in the world” [...]

Father and son develop film careers

A fledgling creative media company in Northumberland is tasting commercial success with the production of a series of promotional films for businesses and music videos for local bands.
With support from Northumberland Business Service Ltd (NBSL), father and son partnership Ian and Matthew Brown have joined forces to create Flashlight Films, combining experience to develop their [...]

Birds of Conservation Concern

The latest assessment of the status of all of the UK’s 246 regularly occurring birds – Birds of Conservation Concern 3 – shows 52 are now of the highest conservation concern and have been placed on the ‘red list’.
The revised red list now includes even more familiar countryside birds, including the cuckoo, lapwing and yellow [...]

First close-up of Kielder’s osprey chicks

The first osprey chicks to be born in Northumberland for at least two hundred years are fighting fit and getting ready for take-off!
A team of experts from the Forestry Commission paid an early morning visit to the remote nest in 62,000-hectare (155,000-acre) Kielder Water & Forest Park to ring the youngsters and take down their [...]

Growing appeal in the garden

Gardening has never been so popular.
The number of people growing their own has gone through the roof this year and that’s meant even longer lists for those waiting to take on an allotment.
If you are lucky enough to have your own already, or are about to get one, a new offering from the National Trust, [...]

Be friendly to bees

Bumblebees and honeybees keep our countryside alive and beautiful, and ensure we can harvest our grain, seeds, fruit and nuts.

Without them it would be a very bleak world indeed.  Climate change, intensive farming practices and disease epidemics have made times tough for our native bee populations and they need all the help they can get [...]

Apple’s iPhone just got better

Apple has unveiled its new iPhone 3G S, hailed as the fastest, most powerful yet and packed with incredible new features that improve speed and performance.

It’s up to twice as fast as iPhone 3G with longer battery life, a high-quality 3 megapixel autofocus camera, easy to use video recording and hands free voice control.
iPhone 3G [...]

Spending boost for tourism industry

A NEW COST of living suggests that the economic outlook for the average household may not be quite as bad as we think.
In advance of Wednesday’s budget, The study from uSwitch.com reveals that despite soaring food and utility bills, the average UK household is £483 better off compared to 2007 with disposable income rising by [...]

Weather The Recession: Go To Work In The Garden

ONCE A HAVEN of relaxation and pleasure, gardens are turning into hives of activity as people all over the UK go to work in the garden.
As the recession points Britain towards a new way of living, people want much more from their green spaces. These days, in addition to a lawn, shrubs and flowers, [...]