In Accord was founded over five years ago by a small group of people who just wanted to sing for pleasure. We now have over 30 members and perform two concerts each year for charity and a special concert for our patrons with afternoon tea.

In Accord is a friendly family of enthusiastic singers of mixed ability, background and age and we are always looking for new members who wish to sing for pleasure.

If you are interested, we rehearse at 7:30pm on Sunday evenings at the Baptist Church in Howard Street, North Shields. You can find more about patronage or membership by emailing rob@in-accord.org.uk or by visiting our website www.in-accord.org.uk.

The choir enjoys singing to our guests at the concerts and as a bonus we are able to give any profit to charity. Over the last five years we have donated over £6,000 to a variety of local charities.

Our next event is a concert to celebrate 150 years of Thomas Barnardo’s work. ‘Over the Rainbow’ is on Saturday 23rd April at 6pm in North Shields Methodist Church in Hawkeys Lane, North Shields. We will be joined by the children of St Bernadette’s school choir who will be presenting a number of musical items and also telling the story of Thomas Barnardo. Tickets at £7 to include refreshments are available on the evening or by ringing 0191 257 1907.

 

The Annual Craft Fair will be held once again in St Andrew’s Church on Eastfield Avenue in Monkseaton on Saturday 19th March 2016.

This event marks the start of springtime, with the hope that the English weather behaves. There will be around 18 stalls, with a wide and interesting variety of local crafts including St Andrew’s well-known Cake Stall.

The event is a real showcase for the many talented ‘crafters’ in the area and this year there will be St Andrew’s own Craft Stall, run by a group that meets on Monday mornings, in the Church. They will be working on all sorts of crafts, many of which will be on sale at this ‘new’ stall. Visitors will also find cards, jewellery, handmade soaps, Easter gifts, etc.

St Andrew’s Café will be running alongside the fair, with coffee, tea and light lunches available, including the popular St Andrew’s homemade soup.

Do come along and browse and buy, have lunch and take the opportunity to meet up with old friends and perhaps make some new ones.

All are welcome on Saturday 19th March, doors open at 10am until the fair closes at 2.30pm.

by Heather Carr

 

Changing Lives is a national charity which works with over 6,000 people every month. We help people who are homeless, recovering from addiction or are moving on from offending to make positive, long-term changes in their lives.

We have dedicated outreach teams based in the North East who are out and about every morning at 6am helping vulnerable people on our streets. Our staff help people who need us to access everything from health services and housing advice to reconnecting with family.

We also have a day centre in Newcastle which can help anyone with a housing or homelessness need. Our centre can help with everything from the basics – a hot meal or shower –through to support to access benefits or housing advice.

Whilst most of us will be enjoying the Christmas season, our staff will be working tirelessly to help people living on the streets and in danger, guiding them to safety and help. This is the first step in their route to a happier life.

To find out more about how you can support Changing Lives, please visit www.changing-lives.org.uk or call 0191 273 88 91.

by Lyndsey Spark

 

Have a great time enjoying the craic by joining the jiggers at Marden Residents Club! The Club has helped raise thousands of pounds for local people who are suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, helping them to have some ease in their daily lives. Why not come along – it’s a great night out…

Join us at 7pm on Saturday 21st November at Marden Resident’s Club to enjoy a superb Ceilidh dance evening. There will be authentic music from The Pride of Erin Ceilidh Band plus a great caller for easy fun dances, as well as a fabulous display from the captivating Inchigeelagh O’Gorman Academy of Irish Dance.

Take part in the excellent fun and bid a few bob for a bargain in the auction. On top of all that, savour a delicious taste of Irish Stew from Scott Catering and meet a super wee Leprechaun. Let’s bring a touch of Ceilidh dancing to North Tyneside this month.

Tickets at £5 or £3 for concessions are available from me, Francis McSherry, on 07446 151 950 or 0191 258 7101 or from Marden Residents Club (Bavington Gardens on the Marden Estate) on 0191 2900 201.

by Francis McSherry

Tynemouth resident Catherine Toleman has been chosen to take part in one of the most ambitious polar expeditions of our time – to be the first expedition in history to reach the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility.

Defined as the furthest point from land on the Arctic Ocean and therefore its centre, the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility remains the last truly significant place in the Polar Regions, yet to be reached by mankind and is over two hundred miles further than the Geographic North Pole. The whole journey will be near to 800 miles from the northern shores of Canada and will take-in the North Magnetic Pole en route.

Having been selected for the Ice Warrior Quest for the Inaccessible Pole by Jim McNeill, one of the world’s most experienced and respected explorers and founder of the Ice Warrior Project, Catherine is undergoing a comprehensive and intensive training programme to take on at least one of four 20-day legs, pushing the route across the Arctic Ocean by approximately 200 miles.

Along the route team members will be gathering “crucial datasets” for the scientific community including new and vital data about how the sea ice breaks up, making the whole endeavour a major citizen science project.

Catherine said “I’ve long since had a concern for the changing global climate and as an armchair adventurer I’m really humbled to have been chosen and given the opportunity to take part in this project.”

The expedition will feature in the national press and there are advertising opportunities for sponsors, soif you can help or would like more information, please see www.thelastpolecat.com or email Catherine at catherinet@ice-warrior.com. For more information on the Ice Warrior project in general, please contact jim@ice-warrior.com.