News from the Choppington area is now covered by a revamped Bedlington community website from The Journal.

Visit www.journallive.co.uk/bedlington to take a look at the improved pages, including a new layout, more useful local information, an events calendar, news from the wider county and an interactive map.

These pages are no longer being updated.

Community Wildlife is for projects that help people discover, enjoy and protect wildlife in their local area.

Now open to organisations including voluntary and community organisations, schools, town and parish councils, and statutory health authorities. Grants of between £300 and £10,000 are available.

There is up to £2 million available across the UK and organisations can submit applications before the three deadlines of 21July, 22 September and the 24 November 2010.

For further details and to get an application form visit our website www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/communitywildlife, or call our helpline on:
0845 367 0610.
For more ideas for projects visit www.bbc.co.uk/wild

Supporters of a popular country and western music club have said an emotional farewell to the venue where they have been based for almost 18 years and raised £50,000 for good causes.

Tears were shed at the Wansbeck Country Club's last ever fundraising evening at Bedlington Community Centre, as they prepared to move out to a new home because of continuing uncertainty over the building's future.

The club is relocating to nearby Bomarsund Colliery Welfare where it will continue with its long-running monthly musical evenings held to raise cash for medical and other charities.

A forum which works to improve life for Northumberland children with special needs is looking to recruit new members.

An appeal has gone out for more parents and carers to join the organisation and come up with ideas and suggestions to move its work forward.

The Northumberland Parent, Carer and Professional Forum aims to help families across the county which have youngsters with special needs.

Kickboxing brothers have fought their way to gold and silver medals and will now represent England.

Scott Hackett, 15, claimed gold in both points fighting and continuous fighting in the World Kickboxing Council's English National Open Championships, making him the country's champion for both styles.

Little brother Kyle, 12, won silver in continuous and bronze in point fighting.

Both boys, of NFKA Guide Post club, have now qualified to fight for England in the World Championships in Portugal this November.

Health and safety rules will stop young people across Northumberland carrying out charity work.

Youth projects and independent schools are among the organisations which have been told by the county council to stop sending youngsters on Duke of Edinburgh awards' scheme expeditions until further notice.

Council bureaucrats say they have no choice but order an immediate suspension of expedition activities.

About 10 new members are being sought by the Ashington and District Male Voice Choir following the loss of a number of singers in the last year.

The choir meets for rehearsals every Thursday at 7.30pm in Ashington High School.

Anyone interested in joining is welcome to come along, or can make contact with the choir by calling Bob Brind on 01670 790169.

Voluntary and community groups in Northumberland have been warned they are facing a reduction in funding for their work - because of the recession and tough budget savings required by the county council.

However, County Hall bosses have reassured the sector that a funding package of £1.3m will still be available next year. Budget proposals recommend more money for charities directly supporting those people worst affected by the recession.

These will include services such as credit unions and the Citizens' Advice Bureau.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust and the Friends of Choppington Woods have arranged a community litter pick to take place this Sunday between 10am and 1pm.

The meeting point for the 10am start is the entrance to the reserve next to the Choppington Welfare Centre.

Members of the public can go along for the full three hours or can just drop in for half an hour.

Heather O'Neill, from Northumberland Wildlife Trust, said: "The litter pick is a great way for people in a community to get to know each other a bit better.

"Very often people come along to an event such as this and feel such satisfaction at the end of it that they volunteer for future activities."

Talented writers and artists have pooled their creative talents to produce a fascinating new book showcasing memories of Northumberland's rich social and industrial heritage.

Wansbeck Writers and the Wansbeck Art Group - which both meet weekly at the Parkhead Centre in Ashington - joined forces on the year-long project which combines the written word with work created on canvas.

The 48-page full-colour book, A Picture Paints A Thousand Words, features about 50 paintings by 18 members of the amateur art group. Each is accompanied and complemented by a piece of poetry or prose written by 16 members of the writers' group.