By Conservation Officer Kevin O'Hara

There is nothing better than a good walk in the countryside through the lanes and along the rides, over the moors or even through the woods.

Each time of the year holds something different - spring greens, summer bursts of life, autumn golds and even in this overcrowded little island of ours, there are still places where you can find peace and solitude.

Sent in by Cramlington United

Cramlington United FC are delighted to announce Chris Soulsby as the new manager of CUFC's Northern Alliance team.

Chris, 24, joined the club 2 months ago from Seghill Juniors where he had been coaching the Under 15s for a few years. He was about to start work on setting up an adult male team at Seghill when CUFC Chairman, Jonathan Buck and the Vice Chairman, Ray Armstrong, were able to show him what United had to offer and showed their vision for the club's future.

By Conservation Officer Kevin O'Hara

One of the hardest things to do in conservation is to try to repair the damage of the past.

Why this can be so difficult probably falls into two areas.

One is quite obviously the limitations of cost, and the second - which can be equally difficult - is trying to convince people that there is a problem which needs to be remedied.

Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell writes for the Blyth & Cramlington Extra

The current debate on care for the elderly is one that isn't going to end soon and nor should it.

The reality is that as our society grows older we will continue to face a growing situation where caring for the elderly becomes a higher and higher priority and some would say drain on our resources. Personally I don't call this need a drain; instead, I see it as a testimony to the success better standards of living and health care has been having.

Stephen Miller writes for the Blyth & Cramlington Extra

It's frustrating being disabled at times: sometimes, you just can't do some things that you'd really love to be able to do.

However, you have to say it's the same for everyone, whether disabled or not.

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Staff at WHSmith's Gosforth store have nominated Beaconhill Community Primary School as one of the lucky beneficiaries of the 2011 WHSmith Trust Schools Giveaway. As part of the giveaway, WHSmith stores will be donating vouchers worth £25, 000 to over 160 school around the country.

Local WHSmith store manager Paula Fisher said:

"We're really excited to have the opportunity to support Beaconhill Community Primary School and help them to buy new facilities for the beginning of the new school year. It's also a great way for the staff at WHSmith to get involved with their local community and to build on our work to support imrovements in Literacy and education."

Teaching staff at Beaconhill Primary School will be able to put vouchers towards new books and stationary products in preparation for the new term in September.

Headteacher, Mrs Forbes said:

"We are delighted to receive this award. The vouchers will certainly be put to good use supporting our new Literacy initiatives in school. We would like to thank WHSmith very much indeed".

By Conservation Officer Kevin O'Hara

I stepped forth from the airport foyer to be greeted by over a dozen wheeling white storks directly overhead. What a sight; I was definitely in Portugal.

The sun was shining and on the way to the hotel, amidst the bouts of childish 'lads' humour I spotted numerous Mediterranean delights: hoopoes, a roller and several azure-winged magpies and a host of small birds.

By Conservation Officer Kevin O'Hara

What would the world be, once bereft, Of wet and of wildness? Let them be left,
O let them be left, wildness and wet;
Long live the weeds and the wilderness yet.

So wrote the Victorian poet Gerard Manley Hopkins but how apt these words are for describing a whole host of issues surrounding many conservation tasks that we all face.

Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell writes for the Blyth & Cramlington Extra

I am just getting over the shock that has caused me to question the common sense or lack of it that emanates from those hallowed corridors of County Hall.

Yes I know I would criticise them but really the latest one has to be challenged and I sincerely hope that through the various channels it is challenged.

However I would hope that the tale I got from a disgruntled constituent also hits you the same way it hit me and when you consider the overall situation you, like me say enough is enough!