The first ever NSPCC North's Aerobathon takes place on Monday 9th November 2009 from 6pm-8pm.

The two-hour sponsored aerobic workouts will be led by qualified instructors across 70 leisure centres in the North East and Yorkshire.

Ashington Leisure Centre, Blyth Sports Centre, Concordia Leisure Centre and Newbiggin Sports and Community Centre are all taking part in this great fundraising event.

The Aerobathon event aims to raise over £90,000 for the Child's Voice Appeal - a helpline for adults concerned about a child.

A 42-page brochure detailing 100's of fantastic activities, events and courses throughout South East Northumberland is available now at Concordia Leisure Centre, Blyth Sports Centre and Sporting Club Cramlington.

Activities include snorkelling, archery, fishing, football, basketball, golf, cricket etc and youngsters can even try climbing at Concordia, wave boarding in Wansbeck and skipping in Seghill!

There are family fun days at the beach in Blyth, a National Play Day event in Newbiggin and overnight adventures to Kielder with BVAL's Make-a-move team.

For those who prefer a bit of 'art and clart' we even have some activities down at Blyth Beach and the Dave Stephen's Amenity Building - Sandy Sculptures, building Viking Longboats and even learning some African drumming!

Many of these activities and events are FREE, and others have a small charge. Some activities need to be booked, and others are just 'turn up on the day.'

So what are you waiting for? Grab a brochure from your nearest centre, get your diary and start planning your activities for this summer! No need to travel far, ITS ALL ON YOUR DOORSTEP!

Cramlington Voluntary Youth Project Ltd has received the Award for its work with young people.

We provide a safe, friendly, well resourced and well established venue that meets the changing needs and desires of young people with different ages and abilities.

Our peer support programme, young and adult volunteers are a major part of the service and the future. Open daily from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday with occasional weekend provision. Between 150-250 young people attend each week, many of which have special needs.

GREAT NEWS! The gym at The Sporting Club Cramlington has been completely refurbished with top of the range Precor equipment and the Fitlinxx Personal Training IT system.

You can now exercise at Blyth Sports Centre, Concordia Leisure Centre and the quieter Sporting Club Cramlington using the same fitness equipment and using the popular Fitlinxx system to monitor your workouts.

The Lifestyle Gym at Sporting Club Cramlington has 13 cardiovascular machines (4 treadmills, 3 rowers, 2 bikes, 1 arm ergometer, 2 cross-trainers and an adaptive motion trainer), 9 resistance machines and a free weights area. It offers a quieter exercise environment than the other centres, and also has a great range of fitness classes for you to try.

With Lifestyle Memberships from as little as £27.50, you now have 3 fantastic venues where you can exercise with Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure.

For more details about the new Lifestyle gym, opening hours, memberships etc. please visit our website www.bval.co.uk

There are DOZENS of EGG-cellent activities for the kids this Easter with Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure!

As well as all the usual activities such as snorkelling, trampolining, craft sessions, swimming lessons etc, we have some fantastic 'specials' on offer -

EASTER EGG HUNT - Thursday 9th April, from 11am-3pm at Ridley Park
Activities will also include face painting, football, wave boarding etc.

SEGHILL FUN DAY - Friday 17th April, from 11am-3pm at Seghill Rugby Club
Activities will include face painting, dance performances, breakdancing, football, basketball and cricket.

Other great activities include the 'cheerleading camp,' archery, runner bikes, golf and an action-packed 2-day camping adventure!

For more details of all of these activities and more, please visit the website www.bval.co.uk

Starting at Concordia Leisure Centre on Tuesday 10th March from 11.00am-12nn, these sessions will allow children the freedom to throw, kick and bat balls as well as join in lots of other fun within the safety of the sports hall.

The sessions are starting on a 'just turn up' basis, and will cost £2.50 per child.

A parent/carer must stay with the child during the session.

The sessions will be run by Adam Dixon, Play Development Officer, who said 'this is a great opportunity for young children to learn basic games, and work on fundamental skills such as balance, agility and co-ordination.'

For more details, please contact Adam Dixon: (01670) 542589 or visit the website www.bval.co.uk

Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure, in partnership with Blyth Spartans, Playing for Success, Northumberland Sport and Northumberland FA are hosting a junior disability football camp at Sporting Club Cramlington during the February Half Term holidays.

The football camp is running as part of the 'make-a-move' holiday programme.

Pupils attending the towns' prestigious new learning village are being asked to put their best foot forward to ensure that they always appear smartly dressed for school during 2009.

The head of Cramlington Learning Village, Mr Dennis Wise, has written to all parents of pupils reminding them of what the school expects regarding dress code.

Santa Claus is coming to Cramlington this Saturday. But before he meets with children and parents willing volunteers have a pantomime in store for guests.

Oh yes they do!

Planned changes to the way discount store Wilkinson makes efficiency savings through adopting a new stock supply system could see 1,500 jobs shed next year.

A Wilkinson spokesman said: "This process has nothing to do with the current trading conditions on the high street but has been in development for some considerable time."