Rural Broadband - lots of pressure but will the Council bother to apply?

Regular readers will know that I have been campaigning for the broadband funding that the voters of Hexham so need. There is government money available but the Northumberland County Council has to apply for it - so far they have not.
I have written to the Minister to keep up the pressure and the Minister for Broadband has replied.
The Hexham Courant is backing this campaign and details the exchange of letters:
http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/news/news-at-a-glance/faster-broadband-is-vital-says-mp-1.859148?referrerPath=news

Northumberland Tourism

Following on the back of the Minister for Tourism's recent visit to Northumberland it was good to read that the Sunday Times Travel Section was devoting a whole page to Northumberland [p16] as they described how "its all happening up north". The piece rightly waxed eloquent about Housesteads, Vindolanda, Hadrians Wall, Craster, Alnwick, Berwick upon Tweed and the Farne Islands, with Kielder and the Northumberland National Park also featuring. Honourable mentions were also made to the amazing Falstone Barns boutique B + B, whilst my favourite pub, the Battlesteads Inn, also features.
Come and visit these amazing places soon! We have the most beautiful County, the best people and a sense of space few can match.

Cycling in Tynedale - the road classic and trailing in Kielder

Bradley Wiggins saluting the crowds as he wins in Stamfordham

The Tour De France stars Brad Wiggins and Mark Cavendish warmed up for the French classic by riding in the British road racing championships around the local villages of Stamfordham. The Hexham Courant did a great report of the race, which was a huge boost to local tourism and, of course, cycling in the area.
http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/news/news-at-a-glance/cycling-stars-raise-the-roof-in-village-1.854175?referrerPath=news
I cycle to the House of Commons so next year some mates and I are planning on tackling the amateur section of the race which takes in Wark, Greenhaugh and Otterburn
Last year I did the 26 mile round Kielder circuit, on a mountain bike, but need time to tackle something more ambitious. My thanks to Martin and others at the Purple Mountain Bike centre who helped me out last year and who are keen for me to return.
If you are in Kielder make sure you get on a bike - the trails are amazing

Update 10/7/01: sadly for Brad his Tour de France ended early when he broke his collar bone in a fall in France last week. Having done the same [mine was when I got brought down riding at Leicester races] I know how painful it is to break a clavicle and have the operative scars to prove it. He will be back next year