Prudhoe Days

Spent the day in Prudhoe - while Peter Atkinsn the MP is doing all matters Westminster I am getting stuck in to the areas where we have not been as strong in the past. In the pipeline there is lots of planned regeneration but the delivery will be the key. Spent time getting a real understanding of the two key new developments - both the new housing and supermarket projects have their fans and opponents .. spent a lot of time listening and learning as much as I could from locals

Ponteland and the brave new world

To Darras Hall for a great evening as all ages and walks of life gathered together for a constutency get together: it was particularly good to see so many of the Ponteland High School and RGS students there and to chat to them. I am very hopeful we can introduce them to the cutting edge of politics by taking them canvassing - the plan is to go to Prudhoe and Hexham during their Easter holiday... there is no doubt that Obama and Cameron have grabbed their enthusiasm...long mayit last

Tynedale Point to Point

Guy Opperman riding Lowlander
What a day! For a long time I had agreed to ride in the local point to point, which is run at Downhills; this is walking distance from where I live in Aydon. A big crowd turned out. Fortunately we were in the first. Lowlander is a big rangy bay with a sweet nature and a love of life; however, he has been below form for 2 years, with ulcers and all manner of horsey ailments. Tim Read has done a great job getting him fit and well and he won best turned out in the paddock. For myself I made the weight and felt nervous as kitten beforehand: I have ridden many times but not before such a crowd as this.
We jumped off handy and missed the first, but after that we got into a great rhythm. We took the lead on the second circuit and were never headed.

Guy Opperman and Lowlander in the winners enclosure
After the race Richard Dodd had great fun as the announcer for the prize giving and there were smiles all round. Sushi [Lowlanders stable name] was fine although he had lost 2 shoes!