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Events
June 5th - World Environment Day
This was held in a large marquee on Grainger Street near the Monument with many Environment groups taking part with displays and bands outside as well. Sustrans were invited to take part this year and a display stand was set up inside the marquee - and manned by Rangers and Sustrans Office staff. Arriving at 9:30 am found John Reed already there standing in front of a bare table. Quickly we set about putting up the banners and flags I had brought with me and awaited the arrival of the others who had stopped by Sustrans office to collect material, maps etc. for the display.
Ron arrived wearing his new biodegradable Sustrans cycling helmet !!

With the stand set up it as time to meet the public - soon we were handing out leaflets, answering questions, selling maps and explain to the general public who Sustrans are and what they are achieving.
The Mayor of Newcastle called at every stand on her tour and was greeted by Steve Psallidas from Sustrans.
By lunch time the tent was packed and materials started to run out - a quick phone call to the office saw staff bring more leaflets - the free Tyneside maps, One NE Cycle booklet proving very popular. We almost got a member of the public to sign up as a Supporter but could remember his bank details - still he promised to join.

By the end of the day we were all quite weary and footsore and with the assistance of Sustrans staff the stand was cleared away and remaining stock returned to the office. We sold several HCW maps and books which will be used for group funds to obtain a new banner for the display stand.
Account by Doug with photos by Doug & Ron

to JohnK, JohnR, Ron & Bob who came along and helped.

Gateshead Civic Centre - Bike Week Display
The display stand was eventually set up by Doug, Ron & Lindsay. Doug had to return home to collect the banners he had forgotten. This year we were not in our usual location in the foyer due to it being Refugee Weekand were relegated to the other side behind the stairs, next to the Cemeteries and Crematorium enquire office.

The display has been re-vamped with new banners, flags etc.
Ron had his folding bike which provided a useful advert with the STARs sign pointing to the display stand.

Lindsay & Ron wait for the first customer

Ron with folding bike & STARS sign

With table set up, banners fyling we waited for the public to arrive and answer there queries, offer advice and sell books and maps. As usual you get the odd awkward customer with complaints but generally it went very well but with lower numbers of the general public which can be put down to the poor location we were given this year.

On the Friday the display was dismantled and taken home ready to transfer to North Tyneide - Cobalt 14 for the Waggonways to Health charity and ride the following day.

To Ron, Lindsay, JohnK, Bob, Peter, IainK. and Ken who helped on the stand over the five days.

June 24th - North Tyneside - Cobalt Park 14
Angie, Phill and Doug attended the exibition and David took part in the ride.

Awaiting report from Phil

“Access for All Event” in the Derwent Walk Country Park Sunday on the 8th of July.
This event was an opportunity for visitors to find out what they can do in Derwent Walk Country Park. Visitors with mobility difficulties could try electric scooters and specially adapted cycles with a chance of visiting the Red Kite nest watch scheme. As the C2C route passes through this park Sustrans was invited to attend. Lee, Sharron, Lindsay and Rob ran the Sustrans stand.

Lindsay and Rob could not resist the urge to try out the special cycles with 2 of our visitors.

Rob, Ron, Lindsay and Peter left the event to cycle past the killer Swans to visit the Red Kite nest watch scheme. On return we went to The Golden Lion Hotel for lunch and leaving Lee and Sharron to look after the Sustrans stand.
Report by Bob Sorley.

Signing News
Please check that direction signs on your section are not obscured by overgrowing bushes, vegetation etc.

North Tyneside - situation between Tynemouth and Whitley Bay Links unchanged.

Gateshead - I have obtained approval to fit replacement highway signs using signs to be provided by the council.
I will hold a small stock of these for our use to quickly replace any signs that go missing.

Hadrian's Way - Newcastle
At the World Environment Day event I had a long conversation with Adam Goodwin from Ncl Council who is responsible for the cycle signs in the City. He is of the opinion, and I agreed with him, that the present large brown Hadrian's Way signs are out of date and too intrusive. He is now believes smaller signs possibly with blue backgrounds should be used at all turning points with larger destination type signs at key points only. If brown background still required then the Bike logo + NCN 72 route number should be within a blue panel. I hope to arrange an audit ride with Adam Goodwin in the next month.
Smaller signs are less likely to be stolen or vandalised especially if mounted higher using security snap head nuts & bolts.

Reivers
North Tyneside - Progress in installing the new signs has been slow. Damaged sign in Weetslade park still to be re-located and repaired. David Gray to be contacted about this.
Newcastle - an audit to be carried out to check and replace the faded highway signs around Dinnington. area.
Northumberland - Sustrans have carried out a sign audit and found most of the original signs are either missing or so faded as to be unreadble. New highway signs are soon to be put up by Sustrans maintenance team using spare NCN signs with RR10 number stickers to convert them.

Other News
June 1st. - Tyne Tunnel Stakeholders Meeting
Lindsay and Doug attended this to hear about the progress on the 2nd Tyne Tunnel project. Work is expected to start on the ground spring 2008 and will affect the NCN 72 cycle route and links to/from the cycle Tunnel. We pressed for the installation of a new Toucan Crossing over East Howdon Bypass ahead of construction works as this road will see a big rise in traffic flow accessing the existing tunnel. We did not get a satisfactory response !!

June 11th - Newcastle Cycle Forum
Well attended by Sustrans Rangers, Doug, Lindsay, JohnR, Ruth & Dorothy. There were over 20 at the meeting. Topics discussed were:- outstanding works - cycle parking - Newcastle Cycle Strategy - The Quayside accident - removal of access control barriers. As usual there was a lot of talking but not much decision making with council officers stalling on firm plans & budget constraints etc.

Proposed Hadrian's Cycleway Ride 2008
I propose to organise a ride next year between Ravenglass and South Shields either at Easter or May Bank Holiday.
3 day ride with over night stays at Ravenglass / Silloth / Haltwhistle. Transport to Ravenglass the afternoon before.
Day 1 - Ravenglass to Silloth 52 miles
Day 2 - Silloth to Haltwhistle 64 miles
Day 3 - Haltwhistle to south Shields 57 miles
I need an expression of interest before proceeding.
Contact Doug if you are interested.
Places will be limited. Accommodation will be in B&B with baggage transfered each day.
Estimated cost £150 - £200 per person.