THE BLAGDON BULL
Visit: www.blagdonestate.co.uk.
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JULY 2007
Activities for July and August.
1st July Blagdon Family Picnic   15th July Charity Cricket Match in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support (Click here for details)   23rd July Blyth Valley District Council; Cramlington Walking Group.   29th July Carriage Driving Event   8th August Country Houses Tour Group   16th August Castle Morpeth Walkers Group   19th August Multiple Sclerosis Society
	Click for details
BLAGDON FAMILY PICNIC
Despite the dire weather forecast, and the rain falling right up until the day, the picnic went ahead and was blessed with kind weather on the day. Although attendance figures were lower than expected, there was a fantastic turnout with a lot of people making a great effort to make the day a success; our thanks go to all who attended. The organising committee did a fantastic job of pulling everything together and special thanks go to the brave souls who agreed to oversee the bouncy castle (especially those who pulled the rainy shifts) Alan Thompson who carried out sterling work on his quad bike, and Micheal Leslie who had arranged for the estate to look its best before the event and assisted as a "fire-fighter" on the day fixing the odd mishap. The maintenance department again worked hard to put up all the tents and clear away on the Monday and thanks go to them. A large vote of thanks goes to the Ridley family who allowed us to invade their garden, supported the event in several ways, including a generous financial contribution, but most of all joined in the activities wholeheartedly creating a wonderful inclusive feeling to the day. While it would be unfair to single out any individual from the committee I would like to especially thank Lizzie Evans who was tasked with setting up this event, drew together the committee members and flitted about constantly on the day from early morning making sure that all went well. I think that the event exceeded everyone's expectations and it is fair to say that it will be the first of many, feedback is essential and all comments will be gratefully received and taken into account when we plan for the next event. Contact us through the estate website or direct to either Eunice or myself (eunice@blagdonestate.co.uk or rjdowner@blagdonestate.co.uk)
	(click picture to enlarge)
Pictures of the picnic can be accessed at http://picasaweb.google.com/blagdonestate
HORTON PARK OFFICES
We completed the conversion of the redundant farm buldings at Horton Grange last year and they now form the new office complex renamed Horton Park.
The conversion has been widely praised and has won regional prizes from The Federation of Master Builders, The Newcastle Journal and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. We are awaiting judging for the CLA awards and the national RICS award. We have also been short-listed for the Hadrian Award 2007, which is judged by the North of England Civic Trust.
SURFACE MINE
The South Drive is now closed to allow coal extraction; the North Drive is open through the day for cars only please. Please take care if using the North Drive as it is narrow and rather wooded, so please keep your speed down!
Please feel free to submit any comments, observations or submissions for future issues of "The Bull." If you let us have your e mail address, future issues will be e mailed to you.
No one has contacted me after June's edition, come on let me know that there is someone out there reading this!
Bob Downer
rjdowner@blagdonestate.co.uk