THE BLAGDON BULL
Also available on www.blagdonestate.co.uk.
Previous issues, click here
JUNE 2007
Following an absence of many years it is time for the Blagdon Bull to return.
As the estate changes to meet new challenges and demands and with the ever increasing amount of activities that take place on the estate, the Blagdon Bull can help to keep everyone informed and hopefully promote a community spirit.
To start off here is a list of activities for June and July.
14th June Morning visit by South Tyneside Woodlands Department   15th June All day school visit by The Country Trust   1st July Blagdon Family Picnic   15th July Charity Cricket Match in aid of MacMillan Nurses (Click here for details)   29th July Carriage Driving Event
STAFF MATTERS	(click to enlarge)
Congratulations to Jane Cowell who gave birth to a baby boy recently, both mother and baby are doing well. Welcome to Susan Stewart who is covering for Jane during her maternity leave.
BLAGDON FAMILY PICNIC
We are all looking forward to the inaugural family picnic on Sunday 1st July. This event has been totally organised by a volunteer group of tenants who have helped to arrange this event with the kind support of Matt and Anya Ridley. There will be lots of entertainment provided and the invitation list extends to all tenants and estate friends and sub contractors. Remember entry is by ticket only, complimentary tickets will be issued to all who have accepted the invitation. There will be a "Golden Ticket" prize draw, as well as prize for the best gazebo.
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 widly 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.
	RICS Award
SURFACE MINE	(click for details)
The current mining operations are shortly to be extended into Sleepy Riggs, this will close the South Drive for around 2 years. During this time the North Drive will be opened.
While the mining does create a bit of inconvenience, the estate works closely with the contractors to ensure that the works are carried out with the minimum of disruption. H.J.Banks are industry leaders in carrying out their operations in an environmentally friendly way, and are due to receive another award in this regard later this month.
The upside of the mining works is a valuable income source for the estate and for the local community good causes. We are currently carrying out infrastructure and maintenance works which will help the estate remain financially viable in the future. Restoration works will also enable landscaping work that we could not have afforded under normal circumstances. The restoration will eventually provide attractive parkland and wildlife walks and habitats that can be enjoyed by residents and tenants alike for many years to come.
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.