IN FOCUS with Steve Wraith

My name is Steve Wraith. I’m thirty years old and a security consultant in Newcastle. I have lived in the borough of Gateshead since early childhood. I am the former Fans Liaison Officer at Newcastle United and ‘Number Nine’ Fanzine Editor, and now a published author.

Each month I will be using this column to express my views on both local and national issues which affect the region. If you’d like to suggest a topic or which to contact me please do so on my e-mail address which is thegeordieconnection@hotmail.com or write to me at the usual address.

How Prepared Are We For War?

Not a question the average man or woman asks themselves in Gateshead I presume. But why not? The imminent strike on Iraq by the Americans and the allies will affect us all. So how prepared are the good people of Gateshead? Will we need to build shelters in our back yards and gardens? Should we obtain gasmasks and chemical warfare suits? If yes, where do we get them? Do we remain indoors if a dirty bomb is on course for Tyneside or have the Government got a contingency plan that they haven’t briefed us on yet? Will we have a home guard similar to ‘Dads Army’? You see I find it hard to believe that as a thirty year old I have, in effect lived through two wars, ‘The Falklands’ and ‘The Gulf War’ and now face the possibility of a third , and have never received one piece of advice from anybody as to what to do incase of an emergency. During the recent fire strike a fireman interviewed said that his patrol was still waiting for advice and funding should there be a military strike in the United Kingdom. Doesn’t exactly fill you with confidence does it? As it stands War to most of us is something we read about in the newspapers, or watch on the television. September 11th showed us that we are all potential targets. We need to know . We need to be prepared. Over to you Mr Blair.

Australia Day

I had to laugh when I walked into my local pub in Gateshead and was greeted with banners celebrating Australia Day. It’s the first time that I have ever been aware of such a day and as an England cricket fan found it a little hard to swallow after our recent humiliation in the ashes series. It turns out that Australia Day is a good chance to shift a particular brand of Lager, and if you buy a certain amount of the amber nectar you receive an extremely large hat promoting the product, some sun block (in January?) and a long blonde wig. St Patrick’s Day sees a similar marketing operation put into action, and every Geordie drinks the Irish tipple and walks around the High Street saying ‘Top of the morning to ya!’ So why don’t the breweries work on St Georges day? I’m proud to be British and feel that the pubs and clubs should make more of the important days of our own historical calendar. Winston Churchill has just been voted the ‘Greatest Briton’ so why not have a Winston Churchill day. If you drink a certain brand of Winston’s medicine then you receive a furry toy bulldog a union jack and a large cigar. Just a thought!

The Gateshead Museum

Have you ever visited the Gateshead Museum and looked at the amazing artefacts and historical documents about our area? No? I’m not surprised. It doesn’t exist. Can you believe it? Surely now is the time for action. With the imminent arrival of ‘The Tall Ships Race’, and our joint bid with Newcastle City Council to capture the ‘2008 Capital Of Culture’ title. Gateshead Council should be looking to put the wheels in motion now. We need a museum in Gateshead covering local peoples achievements in all walks of life. We have so much to be proud of in the borough. At the moment visitors to our area would have little or no idea about where to look for places of interest. A museum will attract tourism to the area, and will be of great benefit to local children’s education. Felling Local History Society are currently collecting a petition to support this worthy cause. If you wish to offer your help or support, or simply sign the petition, please feel free to contact me. I’ll keep you posted on there progress.

See you next month

Steve Wraith