The Week In Focus With Steve Wraith

Let me first take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year. 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 , former ‘Number Nine’ magazine Editor, and published author.

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

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Have you ever visited the Gateshead Museum and looked at the amazing artefacts and historical documents about our area ?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 no idea about where to look for places of interest. A museum will attract people to the area, and be of great benefit for local children in there education. Felling Local History Society are currently collecting a petition to support this worthy cause. If you wish to offer your help and support, or simply sign the petition, please feel free to contact me. Ill keep you posted on our progress.

Smoking Ban?

There has been recent speculation that shopping centres such as the Gateshead Metrocentre will implement a smoking ban if public opinion is strong enough in support . As a non-smoker I would be quite happy to see this happen. I work in a job where I passively smoke, and inhale other peoples fumes. I don’t like it. I choose not to smoke so why should I have to inhale someone elses fumes? Former Record Breakers presenter Roy Castle actually died from cancer. He never smoked. He did however play the trumpet in pubs and clubs to entertain, unaware that he was a passive smoker! You can’t smoke on an aeroplane, most trains now have a smoking carriage, you can’t smoke on the metro system. So why not ban smoking in shopping centres ,cafes and bars? Would it really hurt any hardened smoker to do without for a couple of hours until they got back home? I don’t think so.

Support Your Local Club!

I’m a great sports fan. Football is my first love, and Cricket a close second. Although I live in Gateshead I have to confess to being a Newcastle United season ticket holder. I do whenever possible get along to support Gateshead Football Club in the Unibond League. Unfortunately the club has always struggled with attendances living in the shadows of its Premier League neighbours. Clubs like Gateshead need your support. My Grandad took me to see them play in the days of Hibbit and Topping, and believe me it’s a great way to introduce youngsters to the beautiful game, so check there forthcoming fixtures and get yourself along to cheer the lads on. Felling Cricket Club has been going through hard times to over the last few years but finally seems to be getting back on its feet. They currently have a football team competing in the Gateshead and District League and are approaching the new cricket season with optimism. The facilities at the club are second to none, with a smart function room and bar. Clubs such as Felling depend on local support , and popping along to watch budding young Bothams this summer will help keep the club alive.