No hitches on horizon

Aug 17 2006 By The Journal

Travellers due to fly from Newcastle Airport can expect a smooth journey, after airport bosses confirmed there would be no flight cancellations today(Thurs).

NHS protest

CAMPAIGNERS are staging a meeting tonight in protest at the growing use of the private sector in the NHS.

Speakers from national campaign Keep Our NHS Public will be at the Royal Station Hotel, Newcastle, at 7pm.

Sunderland MP Bill Etherington, John Lister from Health Emergency, Newcastle GP Dr Gerrard Reissman and Deborah Burbridge, from the Newcastle Pricing Prescription Authority branch of Unison, will be speaking.

Members of the public will be welcome.

Hospital strike

HOSPITAL cleaners have announced indefinite strike action.

Staff at South Tyneside NHS Trust, which runs South Tyneside District Hospital, are due to walk out on Wednesday.

The move by Unison members follows two one-day strikes and a week-long walkout over job descriptions and pay bands.

Unison regional officer Keith Blackburn said the trust had shown no signs of being prepared to reach a settlement.

The trust said they were surprised by the strike decision. They had met with the unions yesterday and were due to meet again tomorrow(Fri).

Football fest

THE Percy Hedley Academy is holding a football festival for disabled youngsters at West Lane, Killingworth, North Tyneside, on Saturday.

The event is for mobile youngsters of all ages who want to improve their soccer skills.

Coaching will be led by qualified FA coaches, followed by a tournament. Siblings are also welcome. The festival will run from 10am-3pm. Tickets cost £3 and include lunch. The Sports Academy is part of The Percy Hedley Foundation, which provides education, care and support for 300-plus children with cerebral palsy, sensory and communication difficulties.

Lifeboat fun

THE annual RNLI Lifeboat Fete at Seahouses will be on Bank Holiday Monday (28th August) at the Lifeboat Station.

Entertainment at the fundraising Family Fun Day will include raffles, slide shows, refreshments and stalls. The event begins at 1pm.