Council backs plans to restore building as food market

AMBITIOUS plans to turn the clock back in a town's high street have moved a step nearer.
Stockton Borough Council's cabinet has backed plans to return the 1825 Shambles building in the centre of the town's High Street to its old use as an indoor market selling fresh produce.
The authority has agreed to borrow £180,000 to get the scheme under way, in addition to £91,000 already earmarked for the project.
Officials believe the revamped Grade II listed building will attract high-quality, specialist and niche food retailers selling organic and Fairtrade goods and local produce.
The Shambles used to be a focal point of the town centre, but market traders moved into the Spencer Hall, part of the Castlegate shopping mall, in the 1970s.
The Shambles was redeveloped with small kiosk units which are now too small for many types of business and no longer suitable for fresh produce.
Sue Burgess, town centre and markets service manager for Stockton, said the new-look Shambles will complement the Castlegate centre on one side and the Wellington Square shopping precinct on the other.
She predicted: "It will be as much a destination as a place to shop and I think it will increase the footfall in the High Street. I think its effect will be to give people more reason to come in and use this area of the High Street.
"We have been talking to a lot of producers interested in moving into the Shambles."
Most existing tenants of the Shambles were last year given six months notice to leave. The notice period ends this month. Three will continue to trade in the building.
Bainbridge Carpets will be the last to leave. A spokeswoman for the firm, which has been trading in the Shambles for the past 25 years, said: "We are out and there is nothing we can do about it. The people of Stockton are not pleased, but there is nothing to be done. We are just sick and have had enough."

Beyond Boundaries: Across the Andes

I was so pleased to see another series of Beyond Boundaries, I have watched each one and I have really been inspired by the people taking part. I can so relate to all of them, no matter what their disability is. It seems to me that maybe because of our disability, we have, I know I do, have a zest for life and a hunger to want to achieve as much as possible.

I can particularly relate to the members of the group who have CP, although I not in the Andes, I feel watching them that I am taking every step with them, I know just how much energy it takes just to go a short distance, never mind crossing the Andes. I know they will achieve it and it will inspire them to want more.

Some of them have become recently disabled, and I can relate to this some what, with Mum becoming disabled herself. It hits people hard because it's something they may never of experienced before, but being part of a group will help them to adapt to the surroundings and by the time the journey has finished, they will have experienced something that many abled-bodied people haven't and I am sure that they will realise that being disabled isn't the end of the world, it's just the beginning.

Bowen therapy going really well

Well as form the title you have probably guessed that my therapy is going well. I had my second session yesterday and it really was a gentle put intensive session, covering a lot of work. Firstly I transferred onto the bed, and this is where my Physio could see a difference, in the ease of which I had transferred, I have to say I had not really noticed. I then got into front lying position, which I have always found uncomfortable but bearable this week mind It did seem a little better. Anyway the Physio then started the treatment with the same movements on my spine hips legs and shoulders that I had in the first session, with breaks in between each movement, then I changed to laying on my back and he started to work a lot with my neck as he found last week and this week I was quite tight. There where quite a number of different movements some on my face and jaw.

After the session was over I then walked with him back to my chair and he was really please at how well I was walking with him, considering he had not seen me walked before. I then asked him if he seen an improvement in me and he agreed and said yes, you are becoming more level and there had been some changes in my spine (improvements).

I came home from that session and I felt really quite tired so went to bed early and I think it was one of the best night's sleep I have had in the last few weeks, result!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!