Busy day today. Up early, at 7.00 am for a interview with Matt Bailey BBC Radio Newcastle Breakfast Time (it got pushed back to about 7.25 should anyone wish to listen to the recording – but was only a few sentences). Time for a quick breakfast then off to Cramlington station for a photo for the Town Council who have recently awarded SENRUG some funding. Then on to Newcastle for the special preview train to Ashington and back. On the train I was interviewed in turn by Channel 5 News, BBC Look North and ITV Tyne Tees News. Also recorded a few words for the Northumberland Gazette which I hope will be used in a printed article. On this occasion, the train doors opened at Ashington and we were allowed to get off, greeted by a brass band and schoolchildren waving flags. Speeches by Secretary of State Heidi Alexander, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and Northumberland Council Leader Glen Sanderson, who kindly mentioned me and the work of SENRUG in his remarks. Caught up with a number of people on the train back home, and managed to introduce myself to Kim McGuinness who agreed to meet me once our comments on the Transport Strategy, now out for consultation, have been compiled. Meanwhile, excitement builds up with just about 48 hours left until the first passenger train on the Northumberland Line runs.
