Add your own community information to the website c/o The Web Team at Bridge Centre, Grasmere Terrace, Columbia, Washington, NE38 7LP Tel 0191 - 4172445 info@washingtonpride.org.uk

Message from Cllr Derek Sleightholme

Chairman Washington Pride

I’m privileged to have been elected Chairman of Washington Pride for the 8th year in succession; the difference on this occasion is that I will no longer be a Councillor for Washington, and will need to have support from the elected members and partners of which I’m confident we will have.

Washington update.

2007 was an excellent year and included the completion of several major developments across the Washington area. Oxclose Comprehensive School was refurbished and re modelled setting standards for other school buildings in the area. After eighteen months worth of consultations brand new road signs were created. This gave the area a golden opportunity to change from numbered districts to village names, which has made navigating around Washington easier for everybody. A number of environmental improvements have been carried out in Front Street, Concord including new road markings, street furniture and greenery to enhance the area.

Following the successes of 2007 we have already had an excellent start to the New Year. A number of major projects including the development of the Refurbishment of Galleries library and establishment of Customer Service Centre are well underway and aim for work to be finished by early 2009. The £9 million investment into a new Primary Care Centre will vastly improve health services available in the area. One of the major roads leading to Washington the A1232 and A182 will finally have lighting installed starting in March 2008. Work is currently underway to rebuild and modernise the bus station at the Galleries with the hope of Nexus taking control of the station and services provided upon completion. As well as the ongoing development of the Retail Park at the Galleries, which aims to provide residents in the Washington area with more accessibility to shopping in their local area? Plans have been agreed for the building of a new Washington Comprehensive School and it is expected for the development to be completed by 2009/2010.

The development of our very own Web site considered to be of a great help to organisations to add there Diaries and promote themselves. {Free of Charge}

Councillor Derek Sleightholme

Latest Page added to the site this month - JFK Primary School in Washington

Centenary Celebrations - John F Kennedy School are celebrating 100 years and need volunteers to help out with the celebrations or If you are an ex pupil and can remember what the school was like when you attended or have any photos or anything to do with the school over the years, please get in touch with Gill Henley, to make sure these celebrations are extra special for the children who attend the school today.

0191 2193744 or e-mail jfk.primary@schools.sunderland.gov.uk

There has been a school on this site since 1908, although it has not always been for primary age children. We have extensive playing fields and two tarmac areas providing safe places to play.

Mission Statement -  ' To foster a love of life and learning'

At John f Kennedy School we aim to:

• Create a learning caring inclusive school community which enables teachers to teach and pupils to learn
• Ensure that the school school provides experiences that will develop the whole child excite their imagination and equip them for the next stage of their life and learning.
• Inspire every every pupil to be a highly motivated individual learner.

View the full web page here >>

Washington Youth Matters are a group of young people aged 13-16 years of age who aim to represent all young people living in Washington.

The group meet every Monday at the Pitstop Youth Project. At the minute the group are involved in petitioning for cheaper bus fares for young people in full time education as well as planning the talent competition in partnership with the Galleries. The group have also received funding to buy sports equipment.

They are in the process of planning a sports day to launch this equipment. The sports day will hopefully involve young people from all of the youth projects in Washington. On the evening of the sports day the group are planning to hold a roller disco at the Pitstop. (Roller boots and elbow and knee pads will be available). All of the sports and roller equipment will then be made available for other youth projects to borrow.

Click here to download the application form for the talent show.

Neil Cole from the Planning Department of the Council gave a talk at the previous Prid