AN airline captain who lives in the Tyne Valley is eyeing a return to the cockpit in the new year. The vastly experienced Capt. Sam Quigley has travelled the world over the past 30-plus years, flying passenger jets and VIP planes to stunning locations such as the Maldives and Abu Dhabi. But the 61-year-old was struck down with a health scare in September which was diagnosed as pericarditis - inflammation of the lining of the heart. He has since returned to non-flying duties with West Atlantic UK, which has been busier than ever this year delivering cargo including medical equipment and test kits for Covid.
A TYNE Valley cafe has gained international recognition after being singled out by search engine giant Google. The Rising Café on Beaumont Street, Hexham, gained international recognition on Tuesday when Google in California highlighted it as part of an online event to award Guiding Star status to Google Local Guides across the world. Google Local Guides is a voluntary community (open to anyone) who work with Google Maps to update the maps, ensure their accuracy, add information, and review businesses etc. Peter Williams, from Lancashire, but whose daughter, Rebecca Burton, lives in Haydon Bridge along with her husband and 20-month-old daughter, was one of the 50 Local Guides chosen by Google from around the world, to be a Guiding Star – someone who contributes above and beyond expectations.
Postman David Tulip was relaxing at home after an early shift when an unexpected phone call interrupted his late afternoon snooze. The junior football coach couldn’t believe his ears. It was a scout from Newcastle United, and he wanted to discuss a player at the heart of the U18 team he coached at Haydon Bridge in Northumberland. Shaun Elliott had been a stand-out player for some time. After an unsuccessful trial with the Magpies, the defender was on the verge of signing for Sunderland, the club he and his family supported. David recalled: “Joe Harvey was the Newcastle manager at the time. The scout claimed he was in the manager’s office, and said I was welcome to speak to him if I wanted to.