Councillor’s Corner – Jane Dargue

I became a Town Councillor for Amble in January this year, during a period of cuts in expenditure in all quarters, and locally, the loss of jobs at Northumberland Foods and Border Lairds.  In the light of these difficult times it would be easy to imagine a town suffering from depression and a lack of hope.  What I have found, however, is that Amble is a town with a huge amount of spirit, a sense of community and a will to pull together.

This was demonstrated by the Jubilee event where the town was filled with people from all areas celebrating and enjoying a whole range of activities. This didn’t just come about overnight: people from many groups and organisations within the town gave freely of their time, energy and enthusiasm to make it happen. What made an impression was that so many different groups and individuals worked together to do something to make the town proud. The same enthusiasm was present when over fifty people volunteered to pick litter to tidy up the town; it is demonstrated by the planted flower-beds that bring a splash of colour to Amble – an enterprise made successful by Amble in Bloom working with HMP Northumberland.  

Looking back to this June I recall standing in the pouring rain, with hundreds of others, including many flag-waving school children, to watch the Olympic torch pass through. It would be impossible at such a time not to feel a real sense of community. I joined the Town Council with a desire to work for the good of the town and to try to help promote a sense of local pride. What I have learnt is that it is already here: there is a will and an enthusiasm to work together to make our town a great place to live in.  As a councillor I am proud to be part of that.                                                                Cllr Jane Dargue