Tide turning in Prudhoe?

Sunday: out canvassing in Prudhoe (seen here on Priestclose Cottages). National opinion polls suggest the vote is tightening, with Labour up a point or two and the Tories down a point or two - in short, there's still everything to play for. It's difficult to correlate national opinion polls with what's happening on the ground locally, but certainly we've received a warm welcome on the doorsteps, and while local residents don't pretend Labour haven't made mistakes - and are quick to tell us what they are! - they also know they can trust Labour to take care of them in these difficult times. Plenty of pensioners are rightly worried that the winter fuel allowance will be taken away if the Tories get elected.

Stomp! at the Sunderland Empire

Saturday night: family night out to see Stomp! at the Sunderland Empire. The last time I visited here was in the 1970s when I was a kid and someone had a spare ticket for a pantomime. Unsurprisingly, I had forgotten what a magnificant building it is, with a spectacular interior. The show was great, by the way. I suspect I am one of the many people who see a live show only once a year who wonder afterwards why they don't go more regularly.

Kindermusik in Ponteland

Saturday morning: off to Kindermusik in Ponteland, where my eldest gets to sing, dance and play to her heart's content and the youngest snoozes through everything. Then up the road to Runnymead Road to have lunch with my mum who lives in Ponteland.

Blaydon MP Dave Anderson visits Prudhoe

Friday: a well-attended meeting at the Bowls Pavilion, Waterworld, Prudhoe heard from local MP Dave Anderson who represents the neighbouring constituency of Blaydon. Dave spoke candidly about his former career as a miner turned social worker, the reasons why he got involved in politics in the 1980s (was Margaret Thatcher the best recruiter Labour ever had?) and the work he is doing on behalf of his constituents and the North East in Parliament.

Talking to voters in Acomb

Sunday: out and about in Acomb talking to local residents.

School Governors meeting

Thursday: first school governors meeting of the new year at Longbenton Comunity College. The main presentation related to the CASHE qualification, which qualifies students to work in child care and careers working with children.

Happy New Year

Thursday: I'd like to wish everyone - whoever they are, wherever they live, and however they vote - a happy new year.