Tattoo Artists Call for More Regulation

Posted on May 13, 2013 by

Would you be happy if your son or daughter came home sporting a tattoo? Even if you wouldn’t mind them having one, would you be worried abut the health risks involved?

A group of the UK’s leading Tattoo artists have called for tougher regulation around their industry. They want people to be more aware of the dangers of back street and home inking kits. The group, Tattoo Regulations 2013, is led by celebrity tattooist Kevin Paul and they’re meeting in Liverpool today to discuss how to make people more aware of the dangers.

Here’s my report:

The Department of Health believes new laws are not the answer, arguing some laws are already in place to protect the public. A spokesperson said:

“Laws are already in place for local authorities to regulate the cleanliness and hygiene of tattooing businesses, to protect the public. It is a criminal offence for tattooing and cosmetic piercing businesses to trade without being registered with the local authority, and we would advise people to use a registered tattoo artist.

“We do not believe that further laws are the answer, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t more that could be done. Tattoo artists, industry and training bodies and enforcement authorities need to work together to agree standards of good practice and competence for tattooing.”

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Victoria Tunnel Voted Newcastle’s Top Tourist Attraction

Posted on May 13, 2013 by

It’s 85 feet underground, more than 170 years old and it’s just been rated one of Newcastle’s must-see attractions.

It’s so well hidden that many people who’ve lived in Newcastle for years know nothing about it – but it’s the city’s top visitor attraction according to the holiday review website Trip Advisor.

I went to the Victoria Tunnel at Ouseburn to find out more:

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Accentuating Your Accent or Accent-uating Darling?

Posted on May 13, 2013 by

Now is the Geordie accent the trickiest one to mimic? BBC Radio 2′s Jeremy Vine made an attempt on his show this week, with the help of Hollywood voice coach Roisin Carty. It didn’t go well.

He was accused of sounding Welsh. The Geordie accent doesn’t sound Welsh does it? It’s interesting hearing how other people hear our accent though. It’s got me thinking about when we change our voice and if our accent’s something we can manipulate.

I’ve been listening critically to some of the everyday conversations we have:

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North East Scientists Say Big Cats Roam English Countryside

Posted on May 13, 2013 by

Researchers from Durham University say sightings of big cats in the British countryside could be real.

I’ve been having a look back at the ones that made the news:

The research has been published in the academic journal Historical Biology. And if you want to see the lynx, it’s on display in Bristol.

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Josie’s Dragonfly Trust Opens New Shop in Hexham

Posted on May 13, 2013 by

It’s been just over 6 years since brave teenager Josie Grove, from Corbridge in Northumberland, died after turning down leukaemia treatment to get the most out of her final days.

Since then, the charity she founded – Josie’s Dragonfly Trust – has raised nearly a quarter of a million. It’s given out in 500 pound chunks so that other children with cancer can enjoy the time they have left.

Now her parents are opening a new, bigger shop in Hexham on Tynedale. I’ve been finding out how important this milestone is for those who love and work with the charity:

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The 12-Year Old Farmer

Posted on May 13, 2013 by

It’s lambing time for farmers across the North East – but for one lad all of the work needs to be done during the Easter school holidays.

At 12 his business is growing faster than his mini overalls. Our reporter Fiona Marley Paterson has been to meet him on Michael and Claire Lishman’s farm in Barrasford.

That’s young farmer and businessman Robbie Binks – the 12-year old who gets up at 2am, works on a farm and gets paid in sheep.

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Wrekenton Tip Closes

Posted on May 13, 2013 by

It’s one of Gatesheads’ major tips but the Campground recycling centre at Wrekenton is closing for a year.

But will the area’s recycling rates be affected while the work takes place?

I’ve been finding out:

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Cancer Care Inadequate

Posted on May 13, 2013 by

Aftercare for cancer patients is not good enough with many patients being left without adequate support.

That’s according to a joint report by the Department of Health and Macmillan Cancer support.

They’ve said services need to be improved so that cancer sufferers are not left alone to deal with the emotional and financial fall out of having cancer.

But then Pauline Catto from Houghton-le-Spring got in touch to tell me a very different story:

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Subsea Centre for Tyneside

Posted on May 13, 2013 by

The Business Secretary Vince Cable is announcing plans to make Newcastle’s Quayside a world-leader in the oil and gas industry.

A £7m National Research Centre will be built on the North East’s former shipyards to make the area the home of world-class marine engineering for the oil and gas industry. Here’s more:

It’s being funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, Newcastle University and private engineering companies.

One of those companies is Shepherd Engineering – the Neptune Centre’s going to be on their land – and I’ve been down to see it:

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A Special Kind of Mum

Posted on May 13, 2013 by

A woman from North Shields is hoping to change attitudes towards disability when she features as the subject of a BBC documentary.

Trish can’t use her legs or arms and has to do everything with her teeth. But it hasn’t stopped her being a mum to three children under 5.

I’ve been talking to Trish about how she works being a mum with her disabilities:

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