Melanie Fox for Ashington

27/08/2026

I'm really pleased to be selected by local members to fight the By-Election in Hirst. The ward has been let down for 15 months and it's time it got proper representation. As a Town Councillor I've been working hard to raise the issues local people care about and hope I can count on your support to be your County Councillor.

Melanie. 😊

24/08/2026

Did you get to the Future Sounds Festival on Saturday? It was great to see lots of young people on stage, performing and catching up with good local organisations that support our young people. AND; lovely weather for it! ☀️

I think the YMCA Northumberland and Ashington Town Council did amazing, organising the event with short-term planning.

I’ve read that a few people were saying it wasn’t well advertised but there were large banners on cross roads of the mains street and on the roundabout next to Dove’s. There was also Facebook posts from the organisers that were shared on Facebook by some town and county councillors and there was a leaflet drop around People’s Park.

Getting word out these days is tricky and we are always looking at ways of letting Ashington residents know about events so, what I’m asking is; How/where would you advertise to reach people?

I would also like to know what you thought of the event, if you attended: Did you prefer it to the usual Ashington Town Fair? Did you like that it was for Ashington’s young people? How could it be better? What would you add/takeaway?

My youngest loved the Ninja Warrior style spinning arm. All his tokens went on that! 🤣

This is your town, we are here to serve you, tell us what you think.

20/08/2026

What are you doing on Saturday? Do you know about Sound Futures Festival at People’s Park?

It’s ALL about young people this year. All performances are by young people. We are encouraging families to attend and bring their own picnics to watch the performances.

Surrounded by stalls of interest to young people and their families.

🎶🌈 3 DAYS TO GO!

The countdown to Sound Futures Festival 2026 is on!🎤🎸🥁

We can’t wait! 🙌

02/08/2026

This is a change I welcome wholeheartedly.

For too long young people have been given the message that being academic and going to university is somehow more worthy of recognition and praise than taking a vocational route through an apprenticeship, college course or training scheme.

Practical skills, creativity and technical ability have too often been pushed to the bottom of the pile or treated a second best and that is simply wrong. Young people have different strengths, ambitions and ways of learning and every one of those roots should be valued and supported properly.

I’m very pleased to see Andy Burnham setting out plans to give vocational education the status and investment. It deserves. 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/burnham-school-education-reform-technical-b3022772.html?fbclid=IwZnRzaATb1MBwZG9mBWZkaWQWULsy66elEef1O2gEbtnJJXVqzMwc8WV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR7wN78LYhdtpgLcGRNhwhwVLrSkBMt3ife8Q7AU22f-EUzIHf1y092ufgkdVw_aem_CgrB4Yi21CkpkAVY8ahn5Q

It is the most significant change to the schooling system since 2011

27/07/2026

Rufus and I enjoyed our jaunt out with Caroline Ball 4 Ashington Central yesterday to The Heart of the Hirst dog show and fair in Hirst Park.

25/07/2026

24/07/2026

A lovely walk in the woods with the dogs this evening; and a few equally lovely encounters along the way.

I met some young lads heading into the woods on motorbikes. I’d obviously rather motorbikes weren’t being ridden around woodland paths, but I do want to acknowledge how considerate they were when they saw me with the puppies. They stopped immediately, apologised, switched off their engines and free-wheeled quietly past us.

A little later, I met a group of high-school-aged young people who stopped for a chat and asked if they could pet the dogs. They were friendly, polite and an absolute pleasure to talk to.
Young people are often noticed and discussed most when something goes wrong. Today was a good reminder that, when we give them a chance and speak to them, there are so many thoughtful and thoroughly lovely young people in our community too.

I also ended up chatting with another dog owner on the way out, and we swapped numbers; one of those walks that leaves you feeling a little more connected than when you set off.

And the sunshine through the trees wasn’t bad either. 🌳☀️🐾

22/07/2026

Yesterday I popped into Hirst Welfare Centre for a really positive chat with Helen about what’s happening at the centre and some of the support they may need over the summer holidays.

I’ve offered to lend a hand for a few afternoons over the coming weeks, so hopefully you’ll be seeing a little more of my face around The Welfare. It’s such an important community space in our ward, and I’m keen to support the work happening there however I sensibly can.

While I was out, I also had a wander along the main street and around the Tuesday market. It was good to stop, have a few conversations and see what was happening locally.

If you spot me out and about in Hirst, please do come over and say hello or let me know if there’s something in the ward you think I should be aware of.

17/07/2026

Missed all the excitement at North Seaton Colliery as my invitation was a bit off the mark but still managed a chat and the new play park is lovely.

It’s not my ward, but I walk my dogs down here all the time so I was looking forward to seeing it.

It’s great that it’s ready just in time for the summer holiday holidays. It has a magnificent basketball hoop! 🏀