Overwhelmed by your good wishes

Good-luck letters have come from across the community, as we launch a new chapter in the paper’s history – changing from free delivery to a paid-for model.

We have already posted messages from Blyth Spartans, Britishvolt, Port of Blyth, Ian Levy MP and Ian Lavery MP. Here are more:

Sir James Mackey, chief executive of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust: “On behalf of the Trust, I would like to wish the News Post Leader good luck for the next stage in its history. Ensuring the communities that we serve are kept up to date is absolutely crucial to the smooth running of our organisation, which enables us to provide patients with the best care possible. Local papers are a key part of this and with the Leader representing an area of south-east Northumberland that includes some of our key sites like the emergency care hospital at Cramlington and Wansbeck in Ashington we wish them well for the future. I would also like to thank them for their support during the pandemic which has helped us to share key public health messages about Covid-19.”

Colin Davidson, of Davidsons of Morpeth: “The News Post Leader has been in circulation for many years as the local paper for south-east Northumberland. The Leader has always represented the local community exceptionally well and offered great support to local businesses. As The Leader enters a new chapter on its journey as the paper of choice for its loyal followers and becomes a paid-for publication, I am certain the local community will continue to not only support the paper, but will look forward each week to picking up their 'bigger and better' copy. Davidsons of Morpeth wish the News Post Leader and all involved every success, now and in the future.”

Liz Spaven, Senior Manager Children's Placements, Northumberland County Council: The News Post Leader has supported Northumberland County Council's Fostering Team for many years, helping to recruit new foster carers and families for some of our county's most vulnerable children and young people. We urgently need more people to come forward to work as foster carers. The newspaper continues to be a well-read publication while others have not survived - probably down to the fact that it and the supporting multi-media sites have a real family feel and local community focus. All at Northumberland County Council's Fostering Team and Children's Placements wish 'the Leader' and its friendly and professional team the very best for the re-launch.”

Alyn Brewis, Nice Cars For Sale, Ashington: "An exciting new chapter for 'The Leader' as most of us know it. Since locating my car sales/workshop business to Ashington in 2006, it has played a very important role in helping my business grow to the level that it is today. Many of our customers follow our weekly adverts, and I am sure that applies to the many other great businesses, large and small across the locality. I believe The Leader will go from strength to strength with even more community news, and I aim to be part of it, by letting our customers know of developments within our business. I wish you all the very best of luck!”