It's been a busy couple of weeks for the Comets French-Canadian import Andre Malo. Two newspaper reports were sent to us from an undisclosed newshound that suggest Mr Malo, or 'Bull' as he is known, is not the mild mannered hockey player we all believed him to be. I am sure that the following articles will come as a shock to many of you but we felt the truth had to be uncovered.

Mr Malo, last seen 'moonwalking' across the dancefloor in the Zanzibar nightclub, refused to comment on these articles.

Press statement - Tuesday 22 July 2003

At a public meeting yesterday evening, The Billingham Partnership Board voted to recommend that Stockton Borough Council proceed with developing the Gateway project - a proposed new centre that will bring together leisure, health, cultural and learning facilities in order to revitalise the local economy and improve services for the community.

The Board considered a report on the feedback from its recent public consultation and responded to questions and comments from the 30 members of the public who were present. Architectural consultants FaulknerBrown also gave a presentation on their latest ideas for the Gateway scheme, including initial proposals for revitalising John Whitehead Park as a public space.

After reviewing the facts, the Partnership Board re-affirmed its support for the Gateway project by a majority of 11 votes to two (with two abstentions).

On Thursday 24 July, the Partnership Chair, Kevin Pitt, will present the Board's conclusions to Stockton Borough Council's Cabinet, who will then
make the final decision on this matter.

Speaking today, Mr Pitt said:

"The public consultation produced a wafer-thin majority in favour of the Gateway project so there's no point in denying that local opinion is sharply
divided on this issue.

"But doing nothing is not a viable option. If, as some have advocated, the Partnership Board had avoided making a decision on this issue, then the
opportunity to fund the regeneration of Billingham town centre would have been lost forever. Future generations of a ghost town Billingham would quite rightly condemn us for a shameful abdication of responsibility.

"The Partnership Board was elected by local community and voluntary groups, the business community and public service providers to make difficult
decisions, not to pass the buck to others.

"I've invited the Friends of the Park group to participate in planning the revitalisation of the 70 per cent of John Whitehead Park that will remain if
this project is implemented by Stockton Borough Council. I hope that Friends of the Park will take advantage of this exciting opportunity to enhance a much-loved public space."

Full details of the Gateway proposals are available on The Billingham Partnership's website at www.billinghampartnership.org.uk

Steve Cooke
Partnership Manager
The Billingham Partnership

Due to the lack of dedication within the team, it has been neccessary to draft in a new forward. He comes highly recommended with an outstanding tally of goals and assists. As he is only three feet tall he is very difficult to check (oooh, a linemate for Boynton!!) and if anyone goes bananas over this new signing dont worry he'll eat them.

Rumours are now starting to spread after the public release of some previously hidden photo's about the relationship of Mr Thomas Suggitt and Mr James Lesley Parrish. People began to be suspicious when James, or 'Jam' as he likes to be known, started to train in pink kit - could the cause of his rapidly fading hair be due to Mr Suggits loving caress??.... more from this story as it unfolds

Photos courtesy of Raymond Peckett and Ben Suggitt

Today a postcard was recieved from Daveys Sock who seems to be enjoying his life of liberation. Should anymore postcards be recieved, you can gaurandamntee they will appear on here so keep checking back for 'The Adventures of Daveys Sock'

The proposals include:

Building a supermarket on the site of the Forum;

Developing a sport and leisure complex on John Whitehead Park;

An education, arts and community 'gateway' as a new entrance to the town centre; Improved shop fronts and an all-weather canopy for the shopping centre.

The partnership came up with the plans after public consultation revealed that locals wanted more from the site.
Stockton borough councillor Barry Woodhouse, who is also vice-chairman of the Billingham Regeneration Partnership board, said: "There is a lot of support from Billingham people for regeneration and an obvious need to breathe new life into Billingham. "This is our opportunity to make a real start to achieve this. "We will be able to kick-start the process by seeking funding and investment for the proposals. "The board will be spearheading this process

Taken from the Teesnet.

With the loss of a few key players, rumours are abound that Tony Boynton is looking for 'Heavenly Intervention' to help the Comets keep their six game winning streak alive. Mr Boynton has apparently been in speaking with the 'Vatican Rampagers' with regards to transferring Pope John Paul, the Vatican's 86 year old Defenseman to the Comets for the remainder of the season. John Paul or 'The Holy Enforcer' as he is known averaged 13 goals in 25 games with an incredible 435 minutes in penalties. When asked to comment, PJP said 'Get the f&*k out of my face or face the wrath of the F*&*&ng lord you mealy mouthed little c*&knocker'

The council confirmed plans at a user group meeting last night that in May/June 2002 it will be installing a new ice pad into the Forum Ice Arena.

The projected down time will be 4 weeks, the new pad will consist of a plastic grid with piping running within the plastics and a sand bed, also a total change of the ice plant that will generate up to a 70% energy saving. The new pad will also see refurbishment of the boards. The proposed date for a new leisure venue is now quoted as 2004.