Neighbourhood board members
Nicola Dixon
My name is Nicola Dixon, I have lived in this area for 48 years, which is most of my life. I have 2 sons and 2 grandchildren. I also work at Larkspur School. I have worked there for 22 years, seeing many pupils return with their own children. I love living in Beacon Lough East, it has a true community feel. Through the years we have faced many challenges and have always been there for each other no matter what. It's now time for me to give a little back. I want to be able to help our estate and the surrounding area be the best around, because we deserve to be!
Leslie Burns
Dr Leslie Burns is a highly experienced community leader, educator, and governance specialist with over 40 years in youth work, 38 years in teaching and educational leadership, and extensive expertise in SEND curriculum development. As Chairperson and Trustee of Eighton Banks Village Hall Trust and Managing Executive at Tyne View Health and Wellbeing, Dr Burns leads strategic community initiatives focused on inclusion, wellbeing, and local resilience.
Mary Burns
Mary Burns is a long-standing community volunteer with over 25 years' service at Eighton Banks Village Hall as a committee member, youth worker, and Secretary for the past 10 years. She played a key role in the successful asset transfer from Gateshead Council to the Hall's CIC charity, writing the business plan and leading fundraising efforts.
Mary's professional background is in post16 and SEND education, with over 23 years at Gateshead Council Learning Skills, where she progressed to Unit Curriculum Lead and Lead Internal Verifier. She joined the Parish Council in 2021 and is a member of the Beacon Lough and Wrekenton Neighbourhood Board.
Brendan Robson
Brendan is a serving Headteacher at Cardinal Hume Catholic School, with extensive experience in educational leadership, local authority liaison and governance. He is deeply committed to the transformative power of education and to communities working in strong, purposeful partnership. Having worked in the Wrekenton and Beacon Lough areas since 2002, Brendan has a long‑standing connection to the locality and a clear understanding of both its challenges and its potential. He brings strategic insight, collaborative leadership and a strong belief in building on the strengths already present within this community.
Paul Gray
Paul left school in 1984 with no formal qualifications and began working as a roofer. After two years in the building trade, he was invalided out and moved into vocational training to develop office-based skills. Shortly after completing 12 months of training, he secured a position with HMRC and has continued working there for the past 34 years. Paul has lived on the estate for more than thirty years. Paul applied to be on the board to try to make a positive difference to the community.
Kathryn Walker
Kathryn worked in the banking industry leading compliance teams in some of the biggest names in the financial services world. She also spent five years working in the financial services regulator in policy development and research support. She was the Chair of a small consumer organisation for four years and sat on the council of a statutory regulatory body as a government nominee. Dedicated to ensuring fairness and equality she has demonstrated her continuing commitment to ensuring everyone is given the opportunity to succeed through her more recent work as a local councillor. Kathryn has strong family roots in the area. Born in Newcastle, she moved back to the North East in 2017 and lives in the High Fell ward in what was her late mother's home.
Fiona Pollard
Gateshead is very close to my heart as I was born here and spent my early years living on Leam Lane. I have been working in Gateshead for nearly 20 years, firstly for a homelessness charity, and more recently for Edberts House community charity, of which Larkspur House on Beacon Lough East is a part of. I am very passionate about social justice and people, and I can't wait to be a part of supporting our Pride in Place areas to thrive.
Outside of work I love wandering around in our beautiful countryside, I enjoy travelling with family and friends and love to try any crafty project possible (although my skills definitely need some work!)
Diane Kindred
My name is Diane Kindred and I have lived in Gateshead all my life, first Felling, then Bensham and then back to the Felling again. I joined Gateshead Foodbank as Local Organiser in April 2024, forming groups that campaign for change in Gateshead, prior to that I had volunteered there for 8 years. I have campaigned for several charities throughout my life including, NSPCC, Tearfund and Compassion UK, by lobbying Parliament and raising funds through the church where I worship, St Albans Windy Nook.
Keith Wood
Keith has lived in Wrekenton all his life and has been an active member of the community through Wrekenton Methodist Community Church, The Boys' Brigade, and as Chair of Governors at Harlow Green Community Primary School. Keith has served as a local councillor for 25 years and works closely with council services and local partners. A passionate advocate for community improvement, he has led initiatives such as the annual Whitehills Nature Park cross-country event for over 20 years. Recently retired after 20 years as a secondary school teacher, he brings strong communication, listening, and collaborative leadership skills rooted in integrity and fairness.
Claire Ellison
Claire is the Strategy & Partnership Manager in Gateshead, working across the system with colleagues and partners to deliver place based service transformation. Her role focuses on developing sustainable, community centred models of care, with a particular emphasis on improving women's health outcomes and reducing health inequalities. Having lived in Wrekenton for over 40 years, she brings a strong local perspective and is committed to ensuring that effective partnerships and community insight shape the design of sustainable services that improve outcomes across the area.
Emma Bell
Emma has lived in Wrekenton all her life and has seen both positive and challenging changes within the community. She is a parent to three daughters who attended Fell Dyke School, with two going on to study Law and Drama at York St John University. Emma helped establish Wrekenton's first charity shop, St Vincent's, and in 2022 founded the Embells Community Support Project to address growing needs for food, advice, and practical support. The project supports residents in Wrekenton and Beacon Lough, bringing lived experience and community insight to her work and board membership.
Mitali Deypurkaystha
Mitali has lived in Beacon Lough and Wrekenton since 2007 and cares deeply about the area and its future. Over nearly two decades, she has seen both the strengths of the community and the challenges it faces and believe Pride in Place is key to positive change. Professionally, she runs her own business as an AI strategist and consultant, working with organisations of all sizes, including charities, and engaging with people from diverse backgrounds. Previously, she ran a publishing company supporting social entrepreneurs and community leaders, ensuring voices were clearly heard. Mitali brings strong communication, organisational, and partnership working skills to community leadership.
Danie Lindley
Danie has been a committed and well‑known presence in the Beacon Lough community for over seven years, serving as a priest, trusted listener, and advocate. Widely recognised across Beacon Lough East, she has established strong working relationships with local community groups, including Larkspur House and Callendar Court. As Chair of Governors at Larkspur School and a member of another school's governing body, she is deeply embedded in local communities spanning Wrekenton, Beacon Lough, Springwell, and Windy Nook.
In her role as priest of St Albans Windy Nook, she works closely with Gateshead Community Hubs and local partners, recently helping to establish a much‑needed toddler group by listening to families and responding to identified gaps in provision. Danie is experienced in collaborative working, chairing multiple Parochial Church Councils and leading a team across three parishes.
Children, young people, and older residents are central to her work, with initiatives including holiday clubs, feeding programmes, arts projects, and ongoing support for older community members. As a public advocate for investment in Gateshead, Danie is committed to partnership working that ensures all voices are valued and heard.
Mark Ferguson
I wanted a Pride in Place board in Beacon Lough and Wrekenton because local people know this area best. They know what's working, what isn't, and what would actually make a difference. I didn't want this to be another thing done from above, with decisions made by people who don't live here. I wanted residents round the table, shaping what happens next. Now is the time for people in Wrekenton and Beacon Lough to take control of their area and decide their own future.