Stephen Bates, Conservative candidate for Newcastle North, was very impressed with his welcome, the facilities and indeed how well the greens were kept at Gosforth Golf Club in his Newcastle North constituency. Stephen Bates said "it was a real treat for me to visit Gosforth Golf Club. It is a great club and everyone could not have been more welcoming. The greens looked immaculate and I only wish I had the time to have had a round!". Stephen Bates was visiting Gosforth Golf Club with Karen Jewers, Newcastle City Council candidate for the Parklands ward.