unfulfilled promises about a community training strategy in the local media. This initial conflict in a context of distrust and suspicion gave way to a much more collaborative situation. In a later stage, when the Newcastle City Council turned away from the Ouseburn in the mid 1990s, the linking and liaising skills of the Chair of the Trust proved essential for the reestablishment of the relationships. The Trust was able to regain the confidence and the interest of the council due to the involvement of its Chair in other regeneration partnerships across the city. The role of this particular member has been significant in giving the Trust a respected image in the Council. He is consulted very often on issues of third sector and community involvement in local development. He has also addressed a House of Commons Select Committee on such issues. The fact that this key actor is a highly respected member of the Church of England needs to be considered as a significant dynamic of social innovation. The Church and faith communities have played an important part in urban regeneration in the last two decades (SMITH, 2002; AWLES et al, 1998). In Newcastle, local vicars, both in the East End and in the West End have emerged as powerful community leaders on which the City Council can have little influence. They have been able to act as channels or bridge figures between the formal politics and protocols and the situations of poverty and deprivation of working class communities in Newcastle. Their position as �honest brokers‘ who can translate between the formal languages and practices of professionals and often mistrusted officials and politicians and the community cannot be understated. Leadership and individual charismatic or skilful people have had in the Ouseburn a significant importance in making space for innovation. These individuals should be seen, however, as structured actors that arise in a particular context where other individuals and processes contribute to their innovative energy. "It´s a bit incestuous down there...". The problem of strong ties. If the activities of just two people can be crucial for building an innovative governance capacity, it can also make this capacity very dependent on a small number of people and their personal skills. The Ouseburn Trust and the wider community of users and workers who are committed to the Valley is a relatively small and knitted group. Although the Ouseburn Valley has in the past years become an important node for all kinds of activities, like community festivals, live music, public art or horse riding and more people have been drawn to it, the core of people who are involved in developing the activities and projects remains very small. This, in turn, slims down the chances of engaging more people in linking
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