Tynedale community news round-up

Haydon Bridge

Karen Lumsden

A couple of events are taking place on Saturday evening. At 6pm the doors will open at the Haydonian Social Club ready for the family Quiz at 6.30pm. Proceeds from the evening will go to the village Scout group. The quiz is suitable for all the family and is in aid of a very good cause.

Also on Saturday, February 29, Meg and Friends will be performing at the General Havelock from 8pm in the lounge.

The Get It Together Society will be meeting in the General Havelock on Monday, March 2 from 8pm. If you would like to join them in organising events for the village then please go along.

On Tuesday the art group will be meeting in the community centre between 1pm and 4pm. Your first session is free, materials and tuition available.

‘The world of the honey bee’ is the subject of discussion at the Nature Club on Thursday. Sue Robinson and Jonothan Storey will be presenting the talk from 7.15pm. Refreshments served at half time.

World Day of Prayer will be celebrated at St Cuthbert’s Church on Friday, March 6 from 2pm.

Matfen

Jean Conteh

Great Whittington and Matfen WI is holding its next meeting on Tuesday, March 3, in Great Whittington Village Hall. The meetings always start at 7.30pm and the main event of the evening next week is a talk about Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre at the Freeman Hospital by Jess Maguire. Visitors and new members are always welcome.

The Matfen Community Allotment is coming to life again, and volunteers are needed to help with different tasks. You don’t need any experience and there are plenty of things that need doing: assembling benches and planter boxes, painting, planting, digging and so on. You’ll be given jobs to do and guided by Danny Myers, who has worked the allotment for years. Contact Danny on 07876 724600 or by email on matfenvillage@gmail.com if you are interested in getting involved

If you haven’t already tried them for yourself, come along on Saturday, March 7 for the next Great Whittington coffee morning from 10.30am to 12pm. You’ll be assured of good coffee, cake and conversation. The village hall committee has run excellent coffee mornings on the first Saturday of every month in Great Whittington for several years.

And finally, best wishes to Ian and Tracey of Matfen Village Store as they come up to their second anniversary running the store. Over the past two years, they have given a lot to the life of the village through their hard work, enthusiasm and half pounder sausage rolls

Newbrough

Rob Tindall

In the 200+ Club February draw the winners were: 1st number 44 - Stewart Thompson; 2nd 167- Ella White; 3rd 190- Mrs Tolan- Smith.

Climate Action Newbrough and Fourstones isn’t letting the grass grow under its feet. At its next meeting on Thursday, March 12 (7.30pm, Town Hall) it is hosting Ian Everard - West Northumberland Woodland Officer from the Forest Commission who will talk on Woodlands and Climate Change - ‘Creating Resilient Woodlands to Combat Climate Change’. There’ll be a chance to ask questions and share ideas. Individual committee members have already been given specific topics to investigate:–Knowledge Hub, Tree and Hedge planting, Edible planters, Promotion of Bus services, Cycle ways and paths, Renewable Energy, Recycling, and Bulk buying. An impressive list and the commitment reflects great credit on the group.

Newbrough Bowls’ teams welcomed players from Alston last week. During the games there was much hilarity and good humoured banter as well as good scores. Newbrough had a late surge after supper and managed to win by a small margin.

Wylam

Robin Piette

This Saturday, February 29 it’s Friends of Wylam Spring Fair at the institute 10am to midday. Donations greatly appreciated: phone (01661) 852569, (01661) 852000 or (01661) 853297. This is their main fund-raising event so please do support them.

On Sunday, March 8 from 1pm-3pm Wylam Commmunity Orchard meets. Jobs will include raking and weeding the wildflower meadow, planting wild flower plugs, surveying the spring flowers, spring maintenance of the site, weeding and fertilising the fruit trees. New volunteers are always welcome, including children accompanied by an adult.

Chollerton

Kelly Adshead

Barrasford Methodist Chapel is holding a World Day of Prayer service on Friday, March 6 at 7pm. Praying with Zimbabwe.

Lent Discussion Group is meeting on five consecutive Thursdays in Lent, beginning on March 5. The group will be held at the vicarage in Chollerton, starting at 7.30pm. For further information, please contact the Rev. Sarah Lynn on (01434) 681721 or sarahlunn63@gmail.com.

Heddon

John Stewart

Heddon Women’s Institute is holding a Pancake Day on Saturday, February 29 from 11am to 1pm with sweet and savoury fillings, traybakes, tea and coffee and a grand raffle. Everyone is welcome!

Congratulations to the trustees of the Sir James Knott Memorial Hall who have been awarded £17,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund to further modernise the kitchen. Two of the trustees of the hall attended an awards ceremony for the grant at Beamish Hall. To further the achievement the announcement was made to residents at a Coffee Morning held in the hall as part of National Village Hall Week which proved to be a popular event giving residents and visitors the opportunity to see what this fantastic village has to offer by groups hoping to gain new users and enhancing the community engagement.

I’m delighted to announce that Heddon Juniors Football Club have passed the FA Annual Health Check and remain an FA Charter Standard Club. Well done to all the managers, coaches and officials for making this possible and continuing the great success of the football club developing the local youngsters within the community.

Good Luck to Alistair Colin a member of Close House Golf Club who is aiming to raise £20,000 for the British Heart Foundation. Colin has worked as a scorer at a number of European Tour Golf tournaments and has embarked on a challenge to play the Golf Monthly Top 100 golf courses in the UK and Ireland over the next two years.

Congratulations to Paul Edwards who has been elected as the new chairman of Heddon Parish Council. Paul comes with extensive experience and will sure bring some new ways of working to the Parish Council. I would like to wish Paul all the very best in his new role.

Prudhoe

Ian Warburton

World Day of Prayer is an international inter-church organisation which enables us to hear the thoughts of women from all parts of the world: their hopes, concerns and prayers. Regional conferences meet to consider the service and then local groups make their plans. An ecumenical service on behalf of the Prudhoe and Stocksfield churches for the World Day of Prayer on the theme ‘Praying with Zimbabwe’ will be held at the Church of Our Lady and St Cuthbert on Friday, March 6, commencing at 11am.

The Messy Church sessions are being relaunched at Prudhoe Methodist Church and will commence with a relaunch party, being held there on Friday, March 6, commencing at 3.15pm. Come and enjoy crafts, refreshments, worship and lots else.

The Gate Church is hosting a No More Friendly Fire event, based on the book of that name written by pastors Tim and Helen Roberts of the Wellspring Church, Watford, who will be leading the event. This will take place on Saturday, March 7 from 4pm to 7pm and will include a light buffet.

Karbon Homes is running an advice event at the Manors on Monday, March 9 from 11am to 1pm. Representatives from a variety of organisations, including Karbon Homes, Northumberland County Council and external partners. Tea, coffee and soup/broth will be available from the onsite cafe.

Haltwhistle

Hilary Nichol

Saturday’s coffee morning in the Methodist Church Hall is raising funds for Greenhead Village Hall. Come along and enjoy refreshments and tasty home-baked treats whilst meeting friends and neighbours.

Dementia Support at Haltwhistle invite you to come along to their next carers’ lunch at noon in the Manor House Hotel on Tuesday, March 3. To book your place, please contact Chris on 07816 532269. A reminder that the Memory Café will take place on Thursday, March 12 in Haltwhistle Hospital Community Room between 10am and noon.

Tynedale Hospice at Home is recruiting volunteers to help run a new shop in Haltwhistle. To find out more, please drop into the Methodist Lounge on Tuesday, March 3 between 2pm and 5pm.

Churches Together is arranging Frugal Lunches each Wednesday during Lent in the Methodist Lounge between 12pm and 1.30pm, commencing on March 4. The minimum donation is £3, all proceeds will go to Christian Aid.

Haltwhistle WI meet on the first Thursday of each month at 7pm in the Haltwhistle Methodist Church. The next meeting is on Thursday, March 5, new members and visitors are very welcome.

Inclement weather denied Haltwhistle Jubilee Football Club a match last Saturday. The team return to action this Saturday with a home match against Newcastle East End FC.

Corbridge

David Walton

Another week of high winds and heavy rain has past us by thankfully with no problems, however most of the fields surrounding Corbridge are under water in some way. Last weekend’s Point to Point at Downhills was cancelled due to the bad weather.

The Fishing Season gets under way this Sunday (March 1) good luck to all those involved for a good season ahead.

Northern Gas Networks have been busy within the last week and have made progress as far as the junction of Hill Street there is a drop in session at the parish hall tomorrow, February 28, please note a traffic order has been issued to prohibit all vehicles from using the Wheatsheaf corner from March 9 to continue the new pipe line.

Restoration to the organ in St Andrew’s Church commences on Monday, March 2 with certain areas cordoned off during the times the work is going on.

Lent Lunches commence in St Andrew’s Cottage every Wednesday from March 4 starting at 12.15pm until 1pm.

Advance notice of this years Women’s World of Prayer which takes place at the Methodist Church on Friday, March 6 at 2pm.

A March Fete will take place at St Andrew’s Church on Saturday, March 14 in St Andrew’s Church between 10am and 1pm.

Ovingham & Ovington

Malcolm Cairns

Whilst we are looking forward to the re-opening of the Bridge End pub, a reunion night has been planned for March 14, taking place in the Reading Room at 7pm. On the night, the famous Bridge End Band will perform and Chris Ormston will entertain the crowd with traditional Nortumbrian Pipes. There will be a licensed bar, raffle and games for all. Entry is by donation.

A project has been launched for our two villages to record bird and butterfly species spotted in the coming year. If you would like to participate in this interesting and important study contact marieschoales@outlook.com.

It’s time to get booking your tickets for Ovingham Drama Group’s forthcoming panto ‘Rapunzel’. Evening performances are on March 4, 5 and 6 at 7.30pm and a matinee on Saturday, March 7 at 2pm. Go onto its website or contact lozpov42@btinternet.com.

Go-local is to hold a “no dig workshop” at its field on March 1 between 1.30pm to 4.30pm. You are invited to tour its acres and find out about no dig growing methods and how to make the perfect compost. Book your place at admin@golocalfood.org.uk.

Slaley

Stella Douglas

Darts and Dominoes night is at the Rose and Crown on February 28; organised by Hexhamshire and Slaley Leek Clubs, everyone is welcome to join in. Call the pub for details.

Also, on Friday 28 FOSS is holding a fashion show full of pre-loved items for sale under £5. It starts at 3.15pm, is free to attend and all are welcome. There will be tea and coffee and lovely cakes.

The “Woolly Wanderers” are a group of hand spinners from Northumberland and Durham. They are involved in spinning, weaving and other fibre related crafts and will be meeting, spinning wheels at the ready, in Slaley Commemoration Hall. Anyone is welcome to pop in to see what they do. Saturday, March 7th, from 10am-4pm.

The parish council would like to thank all those who have taken active steps to reduce the dog-poop menace. Whilst there are still one or two ‘hot-spots’, most people are using poop-bags: and they are free at the shop. Why not visit to get one?

The new Slaley & Healey Community Environment Group met in the Commemoration Hall. Officers have begun to be appointed and priorities identified. Details are on the Parish website. The next meeting is March 22 at 5pm: all welcome.

Slaley residents have received a letter inviting them to join a neighbourhood news-sharing site. The parish council, shop, Rose and Crown and commemoration hall have not sponsored this letter.

Wark

Peter Samsom

There are plenty of things to be busy with this weekend. The first session of football skills for tots or the Jason Arnup gig in the Town Hall on Saturday evening, there’s an amazing amount going on. And if you haven’t found anything there to entertain you, you could still head over to the Kelso show ground to have a look at the Borders Organic Gardeners’ Potato Day, starting at 11am.

I missed the book sale in the hall last Saturday, as I was otherwise engaged, but I heard that the event made £50 for the town hall coffers, which wasn’t a bad result for a wet and windy day.

I’ve been asked to mention that the Monday Men could do with a bit of additional help. It’s not formally recruiting, but anyone wanting to join the men on the Monday mornings to do some work around the village, would be made very welcome.

The next curry and quiz night in the town hall is just round the corner. March 17 is the next date and, with it being St Patrick’s Day, there will be a bit of an Irish theme to the proceedings. If you want a curry, you need to order from Indus Valley in Hexham before March 15. Food delivery will be at 7pm and the quiz itself will start at 8pm. You don’t have to have the curry to join the quiz.

Finally, a reminder to those of you with dogs: can you please clear up after your pooch, especially on the routes to the surgery and the school. Thank you!

Whittonstall

Christine Jewitt

February has been an interesting month so far with signs of spring peeping through all around the village. Spring blooms are appearing with an especially impressive show of snowdrops in the church grounds. While the snow has largely stayed away, we have seen every permutation of weather during the last few weeks. Storm Ciara with her vicious gales gave way to Storm Dennis who also proved to be challenging but nowhere near as difficult for Whittonstall residents as that experienced elsewhere in the UK.

We are awaiting information from Northumberland County Council regarding dates for implementation of the traffic calming scheme planned for the village. It is hoped that this will commence during the first quarter of this year.

Dates for your diaries include a spring litter pick on Saturday, April 4. Those interested in helping out with this event should meet at the Anchor Inn at 10.30am.

Our spring walk will be held on Saturday, May 4; route and meeting arrangements to be confirmed.

We will be hosting a wine tasting evening led by the Rev. Helen Savage on Saturday, June 13. Details to follow.

For more information about our community group which meets on the last Tuesday of each month at the Anchor Inn, or for more details of up-and-coming events, please check out our Facebook page.

Bellingham

Birtley Nail

The sound of roaring engines late on Saturday night had Bellingham folk going into their gardens to peer at the night sky expecting to see the air ambulance or police helicopter swooping around, but the racket was coming from a car rally powering through the valley!

Following complaints from Bellingham Parish Council, the county council had agreed to investigate the need for improving lighting on the Tyne Bridge, which is much used by caravanners and other holidaymakers from Brownrigg, even though there is no footpath.

Council officials will also look at the level of lighting provided by LED lights across the village as a whole.

Because of the chaotic parking which often occurs at the Hareshaw Linn car park, where tourists can occupy several parking spaces with one vehicle, Northumberland National Park Authority is being asked to mark out proper parking bays to bring some order to the situation.

Bellingham Parish Council is trying to make life easier for wheelchair users and people pushing prams and buggies from Hillside estate. All paths to and from the precipitous estate involve negotiating several steps, so the parish council is asking social landlord Karbon Homes to consider installing dropped kerbs at the bottom of at least one of the paths.

Redesdale

Emma Anderson

You are invited to the first Community Network Meeting organised by The Ray Wind Funds. The meeting takes place at Corsenside Parish Hall on Thursday, March 5, starting at 7pm. A light buffet, wine, tea and coffee will be served. All you need to take along is your enthusiasm and a willingness to take part in an informal discussion and pitch your ideas. The Ray Wind Funds aim to meet the needs of the community. To do that, they need to listen to you. If you want to ensure there is supper for you, let the administrator know in good time at admin@raywindfund.co.uk or telephone Jane on 07762 179579

The deadline for the current round of applications to the Community Heritage Fund is on Friday, March 6. Please visit www.revitalisingredesdale.org.uk/projects/community-heritage-fund/ to learn about the types of projects supported and your eligibility to apply. You are advised to contact the Revitalising Redesdale team, either by email at info@revitalisingredesdale.com or by telephone on 07552 269363 to discuss your ideas before submitting an application.

Allen Valleys

Robert Philipson

In Collaboration, an exhibition of Japanese inspired knitwear, is the March exhibition in the Allendale Forge Studios. It features the outstanding designs of Julia Neubauer and Marion Woolcott. Julia exhibits her colourful and unique knitwear in the Forge shop all the year round under her label Chameleon. Marion is a proficient spinner, weaver and dyer. Their knitwear is highly original, very elegant and wearable and a perfect solution to the winter blues. Julia describes each piece as a “wearable piece of art”.

Also featured will be work in collaboration with other artists including Marion’s work with dyed willow from Phil Bradley and The Herdwick wool collection with Sarah McHaig Designs and Julia’s limited edition collection incorporating printed designs by Kirsten Gilder, Ceramics by Catriona Archibald and leather by Kathryn Guy.

The exhibition opens on Monday, March 2 and runs until March 30. Admission and parking are free. For more information visit www.allendaleforgestudios.co.uk or telephone (01434) 345975.

Allendale Co-op is launching a new website on March 1 and Allendale Co-op Loyalty Card Holders have a chance to win a £25 shopping voucher every month. Just visit their new website and see if your number has been drawn. The new website will feature details of their special offers, news articles and a home delivery page.

The lucky number will be drawn on the first weekday of the month and the winner has until the last day of the month to claim the prize. If the prize is not claimed the value of the following month’s voucher will increase by £5. The number will only be published online and the first draw will be on March 2.

Acomb

Julie Foster

A reminder about Acomb’s County Councillor Trevor Cessford’s monthly surgery for residents. It’s on Saturday, February 29 in the glass pod within Hexham library between 10am and midday.

Let's Sing Again is back on this Tuesday, March 3 in the village hall. Refreshments at 10.15am followed by singing your favourites at 10.45am. Contact Julie on (01434) 607490 musicalmemories17@gmail.com

Also on Tuesday, Acomb chapel craft group meets from 1pm to 2.30pm. New crafters welcome. Join us for tea/coffee, cake, and fellowship.

Acomb Parish Council meeting is on Wednesday at 7pm in the village hall. Residents are welcome to attend.

So much rain! Problems with surface water make matters worse. Please report any blocked drains by contacting Northumberland County Council on 0345 600 6400.

Acomb Methodist Church coffee morning is on Saturday, March 7 from 10-11.30am with Fairtrade and bring and buy stalls. All are welcome. Join us for fellowship.

Humshaugh

Herbie Newell

The Crown Inn was packed out for last Tuesday’s quiz. No fewer than 17 teams participated, and a magnificent £337 was raised for Humshaugh Cricket Club. In a close contest superbly set by Mick Jonas, ‘One Man Up’ prevailed by just half a point. Mention must also be made of the runners up, not just for their impressive score, but more particularly for their originality. In keeping with the evening’s cricketing theme and harking back to a memorable Test Match Special moment, with an adroitly placed comma akin to a middle stump, they dubbed themselves ‘The bowler’s Holding, the batsman’s Willey’!

The next quiz at the Crown Inn will take place on Tuesday, March 17 and will be for the Friends of Humshaugh School.

The World Day of Prayer service this year will take place at Barrasford Methodist Church on Friday, March 6 at 7pm. Light refreshments will be served after the service.

Additional diary dates next month are the Crown Inn Folk Music Evening (March 10, 8pm), parish council meeting (March 12, 7pm), Film Night (March 13, 7.30pm), Women’s Institute (March 19, 7pm) and Humshaugh Cricket Club jumble sale (March 18, 2pm).

The service at St Peter’s this Sunday, March 1 is Holy Communion at 9.30am.

Hexhamshire

Lynda White

The parish hall at Whitley Chapel is now looking resplendent after its latest makeover with the paintwork and new curtains now complete. There was a great atmosphere in the hall last Saturday when compere Lewis Short welcomed 130 people for the quiz night. The 21 teams battled through ten rounds and with only seven points between the top seven teams. Many thanks to the organisers, Claire, Dan and Lewis. Over £1,200 was raised towards the cost of the paintwork.

Congratulations to Whitley Chapel Young Farmers’ after winning the Young Farmers Drama Competition at the Queen’s Hall last week with their performance of Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes. This qualifies them for the semi-final of the National YFC Entertainment competition which will take place in Preston in March. Whitley Chapel chairman Matthew Harding won the award for Best Senior Male for his performance as the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs. Gemma Common from the Whitley Chapel Club will participate in Member of the Year along with Eleanor Scandle, who will take part in the speaking competition. Good luck to them all.

There is funding available for 750 Second World War veterans to attend the 75th anniversary celebrations of the end of the war which is to take place in London in early May. If you know any Hexhamshire veterans who may be eligible please contact parish council chairman Alistair Stevens for more information at oakfieldhexham@hotmail.co.uk.

Hexhamshire and Slaley Leek Club’s darts and dominoes evening will be held at the Rose and Crown tomorrow night at 7pm. All welcome.

The next ‘Shire walk will take place on Friday, March 6 at 9.30am beginning at the parish hall.

Riding Mill

Pam Pryor

Wednesday, March 4 sees the start of a free six-week course for Lent, which is open to everyone, and reflects on how to rebuild our relationship with the planet. The theme for week one is ‘light and energy’. You are invited to as many sessions as you wish in the Church Cottage on Church Lane between 11am and noon, and no booking is required.

Anyone attending last week’s first Lent soup lunch on Ash Wednesday will know the deliciousness of the homemade soups on offer. The second lunch, with more tasty flavours, will be held on March 4 at noon until 1.30pm in the Millennium Hall which is almost next door to the Church Cottage if you were worried that you couldn’t attend the above course plus the soup lunch.

Junior table tennis is now being held in the Millennium Hall between 6pm and 7pm every Monday. Bats are provided and beginners are welcome. This session is followed weekly by adult table tennis to which new members are always invited. If you would prefer to play table tennis during the daytime, you would also be welcome to play in the parish hall every Tuesday between 2pm and 3pm.

Stocksfield

Clare Daltry

The Tuesday Club meets every Tuesday at the community centre from 10am to 2pm for an informal get-together. Come along for a range of activities, or just come for a chat. A hot, freshly cooked lunch is served at a cost of £5. For more information, or to book a meal (preferably by the day before), contact on Melna on (01661) 844040 or Christine on (01661) 844863.

There’s a drop-in coffee morning at Stocksfield Methodist Church Hall in Mount View Terrace on Monday, March 2 between 10.30am and noon. This weekly event is dementia-friendly and open to all.

The parish council meets on Monday, March 2 at 7.30pm in the community centre. Time is always set aside at the beginning of the meeting for members of the public to raise issues that concern them.

The Stocksfield Retired Men’s Association meets on Thursday, March 5 in the Baptist Church Hall from 9.30am for coffee. Bill Clegg will present ‘What makes a scientist?’ at 10.30am.