All the latest news from your area.

Riding Mill

Carole Craig-Gilby

A very cold and wet May is upon us but slowly we are opening –On 17th May Coffee (still social distance) is happening once again in the Parish Hall, “The 60s 80s who cares “exercise classes by Linda Sheppard will recommence that week too. Carpet Bowls Club is meeting again from Monday 17th, with limited numbers at this stage. Excited to announce that 'Hope Yoga’ RETURNS with 'Calming evening yoga' every Wednesday from 19th May at 6.45p.m - the best way to let go of your day! (Main Village hall) and a NEW 'introduction to Yoga' 6-week series for complete beginners, starting Thursday 20th at 10.30a.m. Millennium Hall. Both classes run for 1 hour. Clare would be so happy to see you on the mat -and in person! All welcome but please be aware spaces are limited. If you require any further details or wish to book; www.hope-yoga.com or Clare on 07956407905. Clare would be so happy to see you on the mat -and in person! All welcome but please be aware spaces are limited. If you require any further details or wish to book; www.hope-yoga.com or Clare on 07956407905 . The Drop In will be starting back on Tuesday May 25th with a special open afternoon in the parish hall garden, weather permitting. All are welcome to drop in for a cuppa and a chat about our future plans. questionnaires for our get-together will be available in Both Halls. We haven't yet confirmed an indoor start date-Whatever is decided we will be in the Millennium Hall for now on-17th to 23rd is national Dementia Awareness week and Alzheimer's Dementia Action week, which we've been asked to support locally. Their theme is that, although Dementia is not yet curable, the broken care system is. So many people just don't want to think about it, but I still believe the villages role is to welcome anyone in need of company to mix in a supportive environment.

Matfen

Jean Conteh

The new AV system is all set up in the village hall – there's wifi, state-of-the-art sound and vision projection, a large retractable screen and also an induction hearing loop to make everything more accessible. Contributions to the cost came from the NCC Community Chest, the Charlotte Cookson Charitable Trust and the Sir James Knott Trust, and it's all there for the community to enjoy. If you wish to book the hall for a private event or have an idea for a community activity, get in touch on matfenvillage@gmail.com.

There's a new activity starting this week, Matfen Makers, on Thursday May 20, from 1-3 pm, and then every third Thursday of the month after that. It's for people who enjoy making things to come together for a couple of hours to enjoy the company of other crafters, learn new skills, swap ideas, perhaps work on a community project, or just work on your own project.

The Upper Pont Kitchen has been a huge success during covid, with a team of volunteers cooking meals on Thursdays and Sundays for anyone in the community who wished to receive them. Now that things are getting back to normal, the kitchen will serve its last meal on 27th May. Sincere thanks are due to the volunteers who kept it going through the past year. They will be cooking a Sunday lunch on 23rd May to help raise funds for Stamfordham village hall.

The churches still need your support through using the easy fundraising website: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/upperpont churches. Join for free and choose Upper Pont Churches as your chosen cause. Then, you shop as normal with over 4,200 retailers, and they will make a small donation to the churches for each purchase to say 'thank you'.

Great Whittington Friends are delighted that their first post-lockdown event is attracting so much interest, and there's still time to sign up. It's a bring-your-own picnic with live jazz and the opportunity to meet some beautiful alpacas. It's all happening from 12:00pm to 3:30pm on Bank Holiday Monday, May 31st, on Rose's Bower field, thanks to Paul Campbell. It's all free, but as we’ll still be under COVID regulations, booking is essential – go to gwfriends.org for the details.

Hexhamshire

Ruth Marlee

A couple of weeks ago a car moved past me, stopped and reversed back. A very smart young lady stuck her head out the car window and said “Is that you Ruth?”. I recognised her immediately as someone I had known many years ago. I was truly delighted to see how she had progressed her life and we both left with massive grins. It’s very rare to get such positive feedback, so Rachael’s successes and our shared words made me feel just great! I have thumped pans and clapped at every opportunity in recognition of care workers and indeed all those who have kept working in these difficult times; I would like to think they know my gratitude! Apparently, July 4th is going to be a national “Thank you!” day. There must be many people in Hexhamshire who deserve special praise, but perhaps we don’t have to wait till July. Surely any day is a good day to say “Thank you!”

On Thursday 20th, we have the bishops from Durham, Jarrow, Newcastle and Berwick walking through the ‘Shire on their way from Heavenfield to Durham following the ’Way of Light’. They will be at Whitley Chapel shortly after 1pm, having their sandwiches and saying prayers with the children at the school. Afterwards, Bishop Christine will dedicate the new gates to the churchyard, and meet Will Chalmers, who made them. Now that really is a special way to say “Thank you!”

The Parish Hall is now open! If you wish to make a booking this can be done online at https://www.hexhamshire.org.uk/parish-hall/availability-and-bookings/, or by contacting Gill on 07836 580902, or whitleychapelparishhall@gmail.com

Please send new contributions for Community News to hexhamshirenotes@gmail.com by the Friday before publication.

Allen Valleys

Robert Philipson

The Parish Council finally met in person last week. In the discussions was a proposed bus shelter for the centre of Catton. There have been a number of requests for a shelter from the elements at this location and the Parish Council is looking at design and location options. This will be on the agenda for the June meeting so it will be an opportunity for residents to have a say and gain more precise information. Hopefully it will be in person again and at Allendale Village Hall. Allendale PTFA Scarecrow Festival is in progress. By this Sunday all scarecrows will have been entered and finished and from Monday maps will be available from Allendale Post Office for the public to find and view the scarecrows. The public can then vote for their favourite scarecrow the winner receiving the first prize of a “Homemade in the Dales” Afternoon Tea, with the second prize winner having a “Homemade in the Dales” Traybake Box. The coldest Spring many of us can remember seems to be taking its toll on the lapwing population. Adult bird numbers are down and very few chicks can be seen in the fields. It is causing problems for upland farmers as well, many of whom have yet to turn their cattle out from the winter sheds because of lack of grass and with no prospect of the weather warming up there seems no end to the problem. While feedstocks are still available it is the lack of straw for bedding after the poor harvest last year which is the biggest headache for many farmers.

Please send any contributions to his column for next week by Sunday 6pm and sent to robert.philipson@btconnect.com or telephone 01434 685266.

Slaley

Helen Savage

As we all emerge blinking into the next stage of the lifting of lockdown restrictions there’s a welcome chance to get together again in once familiar ways, with the Commemoration Hall at the heart of many village activities. Do, please, think about using it. Stella (01434 673001) will be delighted to hear from you.

Two of the regular activities beginning again include Badminton and Exercise to Music. If you’d like to try these or know more about either of them, please phone Fran (01434 673429 for Badminton) or Carol (673585 for Exercise to Music).

It’s a matter of amazement to me that the churchyard looks so good given the challenging weather recently – a wonderful, green haven of peace. Our team of grasscutters have done a wonderful job. If you’d like to join them, please do have a word with Brian Wilson (01434 673043), he’d be thrilled to hear from you.

It’s not too late to have a go at the Christian Aid Quiz – please ask me for more details. The closing date for entries is Saturday and Olwen is still taking orders for our grand Coffee Morning event on 3 June – order a goodie box (£5) each and invite your friends – a lovely way to get together as well as raising a bit of money for our churches. Please email Olwen: olwensavage@gmail.com

Slaley and Healey Churches both have their annual meetings on Sunday. Slaley after 10.45 service at 11.30, Healey likewise at 5.30pm after Evensong at 5pm. All are welcome.

Wylam

Robin Piette

Lots of comments about the lovely rainbow (almost double) on 10th May.

Northumberland Libraries are celebrating Elmer Day on 29th May. Elmer, an elehant covered in patachwork, is beautiful, but the Libraries are giving away two lovely Elmer books to the two very lucky children who design the best new pattern for Elmer’s coat. Al grown-up should take a photo of the design and send it to mylibrary@northumberland.gov.uk no later than Sunday 6th June.

Beaver, Cubs and Scout are meeting again. They are asking to help them raise funds for 1st Wylam Scout group, by signing up to the Northumberland lottery for as little for a small sum a week. Not only could you be in for a chance to win 12 monthly deliveries to your door of fruit and veg but there are cash prizes up to £25,000 to be won every week. For every ticket you purchase 50p comes directly to 1st Wylam Scout Group and 10p to other good causes within Northumberland. You can sign up on www.Northumberlandlottery.co.uk and search for 1st Wylam Scouts.

Messy Church at the Methodist Centre is hoping to start up on Sunday July 11th.

Semibreve Clara Vale Music (Katie Tertell, cello and Annie Ball, accordion) are planning another of their secret venue socially distanced outdoor gigs on Saturday May 29th at 5pm, location to be announced two days before performance. Audience numbers will be limited, so grab your ticket pronto before they’re gone and see you underneath the trees.

Hope you’ve remembered to drop your Christian Aid envelope into the Institute!

Bellingham

Birtley Nail

MOTORISTS who exceed the speed limit outside Bellingham's two schools could be steering themselves into trouble. For Bellingham's community speed watch team is set to dust off its speed gun and bring the thoughtless drivers to book. The three strong team of local volunteers was stood down by Northumbria Police during lockdown, but the proposed easing of restrictions could see a return to duty. The alarm about drivers regularly speeding past the schools was expressed at the April meeting of Bellingham Parish Council when it was suggested that the speed watch volunteers should pay particular attention to that stretch of road. The parish council is also investigating the cost of speed check signs of the type used at Wall and Acomb. A letter is also to be sent to a school bus operator after a complaint of alleged speeding by one of its drivers elsewhere in the village.

FOLLOWING reported damage caused to a picnic table at the Jubilee Field by someone lighting a portable barbecue on it, Bellingham Parish Council is to erect a notice making it plain that barbecues are not allowed on the public open space. And for the first time in decades, the council is to provide life-saving equipment at the point where the field runs down to the River North Tyne. Councillors have agreed to fund the provision of a life belt at the beauty spot, where there are some unexpectedly deep pools.

DESPITE the removal of a pick up load of rubbish from woodland near the former railway line running between Westlands and Fairshaw Crescent last year, and warnings that offenders risk hefty fines, fly tipping is continuing at the trouble spot. Northumberland County Council agreed to provide “no tipping” signs, but has yet to do so.

Stocksfield

Ian Warburton

Stocksfield Plants and Gardens Society have had to cancel their big Annual Plant Sale at the Community Hall for the second year in a row, owing to Covid restrictions. However, they have organised a series of small garden-gate sales, open to anyone who would like to come and buy a few plants grown by members. You can expect the usual quality plants, just fewer of them. The first of these pop-ups is next Saturday, 22 May, from 1:30pm to 3:30pm, at ‘Ojentaa’, 16 Mount View Terrace, Guessburn, Stocksfield NE43 7HL. Plants will be priced from 50p to £5, depending on size and maturity. Payment is by cash only, so take lots of change plus your own bags and boxes. Outdoor Covid rules will apply, including the 2-metre distance rule. There is very limited parking, so please use the train station car park – it’s only a couple of minutes’ walk, on the other side of the street from the Community Centre.

Warm wishes to members of Stocksfield Parish Council as they take up their posts following the recent elections. I look forward to hearing more of your activities in the time to come.