THE CHAIR of the Prudhoe Community Partnership has spoken to the Courant about why she loves the charity and what her plans are for her term.

Caroline Warburton firstly wanted to pay tribute to her predecessor, George Hepburn.

She said: "I've certainly got big boots to fill.

"George Hepburn put in a huge amount of work for the PCP and for Prudhoe in general, particular in the running of the Spetchells centre, which houses and library and the police.

"Over the past few years he's dedicated a huge amount of work to improve it financially and offer the service that it does."

The Partnership is a charitable organisation that works to bring investment and improvement to Prudhoe.  They can apply to grants and funds unavailable to the council to bring extra money to the town.

Some of their latest projects include building and owning two new shops by the traffic lights - Stevie Cuts and Gamer Nights - and setting up Prudhoe Youth Project.

Ms Warburton will be in charge of the partnership for the next three years, with a possible two-year extension after that after Trustees nominated and voted her to her position.

She took took up the office in April and has been hard at work ever since.

The Partnership have taken over 61 Front Street for a community hub and a public face of the partnership.

Ms Warburton said: "It’s hard to have a public presence when you’re based on the first floor of the Spetchells. I want to increase the public awareness of the work we do.

"Our remit is to serve Prudhoe, the businesses and the community to support a number of different projects, we want people to bring their ideas to us and we will certainly have a look at them."

They have just updated their website and are looking for two new trustees to help out.  It's a good time to join as their AGM is September 21.

She said: "Our mission is to promote the town of Prudhoe and to serve businesses who live and work in the town.

"It’s going to be very interesting.  I am quite excited and I think it’s going to be good.  I have some very committed colleagues, we’re doing the best that we can.

"It’s not our job to sit on money, we want to use all money to benefit the town."

Anyone living or working in the Prudhoe can become a member of the Partnership. The members elect the trustees each year and receive a quarterly report.