ON Monday, August 10, the village history group meets in the village shop at 2pm.

Colin Moore will follow up on last month’s talk about 19th century railways by bringing us into the 20th century’s provision.

If you are around, do drop by, enjoy a coffee and find out how important the railway has been to the village.

SCARECROWS for the village competition must be in place on Friday, August 21; entries closed on July 17. The scarecrows will be left in position until Tuesday, September 1, and must then be removed.

To make sure you see them all, you can buy a map at the village shop; the map also has a voting slip on the bottom. Return your slip nominating your favourite to the shop when you’ve seen all the entries. The winner of the competition will be announced at a village hall event yet to be announced.

If you need any more details about the competition, you can get them from Kim Miller on Tel. 07730 661999.

SATURDAY, August 15, is the big, annual fund-raising coffee morning for our village churches, held in Haltwhistle Methodist Church hall.

This year, however, many of the women helpers who also happen to be members of the women’s institute, will be enjoying their outing to the Yves St Laurent exhibition at the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle.

Consequently, there could be a serious shortage of helpers, so all offers to help with setting up on Friday afternoon, or making and serving coffees, or wielding a washing up brush on Saturday, will be much appreciated.

Contributions to the various stalls – books/CDs, bric-a-brac, cakes and produce, raffle and tombola prizes, – would also be welcomed. Telephone Libby Scott (01434) 344582, if you can help out. Prizes and other contributions can be left with Libby or any of the church wardens.

A REMINDER that Douglas Tang, the organist from King’s College, Cambridge, will be giving a recital in Hexham Abbey on Saturday, August 15, at 6pm – precisely the calm and beauty you need to end the day after your busy time helping out with the coffee morning.