CONGRATULATIONS to Sandra and Michael Gibson for winning the VisitEngland ROSE Award for their B&B accommodation at Carr Edge.

Friends and family that we have had stay there cannot speak highly enough of the welcome, and quality of food and amenities. A well deserved prize.

CONGRATULATIONS also to James Stokoe who won the angling competition on BBC2 on Sunday evening.

Many of us have watched the programme presented by Ben Fogle, as James and his fellow competitors were whisked to various parts of the world to catch some weird and wonderful fish. Well done.

SOME of us were woken in the early hours of Sunday, by firefighters, as the east end of Sidgate began to flood. The water was flowing past the Red Lion, along the main road and collecting at the end of the street.

The drain in the middle of the road was lifting up with the force of water, whilst the ones on the edge of the road were totally blocked and therefore allowing the water to edge its way further west.

The fire crew channeled the water elsewhere and supplied sand bags. Later a drain clearing vehicle arrived, but it wasn’t until dawn that things began to improve.

By Sunday lunchtime, flooding had moved further down the valley where some residents in Warden found the Tyne rising to danger point. We hope that things improved as the afternoon went on and that everyone stayed safe.

AN email received last week reports that the Railway Inn was ceasing business on Monday (November 16) and its future is uncertain.

THE 200 Club winners were Lee Falkingham, Scott Hawkins and Diane Hull. Congratulations all.

THE total raised from the October Tea Dance in aid of the Jean Johnston Breath of Life Fund, after all expenses have been paid, is £55. Thank you to everyone who supported the event.

ST Peter’s Church is again hosting a festival of Christmas trees from Sunday, December 20 until Sunday, January 3.

If you would like to decorate a tree on behalf of an organisation, community group, family or as an individual, or can offer help in any way, contact (01434) 674686 or (01434) 674653.