THE rolling green hills of the Allen Valley are the last place you would expect to take your beach towel, bucket and spade.

But now, this lack of seaside fun for residents has inspired a plan to bring the beach to the countryside.

St Cuthbert’s Church in Allendale is hoping to spearhead a project to build a pop-up beach in the centre of the village.

The Rev. Jon Russell has put the proposal to Allendale Parish Council and the Village Hall and Recreation Ground committee after hearing about a similar project in London.

That successful scheme saw the National Trust build a beach under a railway arch for children in the capital who couldn’t get to the seaside.

“It will be quite fun to get a few tonnes of sand and run a beach for a day,” Mr Russell explained.

“Allendale has got everything apart from a beach; we are as far as you can be from a beach.

“For some children getting away to the beach is not easy. Everyone thinks the pop-up beach is a good idea; it’s about making it happen now.

“It would be huge fun to get some deckchairs, buckets and spades or even a donkey!”

It is hoped the beach will be open to the public, particularly children, and run as an extension to the church’s successful Messy Church sessions.

Opened for a limited period during the summer holidays, it would be a temporary feature for the village, with the sand laid down over an area of tarpaulin.

The scheme is still in the early stages, with sand suppliers and the ideal location still being sought, this could be the recreation ground next to Allendale Village Hall, a site on the village green, or the grounds of the former Allendale First School.

At the latest meeting of Allendale Parish Council, councillors were approached about the possibility of using the grassed village green area next to the war memorial.

While they were enthusiastic about the idea of creating a beach in the village, concerns were raised about the impact several tonnes of sand would have on the grass.

Health and safety practicalities were also raised, as the area is open and borders the main road, and there were concerns abut the scale of the clear-up operation that would be required.

Coun. Glynn Galley said: “I think it’s a great idea; a tarpaulin on grass with tonnes of sand is not.

“In the recreation ground there are no dogs allowed, but they are allowed on the area around the memorial.

“Can we suggest we don’t feel the village green is suitable because of the proximity to the road, dog, cats etc, and it needs to be a suitable area?”

An enclosed space, away from the road and nearby pubs, was suggested, with councillors adding support for utilising a space in the recreation ground or the former first school playground.

Coun. David Crellin added: “It’s a great idea though!”