Last updated 15:03, Thursday, 02 October 2008

WILL Stonehouse has recently sighted an osprey skulking around at Peck Riding, so it must be a fact that the wild environment of the fells above Allendale is a good hunting ground.

Bloom and musicals:Tynedale Community Hospice is more than £500 better off, thanks to a flower festival held at St Aidan’s United Reformed Church on Hencotes, Hexham. The church hosted a weekend of Bloom and Musicals, which brought together the talents of the ladies from St Aidan’s and neighbouring churches with 13 floral displays and a grand finale evening, when members of the congregation got together to sing the musicals. Pictured are members of St Aidan’s Women’s Group, back row, from left, Sheila Dobbins, Margaret McMillan, Linda Gowland, Sheila Hudson, Joan Jones; front row, from left, Rosalinde Herron, Joyce Quinn, presenting the cheque Nan Hamilton to a volunteer with Tynedale Community Hospice Edna Hardy, Fiona Ritchie and Betty Ferguson.

ONCE again the Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning was a huge success, raising £487.50. Grateful thanks to those who contributed to the prizes and cake stalls and a special thank you to the willing helpers on the day.

I ALSO loved the coffee morning held in Allendale village hall last Sunday that raised money for the Yummy Mummy charity for children with cancer.

THE 500 or so lots on Saturday’s charity auction were expeditiously sold, in a day with unsurpassed entertainment value for all concerned, and over £3,000 for good local causes. Special thanks to the auctioneers Nigel Baynes and Paul Murphy, and all the Allendale Lions were effusively congratulating Margaret Stonehouse, the coordinator of the event, for a smoothly run day.

TWENTY of the very best century-old images are now presented on the friendly village hall blog at www.AllendaleVillageHall.org.uk for our convenient viewing. The Allen Valleys Tourism and Visitor Network is now commissioning a contemporary set of images to complement the ones taken a century ago – some say not a lot has actually changed!

TOMORROW there’s a delightful free concert presented in Allendale village hall as singer-songwriter Kirsty McGee (tracks often featured on Radio 2) with partner Mat Martin entertain on their third CD tour, The Kansas Sessions. Kirsty’s voice is full of empathy, and her lyrics are contemporarily witty with great good humour.

THE big kite festival next Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th looks like a great family weekend up at Churchlands in Catton. Featuring some of Europe’s best kites and kite fliers, you’ll be sure of friendly guidance on how to fly your own kite successfully. The event begins at 10.30am and lasts until 4pm.

IF YOU don’t fancy the bracing winds on the fells, then perhaps the Northern Harmony Workshop from 11am until 5pm on the 11th in Allendale Village Hall is for you! The young singers will have enchanted on Friday evening in Hexham Abbey, and the workshop led Larry Gordon will be a delight for all singers!

AN EVENING of Wine, Women and Style with Jenny B, encompassing two hours of talk and workshop sessions, is presented by Allendale First School PTFA, at 7pm on Friday, October 17, at Allendale First School. Tickets are available at the MarketPlace, Allendale’s post office, or call Margaret on (01434) 618488.