AFTER a break of some years, the Post Office is now planning to restore services in Matfen by means of a van to be parked outside the village shop from 2.45pm to 4.45pm every Wednesday.

The public is being consulted about how exactly the new service is to be provided, through a public consultation exercise which is being conducted until July 24.

Leaflets about the public consultation are available in the village store.

MATFEN Village Fête is all set for Saturday, July 4 from 1pm until 4pm and it looks as if it will be more interesting and lively than ever!

There is no admission charge and everyone is welcome.

There will be well sign-posted car parking (not on the roads please) and refreshments of different sorts; in the village hall (hot drinks, cakes and scones), in the Village Store (ice creams, drinks and snacks of all kinds) and a locally sourced barbecue and beer tent.

The Black Bull will also be open all day.

From the time of the opening ceremony at 1pm it will be ‘all systems go’. We are delighted to welcome back our inimitable Master of Ceremonies, John Best, who is now on the way to full health and will lead us through the afternoon giving commentaries on the various events.

There will be lots of stalls, activities and games aimed at young children (hook a duck, pick a lolly, face painting etc), teenagers (splat the rat, coconut shy etc), adults (golden bucket, tombola, etc) and more.

Many of these are entertaining for spectators as well as participants and the dangling doughnuts challenge and belly bumps certainly fit into this category!

We have a new stall entitled ‘gold and silver land’ and the fire service will be attending with a fire engine.

Hexham Brass will be playing along again to make sure the afternoon goes with a swing.

Then there are the races, children’s traditional races , plastic duck races in the village stream and the traditional annual model boat race (register your home-made boat before 2pm on the day). The support for these and the accompanying cheering is always spectacular.

Raffle tickets are going well with fantastic prizes on offer and there will be a final opportunity to buy these on the day with the draw being made at 3.30pm.

We are now collecting items for bric-a-brac, tombola, books and DVDs so if you would like items collecting please contact either John Telford on (01661) 886464 or Struan Wilson on (01661) 886592.

Alternatively please bring them to the village hall on Friday, July 3 from 6pm. For the cakes and home produce stall please bring contributions on the day.

It is always a great day out for all the family so do come and enjoy all that is going on.

EVERYONE was delighted to hear that Matfen is to become a key priority in the next stage of Northumberland County Council’s broadband roll-out.

Having currently an extremely poor internet speed, this will make an enormous difference to businesses as well as residents in the village and thanks go to Coun. Veronica Jones and to Hexham MP Guy Opperman for their huge encouragement, support and hard work on our behalf.