THE parish council meeting on Monday, November 16, highlighted various issues which need to be addressed in the village.

The footpath gate is missing at the top of Lead Lane and the village drains are blocked with sludge after all the recent rain. A request is to be made to Northumberland County Council to have the drains cleared to avoid flooding.

There appears to be little or no progress with cutting back vegetation from the path beside South Farm.

Due to the very wet weather the normal litter pick week was postponed. A request is to be made to residents to do it at their convenience. Materials are available from Michael and Mandy Senior in Stonecroft. Most residents will pick up litter as they see it, so thank you to them.

There appears to be a lack of progress with the repairs to the village war memorial, therefore, it was proposed that a new site may be a cheaper alternative. The suggested site was at the entrance to Water Lane.

A proposal was made to the meeting to hold a three-day music /pop festival on land opposite Albemarle off the Military Road in August 2016. It was estimated this would attract approximately 90,000 to 120,000 people.

The re-opening of Ovingham Bridge is expected to take place at the end of November. However, there is still some work to be done under the bridge and to the foot bridge which will take a further week to repair. It is understood that pedestrians will use the road bridge while this is happening.

Representatives of Northumbrian Water are planning to attend the next two parish council meetings to inform residents about proposed work at the treatment plant in Horsley.

There was very good feedback from Mill Way residents who have been visited by the company’s representative, David McDermott, in connection with the light and noise levels from the site. He is addressing the problems effectively.

THANK you to all who contributed scones and cakes to last weekend’s fund-raiser at the WI/village hall. It went extremely well and raised approximately £250 towards the village fun day planned for the Queen’s birthday celebrations in June 2016.

Thank you also to the kind folk who came along during the two days.

The raffle was won by David Wallace, Ruth Bramwell, Anne Brennan and Jacqui, from Cherrytree Gardens.

THE communion service at Horsley Parish Church on Sunday, November 29, at 11am, will be led by the Rev. Sue Rendall.

TICKETS for the Burns Supper on Saturday, January 16, 2016, are going fast with only 30 left. Please contact David Wallace Tel. (01661) 854196 or myself, Ethel Coulthard Tel. (01661) 853833.