If you would like to see something new and exciting in the village, then pop down to the parish hall tonight at 7.30 pm.

Billed as its first ‘scratch night’, members of the Tyne Valley Youth Theatre have been invited to take part in Straight From The Horse’s Mouth, devising pieces that are not necessarily polished, but creative and inventive, encouraging the audience to provide feedback.

The theme is Goya, an Urdu word meaning the transporting sense of disbelief that can occur during good storytelling.

Performance slots last between 10 and 15 minutes, so the interpretations should be extremely varied and entertaining.

This is a wonderful opportunity to support our young people and, you never know, we could witness the performances of our stars of the future.

According to Jenny Sandiford, our resident dog trainer, it sounds as though our happy hounds are also creating memorable performances in the parish hall on a Sunday afternoon – perhaps not for the right reasons, but great fun nonetheless!

Jenny will be back on Sunday, February 7, at 3pm, if you would like to find out how she can help to improve your dog’s obedience and socialising.

You can also telephone her on 07808 218999.

The next meeting of Broomhaugh & Riding Parish Council will take place on Monday, February 8, with public questions from 7.15 pm.

Please note that this meeting will take place in the newly-refurbished church cottage.

Riding Mill Churches Together would like to invite everyone to join in shared worship to mark the start of Lent and (if you wish) to receive the mark of the cross, on Wednesday, February 10, in St Elizabeth’s Church, Minsteracres, at 7.30pm.

If you have information you wish to share or a story to tell in our village notes, please contact me via email pampryor@btinternet.com or telephone (01434) 682927.