A round-up of this week's community news.

Slaley
Stella Douglas
As I write (April 19) the first house martins and swallows have arrived over Colpitts as they have done for many years. Ian saw the first passing swallow on April 15 over The Glen. He tells me that his resident swallows arrive on April 20, give or take a few hours. So; there is a challenge to Slaley nature lovers. Can you get a good picture of swallows and house martins? Send them to me (stellacdouglas@gmail.com) and I can post them, and any other wildlife pictures on the parish website. Go on line to www.slaley.org.uk and click the link on the ‘About Slaley’ page. There are some lovely contributions on the LXNR page already. Perhaps you can provide the dates when first resident house martins and swallows arrived.
The parish council met in cyberspace on April 6. I guess this is the first time although I am happy to be corrected on that. The meeting went well, and many Covid-19 issues were discussed although many other issues had become redundant in the current circumstances. The parish council remains in contact with all those who can help from the local level through to the county council. Don’t hesitate to contact the parish clerk (Pat) on 673388 if you have concerns.
If you need some inspiration to get started on some creative activity, visit www.hasac.org.uk where you can see items of art and craft made by Slaley folk and others. There are some super dragons! Contribute if you can.
And finally, if you are riding your bike around the roads of Slaley remember to ring your bell to alert walkers of your presence so that both you and they can exercise safely.

Matfen
Jean Conteh
One month into the lockdown and it’s great to see all the ‘All OK, thanks’ green cards on prominent display around the village – remember that you can call Rev Rachel (01661 886853) any time if you need any help at all. And new ideas for passing the time keep coming up; one posted a few days ago on the Facebook page is to have a book (and DVD) swap in the telephone box. If anyone would like to take this project on, please contact matfenvillage@gmail.com
The village store and the Black Bull are a great help. The store is open every day from 8am to 5pm, with a takeaway and delivery service; phone (01661) 886202 for more details. As ever, thanks are due to Ian and Tracey for all they are doing for the community. The Black Bull is also doing takeaways, Tuesday to Saturday, 1-7pm. The menu is on the Facebook page, or phone Marshall on (01661) 855395 for details and to order.
The Matfen Growing Community project is up and running, open to everyone in the parish. Bags of compost and seeds are available to grow at home for yourself, or to add to the community allotment or village display when the restrictions are lifted. The allotment is registered with the RHS ‘It’s your neighbourhood’ scheme which supports community groups who want to ‘green up’ their area. If you would like to be involved, email matfenvillage@gmail.com. Two people already getting involved are Liz and Roger Bishop - thanks to them for their efforts in weeding around the village green. Liz has asked if you could deadhead any withering daffodils that you pass on your daily walk – this helps the plants to concentrate on feeding the bulbs ready for next season.

Allen Valleys
Robert Philipson 
The Allendale Horticultural and Industrial Show due to take place on Saturday, August 22 has been cancelled because of coronavirus restrictions.
These are challenging times for the people who are supported by Natural Ability with Day Farming activities cancelled and the Handy Person Service on hold. From spending their days in the fresh air to having to spend much of their time indoors is a dramatic change for the worse. Louise Northwood is forwarding videos from the farms they used to work on showing the day-to-day activities taking place as well as her own, based on her horticultural skills and hopefully this will reduce the isolation they must feel. On a more positive note the organisation received a grant of £29,000 to support people with learning difficulties to train in horticulture and land based skills and gain qualifications. Also a word for the staff and management having to manage the independent living aspect of the work and keep their households protected and safe in this current situation.
The Allen Valleys Scarecrow PHOTOGRAPHIC Festival will take place in a new lock down compliant format. Scarecrows must be made from materials available in the home now. No journeys for materials & scarecrows should be out of sight to avoid all temptations and entries must be in by Thursday, April 30 at 5pm. Photographs of scarecrows to be entered electronically at: www.allendalechurch.co.uk/scarecrow with voting on website from 8am on May 1 to 5pm on May 8. You can only vote once and winners will be announced during the online service at 10.30am on Sunday, May 10 and published afterwards on Facebook and the website. It’s for fun and certificates will be emailed to the owners of the three scarecrows with the highest number of votes. Any queries to AVScarecrows@gmail.com.
Please send any contributions for these notes to robert.philipson@btconnect.com or telephone (01434) 685266 and the deadline is Sunday 6pm.

Heddon
John Stewart
With all the uncertainty swirling around the country about coronavirus and the various orders to stay at homes as much as you can, practice social distancing and wash your hands there’s a lot of pent-up energy to do something to get moving. Even if you are staying at home or going out for your daily exercise it is important for everyone to get some fresh air. Going for a walk is a good way to get exercise, especially if you have been stuck indoors all day, and it may help with feelings of anxiety or depression that some people may be experiencing. In both instances of just sitting in the garden or walking if able in the peaceful surroundings I get great sense of positivity and happiness from doing these on a daily basis which listening to the birds, hearing the farm animals, watching the trees in the wind and sun, looking at the blossoming spring flowers and just reflecting on life knowing that we still live in a wonderful world with all the fantastic nature, wildlife and people that surrounds us.
Well done to all those creative pupils of Heddon Primary School who took part in our ‘Egg-Dangered and Egg-Stinct Animal’ Easter Egg competition supported by Tesco’s. The work delivered were amazingly impressive entries which included excellent fact sheets. The judges learnt some exciting facts about these interesting animals. Congratulations to pupils Dylan and Chloe who were selected the overall winners.
It was a real pleasure to deliver several food parcels to residents of Heddon over the Easter weekend. The Sir James Knott Memorial Hall in conjunction with Age UK had acquired 40 food parcels. Those residents who accepted a parcel were delighted and honoured that the caring community of Heddon were continuing to support and connect with them with ease through these adaptable times. A huge thank you once again for everyone’s adoration, support and strong community spirit ensuring that all their family, friends and neighbours have the love for one and knowing that we are staying connected meaning no one is left alone.
With all churches closed residents have been turning to digital church instead. Each week Newcastle West Methodist Church district gathering together for pre-recorded services, prayer groups, Bible studies and reflections with services being delivered by Heddon Methodist Minister Rev Colin Barrick in very powerful services reaching out to each and every one of us. If you are a resident and would like a DVD copy of these services, please contact me on 07713646623 where I will arrange one to be dropped off accordingly.
Well Done to Heddon United Football Club Under 11s who have been crowned champions of the Northumberland Junior Football League – Division 8. This month the league voted in favour of completing the season on points-per-game to determine final standings.
The scale of the VE Day celebrations on Friday, May 8 are to be at a much smaller scale than this year but it is hoped that you can still take part in this victorious historic day to commemorate the end of World War Two and I would encourage you to celebrate and enjoy this day while following government guidelines by decorating your house red, white and blue.
Finally I am wishing you all good health. Stay active, stay safe, stay positive, stay connected and stay together, we can and we will come out of this stronger that ever! 

Bellingham
Birtley Nail
HISTORY was made last week when Bellingham Parish Council held its first ever “virtual” meeting. Due to coronavirus lockdown restrictions, councillors were unable to hold their normal monthly meeting in person, so conducted business from their homes via a video link.
While some parish councils are dismissed as mere talking shops, this is not an accusation which could be levelled at Bellingham, as the council has been leading the fight against Covid-19 from the front. The council has been running a series of services for self-isolators across the parish and up to last week’s meeting had posted six letters, letters, delivered 41 prescriptions and done 98 shopping trips providing food and other essentials worth £1,062. 
Coun. Martin Dickson-Green paid tribute to the community response – from all the local food shops, the staff in the pharmacy, local police and the 14 people who had volunteered with the council, as well as those that were supporting others informally themselves. He noted that the crisis had brought out the best in the community. While the services provided were free, Coun, Dickson-Green added that some people had insisted on making a payment – but that cash had been forwarded to Bellingham Town Hall,which is about to undertake a major improvement scheme, 
An Easter quiz organised by the parish council proved so popular that it is now being staged on the council’s Facebook page every Friday night until the end of lockdown, 

Ovingham & Ovington
Malcolm Cairns
If your daily exercise takes you along the riverside footpath, then please note that a section of it is closed due to fallen trees. The spot is approximately opposite the Piper Road entrance, give this area a wide berth as other trees are in a dangerous state and could possibly fall. The landowners have been informed and it is hoped that path will be open soon.
Although Ovingham Cemetery remains open under county council ruling, the grounds are not a dedicated recreational or dog walking area. Please show respect.
Our two local businesses, the White Swan Pub and the village shop continue to support the community. The White Swan has takeaway meals to order at weekends and the village shop is open each day for groceries, newspapers etc. 
Ovington Community Group intends that its 2021 calender will depict the events happening in 2020. Windows decorated with rainbows, displays of teddy bears and photos of the Ovington folk clapping for the NHS and carers will be included.

Prudhoe
Ian Warburton
A huge thank you goes to Age UK, Prudhoe Town Council and volunteers from the Miner’s Lamp Cafe at West Wylam, who were instrumental in distributing 100 food parcels to people around Prudhoe who are self-isolating and vulnerable. Age UK offered the parcels to Sarah Eden, clerk to Prudhoe Town Council, who in turn contacted the Miner’s Lamp Cafe and they organised the distribution over the Easter weekend. 
The Miner’s Lamp Cafe volunteers have also been in touch to clarify their ‘Pay As You Feel’ market, which takes donations from supermarkets of food which would other wise go to landfill. The food is fine to eat and can be collected from the cafe in Eastwood Park. It is available to anyone who wants to use it and the money raised helps to buy other household items for the market.

Horsley
Maurice Holliday
The fingerposts marking rights of way around the parish have been repainted making walkways clearer. Broken stiles, footbridges and other obstructions on rights of way can be reported to parishclerk@horsleyvillage.org.uk. for attention.
The bus shelters around the village are undergoing a spring clean.
A considerable amount of street furniture collapsed during the winter period, largely due to the metal posts rusting. The dog waste bin and the sign on which it was attached at the east end of the village has been removed. Hopefully all the dog bins will be placed on other posts. Some signs to the west of the village are either still lying on the ground or bent over and care needs to be taken when passing them.

Corbridge
David Walton
Corbridge British Legion has regretfully cancelled the VE Day75 celebrations which were going to take place on May 8 and 9 which many were looking forward to.
Rev. David Kennedy continues with his brief services of reflection on Youtube social media at 10am on Sundays.
Sadly, we face another three weeks of lockdown and all meetings and events in the coming week have again been cancelled.

Riding Mill
Pam Pryor
Even with the restrictions, I think the weeks seem to be flying by except it is easy to lose track of what day it is. I hope you are all staying safe, keeping well and receiving all the support and services you need.
On behalf of all villagers, thank you to the parish councillors and Catherine Harrison, and the Village Hall Trust volunteers and Suzanne Barker, for keeping us informed of the meal service and shopping opportunities to ensure that no-one should be struggling.
My notes last week listed contact details of all the local shops providing basic food packs and household essentials but if you need a reminder, don’t hesitate to ring me on (01434) 682927 or email pampryor@btinternet.com. 
The village assistance number 07935 271 922 is also available between 10am and 3pm. As always, we thank all our emergency services staff, key workers and volunteers.
If you would like to share any experiences, please do let me know for next week’s village notes. Remember that sharing is caring.

Hexhamshire
Lynda White
Volunteers are offering a prescription collection and delivery service for residents in the Juniper, Whitley Chapel and Hexhamshire area. Tesco Lloyds and Boots pharmacies have all agreed to support the service. If you receive your prescription from a different pharmacy please let us know and we will see if we can include it in the collection service. Prescriptions will be collected and delivered on Thursdays each week. For more information please telephone 07836580902 or email hexhamshirepc@gmail.com

Redesdale
Emma Anderson
The Ray Windfarm Fund Community Interest Company (CIC) is making emergency, fast-track funding available for organisations and individuals in the Ray Windfarm Fund CIC area during the coronavirus emergency. There will be three strands: the Organisations’ Survival Fund, which can provide emergency cashflow funding for organisations at risk of closure; the Organisations’ Project Fund, which can support services that meet immediate community needs; and the Individual Support Fund, which can support individuals in the community that are not able to access support from other sources. The funding will not replace any Government support available; you will be asked to tell the CIC what other assistance you have explored or will be receiving from other sources. Organisations may be signposted to other more relevant and applicable funding support. The application process will be as simple as possible and decisions will normally be made and funding released within seven days. For details, please visit www.raywindfund.co.uk

Upper North Tyne
Sarah Hallberg
It looks like social distancing is likely to continue for a few weeks yet but thankfully, people are extremely resourceful. The brains in Tarset have come up with the excellent idea of challenging all who are on the Tarset Mailing list with a series of short quizzes. Initially, these were daily, but they will be weekly from now on, so look out for the next one popping into your inbox on Friday at 5pm. If you haven’t already subscribed to the Tarset Mailing list, you can do so on the Tarset website (https://www.tarset.co.uk/) – just scroll down to the bottom of the home page and click on the link to join.
The good weather, combined with some somewhat contradictory and unclear advice issued by the police, however, means that there are once again quite a few visitors to the area, so it’s worth being aware that you may need to take extra care to wash your hands frequently and be careful to avoid contact with ‘vulnerable’ friends and neighbours. The overall advice still remains ‘stay at home’ and only travel when it is essential that you do so.

Humshaugh
Herbie Newell
The main road through Humshaugh was lined with residents paying their respects to Steve Wilkinson last week, as his coffin was driven past St Peter’s and through the village on Wednesday morning. Although no longer with us, Steve will always be in our hearts and minds, and his contribution to our community lives on.
A reminder that the Humshaugh Covid-19 Response helpline – 07469 796103 – is there to support the village at this challenging time. Please don’t hesitate to call.
Entries are now invited for the 2021 Humshaugh Calendar, the theme of which will be ‘Views, gardens and village life of Humshaugh and surrounds’. Further information can be obtained at the village shop or by phoning 689381.
Many thanks again to all those who have completed the online Humshaugh Carbon Footprint Survey. The survey is still open and details are in the Village Shop and on the Village Website - https://www.humshaughparish.org.uk/. If you have yet to complete the survey, it would be greatly appreciated if you could do so.
Reports have been received of residents who have been challenged by landowners or tenants whilst out walking on public footpaths around the village. As featured in last week’s Hexham Courant, Northumberland County Council has confirmed that all public footpaths remain open, although ‘social distancing’ should be maintained and as always the Countryside Code followed.
Virtual church services are again available this coming weekend. For details please go to www.achurchnearyou.com/16162 or the St Peter’s Facebook page @HumshaughChurch.

Acomb
Julie Foster
As of last Monday, Action4Acomb has organised supplies of fresh and dry foods delivered weekly through Fareshare. These will be packed up and delivered by Acomb Volunteers for our older residents and anyone needing support who has been affected financially by Covid-19. Through Northumberland County Council (NCC), Communities Together, volunteers are able to pay with vouchers for individuals’ shopping, for those shielded or requiring to self isolate and finding difficulty accessing cash for payment. At each shopping transaction, residents will be provided evidence of the cost of their shopping with a receipt. When the lockdown ceases,  NCC will  recover the money through contacting residents.
Remember, the volunteers are ready to support you. Should any of you have mislaid your leaflet with the number of your volunteer, then please contact Lorna Farr on 07711 334521.
Finally, I am delighted to report a lovely surprise on the Saturday of Easter weekend for the residents of Redburn Crescent. Christine got baking and produced a total of 70 fruit scones and a big lemon drizzle cake which she then shared round to every person on the crescent, just in time for a teatime treat. They would like to say an enormous thank you to Christine for this wonderful gesture.

Newbrough
Rob Tindall
Predictive text!! In last week’s notes: “Windows couldn’t automatically repaint my computer.” It should have been ‘repair’, and my screen stayed grey.
When a planning application to re-open Prudham Quarry was submitted about four years ago there were nearly 200 objections to the plan and the county council turned down the application. A revised application has now been tabled with minor amendments although it is noted that 6,000 tons of sandstone is to be extracted instead of 4,000 and the loaded lorries will now travel by the green church junction and the ‘Mossy’ to the A69. The deadline for comments, to http://publicaccess.northumberland.gov.uk/online or by letter to the planning department at County Hall is Tuesday, May 5. No more than two people can meet to discuss the proposal, the parish councils cannot meet around a table with the public present or call a special public meeting even pushing flyers through doors is a debatable action. Democracy in action?
It was great to read of three local people in last week’s Courant. Michelle Bridges is well-deserving of her Bouquet of the Week. Her current actions are just part of her contributions to village life. Caitlin Gradwell with her ‘Support for the NHS’ stones shows that young people do care about the World’s problems. Congratulations to the remarkable Queenie Lambie of Red Houses for becoming a centenarian.
People still flout lockdown so it was reassuring to find the police on the ball to deal with a car load of Newcastle youths touring the area.