Community news round-up

Riding Mill
Pam Pryor
We have much to be thankful for in our village. The weekly meal service is a resounding success thanks to Virginia Steer, who continues to cook a delicious menu voluntarily for us. There is an extensive choice, including vegetarian options, with meals delivered to your doorstep. Orders must be received by 3pm every Wednesday for Friday delivery. However, Virginia also has frozen meals stored in the parish hall which are also available for purchase. Our sincere thanks to J F Walton & Son, Corbridge Cookshop, which has generously donated the foil dishes for the meals being served.
We have more to celebrate. Further to a request by the village hall trust to Northumberland County Council for help from its business grants fund, an award of £10,000 has been agreed to cover the running costs for several months while both halls are closed.
Janet Padgett, the village hall trust chairwoman and a parish councillor, is organising the production of wash bags and other items desperately needed by the NHS and care homes. Do you have any polycotton or 100 per cent cotton fabric to donate? This must be washed on a 60 degree wash cycle before donating. Cotton thread, fusible interfacing, tape or cord suitable for making strings is also required. If you can sew, please also get in touch.
For further details about any of the above, ring the Village Assistance Number on 07935 271922 between 10am and 3pm.
As always, we thank all our emergency services staff, key workers and volunteers. Keep safe.

Wark
Peter Samsom
As we approach the second Government review of the lockdown rules, I’ve been idly wondering what our new normal will eventually look like. Will we at any point be happy again to all crowd into a shop rather than wait patiently outside? Can we have events in the town hall and keep people physically distant? I am quite enjoying the fact that I don’t have to drive more than an hour to work, but I’m lucky that much of my work can be done from home. I can only imagine it will be different but have no idea in what way.
If you have run out of stuff to read, you have the opportunity to go and have a look in the town hall if there’s anything there that takes your fancy. The hall is open every day between 10 and 12 for people to come in and pick a book to read. It isn’t supervised so people need to do their distancing and there are instructions in the hall about payment etc.
It’s nice to see a few of the lockdown scarecrows in the village and even better that people are posting pictures of them to the Wark Facebook Group.

Redesdale
Emma Anderson
Last week, I reported that the Ray Windfarm Fund Community Interest Company (CIC) was making emergency, fast-track funding available for organisations and individuals in the Ray Windfarm Fund CIC area. Subsequently, the CIC was advised that it cannot provide financial support to individuals, only to businesses and community organisations. The information on www.raywindfund.co.uk has now been amended. Information detailing support for employees and benefit claimants is available online at www.northumberland.gov.uk/coronavirus/
The First & Last Brewery, in Elsdon, like many small businesses at this difficult time, is seeking new ways of managing the realities of the lockdown. Owners, Red and Sam Kellie, have been expanding production of their range of bottled beers. These can be bought in cases of 12 and can include one variety or a mixture of all. You can place orders online at www.firstandlastbrewery.co.uk or by telephoning Red and Sam on 07757 286357 or (01830) 520367. Local orders will be delivered free of charge. Orders from further afield will be delivered by carrier.

Upper North Tyne
Sarah Hallberg 
On Sunday April 27, on Radio 4, there was a genuinely lovely programme, The Dam, about the damming and flooding of Kielder and the role of music, dance and song within the valley. Presented by Alistair Almond, it featured, amongst others, Mike and Kathryn Tickell with playing by Georgia Russell. If you didn’t catch it, it is repeated next Saturday on BBCR4 11.30 pm, or you can listen to it on the BBC Sounds website ( https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000hmxn ).
Swallows and martins are back in the area now, as are many of our other avian summer visitors. Adders are active now that the daytime temperatures have risen, so be careful on walks with your dogs if you are going ‘off piste’ so to speak. Ticks and tick nymphs are also plentiful at the moment, so make sure your pets’ tick medicines are up to date. If anybody in the area has any unusual or new nature sightings – or just things for people to be aware of, please let me know. 
A quick reminder that a lot of local business and social activity is being carried out online with church services, concerts, choirs and even parish council meetings being held online. Contact numbers for all those services can be found on the Tarset website (https://www.tarset.co.uk/).

Ovingham & Ovington
Malcolm Cairns
Well no sooner was the riverside path closed, then it was open. The works team from Nothumberland Estates cleared the fallen trees, and made safe others in their quick response to the situation. Thanks to them the path is now fully open for folk to enjoy their exercise.
The playing field is another spot we have in the village to take our daily walk. Special thanks go to David who showed off his “sit on mower skills” by forming in very large capital letters, NHS in the middle of the football pitch.
How would you like to take part in the historical recording of how life is during these times? Doreen Jordan the chairwoman of Ovingham Parish Council is inviting folk to send in their memories and observations reflecting these times, in the form of poems or short stories. Contact email; djnjordan@hotmail.co.uk
In tonight’s round of applause at 8pm, can we also show our gratitude to our support group volunteers in our two villages, the staff in Wellburn Care Home, the White Swan Pub, the village shop, Winship’s, our local vicar Rev. Tom Birch and of course our refuse collectors. Thank you all.

Humshaugh
Herbie Newell
Very many thanks to Age UK and everyone involved in organising, collecting and delivering food boxes for the village, which were greatly appreciated by all.
A reminder that the Humshaugh Covid-19 Response Helpline – 07469 796103 – is still open, please don’t hesitate to call.
The community is greatly indebted to our medical group for continuing to care for us in these difficult times. Humshaugh Surgery is now only open for suspected Covid-19 cases who require a face-to-face consultation. Other patients will have an initial telephone consultation followed by a surgery appointment at Wark if needed. Delivery of prescriptions can be arranged and if anyone has any questions, call the surgery on (01434) 681281. Anyone with a health problem should still contact the surgery immediately on (01434) 681281.
During the Covid-19 crisis, help with PPE for frontline workers is desperately needed. Rev. Frances Dower has identified local care homes who need draw-string bags for soiled uniforms. If you can help in making these, please contact Frances on (01670) 774297 or  frances.dower@dower.org.uk.
Following on from the beautiful displays of daffodils and flowering cherry trees in the village, our swallows are back! Summer is coming!
Due to covid-19 restrictions, it is not been possible to deliver the May Broadsheet. Instead, copies are available in the village shop and on the Benefice website www.humshaughbenefice.org.uk/broadsheet.
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
Each Monday, Acomb volunteers will be packing up and delivering FareShare supplies of fresh and dry foods for our older residents, particularly those who are having to shield and anyone needing support who has been affected financially by Covid-19.
Through the county council’s Communities Together, volunteers are able to pay with vouchers for individual’s 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. NCC will recover the money through contacting residents once life gets back to normal. A further leaflet will be delivered very soon by your volunteer to update you on what is happening to support those of you self isolating or having to shield. Remember, Acomb volunteers are ready to support you. Should any of you have mislaid your leaflet with the number of your volunteer, then contact Lorna Farr on 07711 334521 who can ensure you are given your volunteer’s contact details.

Prudhoe
Ian Warburton
Do you know an individual or organisation within Prudhoe whom you would like to nominate for a Proud of Prudhoe award for their tireless work during the coronavirus pandemic? If so, please visit the Prudhoe Matters Facebook page and find out how to make a nomination online. Nominations by letter will be accepted at a later date.
Tynedale Rotary Club has made donations of £200 each to Walking with the Wounded, the Great North Air Ambulance Service, Project Parent, Northumbria Blood Bikes and Tynedale Talking Newspaper. In addition, it has donated £250 each to the Charlotte Straker Project, Corbridge, and Tynedale Hospice at Home, Hexham, so that each of them can purchase personal protective equipment, to keep their patients and staff safe. The club thanks all these organisations for their steadfast work to help make a difference to the lives of others.
Please feel free to keep sending any requests for inclusion. You can email me on ianwarburton25@gmail.com, or phone me on 07796 820893. Alternatively you can put a message on to my Facebook page.

Corbridge
David Walton
During the past week there has been an increase in traffic in the village and on all roads in and out of Corbridge. The number of cyclists has increased and walkers have taken to parking up and wandering off with their back packs. Whether they have forgotten the guidelines or are just ignoring them is hard to say. However they will all be welcome back when the crisis is over – until then Corbridge is not the place to be.
Another blow last week for the village was the loss of the Corbridge Festival. If you have tickets please sure you put them in a safe place as they are valid for next year’s event.
The cricket season in Corbridge has again been delayed and most senior cricket is not expected to commence until July or later. However, I here the committee members are spending their time keeping the pitch in good order and the warm weather has been a bonus.
 

Bellingham
Birtley Nail
EVEN as the coronavirus death toll topped the 20,000 mark tourists were still flocking to Bellingham in their droves during last week’s sunny weather. The blunt Go Home electronic sign at the Catholic Corner seems to have had little impact as many people foolishly think the pandemic cannot affect them, and that they cannot spread it to others.
Village newcomer Ant Kirkbride has been co-opted on to Bellingham Parish Council to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Coun. Peter Scott. Although new to the village, Ant has always been involved in community life in previous areas where he has lived, with experience as a Scout leader and involvement with the Royal Lifesaving Society, as well as being a school governor.
Ambitious plans to create a direct walkway from 12th century St Cuthbert’s Church to the spring-fed well that bears the saint’s name have been lodged with Northumberland County Council. The scheme will involve the construction of an extended path on the north side of the church; the construction of an external staircase, railings and alteration to the existing retaining wall on the east boundary of the churchyard. 
THERE seems to be no end in sight for tenants in the village whose houses have been shrouded in a lattice work of scaffolding since before the lockdown. The scaffolding was erected for the replacement of roof tiles on the Karbon Homes properties and although that work was completed many weeks ago, the scaffolding remains in place. 

Horsley
Maurice Holliday
There has been a marked drop in the number of bottles, cans and fast food cartons thrown from vehicles on the approach roads into the village. Thank you to the regular team of volunteer litter pickers around the village and to those who take their litter home.
Horsley church will deliver art materials to children who live in the village on request. Please send an email to horsleyvillagechurch@gmail.com if you would like a bag of materials delivered.
Lead lane in Horsley will be closed for one day only on May 5 to allow utility work to commence. The work will actually start on May 4 and continue through to November, 2020. However the road is only likely to be closed completely for one day.
Many thanks to the Hearth cafe, who continue to provide doorstep grocery service and take out food around the village. Their efforts have been gratefully received during this difficult time.
Horsley church has made a planning application to improve access to the main building which will support all users of the path. Details about the application have been attached to the church railings.
Villagers are being encourage to decorate their windows and gardens with bunting for the VE Day celebrations on May 8.
Swallows have returned to the village after their long flight from the Southern Hemisphere. Two birds have adopted the WI/village hall post box as a nest site. Anyone who has mail for this box please use the Hearth post box for the time being.
The large road sign beside the bridge on the road to Harlow Hill has finally been repaired.

Allen Valleys
Robert Philipson 
During May the Allendale Forge Studios Gallery was to have hosted an exhibition by local artists Mary and Alan Hayward. This exhibition has been postponed until June 2021. This is the first time they will be showing their work together in a shared exhibition. Much to look forward to next year, and in the meantime examples of Mary’s paintings are on the Forge website www.allendaleforgestudios.co.uk
Dorothy Collier together with Fay Tinnion feel that the 75th Anniversary of VE day should not be forgotten in these difficult times. They would like the Allen Valleys to commemorate this anniversary by decorating their houses in red white and blue bunting and Union Flags. Celebrate VE day safely at home by having a tea or picnic in the garden and joining in the ‘Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW2’ by standing up and raising a glass at 3pm on Friday, May 8 with the toast ‘ to those who gave so much, we thank you,’ 
A reminder that everyone can vote for their favourite scarecrow after viewing them electronically at www.allendalechurch.co.uk/scarecrow with voting on website from 8 am on Friday, May 1 to 5pm on Friday, May 8.
Please send any contributions for these notes to robert.philipson@btconnect.com or telephone (01434) 685266 and the deadline is Sunday 6pm

Matfen
Jean Conteh
The centenary of the war memorial on the village green is this week. You can read all the details in the parish newsletter that is soon coming round. 
Liz and Roger Bishop have literally uncovered another piece of history, buried under nettles on the village green. You can see a picture of the ironware they found on the village Facebook page. Most likely it comes from the Blacksmith’s shop that was there at one time.
A red squirrel was spotted near the Standing Stone. Alan Worthington, of the North East Red Squirrel Organisation, is putting up some cameras and a feeding box and would be grateful if anyone else who spies a red squirrel could contact him on 07743718228 or alanworthington.ners@gmail
I was very cheered by a sign I saw above Great Whittington on my cycle ride yesterday, put there by the landowner, inviting people to use the space to exercise their dogs and let their children play. And there’s great support in the regular offers of help from Ian and Tracey in the village store, and their lovely takeaway meals - (01661) 886202. Marshall in the Black Bull is also doing his bit with his growing takeaway menu, served Tuesday-Saturday, 1-7pm. Phone (01661) 855395 any time after 11 am to place your order.

Whittonstall
Christine Jewitt
The Thursday evening “clap for carers” has become a bit of a highlight each week when we remind ourselves of the huge sacrifice our NHS and all caring staff are making in nursing the Nation back to health and each week we get louder, more enthusiastic and more innovative. There was even dancing in the street this week which featured on the BBC local news. As we wait for a return to normality it is likely that we will feel as though we are coming out of some kind of suspended animation. How wonderful it will be to hug our children, to join our friends at the Anchor Inn for a drink, a meal and a natter and to have someone else cook the dinner! How very precious our restored freedom will be. Stay safe everyone. For more information about our community group, please check out our Facebook page.

Heddon
John Stewart
I am delighted to say that in May I would have been writing as correspondent for 10 years now which has been an absolute pleasure and joy with so many amazing stories to share along the way. Where has the time gone? 
As you may all know I really enjoy my exercise and at the beginning of the year I joined up to the national Swim 22 challenge which was to swim 22 miles in 12 weeks raising money for Diabetes UK. Unfortunately the challenge was suspended due to Covid-19 where I had reached the 15.14 miles. However I will recommence my swimming hopefully in the very near future. I have already set myself a challenge for next year by completing the Three Peaks for charity.
It is fantastic to see the visibility of bunting around many households throughout the parish in preparation to the Victory of Europe Day (VE Day) marking the 75th anniversary celebrations and I would encourage everyone to decorate their homes and gardens with red, white and blue joining in the momentous occasions while strictly following the government guidelines.
I would like say a huge thank hardworking resident Hazel Thompson for her amazing dedication to Heddon village over the many years and who has recently decided to step down from her position as parish councillor after more than 25 years. Hazel has brought a great wealth of village knowledge to the council over the years and her overwhelming contribution, enthusiasm and commitment to the role has certainly gone unnoticed and will be a very hard act to follow. 
Finally, I would to want to say a huge thank you to everyone for their continued support and efforts during this pandemic. To each and every one of you, please stay safe, stay active, stay connected, stay positive and keep believing that we will meet again very soon stronger than ever! 

Newbrough
Rob Tindall 
The pub may be closed but Andy, Sue and family are still in the business of entertaining the community. The large rainbow made from coloured balloons they constructed outside the Red Lion last Thursday as a tribute to carers, nurses and other key workers would have been much lauded in cosmopolitan circles and classed as a cutting-edge art form. A large number of residents thought it such a notable feature that it appeared in many photographs posted to friends and relatives on social media.
The town hall contact site has received a significant number of volunteer offers and in recent days they have been able to assist ten families and individuals by collecting and delivering food and medications, chauffeuring patients to hospital appointments, and delivering food parcels kindly
donated by Age UK.
The Bunk House has successfully applied for a grant of £10,000 from Northumberland County Council under the Government funded Retail Hospitality and Leisure Grant scheme introduced to mitigate loss of income to these types of business through the lockdown.
The town hall courtyard is being improved with the installation of picnic tables and planters, (with BBQs on order) all of which will be well utilised when the crisis is over and there are town hall functions and Bunk House guests return.
Don’t forget to get your comments in to Northumberland County Council Planning Department, whether for or against, concerning the plan to reopen the quarry at the Blue Pool, as the closing date is Tuesday, May 5.

Slaley
Helen Savage
And now for some good news from Slaley! First of all, Slaley First School have dreamed up an exciting and imaginative project to collect old pillow cases to be converted by a local sewing group into much needed NHS scrub bags. All you have to do is to pop them into a box that you’ll find at the east (right-hand) side of the commemoration hall. 75 have been delivered to local hospitals already. 
Secondly, Slaley Community Shop has been awarded a grant of £2,500 by the Prince’s Community Fund to help to support its part in maintaining Slaley’s Pyramid of Care – run in conjunction with the parish council. The money will help to cover any significant extra costs involved in maintaining a supply chain (tricky at the moment) and will ensure that the shop is safe as it can be for everyone – volunteers and customers.
Next, have you seen Slaley’s fantastic village website (www.slaley.org.uk) with its great pictures of local wildlife? Please keep them coming to Stella: stellacdouglas@gmail.com
Finally and less happily, we have been warned of one or two attempts to steal equipment from isolated outbuildings. Please keep outbuildings locked and help by keeping your eyes open for vehicles you don’t recognise late at night, or folk you don’t know behaving suspiciously – and then don’t hesitate to report any such suspicious activity to the police.