Slaley

Stella Douglas

THE amazing lantern on the top of Slaley Commemoration Hall is on the list of things to do for the SCH committee. A friendly drone enthusiast has taken pictures which suggest some restoration is due. It is hoped that a conservation grant might help with costs. If you know of any likely benefactors, please call (01434) 673388. Do you recall any stories about the lantern which we can share with the parish through the news or the notes? Call (01434) 673001.

HAVE you got your SCH200Club number yet? Call Pat or look on the parish website for information where there are jolly videos of the prize draws. SCH200Club raises money for phase two of the commemoration hall renovation. If you want to see what phase one achieved, look for the videos on the parish website.

DEPENDING on how the Government ‘tiers’ Northumberland, the postponed exhibition of Christmas cribs will now take place December 11 to 13 at our Covid-secure commemoration hall. Do you have a nativity crib from beyond the UK to exhibit? Contact Pat on (01434) 673388.

THERE are concerns about avian flu. If you keep fowl as a hobby and want to see the latest updates, please see the link on the parish website.

WE WOULD all probably want a bit of fizz for the next few weeks. Helen has put together a Christmas wine box for the shop full of lovely bottles – and the shop has fizz on the wine shelves. Visit the shop or call Helen for details.

Ovingham and Ovington

Malcolm Cairns

OVINGTON Community Group is arranging a Christmas competition for the village. Design a card, write a seasonal story or poem. There will be prizes. Further details to follow, keep an eye on their Facebook page.

THE Chat Club had planned for an afternoon tea in June after receiving a generous donation. The event was sadly cancelled due to regulations. However, a surprise was sprung last Thursday when 27 afternoon teas were distributed to members by volunteers.The treat was supplied by Balls of Prudhoe, each in its own box adorned with a white bow and containing a selection of goodies. Thanks to Hazel and her team.

ALTHOUGH the Mothers Union shoebox appeal is not taking place this year, the members and non-members have made cash contributions. This will be used by the diocese to help local causes and those less fortunate at this time of year. Thank you to all who donated.

Hexhamshire

Lynda White

THE parish council would encourage everyone who has not completed the Neighbourhood Plan survey to do so. This is your golden opportunity to influence planning and other issues in our parish. You can access the survey on Facebook and at the parish website: hexhamshire.org.uk. The surveys have to be completed by December 15, but if you have any queries contact one of the steering group whose names are Alastair Stevens, Roger Rutherford, Emma Wright, Andrew Patterson, Susie White, and Rosie Johnston.

Whittonstall

Christine Jewitt

WINTER is creeping into Whittonstall. Used to a more ebullient arrival, we have been pleasantly surprised by the lovely sunny days of late November. Around us, there continues to be some late drilling of winter crops and the tups are out to do their best work. For those of us who prefer longer, milder days, spring will be here before we know it. The current lockdown is a challenge afresh. We have slipped back into our homes and curtailed our social and business activities as required; there is a tiny hint of despondency which failed to strike first time around. Still, there are lots of brave faces, indeed great excitement if a few residents happen to cross paths during exercise periods and a real appreciation of the simple joy of socialisation.

THIS year, we celebrated Halloween with a scarecrow competition as 13 monsters, bloodied corpses, witches and devils together with an evil bride, a ghoulish builder and a ghastly pig appeared around the village with the spectacular pumpkin man taking first prize although all were declared winners.

THE lovely garden area provided the setting for a small tribute to mark Remembrance Day, and soon we will plant a Christmas tree. Everyone is invited to add their own decorations. We hope to hold a Christmas celebration of some sort, however this will depend upon Covid restrictions.

THIS month has seen signs of preparation by NCC for the implementation of the traffic-calming scheme and the road up to the Highfield estate has been resurfaced in part. One of the badly-damaged paths reported in 2018 has also been repaired.

WE continue to offer support and assistance to our community during lockdown. Residents in our area are welcome to contact any member of our group for assistance or just for a chat. Contact names etc can be found on our Facebook page. For more information about WCG and for photos, please check out our Facebook page.

Newbrough

Rob Tindall

NO, I wasn’t half-cut when I wrote last week’s notes but they were cut in half by the person responsible for laying out the page, so apologies for some repetition.

THE ingenuity of the school knows no bounds and information pours out to parents. It is too late to order Christmas cards designed by the children but a phrase in a recent newsletter reminding parents to submit their orders caught my eye, “packs of cards, or any other products with their designs on.” What else is in the school emporium? Pupils have taken part in two virtual meetings with recognised authors to find out how professionals write stories and create characters. A downside in the letter is advice to parents to send their offspring to school with extra-warm layers under their uniform as windows will be kept open to allow maximum air circulation. This warning would have been appropriate in the years PC (pre-covid) when I shivered at primary school. Many people wonder what exactly school governors do. In the latest newsletter the chairman sets out what they have done recently. It is very impressive.

THE 200+ club winners for November are first Peter Bogie, second Barbara Lee and third Bill Garth.

IT wasn’t bonfire celebrations that woke residents in November 1849 but cannons being fired to celebrate breaking into a 5½ft seam of coal at Fourstones. William Benson on the following afternoon entertained over 130 workmen and their wives and bairns to bread, cheese and ale and celebrations continued well into the night.

Prudhoe

Ian Warburton

THE volunteers in St Mary Magdalene Cemetery are constructing compounds to house fallen leaves and are looking for anyone with redundant timber. Planks of about 6” x 1” would be ideal but anything considered. Please PM or ring Eddie Graham on (01661) 833167 or Len Franchetti on (01661) 832784. Thank you.

STOCKSFIELD Retired Men’s Association will meet on Zoom on Thursday, December 3 at 11am and will be hosting a talk by Gary Bankhead from Durham University on Treasures in the Wear, showcasing a collection of artefacts recovered from the River Wear by Gary, a retired fireman, diver and archaeologist. These include 3,500 objects of historical interest, from medieval pins and rare coins to Tudor ear picks. The findings have shed light on centuries of Durham’s past. To join this event, message the group via its Facebook page.

TYNEDALE Rotary is inviting everyone to spread joy and happiness at Christmas. Show your ideas, pictures, graphics, poetry and other creative thoughts of your ideal Christmas, which will go round the globe through our network. Join the Facebook page Tynedale Celebrates Christmas, then post your image onto the page or send it via email to docemedjay@gmail.com. Your first name and location should be attached to the item to be posted and then shared with all your Facebook friends.