AFTER what can only be described as a very difficult year, there was still plenty of reason to smile in Tynedale over the festive period.

For a charity, which allows elderly people and those with limited mobility to enjoy the pleasure of bike rides, 'loaned' Santa and his elves their trishaw to visit the old and young of Prudhoe and neighbouring Mickley.

The Hexham Courant’s Bouquet of the Week feature celebrates special citizens who have made a significant contribution to their communities. And this week, the accolade goes to Cycling Without Age Prudhoe, set up last year by town councillor and chair of trustees Chris Barrett and the late Martin Foster, which visited care homes and school yards - albeit from a distance - to spread some much-needed seasonal cheer.

It comes after most planned events have had to be cancelled and young people have not been able to see Father Christmas as they usually would.

"The kids and all of the adults absolutely loved it", said Coun. Chris Barrett for Castle and Eltringham Ward. "It was really successful. Some of the older members of the community in the care homes were getting just as excited as the kids - it was lovely to see their smiling faces. They know someone is thinking of them as well, they're not just being forgotten about."

The group secured its own trike in August, after borrowing a similar bike from Newburn, and they were all too keen to show off their new wheels to care home residents, giving them something to look forward to.

Chris added: "It has been a horrendous time but there are some good things to come out of it. We are looking after each other a lot better, there's a better sense of community. Everyone's risen to the challenge, all the community groups, all the residents, it's quite humbling."

Cycling Without Age is a global scheme, running in various towns and cities and allowing the elderly and disabled to get on bicycles with the aid of volunteers - known as pilots - taking them on rides. Covid guidelines are at the discretion of individual countries, counties and regions, and the Prudhoe branch are currently looking into the possibility of training family members and carers ('bubbles') to take its members out.

In April, when the group became a registered charity, it received a funding boost to the tune of £6,000 from councillor Gordon Stewart's Northumberland County Council’s Members Funding Scheme. And now, Coun. Stewart, who represents Prudhoe South and is a charity trustee, was full of praise for the project's latest venture. He said: "The response we received at schools and care homes, and even along the streets has been amazing - the spirits of so many residents were clearly raised by seeing Santa in such a very unusual mode of transport.”