Acomb
Julie Foster

A reminder that Let’s Sing is back on Tuesdays at the Village Hall. Gather for coffee at 10.15am. Come and have fun, singing, swaying and sparkling to favourites from the 1930s - 1980s. Learn some new songs, sing local choruses and cover material from the musicals. Telephone 01434 607490 or contact musicalmemories17@gmail.com for more information.

Feel Good Friday! Acomb monthly Film Club is back, starting this Friday, September 24 with the entertaining musical comedy, Fisherman’s Friends. Doors open at 6.30pm at the Village Hall. Come along and have an enjoyable evening in the company of others. Free tea, coffee and soft drinks are available, or you may wish to bring your own snacks and drinks. Covid restrictions will be applied to the spacing of tables and chairs alongside good ventilation with some open windows. Personal discretion should be exercised about the wearing of face masks.

Slaley
Helen Savage

Slaley, Healey and Minsteracres Local History Club begin a new season of meetings with a fascinating talk on the history of copper mining in Coniston by Mark Hatton, next Monday, September 27 at 7.30pm in the Commemoration Hall.

Ladycross Nature Reserve is delighted to be able to offer a Fungus Foray again this year on Saturday, October 2 at 2pm. The forest and reserve are fill of the most amazing, colourful species. Please meet at the quarry gates. A small charge is made towards the upkeep of the reserve - £4 for members, £5 for non-members. Please phone Joan Jewitt on 01434 673245 or email her at jjewitt245@btinternet.com if you’d like to take part.

As Stella reported last week, Slaley Commemoration Hall’s ‘Final Countdown’ is well on track to wrap up the project successfully; but donations of any size will really make a difference to how well we can finish the new Meeting Room. If you can spare some cash – or a hefty cheque, please do call Rosaleen Doonan (01434 673173) or Stella (01434 673001). Every little, truly helps! The parish website has more details.

The Badminton Club has pushed back the start of the new season to Wednesday, October 13 at 9.30am in the Commemoration Hall this month. Do, please, have a word with Fran Pugh is the idea of playing takes your fancy: 01434 673429.

Hexhamshire
Ruth Marlee

I’m sure I’m not the only one to find a smile when I drive past the Dipton Mill pub and see the door is open again. After lengthy refurbishments, Janet and her staff are offering the same warm welcome, wholesome food as well as a selection of their own beers! There are new toilets and the garden room offers more spacious seating; when I called in there was a lovely atmosphere  where it seemed COVID could be safely forgotten! Janet told me the new staff are settling in well, so as far as the pub and the brewery are concerned - it’s back to business as usual! Good news indeed.

The two pick-up loads of logs that were donated to boost church funds have been snapped up by two very generous buyers. Thank you to all who offered bids. 

Whitley Chapel School has quickly jumped into action this term by holding a “Danceathon” in aid of school building projects. There was no shortage of offers of help, cakes or financial backing as pupils danced enthusiastically to earn their sponsorship. Congratulations to all who took part.

Community News can be sent to hexhamshirenotes@gmail.com by the Friday before publication.