Here's the latest of what's going on in your community.

Chollerton
Hugh Denholm

THE sudden arrival of winter brought devastation in our area, with a number of trees felled by the strong winds. Thanks to those who cleared the fallen tree on Dalla Bank and to those who cleared tree obstructions in Gunnerton. We are fortunate to have so many public spirited residents.

IN Chollerton Churchyard an exceptionally large fir was uprooted, just missing the North aisle of the church. Clearly someone was watching over us!

THE Broadsheet for the months of December and January will be distributed this week. Please refer to this for details of all Christmas services.

Humshaugh
Herbie Newell

THE Humshaugh Net Zero meeting this evening in the Village Hall at 7pm is on “Insulation”. Residents are encouraged to come along and find out how to make their homes warmer, reduce fuel bills and decrease carbon emissions!

THE last Village Hall Coffee Morning this year will be this Saturday, December 4 from 10am-12 noon and is hosted by St Peters Church. The event will be Christmas-themed with a tombola, and all residents are warmly invited to come along for a chat, cup of coffee and cake.

TICKETS for the Crown Players performances of “A Christmas Carol”on Friday, December 10 and Saturday, December 11 have now sold out. However, tickets are still available for Wednesday, December 8 and Thursday, December 9 from the Village Shop or Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--northumberland/humshaugh/) – don’t miss out!

AN additional pub quiz will be taking place on Tuesday, December 14 starting at 8.15pm in aid of “Walking with the Wounded”, a charity that supports military veterans and their families. Very many thanks to Bernie McFadden and Alan Hodgson for arranging this. As usual, quizzers are encouraged to contact the Crown Inn and book a table to avoid disappointment.

TWO dates for Christmas are Carol Singing round the Village on Wednesday, December 15, starting from the Crown Inn at 6.30pm, and the Christmas Eve Carol Service at St Peter’s at 4.30pm.

THE service at St Peter’s Church this Sunday, December 5 is Late@8 contemporary worship at 8pm.

Bellingham
Birtley Nail

BELLINGHAM was left badly battered and bruised by Storm Arwen over the weekend, with parts of the village still without power or internet on Sunday afternoon. The howling gales ripped up trees, demolished fences and caused chaos with virtually every road in and out of the village blocked by fallen trees at some point. Entire rows of trees went down like dominoes and the Hareshaw Linn beauty spot was inaccessible as dozens of trees were toppled. The power went off around 9.15pm on Friday night, and the whole village remained without electricity until the supply was partly restored around 5pm on Saturday. Power was not back on in  other parts of the village until around 8.30pm, while some  - including Riverdale Hall Hotel - were still without electricity well into Sunday. Many people were left without heating or cooking facilities on the coldest day of the winter so far, as oil heating pumps would not operate. Neighbours with LPG cookers rallied round, bringing flasks of tea and hot soup to the elderly. Even when the power was back on, the village was left with no internet service, meaning that the shops and garage had to operate on a cash only basis.

THE village will be awash with "the water of life" next week when Bellingham and  District Dramatic Society stages its Christmas production "Whisky Galore" at the town hall. Tickets are available at the Country Store for performances on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7pm.

BELLINGHAM went into full festive mode last Wednesday when the town hall Christmas tree went up, and the centre of the village was bedecked with more lights than ever before. The parish council has run lights from the town hall right through to Fountain Cottage Tea Rooms on both sides of the road. The council is encouraging residents to light up their own homes too and is his year offering prizes for the best decorated house, and best decorated business premises. With its own window already rivalling Fenwick's in Newcastle, Bellingham Country Store is offering a 10 per cent discount on Christmas decorations from December 1. A Christmas shopping evening takes place on Wednesday, December 8, with stalls in the town hall and Cheviot, Santa outside the Black Bull, a brass band and mince pies outside the Methodist United Reformed Church and children's competitions at Fountain Cottage. The shops will be open late and the Christmas Tree Festival at St Cuthbert's Church will also be worth a visit. It's the Christmas Party for first school children and under at the town hall on December 11 and December 18 will see a spectacular parade of illuminated timber wagons from Kielder down to Wark via Bellingham. The festive indoor market takes place on December 18, offering all manner of goodies, and on Christmas Eve it is hoped Santa will make his customary visit in association with the North Tyne and Redewater Twisty Roads Preservation Society.