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FREE monthly magazine for Ponte land and dist r ic t

Issue 42 March 2009

pontnews&viewsPONTELAND • MILBOURNE • MEDBURN • PRESTWICK • KIRKLEY

Broadway shoppingcentre revamp greenlight ‘weeks away’

Kirkley hosts region’sfirst ever Asianwedding fair

High School getsChinese twin

Householders and carowners warned overopportunist thefts

FA charter forfootball club

Hundreds attendvillage regenerationexhibitionBroadway shoppingcentre revamp greenlight ‘weeks away’

Kirkley hosts region’sfirst ever Asianwedding fair

High School getsChinese twin

Householders and carowners warned overopportunist thefts

FA charter forfootball club

Hundreds attendvillage regenerationexhibition

www.pontelandparishcouncil.org.uk

pontnews&views March 2009

Pont News and Views is published by Ponteland Community Partnership in conjunction with Ponteland Town Council.If you would like to submit an article, feature an event or advertise in the magazine, contact: [email protected] write to Editor, Pont News and Views, 5 East Boldon Road, Cleadon Village, SR6 7SH or tel. 0191 536 2078.Printed by Printers (Coast) Limited, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

2

PETER ATKINSONMP for Hexham

Constituency Office:1 Meal MarketHexhamNorthumberlandNE46 1NFTel: 01434 603954Fax: 01434 601659

Westminster Office:House of CommonsWestminsterLondonSW1A 0AATel: 0207 2194013Fax: 0207 2192775Web: www.peteratkinson.com

If there is an issue you are concerned aboutplease do not hesitate to contact me. I hold constituencysurgeries in Ponteland and can also be contacted throughmy Westminster or Constituency offices.Alternatively you can keep up to date withmy latest news and send me a message bylogging on to www.peteratkinson.com.

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Thieves takeadvantage ofslack securitySpate of thefts from cars in rural car parksBy PC Paul Henery, Ponteland Community Beat Officer

There were a total of 18crimes for the month fromJanuary 16 until February 18.They break down as follows: one burglarydwelling; three non-dwelling burglaries;two assaults; six thefts (one pedal cycle,three shoplifting, two from motor vehicle);six criminal damage (including two tomotor vehicle).

There have been six arrests in relation tothese offences.

The incidents to highlight are a recent spateof thefts from motor cars parked in ruralcar parks at tourist spots and country parks.

Thieves are always on the lookout forproperty which has been left on display atlocations such as these, and we wouldencourage the public to ensure valuableitems such as handbags, satellite navigationsystems etc are not left in cars at all or areat least out of site in the boot.

We are in the process of checkingunattended cars and if we see property ondisplay, sending the keeper a letter to

remind them to remove their valuables.

Additionally, isolated properties in rurallocations have been subject of burglaries tooutbuildings and the single burglarydwelling was via an unlocked door.

It is worth reminding house owners toalways ensure their doors and windows arelocked and perhaps to review theiralarm/security arrangements.

Prevention is always better than detection.

Pictures by TrevorWalker, DefiningImages

Kirkley Hall hostsregion’s first Asian

wedding fairKirkley Hall hosted the first ever Asianwedding fair to be held in the North-Eastin an event hailed a great success.

More than 200 people attended the fair at Kirkley Hall onFebruary 15, where a host of local suppliers exhibited theirproducts and services, ranging from henna artists, hair andmake-up to exotic fruit displays and wedding decorators.

The highlight of the day was the afternoon fashion show,held in a marquee on the lawn behind the main hall. Morethan a dozen young models took to the catwalk in a hair andmake-up demonstration by Face It, followed by wedding wearfor men and women by Diva Designer Clothing.

Local businessman Kami Kundi,who along with Kirkley Hall’sOperations Manager GraemeCook dreamt up the idea ofpromoting the Ponteland venuefor Asian weddings and fairs toshowcase local suppliers, said:“The event was a great success.It showcased Kirkley Hall as avery accessible, alternative venueand brought a host of localsuppliers under one roof.

“In the past, families planningfor a wedding had to travel toBirmingham and London; thisevent promoted suppliers fromright here on our doorstep.”

For more information about Kirkley Hall as an Asian weddingvenue, see the website at www.kirkleyhall.co.uk or [email protected] or call (01670) 841235.Alternatively get in touch with Kami directly [email protected]

Kirkley Hall is part of Northumberland College’s estate andcommercial event income contributes towards studentfacilities.

Despite the downturn in the economy, whichhas slowed much property development inthe North-East, site owner Zara Commercialsays it is determined to press ahead to ensurethe area will benefit from significantinvestment.The plans will not only result in an aestheticimprovement for the site, but will also lead toa number of practical benefits includingimproved amenity, better lighting and a safershopping environment.After over a year of consultation with tenantsand local residents, planning and refinement,approval of the scheme by the EstatesCommittee would give the green light for themuch-needed work to begin over the nextfew months.

Sunil Mehra, director at the propertyinvestment company, said: “A great deal of

time and effort has gone into reaching ascheme that ticks all the boxes among therelevant bodies and local community.

“The approved plans therefore represent areal joint effort and the new Broadway willbe something everyone involved will be veryproud of. We are looking forward toreceiving that final confirmation that willallow us to start the work to make theseincredible designs a reality.”

Originally built in the 1960s, the appearanceof Broadway has become increasinglyoutdated and inadequate amid hugeinvestment and development in thesurrounding area.

The revamp is not expected to result in anycosts to the local community or thecommercial tenants.

4 www.pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk

News in Brief

Developers hoping for final approval for Broadway revamp

Developers behind plans torejuvenate Darras Hall’s

Broadway shopping centreare hoping to get the final

go-ahead within weeks.

By Raman Sehgal

Having been passed by CastleMorpeth Borough Council and

Ponteland Town Council, theformal application is now with

the Darras Hall EstatesCommittee for the final seal ofapproval, which is expected in

the next few weeks.

Ponteland Civic SocietyThe next meeting of the Civic Society is onMonday 30 March at 7.30pm in St Mary’sChurch Hall when the Chief Fire Officer of theCounty, Mr Brian Hesler, will talk about hiswork.

A Date for Your Diary!St Mary’s Singers forthcoming concert is onSaturday, April 4th in St Mary’s ChurchPonteland at 7.30pm. The programmeincludes Faure’s Requiem (the lovely Pie Jesu)and the Easter part of The Messiah with theHallelujah chorus. Tickets £7 including

refreshments are available from the ParishOffice 824470, June on 825899 or any choirmember. Any proceeds will go to St.Oswald’sHospice. Please come and join us.

Ponteland WI Fundraising Coffee MorningPonteland WI Fundraising Coffee Morning willbe held on Saturday, 4th April, 2009 from10am-11.30am in St. Mary’s Church Hall,Thornhill Road, Ponteland. Stalls include bric-a-brac, books, cakes, plants, tombola and raffle.Come along and enjoy excellent homemadescones with your coffee. You will be sure of awarm welcome.

Ponteland Senior Gentlemen`s ClubMembership of the Ponteland SeniorGentlemen`s Club is open to men over 55 whoare not in full time employment. Meetings areheld on the second Monday of every month atthe Ponteland Memorial Hall at 2pm for2.30pm and are followed by tea and biscuits.The annual fee is £10 and new members arealways welcome.For further details call Spenser Mullins on(01661) 820754.

March 9 Mr David Cobb- Parachuting(Freefall!)

April 20 Mr Bruce McIntosh - Mahar Kijai -the Story of an Indian Regiment.

news&views

email: [email protected] 5

By Muriel Sobo

The Lions invited the over-60s to an afternoon ofentertainment by the Balliol Opera Group, a light tea, abingo session and the chance to win some fantastic raffleprizes at the Memorial Hall last month.

This annual knees up is provided free for the guests and isone of the ways the Lions support the local community.Our oldest guest at 99 years was brought along by herdaughter, Jane Dunn.

At the other end of the age spectrum, the Lions are verypleased to support Shaun Nichol, who is studying TreeSurgery, as the Young Ambassador for the nationalcompetition.

He attends Northumberland College at Kirkley Hall and atthe age of 17 he is involved in community work by helpingvulnerable young people in the rural area, leading the wayin attempting to get a skate board park for Ponteland andusing his skills to help the Friends of the Park. Shaun is ashy young man but he has a huge commitment to helpinghis community.

A very successful Swimarathon was held last year involvingmany teams from the local schools, sports clubs and a fewentries from the north of the County. They all raisedmoney and the Lions were very pleased to present acheque to the Great North Air Ambulance for £3,450.Without government funding, they run three helicopters,all the support staff needed, and all from voluntarycontributions.

Thank you to all the swimmers, and all who worked for orcontributed to this fundraising event.

Photographer FrankThomson hit theheights as he wonPontelandPhotographicSociety’s annualprint competitionwith his stunningimage from theSwiss alps.

And after various queries about the cryptic caption for last month’scover shot of a frozen branch in the River Pont, a comprehensiveexplanation is provided for the March cover.

The photo, entitled The Precipice, was taken by Frank last June fromthe path down from Eigergletcher to Kleine Scheidegg in the BerneseOberland, Switzerland.

Frank said: “With the cloud swirling about, I took the RAW image onJune 18th 2008 at 14.36 using a Canon EOS 300D digital SLR at the55mm setting of my 18-55mm zoom, with a shutter speed of 1/250and an aperture of f /11.0.”

Second place also went to Frank, withThe Swinging Sixties - a photo he tookin Edinburgh’s Grassmarket in June1962 and brought back to life afterscanning the original slide.

Peter Curran took third place with hisimage entitled Joseph’s Christening.

The Club’s season runs until the firstweek of April.

Top spot for ThePrecipiceFrank winsphoto competition

Ponteland Lions Clubraises £3,450 for AirAmbulance

Top spot for ThePrecipiceFrank winsphoto competition



LATEST NEWSfrom Ponteland Town Council Pride in Ponteland

QQUALITY

TOWNCOUNCIL

Pam gave birth to a beautiful,bouncing 8lb 3oz baby girlJessica Eve Young, byemergency C-section on 21stJanuary.

Many Pont News readers willhave come to know Pam overthe 21 years she has workedfor local estate agents inPonteland, and will be pleasedto hear both parents and babyare doing well.

Pam asked that her bestwishes be passed to all whoknow her and she hopes tosee old and new clients in thenot too distant future.

Estate agent’snew edition

Pam Young, AssociateDirector with RookMatthews Sayer estateagents, recently ‘completed’another deal. But this onehad nothing to do withproperty.

In the leafy groves of Darras Hallthere is a childcare establishment which caresfor children from 3 months onwards which alsooffers a school drop-off and collection service.The service is quite unique as it has all theconsistency of a nursery but it offers a homefrom home experience where children learnthrough play.

With half an acre of fully enclosedsafe outdoor play area thechildren have the freedom ofchoice from learning both insideand outside. In the dedicatedplayrooms they can practice roleplay, construction and IT, and withfully qualified staff they candevelop their skills in all areas oflearning.

Our last Ofsted Report stated that ‘On the provision ofhelping children to achieve well and enjoy what they do’we were Outstanding.

Last Christmas, parents, grandparents and carers wereinvited to watch the children perform their first NativityPlay which was a great success. Afterwards everyoneenjoyed a buffet and a surprise visit from Santa Claus.

If you would like to make further enquiries please contactDonna, Colleen or Kirsty on 01661 871756.

Report by P C Henery The TownCouncil received a comprehensivereport from PC Paul Henery theNeighbourhood Beat Manager for thearea.Review of Internal Controls/RiskManagement The Clerk had preparedreports relating to the above whichhad to be presented to the Council onan annual basis in accordance withthe Accounts and Audit Regulations.The reports showed that the Councilhad robust procedures in place interms of financial control.Community Forums The Chairmangave a presentation in relation toCommunity Forums and how he sawthese operating.In terms of Ponteland it was suggestedthat Ponteland should have its ownCommunity Forum to includerepresentatives from otherorganisations within the area. Asuggestion of how this could beachieved and the timetable involvedwas presented and broadly agreed bythe Council.East Tynedale Parish CouncilsForum A draft constitution relating tothe above was presented to theCouncil for information.Councillors were reminded that arepresentative had attended meetingsof the Eastern Tynedale Partnershipwhen anything relevant to this areawas being discussed and it wassuggested that this arrangementcontinue with the Forum.

Concert in the Park It was proposedto hold a Concert in the Park probablysome time in July. It had been hoped

that one of the voluntary organisationsin the area would take responsibilityfor the organisation of this eventhowever, this was not the case and itwould be arranged by the TownCouncil with assistance of volunteers.Councillors Mrs J Butcher and Mrs EThompson would also be involved inthis event. A meeting would be heldin the near future to discuss thenecessary arrangements.

Civic Service It was reported that aCivic Service would be held at StMary’s Church on Sunday 10 May inthe afternoon.

A meeting would be held with theVicar of St Mary’s on 3 March todiscuss arrangements and CouncillorMrs Irene Brumwell agreed to assistwith organisation of the event.

Programme of Works ReportSlope Protection Works – FoxCovert Approval was sought to allowthe Council’s Consultants to carry outthe necessary ecological survey,hydrological assessment andtopographical survey. This was agreed.

Welcome Signs It now appeared asthough these signs would have to beerected on the Council’s own land.Planning permission would be soughtfor these signs as soon as possible.Timber footbridge It was reportedthat approval had been obtained fromthe Environment Agency for the re-construction of the bridge and thecontract had been let however, theground was far too wet to begin workat the present time and this would becommenced as soon as the weatherconditions improved.

Environment Working Party TheWorking Party had met on twooccasions and had discussed variousitems including the Management Planfor the Oxbow Lake which had beenreceived from Northumberland WildlifeTrust.The Working Party welcomed thereport and a letter had been sent tothe author thanking him for the workhe had carried out and also requestingdetails of grant sources.The Working Party had also agreed theplanting scheme for the roundabouton Callerton Lane/Rotary Way and haddiscussed their requirements forNorthumbria in Bloom.Highways Working Party TheWorking Party had met with arepresentative of NorthumberlandCounty Council Highways Department.Various items had been discussedincluding the schedule of re-surfacingworks in Ponteland for the comingyear and the possibility of havingworks carried out in Fox Covert Lanewhich was in great need of remedialworks. It was hoped that work wouldcommence on 1 April on theroundabout at the end of North Roadonto Main Street which was in a badcondition.Northumberland County Councilreport The County Councillorsdiscussed the various issues ongoing atNorthumberland County Council whichwere all related to the new unitarycouncil coming into being from 1 April2009. There would be changes to theplanning process and various forumswere being held to which Parish andTown Councils were invited to discuss

how this would operate.It was hoped to have a meeting withthe County Councillors for this area todiscuss the regeneration proposalswhich would also be discussed at thenext meeting of the Town Council.This could be discussed at AreaCommittee before the 31 March ifnecessary.A copy of the response from the TownCouncil on the County Council’s newstatement of Community Involvementfor Northumberland had beencirculated to Councillors.The County Council’s mobileinformation unit would be inPonteland on 6 March from 10.00 a.mto 2.00 p.m.Chairman’s report on recent eventsThe Chairman reported on the meetingheld with the Police Inspector for thisarea on the 23 January which hadbeen very worthwhile. He alsoreported on his attendance at theCounty Council Area Committee on 21January which had included aninteresting debate on the budgetproposals for the coming year.Representatives of NorthumbrianWater had also been in attendance todiscuss the flooding issues from lastyear.Regeneration Proposals Councillorswere asked to familiarise themselveswith the proposals prior to the nextmeeting of the Council as thedevelopers would be presenting areport to this meeting.RESUME OF MINUTES OF MEETINGOF PONTELAND TOWN COUNCILHELD ON 19 FEBRUARY 2009


news&viewsOutstandingresult forDarras HallFirst SchoolBy Chris Morgan

Another Ponteland schoolis celebrating afterachieving an outstandinggrade in their recentOfsted reception – thehighest accolade a schoolcan achieve.After the success of Ponteland MiddleSchool last year, staff and pupils fromDarras Hall First School were rewardedwith a glowing report after theirinspection in November.

The report described the school as‘outstanding’ and 11 of the 13categories on which the school ismarked received the highest possiblegrade.

It paid particular attention to the factthat ‘pupils understand spirituality asan integral part of their learning’ andthat the ‘teaching and learningsuccessfully meet the needs of thehighly motivated pupils’.

It went on to say that the leadership,management and governance in theschool were outstanding and thatschool leaders were fully committed tomaintaining very high standards ofacademic and personal development.

Headteacher Peter Tincombe said:“The report is testament to thetremendous amount of hard work anddedication of all our staff and it issomething we can all justifiably takepride in.”

The school has 417 pupils agedbetween four and nine years old aswell as 21 teachers and 16 teachingassistants.

Ponteland High Schoolstudents will soon be

enjoying a new twinningarrangement with a

prestigious school in China.

Senior staff at Ponteland High andcolleagues from Chengde School Number

2, in Hebei Province, have signed a‘memorandum of understanding’ aimed at

promoting close working relationshipsbetween the two schools.

In May 2008, teachers Andy Windass andJim Balkwill led a party of headteachers

from North East schools on a visit to China.Ponteland High – the first state school to

be designated as a language college in1995 – was chosen to lead the delegation,thanks to its status as ‘International School

of the Year’.

After spending time in Beijing, the grouptravelled to Shijiazhuang, the capital ofHebei Province, to meet the Director ofEducation and a number of his officials.

This led to Ponteland High becoming‘twinned’ with Chengde School Number 2,

located around 255km from Beijing.

Mr Windass and Mr Balkwill spent a coupleof days in Chengde as guests of PrincipalHan and his teaching colleagues, discussinghow Ponteland High and Chengde SchoolNumber 2 could work together in terms ofstudent exchanges and joint curriculumprojects.

To cement the bond, Chengde School’sDirector of Foreign Affairs, Ms Yan Feng,and a colleague have just paid a visit toPonteland, where they spent a day visitinglessons, talking to teachers, and holding afascinating ‘question and answer’ sessionwith a group of students.

Ponteland headteacher Stephen Prandlethen hosted an evening meal at which giftswere exchanged and the Chinesedelegation was introduced to a variety ofBritish dishes, including good old ‘fish andchips’.

Mr Prandle said: “This twinningarrangement is a real boost. In October, 40of our youngsters will visit China, spendinga few days in Shanghai and Beijing beforetravelling to Chengde, which is a beautiful18th century imperial resort boasting theremains of the largest royal gardens inChina. They will visit Chengde SchoolNumber 2 and enjoy an evening meal asguests in the homes of some of the school’sstudents.”

Ponteland High headteacher StephenPrandle welcomes Chengde School’sDirector of Foreign Affairs, Ms Feng Yan.

Chinesetwin for

PontelandHigh

News in BriefSt Mary’s Church March events

Saturday 14 March - Railway Films in StMary’s Church Hall, Thornhill Road, at3pm and at 7.30pm. This month theVicar’s Railway Films take us to Wales -with a couple of archive films and a rideup Snowdon. Due to the pressure ofnumbers (110 people came in January!)we will be having two identical shows -

and tea and doughnuts will be availableat both. Admission free, donations forcharity. All welcome.

Mothering Sunday, Sunday 22 March -A family service will be held in St Mary’sat 10 am, with flowers for mums. Allwelcome.

Saturday 28 March - Fairtrade Concert

with Pongos, Ponteland’s Youth Choir,3pm in St Mary’s Church.

Tickets £5 (£3 concessions) to includerefreshments. There will also be displayson the work of Fairtrade, and anopportunity to buy from their wide rangeof products. The proceeds will be dividedbetween Pongos and work supported byFairtrade.



Update fromDespite the heavy snow

which accompanied the

launch of the three day

public exhibition, more

than 700 people came to

meet the developers

behind two rival plans to

transform Ponteland

village centre.

The people of Ponteland were invited toattend the Memorial Hall on the 12th, 13thand 14th February to view an exhibition ofthe concept plans, pictures, and descriptivetext which the two prospective developershad submitted to the CommunityPartnership.

The two developers had representativesavailable to answer any relevant questionsfrom the public during the publicconsultation.

Each attendee was handed a card whichinvited them to ‘Express a Preference’,directed towards the exhibitors, and advisedto ask questions.

Everyone was also told that they did nothave to make their preference choiceimmediately, as they had until the 28thFebruary to respond, sealed boxes beingavailable in both the Library and the TownCouncil Offices into which they could place

their card. However there was a boxavailable at the venue for anyone to use ifthey wished to do so.

A spokesman for ‘Developer C’ said: “Wefelt the event went well and given the‘blind’ nature of the process to date, weredelighted to get so much invaluable initialfeedback. This has given us food forthought in terms of further refining theinitial concept.”


Unit 5 Meadowfield CourtMeadowfield Industrial EstatePonteland NE20 9SD(first right after the Ponteland Medical Centre)

Tel: 01661 871901Mobile: 07974 453821

exclusive stockists ofthe followingcompanies,

Osbourne & LittleDesigners GuildAndrew MartinBrian YatesSahcoJAB InternationalAbbot & BoydZoffanyHarlequinRobert Allen

Whatever your reason for lovingInterior Design with adifference Aubury Design couldhelp you achieve your ambition

News in BriefA Community Action...Ponteland Methodist Churchis rightly proud of the activityof the Care and ShareCommittee. The initiative wastaken in 2005 under theChairmanship of Syd Cowanto create the Fine Art CharitySeries of concerts to raisemoney for bodies not directlyconnected to the Church - theaim being to contribute to thewellbeing of those in thewider community. In the fouryears since, some £12,000has been raised anddistributed to a number ofcharities. A commitment hasalso been made to thePonteland High School YouthCentre. In addition to theconcerts, Care and Share havea successful plant sale in Mayand a Christmas Fayre. Thereare three concerts each yearand the next one is onSaturday March 14th at 7pmwhen the artists are the ByronEnsemble, a quartet of flute,violin, viola and cello, who

present a programme withthe intriguing title of FromBach to the Beatles and BackAgain. Tickets are £6 and canbe bought at the door.

Young At Heart 2009A one day event at PontelandLeisure Centre on Wednesday18th March, 10am to 3pm .Free ‘come and try’ activitysessions for those aged 50+.Boxercise, chair basedexercise, yoga, aerobics &pilates, health walks, singingworkshops, gym tours,archery, salsa & Afro-Braziliandance, indoor bowls,information stands, advicefrom health and leisure staff,holistic therapy (Indian head,hand and back massage)tasters. Pre-register for freepacked lunch. For furtherinformation or an applicationform (also available from theleisure centre) please contactKaren Lindores at CastleMorpeth Borough Council on01670 794795. Pre-booking isessential.

Photos ofexhibition byTrevorWalker,DefiningImages.

Photo of asnow-coveredCoates Greenon February12 by RodSmith.

The next stepsPreference cards will be counted and the results will bepresented to Ponteland Town Council by the CommunityPartnership on Thursday 12th March.

A report will be developed detailing and including thepercentage preference of one developer to another. It will bethe intention of the PCP to put forward these results as the‘Preferred Developer’ for Ponteland Village Centre and to gainthe support required to take this result to the new UnitaryAuthority post April.

Ponteland residents will be informed of the result in the Aprilissue of Pont News.



PONTELAND SOUTH WITH HEDDON

COUNTY COUNCILLOR PETER JACKSON AND

PONTELAND WESTINCLUDING STAMFORDHAM

AND MATFENCOUNTY COUNCILLOR

VERONICA JONESwill be holding a Surgery onSaturday, 6 September 2008 at Merton Hall, Ponteland

from 10.00am - 11.00amMrs Jones will also be holding a surgery

at Matfen Village Hallon Saturday, 13 September 2008

from 10.30am to 11.30amDistrict Councillors will be in attendance

All Constituents Welcome

Northumberland County Council

Ponteland South with HeddonCounty Councillor Peter Jackson

And

Ponteland NorthCounty Councillor Richard Dodd

will be holding a Surgery onSaturday 7th March 2009

At Merton Hall, Ponteland

from 10.00 am – 11.00 am

District Councillors will be inattendance

All Constituents Welcome

Football clubwins FA charter statusBy Alan Birkinshaw, Chairman Ponteland United FC Seniors

Ponteland United has been granted FA Charter StandardCommunity Club Status.

By Chris Morgan

The weather has once again been the dominantfactor as a blanket of snow and ice over the pastfew weeks have seen Ponteland Rugby Clubcomplete only two league fixtures since the turn ofthe year.

The FA Charter Standard Community Award is the highestpossible award for clubs who are able to continue delivering ahigh standard of football for boys and girls of all ages andability.The club’s application for Charter Standard Community Clubstatus has been approved by the FA. This prestigious award isthe highest award attainable for clubs at grassroots level anddemonstrates that the club meets specified criteria as laiddown by the FA for conducting football both on and off thefield.The award recognises the effort and commitment given bycirca 30 volunteers in delivering football to the youth ofPonteland and surrounding areas.Colin Bell, Chairman of the Junior Club, said: “Everyoneconnected with the club should feel proud of thisachievement and waits for the day when the first player fromthe junior section graduates into the adult team.”

The club runs 21 teams, including three girls teams and theadult team. Matches are played at Ponteland Leisure Centreand at the University of Northumbria sports ground atBullocksteads.Anyone interested in joining the club either as player, coachor administrator should contact me [email protected]

Sports round up

The side achieved mixed fortunes in the games that they didplay, with an initial defeat against Team Northumbria followedup by a victory over fellow mid table side Whitley BayRockcliff.

The game against Northumbria was an entertaining gamewith both sides playing fast, free flowing rugby. Pont werevery much in the game at one point but the extra fitness ofthe students proved the difference as they eventually ran out19-13 winners.

The game against Rockcliff was a scrappy affair with two triesfrom second row forwards Stuart Weir and Mark McGookinproving enough to beat a poor opposition 15 – 5.

Ponteland United have also had a frustrating few weeks withthe weather which has hampered their attempts to remain inthe Premier Division of the Northern Alliance.

Pont ended January with a much needed victory overAshington Colliers. A brace from Liam McIvor was enough tosee off their Northumberland rivals in a fine performance fromthe black and whites.

Valentines Day was not so happy for Pont though after theywere on the wrong end of a 4-0 battering by Cumbrian sideHarraby Catholic Club. The defeat leaves Ponteland in 11thplace, but just four points off the relegation zone.

Elsewhere, Ponteland Cricket Club this week celebrated tenyears on the web. The website, which is run by club stalwartChris Barlow first went online in 1999 and was the first of itskind in the local cricket leagues.

It includes information on current news, club officials, historyand teams as well as a whole host of photographs andstatistics.

The club started its indoor net practices last week. Anybodyinterested in more information should check out the websiteitself at www.ponteland-cricket.co.uk

News in Brief

Ponteland Tennis ClubPonteland Tennis Club would like to announce the followingdates which have been set for the coming season, in particularthe Annual General Meeting. This is usually held in Novemberbut has been moved forward to 25th June.

Ponteland Open Week - Sunday 12th July to Saturday 18th JulyPonteland Open Finals Day - Saturday 18th JulyPLTC Finals Day with BBQ - Saturday 5th SeptemberPLTC Quarter Finals Week - Monday 31st August to Sat 5th SeptPLTC AGM - Thursday 25th June.

Yourletters…

Letters on all issues are welcomed by Pont News & Views.The Editor reserves the right to amend any submitted letterspublished, for legal or other reasons. All letters submittedshould include the writer’s name and address.


Inconsiderate builders anddog owners are among thetargets of this month’sletter writersBuilders causing danger for drivers

I am very concerned about the health andsafety of users of the bottom part ofWhinfell Road, Ponteland, i.e. the partbetween Middle Drive and Woodlandswhere construction work is ongoing.

This road has a bend on it, yet I have seen up to14 vehicles parked in a line on this short bit ofroad. If driving, it is impossible to see if there isanother vehicle coming in the opposite direction.Also they completely block the sight line fordrivers exiting Woodlands.

Sometimes they park partly on the pavement andI have seen baby buggies having to be pushed inthe middle of the road – surely a dangerouspractice. The pavement is also damaged.

There is a lot of mud around, on the road, thepavement and on what used to be the grassverge. The Council is aware of the situation butdoes not appear to have taken any action.

There seems to be a total lack of care for usersby those on the building sites there.

Concerned Ponteland resident

Inconsiderate dog owners left my toddlerterrified

I am writing this to plead to dog owners tokeep their dogs on a leash in Ponteland Parkwhen there are children playing.

I was in the park playing football with mychildren on a Sunday afternoon in January andevery few minutes when a dog passed it wouldrun for the ball, there were two dogs inparticular which ran to my three-year-old sonand they were both barking at him and jumpingup at him

He was hysterical and the dog owner did nothingto help - she just shouted over “they are justtrying to play”. Well if we wanted to play withdogs we would have our own dog but we don’t.

We had to leave the park as our three childrenwere all crying and are now petrified of dogs.Now I cannot walk past a dog in the street asmy three-year-old freezes and cannot move untilthe dog has passed and they all refuse to goback to the park.

I think some of the dog walkers think the park issolely for them and they have no considerationfor others. Also while I’m on the subject can alldog owners please pick up their dog’s mess.

I’m sure there must be a few responsible dogowners who can control their dogs and clean upafter them, but I’m yet to see them in Ponteland.

Concerned father, Ponteland

Registered childminders provide alternativechildcare option

I would like to respond to Mrs B Prior’sletter in your February issue regarding theopening of a nursery in Ponteland and lackof alternate childcare facilities.

There are a number of registered childminders,like myself, in Ponteland and Darras Hall whooffer a very flexible service for children from 0-14years. A variety of learning activities andopportunities are provided in a warm and caringhome from home environment.

We work to the same statutory requirementscovering the Early Years Foundation Stage, areOfsted inspected, hold a First Aid certificate andhave, or are working towards a Level 3 Childcarequalification.

Further details of all good quality childcare areavailable from the Family Information Service on0800 0234440.

Pam Hollier, Pont View, Ponteland

‘Wonderful’ childminders out there – youjust have to look

I felt I had to reply to Mrs B Prior’s letterregarding the opening of the newPonteland Private Nursery.

In her letter she stated that there are ‘provisionsfor children from the age of two but not muchchoice for children under that age’. Er, has shenever heard of Ponteland and Darras Hall’swonderful childminders...some of whom takebabies from six weeks of age?

My wonderful childminder often goes above andbeyond the call of duty and without her wewould be at a total loss.

So Mrs Prior, had you contacted our Council theywould be only to happy to provide you with a listof local registered childminders!

Childminding loving mum Ponteland

Why not open High School car park atweekends?

Most Sundays will find me outrunning/walking round Ponteland and I findgreat pleasure seeing children out on theirbikes or in their sports kits going off to playfootball etc.

Running down Callerton Lane two weeks ago,there were lots of children getting out of parkedcars and running around on a dangerous road,on their way to play football.

Their parents had parked on the grass verges ofCallerton Lane, churning them up and making aright mess. Since there is a large car park at thehigh school, why can’t it be opened on aSunday to accommodate the many cars parkedon Callerton Lane and the streets close to thesports centre, where I am sure the residents aresick of their roads being blocked?

The Leisure Centre and the Council should makebetter provision for parking during busy periods,when the existing car park is far too small.

Alison Holland, Paddock Hill, Ponteland

Geography lesson for supermarket bosses

Waitrose have announced that they will betaking over the Ponteland Somerfield storeand their website states that the store willopen in late May.

The problem is that, according to their website,Waitrose seem to think that Ponteland is in Tyne& Wear, as do so many other businesses who usecertain postal address databases.

I think it’s time that we made a strong effort tocorrect this misinformation, especially asPonteland is now officially a town. Our addresscould be – and should be Ponteland,Northumberland.

We pay our taxes to Northumberland and haveno links with Tyne & Wear and it should not bepart of our address. The reason that Newcastleupon Tyne was originally included in the addresswas that before the advent of postcodes a‘postal town’ was required, which is OKproviding a county is not required as part of theaddress.

I have spoken to the Post Office about thematter and they don’t seem interested in theproblem, stating that all they use is the first lineof the address and the postcode. They just saythat the various databases should be correctedand it’s not their problem.

Maybe Ponteland residents should complainevery time an incorrectly addressed letter isreceived, which I have done many times, statingthat I’m not prepared to receive incorrectlyaddressed mail. Most companies when facedwith this will at least delete “Tyne & Wear”.

If enough of us did this we might eventually getthe message home. I would also ask thatPonteland Town Council contact the databasesuppliers pointing out the mistake, as they mightcarry more weight than individual residentsmaking the call.

I’m pleased to report that following my emails tovarious people at Waitrose, they have nowrewritten their press release to acknowledge thatPonteland is in Northumberland.

David Gambles, Woodside, Ponteland,Northumberland

What do you think?

April issue deadlines The April issue willbe delivered the week beginning March30. Deadline for all copy and adverts isFriday March 13. Businesses should beaware that all bookings for advertisementsmust be paid in full by the deadline toensure placement in the April issue.

RASPINI

Kit Heath

ideal for that special mothers day giftfull range of PANDORA now in stock

31 The Broadway Darras Hall Tel: (01661) 824187

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