PONTELAND • MILBOURNE • MEDBURN • PRESTWICK • KIRKLEY

FREE monthly magazine for Ponte land and dist r ic t

Issue 20 May 2007

pontnews&views

email: pontnewsandviews@tiscali.co.uk

Police warning to parents ofdrunken youthsElection shock for parish stalwartNew seats unveiled in parkMedburn housing plan gets green lightYoung people given a voice as newgroup launchedPopular priest awarded for 30 years’service to village

Police warning to parents ofdrunken youthsElection shock for parish stalwartNew seats unveiled in parkMedburn housing plan gets green lightYoung people given a voice as newgroup launchedPopular priest awarded for 30 years’service to village

www.pontelandparishcouncil.org.uk

pontnews&views May 2007

Pont News and Views is published by Ponteland Community Partnership in conjunction with Ponteland Parish Council. If you would like to submit an article, feature an event or advertise in the magazine, contact: pontnewsandviews@tiscali.co.uk or 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.

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Popular parish councillor SheilaCampbell was the high profile casualtyat the local elections, falling victim to aTory resurgence.

She was one of two Liberal Democrats tolose their seats in Ponteland East, alongwith Christopher Matthew, to husband andwife duo Mel and Eileen Armstrong.Conservative colleague Alan Chilton held.

But the Lib Dems held on to their threeseats in the North Ward as David Butler,Archie Cave and Peter Charleton were re-elected.

The Conservatives took all three seats inPonteland South, with Irene Brumwell andRobert Ramsay regaining their positionsand John Worth replacing Vera Lonsdale,who did not stand for re-election.

In Ponteland West, Conservative LizThompson replaced retiring party colleague

John Colvin as a borough and parishcouncillor. Colleague Joyce Butcher was re-elected, with fellow party member HarryMcKay replacing retiring parish chairmanFrank Harrington.

This left the Conservatives with a gain oftwo parish seats on 2003 with nine,compared to the Lib Dem’s three.

It was as you were in the borough councilelections, with the Conservatives holdingtheir six seats in the East, South and Westwards, and the Lib Dems holding bothseats in the North ward.

Sitting councillors Mel Armstrong, AlanChilton, Irene Brumwell, Robin Ramsay andFrank Harrington all held for theConservatives, while Archie Cave and PeterCharleton held for the Lib Dems. The onlychange was Liz Thompson replacing John Colvin.

Tories strengthen position on Parish CouncilShock defeat for Lib Dem stalwart

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FULL PARISH COUNCIL RESULTS

PONTELAND NORTH (three seats): CHARLETON, Peter (Lib Dem) 517; CAVE,Archie (Lib Dem) 443; BUTLER, David (LibDem) 403; Brooks, Stephen Albert (Con)397; Davison, Elizabeth (Con) 380;Cowey, Peter (Con) 378.

PONTELAND EAST (three seats):ARMSTRONG, Melvin (Con) 604;ARMSTRONG, Eileen (Con) 581;CHILTON, Alan (Con) 563; Campbell,Sheila Elizabeth Jill (Lib Dem) 475;Cogan, David Victor (Lib Dem) 411;Matthew, Christopher John (Lib Dem)366.PONTELAND SOUTH (three seats):BRUMWELL, Irene (Con) 717; RAMSAY,Robin (Con) 677; WORTH, John William(Con) 634; Goldsworthy, Bill (Lib Dem)506; Earl, Winifred (Lib Dem) 406;Matthew, Georgina Hermione (Lib Dem)392.PONTELAND WEST (three seats): BUTCHER, Joyce (Con) 711; THOMPSON,Liz (Con) 708; McKAY, Harry (Con) 677;Harrison, Sue (Lib Dem) 342; Neale,Sarah Caroline (Lib Dem) 299; Neale,Mark William (Lib Dem) 298.

email: pontnewsandviews@tiscali.co.uk

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3

For savings... think Newcastle First

� Initial investment by cheque, thereafter 11 monthly subscriptions by Standing Order

� Minimum investment of £50 per month for 12 months� Maximum investment £250 per month� Withdrawals not permitted until maturity� Transfers between Newcastle Building Society accounts not permitted.

Welcome Account

As many of you will be aware, on Tuesday 12thDecember 2006 a car crashed into thePonteland branch of Universal Building Societyand since then the branch has been closed.

Following the merger of the Universal withNewcastle Building Society on 31st December2006, local customers were kindly offered atemporary service within Barclays Bank, butthere have been some concerns that the branchwould not re-open.

We’re pleased to announce that, following a fullmakeover including an extension, your localNewcastle Building Society branch officiallyreopened on Friday 11th May 2007.

To celebrate, we had a range of Springtimeactivities throughout the day. To get the eventup, up and away, a local celebrity released1,000 balloons thanks to Darras Hall FirstSchool who let us use their grounds, which wasfollowed by an opening ceremony. OurPonteland customers enjoyed a glass of fizz anddelicious nibbles throughout the day and receiveda juicy strawberry plant to grow at home.

We are also currently offering a specialWelcome Account exclusively for Pontelandcustomers.

Remember, anyone who finds a green or blueNewcastle Building Society balloon can fill in theslip attached and be entered into a prize draw towin a cheque for £150.

Look out for the results of theballoon prize draw in the nextissue of Ponteland News andViews!

Your Ponteland branch re-opens!

An EXCLUSIVE RegularSaver Account availableonly to Ponteland branch customers.

Our way of saying welcome tothe new Ponteland branch.

Berry happy! Sandra Smith, Ponteland BranchManager, celebrates the new and improved serviceto local customers.

NewcastleBuilding Society

‘Gross’ interest is the contractual rate of interest payable before the deduction of income tax. ‘AER’ means “Annual Equivalent Rate” and is a notional rate which illustrates contractual interest rate (excluding any bonus payable) as if paid andcompounded on an annual basis. Principal Office: Portland House, New Bridge Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8AL. Telephone: (0191) 244 2000. Newcastle Building Society is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority(FSA) and is entered in the FSA’s register under number 156058. Details are correct as at time of print (May 2007).

6.5%Gross/AER* 12 months fromaccount opening

4

www.pontelandparishcouncil.org.uk4

pontnews&views May 2007

By John HunterYouth Development Officer

A new sub group of Ponteland CommunityPartnership has been formed to help youngpeople have their voices heard.

The group will meet on a regular basis - bi-monthly initially. The meetings are open foranyone to attend and express their views on youngpeople’s issues; they will be attended by membersof the Ponteland Community Partnership andseveral young people.

I received the honour of being voted in as chair ofthe group at the first meeting held on Thursday 15February and young person Joe Haley was voted inas vice-chair. it is hoped that a young person willtake over to chair the group in the future.

The aims of the group have been agreed as being:

• to provide a channel for the views of youngpeople by listening to them and developingtheir ideas

• assessing the viability of projects in terms offeasibility and funding

• awareness raising for public support withprojects.

Having young people directly involved with therunning of the sub group will help ensure that theviews of young people are accurately reflectedrather than relying on the interpretations of adultson these views.

Hopefully we will soon be in a position to tacklethis first issue in that we are making soundheadway through the process of gaining a youthcentre on the periphery of the High School site.The exact location will be adjacent to the existingRidley Hut.

This will form the focus for future youth activitieswhilst giving ownership of a space to the localyoung people. In order to further develop thecurrent valuable work conducted by the youthservice workers the youth centre will provide afocal point for the delivery of information, adviceand guidance to young people on a variety ofissues.

This project has been made possible by thefabulous support that we have received from localcouncillors, at Parish, Borough and County leveland from a generous donation from the SENRACorganisation.

This was facilitated by Joanne Luther, SeniorProjects Officer from Castle Morpeth Council’sRegeneration & Partnerships Unit, who wasinstrumental in securing the funding from thevarious bodies. Any further donations (whichshould be directed to the Youth Service at theHigh School) towards this project would begratefully received and would ensure that theyoung people in the area get the best of facilitiesand equipment.

The current work in the area continues; detachedwork remains important with an increase of youngpeople on the streets with the onset of warmerweather. A group of young people who have beenmeeting for over a year now with plans to raisemoney for a skate park in the area are keen to getfundraising events planned for the summer. Thesewill be advertised nearer the time.

The following activities are also being run by theyouth service:

• Canoeing – was held at the leisure centre onSaturdays, the young people who have taken partare now progressing to canoeing on open water.

Future sessions will be advertised as they becomeavailable.

• Decks – several young people expressed aninterest in holding decks nights, currently one hasbeen held which was very successful and shouldlead to future events.

• Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – this continues torun with the Bronze and Silver groups meetingregularly and progressing well towards completion.The next intake will be September/October with alimit of 12 places at each grade; early booking ofplaces is advised. However it must be emphasisedthat this is not an easy option and requires a largedegree of effort and dedication.

• Babysitting Course – the current course recentlystarted on Tuesday 24 April 4.30pm-6pm and willrun for ten weeks, resulting in a certificate fromthe British Red Cross on successful completion.

We are keen that as many young people aspossible are involved in shaping the future of theirYouth Service in order that activities, events andadvice is tailored to their needs. So please comeforward with any ideas that you have and we willadvice on the viability of the project and guide youtowards any funding available.

The future for young people in the Ponteland areais certainly looking rosier than it did six monthsago. With the opening of a youth centre youngpeople will have the opportunity to start groups oftheir own, gain accreditation for work they mayalready be doing and take part in worthwhileactivities generated from their own ideassupported by professional qualified staff.

To contact me, call (01661) 821185 or emailjhu@pchs.northumberland.sch.uk

John Hunter– Youth developmentofficer, Ponteland Youth ServiceI would like to introduce myself as theChairman of the Ponteland CommunityPartnership Young People’s Sub-Group. I

have over 20 years managerial experience in a variety of fields,both military and civilian, which I believe will greatly assist inmoving this group forward.

I have recently completed a Diploma in Community and YouthWork Studies which has equipped me with the correct tools andinformation for the varied tasks ahead. I believe as a communitythere is a responsibility placed upon us as adults to provideadequate provision to enable young people to transit fromchildhood to adulthood.

This can only be achieved via appropriate support, guidance andinformation delivered by professional qualified individuals – Ibelieve, with the support of the community, that we are now in aposition to provide this.

Young people get a voice Community Partnership sets up new dedicated group

email: pontnewsandviews@tiscali.co.uk

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By Muriel Sobo

The wonderful Spring sunshine andwarmth brought to Ponteland Park acollection of councillors, a pride ofLions and assorted donors to mark theofficial unveiling of six new and verysmart seats.

These had been sourced by the Friends ofthe Park, who did a lot of work to trackdown a suitable maker and then get thespecifications and locations agreed. Themakers were Norcraft who operate on theTeam Valley Estate and provide employmentopportunities for those who would find itdifficult in the open job market.

The Parish Council helped to finance theinstallation with natural stone paving slabsto keep down wear and tear and add tothe comfort of sitting in the glorious Park.

The seats were donated by Mrs RoseLarmar in memory of her husbandKenneth, Mr and Mrs Peter Curran for theirgolden wedding anniversary and Mrs AnneBolam in memory of her husband Tom.

Volunteering Tynedale donated a seat andwished Ponteland well after their work inthe village and the Ponteland Lionsdonated two seats to commemorate the25th anniversary of their Charter in 2006.

Chairman of the Parish Council, FrankHarrington, opened proceedings andpraised the work of the Friends of the Parkwho have made such an impact onimproving the whole park environment.

The seats donated by the Lions wereunveiled by the Joint Presidents JohnHarvey and Jim Robertson. Also presentwere a number of Friends, Lions, parishcouncillors and interested residents. Thereare more seats to come over the next year.

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Cover shot: Lions, donors and Friends ofPonteland Park unveil one of the new seats

Thanks to clean-up volunteersBy Frank Harrington

A small band of keen volunteers setout from the Memorial Hall in variousdirections to support the parishcouncil’s efforts to get rid of litter.

The good news is that the combinedefforts of the borough council’s Green andClean unit, parish council staff, Darras HallEstates Committee, Friends of PontelandPark and local volunteers has made adifference.

Special thanks to two young members ofthe Boys Brigade, Ben and Nathan, whodid sterling work andenjoyed every minuteof the exercise. Butour thanks go toeveryone who tookpart.

If you would keep anarea of ourcommunity clean,please contact theParish Council, whowill provide black bagsand a litter picker foryour use.

A clean-upvolunteer in

Ponteland Park onSaturday April 28

6 www.pontelandparishcouncil.org.uk

pontnews&views May 2007

Latest NEWS from Ponteland Parish CouncilThis report is based on the

minutes from the ParishCouncil meeting held on

April 12.

PLANNING

Report on recent planningdecisionsThe Chairman reported on thefollowing:Site west of 5 Crossfell -withdrawn119 Runnymede Road outlinefor one dwelling - granted

The result of the followingplanning appeals was reported:

Land at Eland Hall Farm –permanent permission forstables & tack room - appealallowed.

Hayworth Croft, Medburnpermission for 2 new dwellings- appeal allowed.

Land adjacent to Home Farm,Callerton Lane - erection oftelecommunications mast -appeal allowed.

It was reported that the NCCPlanning Committee hadrefused permission for treeworks at 7 Middlebrook.

APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS

Morpeth NorthumbrianGathering CommitteeA grant of £50 was agreedtowards the organisation of the40th Morpeth NorthumbrianGathering.

Friends of Ponteland ParkA grant of £150 was awardedto the Friends of Ponteland Parkfrom the Chairman’s hospitalityfund.

Community ActionNorthumberland (formerlyCommunity Council)A grant of £75 towards therunning costs of CAN wasagreed.

Ponteland Party in the Park2007A grant of £300 towards thecost of providing portable looswas approved.

HIGHWAYS WORKING PARTY

Thornhill RoadMr Fraser and Mr Bawn (NCC)are to be invited to the nextHighways Working Partymeeting to discuss options.Representatives from the twoschools would also be invited toattend, as would arepresentative fromNorthumbria Police.

School patrols and warningsigns/lightsThis topic would also bediscussed with Mr Fraser andMr Bawn, in particular the needto retain the crossing patrol onNorth Road.

Bus service issuesIt was agreed to:

• approach the bus companywith the proposal to divertthe 101 service throughPonteland

• contact NorthumberlandCounty Council and requestthat the bus company providea larger bus than the 16seater currently used on theweekly service from Ponteland

• publicise information onrenewal of bus passes in PontNews & Views.

ENVIRONMENT WORKINGPARTY

Friends of Ponteland Park -access for the disabled atCallerton Lane and FoxCovert LaneMembers are to discuss theoptions concerning the accessfrom Callerton Lane with theRights of Way section at NCCand check the height and widthrestrictions of the existingaccess at Fox Covert Lane. If thisis needed to be altered, thework could be carried out bythe council’s contractors.

Northumbria in Bloom –barrier baskets/plantersMembers agreed to fund thecost of up to eight barrierbaskets costing £640 to be sitedin front of Somerfields, and oneplanter to be sited at the

bottom of the drive to BellwayHomes office costing £50.Sponsorship for both would besought.

Old railway line fromCallerton Lane to Rotary Way– options for controllinglitterMembers agreed to write toPonteland Community HighSchool seeking co-operation intrying to prevent litter blowingon to the right of way, andwhether they consider installingwire netting along the base ofthe existing mesh fence to helpretain any litter within theschool grounds. The school willalso be requested to considerplacing an appropriate litter binwithin its grounds adjacent tothe right of way access. Theyalso agreed to write to CMBCexpressing concern about theuse of black bags for wastecollection and storage withinthe school grounds, as theywere likely to be broken openby birds and animals, and askwhether or not the schoolwould be using proper wheeliebins for their waste.

Request for Dog Waste Bin –The GlebeAgreed in principle but thecouncil needs to seekassurances that the residentsnearby would accept a dogwaste bin near their properties.

Broadway Shopping CentreMembers agree to write to theDarras Hall Estate Committeeexpressing the council’s concernthat nothing had been done,although the council had beenassured work would start inJanuary 2007.

Merton Way ShoppingCentreMembers agreed to contactNorthumbria Police to raise thematter and the concerns ofCouncillors that shop ownershad been targeted, and requesta meeting with the Inspector forPonteland sector.

Litter at the Prestwick opencast site entranceThis issue is to be reported to

CMBC and Newcastle CityCouncil.

DATE OF JUNE MEETINGCouncillors agreed to move thedate of the June meeting toWednesday June 13 at MertonHall.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ONRECENT EVENTS

Presentation of QualityParish Council AwardThe Parish Council had beenpresented with the Award at anevent held on Monday March19.

Mrs S Bennett

The Chairman reported on thesad death of Mrs ShirleyBennett. He stated that herfuneral was to be held on April13 at 11.45 a.m. at theCrematorium and afterwards atMerton Hall. It was agreed tosend a letter of condolence toMr Bennett.

REPORTS BY PARISHCOUNCIL REPRESENTATIVESON LOCAL ORGANISATIONS

Councillor Mrs Lonsdalereported that the Memorial Hallhad been successful inobtaining a grant of £25,000 torefurbish their kitchen. CounCharleton suggested that aletter of congratulation be sentto the Ponteland Under-13srugby team who had won theNorthumberland County Plateby beating Berwick 27 to 26.

At the end of the meeting theChairman thanked hiscolleagues for all their help overthe last four years and wishedthose who were standing in theforthcoming elections the bestof luck. He also thanked thoseCouncillors who were notstanding for re-election andwished them the very best forthe future. Coun Mrs Campbellalso wished to record theappreciation of the ParishCouncil to the Chairman for hiswork during his period of office.

email: pontnewsandviews@tiscali.co.uk

news&views

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By Muriel Sobo

Roman Catholic priest Father Melia was presented with anengraved bowl by parish chairman Frank Harrington to markhis 30 years of distinguished service to people of all faiths inPonteland.

He went on to receive this Meritorious Award for the Parish fromthe Mayor of Castle Morpeth at a ceremony in Morpeth Town Hall.

Father Melia, in charge of St Matthew’s at Ponteland, is a well-known and greatly loved person in Ponteland and district. Walkinginto the presbytery is like entering a busy station; people arecoming and going all the time.

When asked if he had considered retirement, he said: “I couldretire but where would I go? I love the people here. They are myfriends.”

The scooter he uses to get around is a replacement for his firstone, a Vespa. He had helped to take a washing machine tosomeone in Benwell and returned the next day on his scooter tosee if it was all working well.

He had only been in the house minutes but the white scooter wasgone and had been stripped of its parts. No transport for a busypriest!

A philanthropic businessman heard of this theft and donated aspanking new Suzuki, which is his current machine. At 180 milesto the gallon and a top speed of 30mph it is a mean machine andFather Melia is instantly recognisable as the rider.

Concessionary pass holders need to renewexpired passesConcessionary pass holders in Castle Morpeth whose passran out at the end of March are being reminded to apply fora renewal.

The Borough Council has negotiated an agreement with local busoperators that they will continue to accept expired passes for ashort time.

Only passes issued between 2003 and 2006 with an expiry date ofMarch 31, 2007 are affected.

Residents need to obtain an application form from customerservices centre FirstCall and return the completed form with apassport sized photograph. The new passes will not have an expirydate.

More than 12,000 people living in Castle Morpeth are entitled toconcessionary travel. The free passes allow holders to travel to anydestination served by bus operators in Northumberland and Tyneand Wear starting or ending in the borough for just 50p, and forfree for any journey starting and ending in Castle Morpeth.

For more information contact FirstCall atfirstcall@castlemorpeth.gov.uk or visit the website atwww.castlemorpeth.gov.uk or call (01670) 535000.

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Father Melia awarded parish honour 30 years of distinguished service recognised

Father Melia receives his award from Mayor of Castle Morpeth Geoff Proudlock

8 www.pontelandparishcouncil.org.uk

pontnews&views May 2007

Yourletters…

Letters on all issues are welcomed by Pont News & Views. The Editor reservesthe right to amend any submitted letters published, for legal or other reasons.

Putting the recordstraight onPonteland’s pastRef. Mr Geoff Brown’s letter in lastmonth’s Pont News – may I just putthe record straight as someonewho was born in the village andhas lived here for over 90 years.

Firstly, Jameson’s (NOT Jamieson’s)Garage was originally sited in thecentre of the old village whereBarclay’s Bank is now, then they movedacross the road when the West FarmHouse was demolished and now it isSomerfields.

Jack Thompstone had the lock-up andrepair garage – no petrol pumps – onthe North Road and also in the centreof the village opposite Jameson’s.

Robinson & Charlton originally ownedthe site which is now Sainsbury’s –Contract House was also there.

I have seen great changes in the villagesince my childhood and I hope thoseresponsible for future planning willlook at the village as a whole and tryto keep any new development inkeeping with the old.

Muriel Henderson, Abbeyfield Society,Cheviot View, Ponteland

Correspondent wasright about Bell Villas’ historyThe letter published in your Aprilissue by Geoff Brown, who writesabout Sainsbury’s supermarketbeing built on an existingcommercial site, is correct.

When I moved to the area in 1962,opposite Bell Villas was a police housewith a sergeant in residence. Next doorwas Contract House, with Atkinson’sthe builders’ offices above.

The garage there was Robinson’s, notJamieson’s. Jimmy Jamieson had awooden garage in Main Street, and heand his wife Dorothy lived next door.This was opposite the Seven Stars.

He later had a garage and salesbusiness built, with Fred Gardinerhaving a car body repair businessbehind, where Somerfield’ssupermarket is now.

This was then bought by PattersonFord dealers, before finally becomingSafeway supermarket.

DW Laver (Mrs)

Where was the StGeorge’s flag on April 23?I wonder why the Union Jack wasflying above the Pele Tower, andnot the flag of St George.

After all, April 23 is the day of ourpatron saint, and as such should beunfurled on this, our national day,instead of the Union Jack.

I wonder how many Union Jacks fly inScotland on St Andrew’s Day, orindeed in Wales on St David’s Day.

Has England finally lost its heritage?

Flag WaverPonteland

This month’s letters page offers something ofa history lesson on Ponteland’s past – and arebuke for a civic gaffe

JUNE DEADLINEThe June magazine will bedelivered the week beginning June18. Deadline for all copy/adverts isFriday June 1.

What do you think?Write to Pont News &

Views

News in brief…THIRD TIME LUCKY FOR MEDBURNHOUSING SCHEMEPlans to demolish a single storeybungalow and replace it with two five-bedroom dormer bungalows in Medburnhave finally been granted by boroughcouncillors. The first application forOakwood was withdrawn and the secondrefused on highways grounds. Then, inMarch, members of the council’sdevelopment services committee wentagainst officers’ advice and refused theapplication. A report was taken to a fullcouncil meeting at the end of April,

where members overturned the decision.Agreement has been reached with countyhighways chiefs for an improvement tothe junction of the C345 and The Avenuebefore works commence. Five neighbourslodged objections on the grounds ofdensity.

FRIENDS OF PONTELAND PARKWORKING GROUPNow the better weather and the lighternights are here we are once again startingour work in the Park on Tuesdayevenings! Friends are invited to come and

help in a practical way, we meet at 7pmfor approximately an hour-and-a-half (bywhich time we have had enough!) in theMemorial Hall Car Park and decide on theactivity for the evening.Very high on the list is the persecution ofHimalayan Balsam - a non-native plantwhich would eradicate our native wildplants and flowers if we let it!! Youneed gloves, and enthusiasm. We alsohave brambles which need clearing!Contact (01661) 825129 or 823766 forfurther information.

email: pontnewsandviews@tiscali.co.uk 9

Another year, another party! OnSunday June 10 from 2pm, families, theyoung and the not so young are allinvited to Ponteland Park for anentertaining afternoon.

This year music will be by the RichardCoates School choir and orchestra, thenationally famous PONGOS, and Heads onthe Block will play traditional Northumbrianmusic. All are invited to join in thecommunity hymn singing.

Lots of entertainment will be provided forthe children, the popular arts and craftstent features local people, the refreshmenttent offers a variety of food and drink andthe popular BBQ will be back, especially forthe firemen. And lots more, see you there!

Programmes have been distributed to allhouses in Ponteland with this magazine,but admittance will be £1.50 at the gate orby advance ticket.

news&views

David Hall demonstrates healthy budget cooking at the Memorial Hall

Party in the park: Sunday June 10

Children enjoy a Punch and Judy show atlast year’s event

Expo-chef a hit at farmers marketCelebrity chef Mark Earnden was ahit at the April farmers market atPonteland.

There was a constant crowd of onlookerswatching Mark and his colleague,MasterChef semi-finalist David Hall, as theydemonstrated the use of fresh ingredientson a budget.

The event was the first in a series of

roadshows being held across CastleMorpeth over the summer months. Amongthe visitors was Hexham MP PeterAtkinson.

Mark said: “At the roadshows I emphasisethat food is fun for everyone and that foodcan be affordable when you know what tocook and how to cook it. Throughout theshow I am constantly cooking dishes madefrom fresh produce.

“It is important to get the message acrossthat the affordable food is generally themost nutritious, i.e. fresh fruit andvegetables. My aim is to show thecommunity simple, interesting andnutritious food dishes which can be cookedat home.”

The Expo-chef roadshow visitsPonteland’s farmers market again onSaturday September 29.

www.pontelandparishcouncil.org.uk10 www.pontelandparishcouncil.org.uk

pontnews&views May 2007

News in brief…THE 30TH PONTELAND PARISH FLOWER SHOW

The Ponteland Village Show is held on Saturday September 8in the Memorial Hall. Whatever your skills, there is probably aclass to enter: 70 classes for vegetables and flowers, home-baking and bottling, handicrafts, painting and drawing andphotography, to name just a few. With digital cameras andPhotoshop there is wide scope for original entries and ideas.The children’s section is very varied and includes handwriting,decorated wellingtons and miniature gardens.They are very wellsupported with many entries. Please put the date in your diary,start sowing or even sewing, point that camera and plan yourentry! Schedules available in the library from July or more infofrom the show chairman, Syd Cowan on (01661) 824459.

PONTELAND CIVIC SOCIETYPonteland Civic Society got off to a flying start at their inauguralmeeting in St Mary’s church hall. Around 100 people heardHenry Warne from Morpeth Civic Society outline the generalaims of such societies and what they could do in the community.Questions followed, the formation of the society wasunanimously approved and more than 50 people paid a modestsubscription of £8. Application forms for membership can beobtained from Janet McCann, 3 Ridgely Drive, NE20 9BJ and forgeneral information contact Philip Ham on (01661) 823822 oremail ham938@btinternet.com

BIRNEY HILL WATER MAIN WORKSIf you use the busy Stamfordham Road, you cannot fail to havenoticed massive works going on at Birney Hill. Earth has beenmoved so that the field is flattened, tons and tons of hardcorehave been put down and portable offices brought in. So what isgoing on? These operations are being undertaken by Carillion, acompany that is subcontracted by Northumbrian Water, and theyare laying a large water main from the Horsley Treatment Plantto Gosforth. This site will be the operational HQ where the pipesfor the 16km main will be stored and from where the operationwill be directed. It should take a year, so watch out for increasedtraffic along this road. The field will be reinstated when the workis completed.

PONTELAND EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD The next meeting is on Monday May 21 in St. Mary’s ChurchHall from 2pm - 4pm. Our speaker will be Julia Triston and shewill be giving us ideas on how to Manipulate Fabric ready forembroidery designs. Visitors are welcome. Fee £2.

Meryl scoops silver in downhill raceBy Sheila Campbell

Congratulations to Meryl Finlayson, who won a silver medalin the downhill race during her recent holiday in Austria.

Meryl, who was narrowly beaten (by .4 of a second) by agentleman, timed her holiday right - the snow was the best of theseason. She also won a camera.

Meryl is the smiling face on the right of the photo.

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11email: pontnewsandviews@tiscali.co.uk

Residents will be pleased to knowthat there have been no houseburglaries reported in thePonteland and Darras Hall areasince the last publication.

One burglary was reported in the outlying area, to a house inMilbourne. This one took place during the daytime, whilst theoccupants were out.

Three shed/garage burglaries were reported, which is less than thenumber usually reported in the springtime of the previous years.Again, if you can keep the more valuble tools in an alarmed area,and leave the older ones in the shed, it will help to frustrate thethieves.

The same applies to cars - if you can try to avoid keeping valuableitems on show, you will lessen the chances of being targeted byopportunist thieves. This applies particularly to the car parks atBolam Lake and Wallington Hall. As expected, we’ve had a fewthefts from cars reported over the past few weeks from these twoplaces.

Violent offences have been right down over this period covered.

Two offences of damage to windows have made it into the widerpublic domain during the past few weeks. One offence took placeon the Meadowfield trading estate, the other at the High School.There are some leads which are being followed up. Any moreinformation would be useful and, as always, would be treated asconfidential.

Calls reporting disorder, both adult and juveniles, remain low, butare still there to be addressed. A large amount of lager and vodkawas seized from a group of 14-16 year olds, in the centre of thepark on the last Friday in April. By now, all their parents should beaware, and will be hopefully trying to curb their children fromdrinking strong liquor. That said, seeing some of the namesinvolved, I won’t be holding my breath.

If you ignore this issue as a parent, it will not go away - it’s nogood hoping that your child will drink a lot and not get into somesort of trouble, whether it’s medical or anti-social. No good waitinguntil it happens, and then trying to push the blame onto someoneelse, some other organisation, or onto other factors. The first andmost important line of defence is yourselves.

As has been said before, you can contact ourselves, the schools orthe health centre to be put in touch with people who can offerexpert help on drinking. We are not talking about controlleddrinking at home, or in places where it would not be an offenceunder the licensing laws. This is about immature folk who will hideaway from adults, and then drink a hell of a lot.

This is a problem not unique to this area, it is happening all over.Alcohol is dangerous stuff, when it becomes a ‘master’ as opposedto a ‘tool’.

Another matter which made the local radio stations was the theftof some tortoises from Dobbies Garden Centre, during the latterpart of April. It is hoped that the publicity will lead to informationcoming in from the network of people who keep reptiles.

The particular species stolen are Hermann’s Tortoises, which I thinkare from Southern Europe. They are on Appendix 2 of theConvention In Trade of Endangered Species (C.I.T.E.S.), whichmeans that trade is allowed, but has to be controlled. Peoplebuying them should have the appropriate certificate from the Dept.of the Environment.

Reptiles need a certain amount of care and expertise to keepsuccessfully. The obvious concern is that they will not survive in thewrong hands. Any information would be welcome.

Parents to blame for drunken juvenilesPolice appeals over stolen tortoises and school attackBy PC Jon Gray, Community Beat Officer, Ponteland

Please contact the

hotel for moredetails. Tel: 01661 860686

Web: www.hortongrange.co.ukEmail: enquiries@horton-grange.co.uk

M ENU DU JOURHorton Grange Country House Hotel is delighted to announce the introduction of delicious 3-course evening menu, available

Monday - Thursday, every week.

£20.00 per personfor a 3-course dinner.

CHAMPAGNE EVENINGServed on Tuesday 17th July 2007

In association with Laurent-Perrier, Horton Grange Country HouseHotel is hosting a fantastic evening of delicious food accompanied by

the finest range of champagne.

£45.00 per person.for a 3-course dinner, with a glass of champagne

accompanying each course

COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL & RESTAURANT

News in brief…PONTELAND SENIOR GENTLEMEN`S CLUB Summer speakers are: June 11 - Edmund Hall: The History of bicyclesJuly 9 - Ian Forster: Wingate`s ChinditsAug 13 - Alan Scott: Life in a mining villageSept 10 - Peter & Rosemary Dodd: The Woodland Trust.Meetings are held on the second Monday of every month in thelounge of the Memorial Hall, Ponteland at 2.30pm. Membership isopen to gentlemen over the age of 55 who are not in full-timeemployment. The annual subscription is £10. If you would likemore information about the club, please contact Secretary SpenserMullins on (01661) 820754 or come along to our next meeting.

Spring is here and the market is extremely busy.For all your buying and selling needs please ring

your local property experts on 01661 823951.

Ponteland OfficeCoates Institute, Main Street, Ponteland

t: 01661 823951 f: 01661 823111 www.sandersonyoung.co.uk