The Haydon News October 2017

Transcription

1 The Haydon News October 2017 THE SILL IS A SIMPLY STUNNING PIECE OF ARCHITECTURE AND WILL BE A TREMENDOUS ASSET TO THE AREA. LOCAL BUSINESSES SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE! See page 25

2 HAYDON BRIDGE ON TUESDAYS CLAIRE S NEWSAGENTS 11, Church Street Tel: Mon - Sat: 6.00am pm Sunday: 6.00am pm PAPERS & A WIDE RANGE OF MAGAZINES Groceries, Confectionery, Tobacco, Beers, wines & spirits, Birthday & Special Occasion cards, Stationery, Toys. 24 hour cash point 17 P. COATS PAINTER AND DECORATOR. Free estimates. Tel Mobile pcoatsdecorators@btinternet.com Printed by Robson Print Ltd., Hexham (01434) / Haydon Bridge Businesses A new Facebook group has been set up for local businesses in and around Haydon Bridge! This includes pubs, shops, services, B&B and entrepreneurs. For our local businesses; If you have an offer on post it! If you have something new share it! If you change your opening times post it! Offering a service share it! For our locals; Want to know what's on? Need to find a service? Want to check the opening hours of somewhere? Need a good local deal Find us on Facebook <Haydon Bridge Businesses> and support your local shop, pub, trader! 2

3 ADOXOGRAPHY An application has flooded in for the job of Editor starting in the new year. I would still encourage others to come forward to help with the process of producing the magazine - many hands make light work... A team effort has much to commend it. Individuals taking personal responsibility for the production of one or two pages per month is a big help. Photographers, artists, writers etc are always welcome to submit their material. Go on! Have a go. You know you want to! Our thanks to all those who have popped contributions to the Haydon News funds into the collecting tin in Claire's newsagents. Whether it s 10p or 10 it all helps and we are grateful. Please continue to pop! Grateful thanks also go to the organisers of the many events in and around the village, especially the Haydon Bridge Festival, who have chosen to make contributions to the funds. Our village community thrives on mutual support and collective endeavour. Curiouser and curiouser - the drawings showing the proposed development on the fire station site are dated 7/3/16 which is before the fire station had even closed one is inevitably drawn to the suspicion that crystal balls may have had to be employed to foresee the upcoming opportunity. Of course, one instinctively rejects any suggestion that anything improper or untoward has occurred. The site was for sale through Bradley Hall and the client for the plans is Bradley Homes. If anyone else is aware of any strange coincidences or odd occurrences perhaps they would let me know. The Parish Council held a long and lively extraordinary meeting about the proposed development at 7pm on 17th August. A number of actions will follow from this meeting and reports will be forthcoming in due course. Independently I have taken it upon myself to apply for the imposition of a Tree Preservation Order upon the cherry trees standing in front of the Fire Station and I am hoping THE HAYDON NEWS MEMBERSHIP/SUBSCRIPTION Membership fee 5.00 Subscription fee For people living outside the Haydon News delivery areas. Donation Your choice Donations are always gratefully received. Total... that this will forestall the planned destruction of two of the three of them. If anyone sees anyone preparing to or actually felling them before a decision is reached about the TPO it would be useful to intervene immediately and directly and inform the workmen that the police (999 or 101) and NCC Planning department (Rachel Campbell ) are being informed of their actions. It is a no-brainer that the developers will be tempted to act first and shed crocodile tears later. A very warm welcome to Indiana Shaw this month - a newcomer to our community with a strong interest in poetry. The Haydon News is very keen to publish the work of both new and established writers who are resident in the parish. Perhaps we could have a regular page or two of new work. Equestrianism tends to seize people heart and soul. We live in a very horsey area and The Haydon News would love to have contributions from the horsey community. Those who live and breathe horses tend to look with despair upon those of us who are immune to their animal s charms. I was once asked what sort of horse I had ridden and when I replied A brown one I was treated to a look that combined horror, contempt and naked pity. The non-horsey part of the community can be genuinely upset by the most innocent activities of horses and riders too. I have been asked to make a diplomatic request to horse owners and riders to avoid passing pedestrians and dogs at speed and to try to avoid taking divots out of mown areas. Snail mail comes to Haydon Bridge! Not content with superfast broadband, the latest communication development in the parish is taking place in the post box up North Bank by the turning to Peelwell. Snails and slugs have infested the box and are eating the mail really! You have been warned. Steve Ford Name...Address Postcode... Cheques to The Haydon News. When you have completed the form please enclose it, with the appropriate fee, in an envelope addressed to: The Haydon News. Tannery Cottage, Park Stile, Haydon Bridge, Hexham. NE47 6BP Or you may leave it at Claire s Newsagents for collection. NEXT DEADLINE: Third Wednesday of each month. ALL CORRESPONDENCE, CONTRIBUTIONS, ADVERTS AND CROSSWORD ANSWERS TO: The Haydon News. Five Stones, Heugh House Lane, Haydon Bridge. NE47 6HJ mail@stevenford.co.uk Or: CLAIRE S NEWSAGENTS 11, Church Street. The Haydon News Committee Steve Ford (Chairman and Editor) Brian Alderson (Deputy Editor) Pauline Wallis (vice chair) Peter Parker (treasurer and diarist) Pat Hirst, John Wallis The editorial policy of the Haydon News is the responsibility of the Committee, although day to day responsibility is delegated to the editor. Our intention is always to ensure that the content of the Haydon News is as fair and factually correct as possible. Any complaints concerning editorial policy should be addressed in writing to the Chairman and will be considered by and receive a formal response from the Committee. Complaints other than those made above will not be entertained. The Editors reserve the right to decide which letters/articles are to be published, and to alter or shorten letters/articles when necessary. Anonymous letters/articles will NOT be published. A nom-de-plume may be used if the Editors know the author s name and address. 3

4 PARISH COUNCIL NOTES PARISH COUNCILLORS Esmond Faulks (chairman) Mrs. E Charlton (Vice Chair) Mrs. V Fletcher Mrs. I Burrows ideburrows@tiscali.co.uk Mr. E Brown Mrs. J Thompson Ms. L. Thompson ljtceramics@gmail.com Ms. Kelly Richardson Mr. D Robson daver1949x@gmail.com Mr. Richard Snowdon Mr. D Thornhill Parish Clerk Mrs. C. McGivern County Councillor: Cllr. Alan Sharp (home) (work) (mob.) A meeting of the Haydon Parish Council was held at 7.30pm on in the Community Centre. Public Participation A resident of Church Street reported to the council that all of the residents of the street had agreed to establish a resident s parking permit system in an effort to get a grip on the parking problems experienced. The church clock is now operational and illuminated. A larger rubbish bin outside The Railway was requested and the council agreed to provide it. The path side seat in Geeswood has been provided. The Church Street footpath paving slabs are reported to be sufficiently askew that falls and puddles have been caused. The council agreed to investigate. The cemetery bin is again overflowing. Inappropriate usage has been reported too. A major discussion developed about the dire lack of on street parking in the village. The needs of residents, shoppers, businesses and visitors are not being met. It was agreed that radical but probably initially unpopular steps are needed. In the first place opinions and options will be canvassed and then a public meeting will be held. Driver s behaviour is going to have to change. A dedicated parking place for all commercial vehicles may be created. The riverside is an under utilised space that has marked parking places. Signage may help. Apologies were invited. Declarations of interest were sought. Minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed. NCC The path linking Ratcliffe Road to the riverside has been restored. Progress continues to be made with plans for and work at the Spa Well. TRT is organising the project. Work on the roads at Woodhall and Threepwood have been undertaken. The grass at the Fire Station has been cut. The repairs and signage at Mill Hills are complete. A final decision about the location of the litter bin at The Showfield entrance has yet to be reached. A site meeting concerning the road markings at Shaftoe school and the arrangements at the junction of Church Street and Ratcliffe Road has been held. Camera surveys are underway already. Initial proposals include a village wide 20mph speed limit, interactive signs that can be moved between various locations, rumble strips and altered parking limitations. Action in connection with the trees opposite South View has yet to be decided upon. Highways The Ratcliffe Road west bound bus stop remains blocked by parked cars. Revision of the parking arrangements may resolve this, otherwise the pavement may have to be extended. The postulated fencing on Shaftoe Green has the agreement of but not the funding by the Bates estates. An estimate will be sought. Responsibility for the area will be clarified too. Lighting Doubts were expressed about the orientation of the handful of new street light fitments that have been installed. Being very directional in nature they seem to cast their light less usefully than had been hoped. Planning Further revisions to the plans for the site next to Maresfield on North Bank were viewed. It was resolved to object to the plans solely on the grounds of the wood cladding proposed which is without precedent in the village. Accounts were agreed. The external audit has been approved and accepted. Correspondence The new maintenance contract for the church clock is in place and ladders and lights in hand. Karbon Homes are proposing a public consultation in the near future concerning the fate of the garage block on the estate that they hope to replace with five new houses. The very kind gift by a parishioner, in memory of her parents, of a seat for the cemetery or elsewhere in the village was most gratefully acknowledged by the council. Parish Projects The Bridge reports a huge volume of tourist traffic in recent months. It was noted that this betokens a substantial but as yet under exploited commercial opportunity for the parish. NB. These Parish Council Notes are NOT the formal records of the meetings. They have no status other than that of notes taken by a member of the public in attendance. 4

5 The Development Trust has a meeting planned with The National Parks organisation to discuss the opportunities arising from the opening of The Sill. The recent installation of two huge John Martin engravings in the small committee room of the Community Centre was noted. Funds have been forthcoming from the Co-op which are stated for new plantings in the flower beds around the village. Flooding. Thompsons have agreed to reseed the picnic area. The council resolved to send a very warm letter of appreciation to Thompsons for their help with the gravel extraction. A recent meeting of the flood wardens was a huge success. Extra sand bins and bags are being sought. The Lipwood gravel bank may receive attention in It seems that the EA and/or TRT were unaware of the woodland developing in the river but a visit is anticipated soon. The riparian owners are being engaged in discussions. GARDEN RUBBISH IS BEING THROWN INTO THE LANGLEY BURN ADJACENT TO MARTINS CLOSE. THIS MUST NOT OCCUR AGAIN! A tree has become lodged under the old bridge and some mug has agreed to saw it up. Ideas for the Lions Centennial Grant are being developed by Marcus Byron in association with The Nature Club. It was noted gleefully that since the gravel has been removed the Kingfishers are back in force. HBHS. Though new arrangements need time to be allowed to bed in the current situation remains fraught and uncertain. A report is currently awaited. Problems with students overflowing public transport provision were reported. A less intimidating opportunity for residents to meet with councillors was proposed and an article will appear in next month s HN in this connection. AOB The Chairman will be doing topiary at the entrance to Shaftoe Street. Steps to get Tree Preservation Orders on the cherry trees by the fire station were reported. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is keen to place a sign on the entrance to the old cemetery at the back of Alexandra Terrace but need a new gate to fix it to. A new John Martin sign is to be erected by the school. The Skateboard park money was confirmed to be still available for use for recreational developments in the parish. The next Parish Council meeting will be on 26th October at 7.30pm in the Community Centre. The General Havelock Inn generalhavelock@aol.com Riverside Restaurant Haydon Bridge. NE47 6ER Opening times: Mon Tues/Weds/Thurs/Fri Sat/Sun OAP s meals half price on Tuesdays (lunchtime and evening) Last Tuesday of the month FILM & FOOD NIGHT AA Pub Guide 2016 Highly recommended - Tripadvisor 2016 Eden Complementary & Beauty Therapies. Fully qualified and insured therapist. Treatments include: Waxing and tinting Massage including deep tissue, Swedish, Indian head, and hot stones therapy Gelish Gel nail technician Manicure and pedicure Facials Eyelash lift and tint Reflexology Reiki healing therapy Special pamper packages available Gift vouchers available Steve from Staward YOUR ADVERT COULD GO HERE Call Lisa on Ratcliffe Road Haydon Bridge Hexham NE476ET Painting, Tiling, Woodwork, Welding Jobs quoted & charged at sensible prices Non smoker, Good sense of humour Phone: or stevefromstaward@icloud.com THE ANCHOR GARAGE CHURCH STREET IND ESTATE HAYDON BRIDGE NE47 6JG MOT CENTRE including Class 4, 7 & Motorbike TYRES, LASER TRACKING, DIAGNOSTICS ALL MAKES OF CAR REPAIRED AND SERVICED ALL MAKES OF EXHAUST SUPPLIED AND FITTED Tel Mobile

6 HISTORICAL NOTES OF HAYDON BRIDGE Dennis Telford HAYDON PARISH HOME FRONT : During the months of July and August in the Haydon News, I have neglected my record of parish events during the Second World War, in favour of Joseph and Hannah Reay s interesting family tree. This month I continue with events in the parish on the Home Front, from June Freddie Steele: In the Haydon News of June 2017, I reported the war death of Flight Sergeant Freddie Steele formerly of Haydon Bridge. Freddie was twenty one years old when he was killed, had close connections with Haydon Bridge Scouts and was a fine footballer. A wreath from thirty scouting colleagues was sent from Haydon Bridge to Freddie Steele s funeral at Gateshead. Remarkably, twenty seven of his former Haydon Bridge colleagues were serving at the time in various branches of the forces. In Tune: At the College of Music s June examination in Newcastle, Gladys and Evelyn Veitch both passed with merit. The Misses Veitch from Haydon Bridge were the only pupils who were entered by their teacher and their piano playing was worthy of their merit. (All the right notes in the right order, according to Evelyn!) On Court: Adolph and his war mongers did not put a stop to the Annual Central Methodist Church Fete and Tennis Tournament at Haydon Bridge, on Whit Monday The event was opened by Mrs Myles Carrick who was introduced by the Vicar of Haydon Bridge, Rev C.C. Fox. Ann Bates presented a button hole and Miss Sybil Telford thanked Mrs Carrick on behalf of the Tennis Club. The seniors tournament was won by Mrs C. Dinning and Mr G. Stokoe and Miss A. Elliott and Miss C. Thompson were the junior winners. Stewards for the day were J. & E. Dinning, J. Thompson, J. Bates and R. Coats. Refreshments were served by the Misses Sybil and Laura Telford, Miss A. Kirton, Mrs W. Cooper, Miss E. Gibson and Mrs E. Dinning. (Jobs for the girls!) Gone But Not Forgotten: Our fighting forces were not forgotten at home, of course, and in July 1943, shillings was sent to the Red Cross Prisoners of War Fund and 14.8 shillings to the Incorporated Seamen Soldiers and Airmen Help Society. These funds were as the result of a Whist Drive and Bring and Buy Sale held by Mrs Carrick at Foxton. Traffic Control: At the June 1943 meeting of Hexham Rural District Council, it was announced that lights to regulate the traffic on the bridge at Haydon Bridge would be installed in the near future. William Lamb: Seventy two year old Mr Lamb s death was reported at Wall on June 26th William had retired from Low Hall Farm, Haydon Bridge in 1939, where he had farmed for seventeen years. In his time at Haydon Bridge, William had been a parish councillor and a Shaftoe Trust School governor. He had been a local preacher since Social Events: The month of July 1943 ended with four well attended events in the parish, each supported by our local farming families. A garden party was held at East Land Ends Farm by kind permission of Mr and Mrs John Veitch, on behalf of the Haydon Bridge Elmfield Chapel; at Tofts Farm, Mr Ernie Harrison held a whist drive and dance on behalf of the Haydon Bridge Welcome Home Fund; at Grindon Hill A. Burn raised 20 towards the Local Soldiers Gift Fund; and a field day and dance held at Mill Hills Farm raised s.8d for the Welcome Home Fund. How Much?!: Agricultural wages in the parish from July 18th 1943 were 50/- (50 shillings) per week for men over 21 years and 37/6d (37 shillings & sixpence) for women. The worker s board and lodging was valued at 21/- (Men) and 19/6d (women). A Lesson from Shaftoe Trust School: On July 24th 1943, the Hexham Courant reported that teachers and scholars of Shaftoe Trust School at Haydon Bridge would feature in a film for colonial screening, which was being made by the Ministry of Information in conjunction with the Colonial Office, to demonstrate how the scholars in British schools were trained to work with their hands as well as their minds. School activities in and out of the classrooms had been on show at an Open Day at the school on Wednesday, 21st July. Schoolgirls trained by Miss Usher and Mrs Spooner gave a display of country dancing and later served tea from the canteen. The canteen was ten weeks old, and supplied one hundred and fifty meals a day, hoping to increase this to two hundred and fifty in the next term. The boys were taught science, chiefly with its application to agricultural problems. (For example, the diseases of wheat and potatoes.) In the woodwork room, valuable work was being done for the Hexham Group Hospital Supply Depot. The school also had a brooder house with a lamp used for testing the fertility of eggs. Dairying and practical bee-keeping were other rural pursuits developed through the school curriculum, and each senior boy was given a plot in the school garden to cultivate, while girls made appetising dishes in the cookery room. (Hardly politically correct 2017 style, but that s the way it was. And still is in the Telford household!) In the light of this article, it is interesting to recall that a commitment to poultry keeping and horticulture, and a curriculum with a rural bias, was introduced at Shaftoe Trust School as early as , when W.W. Ridley was headmaster. By 1928, Mr Ridley had a new science laboratory built and school gardens provided, to encourage the development of practical knowledge and skills required by pupils living in a rural area. When Robert Walker took over as headmaster from W.W. Ridley, in 1933, he introduced agriculture as a timetabled subject and by 1939 a new agricultural engineering and dairy block was built to the east of the main school. It was this early and unique approach to school training and education that encouraged the Ministry of Information to

7 propose filming events at our Haydon Bridge school, for all to see. Ofsted Registered DAY NURSERY Later in the school s life (1947), Edward Waite took over the reins as headmaster and further developed the early imaginative work of W.W. Ridley and Robert Walker. Edward Waite provided a rural school in Haydon Bridge that served the whole of Northumberland and his project, built on agriculture as the defining subject in the school curriculum, was a huge success. For children from birth to 5 years. Activities follow the Early Years Foundation Stage. Quality assurance scheme Aiming Higher. Sensory garden. OUT OF SCHOOL CLUB/HOLIDAY CLUB 5yrs-12yrs Sports. Arts &Crafts. Fun & Games. Trips. CALL for further information ERRANDS Hello! I ve started a friendly reliable door to door local service offering help with shopping, meal preparation, cleaning and other helpful jobs that need done. If you would be interested in using this service please ring Karen on: Robert Walker s 1939 Dairy to the left and the Engineering Workshop to the right. Both recognisable, but, a little worse for wear when I took this photograph in This building housing a model dairy and the workshop for agricultural engineering was constructed on the Shaftoe Charity s land to the east of the school - formerly Chapel Hill Close and the building work was completed in Although butter and cheese were produced in the dairy in its early days, the school s ambition - encouraged by the headmaster Robert Walker since his appointment in to introduce agriculture into a curriculum which already included horticulture and poultry keeping, was thwarted by the Second World War. As it happened, part of the new dairy block was used for infants classes and there will be many of my generation who remember, as I do, starting school at Shaftoe Trust as four or five year olds and being taught in The Dairy by Miss Telfer and Miss Davison. (Your memories will be most welcome if you d like to share them.) DBS checked. Due to an over whelming response and need for my services for the elderly, I am pleased to announce I'm adding an extra day. I am now available on a Monday too. Thank you everybody for your support. It's very much appreciated. Karen x Graeme Murphy Jimmy Carruthers HAYDONIAN RENOVATION SERVICES PURPOSE MADE JOINERY, UPVC DOORS & WINDOWS ALL JOINERY WORK UNDERTAKEN Tel: Graeme Jimmy Your Local Joinery Manufacturer My Historical Notes in the December 2013 Haydon News provide further information on Shaftoe Trust School and the development of technical education there. Visit our web site: haydon-news.co.uk / back numbers. GEORGE GAMBLE See also page 10 in this issue. Arrest: Kathleen Margaret Jupp, a twenty one year old Jehovah's Witness, was arrested at Haydon Bridge on 9th August 1943, after failing to appear at court to answer a charge of non-payment of a fine of 20 with 4.4/- costs imposed on her in September 1942, for failing to comply with a direction to take up work in a children s hospital. Est ALL BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION PLANT HIRE WITH OPERATOR MINI DIGGERS, CONCRETE BREAKERS, DUMPERS ROLLERS, TELEHANDLER. Francis Robert Noble: a seventy seven year old retired miner of 9 Shaftoe Court, died in Hexham War Memorial Hospital on August 12th 1943 from his injuries, one week after being accidently crushed between an army lorry and a wall of the bridge at Haydon Bridge. Mr Noble was TEL:

8 watching repair work in progress on the bridge when the last vehicle in an army convoy struck the parapet of the bridge with its front mudguard and caught Mr Noble, spinning him round and pinning him between the lorry and the parapet. Due to the repair works, the carriageway on the bridge was restricted to eleven foot wide. At the inquest, the deceased s wife, Sarah Hannah Noble, said her husband had been in the habit of watching work in progress on the bridge, every day. Nursing Sisters: The Hexham Courant of August 28th 1943, includes an interesting snippet relevant to Haydon Bridge s Waugh sisters... and a young sailor. Among a party of twenty one nurses aboard a little vessel which put into Augusta harbour, Sicily, was Sister Jessie Waugh, youngest daughter of Thomas Waugh of Station Cottages, Haydon Bridge. Sister Waugh had volunteered for nursing work abroad fourteen months previously. Jessie Waugh s sister, Alice, was also a nursing Sister - in a hospital in Freetown (Sierra Leone) - and, earlier in the year, she had been called upon by Nevin Kirsopp, a young Haydon Bridge sailor who, after hearing that Alice was in Freetown, had tramped for three hours to reach the hospital to see her. An Haydonian is never alone; wherever they may be in the world! Eddie Brown: Having been posted missing since mid 1942, news reached the village in September 1943, that twenty one year old Lance Corporal James Edward Brown of the Reconnaissance Corps (R.N.F.), and son of Edward and Winifred Brown of 17 Church Street, was officially stated to be presumed killed in action. Eddie had been mobilised as a Territorial and served in France and through Dunkirk. An exceptionally fine footballer, Eddie played for Shaftoe Trust School XI and gained three international caps for England schoolboys. He was also one of the stalwarts of the Haydon Bridge Junior XI which reached the final of the Northumberland Junior Cup in 1939, and was a keen cricketer who played for the Haydon Bridge and Henshaw clubs. Eddie Brown was killed during the El Alamein conflict. (See also, notes on my visit to Eddie s final resting place. Haydon News November haydon-news.co.uk) A Lock Out: At the Hexham Sessions in September 1943, damages of 5 were awarded to George Robb of West Land Ends Farm when his young farm labourer left his employment and so committed a breach of his hiring contract. Robb said that his labourer, Mr Humble, had been hired for six months on wages of 32/- a week as well as board and lodgings, but he had kept very late hours; not being in the house before twelve o clock... Sundays included! (My exclamation mark) On July 21st, after his repeated warnings, Robb locked the farm-house door at 10.45pm. When he saw Mr Humble the next morning, he told him he was leaving his employment as nothing had been said about the time he had to be in the house when he was hired. Since his labourer had left, Robb said he had had to hire Italian prisoners of war to help with the harvest and claimed 10 for loss of time and their wages. 8 W. Wanless, chairman of the Bench, found in favour of Robb, but, said the damages claimed were rather high. It was also pointed out that it was not reasonable to ask a youth nineteen years of age to be in the farmhouse by ten o clock as: We are not living in Victorian times. When young men of Mr Humble s age were being asked to put their lives on the line for us during the War, it does seem strange to me that at home, they had to be in the house by 10.45pm or risk losing their employment. AS OTHERS SEE US I am always pleased to welcome William Veitch s contributions to my Historical Notes. This month, William examines Haydon Bridge as it has been described in various publications etc. What are your opinions relative to Haydon Bridge? Undoubtedly personal views will be wide and varied. (Why not pass them on to The Haydon News.) As a born and bred Haydonian now exiled in darkest Lancashire, for me it will always be, affectionately - My homeland. You can take the boy out of Haydon Bridge but you cannot take Haydon Bridge out of the boy. As an octogenarian, I rather like being referred to as a boy! But, what have outsiders thought of Haydon Bridge over the years? The following comments are from various literature and it is presumed they have all visited Haydon Bridge - if not, then they should have kept their gobs shut. Is Haydon Bridge a village or a town? Dictionary definition is of no help as it states: A village is any small assembly of houses but less than a town and a town is larger than a village - so no help there! Have you ever thought that prior to the new bridge the layout of Haydon Bridge resembled the letter H - very appropriate. Way back in 1327, some 20,000 invading Scots crossed the Tyne near Haydon Bridge - no, they were not heading for St James Park, that was May but were on their way to ravage Durham. Thinking to ambush them, King Edward with a reputed army of 60,000 strong set up the ambush at Haydon Bridge. (I think these numbers were exaggerated.) Rain fell day after day (sounds familiar - were they experiencing climate change?) and the leather of their equipment rotted. Reduced to starvation, as they had eaten everything around, in despair they went to Haltwhistle - bet they had no better luck there! Incidentally, these Scots never came back but returned to Scotland by a different route. Obviously, they wouldn t think fondly of their visit! Bradshaw, in his Railway Handbook of 1861, (as used by Michael Portillo in his TV series) doesn t exert himself as he simply states, Haydon Bridge, a telegraph station. This place belongs to Greenwich Hospital and originally formed part of the Earl of Derwentwater s property, Martin the painter was a native. (This minimal description verges on an insult Mr Bradshaw.) William Lee, in his Historical Notes of Haydon Bridge writes in 1876 : In Haydon Bridge there is little for the antiquarian or pleasure seeker. (Were all the pubs shut when he was here?) It is a quiet agricultural village with

9 D.C. OIL HEATING & PLUMBING SERVICES. WORCESTER BOSCH ACCREDITED INSTALLER OFFERING 7 YEAR WARRANTY. WORCESTER BOSCH SERVICE PARTNER. GRANT ACCREDITED INSTALLER OFFERING 5 YEAR WARRANTY Oil Boiler and Tank Installer, Service and Repairs Plumbing & Central Heating Systems. Bathrooms & Showers OFTEC REGISTERED SERVICE ENGINEER. D.C. Oil Heating & Plumbing. 112B Church St. Ind. Est. Haydon Bridge. NE47 6JG. Jim Mob HENRY WATSON & CO. Shaftoe Street, Haydon Bridge. All cars welcome for M.O.T, Repairs and Service. Batteries - Tyres at Competitive Prices Computerised Wheel Balancing Unleaded and DERV Tel: Jobson s Animal Health is now Murray Farmcare. The take over happened on the 1st July so look out for the new signs and new products coming in the next few weeks 6 Church Street, HaydonBridge Haydon Bridge Playgroup Monday and Friday to Leader plus assistants playgroup 6.00 per session Further information call Nicola Grint or call into one of the sessions at The Community Centre 9 little to vary the monotonous details of daily life. There are no stirring fairs, no weekly activity and it has none of these elements of outward life to disturb the quietude that broods over it. (A disappointing reflection from a local, don t you think.) Its local annals however are not devoid of interest of which the surrounding district possesses more than a common share. Oh, that s good then. W.W. Tomlinson, in his 1888 Comprehensive Guide to Northumberland, says: It is a quiet agricultural village with modern looking houses built of local white stone and roofed with blue slate. The church, dedicated to St Cuthbert, is a plain but neat structure with a small square tower terminating in a quadrangular spire. A very neutral, non-committal one this. H.M. Adamson in 1910 only wrote about the station and quoted: Haydon Bridge station is a very old fashioned erection with practically no cover at all on the down platform and only very limited shelter on the up platform. While there is no footbridge to connect the platforms. No mention of the signal box and you may think that the powers that be have virtually taken the station back to what it used to be like over one hundred years ago. J.E. Morris in 1916, in his book Northumberland, doesn t have a great deal to say: The little town - it is more than a village - is built on either bank of the broad and copious South Tyne here crossed by a long and picturesque bridge. I doubt whether he had been anywhere near Haydon Bridge! Arthur Mee, in his Kings of England of 1952 says: The grey stone houses of this little town cluster around the bridge on both sides of the river. Haydon Spa is a tiny trickle of water running out of the hill into a stone basin approached by five steps. I wonder if he had tasted the delicacy of that trickle - and he would find it impossible to reach the stone basin today (October 2017). Hunter Davies in his Walk Along the Wall of 1974 states: I stood around Haydon Bridge in the rain for some time trying to get a taxi. I found it a depressing little town, not a patch on Hexham in looks or life. To think I used to like his books - that s him off my list. Godfrey Watson, in his Northumberland Villages of 1976 writes: The village itself is no great beauty but its inhabitants at least have been interesting. A back handed compliment? I leave the last word to Dennis Telford from his booklet Welcome to Haydon Bridge (Available in all good bookshops - Claire s and The Bridge!): Haydonians are generally unpretentious folk and as they go about their daily business, within the beautiful rolling countryside so typical of rural Northumberland, they are sure to afford a cheery welcome to visitors. So, if you decide to stop a while and share our heritage and conviviality, you will be made welcome. And if you seek further help or information while you are here, you will find our local residents, retailers, hoteliers and their customers only too ready to oblige. Haydon Bridge and its parish is a place of romance and legend, and of extraordinary heritage and rare beauty. William Veitch

10 THE HAYDON VIEWS Haydon History in Black and White My favourite Shaftoe Trust School staff photo : These 20C teachers were chosen to show the world how it should be done. (See page 6) Back Row L to R: Arthur Robinson, Donald Oliver Bury, Bill Foster, John Waite, Bill Nicholson, Edward Waite (Head) Charlie Coombes Front Row L to R: Miss M. Thompson, Miss K. Baker, Miss M. Usher, Miss T. Dodd, Mrs S. Spooner. School gardens were provided in 1928 and senior boys were given a plot in the garden to cultivate. Master G. Burrows and Master G. Renwick are hard at work here in the garden in

11 THE OLDEST PROFESSION Haydon Bridge Co-op isn't usually the first place you think of as a source of mirth and merriment. Or indeed deep humiliation. Until today. I joined a very long queue of people to post my parcel at the Royal Mail counter. I must confess I was quite proud of the way I had packaged it, given its size and awkward dimensions. The assistant on the till was also impressed. She was exhausted from dealing with all the many shoppers and inadvertently gave me the wrong form for a previously mislaid item. I noticed her mistake only as I left and I waved the form aloft. She immediately realised her error and shouted across the ever-growing queue: "Wow! I see you're on the game tonight pet!". She did of course mean 'on the ball' but the dichotomy was lost on the extremely curious queue all craning their necks to check out this loose local woman of ill-repute. Better not linger too long under any lamp posts come the dark evenings... Marita W.M.H. FARM FRESH MEATS Church Street, Haydon Bridge. QUALITY HOME PRODUCED BEEF & LAMB TRACEABLE FROM FARM TO TABLE Catering, Freezer orders Barbecue packs, sandwiches Cooked meats, Salads Home-made pies ALL ORDERS LARGE OR SMALL WELCOME Tel: Open throughout the year for Morning Coffee Light Lunches Cream Teas Restaurant lunch/dinner Accommodation ANTIQUE RESTORATION & CABINET MAKER Jerry Taylor Haydon Bridge, Northumberland. NE47 6DF Mob: Tel: jerryte500@googl .com HAYDON BRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTRE a great venue for; Club activities Meetings Celebrations Parties Concerts Plays To make a booking contact Valerie on D & J OLIVER ELECTRICAL ALL TYPES OF ELECTRICAL WORK UNDERTAKEN Tel Mobile HAYDON VIEW Residential Care Home. North Bank, Haydon Bridge. Long Term Residential Care/Respite/Holiday/Day Care For more information please contact: Chris or Audrey Kay Tel CHURCH STREET TUESDAYS, 1pm-4.30pm homemade cakes, pies & ready prepared meals. Tel for orders, bookings & quotations. SEPTIC TANK EMPTYING SERVICE A. MacDonald. For a competitive quote Call REGULAR VILLAGE COFFEE MORNINGS Saturday 10am Community Centre A different local organisation each week. EVERYONE WELCOME IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ADDITIONAL COFFEE MORNINGS PLEASE LET ME KNOW. Editor.

12 CHURCHES WORKING TOGETHER CLERGY MESSAGE From: Deacon Anne Taylor We have just started celebrating Harvest Thanksgiving in our Churches. Originally this would have been celebrating bringing in the crops and people would have brought some of those crops to the Church as a thanksgiving. Over the years Churches have celebrated harvest in different ways, supporting various charities, food banks etc giving thanks for gifts and talents and businesses. But harvest is not the only time we should be thanking God, we should be thanking God every day and in all things! Recently our Bible readings from the Old Testament have been following the book of Exodus and the character of Moses. It tells us how God delivered (saved) his people from slavery in Eygpt to lead them to a land of milk and honey the hill country of Canaan. The people were delivered from Eygpt and started their long journey across the desert. It wasn t long before the Egyptians realised they had lost all their work force and went chasing after them. Moses and the people arrived at the Red Sea. Afraid the people turned to Moses who stretched out his hand over the sea. All that night God drove the sea back with a strong wind and turned it to dry land. The Israelites crossed in safety. The Eygptians followed in their chariots, Moses stretched out his hand again and the water flowed back over the Egyptians, not one of them survived. Moses and his sister Miriam sang praises to God, thanking him for what he had done. Wouldn t you think the people would then put their trust in God? But after three days of travelling in the desert without water, the people began to grumble again. God provided water but told them they needed to listen and do what is right in his eyes. God continued to provide for them but they were still disobedient and would not put their trust in God. How like these people we still are today, we ask God to help us, often in difficult times, he does and then we grumble again. This Harvest time help us to reflect on the many ways God provides for us. Help us to be thankful for what he has done and trust him for the things to come. Deacon Anne Taylor Parishes by the Wall One of the most important tasks for a Church to do is to communicate as well and as widely as possible. To help do this the Parishes of Haydon Bridge and Beltingham with Henshaw, which work together with Benjamin as their Vicar, are beginnings to describe themselves as Parishes by the Wall. Using this name we now have a website: parishesbythewall.org.uk; a facebook page: facebook.com/ parishesbythewall; and a Twitter Please use any or all of these forms of communication as well as the trusty Church pages in the Haydon News to find out what is happening, where, and when in your parishes. Services in the Benefice of Haydon Bridge and Beltingham with Henshaw. Parishes by the Wall Rev. Dr. Benjamin Carter. St. Cuthbert's Anglican Church The Vicarage, Station Yard Tel Trinity 16 Sunday 1 October 9.30am: St Cuthbert s Beltingham, Parish Eucharist 11am: St Cuthbert s Haydon Bridge, Parish Eucharist with Storybook Church Trinity 17 Sunday 8 October 9.30am: All Hallows Henshaw, Parish Eucharist with Storybook Church 11am: St Cuthbert s Haydon Bridge, Parish Eucharist Trinity 18 Sunday 15 October 9.30: St Cuthbert s Beltingham, Parish Eucharist 11: St Cuthbert s Haydon Bridge, Parish Eucharist 3: Pitching tbc, God s Tent Trinity 19 Sunday 22 October 8.30: St Cuthbert s Haydon Bridge, BCP Communion 10: St Cuthbert s Haydon Bridge, Joint Eucharist Saturday 28 October 10.30: All Hallow Henshaw, Messy Church Last after Trinity Sunday 29 October 9.30: All Hallows Henshaw, Matins 11: St Cuthbert s Haydon Bridge, BCP Communion 3: Haydon Old Church, Evening Prayer ROMAN CATHOLIC SERVICES Father Leo Pyle St John of Beverley Catholic Church St John s Presbytery, North Bank Tel Mass each Sunday at 9.30am Mass each Sunday at 11.00am at Haltwhistle Mass on weekdays (except Mondays) at 10.00am either St John s or Haltwhistle. 12 All Saints/ All Souls Sunday 5 November 9.30: St Cuthbert s Beltingham, Parish Eucharist 11: St Cuthbert s Haydon Bridge, Parish Eucharist with Storybook Church 3.30: All Hallows Henshaw All Souls Day Service 5: St Cuthbert s Haydon Bridge, All Soul s Day Service

13 METHODIST CHURCH SERVICES Deacon Anne Taylor Methodist Congregation Woodville, Redesmouth Road, BellinghamTel: October 10am 6pm 8 October 10am 6pm 15 October 10am 6pm 22 October 10am 6pm 29th October 10am 6.00am Morning Worship Ian Warburton Evening Worship Rev. Alan Dawson Family Harvest Marie Hutchinson Harvest Service Led by Acomb Choir Morning Worship Rev. J Porter-pryde Evening Worship David Forrester Morning Worship Deacon Anne Taylor Evening Worship Kevin Williams and friends Hexham Community Church Communion Worship Rev. M. Wilkinson Evening Worship Rev. Alex Dunstan Messy Church Wednesday 11th October pm Methodist Church (New children always welcome) METHODIST CHURCH 17TH OCTOBER 7.00 pm FASHION SHOW (Light Refreshments) All Welcome DATES AHEAD METHODIST CHURCH 18TH NOVEMBER 7.00 PM CONCERT GIVEN BY PRUDHOE GLEEMEN Entry fee which includes Supper afterwards 6 (Please pay at the door) All Welcome METHODIST CHURCH 21ST NOVEMBER 7.15pm QUIZ ALONG WITH PIE AND PEAS Rev. John Harrison All Welcome 13 Alastair William Bowen Alastair Bowen passed away on August 4th 2017, aged 91 years. Alastair was a committee member and the treasurer of a newly constituted Friends of Haydon Bridge (1998) and a former editor of your Haydon News. Recognising the importance of The Haydon News as a parish voice, Alastair took over, albeit reluctantly, as editor in July 2004 on an interim basis, following the failure of advertisements in November 2003 to attract a new editor to the position. Determined that The Haydon News would not cease publication, but would continue its long history as a free magazine available to all parishioners, Alastair continued to compile The Haydon News as editor, with the support of the committee of the day, until new appointments were made in February Alastair Bowen s years of commitment to The Friends of Haydon Bridge and to The Haydon News, and his willingness to undertake the role of editor in 2004 to ensure a secure future for The Haydon News, will not be forgotten. Thank you Alastair. THE KIRK YARD This day is just as peaceful as this day has been so long I listen to the birds chirping just to me in their last song Autumn descends upon us - but all the land is still green The warm rain gives the birds - their last chance to preen It is only times like this which I am at my most content Memories I hold within the Kirkyard - are only to me lent Within this Kirkyard - I get to see deaths glory at its best As I read the gravestone inscriptions of those now at rest I can hear all the idling chatter of those so unearthly ghosts Saying to me you are welcome for today we are your hosts A Peacefulness prevails here - as only a Kirkyard can give Into another time frame of folk - and how they used to live Pass before my eyes - images of long ago for me displayed That then disappears into the walls of the Kirkyard in a haze Ghostly figures even stop to stare at me in their so eerie way What do they think of me - here dressed for the modern day A silence descends - no words in fear these images will break Every image captured like photographs into my eyes I do take Sun sets with a sudden loneliness laden underneath its weight Every gravestone whispering to me - till I reach the iron gates The Kirkyard is dampen now - with its coming of the dark night Only for it to flourish once more come tomorrows morning light I, a soul so tired and weary you can see it etched across my face As I pass beneath the lamp light - that showers me with its grace To myself only - fearing just how much fear that I have in death itself But once carried through the Kirkyard gates I will only feel its wealth Indiana Shaw... (*-*)

14 Friday Lunch Club launched September saw the long-awaited start of a weekly lunch club at the Community Centre. Village volunteers are offering a freshly made lunch of Soup, Sandwich and Sweet for 5 at 12 noon every Friday. Vegetarian options are available. Also included in the price are an optional chair-based exercise session, starting before lunch at 11.15, and a choice of dominoes, board games, cards etc afterwards. In the future we hope to develop from a drop-in into more of a club with occasional lunch outings, entertainment and talks. And once the Community Centre kitchen is kitted out we will be able to offer hot meals cooked on the premises. New volunteers are always welcomed and shown how we work, the different roles include food preparation, cooking, room preparation and service. Volunteers sign up in advance to help in particular roles on dates of their choosing. We hope to have sufficient volunteers to rota them on average once every 3 or 4 weeks. A reduced charge is made to volunteers who choose to eat when on that day s rota. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, come along and give it a try. The more the merrier. Carole Price BEFORE AFTER LOOKING VERY GOOD! 14

15 H B H S reports significant improvements in GCSE results as students celebrate their success Equally there are students who have made very good levels of individual progress. We are extremely proud of all our students. We are looking forward to welcoming back over 60% of our students to our VI Form, where we know they will achieve great things, as these A level results showed. Our new Sixth Formers will study a broad range of post 16 A level and vocational programmes, with others being supported by the school into other education, training and employment pathways. Mary McKeeman, Chief Operating Officer at Bright Tribe Trust commented, It is wonderful to see the hard work and determination from all pupils, staff and the wider Bright tribe trust pay off with the achievement of these excellent results. Anna Heslop. Vicky Mitchell, Mairead Redden and Julia Gledson. Alex Heppell It was smiles all round today at Haydon Bridge High School in Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, as students turned up to collect their GCSE grades throughout the morning. Principal Darren Glover, reported a significant improvement on last year s results including Biology A*- C, 17% improvement to 96.6%; Business A*-C, 59% improvement to 100%; French A*-C 30% improvement to 71.4%; and Drama A*-C 17% improvement to 85.7%. A Core Science A*-C 28% improvement to 50% was achieved as well (1/3 of cohort - most able scientists - take separate sciences so aren t included in this figure). He also reported higher than average grades in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, French, Business, IT and Child Development commenting It s wonderful to see significantly higher A*-C grades in many subjects, another significant step in our improvement journey. Top performing students included Anna Heslop, Alex Heppell and Zoe-Claire Trespaderne. Anna Heslop secured two Grade 9s (higher than an A*), six As and three Bs. Anna plans to study A Level Music, English and French, pass her Grade 8 music exams and go onto study at a music conservatoire. Alex Heppell achieved one Grade 8, Grade 7, an A*, two As and three Bs. Alex plans to study A Level Maths, Business and PE. Zoe-Claire Trespaderne was delighted to discover that she has secured a Grade 9, two Grade 7s (equivalent to an A), two As and two Bs. Zoe plans to study A Level Physics, Chemistry and IT. Principal, Darren Glover, added, Haydon Bridge students have again worked very hard with their teachers, supported by their families, and have achieved another great set of GCSE results. There are some excellent individual performances, with students achieving 9s in the new exams, and a number of other high grades. Combined Water Services All Aspects of Plumbing Work No Call Out Charge Tel or Shaftoe Street, Haydon Bridge. 15

16 THE TYNE VALLEY RAILWAY This month I ve chosen, not a place but a railway line ours. As someone who s loved railways since I was little, I couldn t ignore this aspect of the North East. I ve already written about the museum at Shildon, the cradle of the railways. But what about the living, working railway that runs through our own village? The Tyne Valley Railway is a daily part of our life in this community and aren t we fortunate to have a working railway station, however basic, in our midst? But how many of us have taken in the long history of this line, or some of its fine lineside features? the Tyne Valley line just west of Hexham. You can still see the piers of the original bridge that crossed the river at that point.) As I am focusing on North East England, I won t linger on the part of the line west of the Pennine watershed around Gilsland (where there is an active campaign to reopen the station, and who s to say there isn t a good case for it?). Up here you get marvellous views eastwards along the whin sill crags that carry the Roman Wall, northwards to the Bewcastle fells, and westwards across the Solway and beyond, the hills of Galloway. Our railway is both one of the prettiest in England, and also one of the earliest. Planning began in the 1820s (the legendary Stockton and Darlington Railway began carrying passengers in 1825). While sections of the line were running earlier, the entire length of the route between Carlisle and Newcastle was opened in And although Haydon Bridge station is now only a shadow of its former self, it s nice to think that in its way it is the village s monument to the pioneering spirit that inspired the construction of railways across the country in those first few decades. You can see why the railway has been branded the Hadrian s Wall Line, though in fact the Roman Wall is visible from only a very few locations along the route. But the Tyne is a different matter. The railway hugs it closely all the way from its eastern terminus at Newcastle Central to Haltwhistle; even then the former Alston branch, now partly reopened as a narrow gauge railway, continues the marriage of river and railway up into the North Pennines not far from its source. (I say the Tyne, but of course I mean the South Tyne. The North Tyne had its own railway, the Border Counties that diverged from Haltwhistle station has some of the line s best buildings. My wife and I visited them recently on a heritage open day. We were able to climb up into the splendid signal box and admire the restored ticket office (the cardboard railway ticket as we used to know it was invented on this very line by an enterprising station master at Brampton called Thomas Edmondson). The water tank on its three arches is another fine feature, as is the footbridge in a design you find repeated along the length of the line. 16

17 Hexham station always seems well looked after with its air of tidiness and hanging flower baskets. The signal box, poised over the rails themselves, is one of the best on the line. Riding Mill and Stocksfield stations both have their original station-masters houses, as does Wylam, another station of great charm. Opened in 1835, it is said to be one of the earliest stations in the world that is still in daily use, an achievement of which the great engineer George Stephenson, born in the village, would no doubt be proud. Wylam marks the Tyne s tidal limit. Downstream you leave Northumberland and enter the tangle of industrial wastelands, new commercial buildings, baffling road networks and riverside developments. The urban townscape of Tyne and Wear has created huge spaces for retail on an industrial scale. The Metro Centre, cathedral of consumerism, has its own useful but unlovely interchange where every train on the line is destined to stop. I wonder why? Our journey has two last hurrahs. The first is the long climb up through Gateshead to join the East Coast Main Line. There s a breath-taking climax when you realise that you are high up on the south bank of the river perched on the edge of a gorge. From here you cross it either on the King Edward Bridge or the older and more venerable High Level Bridge. This outstanding monument to North East engineering was designed by Robert Stephenson and opened in If you have never walked along its lower deck, you have a treat in store. Both bridges offer magnificent views up and down the river, and if your train is halted in mid-passage as it often is, you have an unrivalled photo opportunity too. Is there a city in Europe with such a majestic river frontage as Newcastle-Gateshead? The second hurrah is Newcastle Central Station itself. The river crossing has already created a great sense of arrival, and it required a station to match it. Newcastle architect John Dobson rose to the challenge by creating one of the grandest stations in the country. The vast porch (called a porte-clochère) where passengers would disembark from their horse-drawn carriages is now a pedestrian concourse. The train shed is a beautiful piece of ironwork in its own right, perfectly set off by the curve of the railway line as it comes off one of the bridges at either end and sweeps grandly alongside the platforms. The Tyne bridges, Newcastle Central Station, the two Cathedrals, Anglican and Roman Catholic, and the (new) Castle make up an outstanding ensemble of historic buildings. Here at the heart of one of England s great cities, we are a world away from the Pennine reaches of the Tyne in its remote upland valley. But each is a foil for the other. There aren t many railway journeys that offer so much to enjoy. And all from our own doorsteps here in Haydon Village. **The Tyne Valley Rail Users Group is well worth supporting. Its purpose is to develop relationships between the line and its principal train operator Northern, and the communities they serve. This includes campaigning for better services and facilities. Go to 17

18 Summer Recollections I have only been in the dark, rainy and cold North East for a few days and the Indian summer I spent in Prague, visiting my family, seem like a distant memory. There are always things that surprise me when I go back to the country I once thought would be my home forever until destiny grabbed me by my sleeve and dragged me across Europe. Sitting on the plane, I lead several imaginary conversations in my head. One was with an immigration officer: in my day dream, he opened my suitcase and saw a meat tenderizer, two bottles of wine and about ten poetry collections. For about thirty minutes I entertained myself with a wide range of his imaginary expressions and what he would say. The other was a merged dialogue I have had with so many people in the UK on the topic of where I come from and what it is like to be from somewhere else. So, Natalie, do you miss Poland much? Not really. I am not Polish although if I got a penny for each time I have been asked this question, I would be a millionaire. I miss Czech bread, the smell and texture of it. I have never stopped having dreams about the bread of my childhood. And of course, I miss my friends, those that would never leave me even if I moved over to Mars. They are priceless. What can I see in Prague? Expect stunningly beautiful buildings, every styles you can imagine, crammed into a small space. Art deco is literally everywhere. Prague is very photogenic and uniquely European. It stood for Vienna, St. Petersbourgh, Paris and many other cities in movies and TV dramas (Amadeus, Doctor Zhivago etc). Music and art are on every corner. While seeing all this, your feet will hurt from cobbled stones and walking up and down hill so bring a comfortable pair of shoes. The 18 angry looking men and women, darting at the speed of light through the crowds of tourists are probably local, bona fide Prague persons, trying to rush to or from work. In all likelihood, behind that frowning façade they are incredibly friendy. It is cheap over there No, not really. Not any more. Beer is still reasonable in the local pubs, for about 1.00 a glass (500 ml, or just under one pint of lager); but you may be surprised to learn that butter costs around 2.00 in the supermarkets. It is a poor country. No, it is not. Economically, it is doing really well, unemployment is the second lowest in Europe, after Germany. There are vacancies advertised everywhere, and the businesses try to invite more migrant workers to fill in the positions. And no, farmers don t use wooden ploughs and donkeys to work their fields. What I really liked that I was assisted by men on number of occasions in and out of the public transport when I was out and about with our young son in a buggy. Most cars also stop when you try to cross the road on a zebra crossing. And there are always people letting disabled, pregnant or older persons sit down. Is Prague worth visiting? Definitely yes if you like great architecture, lots of music and theatre, although as a Prague person, I would say, the place has become a victim of its own success: it has lost some of its character in exchange for the world-wide fame. You may be surprised by the presence not only of the fellow Europeans from just about every EU country, but also many Japanese and Chinese tourists for it is one of the sought after European destinations and must-see city on their grand tour of Europe. If, on the other hand, you want a cheap weekend away, choose another city. For a cheap adventure in Prague, you are about twenty years too late. Natalie Nera

19 West Northumberland Food Bank A recent study has shown that 1 in 50 households in this country have used a Food Bank. That means that if Haydon Bridge was an average for the whole country 16 households in Haydon Bridge would need use of a Food Bank. We can often look at these statistics and think that these averages are skewed by the extreme need and poverty in some areas in the country over another. But the reality is that in West Tynedale, as in the rest of the country, changes in the pattern of work, the rise in the cost of living, and the impact of welfare reform, has meant that some homes find themselves short of food. Founded in 2013, the West Northumberland Food Bank seeks to meet the needs of those in our communities who find that they have nothing to eat. Along with providing food parcels, the Foodbank runs Eat well for less cookery classes and a welfare rights advocacy service. But their main call still comes for food parcels. From October 2016 to April this year WNFB met 932 requests for help and supported 243 households in West Northumberland. canned and dried goods, as well as toiletries can be left in a trolley near the tills. It might be that next time you shop at the Co-op you could buy one more thing for the Food Bank, or if there is a two-for-one offer you could donate the free item to the Food Bank. All donations are collected, processed and distributed to people in food poverty in our communities. If you are, or know someone who is, in need of going hungry then confidential support and advice can be sought by phone on or by text on Currently there is no distribution point in Haydon Bridge but arrangements can be made for homes in need of support when you get in touch with the food bank. The West Northumberland Food Banks offers a safety net for people in hardship; people who come to the Food Bank are deeply ashamed to ask for help and feel alone with the problems they are facing. People who access our Food Bank are overwhelmed with the generosity and kindness of local people who donate food and for people, That's 603 people, 372 adults and 231 children who received a food bag of three days worth of food per person. Just over the summer 53 new households came forward asking for help from the three Food Banks in Prudhoe, Hexham and Haltwhistle getting essential supplies to people in hardship and also providing much needed support to people navigating the benefits system. We are very pleased to say that, with the help of our friends at the Co-op, there is now a Food Bank collection point at the Co-op in Haydon Bridge. Donations of 19 who are supported by our team of Welfare Rights volunteers, a caring friendly person to listen to them, have a cup of tea with and help them make difficult phone calls and fill out forms can make a great deal of difference. Many thanks for those who have already helped, particularly during the collections over the Harvest weekend. If you want to find out more, or could help with your time or expertise, please contact the Food Bank at westnorthumberlandfoodbank@gmail.com or find them on Facebook by searching for West Northumberland Food Bank.

20 CHARITY QUIZ NIGHTS AT THE GENERAL HAVELOCK HAYDON BRIDGE All quizzes start at 8.15 pm - cost is 1.50 per person In addition to the Quiz, the evening includes the infamous Beer Question, Refreshments and a Raffle Team size from 2 to 6 (optimum 4-5) Tables can be booked in advance over the bar. Charities being Supported October 17 th The Bridge Library and Information Centre November 14 th Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue December 12 th Josie s Dragonfly Trust Queenie Quiz If you wish to nominate a charity then please contact John Harrison (aka Queenie) via the General Havelock or on Johnandaveril@aol.com. HAYDON BRIDGE NATURE CLUB Oct 12 th TALKS DURING OCTOBER The Heart of Durham Wildlife Project Anne Porter Oct 26 th Wild Goats & Conservation Conundrum Richard Bevan Meeting fee includes refreshments MEMBERS FREE VISITORS 4.00 The Haydon Bridge Nature Club meets fortnightly between September and March at the Methodist Chapel in Church Street, Haydon Bridge. Annual membership is 20 (Current members come from a wide area) 20

21 A VIEW FROM UP THERE.. John Harrison How about this for a variant on the usual Slow Children Playing roadside sign at The Wallace Arms, Featherstone, the signs are SLOW ADULTS DRINKING? July was, on the whole, cooler than usual, and also quite wet. Unsettled weather dominated by cyclonic systems prevailed for much of the month. A very active frontal system moved northwards across the region from early on the 4th bringing heavy and continuous rainfall which persisted for most of the day (37 mm). Warmer tropical air behind the front resulted in a drastic rise in day-time temperature from 12.7 degc on the 5th to 22.1 degc on the 6th. The latter was very muggy and by the end of the day a few isolated spots of rain were falling. Slightly warmer weather prevailed until the 18th with some warm sunny days and occasional intermittent rain. The 18th was the best day of the month with almost cloudless skies (23.6 degc). A complex low pressure area dominated the weather for the remainder of the month bringing cloudy and murky conditions at times but also some notably drier and brighter interludes. Between the 19th and the 31st there were only two days without rain much of which was, however, quite light. August was cloudy but was, for the most part, quite dry, particularly in the latter half of the month. Unsettled weather persisted for the first week with sunny periods and showers, some of which were quite heavy. A brief ridge of high pressure from the 8th to the 10th brought a period of drier weather with long sunny periods, However, under clear night skies and with the wind from the North/North-West the air temperature had fallen to 5.6 degc by the morning of the 10th. There were local reports of slight ground frost and some garden plants were affected. Less settled weather returned under a complex cyclonic system. Conditions were frequently cloudy and dull and there were spells of quite heavy rain. The 14th was a particularly wet day. On the rare occasion that the clouds cleared, daytime temperatures rose, reaching 22.0 degc on the 17th. The last two weeks were more settled, although cloudy for the most part. Cold polar air swept in on the 29th and although sunny the daytime temperature reached only 13.9 degc. Summer (the months June, July and August) was at best mediocre. The average daytime maximum temperature was 18.2 degc, which is 0.8 degc below normal ; the average night-time minimum temperature was 10.8 degc, which is 1.0 degc above normal. Both reflect the fact that this was a relatively cloudy summer. Although it dried out a little as we moved into August, the total rainfall for the three months was 237.2mm (9.3 inches) which is 138% of normal. In terms of some basic statistics, the wettest day was July 4th with 31.5mm (1.24 ) while there were three 48hr periods when the rainfall exceeded 25mm (roughly one inch), which were June 27th/28th (38.0mm), July 3rd/4th(37.0mm) and June 5th/6th (29.1mm). Perhaps the most depressing statistic is that over the three months of the summer the air temperature topped 20 degc on only 17 days. Monthly Weather Summary (Haydon Bridge : Height 162m asl) Month July Average Maximum Temperature (Daytime) deg C 18.0 Relative to long-term average degc -1.9 Average Minimum Temperature (Night-time) deg C 10.6 Relative to long-term average degc 0.0 Rainfall mm 85.0 Percentage of longterm average 142 August And finally, Gladys tells me that she was confused by a report in her quality daily newspaper which said that Marmalade is the preserve of the elderly ; she had always thought that it was made from oranges. URGENT CALL FOR OLD CANDLES Candles4Charity was first established in 1994 as a means of generating income to support local, national and international charities. It started life in Bridge of Allan in Scotland, then moved to Spittal (Berwick upon Tweed) and in 2010 arrived in Haydon Bridge. Candles are made entirely from wax from the remains of old candles which is cleaned then made into new candles in a variety of shapes and colours. It is not a commercial enterprise but more of a hobby which now raises over 800 per year and has raised since The enterprise is in many ways a victim of its own success and I now find myself very short of wax (particularly any shade of white such as old church candles (altar, Paschal etc)). If you have old candles then please don t throw them away when they can be put to good use. I regret that I can t travel very far afield from Haydon Bridge but if you have old candles then do please contact me on Johnandaveril@aol.com or if you can help. There is a collecting point at East Cottage, Plunderheath, Haydon Bridge. The black collecting bin, clearly marked WAX, is located inside the upper gate to the cottage (NE47 6JU for SatNav). Alternatively you can leave wax at The General Havelock Inn in Ratcliffe Road in Haydon Bridge (just off the A69). Rev. Dr. John Harrison Diocesan Environment Adviser 21

22 HAYDON BRIDGE UNITED ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB HBUAFC hold their monthly meeting on the first Monday of every month at 7.30pm in the Lounge of the Anchor Hotel where representatives of every football team in the village are invited to attend. This meeting is also open to members of the public. HAYDON BRIDGE DANCE CLUB SEQUENCE DANCING EVERY MONDAY 7.30 to 10.00pm Haydon Bridge Community Centre Only 1.50 inc. tea & biscuits DANCING IS FOR FUN Ask for details at: Haydon Bridge & Allendale Medical Practice Monday to Friday: The Health Centre is open continuously from 8.00am until 6.00pm (except for the afternoon of the fourth Wednesday of every month) Doctors consult between: 8.00am and 11.00am 3.00pm and 5.30pm All phone calls for appointments and visits, including out of hours : All phone calls for dispensing or prescriptions: address: Haydonbridgea84045@nhs.net Website HAYDON BRIDGE JUDO CLUB Keep Fit, Have Fun! Young or Old. Tuesdays at HB High School Juniors: 6pm 7pm Seniors: 7pm 9pm BJA Qualified Coaches Contact Michael on: NOTICES & WHAT S ON? POLICE WEST TYNEDALE JUNIOR RUGBY CLUB FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AGE 5yrs 12yrs TAG/CONTACT RUGBY MEET AT HAYDON BRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL ON SUNDAYS 10.30am 12.00noon Contact Dave on or dave.thornhill@tiscali.co.uk or the website ALL WELCOME. VICTIM SUPPORT Working for victims of crime. If you are a victim of crime, we can offer support in practical and emotional ways. Just a phone call away. Call Leanne at: , Front St. Prudhoe. NE42 5PU Or (Bedlington) HAYDON BRIDGE LOCAL ARTISTS GROUP HAYDON ART CLUB Open to all, first session free. Meets pm every other Wednesday at HAYDON BRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTRE October 4th and 18th WHIST DRIVES Langley Village Hall Fortnightly on Saturdays at 7.00pm entrance (Everyone welcome) 22 At The Methodist Chapel coffee morning every five weeks an opportunity to chat to two police officers. E mail for these ladies is: Yvonne.Clement.8526@northumbria.pnn.police.uk Tel 101 Ask for 8526 The dates for the next Police surgeries are; 10-11am 20 th July 24 th August 28 th September 2 nd November 7 th December. SHAFTOE SINGERS (used to be The Shaftoe Chorale) 7.30pm Friday evenings - term times only Very wide ranging repertoire. All voices welcome experienced or not. Methodist Church Hall Computer Club (Beginners Welcome) Catton Chapel Tuesdays 2-4pm Why not come and join a group of people who would like to improve their digital skills by sharing knowledge between friends (Free entry but donations for heating and refreshments welcome) CHESS CLUB at the Haydonian Social Club NEW PLAYERS WELCOME Phone Dave (evenings) Haydonian Social Club Family Prize Bingo Saturday 14 th Oct 2017 Eyes Down 7-30pm (everyone welcome) Hexham Beacon Club 4 th Oct The Kings Shilling 11 th Oct Morocco 18 th Oct The Five Rages of Man 25 th Oct Members Day 1 st Nov Northumbria Miscellany On Wednesdays to at Trinity Methodist Church Hall, Hexham

23 TWISTING - THE DANCER SPINS Twisting - the dancer spins in the mist of the night - to his own tune This unearthly spectre gracefully dances - lit by the light of the moon Softly his leather clad soles play skilfully onto the moisten moss beneath Night animals stop to stare of this dancing spectre to them he bequeath Their little clicks of approval seemed only to add to the body of the tune As this unearthly spectre dances in the mist - lit by the light of the moon He makes his way through the trees - still dancing as he reaches the Leith Across the wooden bridge - into the mist he disappears beyond the heath Gazing into the mist you still imagine him there - still dancing to his own tune He is one of nature s own loons - who only dances - lit by the light of the moon Indiana Shaw... ; ) From The General Havelock: I just wanted to thank everyone for the amazing amount raised at the fruit and veg show in August - from auction Proceeds to North East Air Ambulance. Regards Jo Thompson Regular Activities in the Community Centre Monday Playgroup 9.15am Nicola Grint Yoga 10am aliciafearon@btinternet.com Dance Club pm Audrey Phillips Tuesday Tiny Tots 9.15am Nicola Grint Craft Class - 1-4pm (bi-monthly) Joyce Sim Women s Wellness Group - 7pm Gill Valentine Wednesday Yoga pm aliciafearon@btinternet.com Art Group pm (bi monthly) Barbara Wardle Thursday Bowls Club pm Sandra Bough Parish Council pm (4 th Thursday) Eileen Charlton Friday Playgroup 9.15am Nicola Grint Keep Fit 10am caroleannprice@hotmail.co.uk Friday Lunch Club pm Saturday Coffee mornings - 10am Various parish organisations. Sunday Hornby Model Railways -10am (Every 2nd Sunday - alternate months) grant.robinson@tiscali.co.uk For new bookings and information: Valeriebell2@gmail.com HAYDON BRIDGE UNITED A.F.C. Nominations are requested for the Edward Waite Trophy Awarded for exceptional contribution to sport (Any sport no age restriction) Nominees must reside within the Haydon Parish Please pass any nominations to the Club Secretary - Paula Collis Or to: paulacollis4@hotmail.co.uk By no later 15th October 2015 ADVANCE NOTICE WINTER CRAFT FAIR SATURDAY 11th NOVEMBER PHONE FOR MORE INFO OR TO BOOK A TABLE. HAYDON BRIDGE Events 2017 Saturday 11 November Craft Fair Community Centre December 31 Midnight fireworks from the Old Bridge FURTHER EVENTS INFORMATION: 23

24 Haydon Bridge Station Crossing Twice an hour, in quick succession, the railway interrupts the pace of village life. Between seven in the morning and ten at night the level crossing warning siren sounds and the barriers descend with a metallic clatter to herald the approach of a passenger train. Fifteen a day in the Down direction to Carlisle and 16 Up to Newcastle. Red lights flash silently for up to four minutes before a train crosses and the barriers raise with a hydraulic moan. Thereafter the quietude is only disturbed by the brief intermittent rumble of road traffic passing over the crossing deck. Very occasionally a freight service makes its presence known as the blare of a diesel locomotive horn is heard. This appears on page 48 of a book entitled Steam memories 1950's 's Newcastle to Carlisle by D R Dunn (Book Law Publications) It was all very different in pre-beeching days when the North Eastern Region (NER) of British Rail operated the line. In the summer of 1960 on a typical weekday the Signalmen had to control the movement of no less than 85 trains a day (28 on the early turn, 31 on lates and 26 on nights). There were 30 passenger train movements a day, nearly the same number of passenger trains as today with a mix of express and local stopping trains. This included the Northern Ireland Boat Trains to and from Stranraer, special arrangements for which could be made with the Commercial Department to set down passengers at Hexham. But Haydon Bridge saw only the 60 mph rush of lit carriage windows in the small hours of the morning. The biggest difference between 1960 and today was the number of freights; 48 in total at all hours of the day and night making up 56% of all movements. Such was their frequency it was sometimes necessary to bring one to a stand at Haydon Bridge and shunt it across from one line to the other to allow the passage of a following express. The staccato bark of a steam engine hard at work must have been a familiar echo in the valley as trains of Northumberland and Durham coal were hauled westward. As was the sharp blast of a whistle as the driver encouraged 24 the Signalman to wind the crossing gates across the road so that all signals could be cleared in time. These slow moving trains formed of unbraked wagons predominated in the Down direction balanced by the flow of empties back from Carlisle to the marshalling yards in Blaydon. Other eastbound traffic came in the form of block trains of anhydrite bound for the ICI fertilizer works at Prudhoe and consists of iron and steel destined for the shipyards on the Tyne, Wear and Tees was a good year for the NER financially as it saw a resurgence in heavy industry activity with high demand for coal and steel. The pattern was completed by 15 express goods trains a day connecting the North East with Scottish Yards, two parcels trains each way and a daily pick up goods which brought traffic to Haydon Bridge in the middle of the morning and shunted the sidings there on the way to Haltwhistle. It returned in the afternoon to pick up empty wagons. Unlike today when passenger timetables remain largely unchanged throughout the year British Rail made often heroic and usually heavily loss-making efforts to cater for summer holiday traffic at weekends. Accordingly from mid-july to mid-august on Saturdays three additional boat trains were provided. At 0900 on Saturdays only the crossing gates were closed for the passage of a Newcastle to Heads of Ayr holidaymaker express taking its passengers to the Butlins Camp there. The return working was due through Haydon Bridge at The number of passenger services on summer Saturdays rose to 42. With a further 44 freight paths and 6 parcels and empty stock trains in the timetable the 24 hours between 2200 on Friday evening and 2200 on Saturday were the busiest period in the week. Sundays were considerably quieter. There was a very sparse local passenger service comprising five trains each way, less than half of that provided between Newcastle and Carlisle today. However, the holiday theme continued with an excursion leaving Haydon Bridge at 1048 for Keswick. After four hours enjoying the delights of Derwentwater day trippers would arrive back after their day out at Without any freight trains disturbing the Sabbath peace it was the custom for the crossing gates to be placed against rail traffic and the signalbox to be closed between 1218 and (Time for the signalman s lunch?). This was the briefest of respites from the running of the railway, so much more intensive and possibly more embedded in the daily life of Haydon Bridge than today. Mike Sadler

25 A NEW LANDMARK FOR OUR NATIONAL PARK On Saturday 29 July a great new tourism asset for the Tyne Valley opened its doors. The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre at Once Brewed on Hadrian s Wall was officially opened by Northumberland National Park Authority and its partner YHA (England & Wales). The 14.8 million state-of-the-art visitor centre and world -class youth hostel attracted over 30,000 visitors in August, meeting the National Park Authority s ambitious projections to date. The UK s first dedicated landscape discovery centre, The Sill is designed to excite, inspire and encourage people of all ages to understand and explore the beautiful countryside, history, culture and heritage of Northumberland and landscapes everywhere. The project is a joint venture between Northumberland National Park Authority and YHA (England & Wales), with funding from National Lottery players through a 7.8 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Named after the Great Whin Sill, the prominent volcanic crag on which Hadrian's Wall is partly built, the building forms the heart of a seven year investment plan which will see an increase in visitor numbers, especially educational trips, to help transform how people engage with our landscapes and countryside. The building, which is open all year round, has been designed as a showcase of local pride and passion, featuring an exhibition space, learning and event spaces, a local produce café, rural business hub, 86-bed Youth Hostel, visitor information point and a gift shop specialising in local crafts and artisan products and souvenirs. The Sill s sustainable design features solar power, a natural ventilation system with heat recovery and LED lighting. 80% of the external walls are finished in local materials including whin stone, sandstone and native larch. The building also includes habitats for bats and birds and sustainable transport is encouraged with a dedicated cycle store and bus service in the car park. Glen Sanderson, Chair of Northumberland National Park Authority, explains: The Sill has been a very ambitious project for us, but it also demonstrates our ambition as well as our understanding that we have to be more outward facing as a National Park. We can t just sit back and hope people will come and visit us we have to say to people This is what we have, please come and see us, learn about and enjoy the landscape, beauty and heritage all around you. The Sill provides a 21st century platform for us to work closely with our partners locally and across the wider region to attract more people to the county and shine a spotlight on the vital importance of landscape to our health, wealth and well-being. It is the largest project of its kind to be undertaken by a national park anywhere in the country and will make a significant contribution to the local economy. Tony Gates, Chief Executive at Northumberland National Park Authority, said: The Sill is already making a significant contribution to the local economy just weeks after opening. In this, our first year, we are expecting 50% more visitors than in a normal operating year. Our café partners Fresh Element, who are committed to sourcing and serving local food, now employ over 15 staff and have recorded daily sales that far outweigh the projections set out before the opening. There are many early positive signs for the long-term economic impact of The Sill. The Sill is also home to The Hive - an enterprise hub with hyper-fast broadband up to 10 times faster than superfast broadband to house new and emerging rural businesses and stimulate economic growth in the area. The Hive offers space for up to 10 local people and businesses to work from The Sill what an impressive business address to have! The Sill also has two fully equipped education and meeting rooms and a temporary exhibition space. Northumberland National Park Authority is very keen for local community groups and businesses to visit The Sill to see how they can use and benefit from this fantastic new facility. Duncan Wise, Visitor Development and Marketing Manager at Northumberland National Park Authority, explains: A key aim of The Sill is to enable people of all abilities to have a countryside experience. For many people living with physical or other disabilities, gaining access to the countryside can be challenging. The Sill is designed with this in mind. The building mimics the sweep of the nearby Great Whin Sill and its sloping living roof is fully accessible, providing a viewing platform which looks out across Hadrian s Wall. We are also the only visitor attraction on the Hadrian s Wall corridor to include a Changing Places room. The Sill will attract around 100,000 visitors a year, its benefits to the local economy will resonate far and wide by contributing an estimated 2.5 million per annum to the North East economy and it will play a pivotal role in helping to guarantee the future of our unique and beautiful landscapes. To get involved in The Sill or for more information, visit 25

26 THE HAYDONIAN CRUCIVERBALIST October PRIZE EVERY MONTH! NAME... ADDRESS Please drop answers off at Claire s by 20th October (or post to the editor) AUGUST S WINNER Mrs. Lyn Cantrill NUMBER OF ENTRIES 2 - both correct ACROSS 1 & 6 Cue me normal man made to be President (8,6) 9. With sentimentality and gravity, remodel clay stallion (13) 10. Sharp points on the music score (6) 11. Cancel rose without electrical resistance it s ringed (8) 13. Trudge onto combine then proceed with the work (3,5,2) 15. Sound material for windows (4) 16. End on brass instrument (4) 18. Forecaster of a meaner thaw? (10) 21. Cooks up good posers (8) 22. In conversation, online circuits just slip by (6) 23. Restriction comes with accomplishment (13) 25. Pertain to every other oboe I ll own again (6) 26. From the beginning, Dot in Glyndebourne watched over her protégée adoringly (8) DOWN 2. Heavenly food and a cuppa called for by Sirenian (7) 3. Declared donkey always devoured the beginning of dinner (11) 4. Range of Mars-la-Tour, Alsace Lorraine (5) 5. A child s horse, say, in the fat, trailing behind (7) 6. What Scotsman in twaddle wears to keep dry? (9) 7. Short version of officer saying nut (3) 8. No Greek walk in the park, this (7) 12. Sailor taken in by African gainsays authority (11) 14. Reluctant to issue after death instructions (9) 17. Small ship with nothing in is richly decorated (7) 19. Cut off short muscles which apparently behaved badly (7) 20. Side La Serena turned and gave up a euro for (7) 22. Force out old deed (5) 24. Bustle of an action it s a rave (3) 26

27 SHOTTON WASTE SERVICES SEPTIC TANK EMPTYING REGISTERED WASTE CARRIER. COMPLETE SYSTEM CHECK. FULL DOCUMENTATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY USE. DRAIN JETTING. SUPPLIERS OF FUEL TANKS. CHOLLERFORD GARAGE, CHOLLERFORD, HEXHAM. TEL J. LESTER ROOFING LTD Slating, tiling, flat roofing, guttering, pointing, chimney stacks, lead work, insurance work. FULLY INSURED Call Mobile C I ACCOUNTANCY GARY CUNNINGHAM Professional decorator. 30 years experience Tel First Floor, 5 Cattle Market, Hexham, Northumberland. NE46 1NJ gary@tynedaledecorator.co.uk info@ciaccountancy.co.uk Local Accountants for Local Businesses Quality doesn t cost, it pays PET PORTRAITS by Stefan Drummond A detailed drawing of your beloved pet, whatever it may be. All requests are welcome! Prices from 50 Text: me on: Or me at: SDrummond18@gmail.com BRAEMAR COSY COMFORTABLE HOLIDAY COTTAGE AUGUST S ANSWERS Sleeps 5. Large Garden. Off road parking. Convenient for all village amenities. For details & booking contact Cynthia Bradley edenholme@btinternet.com website: HAYDON BRIDGE FISH & CHIP SHOP LUNCHTIME, TEATIME & EVENINGS Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday CLOSED FOR ALL OF THE DAY John Martin Street, Haydon Bridge. Tel: Your Advert Could Go Here!

28 HAYDONIAN SOCIAL CLUB Shaftoe Street, Haydon Bridge. NE47 6BQ Traditional Ales, Heineken & Coors Beers, Guinness. Available for Weddings, Birthdays, Funerals and Anniversaries Village fund raising welcome. Bingo: Sunday at 8.00pm& Wednesday at 8.30pm. Join our Social Club for 3 and take advantage of our cheaper drinks & free room hire for parties. ALLEN VALLEYS PHYSIOTHERAPY Debs Mobile Hairdressing with Joyce Charlton Specialising in cutting, colour, perming and creatively styling hair. MCSP, Chartered Physiotherapist. Studio 4, Allendale Forge Studios Allendale. With 30 years experience in hairdressing, I offer a personal, private and friendly service within your home. Tel Innerhaugh Mews, Haydon Bridge or dbrburgess@yahoo.com Haydon Bridge Pharmacy Church St, Haydon Bridge. Call for more information on FREE PRESCRIPTION AND DELIVERY Your prescription will be collected from your surgery and delivered to your home. Saving you time Hassle free Prompt reliable service Completely free of charge NHS stop smoking service NHS emergency contraception (when accredited pharmacist is on duty) Call for health information and advice. STEPHEN BROOKS (formerly W. G. DUFFY) Established 1910 old family business. Approved Solid Fuel Merchant Old Coal Cells Haydon Bridge Suppliers of coals and smokeless fuels ALL TYPES OF FUEL AT COMPETITIVE PRICES 28

29 home and I was adamant that I didn t want him to die in hospital or in a hospice. Being surrounded by family and friends in a familiar environment was important to us both. I was living in London at the time and unfortunately there weren t any local services like the one Tynedale Hospice at Home offers near where I lived so I cared for him in his final hours. Some years later, when I moved up to Northumberland I heard about the Hospice and I realised it was just the kind of service I wished Peter could have benefitted from. It is highly valued in the local community and the wider family support and hospital transport services it offers are second to none. We are very fortunate that it s available on our doorstep. Peter was a runner and liked to take part in marathons, although he never actually managed to take part in a Great North Run. He often gave running friends advice and training support and when my best friend commented that it was his words of encouragement that got her through the Great North Run that was all the motivation I needed to get sign up! Derrien continued: I had a photo of Peter pinned to my running so that he was close to me throughout and I was very emotional at the start of the race, but it really was the most amazing experience. The crowd, the atmosphere and the goodwill of all the people around us as we made our way along the route was incredible. I loved it and wouldn t have missed it for the world. It was so brilliant that I ve signed up for next year s run and Kirsty and Vicky are going to do it with me. I have persuaded Vicky that she would also like to join me on the Coniston to Barrow walk - a 21 mile challenge - and I m working on Kirsty! I hope that between this and the Great North Run we will raise around 3,000 for Tynedale Hospice at Home. All funds the women have raised will support the work of the Hospice which provides palliative nursing care to people in their own homes, Family Support Services and a Hospital Transport Service to people living in Tynedale, West Northumberland, Ponteland and the surrounding areas. Cathy Bates, Tynedale Hospice at Home s community fundraiser, said: We are so grateful to these amazing women and to all our runners - for supporting us at this year s Great North Run. They are an inspiration. Every penny they have raised will make a real difference to the lives of children, adults and families in Tynedale, West Northumberland and Ponteland. Tynedale Hospice at Home has guaranteed places in the 2018 Great North Run at a special discounted rate of 27 each if you sign up before 5 January 2018 this is 50% off the usual entry fee. To sign up for one of these places visit To find out more about what s involved in running for Tynedale Hospice at Home, please call Cathy Bates on or cathy@tynedalehospice.com You can sponsor Derrien, Kirsty and Vicky s fundraising efforts at Derrien-Kirsty-Vicky-GreatNorthRun THE SOUL FISH.... Down onto the sunny - but - windless beach one day... My grandfather and I on the water s edge we stayed... The gentle ebb of the waters flow - in and out - it goes... Lapping with a delightfully sensation between my toes... Just at the water s edge - very faintly you could just see... A very flat sole fish - just waiting and looking up at me... My Grandfather - told me - to this fish we must respect... For inside this sole fish - a dead departed soul was kept... I looked at the fish - the very flat sole fish looked at me... And in its eyes - the soul of a departed - looking at me... Now my Grandfather has now departed and I am bereft... For the heartfelt message that just for me - he never left... Now with each day - it is down to the water s edge I go... There waiting for my beloved Grandfather s soul to show... Dedicated to my Grandfather - Donald Shaw... Market Gardener - Whitley - Bay... Indiana Shaw... -_Haydon Bridge woman s Great North Run success. Haydon Bridge woman Derrien Turrell completed her first Great North Run on Sunday 10 September and she loved it so much, she s doing it all again next year! Derrien, 55, who works in Homebase in Hexham was joined by work colleagues Kirsty Cruddas, 30, from Hexham, and Vicky Bradford, 43, from Gateshead. They completed the run in 3 hours, 34 minutes and 36 seconds and between them they have raised 2,000 for Tynedale Hospice at Home so far although they are hoping to smash this amount. Derrien ran in her husband Peter s memory. He died of cancer nine years ago and she cared for him at home in his final days. Derrien said: Peter and I both wanted him to remain at 29

30 Take steps to avoid nuisance and scam calls. July was Scams Awareness Month, but we need to be aware of them constantly as the problem is widespread. What is a scam? A scam is a scheme to try to steal money, personal information or data from a person or organisation. Scams aren t just a minor inconvenience to people. Aside from financial loss, they can cause distress, misery, and even if a scam has been avoided, it can lead to a widespread loss of consumer confidence. They can also happen to anyone. The deception can range from pretending to be your bank to selling you goods or services that are fake or you will never receive. Other examples include; copycat government sites (e.g. charging fees for passport applications), ticket scams, computer scams (cold callers saying there is problem with your computer), lottery/prize draw scams, phishing scams (people pretending to be from your bank, or the police, or internet providers) smishing (inviting you to call a premium rate number). Not every unwanted call is a scam. Many are from legitimate companies who have purchased your contact information to make marketing or research calls. These nuisance calls can still be very annoying and distressing. Only 5 15% of all scams are reported. There is embarrassment and shame around falling victim, and this can be hugely detrimental for those who have encountered a scam. What can consumers do to tackle scams? There are three things that consumers can do if they suspect they re the target of a scam: Get advice from Citizens Advice Consumer Service , Get online consumer advice and information at To report a problem to Trading Standards, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service. Trading Standards are responsible for protecting consumers and the community against rogue and unfair traders. Report scams and suspected scams to Action Fraud Action Fraud is the UK s national reporting centre for fraud and internet crime. (If debit cards, online banking or cheques are involved in the scam the consumer s first step should be to contact their bank or credit card company) Tell family, friends, neighbours so that they can avoid scams. Consumers can also do the following to cut down on unwanted contacts. Phone Register their number with the Telephone Preference Service at or They can also register a mobile by texting 'TPS' and their address to Report unsolicited marketing calls to the Information Commissioner s Office or Use a product to block telephone calls: Your phone company may have a blocking service or help available to protect people from nuisance calls. Call your company s customer service helpline to find out. TrueCall, CallBlocker, 30

31 BRUSHES Painter & Decorator Time served and fully insured Tel: Mobile: NICHOLSON CLARK FOR WILLS AND LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY Please call for more information. We will come and visit you in your home. Tel The Barber Bus This service will be performed by none other than your local barber Susan - 25 years experience. The Barber Bus combines a modern day service of doorstep convenience and modern cuts to a very high standard performed in the bus. Haircut 6.50 Under 6s 5 Head shave 5 OAPs also on facebook Parked on Church Street pm (approx) 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month Premier Bookkeeping Accounting & bookkeeping services Paul Barron FMAAT A professional, friendly service guaranteed. Accounts TaxReturns VAT returns Payroll Bookkeeping Company Secretarial Tel paul@premierbookkeeping.net 31

32 Visit the new picnic area It s looking so attractive due to the efforts of our gardening enthusiasts. As well as a lovely seating area, in the tubs is a selection of herbs :- thyme, chives, sage, fennel, marjoram (oregano), parsley, bergamot, rosemary and two types of mint. You are more than welcome to snip off a few sprigs to enrich your favourite dishes. There are also fruit bushes which haven t yielded very much in this, their first year, but do sample what s there if you re lucky enough to spot any late berries. Removing the bushy growth from the base of the pollarded lime trees has smartened up the front of The Bridge while the Weeping Silver Pear Tree and Snowberry hedge are looking much better for some pruning and shaping. The rear of the building is also benefitting from regular weeding and general tidying up. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday The Bridge Opening times 9.00am pm 1.00pm pm 1.00pm pm 4.00pm pm (summer only) 4.00pm pm 9.30am pm Tel: And several shelves of large print books too! Perfect for bedtime listening - we have a variety of audio books on cassette and CD that you can take home to listen to. Art Exhibition There is currently an amazing art exhibition presented in the gallery by the local artist, Anne Collier who has painted various acrylic paintings, some of which are framed, to sell for between 40 and 60. This summer The Bridge has been busier than ever with lots of library users and also lots of visitors staying at Haydon Bridge on their holidays these visitors call in for leaflets and ask advise on the best places to see and things to do, while in the library they delight in telling us what a wonderful place we live in. Sometimes though we forget and take our area for granted, why not pretend to be a visitor and take a look at the places around our area yourself look for ideas at our tourist information section. 32 Left: The August Summer Reading Challenge event, representative from the Dogs' Trust came to talk to the children about how to keep healthy around dogs and how to treat them kindly. The children had games to play; quizzes to do; toys to make for the dogs and other activities. A good afternoon was had by all. Right: Mary Chandler, one of the Saturday volunteers presenting Eleanor Bentley aged 8 from Haydon Bridge, who was the winner of one of the Summer Reading Challenge's weekly draws, with a free family pass for entry to Kirkley Hall Zoo.