What is happening in your Northumberland town or village?

Horsley

Maurice Holliday

The Lion and Lamb is set to reopen under a new tenancy. No date for reopening has been announced as yet.

Artist studios at the Hearth are once again open by appointment . Please check the Hearth website for information about each artist. If an artist is in residence when you visit the cafe you may be able to visit a studio on speck. The cafe is operating a one way system at present with access by the rear door.

The X85 bus service between Newbrough and Newcastle started last week after being suspended during the lockdown. Hopefully the summer bus service to Keswick will be able to run from July.

The recent spell of cold weather seems to have put spring on hold. However the house martins have returned and we should expect the swallows to arrive next week.

Many of the rights of way in the parish have now dried out after the wet winter. Please take care particularly when walking a dog on the right of way between Water Lane and Ovingham. Somebody has been breaking glass bottles on the path close to the Water Lane entrance.

A new kitchen has been fitted in the Hearth hall and refurbishment in the Hearth cafe is now complete. Work is still ongoing around the church and on the roof at the rear of the Hearth. The church railings will be fitted in the next two weeks.

Horsley craft club members met using the internet last week. The group is planning to meet outdoors in a variety of locations to extend their craft activities.

Ovingham and Ovington

Malcolm Cairns

After the recent easing of restrictions,Ovington Friendship Group were happy to meet up again at Winships outdoor area. The blue skies and sunshine added to the ambience of the long awaited occasion.Hopefully all being well they will continue to enjoy regular Monday afternoon meets.

Susan and her Barber Bus are back on the road again, however the location has changed. She will set up in the car park of the Adam and Eve pub on the first Wednesday of each month. Appointments can be arranged on 07712 609057 for her visit on May 5.

Ovingham Community Orchard have been busy planting strawberries, but in a novel way. They have on their site a “hay circle” constructed of stacked hay bales.The plants are tucked into crevices between the bales, and as the hay decomposes it will provide a good growing medium to nurture them to maturity.

Northumberland County Council has blocked entry to the lay by on the Wylam road with large concrete barriers.Although it is not a pleasant sight, the decision was taken as a last resort to deter the fly-tipping which was going on.The situation will be closely monitored by the council. Heavy fines and vehicle confiscation can be imposed on the successful conviction of offenders.

The Mothers Union will hold their next meeting, via Zoom April 28 at 1.30pm. All are welcome to join in, contact Anne for the link nearer the time at annemarycairns@yahoo.co.uk

Redesdale

Emma Anderson

LAST Wednesday’s collection, in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), was the most successful ever. The collection in Redesdale and the North Tyne raised an astonishing £7,840. The value of donated clothing amounted to £6,040 while that for donated books was £1,800. The organisers wish to thank those who volunteered on the day and everyone in the collection area who contributed to its success. The running total since October 2005 is now £97,080. The organisers hope this will pass £100,000 following the autumn collection, booked provisionally for Wednesday, 6 October. The service, which has suffered a considerable reduction in revenue during the Coronavirus pandemic, is delighted with the result. John Ballan, the Service’s Operations Manager, said: “I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the collection. The drivers involved, myself included, thoroughly enjoy coming to the Rede and North Tyne valleys. Everyone we meet is so friendly and welcoming.”

LAST Wednesday’s cake sale, in aid of St. John’s, Otterburn, raised £132. The Parochial Church Council would like to thank everyone who participated in the event’s success by donating home-baking or going along on the day and giving donations to the church in payment for cakes and savoury items.

The support from all concerned is very much appreciated.

Newbrough

Rob Tindall

I must give pride of place this week to Queenie Lambie of Red Houses who has achieved the magnificent age of 101. I’m sure all those who have had dealings with Queenie over the years will wish to join me in wishing her Many Happy Returns.

Congratulations also go to the latest suite of winners in the Town Hall 200+ Club draw, they are; 1st Alan Wallace, 2nd Margaret Tindall, 3rd Pam Wilson. Subscribers such as these help to keep the Town Hall finances in the black.

Northumberland County Council Highways Department has been very busy on the Stanegate and one hopes that their artistic efforts achieve their desired ends. Speeding traffic has been a constant problem between Butt Bank and the Green Church. Large, gleaming white 30mph signs have been painted on both carriageways at the Millennium Beacon. The lame excuse that, “I didn’t know it was a speed-restricted area, officer,” won’t wash anymore.

It is great to see the hawthorn hedges in leaf again and the hardier flowers filling gardens, but what havoc the combination of bright, sunny days and nights of hard frost have caused elsewhere. Camellias, magnolias and early azaleas have been ‘torched’ and one wonders if there will be any sloes this year from what previously seemed blankets of blossom. One favourable augury may be the growing number of shorn heads one sees as lockdown eases. The little birds, such as sparrows, chaffinches and blue tits must have nests lined with hair as never before.

Prudhoe

Ian Warburton

Prudhoe Town Council will be holding its next Ordinary Meeting on Zoom on Wednesday 28 April, commencing at 7pm. More information will appear on the Town Council’s website and Facebook page nearer the time.

Services will resume (restrictions permitting) at Prudhoe Methodist Church from Sunday 2 May at 10.00 am. and will last for about 30 mins. Everyone must wear a face covering from entering to leaving the building and hand sanitiser will be dispensed on entry and departure. Worshippers will be seated 2m apart, although people living in the same household or bubble will be able to sit together. Names and contact details will be recorded (retained for 21 days) in case any “Test and Trace” requirement arises. A steward will escort you to a seat. Please remain seated until directed by the steward. Worshippers are not allowed to sing, nor can the church serve refreshments after the service and, unfortunately, at present it is not possible to offer any Sunday School for the children. To ensure that the church can accommodate you and to reserve a seat please contact Martyn Johnson on 07732784080. For anyone who might still feel unsure about returning for worship in church, local Methodist services are available on YouTube, Facebook and Zoom and by telephone. For details of these services, please contact Rev Jenny Porterpryde at prydejennym@gmail.com.

Humshaugh

Herbie Newell

Excellent news! The Crown Inn will re-open on Monday, May 17.

The Village Hall has been awarded funding for 3 laptop computers and a printer. Added to a photocopier, kindly donated by Pat Blackler, the Supper Room is now ideal for occasional office use. Please contact humvillhall@gmail.com if you would like to hire it for this purpose.

The Village Hall also plans to start a weekly computer café where people can share their digital questions and problems and, importantly, enjoy a coffee served from our new refreshment area in the Supper Room!

The Humshaugh Children’s Playing Field Trust were pleased to note progress on improvements to the Playing Field at its meeting last week. Could parents please be especially vigilant whilst the work is ongoing.

Our children returned safely to school last week with 100% attendance in every year group at Humshaugh First School. It is lovely to see everyone back and enjoying themselves – well done to all our parents, staff and of course children.

With the climate emergency in the news again, a reminder that the interactive Humshaugh Net Zero website (https://www.humshaughnetzero.org/) has information for residents on calculating our carbon footprint, renewable energy, ways to reduce carbon emissions and conservation activities. Membership of Humshaugh Net Zero is free and open to all residents.

There will be an in-person Holy Communion Service at St Peter’s on Sunday 25 April at 6pm. The main Sunday Worship continues to be an online Deanery Service at 10.00am, please contact rogerlangford37@outlook.com.