News issue 26 Autumn 2013 www.northumberland.gov.uk | Phone 0845 600 6400

Heritage Open Days 2013 Autumn county shows Children’s book festival

Plus Flodden 500 / Award-winning parks / Photo winners / What’s on 11 13

6 19 25 Northumberland In this issue: News

Now available online, by email or in 4 Heritage Open Days 2013 print. 5 ’s Northumberland Northumberland News is a quarterly magazine 6 LOVE Northumberland Awards packed with features and news articles written specifically for county residents. 14 Photo competition winners Published in September, December, March 16 Flodden 500 events and June it is distributed free of charge by Northumberland County Council. Every effort is 18 Summer campaigns made to ensure that all information is accurate at the time of publication. 23 Green Flag winning parks If you would like to receive 25 New website launched Northumberland News in large print, 28 What’s on Braille, audio, or in another format or language please contact us. Front cover: Brother and sister Oscar and Lily Warr at Cherryburn, the birthplace of artist Thomas Bewick. The National Trust Telephone: 0845 600 6400 owned property in Mickley is just one of the locations taking part in this year’s Heritage Type Talk: 18001 0845 600 6400 Open Days event. Full story page 4. Email: [email protected]

2 www.northumberland.gov.uk | Phone 0845 600 6400 Welcome to Northumberland News This summer has been Abbey Festival featuring Heritage Open Days highlight full of special events in jazz, classical and world music the impressive venues and for nine days at the end of open air spaces we have Northumberland and September. Looking ahead, the in Northumberland and this there are still plenty of Northumberland Music Festival is also done as part of the activities planned to keep will run concerts at venues council’s LOVE Northumberland throughout the county during campaign. This year’s third residents and visitors November. annual awards once again show entertained. the dedication that local people Details of all of these events, as take to preserve and improve their environment (page 6). Popular events include the late well as many more, are listed in summer country shows (page the What’s on section pages 28 In other awards, seven 22) and a string of autumn to 30. Northumberland parks were festivals taking place across given Green Flag status last Northumberland. The 500th anniversary of month recognising the high the battle of Flodden is fast standards they have reached approaching. A guided walk will In Berwick a triple bill is planned and maintained (page 23). be led on 9 September, the date beginning with the Food Improving the environment of the famous battle, and details and Beer Festivals in early is also linked to the council’s September, the Film and Media about this, as well as other work to keep the streets of Festival at the end of the month commemorative events taking Northumberland pristine. and the Frontier Music Festival in place, are listed on page 16. October. A campaign to encourage dog Final preparations are also owners, who fail to pick up after The Alnwick Food Festival is also being made for the ninth their pets, to take pride in their being held in September. This annual Heritage Open Days’ surroundings, was launched last year will see the return of chef event, which will run from 12 month (page 19). Jean-Christophe Novelli who will September. The council is be making a special appearance coordinating this national event Wherever you are in the county as part of the programme. within the county and is hoping this autumn, please enjoy all that to match the success of 2012. the countryside and towns have Music is on the agenda in the Venues taking part are listed on to offer and help us to keep west of the county with the page 4. Northumberland beautiful. Find us on:

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3 Heritage Open Days 2013

Heritage Open Days programme is packed with more return this month giving than 90 attractions opening us all an opportunity to their doors across the county. Ever-popular venues, such explore Northumberland’s as Cragside, Wallington Hall, historic treasures free of Seaton Delaval Hall, Lindisfarne charge. Castle and Hexham’s Forum Cinema are all taking part once From Thursday 12 to Sunday again. There are also new 15 September people can additions to the list of locations take advantage of the annual ensuring there is something for event that gives free access to everyone to enjoy. buildings that are usually closed, have restricted access, or Highlights this year include, charge admission. the Royal Northumberland As well as heritage attractions Yacht Club, a range of there will be a wide range of exhibitions celebrating Emily tours, events and activities Wilding Davison, several new running to bring local history and guided walks and the special culture to life. ‘Illuminating the Lindisfarne Gospels Festival’ at Now in its ninth year, Heritage St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, Open Days is England’s biggest Blyth. and most popular voluntary cultural event. The aim is to The event is coordinated locally encourage people of all ages to by Northumberland County develop a healthy curiosity for all things cultural. Last year, visitor Council. The national scheme is numbers nationally reached supported by English Heritage around 1.7 million and this year and a partnership comprising is set to be just as successful. The National Trust, The Civic Northumberland’s 2013 Voice and The Heritage Alliance.

To view a full list of this year’s attractions visit www.northumberland.gov.uk/open

You can also join in online and become part of a huge national network of people who share a passion for local places, heritage and culture. Try posting your stories, thoughts, comments, photos and videos on Facebook at www.facebook.com/northumberlandevents or on Twitter @EventsNE.

4 www.northumberland.gov.uk | Phone 0845 600 6400 County features in prime-time series

Pictured: Robson Green filming for his new series on The Farne Islands.

Actor Robson Green has deeper into its history to Northumberland County Council, been filming on home turf discover stories that he did not said: “Robson really immerses even know himself. himself with local people and for a new, eight-part, ITV places for this series and it’s prime-time series about From counting puffins on the fantastic that Northumberland is Northumberland. Farne Islands, camping on to be showcased in this unique Hadrian’s Wall, smoking kippers and interesting way. Robson, who was born in in Craster, dining on the roof of Northumberland and knows the Bamburgh Castle to joining an “I’m really looking forward to area well, has been meeting impromptu gig at Low Newton seeing our magnificent county some of the people who make his adventures take him around explored on national television.” this part of Britain so special. a part of the country that means so much to him. Robson Green’s For Robson it has also Northumberland is expected to been a nostalgic journey Councillor Val Tyler, policy be aired on ITV later in the year. as he reconnects with his board member for community The series has been produced Northumberland roots and digs infrastructure and culture at by Shiver. 5 Rewarded for LOVEing Northumberland

The Duchess of Best new project went to Wylam There was a new category Northumberland helped Community Orchard Biodiversity this year for the best business Group; best urban project to related project – which was won to celebrate the best the Old Bakehouse Millennium by the Whistle Art Stop Smartz in community and Green Trust in Morpeth; and best Club in Haltwhistle. voluntary environmental coast or countryside project to the Friends of Holywell Dene. A second new category for work at a special LOVE the individual whose efforts or Northumberland awards commitment help to enrich the event last month. environment of Northumberland was presented to the Friends Eleven groups were honoured of Bedlington’s Gallagher Park with winner or runner-up awards (pictured below) in memory of in seven categories, along with George Webster. George worked two schools who received their tirelessly to make significant awards in the Northumberland improvements to the park and Schools’ Recycling Green Points sadly died earlier this year Challenge. The best young people’s following a lengthy illness. project category was won by A number of highly commended the Cowpen Quay Community entrants also attended the event Association’s Buffalo Junior at The Alnwick Garden, which Wardens for their Ridley Park was again supported by main project in Blyth and the best sponsor the Banks Group and children’s project by Belsay hosted by BBC Look North’s First School for their biodiversity Carol Malia. project (pictured above).

Pictured: Councillor Kath Nesbit, civic head of Northumberland County Council, with the Duchess of Northumberland, BBC’s Carol Malia and the winners and sponsors of the LOVE Northumberland Awards. 6 www.northumberland.gov.uk | Phone 0845 600 6400 Rewarded for LOVEing Northumberland

Grange View Church of “The spirit of the LOVE Also sponsoring the awards, England First School at Northumberland Awards for the third year, were the Co- Widdrington was the winner matches our own commitment operative Community Fund in of the first Northumberland to improving the communities in the North East, and one of the Schools’ Recycling Green categories was sponsored by Points Challenge after pupils which we operate. the team at Blyth McDonalds as got involved in a wide range of part of their Planet Champions ‘green’ activities. “We’re extremely pleased to programme. be supporting Northumberland The awards have been County Council in recognising developed by Northumberland Winning entries received a £250 County Council through its LOVE the contributions made by prize and runners-up £100, with Northumberland campaign. local people in enhancing their the money going towards their county’s environment in the last project or other work within The aim of the campaign, 12 months.” the local community. Highly and the awards, is to promote commended finalists also the work of the council, its received a small cash prize. many partner organisations, Councillor Kath Nisbet, civic community groups and head of Northumberland County volunteers who all work towards Council, said: “I would like to preserving and enhancing the thank everyone who has taken To find out more about environment in the county. the time to get involved in the LOVE Northumberland go to www.northumberland. Barry Grimes, development awards, and to let us know relations co-ordinator for, main about the work that they are gov.uk/love sponsor, the Banks Group, said: doing in their communities.”

7 University partnership signals commitment to county

A new partnership will help Northumberland’s communities, schools and businesses access support from Newcastle University and further important research in the county. Pictured (from left): Robin Casson, head of enterprise, The agreement was signed by lifelong learning and quality assurance at Northumberland Northumberland County Council County Council, Professor Chris Brink, Grant Davey, leader and Newcastle University to of Northumberland County Council and Steve Stewart, chief explore areas of collaboration executive of Northumberland County Council. and align the two organisations in addressing issues specific to The agreement was signed by is what we want to achieve in Northumberland. Newcastle University’s Vice- Northumberland.” Chancellor Professor Chris Brink Under the agreement, and Northumberland County Newcastle University and the Council’s Chief Executive Steve Northumberland firms will county council have also recently Stewart. be helped with their current announced a major investment and future skills needs by in Blyth. Working with the Port Professor Brink said: “Newcastle collaborating with the university’s of Blyth, and securing funding University has a long history of academics and also benefit from from the European Fisheries collaboration in Northumberland graduate talent through paid Fund, the council and university and has made significant placements and internships. are developing the harbour area investment into developing to support skills training and a number of research and tourism facilities and to provide It will also see the university and teaching facilities in the county a permanent home for the council working together to build over many years. links with local schools and raise University’s research vessel, the Princess Royal. awareness of the opportunities “One such venture is Cockle available at a research-intensive Park Farm in Morpeth, which Steve Stewart, chief executive university. is set to become the major of Northumberland County centre for our agricultural A particular focus of the research and teaching. It is Council, said: “The partnership agreement is based on also home to a number of agreement with Newcastle Newcastle University’s world- innovative projects including an University is a welcome leading research into ageing. It Anaerobic Digestion Plant which step in helping the council details how the council will work generates power from the farm’s to drive forward its goals of with academics to maximise livestock waste.We also have achieving economic, social and the benefits of the county’s Nafferton Farm in Stocksfield environmental regeneration growing, ageing population by which is undergoing a major across the county. The encouraging older people to redevelopment to convert it to partnership will enable us to start businesses and to attract 50% organic production. As a focus on joint activity which will investment from firms who are civic university, our mission is to reap benefits in terms of better providing goods and services to put our research and teaching outcomes for residents and support healthy ageing. to a purpose in society and that businesses in Northumberland.” 8 www.northumberland.gov.uk | Phone 0845 600 6400 Multi-million pound project is heating up

British Gas will deliver a £200m energy efficiency scheme in the North East, which will reduce bills, tackle fuel poverty and Pictured (from left): Graeme Smith and Steve Wilkinson, GB transform up to 50,000 Energy, with Councillor Allan Hepple and Terry Smith a resident homes. of Wallridge Drive, Holywell Village, where a Warm Up North pilot project has been taking place. The Warm Up North project Residents will benefit from • Replacement double-glazed is a five-year scheme that a wide range of energy (A-rated) windows and will create hundreds of high efficiency measures following composite doors; potentially quality jobs in the north east an assessment of their energy saving on average £165 providing apprenticeships, needs. Many will be part or fully on annual energy bills and training and skills opportunities funded by British Gas’s Energy reducing 680kg of CO2 and help lower the energy bills Company Obligations and those emissions from a home* for thousands of homes and requiring a ‘Green Deal’ will • Loft insulation; installing businesses in the region. benefit from a reduction in their 270mm of insulation could energy bills and gradually cover save up to £180 and reduce The north east is the first region the cost of the improvements 730kg emissions annually.* in the country to have entered through the savings on their * Average savings and into such a partnership and bills. reductions as detailed by the Warm Up North is the largest Energy Saving Trust. and most advanced regional Warm Up North will cover all response to Green Deal and types of residential property and Martin Walker, project director for Energy Company Obligation also extends to publicly owned the Warm Up North partnership, buildings such as town halls, said: “This scheme will help tens (ECO) in the country. offices, health and education of thousands of households properties. with their energy bills, help The Warm Up North partnership thousands of people struggling covers eight local authorities: A wide range of energy solutions with fuel poverty, and create Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, are possible including: hundreds of jobs in the region. Newcastle, Northumberland, We are very impressed by the Redcar and Cleveland, South • Solid wall insulation (houses commitment shown by British Tyneside and Sunderland with no cavity walls); Gas, and now we can’t wait to and is also supported by the potentially saving up to £490 get started.” Association of North East on annual energy bills, and Councils (ANEC). reducing 1.9 tonnes of CO2 from a home* More information about British Gas was appointed • Replacement of an inefficient how people can qualify will be released in the following a competitive boiler with an ‘A’ rated boiler; potentially saving up to £300 coming months. Details tendering process funded by the are also available at on annual energy bills and partnership and by European www.warmupnorth.com funding from Intelligent Energy reducing 1,200kg of CO2 or www.britishgas.co.uk Europe. emissions from a home* 9 Allowance unaffected by recent reforms

Good news - despite Entitlement to Attendance Age UK Northumberland has recent reforms to Allowance is assessed by recruited 113 Attendance the benefits system looking at the help an older Allowance Promoters around Attendance Allowance for person needs in connection with the county to provide advice to those aged 65 or older activities related to their personal people who may not realise that remains unaffected. care. they are eligible or who require further information. You can claim Attendance Councillor Susan Dungworth, An information and advice line, Allowance if you are older policy board member for adult ran by Age UK, is open Monday than 65 and need help with services, said: “Attendance to Thursday between 10am and personal care or supervision. Allowance is a tax free benefit, 1pm. Telephone 08450 950 150. The allowance is a non-means which will not affect other They also have a Welfare Rights benefits. It will not reduce tested and non-taxable benefit. Service, which can arrange benefits like Pension Credit No details of income or savings home visits to help with any are needed in order to apply and or Council Tax Benefit, and in benefits claims. Attendance Allowance never some cases can actually lead has a negative effect on other to a substantial increase in Citizens Advice Bureau may benefits or pensions. those benefits for single people also be able to help you claim. or couples who are disabled. You can find their number in Attendance Allowance is We are working with Age UK the telephone directory or find currently paid at a higher rate of to ensure that people who are contact details for your nearest £79.15 and lower rate of £53 per entitled to claim have all of the CAB online at week. information they need.” www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Information about Attendance Allowance and other help for disabled people and their carers is available at www.gov.uk

10 First-class maternity care across Northumberland

Expectant women in Northumberland have a wide range of choices when deciding where to have their baby locally.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s maternity services are recognised nationally as some of the safest in England and offer women the highest quality of care. Pictured: Berwick midwives with Robert Brown - the first baby Midwifery-led units are available born in July under new on-call arranagements for Berwick at Alnwick (Hillcrest), Berwick Maternity Unit. and Hexham hospitals, as well At Hexham and Wansbeck, as a consultant-led unit at where birthing pools are Call or pop into the Wansbeck General Hospital already in operation, specialist units to find out more with more than 3,000 women about having your choosing Northumbria for their equipment has been installed to help give women more freedom baby there: maternity care every single year. Alnwick midwifery- to move around and change • led unit (Hillcrest) position while in labour, helping Many low risk women opt for 01665 626732 Northumbria’s midwifery-led to encourage a natural birth. • Berwick care where teams of highly midwifery-led unit qualified local midwives provide Janice McNichol, head of 01289 356622 the utmost in personalised care midwifery at Northumbria • Hexham in very relaxed and friendly Healthcare, said: “We’ve got midwifery-led unit environments. fantastic maternity units across 01434 655352 Northumberland and our teams • Wansbeck A state-of-the-art consultant- of highly-experienced and skilled consultant-led unit led unit at Wansbeck General midwives offer the very best 01670 564194 Hospital is also popular with care and support for pregnant many local women whose women. pregnancies are classed as high risk. “I would encourage any All of Northumbria Healthcare’s expectant mums to get in touch maternity units across with our local teams across Northumberland have recently Northumberland or just call in benefited from an investment of to any of the units to meet our more than £150,000 with new midwives, have a look around birthing pools for Alnwick and and find out more about having Berwick. your baby with us.” 11 Water safety advice As many of us head out to enjoy the last days of summer Northumberland’s fire and rescue service and Safeguarding Children Board have joined forces to remind people about the dangers of open water.

Alex Bennett, chief fire officer for Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, said: “There are three main dangers when people enter open water: Pictured: Training with Northumberland Fire and Rescue the cold, which can stop people Service’s swift water rescue team. in their tracks; currents, which are often invisible from the • Beware of weeds, deep into the water. water’s edge and can sweep holes and rubbish on the • Quartered black and white even the most competent channel bed. Always wear flags - the area has been swimmers away; and objects on shoes. zoned for surf crafts and the bed of the channel that can • Beware of flash floods; Malibu boards. It’s not safe harm swimmers.” some rivers can rise by three for swimmers and bathers. metres in just 20 minutes. Here are some pointers about Children should always go to the how to stay safe: Bridge jumping beach with an adult and should be supervised at all times. Swimming in rivers Often referred to as ‘tomb stoning’, this dangerous craze If you see someone in difficulty • Never swim alone; choose leads to injuries ranging from in the water, tell somebody, your landing point before twisted ankles to very severe preferably a lifeguard if there is you go in as it may be spinal fracture. The outcome of one nearby. Alternatively, use impossible to get out. these injuries can be paralysis or • Don’t swim after a heavy even death. your mobile or go to the nearest meal or drinking alcohol. telephone and dial 999, ask • Always keep within your Swimming at the beach for the fire and rescue service depth. at inland water sites and the • Don’t dive in, it could be When at the beach swimmers Coastguard at the beach. shallower than you think should beware of which flag is or there maybe hidden flying. Here is what to look for: For more information about underwater dangers. • Red and yellow flags - water safety visit The Royal • Don’t swim near weirs, once lifeguards on patrol. Society for the Prevention of caught in the undertow you • Red flags – it is dangerous Accidents website at have little chance of escape. to bathe or swim so don’t go www.rospa.com 12 www.northumberland.gov.uk | Phone 0845 600 6400

Flood exercise success

Pictured: Firefighter Amy Hately demonstrated the use of flood defences in the exercise this summer.

An exercise to test the updates tested the internal interaction with all of those who capabilities of the council, response of the council and fire attended. We were pleased that service and the operations room the Morpeth Flood Action Group, Northumberland Fire and was opened. volunteers and representatives Rescue Service and other from partner organisations organisations to respond In the evening officers from the including the police, the council, the fire service, the Environment Agency, the health to a flooding incident took police and the Environment service and town council, as well place earlier this summer. Agency met at Morpeth Town as people from the local area, Hall to begin the demonstration were able to take part. The event was held to work of the operational capability through the council’s revised in the event of a flood. Flood “The event was designed to give flood action plan ahead of the wardens, members of the everyone an update about the development of a community Morpeth Flood Action Group as arrangements that we have in agreement, which the Morpeth well as other organisations and place following improvements Flood Action Group, the council, charities were also invited. made to the county council’s the fire service and others are flood action plan earlier this year. collaborating on. Morpeth was chosen as the The council and our partners are location for the summer evening now working on the development A scenario was developed for exercise as it has suffered of the community agreement the exercise, which took into from several flooding incidents and we will be looking to test account the effects of a period in recent years, the latest in the plans again in the coming of heavy rainfall on all areas September 2012. During the months building on what we of Northumberland. The plan exercise, however, the effects of have learned.” was to familiarise volunteers heavy rainfall across the whole with the arrangements and county were also considered and The exercise followed a visit communication processes that factored into the response. by Richard Benyon MP, Defra’s are deployed in the event of a Minister for Natural Environment flood. Barry Rowland, corporate and Fisheries, who visited director of local services, said: Morpeth in June to view progress The exercise was split into two “The exercise went very well on the flood defence scheme, sections: during the day, from and the council and the fire which is due to be completed in 9am, a timetable of events and service learned a lot from the autumn 2014. 13 Photography competition

1st Puffin feeding “Captures a stunning image of this fantastic creature and really shows something defining about Northumberland.” By Carol Macleod, Berwick.

A competition to find the second and third place images. Councillor Grant Davey, leader best summer photos of Northumberland County of Northumberland ran Congratulations to Carol Council, said: “The competition Macleod for her photo of a was open to all ages and throughout July and photogenic puffin. The judges abilities and the range of we can now reveal the said: “This captures a stunning photographs we received has winners. image of this fantastic creature been very impressive. The and really shows something variety of pictures submitted, More than 200 photographs defining about Northumberland.” showing all aspects of summer were submitted during four across the county, proves weeks and a selection of the Carol will receive a special that Northumberland is a best images can be viewed in Northumberland hamper from photographer’s paradise. I hope a special gallery on the county the tourist information service, that everyone who took part council’s Pinterest page at http://bit.ly/Summerphoto which includes goods and enjoyed getting out and about in produce from the county. The Northumberland and capturing Councillor Susan Davey chose winning photograph will also be such memorable shots. I know the winning picture and this displayed in, Carol’s local library that I’ve certainly enjoyed is shown here along with the in Berwick. looking through them.”

14 www.northumberland.gov.uk | Phone 0845 600 6400 Photography competition 3rd Bamburgh Castle “A snapshot of something unique that says Northumberland. Fantastic contrast and reflection on the sand.” By Dave Sanderson, Berwick.

2nd Seagulls in Amble “Great skill to capture the birds in flight without any blurring. A reminder of costal summer life in the county.” By David Dent, Ashington.

15 Flodden’s 500 year message

The quincentennary of the Battle of Flodden Pictured: The memorial stone, which stands on is being marked by the site of the Battle of a series of special Flodden, above Branxton near Cornhill-on-Tweed, commemorative events. Northumberland.

Monday 9 September is the The stone was put up in actual anniversary day and 1910 to commemorate a guided walk, led by local the battle fought in 1513 historian Clive Hallam-Baker between King Henry VIII’s from 3.30pm, will take place English soldiers and 500 years to the very hour of the King James IV’s Scottish battle. troops. The main commemoration will be held on Tuesday 10 September at 2.30pm in Branxton, near the battlefield. Both events are open to all and for those unable to attend during the week the commemorative weekend building up to the anniversary is also full of activities.

Other commemorative events include: • Service of Solemn medieval-style. Using historical Commemoration at St. Giles’ sources for their Tweets the • The Borderers’ Return from Cathedral arranged by The @JamesIV_Surrey account will Flodden Ride - a three day Standing Council of Scottish keep followers up to date with horseback ride around Chiefs (9 September). the key milestones in the story the area covered by the • The Flodden 1513 Club’s of the battle, as they would have Scottish Army. Organised annual commemoration at happened. by the Flodden 1513 Club in Flodden Monument Coldstream (9 September). Another important element of the Flodden 1513 Project is the (5 to 8 September). • ‘Flyting’ a new opera by education programme. Free site • Selkirk: Concert and official Matthew Rooke will be visits and outreach workshops opening of the Selkirk Peace performed at The Maltings, Garden by the Duke of are available to primary and Berwick-upon-Tweed Buccleuch (7 September). secondary schools for the next (9 September). • The Scottish Rock and two years. The aim is to give English Folk Music Concert children a better understanding at Norham (7 September). In the lead up to 9 September of what life was like during Tudor • A Costumed Actor at Etal the team behind the 500th times. Castle (English Heritage) anniversary commemorations (7 and 8 September). of the Battle of Flodden will be Details of all the events taking • Tug of War at Berwick Food taking to Twitter to give 21st place and the education Festival Century followers a taste of programme can be found at (7 and 8 September). preparations for battle www.flodden1513.com 16 www.northumberland.gov.uk | Phone 0845 600 6400 Pupils dig deep into the past Three pupils from a Northumberland school helped to document a major archaeological excavation in Druridge Pictured (from left): Caitlin Picking, Kaly Douglas and Jade Bay this summer. Waddle from Hirst Park Middle School.

Year seven pupils, Caitlin The eight-week excavation The findings from the dig will Picking, Kaly Douglas and Jade project, which began on 2 July, be analysed, interpreted and Waddle, from Hirst Park Middle investigated the fragile and eventually published as both a scientific paper and a book School in Ashington, tracked endangered archaeological about the site. the progress of the ‘Rescued gems at Low Hauxley. This from the Sea’ Community included the remains of a hunter- During the project, the pupils Archaeology Project with a gatherer settlement dating back from Hirst Park Middle School, collectively known as ‘Fab-u-lous series of videos. at least 8,000 years and a 4,000 Productions’ not only learned year old prehistoric cemetery. The excavation project the technical skills involved in recording video and sound investigated the eroding Mesolithic (Middle Stone but also carried out research, prehistoric remains beneath Age) remains, from when Low produced scripts and questions the sand dunes on land owned and were involved in the final Hauxley was home to many and managed for wildlife by edit of each video. Northumberland County Council, families who lived off the natural at the northern end of Druridge resources from the seashore Newcastle and Durham Bay. The project was led by and land, have also been universities and the Great Northumberland Wildlife Trust unearthed below the cemetery. North Museum: Hancock were also significant investors and Archaeological Research in the project and a small Services Ltd and made possible An ancient Mesolithic peat has army of volunteers helped to by a grant of £285,900 from also been discovered on the uncover, record and preserve Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and foreshore near to the site which the nationally important additional funding from UK Coal contains hundreds of animal archaeological finds. and the Coast and Lowlands and human footprints together LEADER programme. All finds and recordings will with wooden tools, deer antlers, eventually be archived at the hazelnuts and tree remains. Great North Museum. Sea levels along the north- east coast are rising and coastal erosion is threatening To find out more about the project, as well as view the sites to the point where many videos made by Fab-u-lous Productions, visit: archaeological remains have www.nwt.org.uk/rescued-from-the-sea been lost forever. 17 Crackdown on street drinking A successful scheme, designed to reduce the anti-social behaviour associated with drinking alcohol in public places, has been extended in the Berwick area.

The newly extended Designated Public Place Order (DPPO) covers not only Berwick Town Centre, as it has done for the past nine years, but also surrounding areas.

Eye-catching signs have been placed in these areas to inform people about the rules; the signs have been paid for by the county council as well as Berwick Town Council. Pictured: Councillor Dave Ledger, deputy leader of The DPPO gives the police Northumberland County Council (front), Berwick Town Mayor powers to demand a person Isabel Hunter, Ian Bilham, strategic community safety manager drinking alcohol in a public place and Sergeant Steve Crane. stops doing so and if they refuse they can be arrested. increased problems outside the “The areas already covered by DPPOs have seen a significant The power is discretionary designated zone. This extension reduction in problems caused by and does not affect people to cover a wider area, including alcohol. behaving in a civilised manner, all of Spittal and Tweedmouth is a logical step and the Town for example at a family picnic or “Feedback from local residents Council is pleased to be working drinking at licensed premises. shows these DPPOs are popular with the county council and the and the community wants us to Councillor Dave Ledger, deputy police to support the initiative, take positive action against the leader of Northumberland and to help fund new signs.” few individuals whose behaviour County Council, said: “This can affect other people’s quality order has given the police Berwick Neighbourhood of life.” another power to address anti- Inspector, Dave Garrick, said: social behaviour; we are pleased “Berwick has a well-deserved A similar scheme introduced in to have extended this successful reputation as a popular and Ashington eighteen months ago has also been very successful. scheme.” welcoming tourist town. This So far this year police have used extended order will help us their powers to seize alcohol Berwick Town Mayor, Isabel tackle the small minority who Hunter, said: “Introducing an from adults on 40 occasions get involved in drunkenness, Order in 2004 across part of the in Ashington and anti-social town helped to reduce drink- disorder and nuisance behaviour has fallen by 31 per related incidents, but led to behaviour. cent. 18 www.northumberland.gov.uk | Phone 0845 600 6400

Fines have been handed out support a range of community- Campaign in several locations including based work that the council Alnwick, Amble, Ashington, Blyth already undertakes with the help and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. In of community volunteers. makes a one week alone this summer, 11 fines were issued by public Last month pupils from Mowbray protection officers for dog First School, Choppington, stand control offences. This brings the helped to launch the campaign total from only 11 in a previous after taking part in an assembly Our ‘Don’t stand for it’ year, to 41 by the beginning of where they learned about health August 2013, an increase of campaign has seen risks associated with dog more than 300 per cent with fouling. a big increase in the nearly half of the year to go. number of fines handed Councillor Dave Ledger said: Anyone found not cleaning up “We are going to take on the out to irresponsible dog after their dog will be issued people who ignore the law. We walkers. with a £75 on-the-spot fine that they must pay within 14 days. will come down hard on people This year the council has If they do not then they will be who commit environmental adopted a zero tolerance prosecuted and could face a crimes, and we will ensure approach to dog fouling, which fine of up to £1000. offenders are fined.” spoils the environment and can cause serious health risks. Currently 21 civil enforcement Residents can now report Officers from the council’s public officers are being trained to incidents of dog fouling online protection service have been carry out dog fouling and as part of the council’s ‘Save carrying out early morning and littering enforcement as well time, do it online’ campaign or weekend visits to known dog as their regular duties. The rise in the usual ways by phone to fouling hotspots including parks in officers from 10 to 31 will 0845 6006400, or email to ask@ and beaches. increase enforcement activity to northumberland.gov.uk.

Pictured (from left): Mowbray First School pupils Ava Woodman, Ava Moralee, Ethan Allenby and Joshua Gilchrist launched the Don’t stand for it campaign with Councillor Dave Ledger, deputy leader of Northumberland County Council (centre), Malcolm Barras, animal welfare officer, Christine Ramm, head teacher and Oscar the dog.

19 Private fostering – helping children and their families It is a legal requirement that the details of children living with someone other than a parent, grandparent, biological aunt, uncle, or sibling should be passed on to the council.

If a child under the age of 16, or 18 if disabled, lives with someone outside their close family for 28 days or more, it is considered a private fostering arrangement. This is very different from traditional fostering, and is a privately arranged care situation between two parties. This support can take the form of:

Councillor Robert Arckless, • Regular care team meetings to ensure policy board member for children are happy with their living children and young people, arrangements and they continue to said: “There are lots of children feel safe. and young people who are • Help given to private foster carers to unable to live with their birth buy items such as a bed or a new parents for one reason or school uniform. another. Private fostering can be • Support to build positive relationships a positive solution for families with family members, schools and and avoid the child or young social workers. person coming into the care of the local authority. Often people Everybody has a role in keeping children safe – whether you are simply do not realise that they a teacher, youth worker, neighbour, a person involved with school are legally required to inform the transport or a member of the public. council for everyone’s benefit.” Private fostering information is being sent to a wide variety of public If you are aware of, a child who venues throughout September, including schools, children’s centres, is being privately fostered or in libraries and community groups so they can join in the awareness- a private fostering arrangement, raising campaign. please ask them to inform their local Northumberland County Council office immediately so Visit our web pages www.northumberland.gov.uk/ we can ensure the child is being privatefostering to read further about private fostering kept safe and so that support and to get details of your local Northumberland office. can be offered to the families. 20 www.northumberland.gov.uk | Phone 0845 600 6400

Paul Moffat, corporate director A number of information Shortage of children’s services, said: evenings and drop in sessions “We have seen more children are also running in the coming of families needing adoptive families; this months. reflects the national picture. for children Countywide information “We found families for 23 evening programme awaiting children in 2012-13, and have continued to match more pre- • 16 October - Alnwick adoption school age children with their Fostering Information new families. However, we still Evening. Families are needed need more people who can give • 20 November - children the futures they deserve Adoption Information for a rise in the number through adoption.” Evening. of children seeking adoption. Councillor Robert Arckless, Please phone or email for more policy board member for details. The Northumberland Family children’s services, said: “We Placement Service is usually take our responsibilities very Adoption and fostering drop- seeking families for 10 to 15 seriously and want the best for in sessions children at any one time. This our children. We are keen to hear has risen in recent months to 23 from anyone who can offer a In addition to the information children aged 0 to eight-years- loving stable environment.” evening programme, the team is old, which includes four babies on hand each month to answer under 18 months old. Adopters are supported every questions about adoption or step of the way by the adoption fostering in an informal setting Since the tragic case of Baby Peter in 2008, there has been team. The team constantly works between 4pm and 6pm on: a 70 per cent rise nationally in to speed up the process. 11 September; 23 October; children being taken into care To find out more, phone the 6 November; and 11 December. with some local authorities adoption team for an informal seeing a 500 per cent increase. chat on 01670 62 62 62, The sessions are held in: Compared to 2008/09, email familyplacement@ The Family Placement Service, Northumberland experienced an northumberland.gov.uk or visit 3 Esther Court, Wansbeck 80 per cent increase in children http://family.northumberland.gov. Business Park, Ashington, entering care in 2012/13. uk NE63 8AP.

21 Autumn country shows Country shows Shows run throughout the • Saturday 28 September - continue to thrive in summer into September and Upper Redesdale Show October. There is still time to Savour the open beauty of Northumberland bringing catch one of these fantastic rural Wild Redesdale and enjoy communities together events: this popular agricultural show held at the Rochester and supporting the rural • Saturday 14 September - economy. showground. Ingram Show • Saturday 12 October Traditional village show set - Alwinton Border The demonstrations of traditional in the beautiful Breamish Shepherds’ Show crafts and mixture of activities Valley in the foothills of the and stalls are also proving Cheviots. The last show of the year. increasingly popular with visitors • Saturday 21 September - Enjoy splendid views of the from outside the county. Whalton Village Show Coquet valley and a mixture of traditional events and The County Show, held in May Events include a activities. every year, is one of the largest Northumberland sheep dog events in Northumberland, trial, book fair, gardening regularly attracting more than competitions and home 20,000 people. baking. To find out about other events near you Visit: events.northumberland.gov.uk Email: touristinformationcentre@ northumberland.gov.uk Follow us on: twitter.com/EventsNE or Facebook.com/northumberlandevents

22 www.northumberland.gov.uk | Phone 0845 600 6400 Parks win Green Flag awards Six Northumberland parks have been awarded Green Flags by a national scheme recognising top quality outdoor spaces.

The winners are Hexham Parks, (Hexham), Doctor Pit Park (Bedlington), Plessey Woods Country Park, (Bedlington), Astley Park (Seaton Deleval), Hirst Park (Ashington) and Carlisle Park (Morpeth).

These parks received their prestigious Green Flag Award last month, along with a record breaking 1,447 parks and green spaces across the country.

The Green Flag Award scheme has been recognising and Pictured (from left): Mike Jeffrey, Frances Povey, Sam Talbot, rewarding the best green spaces councillor Val Tyler and Steve Johnson celebrating the Green Flag in the country since 1996. It awarded to Plessey Woods. continues to provide a national benchmark against which parks and green spaces are “Quality green spaces are Northumberland County Council, measured, encouraging others absolutely essential to happy, said: “Maintaining our parks to achieve high environmental healthy communities. They are and green spaces to a high standards. fundamental to our quality of standard is vital to ensuring that life, whether in cities, towns they continue to be enjoyed Five of the six Northumberland or villages. That is why it is so by local people and tourists winners were also awarded significant that we have given out alike. Having six Green Flag’s Green Flag status last year with more awards than ever before.” awarded to our parks is a great the new addition for 2013 being credit to our county and to the Plessey Woods, the first country Entries for the Green Flag hard work of the park staff and park in the county to receive the Award are open to parks and local volunteers involved in their award. green spaces located in the UK. management.” Applications are judged against Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd said: a set of eight criteria including Judging for this year’s “A Green Flag Award provides conservation and heritage, Northumbria in Bloom national recognition for the community involvement and competition is currently taking hard work and dedication of all sustainability. place, with a number of the parks’ managers, staff and Northumberland’s towns and volunteers who have helped to Councillor Deirdre Campbell, villages in the running. The create these fantastic places for policy board member for winners will be announced later all to enjoy. street care and environment at this year. 23 Thanks for the memories

Pictured: Shirley Cross, team librarian for Northumberland County Council (right), with Muriel Bacon and some of the memory box items. The library service is categories are needed: fashion The council recently loaned looking for donations of and clothing, Second World a box of Second World War War, entertainment, childhood, memorabilia to the Morpeth memorabilia for memory school days, shopping, rural life, branch of the boxes to help bring the holidays and travel. Association, which held a 1940s’ past to life. event for Armed Forces Day. Val Tyler, Northumberland County Members were transported back Council’s policy board member Memory boxes are used with for community infrastructure and in time with cakes baked from residents of care homes and day culture, said: “These boxes are Second World War recipes and centres to help them remember extremely popular with elderly wartime songs. The memory the old days and also with residents and informative for our boxes proved a massive hit with schoolchildren to explore times younger generations. If you have the elderly residents who still past. any items that you could offer remembered their identity card to such a good home and good numbers and recounted their Items from the 1930s to 1960s cause, please do get in touch.” experiences. are needed to refresh and extend the range of existing Memory boxes are loaned free of If you would like to borrow a boxes and a call has gone out charge to individuals, charities, memory box or have something to members of the public who residential care homes, schools, may have unwanted items, which health workers and community you can donate, please contact could be donated. groups. The boxes are based Shirley Cross at Morpeth Library, at Morpeth Library but can be phone: 01670 620391. Donated The boxes are often themed and delivered free of charge to any items must be safe, clean and items falling into the following Northumberland public library not too heavy to handle. 24 www.northumberland.gov.uk | Phone 0845 600 6400 Registration service receives top industry award

The registration service at Northumberland County Council has received a national award for exemplary partnership Pictured (from left): Northumberland County Council registration work. officer Colleen Anderson, Vicki Smith, councillor Val Tyler and deputy chief fire officer Paul Hedley marking the national award. This summer the authority was awarded first place in the the last year – the equivalent money into the local economy Local Registration Services to an extra 190 ceremonies. and raising awareness of what Association’s (LRSA) Quality Each wedding brings significant this great county has to offer.” Service Awards, which recognise revenue to the local economy staff who are making a real and this helps to support many Chief fire officer for local and rural businesses. difference to the lives of their Northumberland Fire and customers and their local Rescue Service, Alex Bennett The registrars’ service also works said: “During the winter of 2011 communities. closely with Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) fire crews assisted registrars on The award was made in to ensure registrars are able to a number of occasions. recognition of the partnership operate a “business as usual work involved in the Marriage policy” during times of extreme “One notable occasion was a made in Northumberland weather. wedding on Holy Island to meet campaign and also with a couple and bridal party who Northumberland Fire and Councillor Val Tyler, policy board had arrived days earlier from Rescue Service to ensure member for infrastructure and across the world. Due to the service continuity during adverse culture, said: “The registration severe weather conditions on the weather conditions. service is delivering an excellent day of the wedding only larger level of service and making 4 x 4 vehicles driven by experts significant improvements Although nationally were able to drive across the despite facing challenging weddings are on the decline, circumstances. The Marriage causeway safely. This was the Northumberland’s innovative Made in Northumberland beginning of a partnership that campaign to encourage more campaign has been really well has been working well since, people to come to the county to received by local businesses with procedures in place that get married has helped to boost and the public and has already can be implemented at very weddings by 13 per cent during started bringing much needed short notice.” 25 Council’s new website launched

Finding out about The site uses the latest Leader of Northumberland Northumberland County design technology so pages County Council, Grant Davey automatically work for every said: “There were more than Council, its services and device including tablets, two million hits on the council’s local events should be smartphones and PCs. website last year and the number quicker and easier with of transactions taking place The new web pages allow the launch of its new online has doubled. Almost the public to complete simple one third of our website visitors website. transactions, report a problem, pay, apply for or book services connect from their smart-phones The council’s website has been online. A new ‘find it fast’ or tablets and the new website updated with a fresh design, new directory also means that has been re-designed to make facilities and a more user-friendly information on council services is it easier for them to find the format. now much quicker to find. information they need.”

26 www.northumberland.gov.uk | Phone 0845 600 6400

New ebook borrowing proves popular

A new electronic e-book of people are now reading books E-books are available through a lending service that from electronic devices. link on Northumberland County Council’s website and are free was introduced by Councillor Val Tyler, policy to borrow for all Northumberland Northumberland County board member for community library members. They are Council earlier in the year infrastructure and culture said: compatible with PCs, Macs and many eBook readers, (except is proving to be a big hit. “I’m delighted that more and more people are using our library the Kindle as there is a restriction placed on Kindle by Amazon). Since its launch in April services and the improvements we’re making are popular. They can also be downloaded almost 2,300 book titles have directly to iPhones, iPads and From my point of view, the been downloaded to mobile Android devices. devices and an additional three e-book lending service is a great new development. People who hundred people have joined To use the council’s ebook find it hard to use our libraries the Northumberland Library lending service, visit for reasons such as illness, work service in order to use the ebook www.mylibrary.co.uk and enter service. commitments, or because they your library membership card live in remote areas can now and PIN. Its popularity has been such that access this service at any time of plans are in place to add further the day or the night.” If you are not currently a member titles to the current catalogue of and would like to join you can 1,200 ebooks. E-books are also helpful for download a membership form people with visual impairments from the website and hand it in The ebook service was as eReaders enable the size of at any local library in the county. introduced to meet the needs of the print and the contrast to be There is no charge to sign up or readers as an increasing number changed. use the service. 27 ‘Row to the Farnes’ Alnwick Food Festival Saturday 7 September Saturday 21 – Sunday 22 What’s on Seahouses Harbour September Phone 01668 214910 Alnwick September www.rnli.org.uk/gracedarling www.alnwickfoodfestival.co.uk Flodden 500: I’ll Chain My Vintage Car Show & BioBlitz Weekend Heart Forever More Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 Throughout September Bands at Belsay September, 10am – 4pm www.insightandgear.com Sunday 8 September Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens Kirkley Hall Brass Bands at Belsay Phone 01661 881636 www.kirkleyhallzoo.co.uk Every Sunday in September www.english-heritage.org.uk/ [email protected] Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens Belsay Phone 01661 881636 4x4 Safari through Kielder Forest www.english-heritage.org.uk/ Run Northumberland Sunday 22 September Belsay Matfen 5k/10k Phone 0844 5863484 Sunday 8 September, 9.30am Newbiggin Sprint Matfen Triathlon Berwick Film and Media www.runnorthumberland.org Sunday 1 September Arts Festival Newbiggin Promenade Wednesay 25 – Sunday 29 www.vo2maxracingevents.co.uk Heritage Open Days September www.trinorthumberland.co.uk Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 Phone 01289 330999 September www.berwickfilm-artsfest.com Flodden 500 2013 Flodden Various locations Memorial Lecture Phone 0844 3351884 Wednesday 4 September www.heritageopendays.org.uk October www.flodden.net Aquatics Weekend Haltwhistle Autumn Berwick Food and Beer Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 Walking Festival Festival September, 10am – 4pm Saturday 5 – Sunday 13 October Friday 6 to Sunday 8 September Booking is essential 5pm Friday, 4pm Sunday Kirkley Hall Phone 01434 322025 Beer only on Friday www.kirkleyhallzoo.co.uk www.haltwhistlewalkingfestival. The Barracks, [email protected] org Berwick upon Tweed Northumberland and Phone 01289 388541 Blyth Battery Open Durham Labrador www.slowfoodberwick.co.uk Weekend Retriever 90th Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 Anniversary Dog Show Harbottle Show September, 11am – 4pm Saturday 5 October Saturday 7 September www.blythbattery.org.uk 8.30am – 5.30pm Oak Tree Field, Harbottle Kirkley Hall www.harbottleshow.com www.nldabclub.co.uk Hexham Abbey Festival Frontier Music Festival Kielder Challenge Walk Friday 20 - Saturday 28 September Thursday 10 – Sunday 13 Saturday 7 September October Prior booking required Hexham Abbey and the Queen’s Berwick Phone 01830 540453 Hall Art Centre Phone 01289 331656 www.kielderwalking.co.uk www.hexhamabbey.org.uk [email protected]

28 www.northumberland.gov.uk | Phone 0845 600 6400

Roland Bibby Victorian Spooky Fun Rusty Bodkins, 15th Memorial Dialect Week Century Bowman Lecture presented by Saturday 26 October – Sunday 3 Wednesday 30 October Northumbrian Language November Heatherslaw Mill Society Belsay Hall, Castle & Gardens Phone 01890 820338 Saturday 12 October, 2pm Phone 01661 881636 www.ford-and-etal.co.uk Morpeth Town Hall www.english-heriatge.org.uk/ Belsay Herbal Walk National welly Weekend Thursday 31 October Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 Children’s Roman Soldier Plessey Woods County Park October, 10am – 4pm School Booking essential Kirkley Hall Saturday 26 October – Sunday 3 www.kirkleyhallzoo.co.uk Phone 01670 824793 November [email protected] www.northumberlandlife.org Chesters Roman Fort plesseywoods@ Phone 01434 681379 Spittal Autumn Fair northumberland.gov.uk Saturday 19 October www.english-heriatge.org.uk/ 10am – 3pm Chesters Hallowe-en Activites Phone 07752403409 Thursday 31 October Run Northumberland Ford & Etal Estates Stained Glass Workshop castles marathon Phone 01890 820338 Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 Sunday 27 October, 9.15am www.ford-and-etal.co.uk October Alnwick Longframlington Memorial Hall Booking essential D & J Watson www.runnorthumberland.org Booking essential November Phone 01669 650215 Halloween Spookfest at Victorian Spooky Fun www.theglassbarnstudio.co.uk the Zoo Week Sunday 27 October Until Sunday 3 November Oktoberfest 10am – 4pm Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens Saturday 19 October Kirkley Hall Kielder www.kirkleyhall.co.uk Phone 01661 881636 www.kieldertrailreavers.co.uk [email protected] www.english-heriatge.org.uk/ Belsay Spook Night Decorate a Spooky Tile Saturday 26 October Sunday 27 October Children’s Roman Soldier 10am to after 8pm Bamburgh castle Week Hexham Town Centre Phone 01668 214515 Until 3 November Phone 01434 603022 www.bamburghcastle.com Chesters Roman Fort [email protected] Phone 01434 681379 Meet and greet Fireman www.english-heritage.org.uk/ Dream Flags Chesters Saturday 26 October – Sunday 3 Sam November Tuesday 29 October, 10am-4pm 4x4 Safari through Cragside Kirkley Hall Kielder Forest www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ www.kirkleyhallzoo.co.uk cragside [email protected] Saturday 2 November Phone 0844 5863484 Hallowe’en Magic Rusty Bodkins Medieval Saturday 26 – Wednesday 30 Archer Kirkley Hall Bonfire Night October Tuesday 29 September Tuesday 5 November, 6pm Alnwick Castle Bamburgh Castle Tickets are £2 per person Phone 01665 510777 Phone 01668 214515 www.kirkleyhall.co.uk www.alnwickcastle.com www.bamburghcastle.com [email protected]

29 Christmas Festive Gift www.theglassbarnstudio.co.uk Hexham Christmas Fair Market Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 A Christmas Carol Saturday 14 December November Saturday 30 November and Hexham Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens Sunday 1 December Phone 01434 603022 Phone 01661 881636 Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens www.visithexham.net www.english-heriatge.org.uk/ Phone 01661 881636 Belsay www.english-heritage.org.uk/ The Victorian Christmas Belsay Cook Northumberland Music Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 Festival Winter Wonderland December Dates throughout November Dates throughout November and Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens Booking essential December Phone 01661 881636 Phone 01668 283100 Kielder Water and Forest Park www.english-heritage.org.uk/ www.nmfestival.com Booking may be required Belsay [email protected] Phone 0845 1551553 www.nel.co.uk/winterwonderland 4x4 Safari through Kirkley Hall’s Countryside Kielder Forest Christmas Fair December Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 Sunday 15 December November, 10am-4pm Christmas Market Phone 0844 3484 Tickets £3 per person, including Sunday 1 December entry to Kirkley Hall Zoological 11am-3pm Christmas Concert Gardens Ford Village Saturday 21 December www.kirkleyhall.co.uk Phone 01890 820338 Bamburgh Castle [email protected] www.ford-and-etal.co.uk Phone 01668 214515 www.bamburghcastle.com Victorian Christmas with Christmas Fayre at Father Christmas Woodhorn Make a Christmas Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 Monday 2 December Decoration November Woodhorn Sunday 22 December Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens Phone 01670 624455 Bamburgh Castle Phone 01661 881636 www.experiencewoodhorn.com Phone 01668 214515 www.english-heriatge.org.uk/ www.bamburghcastle.com Belsay Spittal Christmas Parade and Fair Boxing Day Dip Run Northumberland 10K Friday 13 December Thursday 26 December, 11am Series at Kirkley Hall Fair from 5.30pm, parade from Spittal Beach, Berwick-upon- Sunday 24 November, 9.30am 6.30pm Tweed Phone 01670 330009 Phone 07752403409 Phone 01670 622155 www.runnorthumberland.org www.spittalisgreat.co.uk

Stained Glass Workshop Ghost Stories for To find out about events Saturday 30 November and Christmas happening in Northumberland Sunday 1 December Friday 13 and Saturday 14 visit events.northumberland. Coquetdale Arts Centre, December gov.uk or follow us on: Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens Twitter.com/EventsNE D & J Watson Phone 01661 881636 Booking essential www.english-heritage.org.uk/ Facebook.com/ Phone 01669 650215 Belsay northumberlandevents

30 www.northumberland.gov.uk | Phone 0845 600 6400

Thirtieth anniversary of children’s book festival The finale to Europe’s their exciting workshops and learn about Northumberland’s longest running children’s shows, which will be full of jokes coal mining history. and audience participation. book festival will take The event, which will be co- place at Woodhorn Books will be for sale and hosted by Northumberland and Museum this year. children will be able to meet the North Tyneside Libraries, will be authors and take home signed a fitting finale to a fortnight of Now in its thirtieth year, the copies. In addition there will author talks and workshops for annual Northern Children’s Book be storytelling sessions, craft children in schools and libraries Festival Gala Day will be held on activities and facepainting as across Northumberland and the Saturday 23 November, 9.30am part of the event. The Woodhorn north east. to 4.30pm, at the museum near Narrow Gauge Railway will also Ashington. be running services from the Entrance to the Gala Day is Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, free but places at the author During the event, 10 of the weather permitting. and storytelling sessions country’s leading children’s must be booked. authors and illustrators, including As well as all the book-related Tickets will be available David Almond, Korky Paul and activities, Woodhorn Museum, from September. For more Berwick-based partners Mick which is located off the A189, will information about the day and Manning and Brita Granstrom, be open as normal, so visitors details of how to book, visit: will be entertaining children with can also view the exhibits and www.mylibrary.co.uk

31 In order to apply your family MUST be in receipt of one of the following benefits:

• Child Tax Credit ONLY – Income below £16,190 (Families receiving Working Tax Credit are not eligible) • Income Support • Income Related Employment and Support Allowance • Income Based Job Seekers Allowance • Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit • The Immigration & Asylum Act 1999

If you are in receipt of any of these benefits call the free childcare phone line 01670 623592 to confirm your eligibility

or apply on line www.northumberland.gov.uk/freechildcare

NOTE: Some areas of Northumberland have a limited number of childcare places available, therefore establishing eligibility does not automatically guarantee a place.