Broomhaugh & Riding Parish Council Caring about where you live

NEWSLETTER

Issue 2 July 2016

Parish Council Chairman’s Notes Information

This is our second being played there once near stiles and gates. Your local parish councillors are: Newsletter and we hope again. Further plans are in Working with the County, you find it interesting and hand to improve the and Eileen Carew informative. The PC has facilities significantly for the Environment Agency Andy Dunhill (Chair) had a busy year and both cricket and football, we will put in place a David McKenzie brought some of its plans subject to grant Flood Management Plan to Jill Mills to fruition. The ramp assistance, so watch this try to minimise the effects Malcolm Reid adjacent to the single space of future flood risks. We Brian Singer Tennis Court has been are looking for volunteers completed and seems to The Gateway entrance at to help with this so please Contact details for be the route taken by the east end of the village get in touch if you would Catherine Harrison, most people. This has is now in place and we are like to be involved. Parish Clerk allowed us to create an working on how to 01434 682348 (office-hours attractive Edible Garden landscape the area to There are many other only please) or email on the adjacent land which emphasise that drivers are interesting things we are [email protected] we hope you will both entering a village so involved with and there contribute to and enjoy. should limit their speed. are three vacancies on the Dates for forthcoming Parish Council so if you would like Council Meetings held in Church Work is progressing well Our Footpaths Group has to help us contribute to Cottage, Church Lane on regenerating the surveyed all of the paths in village life please give me 7.45 pm Football pitch which we the Parish and reported its a call on 682018 for a (public questions from 7.15 pm) hope will be playable in findings to the County. chat. the autumn. There seems Some ageing way marks to be a good level of have been replaced and Have a good summer, th 12 September 2016 interest in establishing a foliage cut back on some Andy Dunhill th 14 November 2016 youth team so we look of the paths especially th 12 December 2016 forward to seeing games 13th February 2017 th 13 March 2017 th 8 May 2017 approaching driver that County th 12 June 2017 (tbc) the road is narrowing and Council also has its own

is enforced by additional initiative to reduce traffic Annual Parish Meeting road markings. The area speeds at school times. April 2017 – date to be around the Riding Mill Throughout the County, confirmed sign will be landscaped vehicles near schools will

with large plants again to be limited to 20 mph for create the impression ninety minutes both at Contact Details for County PLEASE SLOW that you are entering a the beginning and end of Councillor Anne Dale, residential area and need the school day. This will 01434 673326 or email DOWN! to slow down. apply to the A695 and [email protected] The Parish Council and there is a further proposal

Councillor Dale receive to make a permanent

speed limit of 20 mph repeated reports of traffic speeding in to the village. So, from Whiteside Bank past working with the County the school, something Have you read Riding Mill’s own Council we have been looking which most residents website? at ways of slowing it down. already instinctively Check out www.ridingmill.org A ‘gateway’ entrance has follow. been installed on the eastern approach of the A695. This

creates the perception to the

Bright Savings Street lighting across the County is having a revamp. Current street lighting is being replaced with new units that use light emitting diodes (LEDs) which have the advantage of using much less energy and lasting far longer.

The County Council is spending £25m on the project and work in Riding

Mill is expected to

West Tynedale League, three community commence in Autumn 2017. GRAND PLANS teams play there midweek and Corbridge You may not have noticed but dramatic and Benwell Hill use it for junior cricket and The PC is able to have an changes have been taking place at the sports women’s cricket. input into how the field and hopefully even more dramatic programme is implemented changes will happen over the next few So the field is now used more and more by in Riding Mill. For instance, months. women and youngsters. This means that the we could ask for lighting present pavilion is unfit for purpose. It has columns to be painted a Alongside the cricket pitch was a wilderness. no electricity, no showers or indoor toilets. particular colour or even This was formerly a football pitch unused We therefore plan to raise funds to build a request new lighting since 1987. It was decided to restore it to its new pavilion that would be suitable. The columns to supplement former glory and the Parish Council paid for it Parish Council has funded a feasibility study areas where the current to be cleared, levelled and reseeded. All this which is being carried out by local architect street lighting is not has now been done and thousands of stones Neil Turner of Howarth Litchfield sufficient (note: new lights have been removed. Throughout the spring Partnership. Once this is completed fund will not be installed where youngsters have been playing football on the raising will start in earnest. there is no existing street tennis courts and it is hoped that with lighting). In addition, the sufficient interest there will be teams for the The field should now be seen as a real new LED lights will be fitted eight to ten year olds and even the ten to community asset. It will also be used for with technology that twelve year olds. Very shortly the pitch any event such as sports days, boot sales or enables them to be dimmed should be ready for coaching and training fund raising functions, not just for the sports or even turned off at certain sessions. club but for the community. times. Would people like to see the lights switched off Until recently the cricket field has only been Clive Page at midnight on residential used for Sunday afternoon matches. This has Chairman, Riding Mill Cricket Club streets? Please email the changed. Riding Mill now has a side in the Clerk with your views.

Forgotten Memories Wilson today. The Chair Memorials Trust is was occupied by the anticipated soon which Workers repairing the roof Reverend Canon Richmond hopefully might fund up to of Church Cottage (late Chairman of the 75% of the cost. Work to discovered a hidden Managers), and an restore the panel will take treasure lost in the attic; a address was given by the 3-4 months after which the Memorial Panel recording Reverend P. F. Slater. A panel will be rehung in a those who had served in large gathering of people suitable place and a the First World War. The was present" rededication ceremony panel originally hung in held. the entrance to the Old The panel has lain School and on viewing old forgotten for many a year Can you help? The War record books retained by and requires extensive Memorials Trust would love First School restoration to bring it back to see a photograph of the we have established that it to its former glory. The panel hanging in its original was unveiled on Saturday Parish Council and the th location in the Old School. 11 September 1920. The Village Hall Trust are in If anyone has such a extract from the records the process of securing photograph we would be reads as follows: funding for this work and grateful if you would have so far obtained £500 contact the Clerk. "The Memorial to the Ex- from the Community Chest Scholars who served in the Fund. The outcome of an War was unveiled by Miss application to the War

Riding Mill Preschool The Preschool is run by a has places for parent -led committee and September 2016. some fund raising is So many people tell us The Preschool offers places required to allow the that they don’t know school to keep operating for children 2-4 years old. where the Spinney is We are registered with to the highest standards. or just thought it was Ofsted and are able to offer someone’s garden. private and funded places for Successful fundraisers organised by the Preschool up to 24 children. We pride ourselves on high adult to include the annual child ratios and a curriculum Pumpkin Party which is a which is tailored to meet the highlight of the year for many of the children. individual needs of your child. All parents are welcome to

Cooking lessons, pottery and join the committee and no This area opposite the tennis are just a few of the previous experience is Church now has a sign special activities we provide. required. Anyone to help you find it and interested in enrolling their child in the Preschool in we hope that you stop The Preschool has a highly by occasionally and trained and very experienced September should contact enjoy its beauty and team. We now have Suzanne Barker at the tranquillity. extensive outdoor areas to preschool before 20 July 2016. The contact access including the Preschool garden and the number is 07754 395572 Spinney where children spend hours of fun in the Helen Hunter, Preschool Chair forest.

At the Annual General

Meeting of the Parish Council, Councillor Andy Dunhill was elected to continue as Chair of the Parish Council and Councillor Brian Singer as

the Vice-Chair. We provide free,

confidential advice and All Parish Councillors are campaign on big issues happy to be contacted affecting people’s lives. and their phone numbers

can be found on the PC Contact us for advice on The costs have been noticeboard or on the Play Park Plans: benefits, energy issues and obtained for various designs website: Last year we wrote about debt management. following initial consultation www.ridingmill.org adding some new pieces of 03444 111 444 with the children at equipment to the Play Park. Office Broomhaugh First School If you care about where This is still the intention but Drop in sessions 10am – who identified what they you live and feel that you we have discovered that the 2pm Mondays, would really like to see in have something to PC is ineligible to apply to Wednesdays & Fridays. the updated Play Park. contribute please quite a few of the funding consider joining the sources and so to access Preliminary designs will be Parish Council. We these grants we have displayed in the Parish Hall Local Transport Plan currently have three encouraged the formation of shortly. Programme vacancies. Perhaps come a community group, the The Parish Council has until along to a future meeting Riding Mill Play & To follow the Group’s 31st August to submit ideas of the Council and see Regeneration Group. progress please like its page to the County Council of what is discussed or

on Facebook: ways Riding Mill could be contact the Chair or Clerk The Group, formed in https://www.facebook.com/ made safer e.g. footpaths for an informal chat. January, has had to prepare ridingmillplay/ widened, traffic calming a constitution and apply to measures, junction open its own bank account. If you would like to become improvements etc. Now these formalities have involved with the Group or been completed, the Group is have a fundraising idea If you have a suggestion about to commence please email: please contact the Clerk. fundraising. ridingmillplayandregeneration We will then choose our top

@gmail.com 3 for the County Council to

consider.

 RIDING MILL EDIBLE GARDEN 

The concept of choosing to This year after the grow in public spaces construction of a ramp plants with edible fruits is between the Parish Hall not new. For example and the Play Park and

many Swedish play parks MUGA court had disturbed are surrounded by a hedge the surrounding land, the To book the Parish Hall of blackcurrant and least costly manner of or Millennium Hall for a redcurrant bushes. But the restoration was to create meeting or an event, idea has been given a an edible garden provided please contact Mrs Pam particular fillip by that it was primarily In December 2015 and Pryor on 01434 682927 inspirational work at created through the work January this year there 'Incredible edible of volunteers. or email was some very heavy Todmorden'. rainfall onto already [email protected] saturated ground which

resulted in the flooding of five houses in the village with quite devastating results for those involved. We are working with Northumberland County Council, Northumbrian Water (nwl) and The On three occasions around Missed bin collection? Environment Agency to try ten village volunteers have to mitigate future Street light not working? turned out to prepare the problems. One key aspect land under the guidance of of this is to establish a Report these problems a professional gardener, Flood Management Plan. on the Northumberland and planted six fruit trees, We are looking for some County Council website sixteen fruit bushes, some volunteers in the village to with just a few clicks strawberries and herbs. help establish a plan. No Two of the apple trees specific qualifications are Go to were mature donations needed just a genuine and should produce apples http://www.northumberl You will now see small interest in helping the this year. You are invited plots in central Hexham village to prepare for and and.gov.uk/ and click on to help yourselves to the inviting people to enjoy avoid the worst effects of REPORT on the header fruits both here and on the the fruits, and last year future flood risk potential. bar station where lots of Riding Mill acquired six greens are already ready. planters on the station Fires in your garden platforms with a similar purpose. The project is ongoing and belongs to us all. If you have suitable plants to add to the variety or if you are prepared to contribute some time towards the Fires can upset your maintenance, please neighbours and can be a approach the Parish health hazard to some. Council. Please be considerate.

Cllr. Malcolm Reid Check out the guidance information found on the Riding Mill website

Local Walks: Into the valley of the March Burn

This walk takes in some of the most scenic areas of the quiet countryside in the valley of the March Burn to the south-west of Riding Mill. Start 7 miles/11 kilometres, 900 feet/270 metres of ascent. Paths and quiet roads. Sometimes muddy.

1. Leave the Old Playground heading west along Church Lane and up the hill towards Long Rigg. Where the hill ends, take the public footpath signposted Broomleyfell on the left heading south.

2. The lane ends at a stile into fields; here turn left and head steeply uphill towards Parish Online © Crown copyright and database right. All rights reserved (0100053451) High Plains. keeping the farm buildings to the March Burn for the third Footpaths Group your right, and over a ladder time below Shepherd’s Dene. 3. At the hill top, turn right stile into the southern fringe One last climb follows taking the footpath running Last year, a Footpaths of Dipton Wood. Here are through mixed woodland Group was formed to help west into the woods beyond some fine old oak trees fringed by ancient hedgerow review the Rights of Way the farmhouse. The level path bordering the forest, inhabited trees, before emerging onto through the parish. A small follows the contour through group of residents surveyed in early summer by birds such the road west of . the wood to a stile with each path and reported as the uncommon Pied concrete steps across the their findings to the County Flycatcher alongside more 7. The route then heads Parish boundary. Council. Some issues can common species such as back to Riding Mill. To avoid only be dealt with by the

Woodcock and Jay. The path the main road, at the County Council but others 4. Continue onto Eastwood heads down to the stream and junction with the A695 turn such as cutting back house Common with then through beech woods to right up The Nick and follow vegetation along paths to extensive views over Slaley improve passage and join a minor road west of Sandy Lane anti-clockwise Vale and Hexhamshire, renewing waymarkings are Dipton House. until a narrow way-marked following the way-markers being done by the Group. path at a yellow hydrant sign until a minor road is reached. Should you have an issue 6. Follow the road downhill leads down to the weir and with a Right of Way you can Almost directly ahead is a and at the junction with the then right onto Marchburn report the problem to either bridle path heading into the Slaley road turn right, downhill Lane. the Clerk or directly to the narrow valley of the March chairman of the Footpaths to the next junction where Burn. Keep straight ahead Group, Malcolm Chainey you take the left fork sign- 8. Turning left onto Millfield once a gate is reached and ([email protected]) posted Healey. Soon the Road, the footpath by the follow a zig-zag track to a March Burn is crossed by a Parish Hall leads to the sixth bridge over the burn near the ford normally dry in summer and final crossing of the confluence of two streams. which can flood, and is March Burn by the old stone Cross the bridge and follow avoided by using the adjacent bridge, and back to the an easier track uphill to the footbridge. The quiet lane walk’s starting point. Slaley road. ahead is deeply incised into _ _ _ _ _

the hillside and features a 5. Turn left along the road for Photo showing the landslip wide variety of wild flowers. HANDY TIP: The County a short distance, then take Council provides a useful on the footpath to Corbridge The next right of way is a the Wooley road until a public Rights of Way map for just after the devastating footpath on the left floods. This problem is in footpath heads northwards Northumberland online. signposted Riding Lea; follow Details can be found at the hands of the County through fields towards this to Red Hemmels and then http://map.northumberland. Council but we would love Todburn Steel farm. Follow downhill into pastures to cross gov.uk/prow/. to see the footpath the yellow way-markers, rerouted.

RIDING MILL TENNIS CLUB

Barbecues, Quiz Nights, Daft as a Brush mixed matches - there’s CANCER nothing stuffy about Riding ADVOCACY Mill Tennis Club. All you Many of you may have noticed one of the Daft as a Brush need is a couple of fluffy brightly coloured ambulances darting around the region but WE CAN HELP balls, a racquet and a pair of did you know that children from Broomhaugh First School trainers. The only thing have adopted one of these vehicles and have helped design We provide one-to-one that’s essential is a good the livery? The emblem of the School is a red squirrel and support, help and sense of humour. children used this as the basis of their design. advocacy for people over

50 affected by cancer. We boast that we’re the Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care offers staffed custom- cheapest and most family made vehicles to transport outpatients, free of charge, to What we can do to help friendly club in the country and from hospital for their Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy and no one has contradicted cancer treatment. Access to this service is by referral from  Accompany you to us so far. Everyone can join, your doctor. meetings and young and old, from appointments absolute beginners to Further details should you wish to volunteer with the Charity  Identify benefits and experienced players. or make a donation can be found at allowances that you are

http://www.daftasabrush.org.uk/ and remember to look out entitled to We enjoy casual play as well on your journeys for Broomhaugh’s ‘Speedy Squirrel’.  Find information on as more competitive housing options  Provide support when matches, and although there dealing with community is an online booking system, care services it is almost always possible  Find local support groups to simply turn up and use a  Help you express your free court. views  Support you in your Regular tennis sessions are caring role held for separate male and female players, as well as We make home visits and mixed doubles. We have a are available to patients male team and a mixed and carers in team and we hope to have a women’s team next season. Northumberland

 01670 784847 There is a rolling coaching CHURCH COTTAGE is now available to book as a scheme on Sunday mornings @ macmillan@ageuk- small, cosy meeting place. Contact Ena Clark on for adults and the classes for northumberland.org.uk 682550 for details or email [email protected] children after school and in www.ageuk.org.uk/ the holidays.

northumberland More than 60 members, 3 SMALL hard courts, a quaint little clubhouse and a brook GRANTS: babbling by the courts - very

scenic. Riding Mill Carpet Bowls The PC can on occasion Community Club is a small friendly club offer small grants to clubs We also have a MUGA court which meets on a Monday and organisations in the Transport in with sessions for walking afternoon at the Parish Hall village. Further Northumberland football, walking netball, 5- from 1.30 pm until 4.30 pm. information can be a-side football, and other obtained from the Clerk Need help with transport to sports. It will be used for All ages are welcome and no and applications should medical appointments, young people trying different st equipment or previous be submitted by 31 church, lunch clubs, sports during the summer. experience is necessary. October. shopping or social outings? To join - and you won’t There are occasional Last year, the Preschool We can help you get regret it - contact Rob competitive matches but and Table Tennis Club transport whatever the Archer on 07957509514 or most weeks players fight it both received grants from occasion. go to our website. out for the honour of the PC together with www.ridingmilltennis.co.uk winning a chocolate biscuit. other local organisations Contact WRVS Getabout such as Citizens Advice Service Manager on To find out more contact Bureau, Age UK and 0783 475 3387 or Alan Armstrong 01434 Tynedale Hospice at 0845 266 8906 298823 Home.

Clubs & Societies Riding Mill has so many things going on – the following guide gives a flavour of what you could do …

Allotment Society Drama Club Please contact: Eddie Nickson – Please contact Judy Wilthew – 01434 682590 or see the website: 01434 682395 http://www.ridingmilldramaclub.com/

Dry Stone Walling Angling Association Please contact Derek Blair - 01434 Please contact Peter Howe – 682434 01434 682946

Exercise Class for the over 50s to over 90s Art Club This class is held on a Friday st rd morning. Art Club meets on the 1 and 3 Please contact Linda Shepherd – Wednesday of each month at 7 pm 01434 682069 in the Millennium Hall. Please contact Janet Bennett – Golf Meets once a month April – October. 01434 682478 Please contact Rob Archer – 01434 682689 Baby Group

This friendly group meets on a Evolution Gymnastics Club Thursday morning in Church Sessions for boy and girls aged 4-8 Cottage to share a coffee and a held on Wednesday afternoons after school. chat. Please contact Jill Tan – 07909 Please contact: Sunniva Thompson 991351 –07787 115142 Happy Hounds Dog Training

Class Badminton Club Classes held on Thursday evenings Badminton Club meets on a in the Millennium Hall Thursday morning in the Parish Please contact Jenny Sandiford – 07808 218999 Hall. Please contact Evelyn Downs - IT Self Help Group 01434 682536 Please contact Ian Thompson – 01434 682308 or email

[email protected] Bridge Club

This club meets on a Friday Karate Class afternoon in the Parish Hall. Held on a Monday evening in the Please contact Pam Niven – Parish Hall. Please contact Sensei Peter Atkinson 01434 682394 – 07912 533164

Carpet Bowls Club Lunch Club This group meets on a Monday A Lunch Club and Meals on Wheels afternoon. service is offered twice a week, Please contact Alan Armstrong – Tuesdays and Thursdays. At the 01434 298823 moment it caters for around 10

people but has the capacity to cook Choral Society The Choral Society normally for more. Those “who lunch” would performs two concerts a year. welcome more company. Please contact Val Barnes – 01661 The Club is always looking for 843787 or see the society’s website: volunteers to help continue this http://ridingmillchoral.org.uk/ service. Craft Class Please contact Christine Andersen – Held on a Thursday afternoon in the 01434 682535 Parish Hall.

Please contact Linda Shepherd – Mothers’ Union 01434 682069 Please contact Anne Foster – 01434 Cricket Club 682437 Please contact Clive Page – 01434 682566. Nia Dance Class Clive can also be contacted about Please contact Allison Austick - current football coaching. 01434 676957

Northumbria Healers Table Tennis Club This group meets on the last This group meets at the Millennium Saturday of the month in the Parish Hall on a Monday evening. A new Hall. No appointment is necessary session has also recently started on and further information about Tuesday afternoons. Please contact energy healing can be found on their Linden Furness – 01434 682282 website: http://northumbriahealers.co.uk/ Tennis Club For membership enquiries please Photographic Society contact Rob Archer – 01434 682689. This group meets on the 2nd Also see the website: Wednesday of the month. Please http://ridingmilltennis.co.uk/ contact Rosie Cunningham – 01434 632515 or see the website: Tynedale Chess Club http://www.ridingmillphotographicso Meets at 7 pm on Tuesdays at the ciety.co.uk/ Ratcliffe, opposite the Angel Inn, Corbridge. Pilates Class Please contact Steve Larkin for These classes are held on a Tuesday further details – 01434 682291 morning in the Parish Hall. Please contact Paula – 07990 774069. New Tyne Valley Youth Theatre beginners class hopefully TVYT is a youth theatre group for commencing in September young people aged 8 to 19 living in the Tyne Valley and surrounding Preschool area. Please contact 0191 580 1250 Preschool offers education and care or see the website to children from the age of two http://www.tvyt.org.uk/ years until school age. It is based in

the Millennium Hall and offers

sessions each morning and some Women’s Institute afternoons. This group meets on the 1st Please contact Suzanne Barker – Thursday of the month at the Parish 07754 395572 or see the website Hall at 7.30 pm. http://www.ridingmillpreschool.btck. Please contact Barbara Nelson – co.uk/ 01434 682739

St James’ Church of Yoga Class Sunday School and Crèche Held on a Wednesday evening in the Held in the Millennium Hall following Parish Hall. the Sunday Service. Please contact Please contact Rose on 0191 413 Paula Steinlet – 01434 634719 7653 or email [email protected]

Useful Contacts Branch End Surgery Utility Services Schools Northumberland County 01661 842626 Gas Emergency Broomhaugh First School Council 01434 682374 0800 111 999 0345 600 6400 Corbridge Middle School Hexham General Hospital 01434 400388 01434 632191 0344 811 8111 Electricity – loss of power Queen Elizabeth High Remember you can report School, Hexham Northumbria Specialist 0800 66 88 77 problems via the website 01434 610300 www.northumberland.gov.uk Emergency Care Hospital 0344 811 8111 Northumbrian Water – Squirrels Breakfast & Newcastle RVI / report a leak - After-School Club Member of Parliament Yvonne Stokoe – 07933 Mr Guy Opperman Newcastle General 0800 393 084 901732 01670 789161 email: Hospital report water and 0191 233 6161 sewerage flooding- Travel [email protected] Go North East 020 7219 7113 email: 0800 328 7648 0191 420 5050 guy.opperman.mp@ Emergency 999, Urgent Northern Trains parliament.uk 111 Environment Agency: 0800 200 6060 Floodline – National Rail Enquiries

0345 988 1188 03457 48 49 50 Hospitals/Doctors Police – 999 or 101 for Incident Hotline – Newcastle Airport Corbridge Medical Group non emergency 0800 80 70 60 0871 882 1121

01434 632011