October 2020

Ford Castle Adventure to withdraw from historic Ford Castle

Ford Castle Adventure Ltd, which has operated a residential adventure and activity centre in Ford Castle since 2012, has taken the decision to withdraw from the site and to concentrate on its longer- standing activities in France.

Leased to County Council from 1956 until the Council formally surrendered it in 2016, Ford Castle has welcomed many thousands of young people from Northumberland and further afield, to enjoy a residential opportunity full of activity and learning.

Peter Smith, director of Ford Castle Adventure, said: “The world pandemic of Covid-19 has brought unforeseen consequences to a business like ours. We were looking forward to having full occupation of the castle once the crucial building restoration works were completed last year. Although we have explored every possible way to keep an activity centre of this type open for groups of young children and their teachers, and to uphold the requirements of distance, hygiene and protection, the issues have proved insurmountable.”

Lord Joicey, director of Ford & Etal Estates where the castle lies, added: “To say we are sorry that Ford Castle Adventure is withdrawing is a massive understatement. Peter and his team have committed so much to providing activities for school groups and young people. Young people and school leaders who have enjoyed being here in recent years will know what Ford Castle offers, but the outbreak of Covid-19 means that no-one can say how, or indeed whether, it can operate in the future. It is upsetting for everyone, particularly the locally-employed staff.”

Dating from the 14th century, Ford Castle has a long history that reflects the Border skirmishes. King James IV of Scotland spent his last days here before his death at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. Children staying in the castle were able to see the dungeons and to experience aspects of life through the centuries, even sleeping in the same room as King James IV himself. In the 19th century the Castle passed to the Waterford family and was subsequently bought by the 1st Lord Joicey in 1907. It is still owned by the Joicey family and is classified by Historic as a Grade One Listed building. Significant repairs carried out between 2015 and 2018 have resulted in it being removed from the Buildings At Risk register.

Volunteers needed The Fourum is currently looking for volunteers to deliver the newsletter to the following areas :- Branxton, Duddo and a run to Cornhill (which takes in Barelees, Crookham Eastfield and Westfield, New Etal and Pallinsburn). If anyone would be willing to take on any of these monthly delivery runs then please get in touch with Steve Taylor – [email protected] or telephone 01890 820566. Many thanks to those who have helped in the past with delivering to these areas. Your help has been very much appreciated.

1 TillVAS at Ford Forge

Late last year Ford and Etal Estates asked TillVAS to look at a first floor space in a disused building at Ford Forge in the Heatherslaw Heritage Hub for possible use as a workshop and exhibition space and for storage of archaeological equipment. Our first inspection was not promising – the site had been abandoned in the early 1980’s and was strewn with unidentified objects overlain with jackdaw nesting material. But we saw possibilities, particularly as the Estates kindly offered to make repairs if we cleared the rubbish. Now the space has been cleared and the repairs are complete. We have an airy, well- lit and ventilated space for exhibitions, experimental archaeology and storage and are keen to research what was once a thriving industrial hamlet.

Fourum readers who would like to see this space, and a small exhibition of the agricultural and industrial artefacts that we found there, are invited to visit us on Sunday 11th October between 10.00am and 2.00pm. We’d love to see you.

It goes without saying that we must be Covid-compliant, so . We are offering time slots of 20 minutes for a maximum of 4 people. To book, please email [email protected]. We’ll try to accommodate any time preferences, but the slots will be allocated on a first come first served basis. We’ll provide hand sanitiser and ensure surfaces are clean, and everyone must wear a mask.

2 Get ready to follow the famous Scarycrow Trail at Ford & Etal Estates this October (26th-31st). Enjoy a gentle autumnal stroll to see what extraordinary Scarycrows the creative locals have been building for this annual event. Join in the judging to decide which ones deserve to be awarded prizes. The Scarycrow Trail helps to raise money for Radio Borders’ Cash 4 Kids, via donations received for the Scarycrow Score Sheets. Cash 4 Kids helps disadvantaged children in North Northumberland and the .

If you’d like to take part there are entry forms in the Lavender Tearooms in Etal and at Ford Village Shop. If you don’t live in Ford, Etal or Heatherslaw, but would still like to participate, we’re more than happy to display your creation somewhere on the trail. Just email: [email protected] or call 01890 820338. Entry forms should be completed and returned by Friday 9th October, and all Scarycrows should be on display by 10.00am on 26th October. Let’s make the 2020 Scarycrow Trail the best one yet!

3 HospiceCare North Northumberland’s charity shops in Amble, Hello everyone, and Berwick are I do hope you’re all well and have been surviving lockdown as best you now open for business can. I’m getting in touch about the Golden Guide to let you know what and are back to my plans are. I have published the guide in Northumberland for 15 years generating much-needed funds for their clinical services, and had originally thought I would carry on producing it for another which are delivered free at the point of need to people living year or two before retiring (I am 65 now). However, the lockdown in North Northumberland, who wish to die at home rather than period has led to some serious thinking. So with very mixed feelings, I won’t be publishing another edition. in a hospital setting. I’ll be sorry not to be helping promote the excellent work all the Kelly Burton, Central Support Manager said “We would like community groups do. I have always felt committed to making every to reassure our customers that our shops are a safe place to single entry as effective as possible, to explain services for older people. I’ve enjoyed doing that enormously, and very much felt we were all visit, and that we have followed all Government guidelines partners working towards the same ends. to make the shopping experience as safe and enjoyable as Reasons - funding possible. We currently have slightly reduced opening hours There are a number of reasons – funding is one. As priorities for all to allow the shop to be sanitised at the end of each day. We kinds of organisations have had to shift, it would be difficult to maintain funding for the guide in its current form, in the way I usually do it. have a limit on the number of customers in our shop at any one time and ask customers to pay by card where possible. Revamp needed Donations are being accepted at all shops and need to be The 2020 guide was an excellent edition - one of the best – for comprehensive depth of coverage, more health and care information, dropped off at the back door.” greater detail on the most suitable activities and services on offer for older people. It was one for all of us to be proud of! For a follow-up in 2021, significant change would be needed in the light of COVID19. Realistically this would probably mean a revamp of the layout and structure of the guide. So it would need to be re-imagined, and it’s probably time it was!

Time for change – would you like to run the Golden Guide? It would be an exciting challenge to get stuck into it all this– the guide needs a facelift! But I feel someone new would be better placed to do it. They could develop it in forward-thinking ways and make closer links with other information provision in the county. It has always had massive potential - being a well-established title with a very enviable niche market for older people. Lots more can be done with it.

So I will sell on the copyright for the title: ‘Golden Guide’, and its format, and also its standalone website. If you would be interested in Julie Frost, Marketing and Communications Officer said owning it yourselves, please let me know – I’d be delighted to answer “Our shops are a vital source of income contributing any queries. directly towards the delivery of our specialist Hospice at If there are no takers I’ll continue running the Golden Guide website Home and Family/Bereavement Support services . Our online until January 2021, answering all the usual enquiries and posting info etc, and then it would cease. nursing team continue to receive daily referrals from the local District Nurses, social services and Macmillan and work to ensure that our communities get the care and I hope that all makes sense. It’s hard to think of losing the guide – it’s support they need, particularly at the end of their life. We been so well loved, and a lifeline for so many older people and carers. know from the lovely feedback we have received from local The generous feedback I’ve had, and families, that we have been able to make a real difference. countless good wishes from hundreds of It’s vital that we have the funds to be able to continue to readers has been incredibly special. I have deliver our specialist care and support and our shops are an been extremely lucky to have support from integral part of that income for us. We have always felt all over the county. blessed by the support given from people in our communities. Please support our shops, we have missed you and look forward to welcoming you back.” So thank you Northumberland - it’s been a fabulous 15 years! Full details of shop opening hours can be found on Much love and very best wishes, www.hospicecare-nn.org.uk email: enquiries@hospicecare- nn.org.uk. [email protected]

4 The Fourum Crossword No 6 by Cromwell

5 Highways and Byways—The Forgotten Bits

When out driving, I always keep a corner of my eye open for former sections of road that have been superseded as a result of road improvements. Their neglected, overgrown verges and their crumbling surfaces stimulate my imagination and conjure up pictures of horses, carts, stage coaches and people which would have travelled along them in the past.

Sometimes, a road improvement will leave a hamlet set back on the line of the old route and there are examples of this at various places along the route of the A697 road such as opposite the turning to Eccles, north of . At the Blue Bell Inn at Crookham, a section of the old road now forms an access to and parking for, the inn. The road improvement here was carried out during the 20th century and the smooth curving profile of the modern road replaced a dog-leg at the entrance to Crookham village, but there is now no trace of the old section. Just beyond the Blue Bell Inn, on the left, before reaching Pallinsburn, there is a surviving, atmospheric section of old road that is quite well hidden from view, particularly in summer.

An interesting ‘forgotten’ section of the present A697 road between Barelees Farm Cottages and Crookham Westfield (shown running east past The King’s Stone Wood and south to Crookham Westfield on the map below) was abandoned when the Ford and Lowick Turnpike Trust completed the new section of road in the 1790s. However, the route survives as an unsurfaced track beyond the cottages and along field boundaries. Turnpike trusts consisted of local landowners, business owners and industrialists who would request permission from Parliament. Following permission, the trust was free to set the tolls and, as in the case of the Ford and Lowick Trust, would invite offers to lease the tolls from the Trustees and manage them on their behalf. The tolls enabled the better maintenance of the previously unsurfaced roads and enabled improvements to be carried out. In 1793, quarrymen and labourers were sought for the Ford and Lowick Turnpike Trust with applications being made to Mr John Carr at Ford Castle; also for let was the winning of stone from the ‘quarries now open upon Flodden-hill’. The abandoned quarries can still be seen above the track from Blinkbonny to Flodden Hill, although public access is not encouraged on safety grounds. The Turnpike Trust constructed two toll houses in our area, firstly, Bare-lees Gate, south of Barelees Farm at the junction with the road to East Learmouth and, secondly, at Ford Bridge Gate. They no longer exist except as part of the story—just one of many interesting little tales in our area. “Paganus” Map contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2020. Other sources: Newcastle Courant, 8 Sept. 1792, 6 Oct. 1792, 2 Mar. 1793, 12 April 1794, 19 April, 1794, British Newspaper Archives.

Askew Educational Foundation If you are below the age of 25, and are a student in Further or Higher Education, or following an apprenticeship, and either you or your parent(s) live in Ford Parish, you can apply to the Askew Trust for a grant towards the cost of books or equipment needed for your course. Applications to be made in writing to J.Spawls, 10 Etal, Cornhill on Tweed, TD12 4TN. Please include details of where and what you are studying, how long the course is and what costs you would like help with. The Trustees meet on Monday November 2nd and applications will be considered then.

6 Tourists Descended on Etal

Seventy years ago this month hundreds of visitors flocked to Etal. The purpose of their visit wasn't to compete in some long forgotten prestigious end of summer flower and vegetable show but to witness the unusual experience of observing three craftsmen, Roland, Wilfred and Wilfred George Pearce, (two brothers and their cousin), re-thatching the Black Bull.

The Pearces, who hailed from Wiltshire, brought with them a supply of trusty hazel spars but the straw for the thatch was local, sourced from a New Etal farm. Wilfred Pearce claimed the knife he used for cutting the hazel spars was over 100 years old and asserted that the Pearce family had been associated with the craft of thatching for over 400 years. The thatchers declared that once the re-roofing was finished the new thatch would last for 40 years making the next major re-thatching date around 1990. Perhaps some kind reader could verify whether the thatch did indeed last that long?

By Nesbit

Ford & Etal Tourism News At the time of writing, all tourism venues across Ford & Etal Estates are open. Most are operating on slightly different hours to normal, so please check information on our website www.ford-and-etal.co.uk before visiting. Booking at attractions is NOT required, except at where visitors can pre-book on the English Heritage website, www.english- heritage.org.uk/visit/places/etal-castle Please also adhere to policies regarding social distancing, wearing masks etc. Due to covid-19 restrictions our events calendar is fairly empty, however we are very pleased to say that the annual “Scarycrow Trail” will be going ahead, from October 26th-31st. So… why not get your creative thinking caps on and spend the next few weeks building your scarycrow. It can be spooky, scary, funny – whatever you like. Entry forms will be available at village shops and from the visitor centre at Heatherslaw. The winner receives a trophy, engraved with their name, and a cash prize.

HospiceCare’s Patron, Lady Joicey, has kindly agreed to introduce our Virtual Gardens 2020 tour which you can view by visiting our website www.hospicecare.nn.org.uk and clicking on the image of our Virtual Open Gardens on our main page. Each year we welcome around 3000 visitors wishing to explore some of the most beautiful private gardens in Northumberland, kindly opened by their owners and with the support of our wonderful hospice volunteers.. So we hope that you will enjoy our virtual Open Garden tour today. If after watching you feel that you can make a donation towards our Hospice at Home care and support, however large or small, we would be so grateful – thank you. htps://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charityweb/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.acton? campaignId=11806&charityId=1016416

7 these will continue to be held on Saturdays, 10.30 to 12.00, weather and COVID regulations permitting. Bring your own food and drink and a chair if possible. Chairs can be obtained from the Hall and the WC will be available.

activities remain suspended due to the virus and the building work. Access to the Library can be arranged, as can deposits of bottle tops and old ink cartridges.

The piles are in and so is the concrete wall base. The blockwork footings are now up to the new floor level.

8 The RED LION, MILFIELD. Take out meals are available. To view the menu and price list and to see how to order, go to,

www.voiceofthenorth.net/red-lion-takeaway-menu

If there’s some help available to train you up and get you started, would you be interested?

If there’s a number of people and if would be interested in learning how to use the technology – in simple and easy lessons … please just let me know and we’ll see what can be arranged. Jane Pannell – 01289 388321. No commitment! Just an expression of interest ….

We will collect your Family board bicycle, carry out games about : service or repair, Steam trains then return it to you. Squirrels Lorry driving Do you find cycling hard work? Sailing We are the local authorised agent for Mountain biking

Call us on 07546 937700 or visit planetary14bikes.co.uk for more information about us and what we do.

9 Due to the continuing situation regarding the corona virus, please check with local businesses for the latest SHOP LOCAL position regarding their opening arrangements.

Home and Garden Handyman. Grass cutting, Garden Tidying Ed Redfearn. Fencing, Hedge cutting. Phone: 01289 309191 or Shed and Greenhouse erecting. 07990545967 Small home repairs and improvements. Local & reliable service. Painting and Decorating.

Letham Hill Sawmill FOR SALE 01890 820 304 SOFTWOOD FIREWOOD £40 per crate Monday to Thursday 8.30 – 4.00pm Friday 8.30 - 3.00pm

Your very Good Friend …

A milkman is now making door to door deliveries of fresh milk in the local villages including Geoff & Carol Branxton, Ford, Etal and FISH & CHIPS Crookham on Mondays and The van visits on Wednesdays. Thursdays before 6 am.

Please note times are approximate. Based in Coldstream, he can do returnable 1 pint glass bottles as Etal (Black Bull ) 4.45 to 5.25 well as plastic 1/2ltr, 1ltr, 2ltr, Ford (Village) 5.30 to 6.00 and 3ltr. Lowick 6.30 to 8.30 Geoff Allan Catering, All enquiries to Daren Bruce on 28 South Road, Wooler. NE71 6SN. 01890 882950. Carol 07786954664/01668 282262 and Geoff 07876506837, [email protected] 10 THE FOOT HEALTH CLINIC TREATMENT FOR HEALTHY FEET AND NAILS Fungal & Thickened Nails Treated - Diabetic foot care – Corns – Cracked Heels - Verucca – Athlete’s Foot – Hard skin removal Ingrown Toenails – Nail Trimming - Medical Pedicures – Nail Correction and Reconstruction Specialising in medical cosmetic treatments – a safer alternative in footcare and ideal for those with health issues Registered member of the Chiropody, Podiatry and FHP Association “At home” appointments also available for less mobile patients. 23 Castlegate, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1LF * www.thefoothealthclinic.org * e-mail: [email protected] * Tel: 01289 382718 * Mob: 07950309382

OLD INK CARTRIDGES and now also TONER CARTRIDGES Border Villager Taxi The FOURUM can make money by recycling your old inks. We will take you to the Doctors, Please leave them with Etal or Ford Shopping, Airports, Train shop or in Crookham Village Hall Stations or Nights out. All funds raised go towards the cost of printing The FOURUM. We can cater for up to 8 passengers with ample space for luggage.

Call Scott on 01668 482 888 – 07765 791 348 Email, [email protected] Web, www.bordervillagertaxi.co.uk

11 Etal Post Office & Lavender Tearooms [email protected] www.lavendertearooms.org.uk October: Mon – Fri 9am – 4pm Sat & Sun 10am – 4pm Post Office Mon – Thurs 9am – 1pm Stay Safe & Shop Local. We have a shop full of Fresh Fruit & Veg, Bread, Flour, Milk, Eggs, Cakes, Biscuits, Jams and lots more Thank you for your support.

Ford snooker 100 club winning numbers September

81 Pat Hodgson £35

84 Jono Hunter £15

54 Malcolm Whittle £10

Remember to put your clocks back Clocks go back one hour on 25 October at 2 a.m.

12 C:\Users\Zedadiah\Dropbox\The Fourum...\Sept20Corn.JPG

Opening hours.

Monday to Friday 6.30am to 4.30pm Saturday 6.30am to 4.00pm Sunday 8.00am to 12noon

Crookham COVID-19 Action Team Here to help Call us 07826 907074 Are you concerned about COVID-19 and how it may affect your life in the weeks ahead? Crookham Village Hall’s COVID-19 Action Team has been set up to support older and more vulnerable residents through the epidemic. We’ll also try to support NHS staff, carers, other emergency service workers and anyone who is in self-isolation. WE ARE HERE TO HELP. We’ll find volunteers who can run errands to the shop or chemist to top up essential supplies or pick up a prescription. Even if you just need someone to talk to, please get in touch. Here are examples of the help we can offer: ●Collect grocery orders ●Collect and deliver prescriptions ●Phone or video call if you are lonely, concerned or just want to chat ●Collect and post parcels and letters

13 CHURCH NEWS Crookham United Reformed Church. & Flodden Peace Centre.

“For everything there is a season” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Hello from Mary Taylor from Galashiels Hope all your families are keeping well and safe. “Is seven your favourite number Miss Taylor”? said Craig. The occasion was taking a large school group to the huge, colourful and imaginative Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988. Each of the adults had a smaller group of seven. I was constantly counting seven to make sure no one was missing in the large throng. The teachers could relax when we were able to say that everyone came back home safe and well. Just now perhaps my “favourite number” is going to be six! We are entering the season of being with six people either inside or outside. This is a time of uncertainty and we don’t know how long this season will last. As I enjoy driving along the country roads in the Scottish Borders and Northumberland I reflect on the farmers working hard in the fields to get the harvest in and admire the rosebay willowherb and the rowans laden with berries which are beautifully decorating the rural countryside. We are now in the season of autumn and Creationtide.

R.S.Thomas was a Welsh poet-priest whose poems encouraged folk to explore questions arising from poetry and the landscape. Faith may take us to places we would never have imagined.

The bright field The Parish Churches of I have seen the sun break through to illuminate a small field Branxton, Carham, Cornhill for a while, and gone my way and forgotten it. But that was the pearl of great price, the one field that had the treasure in it. I realize now that I must give all that I have to possess it. Life is not hurrying

on to a receding future, nor hankering after an imagined past. It is the turning aside like Moses to the miracle The churches of Cornhill, Carham & of the lit bush, to a brightness that seemed as transitory as your youth Branxton have now re-opened for once, but is the eternity that awaits you. worship, albeit in a slightly different way with social distancing measures in place R.S.Thomas and, in line with Government regulations, the requirement for a face covering. I hope as you journey through this autumn Nevertheless, it is good to be able to season there will be times of good experiences for you and your families and friends. gather together once more and we hope Mary Taylor you will feel able to join us. [email protected] Contact: Revd. Dr. Canon R Kelsey 01896 756990 01289 382325

14 While the lockdown begins to ease, our worship continues!

�����������Alternate Sundays Ford/Lowick church,Morning Worship at 10am. Ford Oct. 11th Lay led. Hugh Watson. Oct. 25th Rev. Marion Penfold. Lowick Oct. 4th Rev. Marion Penfold. Oct 18th . Lay led. ��Join an on-line, interactive Service of Worship, via Zoom at 11am in which we can see and hear each other. (Help is available for those not used to the technology!) ���������If Zoom doesn’t work for you, then join in by following the order of service on your own, at the same time as everyone else.

��At 10.00am join a Zoom service of Morning Prayer.

��Phone Daily Hope, the Church of England’s free phone line of hymns, reflections and prayers, on 0800 8048044, at any time of day or night.

For more information, contact the Revd Rob Kelsey Tel. (01289) 382325, Email [email protected].

Donaldson’s Lodge Methodist St Ninian’s Church Wooler Church Mass. A warm Welcome. Sundays at 9 am Morning Worship 11 am. All are welcome. 4th October Lord Alan Beith 11th October Rev Barrie J Cash Rev. Fr. David Phillips 18th October Deacon Jackie Wright 25th October Rev Kim Hurst 01665 574240

Ministry Team: Rev Kim Hurst 01289 306291 Deacon: Jackie Wright 01665 721185

Deadline for the November edition. Please send material for the FOURUM (note the spelling) and Monday 12th October . requests for the e-mail version to:[email protected] and Proof Reader team: check that you get a reply in a day or two. We prefer material sent monthly as e-mail attachments in text Mary Lockie Nicola Gibb (.txt); Kathleen Holmes Phil Reynolds Word (.doc or .docx); photographs (.jpg); Acrobat (.pdf). Production: John Pentland, Steve Taylor For back editions see www.etalvillagehall.org.uk/the-fourum & Shaun Beattie. Commercial advertising rates are £5 per advert or £45 for 10 editions. Cheques to be made out to FORUM Newsletter” Printed by: Fantasy, Berwick upon Tweed & sent to 32 Crookham Village, Cornhill on Tweed. TD12 4SY.

15 Flicks in the Sticks Presents: Inspired by global phenomenon of military wives choirs, the story celebrates a band of misfit women who form a choir on a military base. As unexpected bonds of friendship flourish, music and laughter transform their lives, helping each other to overcome their fears for loved ones in combat.

Due to Coronavirus restrictions, limited spaces are available for the film. Please email me, Nicky Clark, to book a seat: . Please note, no refreshments will be served for the time being at Flicks events. Face coverings must be worn in the hall.

Ford Parish Council

If anyone in the Parish requires help or advice or to contact the council please do not hesitate to contact either the clerk on 01890 820566, [email protected] or the chairman, Richard Baker on 01890 820761, [email protected]. For info from the Government go to:- https://www.gov.uk/government/topical- events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

BRANXTON PARISH COUNCIL.

Vacancy There is currently a vacancy for a Parish Councillor. All applications will be considered at the December Parish Council meeting. If you would like to join Branxton Parish Council please email the Parish Clerk at: [email protected]

Police Report Since your last meeting on the 2nd July there has been one incident. This was an incident of dangerous driving on the outskirts of Branxton. There have been no crimes or incidents of anti-social behaviour. Please remind people to stay vigilant to suspicious incidents. Especially those concerning rural crime.

Local Transport Plan Parish Councillors agreed the following 3 Parish Council priorities for the Local Transport Plan for 2021/22 1. The resurfacing of the footway at the east end of Branxton village. 2. Double white lines are required on the A697 near the north junction to Branxton. This is on safety grounds vehicles when heading south continue to overtake vehicles waiting to right turn at this junction. 3. Resurfacing of the road from Branxton Church to Branxton Building cottages.

Date of the next Parish Council Meeting will be held on 8th December 2020 at 7.00 p.m.

16