Issue 128 June/July 2021 Councillors The kindliest port once again retain their seats here’s no change in who Trepresents Amble in either the Town or County Council. In the May elections, both Jeff Watson and Terry Clark retained their seats with County Council. The Amble Town Councillors all stood again and as there is still a vacancy, an election was not required. The County Council results were as follows: Amble Terry Clark (Lab) 635 June Watson (Con) 540 David Woodard (LibDem) 62 Turnout: 31.2%

Amble West with Warkworth Mike Joyce (Lab) 284 l-r: Community Champions Marion McKenzie Long and Bekka Johnson Jeff Watson (Con) 766 John Wilson (LibDem) 438 mble shoppers are being alarming rate.” This meant that not only Turnout: 42.5% praised for their amazing To help make donations was Amble Morrisons top of the Thanks to voters Akindness to a local food easier to collect, a warehouse region which includes Eastern bank, after it was discovered they cage was placed at the front of , North East were the most generous in the the store, with bags containing and Cumbria, but when the country. goods suitable for the food bank. figures were checked nationally, Kind-hearted customers of Each bag is priced between £2 they were actually top of the Amble Morrisons donated £650 and £4. whole of . worth of food to the Amble Marion said, “I was given “We have always known our Food Bank in one week, making the most amazing support by customers were very generous them the top Morrisons store our store management. Until a and that Amble Food Bank for food bank donations in the couple of weeks ago we could is a very popular community whole of Great Britain. only make an educated guess service so this just emphasizes Cllrs Jeff Watson and Terry Clark Community Champion at how much our generous how wonderful they are and Marion McKenzie Long said customers were buying for their how much they care about the Terry Clark said, “ I would like “Very early in the first lockdown, food bank donations, but a new community,” said Marion. to thank everyone who voted for Morrisons embarked on a £10m system put in place by our head Bill Cruickshank of Amble me. Thank you for your support food donation programme where office has helped us quantify Food Bank told The Ambler, and faith you have shown, it really the Community Champion of this. I had always thought our “We are absolutely amazed and is a privilege to represent Amble, each store received groceries customers donated around £450 delighted at the generosity of Hauxley and North Broomhill. I of various types each week to per week, so when we read the Amble Morrisons’ shoppers and will continue to do my best for all within this ward, it’s certainly a donate. This came at a really listings we had to check it a can’t thank them enough. There honour to serve such a wonderful important time for Amble Food few times as we found it hard is still so much need for Amble community and area.” Bank as the numbers of their to believe - it was half as much Food Bank and this will help Jeff Watson said, “A big thank service users was increasing at an again!” tremendously.” you to the people of Amble in Marion added, “I would mble is of course known as the Friendliest Port - a derivation of my ward for continuing to have not like to think that this may the accolade sent to Amble by RMS Mauretania as she sailed past confidence in me and voting for me A stop people from donating. at the election. I represent roughly on her final voyage in 1935. The clerk of Amble Urban Council sent the Every tin and packet of food is a third of Amble on the west side captain of the Mauretania a message of greeting: and I promise those residents “Amble to Mauretania. Greetings from Amble, last port in gratefully accepted by the food that I will be available to them England, to still the finest ship on the seas.” bank and their service users. We at all times and will endeavour to Back came the reply: “Mauretania to Urban Council, Amble, have recently started to support represent them at all meetings and to the last and kindliest port in England, greetings and thanks. Widdrington Food Bank too.” discussions.” Mauretania.” See also p13 Memories of Rachel Parks 9th May 1969 – 29th April 2021 he first time I Photo by Dru Dodd Her Tmet Rachel was in favourite time Autumn 1994 when I of year was returned to Coquet the Warkworth High School to be a Show of supply teacher, having which she completed my own was an active education there four committee years earlier. I knew member for from that moment many years. she was special, and In true Rachel a relationship started style, she took which was to last until the reigns in her premature death in the Children’s April. Section. Rachel Rachel was a teacher who was a member of Warkworth WI, cared about her students. On serving as committee member and the day of her death I posted a Joint President. She was also an picture of her on Facebook to honourary member of The Rotary inform everyone of her passing. I Club of Amble and Warkworth. was astounded by the comments: During her final weeks we were “amazing lady”, “favourite assisted by the team at Hospice teacher”, “supportive” and “great Care North Northumberland. sense of humour”. This is how Their work is invaluable and our she is remembered by those she family would like to extend their has worked with over the 27 years heartfelt gratitude to them, and she taught, firstly at Coquet High donations are being asked in lieu School, then James Calvert Spence of flowers. College. She devoted her career Rachel was a much-loved wife, to the children of JCSC, never mother, daughter and friend. I, desiring to work anywhere else. along with our son, Toby and his Although originally from wife Tasha, our daughter, Lily and Walsall in the West Midlands, she Rachel’s parents Alan and Elaine had a deep fondness for the town and the whole of our family would and the surrounding area, making like to thank the community for her home and raising a family their kind words and thoughts. within the community in which she The hurt may start to heal, but taught. She passionately believed a space remains in our lives. in this community. Ian Parks

2 ~ The Ambler Remembering the vision of “a man of Amble” Harbour Post plaque to remember the Office move Avision of ‘a man of Amble’ has been placed on Amble mble Postmaster Susan harbour. The commemoration ASwinhoe is retiring after is for Terry Broughton, who 28 years of service to the instigated the refurbishment and community. reopening of the pier in May The Harbour Post Office 2000. on Percy Street will therefore Warkworth Harbour relocate to Nisa just along the Commissioner Maurice Burnett road in Newburgh Street. It told The Ambler, “We were will operate as a local style asked if a plaque could be put branch with Post Office services near the pier to remember provided from a Post Office Terry. We agreed because as counter alongside the retail the first elected chair of Amble counter. Development Trust, Terry was so l-r: Warkworth Harbour Commissioners Jeff Watson, Maurice Burnett and Opening hours will be closely involved with the pier’s Jack Hoskin. Centre: Harbour Master Alan Punton. Seated: Val Broughton. Monday to Friday: 8am–7pm; refurbishment. It was his vision Saturday and Sunday: 9am–4pm. to reopen the pier. We agreed a Other Development Trust Northumberland County It will also mark an end to proposed version of words with projects included the creation Council and Amble Town lunchtime closing. The branch Terry’s family, and we hope it of Amble Town Square, Council amongst others. will also open significantly earlier won’t be long before they will all refurbishment of the old Station The plaque reads: TERRY and it will close much later. All be able to come and see it.” Hotel into the Fourways BROUGHTON A man whose these changes will make it far Terry Broughton had been Centre, turning the disused vision saw the reopening of this easier to visit the Post Office. Amble Development Trust’s old Co-op department store pier in May 2000. It is ours to Kenny Lamont, Post Office chairman since 1994, and into a restaurant and affordable enjoy. Reflect and appreciate Network Provision Manager, remained at the helm for 25 housing, building Fourways 2 his life, in gratitude to a man of said: “We are confident that this years. He died in November on the site of the old Norseman, Amble. WHC vibrant new-style Post Office at 2020. and the creation of the Terry’s widow Val said “I’m the heart of the local community During his time with Northumberland Seafood Centre thrilled to bits with the plaque, will meet customer needs. We the Trust, he oversaw the and Amble Harbour Village. it’s lovely that Terry’s work has really thank Susan for her loyal regeneration of many parts His time at Amble been acknowledged, and I really commitment to her community of Amble, including the pier Development Trust like it in the boulder. The pier for the past 28 years.” refurbishment, which was saw strong partnership was his favourite part of Amble. Susan’s branch will close on officially reopened by Jackie working with Warkworth Tuesday 8 June at 5pm, with Charlton. Harbour Commissioners, Anna Williams the new branch opening on Wednesday 9 June at 1pm. Twelve hundred vaccinated in 36 hrs Susan said: “I want to thank each and every one of my ay 6 wasn’t just a for both first and second continue to be administered at fabulous customers who have Mdramatic day for our local vaccinations. pace despite the focus being on supported me over the years. politicians, by that day Coquet At the end of April over ensuring the most vulnerable are Some of them I knew when Medical Group had vaccinated 75% of all adults in the receiving their second doses. they were babies and now they 1,200 people in 36 hours. Berwick constituency had had “My continued thanks go have babies of their own. I will Over 3,500 people in at least one dose of a Covid-19 to our incredibly hard-working treasure my memories of my time Amble, Shilbottle and Swarland vaccine. 28% of adults had had GPs and their teams and all the as Postmaster at Harbour Post have now had both doses of both doses. MP Anne-Marie wonderful volunteers who are Office.” the Covid-19 vaccine, with a Trevelyan said, “This is great all working so hard to keep this And she hopes to turn the cumulative total of over 12,500 news and shows first doses mammoth rollout going.” space back into her sitting room, so she can spend more time with Local young writer leads the region her daughter and granddaughter. mble school student Lily will go on to the national finals. ATibbitts has continued Local Rotary Club president, her remarkable talent for Eddie Critchlow said, “Rotary THE MAD JAM WOMAN creative writing in the national is very keen to support and & competition which International encourage the next generation Pride of Northumbria Rotary organises for budding and in Lily Tibbitts we have a young writers with local and shining example of talent and Award regional heats leading to a attitude. Her parents, family and winning national evaluation. school have every reason to be very proud of her” Preserves This year Lily Tibbitts, a very proud of her achievements Lily (pictured above) told student at James Calvert Spence and Rotary Amble & Warkworth The Ambler “I was really happy & Relishes College, entered her project and wish Lily every possible success.” to win - over lockdown I’ve got won the Seniors category in Rotary secretary Alan Davies to do even more writing, so it Fourways One the Rotary District 1030 stage. commented “It is important was great to be able to put that Bridge St, Amble NE65 0DR This covers entrants from across our community recognises into practice. It took me a long 07766 857680 the northern counties. She was young people with ability and while to think of something for Also available at the Seafood Centre backed by Rotary Club of Amble determination to succeed. Lily this one and I’m glad people www.madjamwoman.comwww.madjamwoman.com & Warkworth. From this, she exemplifies that and we are all liked it!” The Ambler ~ 3 Amble funeral director rebrands New fish and chip shop on Queen Street elcome to Lewis’s Fish family. “My Dad took over from Wand Chip shop, the newest the original Mr Lewis about 30 arrival on Queen Street. Owner years ago, and it’s been in our Scott Priestley told The Ambler family ever since,” said Scott. that the opportunity to open in The business will operate Amble was “too good to miss”. as a take away throughout the Scott’s family have run summer and at the time of Lewis’s Fish Restaurant in writing, are looking for five or Seahouses for decades, so he six staff. is no stranger to the business. Contact Scott via Facebook Lewis’s is taking over Trotter’s https://www.facebook.com/ bakery premises and will be lewissfishrestaurant or call in at keeping the business in the the shop on Queen Street.

VACANCY essential. Elpha Lodge Residential Care •NVQ level 3 essential. Home in South Broomhill require •BTEC level 3 desirable but not a Permanent Senior Carer. essential as full induction training Elpha Lodge wishes to recruit a will be delivered with access to senior carer to join our team due develop knowledge and skills. Amble funeral director Peter Townsend with funeral operative Conor to the well earned retirement of •Full induction training will be Miller. a colleague who has been part of provided. our team for many years. Please email admnelpha@gmail. listair Turner funeral 100 years at some branches. •Experience in a senior care post com if interested in applying Adirectors will now be Our coming together only known as William Purves, after a makes us stronger, as we serve Brambles carbon footprint project restructure and major investment local communities shoulder to by its parent company. shoulder under one banner. t Brambles we are trying to Five Northumberland funeral “While local people may Areduce our carbon footprint firms are rebranding and seeing notice a new name and identity and learn about ways we can the benefits of a £1.5million for the five firms, you will see look after our world. investment in their the same friendly faces and can With the help of Morrisons hub. Gary Staker, Jacob Conroy pop in to local branches to make Amble and their donations of & Sons, Alistair Turner, Tom arrangements and discuss plans compost, seeds and child friendly Woodhouse and Peter Grenfell when restrictions have eased.” gardening equipment we have will now all trade under the Staff at the Amble funeral started our own “seed to plate” project. William Purves banner. directors will remain the same, We hope to use any produce North East regional manager and the Alistair Turner Funeral we grow for meals and food Gary Staker said: Directors facebook page will tasting activities and encourage “Our firms have supported now reflect the new logo and and promote wildlife. grieving families in the North branding. https://www.facebook. Sally Bryson, East for decades, and near on com/AlistairTurnerFD Operations Manager, Brambles Harry McQuillen’sAge of insecurity he controversy about Tsuperleague football hedgerows, and the rough who know about these things one’s car. My usual reply is to illustrates quite beautifully the looking edges of fields (much forecast that peak population say that I use buses, or accept dilemmas of our time. Cash smaller fields) when we were will be about 12 billion. As I (gratefully) a lift with a car- nexus isn’t the be-all-and-end-all young. keep saying, it was 2 billion owning friend to some beauty of modern society. We can’t go back to those when I was born in 1933. We’ve spot or other, in our lovely Opening up following the times, but we can help to discovered quite a lot since then. county. The last year and more worst pandemic in a century is a mitigate the damage to the The usual rules apply - people has made me focus on things difficult business. Shops, buses, environment. The powers that working together can achieve local. I like what I see, apart trains, holiday lets, caravan be point to the sunlit uplands of great things. from litter and minor vandalism. parks, schools and everything sustainable growth in the years Many of our visitors have I marvel at the reduction else that we depend on, also ahead. Of course others will be come back or come for the first in Covid cases. The deaths and depend on us feeling safe. in charge by 2050. Let’s not be time, even before the swallows. health impairments are all tragic, Timing is all, whatever aspects cynical. I meet a lot of people, socially but I think them unavoidable in of life we focus on. Many people from the distanced of course, on my daily most cases. The sun is shining and we science community are working walks. I’ve never met anyone Earlier today I was talking to expect swallows to return, just very hard to give us a brighter, who doesn’t praise our coastline a girl I knew from school. Like as they do every year. Smaller more sustainable future. Other and countryside. me, she’s an optimist, hoping numbers of course, due to what groups, including politicians are Of course, I hear lots of for regular work in a growing people have done to the planet. pointing in the same direction. comments on how busy we are, economy. That’s the spirit. We all remember our beautiful Only yesterday people and how difficult it is to park Harry

4 ~ The Ambler Dougie takes the helm at the Mason’s New film shows inspiration for elcome to the new Wlandlord of the Mason’s knitting patterns Arms in Amble. Dougie mble Pin Cushion’s award Queenan had plans to buy a pub winning modern Guernsey before the Covid-19 outbreak, A knitting kits have recently been but understandably was stopped featured in magazines both in his tracks as the pandemic regionally (The Northumbrian took hold. But as he told the April / May edition) and Ambler, now there is light at the nationally (Let’s Knit May end of the tunnel he decided to edition). go for it. Having found a new supplier “I was looking for a town of British 5-ply Guernsey yarn, centre pub with scope to expand they will soon be expanding their and improve and after looking at range of available colours. several pubs, the Masons Arms A short film by Ivor had what I was looking for. Rackham has been made I have visited Amble many showing how Amble harbour times, as I grew up on the Dougie Queenan is the new owner of Amble’s Mason’s Arms was the inspiration behind the in Seaton new stitch patterns. Sluice and I have always loved for five staff, including a chef, once again. Anne Baxter from APC the atmosphere and community kitchen porter, bar staff and “We are hoping to keep the incorporated ladders, nets, flags, spirit Amble brings.” cleaner. current pool teams, providing beach huts and even Freddie the Dougie’s background was in Renovations have already the leagues restart, and we would Dolphin into her designs, and the British Army and this is his begun on the old function room, also like to introduce Men and after the scenes at the harbour, first venture into the hospitality to turn it into a new lounge, Women’s Darts Teams, so I she then demonstrates some of sector. But he has big plans for and Dougie hopes to add a beer would ask anyone interested, to the techniques used in the kits. the Mason’s Arms. garden, upgrade the kitchen and please get in touch.” The film can be viewed at: He plans to cater to locals bedrooms and add some minor Find them on https://www.youtube.com/ and tourists alike, serving upgrades to the bar. Facebook: Masons-Arms- watch?v=_liFVXImiH8 traditional pub food cooked with The pub plans to reopen on Amble-619066091554056 The kits are available from fresh local ingredients. And at 17 May and Dougie hopes to Amble Pin Cushion’s shop and the time of writing, he is looking welcome pool and darts teams Anna Williams website.

The Ambler ~ 5 Welcome back, we’ve missed you pring has been reluctant and cold this year, and out, and a sense of optimism had returned to Smeaning the long wait for warmer days was as the Friendliest Port. eagerly anticipated as the easing of lockdown. Then, bam, reminding us who’s in charge, April 12 marked the reopening of non-essential Mother Nature threw in some late spring chills and shops in England. And for Amble, it was as if Queen hailstorms, putting a massive downer on outdoor Street was stretching after a long snooze. Slowly socialising. So what a relief now the pubs and the town was reawakening, blinking into the bright restaurants can open properly, and the town is sunshine. Individuals emerged from shop doorways gradually starting to bustle again. Fingers crossed that had been closed for months, a small group new Covid variants don’t spoil the party. The Ambler chatted on the Post Office corner, a trio of tourists To our local businesses, we hope for a bumper Fourways 2 browsed the gift shop windows. year for you all, and to our visitors and the A snake of long-haired men queued patiently community, please support them, they are the 6 Dilston Terrace outside the barbers. Businesses were sparkling inside backbone of our town. Northumberland NE65 0DT Tel: 01665 712929 www.theambler.co.uk [email protected] WHAT YOU SAY... Twitter: AmbleByTheSea Thank you! YouTube: AnnaAtTheAmbler1 o all the residents in the Amble Ward who It was a very close call and we increased Tvoted for me in the recent election a big our share of the vote. It was a good result in thank you for putting your faith in me to deal Northumberland overall and the Conservative with the local issues that are important to you. county council now has an overall majority and Editorial Team: I managed during the campaign to investigate will continue to make sound investment decisions and resolve some of those issues you shared with to support jobs, schools and infrastructure. Vivienne Dalgliesh Cath Findlay - Chris Herzberg me on the doorstep. June Watson, Warkworth Norma Hinson Andrew Mounsey - Bartle Rippon Information wanted on George Huntley Dixon Editor: Anna Williams have spent many years working on my family Johnson Dixon (a boot maker) and his wife, Jane history and I am looking for information on my Hannah Huntley. Dad migrated to Australia in Thanks to: I father George Huntley Dixon, a boot maker who 1886 having completed his apprenticeship as a Mark Beswick & The Artograffi Crew Judith Hardisty was born in 1863 at Amble Harbour. My father joiner. was 62 when I was born of a second marriage, I have a web site: users.tpg.com.au/dixond2 Distribution: and I will be 95 next month. I discovered Amble which has more information which may be of Charlotte, Sadie, Rachel, Lorraine Harbour via Google Earth. interest. Printing: In case there are any traces of a boot maker Regards, and many thanks, from Sydney. CBS World, in local history, my father’s parents were John David Dixon, [email protected] Would you like to join The Ambler team? We are a friendly Memories of RAF tragedy group who welcome contributions ith reference to the article posted 21st Aug. 2018. (Issue #112 p8.) At that time I was a and help from anyone who would clearance diver based at Scotland as a member of Scottish Northern Ireland clearance like to volunteer. W diving team (S.N.I.C.D.T.). On that night we were urgently deployed to the incident. Myself and my Thanks to all our contributors, diving buddy Kevin Reynolds were the two divers who broke into the hull, searched inside, found and sponsors and advertisers: recovered a young, terrified airman trapped in an air pocket which was filled with seawater and diesel. NCC Community Chest I have never come across any literature about the incident until now. My buddy and I were awarded the Royal Humane Society award. Rotary Club of John Pennington. B.E.M. [email protected] Amble and Warkworth So many changes in the last few years hat a five years I have had. I have been to on it. Wevery medical centre and hospital and I did From 23 March last year I had to go into lock The Ambler is a proud member of not know half the people there. I did not know down. the Independent Community News the doctors, GPs or nurses. 2016 – 2021 I don’t have a doctor or a GP. Network Since 2017 a lot of people have died in Dr. Fraser, Dr. Pettifer, Prof. Scott Wilkes and Dr. Northumberland Watkins have all left. There are a lot of strangers The Ambler is a project of 2017 -2018 NB Clarke bought the land across in the Amble practice now. Amble Development Trust the road from me. A fence was put up in a field Recently I have been to Cromies for my pills and so you could not see across to West Avenue. as I have a strict diet regime. No pills there. Then house building started. The pubs and clubs are in lockdown. 2019 The main road and road up to Mariners The Artique is being knocked down to make Court flooded. There has been a load of way for more NB Clarke houses, or is it another The Ambler is printed six times per disturbance around here. builder? year. The views expressed in The 2020 Hardy’s went into lockdown Who is going to live in these houses, or is it Ambler and The Ambler Online are not necessarily those of The old Duke’s School where John, James, going to become the same as the field across the the Editorial Team Lawrence, Robert and Harold and all the other road from me? members who set up Hardy’s, was derelict Will we be able to walk to Warkworth on the 2021 Submissions dates: #129 - 2 July 2017 -2019 I fished on the at path in front of where the Artique was? #130 - 3 Sept Warkworth and never really saw anybody. The Yours sincerely #131 - 5 Nov road to the Coquet Lodge permit collapsed. The Grandsland pumps have a lot of fencing R. Bramham Amble 6 ~ The Ambler Good luck to The Galley

l-r: Courtney Collins, Eileen Potts, Natalie Morrison, James Leighton, Sally Scott, Sandy Scott

ingers crossed for The Galley who have been shortlisted for an award 50 year service medal award in the 2021 Town & County Business Champions. F ongratulations when I was 15, left James Leighton told The Ambler that he was flattered at The Galley being nominated by some of their customers, so agreed to take part. Cto Rodney when I was 24 and “I submitted my entry in December to be considered for the award Burge who has volunteered straight of Town champion by the panel. After a couple of months, I got word been awarded away. It’s always been from the awards committee saying that the panel has picked us as a a medal by the part of my life.” finalist in the county championship as a successful business growing in RNLI, for 50 years Rodney has served Northumberland. We have been invited to the awards ceremony down of service. as a crew member, in Liverpool in July. I was overwhelmed yesterday when I got the news, Rodney joined coxwain, manager and it’s a credit to all of us to even make the final. the Amble training officer on The family run sandwich and deli shop is run by Sandy and Sally in 1969 after the Amble lifeboats, Scott, and Sally’s son James Leighton. They recently opened a second leaving the Royal and now he is Amble shop in Alnwick, thereby doubling their workforce. The Town & County Business Champion awards celebrate the best Navy. He told The Ambler, RNLI’s press officer. of small local businesses, and there are five regional finals, Northern “Even when I was a little laddie Recently he wrote a book England, Southern England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. See I always wanted to join the “Amble and Hauxley Lifeboat more about the awards at www.tcbchamps.co.uk/ lifeboat. I went in to the Navy Station” published by the RNLI.

The Ambler ~ 7 Can we go back to the way things were? why we should love wasps What are pronouns and why should I care? Wasps are annoying and world. According to research, ● Female wasps can sting more times Pronouns, by definition, are words that substitute a noun With lockdown restrictions beginning to be lifted (again), I keep completely worthless to they also pollinate around than a male wasp - that’s what I or noun phrase. Currently, however, they are a subject finding myself thinking back to the lockdown last year, even the world - or are they? 960 types of flowers! would call girl power! for debate, especially regarding trans and non binary rereading some of the corona diary articles I did at the time. Wasps are predators Maybe if more people knew ● The only continent people. Even though we’re still in some form of lockdown now, it feels - which means they hunt about this, wasps would be less that wasps don’t live on much different to those few months with no school and almost and eat meat (they also underrated/more loved, like bees! I is Antarctica, which isn’t It is argued that non-binary people can’t use they/them no leaving the house. There were lots of negatives, but there were can eat sugar, but that’s not what I’m mean, they kind of do the same job, if so surprising! pronouns because that refers to plural, but this is entirely inaccurate also positives which I’m now almost missing. as gender non specific pronouns have been used since as early as talking about). But what do they eat and even more - why not give them a chance? ● Not all wasps are yellow and black! why does it help the environment - I’ll the 1300s. But, around the 1500s, author William Lily declared in Now that I’m back in school with lots and lots of sixth form work, I’m struggling tell you now. The bugs that they eat are So, would you rather have more pests his Latin textbook that ‘the masculine gender is more worthy than to fit in much writing, whereas in lockdown I was able to finish the project I mostly whiteflies, aphids and caterpillars COOL WASP FACTS: eating plants or be stung once? the feminine’ (referring to in grammatical context, not biological sex was working on by writing for several hours every day. I can still remember - which feed on crops. Without wasps ● Some wasps can grow up to 5cm long! or gender roles). This book was then used for centuries as the Latin how happy me and my friends were when we first found out that our exams there certainly would be more pests in the ● They are related to bees AND ants! By Grace grammar guide, so ‘he’ became more common than ‘they’. This is also had been cancelled- confused and upset that we wouldn’t be able to see each why, in lots of situations, ‘he’ is used as a gender neutral term. other, but happy that we wouldn’t have to go through the stress of tests. During lockdown, as well, I ended up appreciating the local area much more. English Teens Denied the right to vote Lots of non-binary people now prefer they/them pronouns because Each walk or run was much more special knowing that we then couldn’t go At the beginning of May, the UK’s local referendum, so why can’t English young By lowering the voting age young people they don’t identify with the feminine she/her or the masculine he/ out again for the rest of the day, and walking around the river and the beach elections were held, but there was a key people get the opportunity to vote on could become more interested in politics, him. I personally use she/they. Understandably, pronouns can cause with hardly any people around was peaceful. group missing from the polls in England: 16 important matters too? learning more about how the system works confusion, especially with older generations. However, if you were and 17 year olds. and what they believe in. speaking about a dog and called it she, the owner would correct you However, it’s easy to look back with rose tinted glasses. The common argument is that 16 and 17 and you would apologise and continue using he/him pronouns. Why Not being able to go anywhere, do anything In Scotland and Wales the voting age for year olds are not mature enough to vote, However, results show that young people can’t it be the same for people? or see anyone over lockdown was hard, and non-Westminster elections is 16, whereas not responsible enough to consider the are far more likely to vote Labour not like everyone I’m looking forward to things slowly in England it remains 18, denying around wider effects that their vote would have, Conservative, so with a Conservative Using the correct pronouns for a trans or non-binary person, whilst returning to some semblance of normality. The idea of 1.5 million young people the chance to but recent movements such as the school government it could be a while before the being the bare minimum, is so validating. However, because of being able to go to the cinema or even just a café with have their say on matters that will arguably strikes for climate change have proved voting age gets lowered to allow us to have misunderstandings and lack of education on the subject, lots of people my friends in only a month or so is exciting, but even being able to see my shape their future more than any other that young people are not only incredibly our say. are targeted for using they/them pronouns, or pronouns that don’t friends outside school and feeling safe while doing it seems almost impossible age group. 75% of Scottish 16-17 year socially aware, but also know what they ‘match’ their appearance (although, of course, gender expression does at the minute. I would love to go back to climate protests, concerts and other olds voted in Scottish independence believe in and are politically minded. By Lily NOT equal gender identity). crowded events but it’s going to be a while before those ever feel fully safe and normal again. So what can you do? Firstly, if you get someone’s pronouns wrong apologise and correct yourself. Similarly, if you catch someone else The coronavirus has changed the way we see things and the way we do things using the wrong pronouns all you have to do is correct them and and I don’t think we’re going to be able to just flick a switch and go back to continue- it’s not a big deal. the way things were before the lockdown, but that might not be a wholly bad thing. Like me learning to appreciate the local area more, we’ve all learned Secondly, use gender non specific pronouns in everyday conversations. things over the past year. When we go back to ‘normal’, we’ll go back with a Consider using ‘people’ instead of ‘ladies and gentlemen’, or ‘they’ new mindset. instead of ‘he or she’. Also, tell people your By Lily pronouns! When you meet someone new, tell them and ask them for their’s, put it in your social media bios, and sign off emails with Summer and winter solstices What I’m looking your pronouns. A day has 24 hours so you December 23 each year in the southern The day of the solstice is known to represent would think that there are 12 hemisphere. It is when the sun reaches the start of the summer for the hemisphere forward to All of this normalises it for trans and non- I’m very excited for hours day and 12 hours night. its minimum or maximum which faces the sun. binary people and just makes everyone a the restaurants But did you know that the declination. Summer Solstice Facts little more accepting. to be reopened length of the day changes ● The June solstice dates vary. because we spent throughout the year? This is why Six months later, when the For example, it was on June By Ava (she/they) so much time the days Earth has revolved half-way 21 in 2015, but on June without them. This are so long in summer and so short in winter! around the sun, days are 20 in 2016. This year it will be meant we didn’t get The longest or shortest days in a year are starting to get shorter and the on 21 June. to spend time wioth family and called solstices. temperature is cooler. We see ● A June 22 solstice will not friends around a nice dinner table. that winter slowly sets in and occur until 2203. The last We gave only been able to have What does “solstice” mean? the winter solstice occurs. time there was a June 22 family household meals. The word solstice is derived from two solstice was in 1971. Latin words: “sol” meaning sun, and Why do the solstices occur? ● Summer solstice celebrations have been However, with the restaurants “sistere” meaning to stand still. This can be The answer lies in the way the Earth tilts! The taking place for thousands of years. reopening, we can have family and translated literally as “the sun standing still”. Earth orbits around the sun at an angle of just People from many different cultures have held friend meals at a restaurant. Interestingly, it has been observed that the about 23.5 degrees. So, when a particular solstice celebrations. sun appears to stand still in the sky for a few hemisphere is facing the sun, it experiences ● For our distant ancestors who were I for one am probably most excited days before and after the solstice. the summer solstice. dependent on hunting, gathering, and for getting to go for fish and chips growing, the solstice played a central role in with my friends, but I’m also When is the summer or winter solstice? As a result, when the northern part of the their lives. excited to go to some fancy places Depending on the calendar, the summer Earth is tilted towards the sun, days in the ● As of date, the summer solstice marks a with my friends and family. solstice occurs sometime between June 20 northern hemisphere of the Earth get longer. time of celebration for Christians and and June 22 ( June solstice ) in the northern The temperature is warmer. And we see that Pagans. By Megan hemisphere, and between December 20 and summer has set in for that half of the planet. By Hannah

128 artog2.indd 1 13/05/2021 16:00:48 Leave space for shorebirds pace for Shorebirds is the help to keep the flora and fauna Sname for Northumberland thriving and minimise the risk of County Council’s Coastal trampling on the delicate plants. Mitigation Service. The project There are currently two is responsible for conserving Wildlife Rangers employed shorebirds along the coastline through the service, who are from Seaton Sluice to Berwick here to talk to residents and upon Tweed. Its main objective visitors to share information is to protect our important bird about the birds. We also populations. monitor the bird numbers and The Northumberland coast recreational activities along the is a stunning area. Shorebirds coast and assess where this may gather on the coast in significant be impacting wildlife. If you see numbers after travelling Ringed Plover. Photo by Tom Cadwallender us out on the coast, please say thousands of miles from their hello! Arctic breeding grounds. as far as the High Arctic for are encouraging dogs to become We really hope you enjoy It is vital that shorebirds can turnstone and purple sandpiper. shorebird champions – to take your visit to the coast, but please feed to gain energy to help them However, some birds stay on the the pledge to help us protect always remember to give Space survive. If they are constantly Northumberland coast to breed, coastal wildlife and join our team for Shorebirds! being disturbed, they are using and one species that really needs of Dog Rangers. up their energy flying away our help are ringed plovers. Please see our website for from danger, and reducing their They are territorial nesters, more information if you are chances to survive. They need meaning that their nests (also interested in joining. Visit: about 40-50m space. Some known as scrapes) could appear http://spaceforshorebirds.co.uk/ species in particular are in need at any location along the coast. Throughout the summer of our help, such as curlew, Scrapes look exactly how they please look out for signage and purple sandpiper and ringed sound – a small hollow in the areas of beach that are fenced plover, as their numbers have sand dug by the birds just big off to give these birds a fighting declined over the past 25 years. enough to hold up to four chance of successfully rearing In March and April, a large perfectly camouflaged eggs. chicks. proportion of our shorebirds Dogs can help us to protect As well as coastal wildlife, leave the coastline to travel to our shorebirds too! Just like we have a vital role in conserving their breeding grounds, whether humans, it’s important that dogs the flower rich dune systems and that is the UK uplands in the give shorebirds space, and never grasslands. Sticking to the main case of curlew and lapwing, or chase the birds. Therefore we paths through the dunes will Redshank. Photo by Richard Willis

10 ~ The Ambler In the last issue (#127 Artograffi) teenage writer Ava Tibbitts wrote about Intersectional Feminism, maintaining that feminism should celebrate all women, including marginalised women. Here, reader Kevin McCann argues Thinking outside that intersectionality is essentially about seeing people only as part of a wider group. the box What is intersectionality? Warkworth mum who gave up her high-profile job in ntersectionality is an ideology Right at the top of the grid In this view, all white A advertising in 2012 to pursue her recently developed in US would be that marginalised people are classed as having I passion for art and creativity has universities and based on French group containing the most “white privilege” – even the developed her business to help post-modernist philosophy, elements of the “marginalised homeless guy mentioned above. employers ease furloughed staff which in essence asserts that and oppressed” (fat, trans, Even those heroic men and back into the team. every human is only significant gender queer, non-binary, etc). women, who years ago worked Lorna Watkinson set up in relation to the particular 14 hours a day in the pits of Rainbow Pottery Painting and identity group that they inhabit. Northumberland or the cotton her workshops have encouraged It therefore denies the mills of Lancashire for very little creativity in young people and sanctity of the individual human pay – they too unknowingly businesses by focusing on goals or their particular role in and enjoyed “white privilege” and visions through the medium contribution to, wider society. according to the intersectionalist. of pottery. Both the ‘individual’ and wider As history has sadly shown Now, she is using those skills society as a whole are not us, those debased “isms” that to develop interpersonal and important to intersectionalist have unleashed unimaginable COVID resilient skills through ideology, and on the contrary, barbarism on the world, have her new company, Vibrant they are actively denied by it. all tended to deny the dignity Thinking. Furthermore, for the of the individual human being, Lorna’s creative workshops intersectionalist, only the Social and economic class preferring instead to aggregate identify challenges and solutions perceptions or “lived experience structures do not exist at all in us all together into de- and improve team dynamics, of marginalised identities” are this view so for example, a black, personalised identity groups. boost morale and increase important. gay, female billionaire living Such groups are singularly productivity. She uses the In practice intersectionalism in a mansion would be more vulnerable to groupthink logistical problems she had to works as follows: imagine “marginalised and oppressed’ brutality. Think of the Jews in overcome from her pottery an invisible grid outlining a than a white male homeless Nazi Germany, the Kulaks in workshops, to enable clients to hierarchy of various identity person because she occupies a the USSR, the Yazidis in the think outside of the box. groups. At the bottom of this higher place on the intersectional Middle East or the Uighurs in “I’m passionate about using grid are the “oppressors”, the grid. contemporary China. This is creativity to overcome challenges lowest of the low – white, One of the most malign what can happen when we see and I use pottery painting as heterosexual men. Slightly aspects of intersectionalism, only the group identity and not a tool in my workshops as a above them would come white is that it fundamentally de- the individual human face. vehicle, with the added benefit of heterosexual women, who are humanises people. Each This is essentially what being a rewarding and absorbing “oppressed” but not as much magnificent human being, with intersectionality does – this is activity for everyone. It’s an as black heterosexual men who all of his/her qualities, abilities, what it is. George Orwell warned ideal way to relax your mind and would therefore be placed a strengths, character, personality us all of the real consequences energise your thinking.” said notch above. Above this group and outlook is nothing in of anti-human “isms” such as Lorna. would be black heterosexual comparison to their “identity” fascism, communism or now See more at www.vibrant- women and above them black and where they are placed on the intersectionalism. thinking.com/ gay women and so on. grid. Kevin McCann Social history group to disband would like if I may to use £10.000 into local community it! Thank you John. We I your magazine to tell you that projects. We asked the people would also like to thank Amble Social History group has in the area for information and Nigel Gilholm for doing decided to disband. There are photographs, and not once were the lettering and making only five members left and they we let down. it look smart. are not getting any younger. We amassed so many One lasting legacy is When we started out in photographs that we decided the coach made by Tom 2000 we had 23 members. to put them onto a disc. Frank Crocker and George Northumberland College started Swinhoe undertook this task and Edminson for the Queens a class on local history. One of managed to put together four Golden jubilee which the group had been researching discs which are still available to we gave to Christmas what had happened to three local buy. While we were researching Lights Commitee. It is villages that had disapeared. Radciffe someone told us about still going strong in the We decided with the backing a stone behind the old pit baths Christmas lights parade. of our tutor and the college to at Broomhill. It turned to be a Finally I would form a breakaway group to help dedication tablet from the first like to thank Amble her research this and so began houses built there. Development Trust the Social History Group. We brought it away and for all the help and What followed was the decided to try and get it installed encouragement they gave publication of several books. We near the Radcliffe War Memorial. us when we started up. decided that any money made And so with thanks to John from anything we did would go Kelly that this has now been Andy Sim back into the community. done. When a lad from the holy Chair, Amble Social We have donated almost city gives his word, he means History Group The Ambler ~ 11 Amble Town All meetings at 6pm - details on our website Town: 10th June, 8th July, 12th August (tbc) Amenities: 27th May (tbc) COUNCIL EAST WARD: Helen Lewis, Craig Weir WEST WARD: Jeff Watson David Bewley CEN. WARD: Jane Dargue VACANCY Ian Parks, 5 Meadowburn, (Chair/Mayor) Tracey Hinton, 14 Magdalene 11 Brinkburn Kate Morrison, 10 Sylvia’s 33 Warkworth Amble 76 Priory Park, 13 George Fields Place 3 Island View, Close, Avenue, NE65 0PH Amble Street, Warkworth Amble Amble Amble Warkworth. 07751 229 739 NE65 0HY Amble NE65 0UF NE65 0BJ NE65 0SE NE65 0GB NE65 0TP 01665 712342 NE65 0RZ 07802 385367 07525713086 01665 711191 07795360513

ELECTIONS MEETINGS All those who were Council members stood for re-election It is hoped that Council can soon begin physical ‘face to face’ and were elected again unopposed. There remains a vacancy in meetings again rather than the virtual ones we have held during the Central ward and after confirmation is received from NCC the Covid restrictions. Our office has limited space for public Elections Officers, it is likely Council will begin the Co-option participation within full council meetings and we may therefore have procedure so that the town has its full complement as soon as to hold meetings elsewhere so we can adhere to social distancing. possible. If you are interested in being considered contact the Clerk We are currently exploring the options of venues available and for information about the process and please do attend a council perhaps possibly asking you to register beforehand if you wish meeting to familiarise yourself with proceedings. to attend. Please look at the website for the most up to date information about meetings. MEMORIAL On behalf of the town, whilst Council was able to lay a small WEST CEMETERY floral tribute and observe the national minute’s silence for His Royal We were delighted to accept some small saplings from Friends Highness The Prince Philip Duke of sadly due to the of the Earth which have been planted on the far western boundary Covid regulations regarding ‘gatherings’ this could not be advertised. of the cemetery where it is hoped they will thrive and grow to full Neither could the book of condolences be placed in the town for maturity to add to the magnificent ones already within the cemetery. those who wished to record some words of sympathy in memory of We are applying also to the NCC initiative so that over time we can him. Council will however be considering whether to place a type of add more to that boundary. lasting memorial in his memory. Work will start soon on placing some drainage in the new section of the cemetery before it comes into use. We hope you FLORAL DISPLAYS will bear with us whilst this is carried out and we appreciate the The new planting for the main beds has been delayed until contractor’s understanding in pausing work during interments. June but meanwhile the wallflowers continue to bloom and delight Brambles and straggly undergrowth have been removed and passers- by. laurels have been planted by the newer fence in the cremated remains area to form a pleasanter background there. A memorial EAST CEMETERY seat has been placed in the cemetery; Council are very grateful for The damaged wall has now been repaired. Larger trees have been the family’s generosity and thoughtfulness. pollarded and smaller shrubs will be cut back to tidy the area further.

SEAT WAR MEMORIAL & GARDENS TREES You may have noticed that the seat by the new The pointing around the base of the clock Recently people have been Persimmons development is no longer there. tower will be renewed soon by a conservation walking more and noticing the It was removed to facilitate utility works and specialist; the new floodlights have been installed wonderful trees throughout the is being stored by them meanwhile. Council and the clock is working correctly again. Like town. Surpise is expressed when it is have suggested it should be reinstated nearer all our gardens, the plants and the new tree have learnt that Amble has few trees with the Right of Way to Hauxley as a better resting been suffering in the unseasonably dry and sunny Preservation orders (TPO) - these point for walkers. weather but hopefully will soon thrive again. restrict what can be done to them. Warkworth and Amble Rotary Club will be Apart from those in West Avenue, PARKING planting the raised bed which they have asked to there are only two trees with TPOs. Places will be even more restricted whilst maintain. With the lifting of some of the Covid Council have submitted a request work takes place to expand the central car park restrictions it is hoped that work can commence to NCC to have more of our trees in the town. We are also likely to experience a soon on the Seafarers’ memorial which has accepted for TPOs and await a higher volume of visitors due to ‘staycations’ eventually been granted planning permission. response. this year. Remember that we are all being urged to use the car less and exercise more if we can. PADDLERS PARK Please try to restrict your usage of a vehicle A new prototype has been developed for the water feature and will be installed soon. whenever possible; but do park considerably if It is hoped it will overcome the problems experienced since this was installed. Due to the you must drive into the town- particularly in the climate here and the sea spray, the graphics are deteriorating- but are being made worse central area. by those who are chipping away at the edges to make the holes even larger! As an interim measure specialist paint has been tried but unfortunately that was not very successful. WWII We continue to try to source a manufacturer who is willing to lift and redo these at a Check out Amble Remembers WWII on reasonable cost; however if this is not possible, or they suffer too much vandalism, they www.amble.gov.uk may have to be removed.

TOWN COUNCIL OFFICES, FOURWAYS 2, AMBLE. NE65 0DT Tel: 01665 714 695 www.amble.gov.uk Email [email protected] Twitter: @AmbleTC Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmbleTownCouncil Office hours: 10.30am-12noon & 1.30-3p.m. Monday to Friday Vicki Smith, Town Clerk Minutes available to view in Office or online 12 ~ The Ambler This page is written and paid for by Amble Town Council TRUST Life news from Amble Development Trust

elcome back to Trust Life we have directed elsewhere. were some conditions to meet we should have it W– actually welcome back While the nature of our high before we could begin the looking tidy and to life! Perhaps not as we knew it street is changing, it is obvious installations. This information colourful for the summer. but slightly more normal. that Amble is attracting was submitted in 2020 and Our thanks go to Pride in It’s good to see businesses much interest. I know there we are still waiting for final Amble volunteers who have open again and better still to are a lot of comments and approval. We keep our fingers worked so hard over the years see increased footfall which they concerns about how many food crossed this wont take much to maintain the square – this has need to help them stay afloat. outlets, hairdressers, nail bars longer, but it is extremely been greatly appreciated. To say its been a hard year is and tanning studios that are frustrating. Currently our office is an understatement and I doubt appearing on high streets, but if At the welfare, new back remaining closed to the public. anyone can possibly know the anything covid has determined boards and hoops are being Anyone wanting to contact full impact covid has had on the way we are likely to shop erected to the basketball courts The Ambler, or requiring a CV every aspect of human life! in the future, so we have to be and we have enquiries from a can do so by ringing: 01665 Having said all that we grateful that Amble is seeing team wanting to use the pitch as 712929 or emailing editor@ have been surprised by the interest and has few vacant their home ground, which is very theambler.co.uk or Julie@ number of new businesses properties. promising. ambledevelopmenttrust.org.uk looking for accommodation Sadly I have little to update In the Town Square we have Hoping you all stay safe and in Amble. We have welcomed everyone on with the sculpture set up a contract with a company well in the coming weeks. four new businesses starting trail. While we had full planning to maintain the Coquet Street up in Trust premises, and have permission prior to submitting and white rose gardens as well as Julia and all trust staff and trustees received further enquiries that the funding application there weed spraying the paved area. So [email protected]

Amble Food Bank thanks the community he Amble Food Bank continues community for its donations of to ensure the food donated is Bill Cruickshank Tto be amazed at the support food items to the Food Bank. collected, sorted, packed, and Coordinator Amble Food Bank the community has given and Thanks also to those who have delivered in a timely manner. Not continues to give us. Not to donated financially or via our Just forgetting the people taking the To donate, search for Amble Food mention the donations from Giving page, the response has been time to refer those families they Bank under crowdfunders on www. shoppers at Amble Morrisons, phenomenal. find to be in need. justgiving.com which has been phenomenal. Just to remind you that food The number of families items can be donated at either requiring support, through no fault the Co-op or The Galley on Queen of their own, is still increasing and Street, or in the cage by the will continue to increase in the checkouts at Morrison’s. future. We still have collection tins in You can apply for a referral the Co-op. These are located by for a food parcel through an the checkouts. Thank you to those agency such as CAB or NETs, GP’s, of you who have already donated. Social Workers, Health Visitors Please follow the Amble and Churches or by contacting Foodbank page on Facebook for Northumberland Communities regular updates. Together, on 01670 620015. Lines We have been awarded a open from 9am until 6pm, seven Good Will Gesture food payment days a week. of £2000 from Northumberland Thank you to the following: County Council to help meet Warkworth Primary School, the need in our area within Morrison’s Amble, Danielle Nolan Northumberland, for which we are at Utterly Scrumptious and Sharon extremely grateful. Crisp of Crispy Cakes and Cookies. Thank you once again to the And of course, to the volunteers, who work tirelessly

The Ambler ~ 13 WHAT’S ON CLUBS & GROUPS Mauretania Day postponed Landscape artist Luke has first show

rganisers of Amble’s Mauretania Day have announced it will be mble landscape painter postponed until July 2022. The popular annual event held at Amble O Luke McTaggart has Harbour Village commemorates the day in 1935 when RMS Mauretania A sent a message to Amble Urban Council calling Amble “the kindliest port” his first show at Alnwick - which is where Amble’s nickname of the “Friendliest Port” derives. Playhouse later this year, but you can see his work on their website from 8 Warkworth village choir June to 12 July. arkworth Village Choir held their belated AGM on 12 April. Luke is studying WIt was a Zoom meeting of course (and apologies to anyone for a BA in Fine Art at who tried to join the meeting and was thwarted. It was my technical Northumbria University glitch, not yours!). It was by necessity a brief formality. We agreed and he is often to be found that once the choir is meeting properly again we’ll have another with his easel in the midst of the Amble fields and local environs. General Meeting. That will allow everybody to agree a proper Luke says, “I paint places and views that are disregarded by most. committee structure to replace the temporary steering group which Again and again I am drawn back to the edgelands around my home- has been leading the choir through the past eighteen months, and to town of Amble. These rolling fields, quiet woods and open skies offer make any adjustments to our temporary constitution. up the most spectacular of vistas. But they do not conform to the Reviewing the past year-and-a-bit was quite strange, but it felt traditional conception of the English countryside. These vistas were so good to return to discussing a future. The timing and format once open cast coal mines, land that has been continually shaped by of that future could not be predicted on 12 April, so no specific man. Yet, it is in these places that I have found such an exceedingly plans were made. However, we agreed that we are now emerging rich sense of place. from lockdown with a real hope of singing together properly at “As Amble becomes ever more popular, housing developers seek some point. We’ll no longer have to limit our plans to desperate to spread outwards onto these fields, concreting over these views. So, compromises with tambourines, so we won’t start rehearsals until to some extent my work is of an archival nature, documenting and we can start actual singing. We know that all of us, and some more preserving these views before the inevitable occurs. If my work can go than others, might be tentative about our return to activities like some way towards making people value this kind of landscape then I singing, so we intend to be patient and just feel our way in gradually. will be able to say with conviction that my work has succeeded.” Before we do any singing, we’ll have at least one meeting just to get See www.alnwickplayhouse.co.uk/gallery/exhibitions/ for more together, socialise and share our ideas. As soon as we have a date for details, or see Luke’s Facebook page. that, we’ll let you know. Email us: [email protected] Photo group planning for the future Second virtual Warkworth Show mble Photographic Group is looking forward to restarting meetings in Aits normal venue in Trinity Methodist Church Hall from January 2022. ast year when the pandemic hit, Warkworth Show, rather than In the meantime Friday meetings will continue on Zoom. Lcancel the show completely, took the brave decision to go virtual. So far this year Zoom has been a great success with guest speakers on After intensive hard work by many people, on 22 August 2020, topics such as: Corona Lockdown – showing the effects of the pandemic Warkworth’s first virtual show went live. That show can still be seen on a range of people and professions; Photography A Personal Perception – illustrating links between science and photography; Inca Tapestries – a on www.warkworthshow.co.uk - follow the links. Because of the journey through Peru and its peoples and civilisations. unknown challenges this virtual show encountered, entry was limited Our own members have given presentations on subjects as diverse to Warkworth Parish, local allotment holders, and local W.I.’s. as Ethiopia, Cyprus, South America, and personal interpretations on a Now the 2nd Virtual Warkworth Show 2021, is underway. theme, as well as expert advice on processing images. Having learnt so much from last year’s show, and with a revision For the rest of this year a varied and interesting programme has been of some classes, entry will now be accepted from a 5 mile radius put together, It includes competitions, quizzes, external speakers, and of Warkworth Castle. Schedules are being compiled and printed, tutorials. There will also be some photography trips which will hopefully the facebook page, Warkworth Show, and the web site www. encourage members who are not comfortable with Zoom to take part. Anyone interested in joining the Group should contact Helen Holmes warkworthshow.co.uk, will all be kept up to date and will include on [email protected]. the schedule. For anyone without access to the internet, depending on pandemic regulations, schedules will be available in local shops etc. or you can contact me, on 07773024528 and a schedule will be Discover the Norse people in Alnwick delivered to you. During the month of June, we will have some very exciting ostponed from last year and now opening on 22 May is challenges, they will be for four weeks, and have to be submitted PBailiffgate’s big summer event. Separate the fact from the fiction in the week stated. Watch facebook and the website for these in this myth-busting exhibition in a unique collaboration with the challenges. Any queries please contact [email protected] or JORVIK Group, the people behind JORVIK Viking Centre in York. [email protected] Looking forward to seeing When most people think of Vikings they imagine bearded everyone’s entries. warriors wreaking havoc, or legendary gods with magic hammers. Ann Burke, Chair, Warkworth Show But the Norse people who settled in northern England in the 9th and 10th centuries also had a fascinating culture. In Vikings: Fact and Fiction, visitors will be able to explore who they really were: from the Amble Youth Project events clothes they wore to the activities they did for fun. The exhibition ummer is coming and soon we will be releasing the plan for will bring visitors up close to 1,000 year old artefacts and learn SSummer 2021. This year promises to be a good one so please how the Vikings impacted the world, not just through raiding and keep an eye on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ conquering but through craft-making and trading. AmbleYouthProjectGetinvolved) or feel free to contact Matthew Mahoney The Vikings: Fact and Fiction exhibition opens on 22 May and for more information [email protected] runs until 3 October 2021. 14 ~ The Ambler WHAT’S ON CLUBS & GROUPS Harbour Lights Amble community choir ur choir continues to meet each week, on Thursday evenings at O7pm online, via Zoom, with around thirty members regularly joining us. We were delighted to be successful in a recent bid to the Local Connections Fund supported by the National Lottery. We used our grant of £1750, to buy several tablets, a printer and upgraded our Dropbox facility. The tablets have been loaned out to choir members to enable those who were unable to access choir online, and to members to enhance their experience of doing so. The Local Connections Fund gives grants to groups who demonstrate that they are connecting people and reducing isolation. We showed that our Harbour Lights Choir does that, and has done Above: The newly formed Amble Links FC in their home strips sponsored so brilliantly during this last year of the pandemic. Our members tell by Amble Links Coastal Holiday Park. Pictured with the children is the us how much being able to still sing and keep in contact with each general manager of Amble Links Coastal Holiday Park, Brian Docherty. For more information contact David Whenray on 07885546163. other has helped them during this past year making them feel better all round. We are so lucky to have our Choir Leader, Sarah Gray, who leads us with such enthusiasm that we all come away feeling great. Theatre returns to Amble Research has shown that singing can be good for you on many mble will welcome audiences to Neil Gore’s adaptation of the levels. “It may help lower stress, boosts immunity and lung function, Afamous working class novel by Robert Tressell. The Ragged Trousered enhances memory, improves mental health, and can help you cope Philanthrophists brings this witty, humorous and absorbing classic book with physical and emotional pain. One of the best things about to life in a one-man magic lantern show. Featuring political conjuring, singing is that you don’t have to be good at it to reap the rewards!” music and songs echoing the lives of painters and decorators struggling to We are a friendly community choir, who welcomes everyone. You do maintain themselves in times of Edwardian austerity. The show is on Thursday 10 June in the Parish Hall, Dovecote Street, not need to be able to sing or read music. You simply need to enjoy NE65 0DX at 7:30 pm (doors open at 7:00). Tickets are adults £10, singing. Along with all that, singing, especially in our Harbour Lights concessions £8, children £5, they can be bought from N&F Young, 8 Community Choir, is such great fun! Queen Street and online at https://highlightsnorth.co.uk, or on the door. Find out more about us: https://www.harbourlightscommunitychoir. There is also a “2 for 1” special offer for 16–35-year-olds who can get 2 org, email: [email protected] We can be tickets for £10. Audience numbers will be limited to ensure a Covid safe found on Facebook, or contact our Secretary - 07948 521463 environment. Mary Davidson, From St Cuthberts Church, Highlights Rural Touring Scheme Chairperson, Harbour Lights Community Choir and Townsend Theatre Productions

The Ambler ~ 15 Antiques Road Trip comes to Amble t the end of March the BBC's AAntiques Road Trip team visited Amble as they filmed for their new series. Local historian and Harbour Village Co-ordinator Bart Rippon took part in the filming. He said “They were spending time at the Seafood Centre filming our fabulous selection of fish. I was interviewed about the history of the harbour by Roo Irvine who presents the programme. A lovely lady. The interview took place on board John Wingfield's , 'Amy & Holly.” The episode will be the first of series 24, but The Ambler has been told there's no set date for Presenter Roo Irvine, Seafood Centre Manager Andrew Gooding, and the film crew. Photo by Bart Rippon broadcast yet. sanctuary: a plea to paddlers and rowers

Thousands of puffins and terns are greeted by a rainbow, heralding the beginning of May on Coquet Island. Photo by Hilary Brooker Carey

s lockdown restrictions and such actions could lead to a fulmar, kittiwake and is home to for the more serious offences, Aease, everyone is eager to hefty fine! the sole UK colony of roseate the police provide backup to the get out and enjoy the newfound The plea from the RSPB terns, Britain’s rarest nesting warden staff and have in place freedom, and fresh air. to kayakers and other craft that seabird. Operational Orders as means There has been a noticeable head for the waters around The wardens have been of responding effectively to increase in the numbers of Coquet Island is simple and working closely with the Coquet incidents. kayakers and paddle boarders clear: please keep your distance Shorebase Trust who have This is backed up with a enjoying the waters around and help safeguard this special always supported the need to sophisticated CCTV system Coquet Island. place. safeguard the reserve’s birds which is in place to record Sadly some have been getting The island and associated and are helping to find ways to offenders that ignore advice. too close to the island and lifting rocks exposed at low tide is better inform visiting kayakers Hopefully goodwill can the birds off their roosts and protected by law under several and commercial enterprises to prevail and people on the water nests, while a few try to use the conservation designations, all be aware of the birds and respect can enjoy their sports and the island as a convenient place to year round. the law whilst enjoying their birds can thrive undisturbed. take a rest, seeming unaware that Coquet is home to over sport. Coquet Island is a sanctuary for 70,000 nesting seabirds each With fines of up to £5000 Paul Morrison seabirds and protected by law year and includes puffins, eiders, and six months imprisonment RSPB Coquet Island