P O N T E L A N D • MILBOURNE • M E D B U R N • • K I R K L E Y ISSUE 77 | FEB 12

FREE monthly community magazine for Ponteland and district

Decision due on Green Belt homes Bistro scheme rejected for Yo ho ho! second time Affordable housing cut in The show of shows new police HQ plans Give... Rosa... Rosa... Passion this Valentines FREE BOX OF CHOCOLATESWITH 12 RED ROSES. ORDERS BEING TAKEN.

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Pont News and Views is published by Ponteland Town Council in conjunction with Ponteland Community Partnership. If you would like to submit an article, feature or advertise in the magazine, contact: Tel: (0191) 3408422 Mob: 07954 157939 Email: [email protected] Write: Cian creative pr, 5 East Boldon Road, Village, SR6 7SH 2Produced bypont Ciannews creative&views pr email: [email protected] Show of shows to raise cash for cancer charities Children from a Ponteland Proceeds are going to Cancer Research Reformed Church in and dance school will be performing UK, the Breast Cancer Campaign and Coates Middle School in Ponteland. Legacare and organisers hope to raise up The youngsters take part in shows and everything from Cats to 101 to £2,500. Dalmations in a special show to take exams in R.A.D. Ballet, I.S.T.D. raise funds for cancer charities. Fundraising for costumes has seen modern and Jazz. Boys’ street dance class donations from Opalcs IT support, ‘Solid Lazer Crew’ is a recent addition. All 160 members of the Jill Errington Heathlands Gym, Advanced Engineering The shows are being held at the People’s School of Dance and Drama will take part Solutions and Benfield. A fundraising meal Theatre in Heaton, Newcastle, on Saturday in the ‘page turning’ adventure through is also planned at the New Rendezous March 24 at 2pm and 6pm. Tickets cost different stories also including Cat in the restaurant on February 20. £7 each and are available from the URC Hat, Oliver Twist, James Bond, Watership The school has been running for 20 years on Broadway, Darras Hall, on a Tuesday or Down, Wizard of Oz, Twilight, Cops and and has pupils aged between two and 18 Wednesday afternoon. Robbers, Peter Pan, Princesses, Arabian years who attend classes at the United Nights and Treasure Island. Photos by Alan Errington. www.pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk pontnews&views 3 What’s a Railcard? By Alastair Ruffman Full steam ahead for Library exhibition By Denise Weatherburn Stunning pictures from a PPS meetings are held every Monday the year for those keen to develop their recent Ponteland Photographic at 7.30pm in Merton Hall. The club has photography skills. a varied syllabus that includes guest Society competition are on speakers, tutorial evenings and a large If you’re interested in photography why not display in Ponteland Library variety of competitions to keep everyone pop along and see what’s going on and until mid March. busy. join us. It doesn’t matter about experience or camera and you can come along to your More than 60 entries from members were Additionally, a monthly newsletter is first couple of sessions without joining to independently judged by photography provided to members that gives lots see if it’s for you. If you need any further expert Jim Welsh, who praised the high of articles about photography and information please email [email protected] quality and variety of prints produced. techniques. There are also outings during

Marathon effort from Christine for cancer charity A building society worker raised more than £2,500 for Macmillan Cancer Support after completing the New York Marathon. Christine Heslop, from Ponteland, ran the New York Marathon on behalf of her employer Newcastle Building Society and completed the 26.2 mile course in aid of the Society’s Charity of the Year. Christine, who has worked for the Society for more than 10 years as a Head of Marketing Communications, held a range of fundraising events including a coffee morning in the Diamond Inn, Ponteland, and a raffle in which most of the local businesses donated prizes including The Princess Garden, Fratellis, Sainsburys, Waitrose, Level 2 and Westerhope Golf Club to help Christine on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. her achieve her fundraising target.

4 pontnews&views email: [email protected] Dobsons A4 PN Jan12:Layout 1 16/1/12 10:57 Page 1

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www.pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk pontnews&views 5 BUDGET 2012-13 remedial work to be carried out on the Ponteland county councillors A draft budget for 2012-13 had the Coates Green path. It was also would be attending a meeting reported that a meeting was to be with the Deputy Chief Executive Snow Squad been circulated to councillors A useful document had been for comment and approval. The held with the County Council in to discuss this issue. He stated relation to the new Heads of Terms that an announcement had received from the County Council budget represents an increase of in relation to clearing snow and 3.6% on the current year, which for the proposed skate park land. been made at the West Area Committee held on 10 January in ice. This also included advice mainly related to the transfer from the Government on snow of responsibility for the public RESIGNATION relation to a commitment to spend £28m on new libraries across clearance and liabilities. There was conveniences on Thornhill Road OF RICHARD also advice for Parish and Town from Northumberland County Northumberland. HUTCHINSON Councils in relation to volunteer Council and the Queen’s Diamond snow squads. Jubilee celebrations. The increase The Council had received a letter of resignation from Richard Community Chest represents an approximate Councillor Veronica Jones referred Hutchinson, a former Councillor for increase of just over £2 on a band to the Community Chest which was Housing Needs the West ward of Ponteland. The D property per annum. The Town coming to the end of the financial resignation was due to work and Assessment Postal Council unanimously accepted year. There had been only one family commitments. The Council the budget and agreed to levy a application from Ponteland. There Survey expressed their appreciation for all precept of £348,347 on the County was still some funding left and she It was reported that the County of the hard work and efforts that Council. urged local organisations to submit Council would be carrying out a Richard had put into his role since applications as soon as possible. housing needs survey as part of his election in June 2009. It was PROJECTS REPORT The funding would also be available their legal requirement to develop agreed that a letter of thanks be Reports on the West Road easy in 2012-13. Organisations in housing and planning policies. This sent to Richard. The Clerk reported entrance project and the car Ponteland were urged to contact was being carried out by DCA, that she had, in accordance with parking area at Fox Covert Lane the County Council to obtain a form an independent housing research regulations, advertised the vacancy will be submitted to the February or alternatively visit the website consultancy. The research would and she had been informed that a www.northumberland.gov.uk where be carried out over the next four meeting. Revised plans for the request for an election had been Memorial Hall project have been all the necessary information was months and would involve 18,725 received by the County Council. postal surveys being delivered to received and Councillors were available. households in Northumberland asked to view these and select starting from January 4. The their preferred option. Additional GRANTS TO LOCAL Adult Care budget cuts survey could also be completed time for quotes in respect of the ORGANISATIONS Coun Jones expressed her online. bridge redesign had been approved concern at the proposed savings in and a report will be submitted to a Ponteland Cricket Club the Adult Care budget. Some £7m future Council meeting. There was The Council approved a grant of of savings had been identified and MAYOR’S REPORT a potential problem with the soft £500 to the Cricket Club towards this required careful monitoring to The Mayor attended the following engineering works proposed on the provision of a new scoreboard assess the impact on services. events: Darras Hall Estate the river bank. The Environment in the existing building at Ponteland Committee Christmas event – Agency had raised some concerns Leisure Centre. Dec 19; Ponteland Town Council and it was suggested that a Shoppers’ car Christmas event – Dec 20; meeting should be held with them NORTHUMBERLAND park permit Wheelbarrow Race - January 1; to discuss them in more detail. In COUNTY COUNCIL Coun Jones referred to the Ponteland Community High School relation to the street information introduction of a Shoppers Car Awards Ceremony - January 5. signs, it was suggested that a Park permit which would allow double sided sign was required at Village regeneration residents of the County to park This report is based on the minutes Broadway which would cost an free in charging car parks at certain scheme of the Town Council meeting held additional £1,000. This expenditure off peak hours. Two permits per County Councillor Richard Dodd on January 11. was approved. It was reported that reported that the regeneration household would be allowed. prices were being sought for the proposals were still ongoing and There was an annual fee of £15.

Northumbria in Bloom – volunteers wanted Do you have an interest in gardening? Would you be interested in giving some of your time to assist the Town Council with their Northumbria in Bloom entry in this Jubilee year and help us get a Gold award?

The Council is hoping to establish a small group of volunteers to assist with ideas but also some practical work for Northumbria in Bloom. If anyone is interested could they please contact the Clerk to the Council, Mrs K Mavin on (01661) 825092 or email [email protected]

6 pontnews&views email: [email protected] Decision on Green Belt homes plan expected

A decision on whether to opponent Guy Opperman Other opponents include proceed with plans for 6,500 MP platforms to outline the Save their views for and against Wildlife Campaign, Save new homes on Green Belt land the plans. , and surrounding Ponteland and Blucher Open Spaces Darras Hall will be made by Mr Opperman, Ponteland’s Campaign, Newcastle MP, said he had had a huge West Green Belt later response from Ponteland Protection Campaign, this month. constituents: “Following Parish our leaflet and the Pont Council and Kenton A special cabinet meeting is being held to News & Views article on Bank Foot Residents’ consider more than 4,000 responses to its the campaign I have been Association. joint One Core Strategy with able to submit hundreds of Council. objections to the ill thought The Council says its hands are tied because The strategy sets out where more than out plans. I want thank Government projections 30,000 new homes can be built over you to everyone who has indicate the level of the next two decades, with proposed supported our campaign to housing required to cater for population locations including a 350-hectare site protect the Green Belt. growth, while the National Policy Planning called Callerton Park between the A69, Framework has removed the priority given A1 and A696 near Callerton, Woolsington, “Ridiculously, the consultation process to brownfield sites. Walbottle and Throckley. closed on January 4th with no notice to local people, so some residents may not The February cabinet meeting is expected A group has been set up called Newcastle have even had the chance to have their to decide which sites will go forward for West Green Belt Protection Group to fight objections counted. further public consultation this summer. the plans and its campaign petition with This will inform the submission plan 5,900 signatures was presented to the “We are determined to maintain the unique which will be subject to a further statutory Lord Mayor at the council’s meeting on character of Ponteland and Darras Hall consultation period before final proposals January 11. - and a big part of that is its rural nature which separates it from West Newcastle. are submitted to Government in 2013. In last month’s Pont News we gave We await to hear this month if they will There will then be a public inquiry before it Newcastle city councillor Henri Murison, drop these plans. If they get away with this can be adopted as policy by the Council. Cabinet Member for Quality of Life, and now, who knows what will be next?” Your letters: Page 10

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DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport (Adjacent to the Airport Metro Station) Woolsington, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13 8BZ Tel: 01661 824 266 www.newcastleinternationalairport.doubletree.com www.pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk pontnews&views 7 Affordable housing to be Bistro plan rejected cut in new Northumbria for second time Police HQ revamp plans Councillors have rejected controversial plans to A decision on revised plans for a building scheme open a new bistro in the heart of Ponteland for designed to help fund the modernisation of a second time – against the advice of their own ’s Ponteland headquarters officers. complex is due later this month. Northumberland County Council planning officers had recommended approval for the resubmitted plans to turn the But the level of affordable housing in the scheme is set to be former Co-op store and Wine Rack in Bell Villas into a two- slashed in a move which could spark objections. storey bar and restaurant. Outline permission for plans to build 150 new homes on part of They said the issues of lack of marketing of the site and the site were approved almost three years ago on condition that loss of retail space which had led to refusal last year – later 50% of the new houses were in the affordable bracket – as well as backed by a Government planning inspector at appeal – had a £700,000 police contribution towards local road, public transport been “comprehensively overcome” following new evidence of and traffic improvements. advertising activity and the availability of other nearby vacant shops. Now Northumbria Police Authority is seeking to reduce the level of affordable homes to be built to 20% because it claims the But members of the Council’s West Area Planning Committee, scheme is not financially viable otherwise. That means the meeting in on January 18, rejected the application whole planning application – which includes the 150 houses, a by six votes to one, saying: “The proposal would result in new 12,000sq ft office block and an access road – has to be the loss of existing retail floor space within the Ponteland determined all over again. commercial and business centre for which the applicant has not demonstrated compelling exceptional circumstances.” An application was due to go before Northumberland County Council’s West Area Planning Committee on January 18 with a The plans had generated 19 letters of objection from recommendation to approve but it was withdrawn. Northumbria neighbouring residents from the Ryehaugh Estate and Police Authority property advisor Peter Udall said the application businesses, two petitions signed by 170 people, and was now expected to be heard at the committee’s February 15 objections from Ponteland Town Council, Civic Society and meeting. Methodist Church and MP Guy Opperman.

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8 pontnews&views email: [email protected] Kevin and Richard get their teeth into new venture

Two local dentists have announced ambitious expansion plans after taking over a Ponteland practice.

Experienced dental surgeons Kevin Higgins and Richard Winter are the new owners of the surgery on Bell Villas opposite the Sainsbury supermarket, following the retirement of John Hallam after 28 years. Father-of-three Richard, who had been with the Dental Practice for 12 years, has a special interest in restorative and implant dentistry. Among his previous posts was a spell as lead dentist on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean and a teaching post at Newcastle Dental Hospital. Kevin, who has been a dentist for 20 years, was latterly with the Darras Hall Dental Practice for seven years. The father-of-one leads on implant and cosmetic dentistry as well as dental sedation and general surgery. They have inherited a healthy practice with over 600 patients but hope to attract new patients from across the Ponteland area and beyond as part of their plans to expand. Richard explained: “We are embarking on a major programme of investment to reconfigure the practice, creating a new front entrance, Kevin Higgins (left) and Richard Winter larger open plan waiting room and three surgeries with state-of-the- my dental practice. They are well established young practitioners, who art facilities. We are also introducing new services including high end have both worked locally for many years. restorative dentistry, implants and facial aesthetics.” “They both have good reputations and pleasing characters. I am sure Both dentists are highly qualified. Richard is tutor for the northern that patients will be well served by the new owners. I wish them the region for the Faculty of General Dental Practice, while Kevin is also very best of good luck for the future.” actively involved with the training and mentoring of younger dentists. You can find out more about the new Higgins and Winter Dental Wishing the new partners luck, Mr Hallam said his former patients Practice at their website at higginsandwinterdental.com or call the were in safe hands: “I would be happy to endorse the new owners of surgery on 01661 872979.

Appeal after thieves target church Ponteland Rotary Club

The door into the tower at St Mary’s was broken through during Christmas fundraising the day on Monday January 16, and some money stolen from a Rotary President Bob Crosby presented a cheque for £1,250 cupboard. to grateful Chairman of Newcastle Save The Children Fund If anyone saw anything, or was in church that day and can help us pin Alison Barton. down more exactly when it happened, please contact the Vicar Peter The Toy Collection again produced an excellent return of toys Barham on (01661) 822140 or the police. distributed to St Cuthbert’s Care, Barnardo’s, Surestart, Auton House, We will continue to leave the church open during the day, and Queen Elizabeth Hospital and others to benefit over 3,000 children. appreciate the fact that people use it. Please keep an eye on the The Carol Concert raised £325 for Children North East and £250 for building, drop in if you’re passing, and report anything suspicious. Salvation Army. The Rotary Club would like to thank all who supported fundraising efforts last year.

www.pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk pontnews&views 9 Your letters

An appeal to resist Green Belt development plans, shock at the size of a new retirement complex and a call for irresponsible dog owners to be ‘shopped’ to council officials in this month’s letters...

Green Belt housing plan lived and worked there sight lines are blocked and again think it is acceptable to spoil the must be resisted for almost 50 years, I was vehicles are parked on the grass enjoyment of the park for others? astounded to see on one of my verges. Despite the sign ‘no I am intrigued to discover how We should resist Newcastle’s recent and regular visits back parking on grass’, several drivers collecting one’s dog waste is so attempt to build on Green Belt to the place I still consider ignore this completely. difficult. land as fiercely as possible. ‘home’ the rather large mainly I have rung the Council and the If any readers are aware of regular three storey block of retirement The rights to Green Belt land have Highways dept regularly over the offenders, please let the Council apartments which has just been been hard fought for by previous last few years but to no avail. know who can send a dog warden built by McCarthy & Stone on generations and the reasons They did say they would look into to issue spot fines. the former school site at North still hold good. These are the it. The result was double yellow Road. Verity Shepley lungs for large cities which allow lines as far as Athol House. They Rothley Close, Ponteland them to breathe, and their loss I find it almost unbelievable that also erected a sign saying no will be Newcastle’s as well as a development of this size and access to Mayfair Gardens except Northumberland’s. height ever came to gain planning for vehicles wanting access to Thanks to Good Kingston Park, Woolsington, approval, adjacent as it is to a surrounding buildings. conservation area which I believe Samaritan and the Airport buildings and the The Council is not interested and covers the Blackbird Inn and the Badger are almost continuous say that as it is a parking matter it The Bonnar family would like three properties fronting on to along the east side of the A696, is the responsibility of the police. to express our heartfelt thanks North Road. and the space to the south of the They, in turn, do not want to know. to ‘the Good Samaritan’ who proposed green area is built up I cannot help but feel that this The fact that we pay our Council stopped his car one morning in solidly to the A1. development, because of its sheer Tax is no help at all. October to help our daughter size, is totally unsuitable and Louisa when she fell off her Ponteland lies alongside most of Joyce Fagan unsympathetic, not only to the bicycle on her way to work on Callerton Lane and Throckley is at Mayfair Gardens, Ponteland village as a whole, but in particular Darras Road beside the Nat the end of Ponteland Road. That West Bank. does not leave very much open to the existing nearby properties which now look to be almost land at all. Please report owners He took both her and her bicycle totally engulfed by it. home and waited with her until The high density housing being allowing dog fouling in How it ever found its way park to Council her dad arrived to take her off to built by Newcastle City is in hospital. She had X-rays which my view totally unacceptable, successfully through the planning process is simply beyond my I apologise to readers to raise revealed a fractured elbow and lots unpleasant visually and socially, the subject of dog waste of cuts and bruises. She is now and will only build up problems comprehension as it appears to be inappropriately sited. once again. But having visited fully recovered. for the future. Go and look at Ponteland Park yesterday The ‘overbuild’ has done little Jane Bonnar Newcastle Great Park. Bleak to enjoy an outdoor fitness if anything to enhance the Hawthorn Way, Darras Hall narrow streets, with no front session, I was appalled to count gardens, garages in garage blocks appearance of what was once a lovely old rural village. a total of 11 large deposits behind the three storey terrace within the small area of the houses, and no room for trees or John T Henderson picnic tables. Thank you for handing greenery. Camden Square, my handbag in Not only was this highly unpleasant We must stand firm and not allow and a health hazard, but also an I should like to take this very ourselves and our countryside be embarrassment to local residents belated opportunity to thank the steamrollered by the tactics of a We have a problem with person who most kindly handed Sunday drivers as well as there were new joiners in our misguided Authority. group, some of whom had never in my bag which I left on a number 78 bus. Ian C Brown In issue 76 (Jan 12) I read with visited the park before. They are Church Flatt, Ponteland interest the letter from Mrs now left with the impression that It was on a Monday in December A Matthew re the parking in Ponteland Park is a dog toilet, – I got off the bus on Middle Drive Callerton Lane. where a handful of irresponsible and then realised that I had left my dog owners are spoiling Former resident We have the same problem on handbag on the seat. However, by community amenities for other “astounded” at size of Sundays in Mayfair Gardens the time we contacted Stagecoach users. retirement complex and Fairney Edge and Fairney it had been handed in. As a former resident of Close. Some Sundays it is nearly Would any offenders please Name and address withheld Ponteland village, and having impossible to drive cars out. The write in to explain why they by consent

Letters on all issues are welcomed by Pont News & Views but the views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The Editor reserves the right to amend any submitted letters for legal or other reasons. All letters submitted should include the writer’s name and address.

March issue deadlines: The March issue will be delivered on March 1 and 2. Deadline for all copy and adverts is Monday February 13. Businesses should be aware that all bookings for advertisements must be paid in full by the deadline to ensure placement in the March issue.

10 pontnews&views email: [email protected] workshop on the 13th, we have a North East visitor, Roy Elwood, on the 20th showing his ‘Still in the Dark’ prints Group of the Alpine What’s on... and finally we have the Open Digital Garden Society Print Competition on February 27. Our speaker on Monday February All are welcome to an enjoyable 13 will be Julia Cordon. She has and interesting evening and for been directing the development of Northumberland Choral evensong further information see ‘The Explorers Garden’ in Pitlochry www.pontelandphotographicsociety.co.uk since its inception and will be telling Fuchsia Society to mark Accession us about the garden and her Our next meeting is on Thursday anniversary work there through pictures. The February 2 from 7.30pm at St. Events at Merton Hall Monday February 6 is the 60th Tea and coffee served Mon – Sat garden is laid out in geographical Matthew’s RC Church Hall, Anniversary of the Accession of zones and exhibits the work of Ponteland. 30p per cup 9.30am – 11.15am. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to Country market every Friday from the Scottish explorers through the throne. On Sunday February 5 February 24 8.30am – 11am the plants they discovered. Our at 6.30pm St Mary’s Church choir meetings take place in St. Mary’s Ponteland History selling preserves, cakes, hand will sing Choral Evensong at Holy knitted garments, jewellery etc. Hall, Thornhill Road. The doors Society Help Desk Saviour, Milbourne, and all are The U3A History Group is looking open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Are you doing a school project, welcome. Please don’t let the word for new members and meets on The charge to visitors is £2 per researching family history, needing “choral” put you off. It is a lovely the 2nd Monday of every month meeting. Details from Terry Teal at historical information on a date, service, and the choir do the work from 2pm – 4pm. Lots going on [email protected] or building or person in the Ponteland - just come and enjoy good music in Merton Hall from bridge, wine (0191) 4132574. area, or looking for an old local and a lovely atmosphere. Some tasting, tai chi and photography, to photograph? Then perhaps we can of the music will be by Thomas name just a few. All information is Ponteland help. Our free help desk is open at Morley, who was a composer in the on the notice board outside Merton Embroiderers’ Guild Ponteland Library from 2.15pm to court of the first Queen Elizabeth. Hall. Come and join in the fun - all Ponteland Embroiderers’ Guild 5pm on Friday February 3, where There will be a celebratory glass of welcome. To book the hall email meet in St. Mary’s Church Hall, we can give access to our own wine afterwards. If the weather is [email protected] or call Thornhill Road, Ponteland from archives. For more information see bad, please do check the church 07757 952759. 2pm to 4pm on Monday February http://www.ponthistsoc.freeuk. website first at 27 for a mini workshop with Dot com/page12.html www.pontelandstmary.co.uk Darras Hall WI Hankey. Bring sewing equipment. Darras Hall W.I. welcome you to Tea or coffee and biscuits are their February meeting on Thursday offered at all meetings. A friendly County Council Cantonese evening to raise funds for February 9 at 2pm in the URC Hall. welcome is offered to everyone. surgeries Our speaker this month is Mrs Pat A visitor’s fee of £3 is charged. Your local Northumberland County Memorial Hall appeal Lowery who will give us a “City Further information from Sandra Councillors Richard Dodd, Peter Ponteland Memorial Hall is holding Guide to the ”. Rusby on (01661) 832172. Jackson, Veronica Jones and a Cantonese Evening at The New The competition will be for Eileen Armstrong are available Rendezvous Restaurant, Bell Villas, “Something Nautical” - let’s “sea” Ponteland Civic to meet constituents on the on Monday February 6 at 7.30pm. what turns up! first Saturday of every month Tickets cost £17 and are available Society At the next meeting of Ponteland from 10am-11am at Waitrose from the Memorial Hall Office on Celebrate Valentines supermarket, Ponteland. Their next Mondays 2pm – 4pm, Tuesdays Civic Society on February 27 in surgery is on February 4. 10am - 12noon and Fridays 2pm – at new hotel St Mary’s Church Hall at 7.30pm 4pm. Call (01661) 822603 or email The new DoubleTree by Hilton at Freda Thompson will speak on [email protected] Newcastle International Airport ‘Wasteland to Wonderland’ - the is celebrating Valentines in its recycling of buildings from their Meet the Lions event original use. This meeting has Ponteland Lions are holding a Fratello’s restaurant on 11th, 12th, been rescheduled from the very “Meet the Lions” event at the New members 13th and 14th February. Join us for snowy period in 2011! Visitors are Memorial Hall on Saturday February a three course meal with a glass welcome at Ponteland most welcome for whom there is a 4 at 2.30pm. All Senior Citizens of prosecco on arrival for £24.95 Photographic Society nominal charge. are invited to this FREE event. The We welcome new participants per person. Free underground Ponteland Lions have arranged for at our meetings (7.30pm in parking. Call (01661) 867020 to St Mary’s Singers entertainment, food, raffles and Merton Hall every Monday) and book or reserve on Opentable bingo. Tickets are available from our February events include ‘My www.newcastleinternationalairport. concert raises £1,000 Andy on 01661 871844 or John on Top Ten Images’ from members doubletree.com for Diabetes UK 0845 8339913. on February 6, cut and paste Grateful thanks to all the friends Ponteland Senior of St. Mary’s Singers who came Gentlemen’s Club to the Christmas Concert on December 10. Thanks to your The next meeting is being held generosity we were able to send a at Ponteland Memorial Hall, cheque for £1,000 to the Diabetes Darras Road, at 2.30pm on UK Newcastle Voluntary Support Monday February 13. Speaker Group. A date for your diary: on Chris Foote-Wood will hold a Saturday March 31 our Easter talk entitled ‘Walking Over The Concert when the programme Waves’. Meetings are usually held will be Vivaldi’s Gloria, Zadok the on the second Monday of every Priest Handel and Gilbert and month in the lounge of Ponteland Sullivan Trial by Jury. Memorial Hall, Darras Road, at 2.30pm. Membership is open to Ponteland’s gentlemen aged over 55 who are not in full time employment. The weekly market annual subscription is £10. For Ponteland’s weekly market at further details contact Donald Lloyd Merton Way shopping centre is on between 9am and 4pm each at [email protected] or on Friday. (01661) 872661. www.pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk pontnews&views 11 Do you need help at home? At Home with… Helen McArdle Care can offer you a bespoke package in personal care to enhance your life and maintain your independence. We provide reliable and flexible services in: - Personal Care - Carer Relief - Companionship for Outings - Shopping and Cleaning - Meal Preparation

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12 pontnews&views email: [email protected] Dignity and Luxury How Helen McArdle is changing the landscape of retirement living in the North East

Getting older should be a relaxing time, driving force behind Helen McArdle Care. spent socialising, looking after your She has not only built a community where wellbeing and enjoying time with your people can live as independently as they family and friends and this is just what want, with as much support as they need, Helen McArdle had in mind when she but she has also a created a lifestyle that designed her new retirement community reflects the dignity and luxury that older in . people deserve.

Opening in early February, Springfield Heading up the team at Springfield House House is a 68-bed care home built on is Lisa Hall who has worked in care, health and wellbeing of older adults for 20 years. the site of the old Springfield Hotel on Durham Road in Low Fell. In addition to the Lisa is thrilled to be managing Springfield home, there are 21 one and two bedroom House: “It is great to work for such a retirement apartments connected to it, forward thinking company who genuinely giving apartment owners direct access to care about what they are doing and who the home. they are doing it for. I am really excited Springfield House will offer residents a about the completion of the care home Facilities in Springfield House include: The wide choice of size and style of bedrooms, and apartments and can’t wait to welcome Orangery Restaurant, tea rooms, a cinema decorated and furnished to the highest people to their new homes.” room, internet café, GP’s surgery, function of standards; some even have their own room with bar, beauty salon and gym. doors leading directly into the beautiful gardens. All residents, apartment owners and Springfield House and Eslington their families will have full access to all There are also four self-contained suites Mews Open Day – Sunday 05 of these facilities as well as an array of set in an exclusive wing of the home, February 10am – 4pm which have a lounge, bedroom, bathroom activities including cooking demonstrations For further information please call: and beauty treatments and therapies. and kitchenette, making them perfect for couples as well as single people. 0191 461 8870 Springfield House, Apartment owners can also purchase care Durham Road, Low Fell and domestic services as and when they The vision behind the new site comes from www.helenmcardlecare.co.uk need them. Helen McArdle herself, who is a constant www.pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk pontnews&views 13 Lads beat dads to end winning run

The lads beat the dads to end a three year winning run at Ponteland’s annual New Year’s Day Wheelbarrow Race. Oscar Redman and Dan Pybus were first to the finishing line and last year’s junior race champions set a new record time for the men’s wheelbarrow race of 6min 54secs. They beat their fathers Andy Pybus and Alan Redman, who had won the previous three races, into second place. Rob and Ben Ashford were third. Penny Storer and Rachael Lawson were victorious in the women’s race in a time of 10min 55secs. Heidi and Heather Craighead came second and Judy Andrews and Julia Rowley finished third. Sam and Jack Long were the junior race winners. The event, organised by Ponteland 41 Club, takes place over a mile-long course which starts and ends at the Blackbird Inn and this year 29 teams took part in front of hundreds of spectators. The race raised £400 for the Leonard Cheshire Home for disabled people in Ponteland, which is planning to build an extension. Valentines DinnerDance

Friday 10th February 2012 Valentines dinner dance in The Cheviot Suite. £19.95 per person or £99.00 per couple including overnight accommodation and full English breakfast. Let your loved one know how much you love them by treating them to a romantic evening, including a cocktail on arrival, three course dinner with live entertainment from our Michael Buble tribute act featuring Paul Moore and a disco Tuesday 14th February Valentines Day Dinner in the Convivium Restaurant £19.95 per person

Holiday Inn Newcastle-upon-Tyne Great North Road, , Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE13 6BP

T: 0191 2019988 Web: www.holidayinn.com/newcastleuk Email: [email protected]

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HOL00041 - BURNS NIGHT ADVERT - JAN 2012 (RESIZE).indd 1 18/1/12 10:10:18 Contact Louise if you have a problem with your neighbours By PC Paul Henery Ponteland Community Beat Manager There have been a total of eight (LMAPS) meeting will be held on Tuesday Ponteland’s budding Shearers to improve crimes reported in the Ponteland February 21 at 9.30am at the East Centre, their skills. . area in the period from I also want to introduce your Community December 13 to January 15. Following reports of anti social behaviour Safety Officer for Ponteland and rural involving young people playing football in Northumberland. Louise Stobbart is based They break down as follows: inappropriate places where damage may be at Prospect House, Hexham, in the Public caused or nuisance caused to residents, a Protection department. • six thefts (including four shoplifting) number of acceptable behaviour agreements Louise works with a range of agencies • one common assault were drawn up between youths and their including the police, local schools, • one burglary to non dwelling. parents, Northumberland County Council, environmental health, licensing and youth ISOS housing and the police. There have been four arrests in relation to offending team to support the management these offences and further enquiries are Whilst these ABAs have been effective, the of neighbourhoods and identify interventions ongoing which may lead to further arrests. agencies involved also want to provide a and solutions to issues. Along with The police surgeries for the next month are: suitable football facility for young people, casework, Louise works on a strategic level especially during the dark nights when looking at more holistic solutions to longer • Saturday February 4 at 10am in the Co-op grassed pitched are waterlogged and in term problems in neighbourhoods. Broadway with PC Henery. darkness. If you live in a private property, whether • Saturday February 11 at 9.30am in Merton Funding was found to pay for three evening as a tenant or owner, and have problems Hall with CSO Ruddick. ‘Cage Football’ sessions in January in with noise nuisance, anti social behaviour, • Saturday February 18 at 11.30am at the car park of / neighbour disputes then you can contact shop with PC Davison. Ponteland Middle School. This supervised Louise for guidance by email at mobile, floodlit football pitch comes with [email protected] The next Local Multi-Agency Problem Solving its own expert coaches to encourage all of or on (01434) 652383.

T A Y L O R S Bespoke Care Delivery Service Prescription Collection Service P H A R M A C Y Weekly Dosette Medicine Use Review PONTELANDS INDEPENDENT PHARMACY Friendly Pharmaceutical Advice Jessica Taylor MRPharmS

BREWERY LANE · 25 MAIN STREET · PONTELAND · NE20 9NZ TEL: 01661 822055 · FAX: 01661 860705

Taylors Pharmacy Pont News Advert DEC 2011.indd 3 9/12/11 10:38:31 www.pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk pontnews&views 15 16 pontnews&views email: [email protected]