P O N T E L A N D • MILBOURNE • M E D B U R N • PRESTWICK • K I R K L E Y ISSUE 71 | AUG 11 FREE monthly community magazine for Ponteland and district Fresh police warning after garden shed raids Ponteland schoolchildren Sun shines on perform for the Queen school sports day Bar bistro appeal rejected by Government inspector 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, Cleadon Village, SR6 7SH 2Produced bypont Ciannews creative&views pr email: [email protected] TV weatherman brings the sunshine to park party Hundreds of families enjoyed a sunny evening of entertainment in Ponteland Park hosted by BBC weatherman Paul Mooney. The Look North weather presenter brought on the night saw £400 raised for the ex- donations to Help for Heroes. Special the sunshine as he compered the event on servicemen’s charity Help for Heroes. thanks should also go to volunteers who Saturday July 2. helped in the building of the marquee and Coun Peter Cowey, Mayor of Ponteland, stage and then dismantled it after the An estimated 300 people came along to be said: “Paul Mooney couldn’t have forecast show.” entertained by singer Katy Reilly, Dunston better weather for us – it was a lovely Silver Band, St John’s Singers from balmy evening. I’d like to thank Paul and all Music in the Park is one of a number Wideopen, and Ponteland Community our performers for putting on such a great of new community events launched Band. programme of entertainment. as part of the Town Council’s vision of giving residents a real sense of pride in The event, organised by Ponteland Town “We were delighted to see so many people Ponteland. Council, the Lions Club and Ponteland of all ages enjoying a fantastic community Rotary, was free but generous donations event, and very grateful for the generous Photos by Trevor Walker www.pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk pontnews&views 3 Drivers need to watch out for the reds By Peter Curran The red squirrels on the golf course seem to be thriving this year and, as our garden backs onto the course, we are seeing them every day - sometimes there are four or five of them running around at the same time. We have three squirrel feeders and we have to fill them up every day. They are delightful creatures, an endangered species, so we are very fortunate in Ponteland to have this healthy colony. However it is not all good news. As I write we have had four red squirrel road kills reported in Ponteland within the past week on Main Road, North Road and Eland Road. This is very sad news. I think they must be young squirrels dispersing from the golf course. I think we need to alert the people in this area, possibly by erecting red squirrel road signs, but would like to ask all Pont News readers to alert Sally Hardy of Ponteland Red Squirrels on 07878 061880 if they spot red squirrels but, more importantly, if they see a grey squirrel in the area. The photo here was taken in our garden. 4 pontnews&views email: [email protected] Dobsons A4 PN Aug:Layout 1 20/7/11 11:20 Page 1 Residential Lettings LET LET AGREED LET AGREED LET LET LET AGREED LET LET LET AGREED WE URGENTLY REQUIRE RENTAL PROPERTIES We have potential tenants looking CALL OUR DEDICATED TEAM WE ARE AVAILABLE 24/7 t: 01661 872 111 m: 07917 771 787 www.dobsonsestateagents.co.uk [email protected] Number One Broadway, Darras Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE20 9PW Why not download our new iPhone app! www.pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk pontnews&views 5 2011/12 PROJECTS temporary works using sandbags pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk or Joint meetings of The list of projects included be carried out in the meantime. by post to the Clerk, Ponteland Northumberland County Council within the budget for 2011/12 The work would have to be carried Town Council, Unit 1 Meadowfield and Parish and Town Councils was circulated. Some of the out before the end of August and Court, Meadowfield Industrial A letter had been received from projects such as the speed display the Council agreed to delegate Estate, Ponteland, NE20 9SD. An NCC highlighting dates for the next signs and floral display stands at authority to the Town Clerk to evening meeting will be held at the round of joint meetings. The West Broadway are already in progress process this work immediately. beginning of September to discuss area meeting would be held on and would be completed shortly. these items. Tuesday 11 October in Hexham Modified entrance to the Park – – the venue to be confirmed. Reports were submitted on three West Road further projects: Councillor Richard Dodd stated A copy of the proposal to modify HIGHWAYS WORKING that he had a meeting the following Signs and maps for Ponteland the entrance at the West Road PARTY day to discuss issues at Thornhill Councillors agreed to proceed was circulated. The arrangements The Working Party met on Road which was an ongoing with a project to provide two had been agreed with the owners June 15 and made several problem that he would continue to heritage frames and a street map of Park House. Details of the recommendations. Councillor work on. quotations received were reported of Ponteland. It is hoped that Richard Dodd agreed to see if he MAYOR’S REPORT companies may provide some and it was agreed that this project could fund any improvements from The Mayor reported on several sponsorship for the maps. The should proceed and the lowest his small scheme allowance to events that he had attended in the Highways Working Party will quote be accepted. the pedestrian walkway between last few weeks. The annual bowls determine the exact locations BUDGET WISH LIST Kirkley Drive and Meadowfield. evening between the Bowling Club within the village and Broadway. It was agreed to carry out some and the Town Council had been Councillors were asked to work at the bus stop in Medburn to Park Bridges – Abutment held on June 17 and had been submit items they wished to see improve safety, to include moving protection most enjoyable. He thanked the included within the budget for the notice board into the bus stop Members were reminded that some Bowling Club for their hospitality. next year, if they had not already and attempting to get the hedging repairs to the bridge abutments in He had also attended the Royal done so. There is still time for cut back. The Working Party was the park required attention. A long Visit at Alnwick Castle on June the public to submit ideas for the authorised to process the request term solution to the problem was 22 which had been a great day, Council’s budget for next year. for some junction improvements currently being examined however, despite the weather. The Music Suggestions should be submitted between Broadway and Middle it was recommended that some in writing by email to enquiries@ in the Park event had been held Drive, including the continuation of on July 2. The weather had been yellow lines to discourage parking very good and it had proved to in certain areas and a request for be a most enjoyable evening. He bus stop markings to be added to thanked all of those who had taken the Woodside bus stop. part and those who had helped to organise the event which was NORTHUMBERLAND held in aid of ‘Help for Heroes’ and had raised nearly £400. The COUNTY COUNCIL Mayor had been delighted to REPORT attend a ‘Strawberries and Cream’ event held at the Grange Lea care Review of Polling Stations home on North Road. He had also attended the opening of the The Town Council was invited to new Outdoor area at the Darras submit representations in relation Hall First School on July 4 which to a review of polling stations he had been most impressed currently being carried out. It was with. The Mayor had also been agreed there were several viable pleased to represent the Council alternatives to using schools, which at the induction of the Reverend was a disruption to the education Philip Gray at the United Reformed of pupils. Ponteland had several Church at Broadway. halls that could be used as polling stations and it was agreed that This column is based on the these views be conveyed to the minutes of the Town Council held County Council. on July 13. ME & MY GIRL NEED YOU Ponteland Repertory Society is producing the musical “Me & My Girl” from November 29 to December 3 in the Memorial Hall. This is a great “feel good” show for cast and audience alike and we’d love you to join us. Rehearsals will commence on Thursday September 1 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall. If you are interested please ring our Chairman or Secretary and they will be happy to have a chat and answer any questions you may have. If you can sing, act or dance and would like to be involved, then please contact either Gill on (01661) 822854 or Carole on (0191) 250 1818. 6 pontnews&views email: [email protected] Darras Hall First School opens outdoor classroom Derelict ground has been turned into a stimulating outdoor classroom at Darras Hall First School.