Rather a lot has happened in Haydon Bridge since the last Haydon News appeared. We have moved into the 21st century, celebrated with a spectacular firework display, thanks due to Eileen Charlton and her Millennium team, and experienced the illumination of St. Cuthbert’s Church over the Christmas and New Year period thanks to Enid Garrow whose idea and organisational skills brightened our darkest winter days.

For those who joined the Burns Night Party at the Haydon Hotel further pleasures were in store. Not only the delights presented by the assembled musicians and singers but, during the ceremonial addressing of the Haggis, the beast leapt from the platter, just as the knife was poised above, and hurried away across the floor, making it a truly memorable event.

In this edition we have a long letter from Cyprus in which Marion and Bill recall their eventful times in Haydon Bridge. Work on the Community Centre, begun before their departure, is mentioned – perhaps now is the time for the Community Association to give us a progress report. How about one for the next Haydon News?

Dennis continues his history of the Wesley Chapel, Angela Ashwin writes on her forthcoming visit to America and there are several contributions and letters from readers far and wide.

Have you ‘visited’ the Haydon news website? I am informed that it is well worth viewing. Details on page 15

Happy reading

M.R.P ( Vice Chairman )

The editorial policy of the Haydon News is ultimately the responsibility of the Committee of the ‘Friends of Haydon Bridge’ , although day-to-day responsibility is delegated to the Editor of the Haydon News. Our intention is always to ensure that the content of the Haydon News is as fair and factually correct as possible. Any complaints concerning editorial policy should be addressed in writing to the Chairman of the ‘Friends of Haydon Bridge‘, and will be considered by and receive a formal response from the Committee of the ‘Friends of Haydon Bridge‘. Complaints other than those made above will not be entertained.

The Editor reserves the right to decide which letters are to be published, and to alter or shorten letters when necessary. Anonymous letters will NOT be published. A nom-de-plume may be used provided that the Editor has been advised of the writer’s name and address.

"What?! Off to the States for five months? People will think you’ve left Vincent!" This was the response of some friends when I told them about my plans. So, let me stress that I do intend to return next June!

Now that Vincent is back from his Sabbatical, I am lucky enough to be going on a study-leave of my own next year. I’ve been given a research scholarship to go to the R.C. college and seminary of St. John’s, Collegeville, Minnesota, for the first semester of the year (January to May).

A series of chance meetings led to the offer to go to the Ecumenical Institute at St. John’s, to study spirituality and worship. In spite of my initial hesitation, the family encourage me to spread my wings and ‘Go for it!’, especially as the children are now all at University. Vincent has promised me that he will be all right in my absence – luckily he likes cooking! And we’ll be able to keep in touch with e-mails, which will help.

My work there will be part of the research project I have been doing for the last year or so. My time will mostly be spent studying, but I am also asked to do some teaching and lecturing to seminary students, members of the huge monastery and convent that are also there, and in the Ecumenical House of Prayer. All of this makes up the lovely campus of lakes, fields and buildings.

I shall have an apartment with a log-fire, and, hopefully the odd radiator, as it is the coldest place in the USA apart from Alaska, and the book says, "In winter it hurts to breathe". I look forward to coming back to the hot English summer!!

If anyone is able to help with our research, all information would be gratefully acknowledged. We would particularly like to talk with people who have had a connection with the firm, and / or possess examples of the wares, which they might allow us to photograph.

We can be contacted via the Haydon News, or directly.

John and Joyce Cockerill,
Ryburndene, Grosvenor Road, York, YO30 7AN
Telephone: 01 904 622 383

From: Marion Churchyard
<marion@churhyard.totalserve.co.uk>
To: geneaology@haydonbridge.demon.co.uk>
Date: 24 January 2000 22:34
Subject:

Family history regarding the name Vipond

I am currently researching my family history for the name Vipond. Although my direct ancestors originally came from Alston/Garrigill area I believe some of the family did settle in the Haydon Bridge area. This would probably be around the late 1800s and early 1900s. Does anybody know of any Viponds having settled or still living in the area who may be interested in family history.

Marion Churchyard

Can readers help?

There has been intense competition throughout the country to see who could produce the first baby of the Millennium. No doubt there will have been some cheating in order to try to be the first, and the winner may well owe success to the surgeon’s knife rather than to the laws of nature. No doubt there are many couples who planned to be married at one minute past Midnight in order to claim their brief moment of fame.

We can look back in the records of the Parish Church to find out who were the first ‘achievers’ in the past three centuries (obviously the records do not go back as far as the last Millennium).

BAPTISMS

18 January 1700 Nicholas, the son of John Maughan of Whinnetly.

24 January 1800 Jane, first daughter of Thomas Sheel, a pitman, and his wife Jane, of Page Croft.

07 January 1900 Diana, illegitimate daughter of Elizabeth Mary Hindmoor a servant of Bush Cottages.

MARRIAGES

25 April 1700 Andrew Armstrong and Elizabeth Graham

06 March 1800 John Maughan and Margaret Pattison

10 March 1900 John George May, a coalminer from Wylam, and Cather -ine Johnson, a domestic servant from Haydon Bridge.

DEATHS

10 January 1700 Elizabeth Ord

19 January 1800 Margaret Whitelock, an 82 year old widow from Lipwood

18 January 1900 George Henry Good, aged 79 years, from Tynemouth.

The events of 1700 would take place in the Old Church, Haydon Bridge and the others, most probably, in St. Cuthbert’s Church.

William Veitch: ‘Haydon’, Darwen, Lancashire.

In renewing my membership I am ensuring contact with the village of my school days and later, 20’s and 30’s. The Haydon News does just that, by, now and again, printing a letter referring to the early years and of course people’s names I knew, crop up too.

Unwittingly, Mrs D. Thompson has stirred quite a few memories by her September issue letter with her mention of Dr. Murray doing his rounds on his bicycle. I remember both the doctor and his bike quite clearly, dark green frame with double crossbar.

Dr. Murray was a big man. I was thankful for his attention in 1926 when he set my broken right wrist (splints in those days) and later in 1930, his replacement, Dr. Bell sent me to the Hexham Memorial Hospital for x-ray when I broke my left arm in the Showfield.

I wonder if Mrs Thompson knew that, when making his calls, Dr. Murray carried a bag of currants and raisins for the children. My sister remembers that too. Yes! Barley Water was the noted remedy for some ailments, and plenty of it!

In a more recent issue, Maurice Armstrong’s retirement caught my eye. I have good reason to remember Maurice as he and my younger sister came into the world on the same November night. Maurice before midnight, sister Marjorie after. His parent’s shop in John Martin Street was just two doors from us. I have a clear recollection of his father loading the flat cart outside the shop preparatory to going on his round.

I have just looked back to the May issue of the Haydon News and Mrs D. Thompson’s letter on the topic of a certain lane’s name.

As children, rightly or wrongly ( and we wouldn’t know) we used the name Pandon Lane, regardless of the nameplate, Temple Houses, on the first house, fairly high up. Along the waterside was a longish stretch of standing water, which we knew as Pandon Pool, a source of great pleasure when it froze over.

I think it was 1929 when the Tyne froze over and was strong enough to take skaters, that is, above the bridge.

I’m not sure if I would have known Mrs Thompson in those far off days, or if she would have known me, but what we must surely have in common are memories of the bus-less years, the silent films in the Town Hall, the gas lamps strategically sited throughout the village, the peace and quiet, broken only by the occasional car or the clank of railway wagons being shunted in the good’s yard.

In conclusion, I trust that you and the Committee members will receive the necessary support and encouragement to keep alive a wonderful news medium.

I wish to bring to the notice of the Haydon Parish Council the unsightly state of the Old Foundry Yard near the station gates. Surely the present owners of the yard could put up a bit of trellis at the entrance for appearance to the village. Must we go on putting up with visitors to Haydon Bridge pointing out that the Foundry Yard is an eyesore to the village and that it does not do justice to Church Street and its church.

I worked at the Old Foundry during two wars making parts for war machinery and earning 12 shillings a week. Thought to be good wages in those days. The majority of the workmen were called up for war service and women had to take over their jobs which they did with great skill, and in memory of those who did not come back from the wars, it is all the more important that we should not forget them by keeping the Old Foundry Yard in good order.

I would also mention that villagers are not happy about the Primitive Methodist Chapel and its large wooden cross painted green. It is out of character with Church Street and its church.

Mrs D Thompson, Temple House, Haydon Bridge.

Haydon Bridge Parish Council

Dear Mrs Garrow

In reply to your letter of November 1st requesting me to alter the existing railings around Parker’s Terrace Cottage, I have to say – the railings are quite reasonable and not a serious problem as the Haydon Parish Council would like to make out. What is serious about the property? The railings will not be altered to suit either the Parish Council or Tynedale Council’s larger bin wagons. The railings will remain in their present situation to protect the corner of the wall of the property dating back to 1867.

I would have expected the Parish Council to know better than interfere in what is a private matter on private land. I have already removed a building to improve the access. Further more, at my request, the Fire and Ambulance officers inspected the access and found ample space, should they need to use it. It is wrong to expect me to alter what is supporting my property.

Mrs D Thompson, Temple House, Haydon Bridge.

If you have recently seen two hunched female figures poking about on the riverbank, have you wondered what they were doing? Who would spend a cold January day examining the minutiae of tree roots, sandy banks an inflow streams? Well, its super sleuths Sue and Barbara doing voluntary work for the Northumberland Wildlife Trust - the annual National Otter Survey.

Every year between November and January a national selection of sites are examined for the presence of otters and mink. We do four sites, two near Ridley Hall and two near Haydon Bridge. Our task is to examine 200 metres of riverbank at each site. We have been trained to look mainly for footprints and droppings, known as spraints (otters) and scats (mink). They are also used as territorial markings and are deposited at intervals in significant places. Otter spraints smell relatively pleasant, fishy and musky, whilst mink scat smell revoltingly of decaying cabbage.

We are supposed to send in samples to the Wildlife Trust, but last year having had my spraint sample in the freezer overnight as recommended by the Trust (safely secured in a polythene specimen bag first, I hasten to add), I took it to the Trust in person as the pungent smell was still in evidence even whilst it was frozen.

This year we did not find any spraints or scats. We think the river level is too variable and keeps washing away the deposits, which must be very frustrating and time consuming for the animals concerned. We did however, find footprints of both animals in sand at Newbrough Burn and Ridley Hall. A mink had clearly taken a long walk along the riverside path at Newbrough. The theory is that if otters are present then mink will disappear from a stretch of river, although our evidence flies in the face of this. If otters are present, goes on the theory, then other species currently under threat will survive, especially of concern is the water vole.

As ever, local sighting of otters are numerous and although these don't officially count for the survey, we report them too in case the National people underestimate the otter activity. It must be a wonderful sight to watch the otters playing in the Tyne as so many village people have told me about.

The celebrations for ‘New Millennium Eve’ seem to have been appreciated by all who took part. They were viewed from numerous vantage points around the area, but those who lined the bridge and streets all agree the atmosphere of community spirit across all generations was wonderful.

We have been asked since if we are doing it again next time. YES, we will if we are still around in 1,000 years time!! The atmosphere was created by the build-up and anticipation of the special occasion – you could not repeat it.

If the author of ‘The Old Bridge and New Bridge Conversations’ had still been here he would have made a meal of it in the Haydon News.

The Old Bridge would have claimed supremacy by having the fireworks on its majestic structure while the ‘New’ one would have said IT was invaluable as the best viewing point. But both would have agreed they were the centre of attention on the night with only the floodlit church with its service broadcast outside competing at all.

The night was only possible because of a small group who have worked to raise the funds, and the support given to them by those who have gone to Disco’s, Quizzes, Folknights, Beetle Drives, the Bank Holiday Fair, or been a member of the Sweep.

Thanks to the Haydonian Working Mens Club; The Railway and The Haydon for the use of their premises and for making it possible for families to be catered for on the night. Their hard work was appreciated.

I’m sure everyone joins in thanks to the Firework Team who did a fabulous job, the preparation team for their hard work, the sound and lighting technicians, the soup ladies, the stewards and church helpers. They all played their part.

Two non-Haydonians visiting for the weekend who got roped in to help, Bruce and Rajit, will not forget where they brought in the Year 2000, nor will quite a few of you too.

Questionnaires for the House Survey and names for the May Day Celebrations – also mugs, are being delivered now. Please fill in and we will collect them at the beginning of February.


Eileen Charlton.

In the Hexham and District Quoits League, Haydon Bridge beat Anick by 6 points to nil.

On the same Saturday, the Haydon Bridge Cricket Team, who lost to Tynedale by 54 runs in a friendly match, were:

J.W. Brown, S. Holliday, A. Graham, C. Bates, W. Cooper, J. Taylor, W. Johnson, G.E. Coulson, W. Rutherford, D. Temperley and G. Brown.

William Veitch

Part 2 (continued) - Wesleyan Chapel 1874 - 1946

On the 3^rd. June 1945 it was announced that the Haydon Bridge Central and Elmfield Churches were to merge.

This letter is an expression of thanks of memories and of hopes for the future.

We would like to extend our thanks to all those who sent us good will messages and cards. The cards sit proudly on the shelf above our fireplace. The fireplace is an unusual feature for a top floor apartment.

It is impossible to put into words the deepest feelings that we have for Haydon Bridge. We lived in the village for 25 years and made friends with and knew nearly everyone. It is our hope that many of those friendships will continue and develop as the years pass.

We have been lucky enough to see Catherine and Peter grow up in Haydon Bridge. They went to Shaftoe Trust School, Allendale Middle, then Haydon Bridge High School before going off to University. Their affection for Haydon Bridge still exists, and they always enjoy news about the village.

Our first friendships were made through the children; this is often the way. A very special friendship with Sylvia and Ernie Swinburn came about when Peter went to Playgroup. New friendships with Eileen and David Charlton, Ken and Pauline Tulip and David Whitehead soon developed, as did a friendship with Mabel Hutchinson (now Teasdale), which lead to a major involvement in Guiding.

Guides became a major part of our lives and remained so until 1990. New friendships were formed with the Brownies, Scouts and Cub Leaders and their families. Wonderful memories of Christmas Concerts, and who could ever forget the joint Hallowe’en parties that Bobby Hubbick, Hank and other Scout Leaders shared with the Guides. These Guides are now grown up and have families of their own. I am sure they will remember the day we went down the slipway on the New Lifeboat at Cullercoats, or the many midnight hikes to Plankey and Ellfoot Farm.

Later Guides will remember camping at Goosehome, or staying in Luxury Chalets at Glenridding. I am so pleased that Diane Lowes and Maureen Haney are continuing Guiding in Haydon Bridge. I am even more delighted because Maureen was one of the Guides when I was first involved in Guiding in 1975.

Other activities ran concurrent with Guiding, The Haydon News and the ‘Friends’ Committee were also present in our lives. Bill became the first Chairman of the ‘Friends’ and I took over editing the Haydon News when Martin Scudamore stepped down. In practical production terms those were often difficult times. The village should always remember the dedicated team who made the first issues possible.

When I was editor we had no ‘new technology’. Liz Jukes typed the pages on old fashioned stencils, using the bright pink correction fluid as little as possible. Joan Hawley hand turned the printer, producing 800 copies and an excess of ink. It was a red-letter day when Joan took charge of a second hand electronic printing machine. John Richardson and other ‘Friends’ collated and stapled the Newsletter before distribution by a network of willing helpers.

I want to say ‘THANK YOU’ and best wishes to all those who helped with the Haydon News when I was Editor, including Tynedale Council Staff who often stepped in at the last minute to print and collate.

Then there was Tynedale Council and the Parish Council, where memories abound and new friendships were made. Without decisions made by the Parish Council the grass cutting at the west end would not have taken place, or extra lighting, and new litterbins and a village handyman are just a few things that you now take for granted.

The Parish Council initiated the Parish Appraisal, which is of great value to a Community because it is the foundation, which allows access to major funding. The committee of the Community Association deserve the gratitude of the village for their vision and dedication as they work towards the completion of a New Community Centre. Their decision enabled officers of the Association to seek funding for a new building. Thanks should also be extended to Val Bell whose dedication to the project has made it all possible.

Soon the riverside Picnic Area will be upgraded and the Old Bridge given a face-lift to take you into the 21^st. century.

The Parish Council supports all of these projects and the village should be very proud that it has such dedicated and hardworking Parish Chairman in Enid Garrow. Enid is ably supported by the other members of the Parish Council. As we start a New Millennium it is worth remembering that people who sit on the Parish Council, or on club committees, run youth organisations or sports teams; not to mention organising village Fetes and Millennium Celebrations, often do so at a cost to themselves of sleepless nights and disruption to family life.

Our hope for you in the New Year 2000 is that you approach the future with positive thoughts and ideas, while keeping your precious memories of the past. Don’t allow negative thoughts from the past to interfere with the future, and remember that everyone in the community is important to that future.

Those who have chosen to come and live in the Parish contribute as much to the character of the place as do those who have had village connections for many generations.

To continue on a more personal note. Bill sends Best Wishes to Jackie and the ‘residents’ of the Railway Hotel. Our new local is the Hamlet Pub, where the beer is similar but conversation has to compete with football on the TV.

We are embarking on a big adventure looking into the New Century with our eyes wide open. We wish that Haydon Bridge will have a peaceful and prosperous future.

Best wishes and good luck to everyone.

The project is initially funded for three years, during which time an outreach network with the feeder schools will be developed and extra PE staff will be appointed and trained. The intention is for pupils to begin learning new sporting activities e.g. gymnastics, trampolining, at an earlier age than at present, and then to be able to go to the High School for more specialist training. At present, a gymnastics club has been established at the High School to provide training for pupils in outlying Middle Schools. The school has also just erected a climbing wall and have made links with Alan Hinks, a mountaineer, with whom they can create projects for the school that are linked to his climbing expeditions.

The school are now putting in a £200,000 Lottery bid so that their Sports College status can make a bigger impact than at present. This money will also enable them to build better links with the community. The Parish Council offered to write a letter of support to enhance the bid.

Letter from Mike Rowarth The churches wish to appoint a youth worker to undertake Christian youth work in the village. They have already raised a substantial amount towards the cost of this project and are now requesting help from the Parish Council. The discussion raised concerns that not all young people would respond to a religious approach and it could be exclusive of other religions. It was decided to suggest that the initiators of the project broaden the scope of their work in order to secure help from the Parish Council.

- Agricultural buildings at High Staward farmhouse.

- Double garage, stable and access at Staward - resub -mitted .

- Detached garage in Belmont Gardens.

- One dwelling at Sunnybrae on Ratcliffe Road. There are possible drainage and access problems at this site.

Hadrian's Wall Management Plan is being revised. There will be a public consultation during 2000. They will make a presentation to the Parish Council.

Village Website James Rumney, a University student has offered to establish a village website. 'Mitch' Mitchell agreed to help him get started and James will consult again with the Council.

Unfortunately the Party Night had to be cancelled as the forecast was bad, the pavements were treacherous and we did not want any broken legs. A later date will be arranged.The Millennium Dance went well considering a lot of people had ‘flu. Even Daph went down just hours before Kick Off time. Nevertheless we raised £127.50 for the Church.

Haydon Bridge took fourteen players to Newbrough Town Hall that night and were arranged in the following teams: