Haydon News

February 2000

email the editor

EDITORIAL

In the last edition of the Haydon News I mentioned that there had been a fair amount of activity in the village during the winter months. Since then the pace has quickened with many long-planned schemes achieving success

While there may have been ‘torrid times’ at Haydon Bridge Football Club ( see report on page 15 ) the club has achieved outstanding results in their fund raising activities to improve facilities at Low Hall Park. After a well played first half, raising £27,000, they went on to score again with a successful Lottery Bid. A tremendous achievement that will bring long lasting benefits to the people of Haydon Bridge. ( Full report on page 9 )

Still in the Sports field, the High School has been granted "Sports College" status. Again, this has only been achieved through much hard work by all involved. The new facilities will provide additional benefits to the pupils and the wider community. Congratulations on their success.

The first meeting of the Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme ( HERS ) was held in February. Through this scheme money from English Heritage and Tynedale Council will be made available over the next three years to carry out environmental and economic improvements to the village.

The first allocation of money is to be used to repair the structure of the Old Bridge and provide floodlighting. This is in addition to the scheme for new lighting and floorscaping of the bridge and replacing the bollards and fencing at either end.

Under the HERS project money will be made available for improvements to the frontage of businesses and properties in the conservation area of the village but this must be matched by a similar amount from the owners.

In this edition the historical saga of the Wesley Chapel continues; there’s a reminder from our Treasurer that subscriptions and advertiser’s fees are now due. There’s also an article on ‘The Friends’ proposal to develop Tait’s Yard for community use. Your views and comments on this idea would be appreciated.

We don’t seem to get many letters now-a-days!!

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Residents and Staff at Haydon View would like to express their thanks to all who gave £150 in donations in lieu of flowers for the late Mamie Clark.
We have purchased a set of garden table and chairs which will be put to good use during the summer months.

My family and I would like to thank you for the beautiful flowers and card from ‘The Friends’ of the village I received when Arthur died.

Thank you all again.

Kathleen Fulton 7 Martin’s Close.

---------------------------------------

Dear Sir

May I please use the columns of the Haydon News to reply to Mrs D Thompson’s letters in the January edition where she seems to argue a case for and against change on Church Street?

Firstly with regard to the Old Foundry, Church Street being untidy. I live on Church Street and I have never heard visitors to the village, nor locals, make any disparaging remarks about the site. It is an industrial site, a former foundry used more recently as a haulage contractor’s yard not a shrine to those lost in the wars – for that purpose we have a memorial further south along the street.

Secondly I do not wish to be included in an imaginary list of villagers who are objecting to the metal cross on the Methodist Chapel. Comments about the cross and Chapel refurbishment have been positive, the building and facilities are now an asset to the village.

Finally Mrs Thompson’s comments regarding her alterations to the railings at Parker’s Terrace that the Parish Council "should know better than to interfere in a private matter on private land". This reminds me of the old proverb – practice what you preach. The Foundry owner undoubtedly has the same rights to his property and is allowed to do with it as he likes within constraints of the law of the land.

Haydon Bridge, for such a small village, seems to have more than its share of upheaval and change and with change seems to come objection and criticism. We must all keep an open mind and take other points of view into account when forming opinions and presenting our opinions.

Mrs J Brown 17 Church Street  Haydon Bridge

--------------------------------

COMMUNITY CENTRE PROGRESS

I am sure that everyone has seen the progress being made at the Community Centre. It now looks like a proper building, rather than a pile of rubble, which it seemed to be for a long time.

The building programme has experienced some delays, the main reasons being: the collapse of a neighbour’s wall, underpinning adjacent boundaries and last but not least the inclement weather.

With these events behind us, and fingers crossed for the weather to be kind to us over the next few weeks, a provisional completion date is expected to be the end of March 2000.

Mary Douthwaite   

Chair: Community Association

I am 57 years old and my father is 88 years old. His father, George Batey, was born in Haydon Bridge on 14^th August 1857.

I have been trying to find Haydon Bridge on maps for several years, but finally came up with your address on the Internet!!!

I am seeking information about my grandfather, George Batey, and his family, in order to try to trace our family roots etc. Any piece of information that you could provide would be appreciated very much.

I have two grown children and two granddaughters, and it would be wonderful to learn more about my family.

George’s parents, his brothers John and Isaac and their sister Isabella, all came to America in 1879. We have no information prior to that time.

Again, thank you in advance for any information you might be able to provide.

Don Michael "Mike" Batey 17723 Shadow Valley Drive
Spring, TEXAS 77379 U.S.A
Telephone: 00 1 713 376 4274

Ed's Note - Details and maps of two generations of Mr. Batey's ancestors passed on to him

Ed's Note. Photographs passed on to Betty Cousin of the Haydon Hotel who will write to Mr. Veitch

HISTORICAL NOTES OF HAYDON BRIDGE
By Dennis Telford

‘Whether you knew it as the Wesleyan Chapel, the Wesley Hall or the Community Centre, memories are all that remain as the old stones are rebuilt for a new Millennium. A new beginning!’

Part 3 – The Wesley Hall

By the time the old Wesleyan or Central Methodist Church was dedicated as a Community Centre, to be known as ‘Wesley Hall’ the soldiers who had commandeered it as a war time billet had left, the cook house at the rear had been dismantled, the pulpit and pews had been removed and sold for £60.

The military authorities were none too keen to pay for damage to the premises while they had been in occupation although they did grudgingly admit eventually, that a radiator which had gone missing was probably their responsibility!

In June 1946 the Community Centre, generally called the Methodist Youth Club at the time, was a venue for ‘V’ Day celebrations. If you were one of the children entertained to tea, you may well have been sitting next to one of the winners of the Fancy Dress Competition which had been held earlier in the day: Muriel Watson, Ronald Moran, Peter Routledge, Margaret Gilchrist, Rhoda Brown, John Bond, Norma Brown, Bobby Beckwith, John Oliver, Doreen Brown, Marlene Turnbull, Margaret Hill, Rene Lax, Pat Ridley, Kathleen Robinson, Aileen Hill, Dorothy Paul, Margaret Bond, Kathleen Burrows and Sandra Moore.

The Church leaders and Trustees’ vision to maintain strict spiritual purpose to each of the disparate activities which the premises now hosted inevitably led to tensions.

Compromises were made!

Smoking was allowed in the ‘Club room and Games room’ but not in the Hall which had previously been the Chapel. Limited dancing was sanctioned when ’public dances, Whist Drives or similar types of public entertainment’ had not been allowed on Methodist premises previously.

The Youth Club was a constant source of concern as it sought its independence from the Chapel and the Trustees did their best to keep control.

It was pointed out to the Youth Club that the Wesley Hall had not been handed over completely to them, they had no right to sub-let the hall and perhaps to show who was in charge, the Trustees decided to impose a curfew, closing the canteen at 9.30pm. and the premises at 10.00pm, to avoid nuisance or annoyance to the occupiers of neighbouring property.

On the 23^rd. of November 1950 the Trustees made another attempt to assert their authority. The Youth Club was given one month’s notice by the Church and then asked to re-apply for the nights they required.

By April 1951, a Youth Management committee was formed to attempt a re-conciliation. The leaders of the Church were: Noel Shaw, Bobby Todd, E. Brown, Mrs Watson, Misses K. Liddle, Eileen Cooper, Sybil Telford and Laura Telford. The Youth Club representatives were: John Corbett, David Corbett, Stephen Westall, Jeff Reynolds, Misses Mary Stokoe and Margaret Watson.

This was probably an uneasy truce because on 29^th. October 1952 the Methodist minister discussed a proposal to re-open the Youth Club under Methodist control, in the Elmfield premises rather than the Wesley Hall.

The Wesley Hall would be used for purposes of evangelism, films of an evangelical nature, services, club work and church socials.

Following a meeting with the Youth Club members however, the minister reported that they "Showed no inclination to meet at Elmfield and revealed a marked reluctance to be under Methodist control!"

The Wesley Hall Community Centre was home for many activities other than the Youth Club of course.

Access and exit from the Hall was made easier by removal of the entrance partition and replacing it with swing doors.

Bazaars, Bring and Buy Sales, Beetle Drives and Jumble or Rummage Sales were held at regular intervals, as volunteers gave hours of their time to raise finance to support village organisations.

Every year flowers and vegetables were laid out row upon row on trestle tables for the Haydon Bridge Parish Gardeners’ Annual Show.

In 1949, the 1^st. Haydon Bridge Boy Scouts were given permission to use the hall on Friday nights. The large, high room with solid wall and little furnishing or decoration to speak of, was a wonderful location for boys with energy to burn.

In the late 40’s and early 50’s the Haltwhistle St. Cecelia Choir sang to capacity audiences when they visited.

In spite of the social activities which took place in the Wesley Hall, it became clear to the Methodist Trustees that it was becoming impossible to finance both the Ratcliffe Road and Church Street premises adequately, and after the Methodist Badminton Club disbanded in January 1952 and re-formed as an independent club, the Trustees sought permission to sell the Wesley Hall.

Having decided that it was surplus to requirements, the Trustees sought a purchaser for the property.

During the ensuing years only essential repairs were carried out, general maintenance was left to God and good neighbours and the fabric of the building deteriorated.

The hall continued to be used. There will be many who remember the raucous meetings of the Langley and Haydon Bridge Boy’s Club for which Ralph Pickering gave up so much of his time so readily.

The wonderful nights with the more structured 1^st. Haydon Bridge Boy Scouts of which we were so proud to be members and where Bob Campbell set a fine example to those in his charge. Perhaps you were in the ‘Peewits’, the ‘Hawks’ or the ‘Wood pigeons’ patrol!

Or maybe your fondest memories are of the Badminton Club which flourished. Where old friends met, new friendships were born and blossomed and where more discrete liaisons took place!

Or was it all village rumour and gossip?

Oh, happy days!

( part 4 – in next month’s issue )

HAYDON BRIDGE ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB LOTTERY BID

Well, as I’m sure most of you will already have heard, we have been successful in our Sports Lottery Bid. We have been granted 55% of the total cost of providing a 5-a-side Artificial Surface Multi Use Games Area ( MUGA ) at Low Hall Park.

This has been a mammoth task, as I am sure anyone who has been involved in Lottery Bids will understand only too well.

This one started as an idea plucked really out of nowhere, stemming from when we were told that the Bowling Club didn’t want the land offered by HBFC for use as a bowling green. At a Committee meeting in February 1997, David Kirsopp suggested a 5-a-side artificial surface area, knowing the land was available and that it would be a huge attraction to the youngsters of the village. After much discussion it was decided to make enquiries into how a Lottery Grant might be obtained. Maybe if we had known then what we know now, that might have been as far as it went, but we had just no idea of the ‘whys’ and ‘wherefores’ of the procedures that were going to be needed.

After talking to the Reverend David Perkins about how well the campaign for the new Chapel was going, he loaned us some literature containing the names and addresses of various Charities who may or may not be willing to help us. We then wrote a project brief, outlining what we were aiming for and enclosed with that a letter before posting to around 80 of these Trusts, as well as to the major companies in our area. We then contacted Tynedale District Council who carried out a feasibility study in May 1997. They advised us to go ahead and apply for planning permission. We did, and it was granted in August 1997. We were on our way.

John Maud, and his team from Tynedale Leisure met at our house every month for about a year, working closely with Keith Carruthers, Alan Borthwick, Shirley Phillips and ourselves to try and wade through the mountain of paperwork and legislation necessary to complete the Bid. We also applied to the Football Association in London for a grant while HBFC carried out ambitious money raising events around the village. For which, we have to thank the residents of Haydon Bridge, and in particular Eileen Charlton and her By-Pass Committee for their sincere generosity. Without all of this support, we would just not have managed.

In December 1998, we were invited to meet the local representatives of the Lottery Commission. They had a copy of our aims, development plan and project brief. We duly set off one cold evening, our hopes and expectations high, thinking that we were almost there, ready just to send all of this paperwork off to London then sit back and wait. Never could anyone have been so wrong. We met up with John Maud again and were summoned into the Committee Room to meet the Lottery people. They advised us at the very beginning of the meeting that several areas of our plans needed to be altered if we stood any chance of being successful. The main discrepancy was that as we had planned for male , female and the disabled to use the playing area, but had not considered the facilities of the old Pavilion, which were seriously lacking. Especially for the disabled. It was back to the drawing board. In fact, Brian Bell’s drawing board. Brian very generously drew up new plans for a complete Pavilion refurbishment. He donated his time and expertise to the Football Club, for which we remain extremely grateful.

We eventually sent off our Bid to London, and hoped this time everything would run smoothly. Each time a letter came through our door we thought "This is it!" but month after month there were just technical hitches that needed ironing out.

Meanwhile, we were advised to apply to the Football Association for a grant. Which we did, and met their Area Representative and Funding Officer – Miss Penny Millar - who travelled here from London to talk to us. She recommended that we apply for the maximum grant of £31,000. So we did!

After being informed we would be contacted at the end of January 2000 with the final ‘yes’ or ‘no’ decision from the Lottery, our contact in the Post Office – Mr Colin Banks – ( Haydon Bridge United team manger ) phoned us at 7.10am on Friday 4^th February informing us that the long awaited letter was at last here! It was delivered, and opened with shaking hands. As soon as I read the opening line of the letter .. "I am please to inform you …" I was elated. In fact the excitement even got to our son Steven, who is normally as cool as a cucumber!

Haydon Bridge Football Club £27,225

The Sports Lottery Bid £71,942

The Football Association £31,000

Total: £130,167

Our sincere thanks must go to the people of the village for their fantastic support, not only for this scheme, but for all the years they have supported the Football Club, often through thick and thin. Special thanks also to Jackie at the Railway Hotel, Betty and Maurice at the Haydon Hotel, John Clarke for his help with the ‘100 Club’, the Parish Council, Tynedale District Council, Thompson’s of Prudhoe, the Environmental Trust and Major Robert Clutterbuck, for his most generous donation which was reported in the August 1998 Haydon News.

All being well, the development will commence in the Spring. It will provide the community with much need facilities which will be available for use long into the future.

HOME AWAY

Newcastle BT W 2-0 Otterburn L 3-1
Northern SC L 0-2 Forest Hall D 3-3
Walker Stack L 1-5 Walker Stack D 2-2
Northumbria Univ. D 2-2 Cowgate Sport L 0-1
Wallsend United W 3-1 Northern SC D 2-2
Cowgate Sport W 3-1 Blyth Spartan ‘A’ L 1-0
Forest Hall W 3-0
Stobhill Rangers W 3-2
Blyth Spartan ‘A‘. D 2-2
Wallington L 1-5

League & Cup Top Scorers

Jeff Clarke 7 Alastair Thirlwell 3
Dan Clarke 6 Stuart Bell 3
Dan Robson 3 Chad Alder 2

Recent Form

Since defeating Stobhill Rangers 3-2 at Low Hall Park, HBFC have had a torrid time in both League and Cup. Amble Vikings ended any NFA Minor Cup plans with a 3-0 home victory. That was always going to be a hard game against Amble who are pushing for promotion from Division One into the Premier League. Haydon Bridge remain mid table in Division Two.

The league matches haven’t gone the way of HBFC either. Having conceded a last minute goal at Cowgate Sports to lose 1-0 and having a player sent off. High flying Northern Social Club of Ashington could only manage a home 2-2 draw against HBFC though. Our two goals that day came from top scorer Jeff Sparke. Unfortunately he has since left for a long break in Australia.

There was a chance of taking all three points against Blyth Spartan ‘A’ on home soil in January, but they stole a late equaliser with virtually the last kick of the game. An away game against Northumbria University was abandoned on the hour with the score 0-0 because of high winds and will have to be replayed.

A real Jeckyl & Hyde performance on the 5^th February saw HBFC defeated 1-5 at home by Wallington. After a storming first half hour and taking the lead, HBFC were stunned by 5 rapid fire goals in a 15 minute spell either side of the half time break.

Lucky Numbers from the ‘100 Club’

£30 J Carruthers Number 69
£15 A Young Number 246
£10 R Curry Number 282
£ 5 J Worthington Number 84
£ 5 R Curry Number 279

Next meeting and Draw 7^th March at the Railway Hotel

Lottery Latest.

Work on the new Multi-Use Games Arena (MUGA) and the complete refurbishment of the pavilion is expected to commence in April or May now that the Club’s Lottery Bid has been accepted. The MUGA will be an Astro-turf, floodlit arena bringing much needed all year round facilities to the village such as volleyball, basketball, indoor hockey, netball, tennis and more. It will be an ideal centre for 5-a-side football tournaments with its dual pitches enabling two games to go ahead simultaneously. The English Sports Lottery Fund have provided £71, 942 for the project, while another £31,000 came from the FA in London. HBFC raised a further £27,225. An overall total of £130,167.

The Club Shop

Haydon Bridge United wear is NOW available. Items can be ordered from Avril Kirsopp, telephone: 01 434 684 745 or call at Waterside House, Rocksprings.

Stylish Sweatshirts in Black/Royal/Navy £15.00
Popular Polo Shirts in Black/Navy/White/Sky £15.00
Woollen Hats £ 7.50

All have the Haydon Bridge United FC logo and traditional Red Robin motif. And, of course, are of superb quality.

HALL OF FAME

A Profile on: George Anderson

Born: Haydon Bridge 1889
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 5’10"
Weight: 12st.0lb.
Career: Haydon Bridge United
Mickley (Debut 8^th Oct, 1910)
Sunderland. (Transferred May, 1911 for £10. Signing on fee was £5.
Wages were £2. 10s. per week. When reaching the First Team rising to £4.
Aberdeen. Signed on 26^th May, 1914.
Became Manager of Aberdeen and then for Dundee.

George made 10 appearances at Roker Park during the 1910-1911 season. In 1911-1912 made 8 and in 1912-1913 had 2 games.His debut was an away game against Middlesborough on 30^th December, 1911 which ended 3-3.
His final game for Sunderland was against Tottenham Hotspur at Roker Park on 28^th September, 1912

PARISH COUNCIL PICKINGS

Tait's Yard Proposals. A group of village residents attended the meeting to present their concerns about the ideas for the development of Tait's Yard. These were outlined in a letter from the ‘Friends of Haydon Bridge’ to last month's Parish Council meeting. The resident's main concerns are around their jobs and livelihoods. Their current businesses take up about half the land area and there are no suitable alternative sites on which to relocate their businesses. The problems with the site were reviewed - the site has been for sale for some time; the existing planning permission has expired; the land is contaminated to a depth of 17 feet; it is not suitable for a children's playground because there are no children living on the south side of the A69; housing would be expensive because the land would need to be excavated first; a plan for a health/fitness centre would duplicate developments at the High School. The possibility of small business units was discussed, but it was acknowledged that either a long tenancy or ownership of the site would be needed in order for that to happen. ‘The Friends’ will present their proposals for a Healthy Living Area to the Parish Council when they know more details.

The drugs problem is still an issue in the village, and although Haydon Bridge has been described by the police as a very safe place to live, some Councillors felt that we should continue to be vigilant about the problems

Website. A questionnaire is to be produced to ask people what they want from a village website.

Military Road, proposed downgrading. Tynedale Council is to undertake a feasibility study regarding this proposal. Concern was expressed that it is needed as a relief road when the A69 is blocked - a relatively frequent occurrence due to the number of traffic accidents on the A69. It was noted that even if the by-pass is built, the Military Road still shouldn't be downgraded.

Traffic Problems at Shaftoe First School. There are increasing concerns about parking. It has recently got much worse with parents wanting to park up the hill beside the school instead of parking at the bottom and walking up the hill to the school. The corner by the Social Club is very dangerous now at school start and finish times. A number of proposals have been presented to solve the problems and a site plan was circulated to the meeting. The School is also concerned and would like improved car parking for teachers. Options will be examined for work to begin in 2001.

The A69 pedestrian crossing outside Marsh's newsagents is not working properly. There is not sufficient time allowed for people to cross the road.

A new larger free-standing litter bin is to be placed outside the Co-op in the next financial year.

White lines have been painted on the road humps in front of Mrs Thompson's properties.

The Cemetery tap is blocked and will be mended by the end of February.

A new street light and fittings has been installed. in Langley Gardens.

The next Heritage Economic Regeneration Strategy (HERS) meeting will be on 22^nd March 2000. It could be combined with the Village Design meeting.

Britain in Bloom Contest have written to the Parish Council about this year’s competition. It was agreed to contact Roadlink for permission to put two large tubs at the west end of the village on the A69.

Planning Applications The telecommunications mast proposed for East Mill Hills has been lowered; a garage and car park is sought to be built in Heugh House Lane; amendments have been proposed to the Altonside barns.

Church Youth Worker. A reply to the Parish Council's letter has been received from the Methodist Church expressing reservations about broadening the job description and thanking the Parish Council for their interest.

The new Community Centre is expected to be finished by the end to March 2000.

Haydon Bridge Football Club have been awarded lottery money and were allocated £1,000 towards their new football pitch.

Riverside Area It was agreed to put crushed stone surfacing on the area, together with two large boulders to block vehicle access. Northumbria Wildlife Trust have advised against any alterations to the river bank.

Old Bridge Renovations will take place in June 2000.

Spa Well Footpath has been partially washed away. It was agreed to find a source of funding for the repairs.

And Finally… molehills are a problem in the village. It was agreed to contact the moleman.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED for both help with National Spring Clean week which begins on 8th April and for the newly reformed By-pass Committee. (Contact Eileen Charlton).

THE DOG FOULING PROBLEMS are increasing rapidly and are now found in areas which haven't formerly had them eg in the grounds of both schools. Residents need to be made aware that according to local by-laws they can be fined up to £1,000 for dog fouling on grass which has been mowed; on the pavements; or in areas where traffic speed is under 30mph. This effectively covers the whole village. The Paris Council are to contact the Dog Warden at Tynedale District Council to get help with law enforcement, and to get additional waste bins. The Highways Agency have agreed to locate a sign about Dog Fouling by the bridge on the A69.

PLEASE BE PATIENT The forms for the Millennium Book are gradually being collected. Please hold on to your form until someone comes for it.

YOUR VIEWS ARE SOUGHT ABOUT LOCAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT The Public Transport Strategy are seeking people's views about timing, bus stop location and fares. The bus services will be maintained at their current level despite concerns about the low level of evening usage during the early part of the week, but the Parish Council is also concerned about the trains not stopping and the possibility of a request stop; the issue of public safety on trains and a new opening for the station car park. Please let the Parish Council know your views. 

SH

Index

SPORTING STATUS FOR HAYDON BRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL

We were given Sports College Status as a result of our school’s success and achievement in Physical Education and Community Sport. The written submission, including a three year development plan, an HMI visit to the school and achievement of the English Sports Council Awards Sportsmark and Sportsmark Gold provided the evidence required by the DfEE. This confirmed our current level of development and illustrated beyond doubt the ability and commitment of the school and community partners to increasing curriculum provision, participation and academic/ vocational success for students at the High School, within the pyramid of schools and for the population of this community at large.

The journey taken to achieve Sports College Status started in October 1996 with the DfEE announcing the expansion of the Government’s Special Schools Programme to include Sport as an addition to Technology and Languages.

The decision to embark on this journey was taken following consultation with students, parents, governors, staff and community partners. Immediately following this, a team of people including a parent governor, LEA and County Council representative was assembled to plan the project with the first task being the project requirement to secure £100,000 of sponsorship. In just six weeks this was accomplished; a truly outstanding school and community achievement. At the same time as the sponsorship was being sort the planning team were hard at work putting together the written submission for a December deadline.

Then in March 1997 came the devastating news that our bid had not been successful. The feedback received suggested that the submission was good and it had met the criteria. However, Treasury funds were insufficient to award all schools that had applied for Sports College Status. This news was followed by a period of reflection when many questions were asked, with the resulting outcome being an even greater determination to see this project through to a successful conclusion no matter how much work was involved or how long it would take. The school and the community were united in support of this project.

During late 1997 and 1998 we were again unsuccessful in our quest, yet belief in this project never faltered and in fact we even became more determined. We did acknowledge that rural communities have fewer people but would not accept that those people deserve anything less that access to quality sporting facilities equal to those located in urban areas, and it was this fact that drove us forward.

Then in late July 1999, two years and ten months after setting out on the journey, we received over the phone the good news:

"The Minister has confirmed designation of Haydon Bridge High School as a Specialist Sports College from 1st September 1999".

The numerous benefits of being a Sports College will over time impact on the community at large and most certainly will benefit all schools, First, Middle and High in our pyramid. The benefits will include: extra facilities, equipment, resources including access to specialist coaches, coach education, transport, and access to sports not currently available locally i.e. gymnastics, dance, movement and indoor climbing. Additional specialist PE staff will be timetabled at specific times to work with children in our First and Middle Schools. Additional community staff will assist in the development of sports programmes for children and young people after school and during school holidays and will also develop a sporting programme with adults for adults. Specialist coaches will be employed to develop skills and talent, additional sports equipment will be purchase to enable the development of gymnastics, climbing etc. Books, CD ROM's, videos and ICT hardware and software will be purchased to support teaching and learning in physical education and sport. The list just goes on and on and on.

Not everything will be immediately visible or available, for example, the new gymnasium, improved changing rooms and climbing wall, but they are all part of the approved plan and will be built soon.

How soon these facilities will be built is directly linked to our Sport England Sports Lottery Bid. A successful Sports Lottery Bid would slightly delay the start of the building work linked to the Sports College. However, ultimately the final development would be far superior, as the amount of finance available would be greater. We should by April 2000 have a much clearer idea of the timescale associated with building works.

The task of managing the Sports Lottery Funding Bid is daunting but it is without doubt worth doing for the benefits it will bring to this community. These are exciting times and the future of sport in our community is looking good.

To all those people who provide regular positive words of encouragement and support – thank you, it is your words that provide the incentive to persevere with the task and without doubt help in bringing about success.

Miscellaneous

TINY TOTS

The sessions, run on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, from 9.30 to 11.30 at St. Cuthbert’s Church Hall, aim to provide a friendly environment where parents / carers can meet, have a coffee and chat, whilst the children play and have fun.

Cost: £1 for the first child, 50p for each additional child.

For further information contact Genevieve Stone on: 01 434 684 537 or call in at one of the sessions.

PLAYGROUP
From 2 years 6 months

currently runs on Monday and Friday mornings from 9.15 to 11.45. Each session provides your child with the opportunity to learn through play and to experience a wide range of activities. Children learn, through play, to communicate effectively and happily, at their own pace, with other children and adults. Playgroup is run by a qualified Nursery Nurse Teacher plus assistants.

Cost: £3 per session.

For further information contact Helen Easby on: 01 434 674 371 or call in at one of the sessions.

St Cuthbert’s Playgroup is a member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance.

---------------

SEAL CLUB

Come and join the Seal Club!

What is it and where is it held?

The Society for the Entertainment and Amusement of Locals is held at St Cuthbert’s Church Hall.

The name SEAL represents St Cuthbert who lived amongst them.

We have slide shows, demonstrations and talks.

We meet nine months of the year March to November at 7.30pm on the 2^nd Thursday of the above months.

In October of every year we organise the Harvest Supper.

New members are most welcome so do come and join us and see for yourself.

M. Curry

-------------------

With the financial assistance of the Rural Stress Initiative (RSI) and the co-operation of the GP practice it has been possible to provide an information and advice service within Haydon Bridge Health Centre, which reflects the Government’s directive of Healthy Living Centres.

The RSI is a group comprising of both statutory and voluntary organisations concerned about the current stresses in rural areas and farming communities, which is co-ordinated through the Community Council of Northumberland.

Tynedale CAB has already successfully collaborated with other GP practices, including Wark, Bellingham and Allendale – and we hope to replicated this in Haydon Bridge.

Often it seems to be accepted that rural dwellers must put up with sub-standard services because of their location and it is often assumed that those who live in the country have an idyllic life without hardship or problems. In fact, country people experience much the same problems as those living in urban areas and with the changes occurring in farming their current needs and stresses have rarely been so great. Problems in rural areas are often made worse by long journeys to reach services and sources of help.

One of the aims of the CAB is to ensure that people do not suffer through ignorance of their rights or services available, or through an inability to express their needs effectively. The rural project supports this by taking the service to the people.

We can offer advice and assistance on money matters, housing, legal, employment, personal, benefit applications, reviews and appeals and where appropriate in association with the GPs and other Health Care professionals.

Our service offers free, confidential and impartial information, guidance and support to all individuals.

Sessions are held at Haydon Bridge Health Centre every Monday from 2pm – 4pm by appointment only.

For an appointment: Call at the Health Centre Reception or telephone: 01 434 684 216

-----------------------------------------------

Bridge Learn how to play – places available on Thursday evenings 7.00pm to 9.00pm.

NEW COURSE – Hill Skills Learn the skills required for taking part in expeditions or just for family camping!

For further information on these or any other courses please contact Lesley Robson on: 01 434 684 422

-------------------------------------------

DANCE CLUB NEWS

The Church Hall is bursting at the seams with 9 new members recently. These last few weeks we have an attendance of over 40 members.

Iris says the club started in 1977 and was run by Len Hannant’s mother-in-law. In 1981/82 Len took over and in 1983 he asked me to assist him. He was poorly at the time. He finally handed the club over to me. Daphne and I carried on until 1992 when we left after a lot of harassment to us both. From July 1992, Helen Donnelly took over with Philip. After some disagreements they left in March 1996. Ken Bennion struggled on for a few weeks doing his best to keep things going until Iris approached Daph and I to ask if we would consider taking over again. Which we did with great success as things have proved.

Thanks go this time to Margaret and Dora for their work in collecting Lottery money etc. and sorting out the winners at the end of the year. No easy task with a full hall.

Audrey, Jose and George are all gallivanting at this time.

LANGLEY WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

At their February meeting, Langley members welcomed PC Andrew Easby from the Police Air Support Unit in the North East. After describing his training, PC Easby went on to recount the history of Air Support in this country. The first time this was used was in 1920 at Epsom Down races. After a chequered history over the years a permanent support system was set up in 1990. Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland combined to form a Regional Support Scheme based at Newcastle Airport where it still remains. There are two helicopters and a staff of ten pilots and twenty constables and an engineer. Most of the pilots are ex-military with wide experience of flying. When the helicopter is airborne there is one pilot and two observers on board. It costs £600 an hour to operate.

PC Easby showed slides of the helicopters and described many different aspects of their uses as well as video footage of various crimes in the area. Members were fascinated to discover that the observers can see surprisingly minute details from the helicopter. They can watch criminals climbing on roofs to break in, watch them running through gardens and can follow the progress of stolen cars thus aiding their colleagues on the ground in the fight against car crime.

A successful raffle was held in aid of "Fun with a Fiver"

Myra Bowen. Telephone: 01 434 684 653

TAIT’S YARD - A PROPOSAL FOR A COMMUNITY PROJECT

Tait’s Yard has been for sale for over five years, except for a short period in 1999 when it was withdrawn from the market. In the Tynedale District Plan it is earmarked for housing. However, ‘The Friends of Haydon Bridge’ are proposing that the site be purchased for the people of Haydon Bridge.

NOTE: THIS IS ONLY A PROPOSAL.

The aim of the proposal is to improve the facilities in the village and the quality of life of local people.

The object is the purchase of Tait’s Yard, transforming it into an area for recreational use, and presenting it to the people of Haydon Bridge for their enjoyment.

Why Tait’s Yard?

1. It is for sale.
2. It is easily accessible from all parts of the village – there are no hills to climb.
3. It is away from the main road and riverside - a safe environment for its users.

What plans do ‘The Friends’ have for the site?

NONE

We do have some ideas though:

1. A secure toddlers play area – we know there is a real need for one.
2. Perhaps a bowling green – if there is interest.
3. Perhaps a landscaped area of raised flower beds and seating aimed particularly at the eld- erly and infirm – but only if this is what the local community want.

PLANS will only be developed when we know what you, the residents of Haydon Bridge, want to be included in them. Plans must not duplicate existing or planned recreational facilities in the area but make new provision for groups or individuals for whom facilities are inaccessible or unavailable.

Where’s the money coming from?

‘The Friends’ have been told that their proposal could be viewed as a "Healthy Living Project" i.e. A project that would help improve the quality of life of local people.

As a "Healthy Living Project", application for a grant to carry out a feasibility study and develop a project plan could be made to the area Health Action Zone. If after carrying out the feasibility study it is shown that the proposal has the support of the local community then a project plan will be developed for a grant application to be made to the New Opportunities Fund.

How will ‘The Friends’ get the views of local people?

1. Through a survey questionnaire distributed to every household in the village asking if you are in agreement with the proposal and for you ideas on what you would like to see included in the plans for the site.
2. Through presentation to local groups.
3. By holding an exhibition once draft plans are drawn up to ask for your views and to en- sure the plans meet the needs of the local community.

‘The Friends’ know that their Community Project proposal is ambitious and if the feasibility study indicates community support for the proposal then a great amount of work will be involved in drawing up the plans for grant application.

They also know that many applications for grant funding do fail.

However, ‘The Friends’ feel that with the support of the local community their proposal could be developed into a successful project.

Should the Tait's Yard Project succeed then the property would be handed over to Trustees to retain the area for community use in perpetuity.

FOHB

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.

The ‘Friends’ would like you to consider joining as an inactive member by donating 10p a month or active, which means giving a commitment for occasional help in organising various functions.

Organisations to benefit from the Prize Bingo Sessions this year are: ‘Out & About Club’, Canada 2000 Project, The Fire Service Benevolent Fund, ‘The Sunshine Panners Steel Band, Haydon View Residential Home, St. Cuthbert’s Church, The Mothers’ Union, Archive 2000. December’s Prize Bingo Christmas Party will be funded from the sessions in September, October and November.

If your organisation would like to benefit from one of these sessions please contact Chris Sim on; 01 434 684 704

Rainbow Writers 

Hello everyone

I’m sure at one time or another most of us have kept a diary or journal of special events and memorable happenings in our lives.

Alistair Burrowes’ Great Grandmother, Granny Urwin, was just such a person. She recorded an event passed down to her by her Grandmother, dating from November 1771, which Alistair has used as a basis for his latest winning entry in the ‘Rainbow Writers Short Story Competition. It reads …...

Alistair’s story in its entirety will be included in "Mixed Grill", the second anthology compiled by the Rainbow Writers.

Bye for now,

 Joyce Sim

Medical - Sorry no page this month