February1979
This is the first issue of our newsletter and therefore the first time many of you will have heard of the "Friends of Haydon Bridge". It is therefore an appropriate time to say something about the need for such an association and our general aims and aspirations,. Firstly may I say that it is not our intention to subvert the functions or responsibilities of' the Haydon Parish Council who are, after all, elected by those who care to exercise that right. However, we do feel that we can fill what we believe in a gap in the structure of the community in acting as a receiver of information, opinions and suggestions, providing a forum for discussion and when necessary taking action through the appropriate authorities.
In common with other places little interest has hitherto been taken in the affairs of the Parish and District Councils and our Representatives more often than not have made their decisions unheard by all but a few. We think it is important that Parish Council matters should be brought to the notice of all Residents and with this in mind a number of us have been attending the monthly Parish Council Meetings and reports of those held in November and December last are included in this newsletter.
What we as a group can achieve depends entirely on the amount of support and participation of people in general. If I may put it this way - do you wish to have a say in the way in which your community develops? For instance, would you like a public library in the village ? Why does the known high level of Road traffic on Ratcliffe Road not qualify for a "Pelican" type pedestrian crossing and for that matter what are the laid down criteria ? Both these subjects are currently under discussion and if you have thoughts on these or other topics of a local nature, we will be glad to hear from you.
Remember that communities like ours fit together like a jigsaw, all the pieces are important to make a whole and if any are taken away society begins to suffer, usually beginning with those least able to cope. If we are to keep the community intact and at the same time confidently face the future in a rapidly changing world, we ought to give a great deal more thought to the issues of today and the shape of tomorrow and the coming years. We feel that we might help this process by providing a dialogue outside and separate from the formal. decision making process.
Finally I might say that we do not require a lot of your time but more of your support through interest and participation. What has gone before is past if not forgotten but if one lesson can be learned from recent events, it is that if you wish to decisions affecting you and the future, you must speak now as to leave it until later will in most cases be too late. We intend to give that opportunity to anyone who comes to take it.
W.S.R. Howard. Chairman.
The siting of two factories in the Station Yard. in the middle of the village of Haydon Bridge has caused a considerable upsurge of feeling throughout the Parish against the Parish Council who recommended the grant of planning permission. Perhaps they did not realise what an eyesore the first factory would be sited as it is.
Protest meetings followed but even a petition signed by 724 people in the village and presented to the Council failed to stop or delay authorisation of the second factory, which has gone ahead.
Some members of the "anti-station yard" group decided to form an association to see what could he done, first to find a remedy for the station yard and second to ensure that no such harmful decisions were made in the future,
On the first point legal advice was taken. This clearly indicated that nothing could be done to hold up the planned development. The Authorities had all acted in accordance with the rules, however ill-advised their decisions may appear to many of us. The only chance of calling in the Ombudsman arises if a charge of maladministration can be made - and if there is ground for any charge. The blame, if we care to take it lies with ourselves for not being sufficiently "on the ball"
.
While there is apparently nothing we can do to change the past, there is something we can do about it in the future – the second point mentioned above. This is the reason for the formation of the body, as a section of the Community Association, calling itself “Friends of Haydon Bridge”. How much it will be able to justify the name depends largely on the support it gets from the people, all of us, in the parish.
The objectives of the Friends, an entirely non political body, are set out elsewhere. If you agree with them or wish to add to them, we ask you to join us. If you are already a member of the Community Association it will cost you £1.00 a year to become a “Friend”
This is, in effect, a challenge. Do you mind how this community is run and cared for – or don’t you ? If you do, join us: if you don’t, don’t complain.
J. Pumphrey
To form a group within the Community Association to encourage an interest in Local government and matters affecting the quality of life in the Parish of Haydon.
To support the work of the Parish and District Councils in the interests of the community and its individual members.
Policy
1) To show and interest in meetings of the Parish Council.
2) To debate and if necessary take action on any matters arising from meetings of the Parish or District Council.
3) To ensure that their work is more widely known and appreciated. With this object in view to publish a regular news sheet which would also include other matters of Parish interest.
4) To strengthen the sense of community within the Parish by whatever means possible, seeking to utilise the considerable skills and expertise available in the Parish for the overall benefit of the residents.
Over to You
If you wish to join the “Friends of Haydon Bridge”, and require any further information please contact any of the following:-
Mr. Bell The Dewdrop Tel;305
Mr. & Mrs. Carey Park Cottage, Chesterwood Tel; 409
Mr. Duncan Standalone, Chesterwood Tel: 479
Mrs. Heslop Burn Brae, North Bank Tel; 337
Mr. & Mrs. Pumphrey Chesterwood Grange Tel; 357
Mr. Swinburne 3, Station Cottages Tel; 489
Trial Heating System:
The trial heating system in Langley Gardens is to be monitored for ‘a quarter’ by the Solid Fuel Advisory Council and the Tynedale District Coiuncil Housing Committee. When this is completed a meeting will be called to discuss conversion.
White Lines on Bridge Approach:
The Surveyor has now agreed that double white lines should be put down and this work is to be carried out.
Pelican Crossing:
The Road Safety Officer initially considered that Haydon Bridge through traffic was not of a level to bring the village within the crieria for a Pelican Crossing. The Haydon Parish Council hopes that a crossing may now be possible as a result of a survey currently being taken at Halwhistle.
Housing Development to the West of the Village:
Completion of the ‘By-Pass’ (mid-1980’s) ?) will result in land on the south-side of the A69 becoming available for housing development, to be considered for inclusion in the future Tynedale Action Plan.
Dwellings for the elderly and two bed-roomed housing for single people or young couples were suggested.
Further enquiries will be made concerning a development of private housing also – no details as yet.
By-pass route:
Choice of route has not yet been decided by the Department of the Environment although the Tynedale District Council and the County Council have agreed to the route suggested by the Haydon Parish Council.
The route was recently decided for the Haltwhistle By-pass which was surveyed approximately six weeks before Haydon Bridge – perhaps a Haydon Bridge decision will be made in early 1979.
Planning Application:
The Haydon Parish Council agreed to the application for Planning Permission for the erection of a farm building with storage at Haydon Bridge High School.
Although there is no legislation regarding the informing of interested parties the Council said that those concerned should be notified.
Community Association Boiler:
The Haydon Parish Council will discuss further at their next meeting the details of a grant which could be made to the Community Association towards an estimated £800 for the replacement of the boiler.
Parish Rate:
The Parish rate of 1p will be the same next year.
Northumberland Tree Week 1979:
An offer from the County Planning Committee of 4 standard trees (approx 6ft high) to be planted on the parish boundaries was not accepted..
Next Meeting of the Haydon Parish Council:
In the Community Centre at 7:30p.m. on 25th January 1979.
Dr. High’s courageous efforts in alerting the people of the village about the building of factories in the Station yard set me thinking.
I concluded that the root cause of the factories being built in that particular site was that people, including myself, took little or no interest in what was being discussed at Parish and District Council level until it was too late to do anything about it. To put it another way; the council, being ignored by the inhabitants of the area for so long, acted on the assumption that nobody really cared what they did. To put it a third way; if enough people had objected well in advance, the factories might not have been built where they are.
Following this, I feared that people would lose interest after the affair was settled one way or another. This seems to have happened and only a handful turned up at the last Parish Council meeting. It appears that many people who seemed to be deeply concerned about the siting of the factories have again lost interest in local affairs.
When will we ever learn?
Severe Weather Tests Heating
As the two District Councillors were not at the ‘Public Section’ of the Parish council meeting the concerned question of residents of Langley Gardens regarding the ‘Trial Heating System were regrettably not answered comprehensively.
Later the Council was given a clarified report of the current trial. It is now considered that the severe weather recently experienced has been, sufficient test for the solid fuel system.
A meeting is to be organised for interested parties after the next meeting of the full Housing Committee of the Tynedale District Council. (approx. 3rd week in February.)
Apparently the system (which is being tested in a semi-detached house at the requirement of the Solid Fuel Advisory Service) is operating satisfactorily although it was mentioned that the number of radiators used in these systems has to be adjusted to suit varying house styles.
By-pass Note;
In a reply to a letter from the Clerk of the Council requesting further information the Department of Transport have reaffirmed that their next step is to make a public statement of the choice of route.
It is currently proposed that the construction of the haydon Bridge By-Pass will start during the period 1981-1983.
St. Cuthberts Churchyard:
The old churchyard is to be taken over by the Tynedale District Council in accordance with the Local Government Act. The Treasurer of the Tynedale District Council will investigate the possibility of recharging part or whole of the maintenance costs to Haydon Parish Council.
Community association Boiler:
It was agreed that an interest free loan be made to cover the costs of the replacement of the Community Association’s central heating boiler.
Protection from Railway:
A four metre high concrete fence approx. Two hundred metres long will be erected between the Newcastle-Carlisle railway line and Strother Close. Forty percent of the costs will be met by British Rail and the remainder by the Tynedale District Council. British Rail will be responsible for future maintenance.
Annual Report of Fire Service:
Proposals for Day manning only at Hexham, Alnwick and Berwick have been outlined. These ideas were discussed at a meeting in the Council Chamber, Hexham on the 29th January attended by councillors from Parish, District and County Councils.
Planning Applications:
(a) Proposed Lounge Bar extension and erection of cloakroom at the Anchor Hotel.
(b) N.E.E.B. – erection of overhead line.
(c) Two renewals for temporary siting of caravans.
Gas in Haydon Bridge:
Recent severe weather and the related ‘power cuts’ may have brought to mind thoughts of an alternative power supply. Town Gas was removed from Haydon Bridge some time ago as the gas pipes were found to be rotten. To supply gas to the village again would mean an initial cost of two hundred and fifty thousand pounds to bring the pressure to the correct level for domestic use. A representative of the Gas Board is to be invited to come to a future meeting of the Haydon Parish Council.
Editor’s Note
Future issues of “Haydon News” will include a diary of events. Items for inclusion for the month of February for your club, society, group, school, church etc., should be received at Dale Cottage, North Bank not later than Saturday 10th Feb. [1979]
Contributions of articles and letters concerned with topics of local interest for publication in “Haydon News” would be appreciated and should be sent to the editor, Dale Cottage, North Bank, Haydon Bridge.
1999 Readers please note that all the above is a copy of the 1979 Haydon News
February 1999 Edition - click here