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The Haydon News
November 1997
Test issue on the internet.
Editor: haynews@haydonbridge.demon.co.uk
Editorial
Hi Folk of Haydon Parish and the exiled
Haydonians and other readers from afar who read our monthly
utterances from up here at 54o58.4' North, 2o15' West. Northern
England. Did you know if two people left Haydon Bridge at the
same time and walked at about the same pace in opposite
directions along a line of latitude 54o 58.4' N, they would most
likely meet each other again on the International date line in
the middle of the Bering Sea - and not many people know that. Can
you work out which one would be in yesterday and which one today
as they shake hands? Alternatively which one would be in today
and which one tomorrow as they start bickering about this month's
Newsletter being too stupid for words?
What's Mitch been doing then since the last time we spoke? Well I have my two minor operations booked in November and have been practising my Long John Silver voice by singing "Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum", "Pieces of Eight, Pieces of Eight", "Aye, Jim Lad", and other such nautical ditties. Why you may well ask? Well folks I've been told I have to wear an eye patch following surgery so please warn the kids to keep indoors during that time in November. Pity I wasn't called in earlier as I could have used the outfit on Halloween on 31st of October.
I was speaking on the phone this morning to Alan Borthwick, Chairman of Haydon Bridge Football Club who informed me that the Auction in the Club on Saturday 25th October raised £726, the Quiz in the evening raised another £384 towards the money they have to raise. We didn't go to the Auction but did go to the Quiz and enjoyed the evening and the Pie & Peas supper - the impromptu cabaret of singing, story telling, knife bending etc. finished off an enjoyable evening -congratulations to the organisers. I reckon that if the HBAFC organising committee got themselves on to the local Council at the next elections we'd actually see things getting done in this village because they've got fire in their bellies.
Another group we shared time with were the Methodists who, as part of their fund-raising campaign, had arranged an evening visit to Trinity House on the Friday - October 21st October followed by a visit to the Maritime Museum next door - just off the Quayside in Newcastle. It was a good evening out where the 26 of us managed to temporarily break up the filming of an upcoming Catherine Cookson movie around the back of Trinity House. The buffet was great and yours truly must have put on a couple of pounds - mind you there was no sign of any booze but we made up for it the next night at the club!
The previous quiz we had been to was the one at Ridley Hall on Saturday 4th October organised by the High School PTA. Here the wine flowed all evening resulting in everyone joining in on the musical round - again the food was good. I thought that with all the highly intellectual teachers from the school in attendance that our team "The Floppy Disks featuring Windows 95" would really flop but not so as we were by no means on the bottom rung.
The Toddlers Group had a Quiz in the Church Hall, which we attended. This was another good night - we smuggled a few bottles of wine in, others brought beer and some even whiskey. I think that this quiz was probably the cosiest of all - we didn't win but had a lovely evening. Once again the buffet was excellent. We did win a bottle of wine in The Raffle which offset most of the cost of the evening.
Who says there is nothing to do in Haydon Bridge? If you have never been to a quiz before why not consider setting up a team of four and have a good evening out, at little cost, and help the causes supported by the quiz organisers. You probably won't win, we never do, but it is fun. If you want a bit of practice Betty Cousin in the Haydon Hotel has a quiz night every other Sunday evening starting around about 8:30 p.m. - why don't you give it a try - if you get their early you can pinch the regulars' seats. Mitch
PARISH COUNCIL PICKINGS - Thursday 23rd October 1997
5 Councillors present plus County Councillor Bill Purdue. There
were 4 members of the public present together with the Haydon
News and Hexham Courant reporters. Mrs Garrow, vice-chairman,
took the chair.
Public participation - Martins Close residents are again
complaining about speeding cars. Councillor Purdue confirmed that
there were no funds available at present for calming measures.
The Parish Council agreed to approachTynedale Council about the
problem. The football club is requestedto request its members to
take care when driving down Martins Close.
Matters arising
The County Council is to remove the overgrowth on the
footpath beside the A69 towards the tunnel top.
The flashing light at Shaftoe First School will be repaired. The
by-pass committee has been invited to a meeting with the County
Council!! - watch this space.
Tynedale Council
The aged persons' flats in Langley gardens have been
re-designated and applicants over the age of 40 will be
considered.
Lighting
The estimate has been received for the provision of a street
light on Land Ends Road at a cost of £1520+ VAT ...............
hooray! [Eds note You will gather from this jubilation that our
reporter lives on Land Ends Road]
Planning
The Parish Council see no problems to an extension at the
Haydon Hotel.
Other Business
The Church Clock is in bad repair and estimates are to be
obtained.
Financial support to be given to the Citizen's Advice Bureau -
£100.
A request from Haydon Bridge Football Club for funding towards
the all-weather pitch has been received and will be dealt with in
the 1998 precept discussions.
A more formal lease may be required by the Parish Council before
plans for the picnic area can go ahead.
Following a suggestion from a member of the public last month the
provision of a Commemorative seat at the Spa Well was discussed.
The County Council is to be approached regarding use of stone
stored on the old Bush Bends highway. In the meantime the
resident who made the suggestion will prepare sketches. PAT
VILLAGE APPRAISAL
1. An outline submission to the European Development Fund
(ERDF 5b) has been made. It is not binding and can be updated
when a final submission is put together.
2. The land ownership and long term permission for use are still
issues that have to be resolved. A willing partnership will have
to be entered into to fulfil the Lottery bid requirement. This
issue is currently being negotiated. this is not the same as land
purchase issues, although they also are not resolved.
3. The outstanding issue of ongoing maintenance must be decided,
otherwise submissions will be flawed.
4. The County Council have put in a bid alongside Haydon Bridge's
bid to the ERDF for the Old Bridge enhancement. This issue will
need discussion and possibly a visit to look at other similar
projects already funded through ERDF and Lottery money.
5. Mrs. Garrow has made a start on on producing Draft Aims
document.
6. Proposed Meeting of Councillors on 5th November.
The above 6 items are a transcript of internal Parish Council Appraisal update note provided by their vice-chairman - very slightly amended to fit space available. SBM
Readers Letters & Viewpoints
Local historian, author and former
geography teacher at the Shaftoe Trust School writes:
Dear Mitch,
In Mrs. Daisy Thompson's "Memories" in the October
Issue of the Haydon News, there are two inaccuracies you might
like to correct. Firstly the young male teacher was called
Southern - Matthew Southern, not Sutherland, who in the 1914 - 18
war joined up as a 2nd Lieut. In the East Yorks, and was
subsequently killed. Secondly his photo is no longer hanging in
the school corridor. There certainly was such a photo which stood
above the war memorial surrounding the classroom door. However it
is not there now, and nobody seems to know where it has gone.
Although the original photo is now missing, there is in the
Community Centre a group photo of all local men killed during the
first war. Matthew Southern's photo is among these, a smaller but
identical version of the original. Incidentally this group photo
originally being in the now defunct reading room.
To bring you completely up to date. Matthew Southern nephew of the original Matthew, and now of Manchester, visited Haydon Bridge in the summer of 1995. He was able to visit the school, see his uncles name on the memorial in Church Street, as well as in the church, and on a memorial table in the United Reform Church, where he had worshipped.
Later he was provided with photos of all there including one of his uncle, and left Haydon Bridge well satisfied with his visit. C. Coombes
A former pupil of Mr. Coombes has written a complimentary note.
Dear Mitch,
'The Village Hop' [October] including Owld Tawny's
recollections of the Haydon Bridge Town Hall dances serves
further to preserve the history of our village. How important the
'Haydon News' is in this respect and if I might say so Mitch, how
well you present this aspect of the 'News'.
The story will have brought tears to the eyes of many a wistful
Haydonian. My own memories - at least a generation later than Old
Tawny's I might add - inspired the enclosed ditty which may
strike a chord with your male readers and especially those, like
me, with two left feet. Dennis Telford
Editor's comments:
I thank Mr. Coombes for his letter and drawing attention to
the couple of errors in Daisy's article. The group photograph of
the Haydon war dead is indeed hanging in the Community Centre, I
do hope that following the refurbishment of the building both the
photograph and the excellent mural, made by the schoolchildren of
the Shaftoe School, are hung in prominent well lit positions.
Thank you Dennis for your appreciative comment - I am fortunate that all contributors to the Haydon News are so good with words that it takes very little effort on my part to set their piece so that it also looks good in print. As most readers will by now know I am most interested in local history and do my best to ensure that I record for, future generations, both the mood and flavour of modern happenings in the Parish in the '90's. All parish magazines will be archived so that in 200 years time Haydon folk will still be able to read the happenings of the last 40 years of the 20th century. To this end I hope to start indexing all of the newsletters in the possesion of the Friends of Haydon Bridge - some pages are missing from some 1960's issues, please give me a ring on 684035 if you have a complete copy so I can make photocopies. Thanks - Mitch
Dear Resident
You may or may not be aware that the future of Hexham
General Hospital is in the balance at the moment and closure
would be a major disaster to all of us. We all know what a
wonderful hospital we have, it's friendly and caring attitude the
staff has towards us if we have to attend for whatever reason.
I for one have experienced many other hospitals and friendliness
was non-existent, I was just a number admitted for treatment. The
question is: What can we do about it? Well maybe if we all write
to the following addresses it may help.
Northumberland Health Authority East Cottingwood Morpeth
Northumberland NE61 2PD
National Health Service, Management Executive Richmond House 79,
Whitehall London SW1A 2NS
If I may make a suggestion could you do it maybe the day after you receive this Haydon News J.E.S.
Mitch
Could, I once again, ask you to include the enclosed in the
next issue of the Haydon News. I can't believe the year has past
so quickly.
Another Years end in sight.
Another chance to thank the many kind friends who gave me a lift
back into Hexham.
The lifts were very welcome.
The Company - A real treat!
The Thanks - Very sincere
Well done on your continued editorship of the paper. It really does make an interesting read. Rosemary (Postie)
If any non-resident of Haydon would like to join the Haydon News mailing list please let the Editor know. Current cost is £5 for 10 issues inclusive of U.K. postage and 1 year's Membership of the Friends of Haydon Bridge.
A letter from Parish Councillor G. Jackson
Dear Mitch
Your apparent innocent amazement at peoples' reaction to your
editing style cannot be allowed to pass without further comment.
It is no wonder that you receive a letter from a "concerned
and frustrated" parishioner anonymously, when you adopt the
intimidating style more akin to a national tabloid editor trying
to crudely impress a bunch of readers at the expense of others.
Father Power's generous letter of thanks was heartfelt as it seems typical of a man trying to emphasise and assist the good in us. Of course your efforts are greatly received because you spend a great deal of time and energy putting together a lively and useful newsletter, however you should be aware too that your style is deeply divisive to many; and in gaining the obvious pleasure that you seem to fromwinding up those in public office, you do the village a disserviceinstead. Why is it for example that the support for the Friends ofHaydon Bridge reached an all time low?
So keep the constructive comment and criticism
coming please - we are all pitifully fallible, particularly my
spelling, but don't underestimate either the consequence of
continuing in the belittling vein that you sometimes do. For you
will excite some and turn off many and what is the use of that in
a parish that like every other, needs a much goodwill as possible
to get by, day to day and year to year.
Yours sincerely - Geoffrey Jackson. 3, Nilston Rigg
Thank you for your welcome letter Geoffrey on which I presume you would wish me to pass comment. I must be achieving some success if I can persuade Councillors to put pen to paper and actually say something deserving of a reply. Your letter deserves more attention than the couple of minutes it is taking for this short response - I will do this in a future issue, although for now I will refer to a couple of points you make.
I have no desire to impress anyone crudely or otherwise, not being, a trained journalist I sometimes may write in a way which is not to every readers liking, if this offends anyone I apologise. As far as tabloids go do you know that the most popular Sunday newspaper sold in the village is The News of the World, the most popular daily being The Sun? I would be a poor editor if I did not take this into account in the newsletter articles and editorial style I adopt - however the content of the Haydon News is such that many broadsheet readers actually do enjoy reading it.
Winding up people in public office gives me no pleasure whatsoever - I do have fetishes but this is not one of them. Our two Tynedale District Councillors between them claimed nearly £5,600 expenses last year (1996/7) then, in my opinion gave performances akin to ???????? at a couple of Parish Council Meetings. By their own public reactions they do, in my view, deserve special attention.
Over many years the Friends of Haydon Bridge numbered about six or seven dedicated people falling to four in May, however the October 1997 membership list now shows a healthy total of 40 members, some will no doubt disaagree with my editing style and some will, however either way this is not a prerequisite for becoming a member. It is not for me to discuss the reasons for the former Chairman and vice-Chairman of the Friends resigning just before and just after the General Elections - suffice to say that I am an ex-officio Editor appointed by the Friends who can ask me to leave at any time.
In the meantime I will certainly heed your remarks as I certainly do not wish to offend readers generally nor the people who voted you into office, and by the way Geoffrey - I have corrected your spelling mistakes! Mitch
Daisy's back again with another letter about
Temple Houses Lane 'Right of Way', or not, as the case may be.
Her 21st October letter reads:
"I am concerned and must complain about a large sum of
public money amounting to many thousands of pounds being spent on
the Public Inquiry to have Temple Houses Lane made a public
'right of way' to the football ground and riverside. It's
ridiculous and totally unnecessary when those other good public
'rights of way' are already in use. This is a waste of valuable
time, litigation and public money.
It is time members of the Parish Council showed some respect for the residents of Temple Houses Lane instead of trying to establish a further burden of public access upon them. When will they realise that people are already struggling to pay their taxes and rates that such a large sum of money goes to pay for a very expensive Inquiry.
A 'Private Road' sign at the top of Temple Houses Lane has now been established for well over 25 years now and there is a big difference between the odd person going for a stroll on the river bank and groups of sports people and supporters extending the lane's hitherto contested usage." Mrs. Daisy Thompson
Sorry Daisy I have had to cut out your final paragraph where you discuss proof of ownership of the lane as this could put the Friends of Haydon Bridge at risk of legal action. Mitch
Electronic Mail from Melbourne,
Australia - 21st October - mitch@haydonbridge.demon.co.uk
My name is David Humble formally of Hordley Acres (where my
parents still live). I have just returned from a visit home and I
was impressed with your Publication, the Haydon News. Would it be
possible to receive a copy of this over the net. While I speak
regulary to the old folks the conversation is of course family,
the changes and happenings in the village as you can imagine get
left out.
If you require any further information, please E-Mail me. Regards - David Humble
Reply 21st October - Thanks for your note - I am currently changing the software I use for the Haydon News and think that starting from the 1st edition in 1998 I may be able to do something for you - I may even put it on line. If it's any help I could perhaps e-mail the text in the meantime. First edition next year is in February but will keep you informed of progress. Thanks for your interest. Mitch
Since sending the above note I have had discussions with a neighbour of mine, Brian Harrison of Badgers Rise who is becoming a bit of a whiz designing pages for the Internet (see Medical News page). With Brian's help I am optimistic of being able to meet a February deadline for making the Haydon News available world wide for exiled Haydonians to browse at the touch of a button. This may also provide free benefits for restaurant and B&B advertisers and others.
HELP - I need some feedback on
Councillor Geoffrey Jackson's letter, please consider helping me
provide the Haydon News that you want. Please put a short note in
an envelope addressing it simply Mitch, leave it at the Post
Office, Johns Clarke's, or Marsh's. It can simply say either:
"I agree with Councillor Jackson's views" or "I
disagree with Councillor Jackson's views". You may of course
add additional comments if you wish. You may remain anonymous but
in any event your name won't be published.
See you next month ....... Bye Bye for now ..... Mitch
IS IT THUMBS DOWN FOR THE
BOWLING GREEN ? It looks like the proposal for a Village
Bowling Green has been given the thumbs down by villagers who
have shown a complete lack of interest in the project.
Following the poorly attended Public Meeting on 17th July the
September Haydon News reported the meeting together with the
request for interested people to contact Councillor Bill Howard
(684535) or Roy Lockhart (684260). The request was again repeated
in the October issue of the Haydon News but alas to date Bill and
Roy's telephones have remained silent - the conclusion seems to
be obvious.
Before funds can be applied for a Bowling Green
Committee needs to be established. On the face of it the project
now seems to be doomed.
A chap stopped me in the lane and asked me my opinion as to why
Haydon Bridge seemed to be behind villages in the area in getting
things done. My reply was "Apathy" - we ended up having
a 15 minute discussion on what I meant. I explained that in my
view Joe Public is generally apathetic when he sees things taking
years to come to fruition.
The bowling green is such an example - it has taken nearly three years to get nowhere. SBM
IS IT THUMBS UP OR THUMBS DOWN
FOR TEMPLE HOUSES RIGHT OF WAY?
There was Public Inquiry held on Tuesday 11th October in
Hexham. The purpose of the Inquiry being to consider objections
to Northumberland County Council's proposal to add footpath 46
from the A69 via Temple Houses Lane to join existing riverside
footpath at football field entrance. I arrived at about 09:40, as
did others from the Parish, and we sheepishly entered the bar of
the new Auction Mart. The lights were on in the bar and the room
adjacent was set up for a meeting. As we entered we had to
register and each of us was given comprehensive 'Proof of
Evidence' documentation.
I thought the bar was open and asked one of the ladies behind the counter for a Bacardi and Coke - she pointed to the pile of Dewar flasks surrounded by cups and saucers and said "Sorry Sir the bar is not open yet, you'll have to make do with coffee." Waste of time putting on my Harris Tweed Jacket, Woolly Shirt, heavy country shoes and parking my 4x4 outside the window, thought I. Looking outside I saw scores of similarly dressed men of my age entering the cattle mart next door - the only difference being they had ruddy complexions and different colour noses than me - I wondered if they would have had their request turned down?
By 10am the room was full as the Inquiry was also dealing with other footpaths in Tynedale. Looking around the room I counted some 45 people there of which I recognised at least 14 from the Haydon Parish. The Inquiry Inspector was a Mr. R.G. Brown of the Lord Chancery's Office who introduced himself, explaining that he was not a Civil Servant.
Formalities were completed by 10:30 when the Inspector said that because of the high public interest the Haydon Bridge footpath would be the first on which he would take evidence. He had previously taken the names of all in the room who intended to give verbal evidence, three for the proposal and one against agreed to speak although in the documentary evidence some 16 people had signed evidence statements supporting the application. I was a little surprised to find that, although they were both in attendance, the former Chairman of the Parish Council who had applied back in 1981 for the path to be included in the definitive map nor the present vice-Chairman of the Parish Council, chose not to give statements in support of the application. This later deprived those who may have wished to ask questions of the application's originators.
The Inspector then clearly clarified for all attending that his terms of reference were solely to see that if a public right of way had in fact been established in the 20 year period between 1948 - 1968. The Inquiry was not about security, privacy or environmental matters etc. He declared that he had personally walked the route in dispute.
The Inquiry then followed using the procedure.
¨ County Council Case
¨ County Council Witnesses
¨ Objectors to question CC witnesses
¨ Statement of objectors
¨ Statement of Supporters
¨ CC then question objectors
The Northumberland County Council Solicitor opened proceedings by saying that it was only after the football pitch had been opened that challenges to it's use as a right of way occurred - the date of effective challenge was in 1968. Hence the reason for using the period 1948 - 1968, if it could be shown that unchallenged use had been made of the route through Temple Houses Lane during that period then there was no question that a public right of way had been established. The map evidence was insufficient in itself to prove the existence of a public right of way. O.S Maps dated 1860, 1898, 1926 and 1954 were included in the Proof of Evidence. The Inspector agreed with this observation.
Mr. Peter Howe, NCC Definitive Map Officer was called to give evidence.
He stated that in March 1981 Haydon Bridge Parish Council had applied for the addition to the definitive of a footpath from the A69 at Low Hall along Temple Houses Lane to join footpath No. 36 at the entrance to the sports field. In November 1983 it was decided not to proceed with this action - this decision was made because of cash shortages.
In January 1985 Haydon Bridge Parish Council made another application including 8 evidence forms from witnesses claiming to have personally used the route for periods in excess of 25 years. Four letters of objection were received from Temple Houses residents.
In March 1991 Public Notices were placed in the Courant stating the intention to place footpath on definitive map. Some 11 letters of objection were received in 1991 followed by a number in 1997. Between 1991 and 1997 an additional 15 users of the disputed path submitted evidence forms.
The County Solicitor presented 3 of these residents to give verbal evidence which they all did in a confident manner. All were senior citizens who stated they had walked the contested route over many decades, 50, 60 and 70 years It was only in relatively recent years that anyone had challenged their use of the lane.
The Inspector excused the main objector to the application giving verbal evidence because of her age (94) and accepted written evidence from her lawyer, together with the written evidence of another property owner - himself a Barrister. One resident of Temple Houses gave verbal evidence but as he had only lived in the lane for five years the County's solicitor indicated that little notice should be taken of this.
The Inspector read out the evidence of the Barrister chap who owns property in the lane the main points being:
¨ At all times in living memory the lane has
always been presented and defended as a private one and no public
footpath.
¨ The land is made up of private frontages with an implied
licence for other dwellers to have access but there is no other
prescriptive implied access.
¨ A prescriptive right of way cannot be acquired by force. Those
who have travelled the lane and support the application have done
so against the will of a substantial number of the residents.
¨ Privacy - The lane is not wide and runs right past windows,
there being no gardens to separate the front of the houses from
pedestrians.
¨ Property values would diminish. Who would pay for increased
maintenance of lane?
¨ What is the quality of evidence relied on?
¨ A public access down Temple Houses is not necessary where such
good alternatives exist.
¨ Floodlit football field will extend usage of lane
The writer said that increased usage "was a matter of law which would have to be challenged in the Courts if the application were granted."
No questions were asked by the County's solicitor and this part of the meeting ended at noon. The Inspector will make his decision in due course.
This dispute over Temple Houses Lane has been going on now for over 30 years and if it is decided that it will be added to the definitive map the objector seems to indicate more legal challenges are ahead - who will pay?
Is now not the time for compromise? SBM
November Garden
I've been taking root cuttings of
oriental poppies this week. This method of propagation is used
for plants with fleshy roots, like Japanese anemones,
gypsophilas, verbascums and delphiniums. The roots are lifted in
the autumn and cut into pieces about 2" long. The cuttings
are taken from roots about the thickness of a pencil. Make a
clean flat cut across the top of the cuttings and a slanting cut
at the base so there will be no problem knowing which way up to
plant them. Root the cuttings in deep boxes of sandy soil with
the top of the cutting only just below the surface. Stand the
boxes in a cold frame or cold greenhouse for the winter. When top
growth shows, usually by spring, pot them up separately. A cruder
method of increasing by root cuttings is to move an established
plant to a new position, leaving some of the roots behind. New
plants will grow from the pieces of root. Fleshy rooted weeds
like dandelions and docks multiply in this way. I'm taking root
cuttings because in this case I want to reproduce the exact
colour and characteristics of my oriental poppies - a cultivar
called papaver orientale choir boy, which has huge white petals
like crumpled satin with a central black blotch. Oriental poppies
are hardy, easy perennials to grow, given a sunny position and
reasonably good soil. They grow 3'-4' tall so could need staking.
There are other delightful varieties of poppies in many and diverse colours. In recent years I've noticed papaver rhoeas, the corn poppy, a once common weed of arable land, making a come-back in the fields.
Shirley poppies, popular garden annuals, are derived from P rhoeas. They can be single or double in many colours, some with fringed petals and are very decorative. Sow seeds of annual varieties in April in patches where they are to flower. Thin the seedlings to 2 or 3 inches apart when quite small.
Blue poppies are most admired and are readily available in garden centres. These need light woodland conditions and do better in the moister climate of Scotland and Western Britain. Haydon Bridge has half the rainfall of the Lake District so blue poppies will need pampering to flourish locally.
The Welsh poppy, Meconopsis cambrica, is a British native which, with pretty golden-yellow or orange flowers will brighten sunny or shady places in the garden and will successfully seed itself. often in inhospitable places such as between the cracks in paving slabs or between stones in old walls.
This Month
Plant bare-root trees and shrubs between now
and spring when the ground is not frozen or waterlogged.
Cutting down herbaceous stems tidies up the border but may expose
the crowns of roots to frost. Protect with mulch.
Buy and plant tulips now.
Divide perennials. This rejuvenates plants. Discard tough, woody
pieces and replant small sections with healthy basal buds and
roots.
Continue taking hardwood cuttings of shrubs such as forsythia,
phildelphus and roses. Use 9-12" lengths of firm wood and
insert in sandy soil where they can stay for about a year without
disturbance.
Collect fallen leaves and store them in polythene bags to make
leaf mould. James Thin
HAYDON BRIDGE W.I.
We had visitors from Bardon Mill W.I. at our October meeting
where Mr. Lees from Island Cottage, Nenthead showed how to make
some tasty savoury dishes for one or two people - using left over
vegetables in a very interesting way - all dishes were costed
none more than 90p! The Harvest stall raised £40 for the chosen
charity being Air ambulance.
A good night was enjoyed by all.
Haydon Bridge W.I. meetings held on 2nd Monday at 2pm in Community
Centre. New members welcome.
B. Clark Tel: 609709
LANGLEY W.I.
For the October meeting Members of Langley W.I. spent a cosy night out celebrating their birthday. This was held in a comfortable eating room of the Hotspur Hotel Allendale.
The food was good and the atmosphere warm and friendly. Guests were invited and a lively night of laughter and conversation followed. Peggy Dakers, with Mary Nagel coming second won the competition of best napkin ring. A good night was had by all.
Sylvia Mitchell Tel: 684 035
NEWS FROM THE SCOUTS
The Bonfire Night this year will be on Sunday 2nd November,
at 6:30pm at the riverside picnic area. We hope to have as good
show as usual, so do flock down there and enjoy it.
We think the last couple of years have shown a great improvement in the quality of the fireworks, and thereby hangs a tale:
Over the years the Scouts have organised a bonfire as one of our contributions to village life. Our Penny for the Guy collections and money we make selling hot-dogs go towards the cost of the fireworks, and we have always been happy to pay a few pounds from the funds to make up any shortfall. A few years ago we got to the stage where these activities were more than covering costs, and with this in mind we decided to spend more on the display. I am sure that everyone will agree that the show has improved, but we are now finding it difficult to make ends meet.
To put this into figures, we usually raise between £250 - £280 on collections and food. Fireworks have cost an average of £450 per annum in the last two years, leaving us in the region of £200 short each time. This is a bit much for us to absorb every year, so we have been forced to consider two options:
1. Go back to the original quantity of fireworks.
2. Raise more money.
We would prefer to go for option 2, as the show now is much better than in previous years. The fireworks are already ordered for this year, so can I please ask for donations to help make up this shortfall?
We will be putting a collection box in Clarke's, or you can give them to Ian Foster or Raymond Henderson. Any sponsorship from local firms would be especially welcome to keep the Roman Candles at bay.
If we can raise enough this year, then we won't need to cut back next.
Situations Vacant
Just a quick plug for volunteers to take on the Cubs, currently resting owing to nobody in charge. Leaflets will be appearing around the village; just fill in the form and your life will change.
Ian Foster
A TRAGEDY
AT NEW ALSTON
Thirty-two year old Jacob Alan Brown (Alan) was the fifth and
youngest son of Bessie and Jacob Brown, he was born at new Alston
on 9th Dec. 1897. Two of his brothers had been killed in the
Great War, brother Jim worked at Appleby's in Haydon Bridge
before moving to the company's branch in Prudhoe. In July 1930
Alan and his brother Stanley George (known locally as 'Stigum')
lived with their parents in New Alston. Stigum had a bike
business in Church Street, Alan was employed at the HB Co-op and
was engaged to be married to Laura Telford of John Martin Street.
For some while Alan had been suffering from chronic gastritis and was under the care of Dr. Bell of Ratcliffe Road who had arranged for an X-Ray at the R.V.I. in Newcastle on Thursday 17th July, the patient had personally picked up his Barium meal from the doctor on the Wednesday evening. At 7:30am on Thursday morning Alan took the Barium as instructed and immediately knew something was wrong. His mouth was burning and as the liquid rushed down his throat the pain intensified he turned to his brother Stan (Stigum) and said " I am dying, I am poisened". he then staggered outside to the toilet feeling very sick. Relief to his suffering did not come as he groaned in agony. Fearful of his younger brother's well being Stigum rushed outside to find Alan in a collapsed state - somehow he was carried into the house and set on to a chair as convulsions started. Dr Bell was called to the house arriving at about 8:30 by which time Alan was past earthly help and was declared dead by his doctor.
On returning to his surgery and because of the nature of Alan Brown's death Dr. Bell informed the Coroner's Office who made immediate arrangements for a post mortem to be carried out. Without delay Dr. Bell checked his records to ensure that he had prescribed the correct chemicals for the Barium Meal - yes there it was 2oz (56grams) of Barium Sulphate.
Dr. Bell clearly recalled that the previous evening a messenger had brought the Barium Sulphate direct from the Chemists, then located at 10, Ratcliffe Road. As he had seen Alan Brown twice the day before and observed him to be well the doctor wondered how on earth his patient had had suffered such an agonising and sudden death - the tragic answer was not long coming. A Dr. Miller carried out the post mortem and his report stated:
"Generally speaking the deceased's organs were healthy except for the stomache where there were signs of chronic ulceration. There was slight corrosion and a powerful odour of sulphuric hydrogen gas. Death was due to Barium Sulphide. The sixteenth part of an ounce was fatal."
The Brown and Telford families were stunned and bewildered by this news - particularly Alan's fiancee Laura Telford. The Hexham Courant of Saturday July 19th 1930 recorded the event:
"A young man named Alan Brown, residing at New Alston, died on Thursday under circumstances necessitating an inquest. A post mortem has been made. Deceased was a shop assistant in the village."
The coroner released the body for burial and this was arranged for Sunday 20th July with a 3:15pm service at St. Cuthbert's.
Meanwhile the pharmacist in the chemists, a Mr. Bell - unrelated to Dr. Bell made a horrifying discovering. As he didn't have any Barium Sulphate available at his surgery an order had been sent to pharmacy who also had none in stock - the pharmicist had then ordered some from another source. Checking his order book Mr. Bell saw that he had unexplicably written Barium Sulphide on his order he wondered how on earth he could do this as Barium Sulphate and Barium Sulphide were diametrically opposite. When the order arrived back at the pharmacy the package was unmarked, not realising his earlier mistake Mr. Bell labelled the package 'Barium Sulphate' and despatched it to Dr. Bell. Coincidentally Alan Brown turned up at the Doctor's surgery at the same time as the package arrived - this was handed over to the patient together with instructions on how and when to take the barium meal. Alan's fate was now sealed and he had but twelve hours left of life - nothing could save him.
The tragic result of this error resulted in Alan Brown taking some 56grams (2oz) of a highly deadly poisen where a fatal dose is less than 1gram.
The Coroner said that the case was tragic and pathetic and the jury declared the verdict "That the deceased died from the effect of Barium Sulphide taken by him, being supplied in error for Barium Sulphate." Some of the jury thought that when the other chemist supplied the order it ought to have been labelled 'POISON'.
The Coroner agreed that if it had been labelled Mr. Bell would have at once seen that it contained Barium sulphide and not Barium sulphate. It was an unfortunate sequence of circumstances. He took it that when one chemist supplied an order to another chemist they did not put on their label. If they had supplied it to one of the general public it would of necessity have been labelled.
Laura Telford was heart-broken at the tragedy, never married and lived in Haydon Bridge until her death on Friday 12th September 1997. She was 95 years of age - a long time to mourn. SBM
Perhaps some day the sun
will shine again,
And I shall see that still the skies are blue,
And feel once more I do not live in vain,
Although bereft of you.
Perhaps the golden meadow
at my feet,
Will make the sunny hours of Spring seem gay,
And I shall find the white May blossoms sweet,
Though you have passed away.
Perhaps the summer woods
will shimmer bright,
And crimson roses once again be fair,
And autumn harvest fields a rich delight,
Although you are not there.
Perhaps some day I shall
not shrink in pain,
To see the passing of the dying year,
And listen to the Christmas songs again,
Although you cannot hear.
But, though kind Time may
many joys renew,
There is one greatest joy I shall not know,
Again, because my heart for loss of You
Was broken long ago.
Vera Brittain
WHO IS
MURIEL?
The Shaftoe Trust First School was packed on the evening of
Thursday 2nd October - a mix of proud parents and excited
children milling about waiting for the start of a unique event.
On large tables outside the hall were numerous bottles of
champagne and delicious looking finger snacks - anyone
approaching the tables, young and old alike were quietly
discouraged from touching. At about 8pm the Head-teacher Audrey
Cox introduced the various people involved with the project which
had just been completed.
After some nice singing by the children and the Shaftoe Chorale we all joined in singing the song "Marking The Flow of Time"written especially for the school's 300 year celebration.
We were, of course, all there to witness the Mural ribbon cutting ceremonies by The Chairman of the School Governers John Wardle accompanied by our Parish Council Chairman Michael Loyd. John had us all laughing when he told us how, many a year ago, he'd always thought that they were called Muriels.
Mural or Muriel it mattered not as the small mural was 'opened' and handed over to Mr. Loyd for the Parish. Mr. Loyd thanked the School and Governers and said that initially the mural would be hung in the library - he anticipated that work on modernising the Community Centre would be completed and the mural could be transferred there to it's permanent home.
Filtering down the passage towards the school
entrance John Wardle did the ribbon cutting of the large
impressive River theme mural. You may have seen the wall hung
mural in the pages of the Hexham Courant.
It needs to be seen in colour to fully appreciate it.
In early February 1997 the process of
identifying how the school would celebrate 300 years of education
on the site began and met with several artists to discuss
possible themes and projects.
It was important that every child in school took part in the
project and that the school had some form of visual art which
would mark the event
Funding was sought from various local trusts and within a relatively short period of time sufficient funds made available for the project to go ahead. The theme chosen for the project was 'The Flow of Time'. Two artists, Hans Ullrich, ceramic artist, and Keith Morris, musician, were chosen to work in school over a 6-8 week period for approximately two days per week. Keith worked with the children on song writing and performance skills each class composed and performed at least two songs. Hans guided the children through the design stage, incorporating children's drawings into both the large and small murals. Every child was involved in the tile making stage.
Keith led the children on a procession through the village on 11th July -As they processed the children played percussion instruments and sang songs. Seeing the streets of Haydon Bridge lined with happy smiling faces will be long remembered. On the afternoon of 11th July the children performed original songs and poems in St. Cuthbert's Church during a service of celebration.
Celebration Day, Saturday 12th July, was a memorable day. The School Association committee and staff of the school donned period costume and the support from the community was superb. The project proved to be a rich and rewarding experience for pupils and staff.
A SCHOOL TO BE PROUD
OF
Haydon Bridge High was formally inspected during the week 15th
-19th September 1997. The conclusion reached was that HBHS has
"considerable strengths and few weaknesses", with
particular emphasis being placed on "teaching being overall,
of high quality and students working hard and behaving
themselves". In essence, then, it is a "good school in
which to learn and grow up". High praise indeed from the
Ofsted Team of sixteen inspectors who were thoroughly
professional in their work. They spent the equivalent of 51 days
at school, saw 198 separate lessons, held 100 discussions with
staff, looked in depth at samples of students' work, and had
formal and informal meetings with many students.
In the important area of attainment and progress, it was stated that "students get off to a good start in Year 9 and progress well as they move through the school". The major reason for this was the "good quality of teaching, with the whole school having a workmanlike atmosphere - students, with rare exceptions, behave well, co-operate sensibly, listen carefully and pay attention to detail".For the quality of education provided, students "generally experience a broad and balanced curriculum" and the school "prepares studentswell for their future lives". There is also a "wide range of extra-curricular activities".
In this context of educational quality, the
inspectors were extremely forthright in stating that the
"high overall quality of teaching is a considerable strength
of the school, and is the major factor in
the calm and purposeful atmosphere in which students learn and in
the quality of education that they receive". Furthermore,
provision for students "social, moral and cultural
development is good", with students generally "working
and learning together in an atmosphere of trust and
cooperation". The code of discipline is "simple,
clearly stated and well observed, with students being secure
in the school and showing trust in the adults around them".
As for the students themselves, their "good attitude to learning and their high quality of relationships are a significant strength of the school. They generally concentrate purposefully, take pride in producing work of good quality, and collaborate closely and successfully. The school is a calm and orderly community, and students generally behave well both in classrooms and around the school".
Such quality is reflected in the Ridley Hall boarding home which "offers attractive and spacious amenities. Students personal needs are capably met and social development is carefully planned".
The school is also an "important educational centre for its communities", with their being a "strong commitment to this role in community education. The wide-ranging programme of activities make a positive contribution to the needs of the area, with community education staff working hard to anticipate local needs". There are also "imaginative initiatives with local businesses".
Furthermore, the school "successfully gives high priority to establishing and maintaining good relationships with parents". For the efficiency of the school, the Head Teacher offers "strong and effective personal leadership to the school and its wider community. The senior management team work well with the Head in providing clear educational values and high professional standards of leadership. The quality of leadership and management of subject departments is generally high". It was also pointed out that the "teaching load is above average and that support staff are generally well deployed and effective".
There is "little evidence of graffiti, vandalism or litter", and the "resources available to the school are managed efficiently and largely used effectively". The school's "day to day affairs run smoothly and governors work hard for the school".
Yet even though the report was good, there are areas which still need attention. The most important one is to thoroughly ensure that the "school's plans are always based on formulating precise objectives, timescales and costings, compiling and analysing performance data, and implementing aspects still needing improvement from the last inspection". The latter includes "increasing the amount and range of Information Technology in all subjects in Key Stage 4, providing adequate time for RE in Key Stage 4, introducing a planned programme of RE for Sixth Formers, allowing all students to experience a daily act of worship, and improving provision for spiritual development of students". There is also a need to "provide design and technology for all students at Key Stage 4, analyse the reasons for relative underperformance of boys and take appropriate remedial action, and give urgent attention to Health and Safety deficiencies in art, design and technology and fire exits at Ridley Hall".
We shall set about making these improvements in the same way as we have always given priority to the key areas in any good school. Our aims are therefore being fulfilled, and this "very orderly and friendly community school adds value to students education and standards of achievement" We provide "very good value for money" and this is due to the High School staff, both support and teaching, to the parents, governors and wider community, to the area's First and Middle schools, but above all to the students themselves.
It is their school, and they have received a good report. They can be justifiably proud of that, just as we are proud of them. It is indeed a school in which the community can take great pride as we really are working and learning together.
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DOCTOR Not available