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Haydon News
April 1998
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Editorial
Hi Folks - It’s me back again happy and cheerful, now the SAD season has finished, with fire in my belly and Bacardi in my veins. Quite a few of you missed my editorial last month and I’m sure quite a few didn’t. I’ll start by asking for help on Haydon News deliveries. We need a couple of deliverers - one for North Bank and the other for Church Street, both of which I have been doing myself, please give me a ring on 684035 if you can spare the time each month. One evening recently I was getting into my 4x4 in Church Street and noticed the lights ablaze in the new Methodist Centre, I decided it was about time that Mitch had a look around. On entering I noticed that all of those inside were women, Margaret Hindle approached me and explained that a meeting of the flower arrangement group had just finished - she kindly offered to show me around.
Although not quite finished internally I was most impressed with the building and the facilities it will offer to the community. Even more impressive was the low cost - some £240,00 building plus £80,000 fitting out.The stained glass windows, from the old chapel, have been refurbished and look beautiful in their new surroundings behind the altar. The main room has a unique sound reducing sliding partition which, when closed, provides a secluded chapel for 75 people. Seating is provided by individual seats which can be stored out of site in a large walk in storage room. The old organ has been refurbished and will be remotely controlled.Off the main room is a cosy tea room adjacent to a large modern and well equipped kitchen, nearby is a secure area where computer links will be installed. Throughout the building their are no steps and the main access is via a ramp. Toilets and shower facilities for the disabled have been well thought out. Towards the rear of the building is a smaller meeting room and a one to one private counselling room. Why not pay a visit yourself?
£320,000 spent seems to make nonsense of the £560,000 or more supposedly required to develop a new Community Centre. It is of concern that no alternative solution was offered for consideration. As some of you know the Editor of the Haydon News is persona non grata as far as the bimonthly meetings of the Community Association are concerned. Because of this my knowledge of the proposals for the new building is restricted to what I read in the Hexham Courant on February 27th where the question of an alternative site (Option E) was not discussed. There is another option which I offer for public debate: I propose that the land adjacent to the new Methodist Centre be purchased at market value and a brand new Community Centre with realistic costs be built there.
Some advantages are: - Present Community Centre can continue to be used until the new facility available. - Easier access to this site with car and coach parking in immediate area.
- Away from main road therefore safer for children. - Being adjacent to the Methodist Centre duplication of facilities and services will not be necessary.
- No adjoining properties which may yet cause problems with the current proposals planning consent. - Because there is no demolishment involved the costs will be cheaper. - It may be possible to sell the present Community Centre to offset land purchase costs.
- A start will be made on generating a nucleus of centralised modern facilities in the village
- It will look nicer - I have already spoken to the land owner who is amenable to the idea. What do YOU think?
The Football Club have done outstandingly well in their fund raising efforts for the floodlit all-weather synthetic pitch. So far £12,000 of the £20,000 they require to match Lottery Funding has been raised. I was, therefore, most surprised to get a phone call from the Secretary of HB AFC, David Kirsopp. Popping down to the Rocksprings home after Coronation Street where over a cup of tea David explained that the committee and members were most depressed on hearing the news that their application to the Shaftoe Charities for a contribution to the cost of the scheme had been turned down by the Governors who: “ .... are of the opinion that the educational content of your project, when completed, is not sufficient for them to contribute.....” Last Autumn the Friends of Haydon Bridge enquired of the Shaftoe Trust if it was worthwhile applying for funds to help with the capital cost of a new scanner/printer on which to produce the Haydon News. The polite response was that as the Haydon News could not be considered ‘educational’ an application for funds would be unlikely to succeed. A recent query from the newly formed Outdoor Bowling Green group met with a similar response.
I well understand that the Shaftoe Trust must adhere to strict regulations as defined by the Charities Commission. Perhaps there may be room for some flexibility in the interpretation of the rules that allow the Governors of The Trust to consider applications using the spirit of the rules rather than the strict letter of them. I would welcome an open letter from the Trustees explaining their interpretation of grey area between education and recreation and give us some guidance as to which applications are likely to succeed and conversely those which won’t. Finally, the Village Appraisal activities would appear to have all but fizzled out, this I predicted nearly 3 years ago in the May 1995 Haydon News when I wrote the following comments, addressed to Cllr Mrs. Howard : "The first objective of this proposed group [Village Appraisal] should be to define what the targets are, timescale, milestones etc. If this is not done a lengthy and aimless meander can be all that is achieved - you need to know where you’re going, and why, before you start a journey.” I fear that the same fate lies ahead for the New Community Centre project unless stock is taken of the present situation and other more cost effective alternatives explored I give one example in this editorial, there are more. See you next Month - Mitch
Index
Reporter PAT was unavailable to take the notes so it was left to the Editor to be scribe again. Sat to my left was the Hexham Courant reporter, to my right three members of the public. Behind were another four members of the public with five of the seven being from Martins Close and Temple Houses Lane. To the front were eight of the eleven Parish Councillors and the Parish Clerk.
Why were the public there? Well folks not this time about the bowling green or the public right of way issue even the question of speed measures was out of their minds tonight because this time the BIG ISSUE was the sudden
ERECTION of a FLOOD PROTECTION BARRIER
One morning in the middle of March the tranquillity of Martins Close was disturbed by the sound of heavy earth movers and trucks carrying tons of mud, on the hall floors lay a letter from Steve Wilkinson, a Project Engineer with the Environment Agency which said:
“I am pleased to inform you that floodbank construction work will start shortly, and will last approximately three weeks ... The works will include strengthening and raising the existing bank along the South Tyne by approximately 0.5m for a length of around 85m and a new bank perpendicular to this in front of the field gate. This will raise the standard of protection to 1 in 100 years from flooding from the South Tyne and Langley Burn.” The Chairman had already visited the site and was already aware of the residents’ fears that this work could mean a worse danger, particularly for the Temple Houses residents. During discussion the Chairman disclosed that the Environment Agency had admitted that there was danger of a ‘slight’ increase of risk for Temple Houses homes. These residents are furious that solely on grounds of cost their homes are not being given extra flood protection - particularly when they have had flooding 3 time since 1995. There is also the problem that the new protection measures include a new bank at right angles to river bank which, it was felt, will prevent ambulance access to football field as well as preventing residents at the bottom of Temple Houses getting oil deliveries and fire engines service to their homes. Following discussion it was agreed that the best solution would be to have the Environment Agency come to the village and give a presentation of the measures and discuss residents’ fears. Parish Council will invite them. Space prevents me listing all of these fears in the Haydon News however it would seem that yet again those ‘in authority’ have gone ahead without considering consultation necessary - in my opinion a sad state of affairs. It was agreed that £200 be transferred to Outdoor Bowling Club to meet initial minor expenditure. The Tender price £900 +VAT for streetlamp in Land Ends Road was agreed. Following removal of Electricity supply equipment beside Greenwich Garden Garages a small wall has not been removed - this is a hazard for playing youngsters. PC will request removal. The estate play area has been inspected by TDC who are reported to have found no evidence of dog fouling, neither had they found any of the play equipment in a dangerous condition. This was disputed by Cllr Mrs Charlton, Cllr Bill Howard will discuss with Tynedale as well as asking if a fence around area, to keep out dogs, can be installed. TDC has approved A Douglas Gardens resident's planning application to change wasteland in Land Ends Road to a garden. Next Parish Council Meeting will be in Langley Village Hall at 7:30 pm on Thursday 23rd April the PC hope there is a good public attendance.
SBM Index
Committee members served up a lovely Ham Salad with extras followed by Apple Pie and Cream then Birthday Cake and sherry when the 74th Birthday of the W.I. was celebrated, it was a very relaxed and care- free night.
Mrs Sparke won the competition for a Birthday Card with Mrs J. Heron and Mrs F. Ord.
There were many winners in the raffle when the table decorations were included in the prizes.
A Beetle Drive rounded off the evening where there were lots of moans and woops of glee - enjoyed by everyone.
B. Clark Millbrook Acomb
The title of the talk and demonstrations given at Langley W.I.’s March meeting was ‘Tassels and Cords’. The speaker, Mrs. Mary Green, brought along a selection of her work and members were surprised by the variety of designs. She then demonstrated the art of making cords, which looked deceptively simple, whereas the art of making tassels was more painstaking and complicated. Mrs. Green, a member of the Weavers Guild has always worked in subdued colours, but was then inspired by Kaffe Fasset and ventured into making a multicoloured waistcoat for which she needed Japanese braiding. Being unable to procure this someone taught her how to make it, she got hooked and the rest as they say, is history.
Mrs. Green now spends most of her time teaching workshops and giving talks and demonstrations. Mary Nagel
In the March issue of the Haydon News the introduction to PARISH COUNCIL PICKINGS read: ‘Neither of the reporters from the Hexham Courant or the Haydon News bothered to turn up and only me and one other chap were on the public seats. There being no public participation the meeting started promptly at 7:30, sadly it was one big yawn until it ended at 8:30 and I certainly wished that I’d stayed at home like reporters Peter and PAT.’ Eve Fuller, the Editor of the Hexham Courant writes: Dear Mr Mitchell Whilst I understand the opinion expressed in Parish Council Pickings in the March edition of Haydon News, I would be distressed if anyone were to think that it was a fact that a Hexham Courant reporter “did not bother to turn up” to a Haydon Parish Council meeting. There are dozens of evening meetings throughout Tynedale every month and, as we only have a small team of reporters, it is not possible to get to all of them and difficult choices have to be made. We did take the trouble to inform the council that on this particular occasion we were unable to send someone.
Yours sincerely,
Eve Fuller, Editor I am more than pleased to include your letter explaining the situation to Haydon News readers. Ed.
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Dear Editor, It's great to see that Haydon Bridge is on the Web ! Out of interest I recently did a search on the village and was stunned to get a response. I often think about the village and remember growing up there - my first 16 years were spent in Langley Gardens. About 10 years ago my family moved from the village to our present location - Northern Ireland. Barring the obvious troubles, village and town life in N.I is very similar to that in England. I have visited the village a couple of times over the years and have been pleased to see the developments going on - mainly the new health centre.
I'm pleased to be able to read the Haydon News and spot the odd familiar name. I was desperately sorry to read of the death of Dr High, I remember him well and always had the greatest respect and admiration for him. I'm sure he will be sorely missed by those that knew him and my deepest sympathy goes to his family. Pass on all my best wishes to everyone in the village and good luck in your future ventures on the "Web" Regards, Ian Mulligan
_________________________________ THANK YOU TO AN UNKNOWN LADY
I would like to thank the lady who found my purse in the Haydon Bridge Co-op and handed it in to the staff. I made enquiries as to who the lady was, so as to thank her personally, but no one seemed to know her, so I can only say again many thanks and hope you see this in our local newsletter. E. M. Rumney
ARTHRITIS RESEARCH CAMPAIGN
Those who did not make it to the Church Hall on Friday, 20th March missed a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Mr. John Wardle gave us a fascinating account of his travels through the wilder parts of Morocco, illustrated by lots of stunning photographs taken by Mrs. Claire Wardle. The gains to Arthritis research were not great, but the entertainment certainly was. Hilary Rutherford
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Letters to the Haydon News are always welcome
A service on the Web for exiled Haydonians and other interested parties is provided jointly by: BrianHarrison: http://www.badrise.u-net.com/haydon.htm Mitch : http://www.haydonbridge.demon.co.uk
If you have links with Haydon Bridge please send us a note and let us know who and where you are. On a best efforts basis we will also try and answer genealogical queries about the local area.
Extract from Northumberland Visitors Guide
HAYDON BRIDGE Population: 2,000. Small town on the River Tyne with a small but interesting range of accommodation and shops. It was the birthplace of John Martin, Northumberland's most famous artist. There is a fascinating virtual newspaper for the village, the "Haydon News", which is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the village.
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COFFEE MORNING - THANK YOU Many thanks to everyone who supported the Open/ Coffee Morning in the Community Centre on Saturday 28th March. A total of £313.60 was raised for Community Centre funds. Thanks to all those who helped on the day and those who gave generously to the cake stall, raffle and tombola.
Raffle prizes not claimed were ticket numbers 155, 133, 254, 130, 263. Prizes can be collected from 10 Ratcliffe Road.
Valerie Bell on behalf of Community Association
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Music to Parents' Ears
What do Baa baa Black Sheep, Ring a ring a roses and the Ash Grove have in common? They are some of the songs and music that pre-schoolers are learning at the Music and Movement classes in Haydon Bridge. Music and Movement classes have been enjoyed in Hexham for the past twenty years. However, the leaders, Susannah Crump and Susie Steven felt that parents and children might benefit from having classes available in Haydon Bridge. A class started at the end of October and rapidly had to be split into two classes. Children from not only Haydon Bridge, but also from Allendale, Ninebanks and Haltwhistle have joined in the fun. The sessions take place every Friday afternoon during term time at 1: 10 PM and 1: 50. Each session last a half hour. They have been held at the Community Centre. However, after Easter, they will be held at the new Methodist Hall. This change of venue will enable parents to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee after their class as well as providing more space for children gallop and dance about. The children, aged between two and four, enjoy the singing and the chance to play a variety of instruments. "Now, whenever my child is a bit tired or upset, 1 find singing one or two of the songs from Moos and Move, as he calls it, helps calm him down." explained one mother. "When we went to a parent and toddler group, a boy from Music and Movement was there. This boy demanded songs and a drum from his mum as it had to be time for his favourite activity since John was there." said another. While Music and Movement does not claim to produce musical prodigies, it tries to give an introduction to songs, action rhymes, and playing instruments such as drums, triangles and tambourines. The simple instructions and movements help develop co-ordination and a sense of rhythm. "It can provide a base," explained Susie Steven " for lifelong enjoyment of music." There are still some places available. Further information can be obtained from either Susannah Crump (609 014) or Susie Steven (675 260). Hopefully these classes will prove as successful as the ones in Hexham and that the hills of Haydon Bridge will ring with the sound pre-schoolers music for many years to come. Michelle Styles
Time again for planting up baskets , window boxes, pots and other containers. The village floral display gets better every year and it's lovely to see our village waking up from a drab winter. Haydon Bridge has been entered for the 'Northumberland in Bloom' competition so let's all make an extra effort to impress the judges. Because the centre of the village has few gardens, baskets and containers are essential to make a stunning impact. Even if you have a garden the picture will be enhanced by filling it with pots overflowing with colour and foliage. Put them at the gate and where they can be seen to advantage from the road. Hang baskets around the door. Brighten up dull borders with annuals and potted plants. The judges will be in the village on the 29th April, the middle of June and the end of July. They will also look at the gardens on the estates and the North Bank.
Container planting has become an art form. There are numerous books written exclusively about gardening in pots. Tynedale Park and Down to Earth have a variety of pots, urns and tubs. You can use anything as a container. Old chimney pots of varied heights look effective grouped together. Galvanised buckets (make drainage holes in bottom) look trendy. Scarlet geraniums in terra-cotta pots are traditional. You can fill a very large, cheap, plastic containers or bin with bulbs and bedding plants and use trailing plants around the edges for an exuberant, overflowing effect. An old wheelbarrow full of flowers will makes an unusual and eye-catching display. So get started, exercise those artistic skills and show the judges a floriferous village. Buy a suitable compost. The plants won't flourish in last year's compost and garden soil isn't suitable for containers. If the container is very deep - like a bin - fill it 314 full with polystyrene chunks such as you get in packing; 12" of compost in the top will suffice and the weight will be kept down. Any heavy container will be best planted up in situ. To maintain a container, dead-head regularly. Some flowers like primroses, which are lovely early in the year, won't flower all season so top up with new plants as others go over. The most important element in maintaining a beautiful display is to feed and water daily.
This month Dead-head tulips and daffodils past their best. This diverts the plant's energy into the bulb and not into setting seed. Leave the foliage intact. Ideal time, as the soil warms up, for planting evergreen trees, shrubs and conifers. Spray their foliage to reduce moisture loss if the weather turns warm and dry. Prune roses. First cut out any diseased or crossing stems. Then remove a third of the old stems completely, cutting right down to base, to encourage new growth. Shorten remaining stems to about 12" - 18" Divide congested clumps of snowdrops while still in leaf. Trim winter heathers as they finish flowering Use slug pellets around delphiniums and hostas James Thin
CARPET BOWLS Haydon Bridge v Bellingham
On Thursday 12th March 1998 Haydon Bridge Indoor Bowls Club lost by seven shots at home to Bellingham in an entertaining match. Here are the teams:
The first two games produced plenty of excitement as proven when the ‘B’ team played a 3-3 draw with the visitors ‘B’ team. The ‘A’ team had a very good night, winning their thirds game 9-1, winning their first three games they lost the last one. After losing their first three games heavily the ‘D’ teams never gave up and won their last game 6-1. The ‘C’ team also had a poor night, but also won their last game after taking four on the first end. On Sunday 15th March, Michael Rumney, Jean Oliver, Gladys Henderson and Susan Taylor took part in a Rosebowl competition as a team of four. Edna Rumney also went and took part in the singles event. Unfortunately they didn’t do well, but they did have a lovely day.
Haydon Bridge drew 63-63 away to Lambley on Monday 16th March.
It was a spring-like morning as I came out of the Post Office from collecting my pension, the Oyster Catchers had arrived back to the river and were clammering and giving their loud “Kleep - Kleep - Kleep” calls along the gravel beds below the bridge, quite oblivious to anything or anyone, as they performed their mating dance. Above the clammer of the Oyster Catchers another musical sound reached my ears as I wandered past the ‘Street Fashion Shop’, I couldn’t believe my eyes as I drew level with the paper shop - for there stood three ancient gentlemen singing in perfect harmony outside of M. Armstrong’s Groceries. It was Bowler singing in a most beautiful bass voice, whilst old Jerry Attrick sang in high pitched squeaking notes that somehow did not seem to detract from the melody, and M.Armstrong the grocer, who had the edge over the other two, singing in the wonderful tenor voice acquired from his days in the Church choir - under the watchful eye of the Rev. Salisbury and organist Mr. H. Myers. In perfect harmony they sang a song we had all been taught at Shaftoe Trust School in the 1930’s - “Who Is Sylvia - What Is She ?”
“Wat’s thuw think uv that son?” said old Jerry to me as the grocer vanished into his shop to serve a customer. “Aye, not bad for three owld gadgies!” grinned Bowler from under his deer-stalker as the song stirred memories from long ago. “Deek!” said old Jerry, “See hor there?” as he nodded his head in the direction of a little body coming out of the paper shop. “Aye, wat aboot hor?” said I as he went on to say, “Wey, she used to be a fairy.” I responded “ A wat? There’s nee sec things as fairies!” - “She DID” went on Jerry, “She was a yen on yen’ve Mrs. Snaabals Pantomimes in the Toon Hall way back in 1945.” And so as Bowler went off into the shop for a sit down, Old Jerry, on hearing the Church clock strike eleven and seeing the door of ‘The Railway’ open began a determined shuffle in that direction - leaving me alone with my thoughts in the morning sun.
‘Mrs Snowball’s Dramatic Society’ - now there’s something to stir the memory. She and husband Tom lived down John Martin Street in a house long gone, demolished to make way for the new bridge. He was the local water man and looked after the sewerage works then situated on the riverside below the Vicarage. She was a polite body who taught pianoforte, they had no family of their own, but she was rich in good works - hence she threw herself into all sorts of kindly deeds with the full support of her husband. Hence the Dramatic Society was founded with Village folk giving of their very best in her productions in hope of being discovered as another Ronald Coleman or Bette Davis.
During the blackout of the long winter nights of 1944 village folk practised their parts and committed to memory the lines for their part in the pantomime “Cinderella” to be staged in the Town Hall in aid of the ‘Welcome Home Fund’ to help local men on their return from the war. I remember sitting enthralled enjoying this pantomime on March 1st 1945, made more pleasurable because we knew all the cast to be local people who were amongst us every day. The pantomime was produced by Mrs. T. Snowball and Mr. A.J. Brightwell, a bank manager in Newcastle, but lived at ‘Foxton’ up the North Bank. He introduced the performance and said the ‘Welcome Home Fund’ would benefit by £70 through their efforts, not a lot you might say but remember that was 53 years ago when £70 was a lot of money. (e.g. At that time the return bus fare to Hexham was 1/- shilling = 5p) .The whole show was brilliant in it’s performance from curtain up to curtain down, with the change of scenes, an extravaganza of colourful costumes and songs holding our interest as it unfolded before our eyes. Mrs. T. Hall was responsible for the wardrobe, remember her husband Dr. Hall who died young, and whose ashes were placed alongside their infant son, buried at the Old Church.
The Principals were: H. Swallow - the local bandmaster; Mrs. D. Snowball (no relation) - producer of the show, but used to be Mollie Waugh of the station Yard whose husband Dennis was serving with the R.A.F. in Belgium at the time; Stan J. Armstrong and Miss Jenny Walton delighted everyone with their comical antics as two of the ugly sisters; C. Telford, local joiner; J. Bates, butcher at the Co-op; J. Mews, railway porter; Mrs. E.H. Walton and Mrs. S.J. Armstrong; E. Harrison from The Tofts delighted everyone with his rich baritone voice adding that extra touch of class to the singing. Many others took part and I can well remember them to this day: Mrs. Baker from Belmont Gardens; Miss C.M. Drydon West Deanraw, Mr. & Mrs. Dinning from Ratcliffe Road; R. Campbell, J. Leathard from John Martin Street; J. Morton, Brigwood; P. Short; J. Longstaff, Brigwood; R. Rutherford, Mill Hills; W.Thompson, Pool Dale; Mrs. J. Bates; Mrs. Cooper, local decorator’s wife; Mrs. P. Spooner, whose husband was away to war in Burma; Miss Ella Gibson and Miss Betty Shout. Ah, but yes now - the fairies - where did they fit in? Well old Jerry was right, because I know of at least two flitting about the village, mind you not as sprightly now 53 years on as they flitted over the Town Hall stage all those years ago. But let me stir your memory and picture those cute little woodland nymphs, the very epitome of grace and charm as as they pranced and skipped in tinsel sparkling dresses - the picture of innocence with impish gossamer wings along with four tubby little elves to the theme of ‘The Woodland’ belted out on the piano by Mrs. Gordon Kay. The chorus comprised of: Maureen Armstrong, Eileen Graham, Jean Ridley, Maureen Ridley, Joan Cooper, Heather Campbell, Joy Sillitoe and Marlene Turnbull. The elves were: Peter Snowball, Peter, Billy and David Routledge, and Allan Telford.
There was one other outstanding event that took place in that pantomime in March 1945, it was the highlight of the show that brought the house down. and had everyone standing on their toes for a better look when two four year olds gave an excellent performance of a “MINUET” - these were Lorna Dixon and Dennis Telford! Oh the stylishness, the magnificence, the well timed body action of the pair as four little legs strutted their stuff across the boards of the Town Hall stage to the delight of everyone. With their deportment and fashionable elegance in white dress and suit of silk, satin lace and frills climaxing in an enthusiastic ovation that was to become the subject of conversation for many a month. In fact it was said at the time that Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were by no means any match to the pair! Ah well, it only goes to show that if you start very young you will become proficient, skilled, qualified and thoroughly versed in the steps of dance, and become a Master of the Terpsichorean Art.
A few steps in, a few steps out Gan roon the best ye can Move on tiv another lass and hor another man
Owld Tawny
Methodist Church Building 12th-18th April 1998
12th - EASTER DAY SERVICES 09.00 am Prayer Breakfast 10.00am Christ is Risen Hallelujah! 6 00pm Christians Together Service Preacher Fr. Leo Pyle
13th - EASTER MONDAY 10am-4pm Open Day with guided tours and refreshments for all. 14th - TUESDAY 7.30pm Flower arranging demonstration with John Dalton 15th - WEDNESDAY 12 noon Holiday Luncheon Club 17th - FRIDAY 6.30 pm Junior Disco for 6-11 year olds Evening Hike for 12+ year olds with supper at Chapel 18th - SATURDAY Celebration Meal and Cabaret to round off the week in style Further Dates for your Diary Saturday - 5th April 7.30pm All Saints Praise Band Saturday 6th June 7.30pm Concert by Salvation Army Band Thursday - 11th June 7.30pm Al fresco evening at Ridley Hall. A Shakespearean collage with Newcastle College Sat - Sun 5-6 September A weekend of celebration and thanksgiving at the beginning of the Methodist Year for God’s New House Saturday -5th September Celebration by invitation with contributions from Rev. Richard Firth, Rev. David Perkins and Stephen Crichton - Architect. Sunday - 6th September A Covenant Service at 10am led by our District Chairman, Rev. Robin Hutt. For further information please contact: M. Rowarth 684207 - T. North 684757 J. Wardle 684294 - M. Hindle 684275
SORRY - No Poem this month