Haydon News

March 1999

email the editor

EDITORIAL

The ageing Boeing 737-400 approached Gibraltar at about 7:30 pm on Friday 26th. It flew over Cape Trafalgar, just as your Editor was finishing his umpteenth rum and coke. Well folks we had left Newcastle on the 10:30 a.m. flight to Gatwick and had a 4 hour wait at London’s second airport, for our Gibraltar connection.

As I gazed out of the window Sylvia was engrossed in conversation with a young Scottish lass on her way to take up an appointment at the Naval Hospital on that piece of disputed land near the end of the European continental land mass, inhabited mainly by a staunchly British population of Gibraltarians and expats. The country also houses a couple of packs of those famous Barbary apes.

Sylvia doesn’t really like flying every slight lurch on the aircraft’s approach resulted in another blood stopping tight grip on my right hand, contents of my glass shooting up my nostrils. A guy in business class white knuckling the back of the seat in front. If that chap all but knew it – had we slammed into ‘The Rock’ no gripping of that seat would save him – perhaps the only recognisable bits of him left in the wreckage would have been his hands still gripping the head-rest as the rest of him hurtled and somersaulted through the cabin - rock and eternity bound or oblivion.

Of course we landed safely, you usually do. As we disembarked I thought of Nelson, who after being killed a few miles offshore, was pickled in a barrel of rum, and brought ashore not far from where the plane had landed. Perhaps I was emulating the distinguished Admiral as I staggered and wobbled down the steps on this warm February evening, for after all I did have rum sloshing all around me. Difference being that the alcohol pickling me was inside my body.

Surprise Announcement – The Chairman of the Parish Council, Michael Loyd, gave notice at the Parish Council Meeting in February, that he would not putting his name forward for the May election. He felt that the next four years would see a lot of activity relating to the proposed Haydon Bridge bypass – the recommended A69 route would cross his land thereby causing a conflict of interest and for this reason he had decided not to stand for re-election.

Mr. Loyd has been Chairman of the Parish Council since May 1995 when he took over the position from Mr. Bates who stood down in April 1995. During this time I have observed him to be a Chairman with understanding, tolerance, sense of humour and balanced judgement. I have witnessed Council meetings where tempers have flared, Prima Donnas have performed and others have sulked yet under the stewardship of Mr. Loyd things have been kept under control and generally a satisfactory outcome has resulted.

The parish were fortunate that when Mr. Loyd’s predecessor stood down in April 1995 such a qualified candidate for the Chairman’s position was available to take on this unpaid job. Alas, in my view, no suitably experienced candidate is waiting in the wings to take over. Here I speak as an observer of some 40 or more Parish Council meetings during the last four years or so.

Politics aside I believe that the Community and Parish of Haydon would be well served if the outgoing Chairman reconsidered his position and once again put his name forward for election in the Parish Council elections. Failing this perhaps there are suitable people that you know who could be persuaded to stand in the May local elections. At the last local elections votes were not required as only eleven people put their names forward to fill eleven positions on the Parish Council. To be truly representative I feel that a ballot should be held and to this end would encourage candidates of all political persuasions to consider putting forward a nomination form. Mind you once you are in the public domain expect some attention from the present editor of the Haydon News firing across your bows – it won’t be all plain sailing. A bit like my job really.

Because of our holiday, personal bereavement, and other pressing requirements I’m afraid that this month’s newsletter is a tad late as it is now 16th March, now I know you will not want two newsletters in a fortnight so I will delay the April issue for ten days and the May one for five days. Meanwhile I must steer a course well past Rattenraw or its the gangplank and Davey’s locker for me. Sing with me folks

"If I were a blackbird I’d whistle and sing;
I would follow the ship that my true love sailed in;
And in the top rigging I’d there build my nest;
And pillow my head on her lily white breast.”

Bye for now .. see you later folks . . . . .Mitch

Index

PARISH COUNCIL PICKINGS
Thursday 25th February 1999

9 Councillors, and two members of the public were present.

Matters Arising - The new flag pole has been erected and the Northumbrian Flag raising ceremony on Saturday February 13th 1999 was attended by the Scouts and Guides. [The Editor has been given some material about the flag and ceremony – unfortunately space does not permit it to be presented in this month’s Haydon News]

- The Highways Agency have accepted responsibility for the maintenance of the white fences at entrance to village – they will repair in due course.

- A Councillor complained that Pelican crossing lights were not working after the workmen left each night during recent roadworks. It was also said by the same Councillor that the safety fencing had been erected badly outside Marsh’s shop. This apparently confused a couple of nine year olds who ended up by being nearly stranded in the middle of the road.

- The contractor responsible for grass cutting is having problems with the number of large molehills which can cause damage to the blades of his machine.

Highway Matters - A Councillor said that rabbits burrowing under some local roads may eventually cause a road hazard.

Lighting – nothing discussed

Tynedale District Council - A Tynedale District Councillor reported that at a recent meeting it was agreed that the TDC will take every opportunity to state the need for a bypass for Haydon Bridge.

Planning - A number of planning applications were discussed and passed without comment.

Accounts – Approved

Correspondence - An unexciting batch of correspondence was dealt with, however one request from Northumbria Police to financially support temporary moveable CCTV cameras on village streets was rejected.

- It was agreed to send a donation of £100 to the Queens Hall – this is for the “A Bridge Too Far” project which will involve The Shaftoe Corale, High School and Scouts. The money will come out of hanging baskets budget.

AOB – A letter had been received asking for funds to towards providing a tarmacadam surface in Temple Houses Lane now that it has been declared a public right of way. Following discussion it was agreed that this request should be refused as this would create a precedence with regard to non-adopted roads. The back lane, Brigwood and Alexandra Terrace were just three quoted as an example.

Projects – It was confirmed that the Parish Council will NOT be going for a ‘Village Green’ project for the riverside picnic area but will support the development as a play area for children. Some councillors have strong feelings against this proposal, especially as they are having difficulty in obtaining public liability insurance cover. One Councillor said that the land would be better in the hands of the Parish Council where it would be safe from development, however another reminded him of the Station Yard fiasco.
- A draft booklet on ‘Village Walks’ was discussed - it is anticipated that this will be published before Easter.

The Chairman reminded councillors that with the Council elections in May there would only be one or two more meetings. For his part he would not be standing for re– election. SBM

PAT

Index

The Friends of Haydon Bridge

Subscriptions are now due for the period 1st January 1999 – 31st December 1999. Membership is 10p per month so a subscription for the period is £1.20. Please complete the form below and enclose with your membership subscription. New members from 1st January please pay £1.20 (current members £1.50 includes Oct. Nov. Dec. 1998)) You can give it to any member of the Committee or leave it in an envelope at the Post Office addressed to The Friends of Haydon Bridge. If you are a non-resident of the Parish of Haydon the subscription is 60p per month which includes a postal delivery of the Haydon News – please send cheque for £6–00 to the Editor – address page 2.I wish to become an active / non-active member (delete as appropriate) of The Friends of Haydon Bridge for the period 1st January 1999 – 31st December 1999. Please find enclosed a cheque/cash to the value of . . . . . . .

Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Please note that donations greater than minimum amount are welcome – all monies received will be used for the benefit of Parish inhabitants. Cheques payable to The Friends of Haydon Bridge

Readers outside U.K If you wish to support the Friends of Haydon Bridge e-mail us now at FOHB

Index

HAYDON BRIDGE W.I.

FEBRUARY

Haydon Bridge W.I. Enjoyed a talk and slide show by Mr. K. Watts entitled ‘Northumberland in Bloom’. Mr. Watts, a judge for the ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ group explained the aims of the group, amongst other things, were to improve the environment and to encourage a spirit of pride in one’s surroundings.

It also aims to get children involved in the hope that they will take an interest in their own area and indirectly learn this way, to respect other people’s property. When judging villages, and many participate throughout Northumbria, the judges look for fifty percent tidiness and fifty percent flowers.

The slides were very colourful, but of the towns judges, darlington seemed a long way ahead of every other one.

There were several slides of the bowling green at Hexham which everyone viewed with great admiration.

The Raffle was won by Mrs. M. Bowen, the competition – A Flower Ornament – by Mrs. Ohlson.

Myra Bowen

MARCH

This month the Haydon Bridge W.I. Celebrated its seventy-fifth birthday and a wonderful time was had by everyone despite the weather which was wet, cold and miserable.

We boarded a coach mid-morning for a mystery tour ending up at the Royal Quay’s Shopping Outlet Village at South Shields for a coffee stop and some shopping. From there we continued on to Harry Ramsden’s in Gateshead for lunch.

We returned early evening to the home of our members, Mrs. Flo Ord. A magnificent cake, beautifully iced in green and white with the emblem of the W.I. On top was cut by the longest serving member, Mrs. Florence Turnbull. She has been a member of this institute for sixty-three years.

Everyone was given a slice of cake to take home in a specially decorated serviette and a bone china commemorative beaker.

A wonderfully memorable day to celebrate a very special occasion.

Myra Bowen

Index

LANGLEY WI

The February meeting at Langley W.I. Was an open meeting as the topic of the talk given by Mr. Paul Williamson was of much interest to both the W.I. Ladies and the men present.

Mr. Williamson, gamekeeper at the Chesters estate of 4,000 acres, took the audience through a typical working year.

Once the shooting season is over, it’s time to start preparation for the next season. In February trapping starts and Mr. Williamson demonstrated various legal snares and traps. Pheasants are caught in a lobster pot type trap and in April they start to lay, the eggs taking 24 days to hatch. The chicks are then kept in heated sheds until they are 6 – 7 weeks old. Their feathers are then clipped and they are released into the woods where they are fed in pens for a few weeks until they regard it as their home and will return there.

In all there are 12 – 14 days shooting – usually in November when there is good visibility as the trees have dropped their leaves. This is a busy time for the gamekeeper as he has to arrange transport, beaters, teams of guns, teams of pickers up with dogs, and notify tenant farmers.

Mary Nagel

Index

Letters to the Editor & Readers Viewpoints

From Australia

Mr. Mitchell, Mr.Mitchell, Mr.Mitchell,

You are a living angel!

What a treasure trove! Words almost fail me - but then I am not known for being at a loss for words. Thank you for marking all the locations I would be likely to ask about, you have amazingly anticipated my queries. With the aid of my old Ordnance map of Haydon Bridge c.1860, I am able to form very clear pictures of the daily to-ing and fro-ing of the inhabitants going about their daily business. I only wish my Dad was with me as I look at his past and was able to share with him the reading of the Haydon News and all I have discovered about his ancestors, facts which he never knew.

I intend sending off all the bits and pieces I promised you tomorrow and ask you please to excuse my poor Great Aunt Mary for her persistence regarding our family's connection with Sir Walter Scott. Total hogwash! More of that seductive mythology that somehow builds up, based on simple misconstruction of facts. We did, in fact have a Walter Scott as an ancestor but that's as far as it goes. Breckon Bank was in the family, but had nothing to do with THE Walter Scott. Poor lady, she was quite stirred up by it all and had a lot of research done in Roxburgh, at no little cost, I dare say. It's just as well she never knew the truth of the matter. The value of her letters lies in the names she mentions and prices of things - a hint of the tenor of the times.

My great grandfather Joseph's manuscript and the new one I am including from my grandfather George, were in my father's old dispatch box for years before I got them and have heavy stains from spilled red ink, so I am sending the originals to you in case you can have them copied better than I can.

You won't believe it, but Edmund Charlton has already written to me and I have replied.

Apart from my thanks, you have earned my good opinion for the time you take to visit people who obviously enjoy your interest in their daily lives and the stories they have to tell and the assistance you obviously proffer to those who come to you with their concerns.

My very best wishes

Elizabeth Reay Le Page

Ed’s note
I have exchanged a number of e-mails with Elizabeth and via the Internet, have sent her some marked up photographs of the village in the 1920’s and today – these have given her the insight into her Haydon ancestors which neither she no her father had before. For her part she has sent me some excellent photographs and original manuscripts which I shall copy and place into the electronic archive of Haydon Bridge in the 20th Century. The interest shown in the village since I placed the Haydon News on the Internet in 1997 has been tremendous – as the site http://www.haydonbridge.org becomes more widely known this will no doubt escalate.

Brian Harrison, a neighbour of mine provides complimentary pages giving information about the village on http://www.badrise.u-net.com/haydon.htm
If you haven’t yet visited our sites please do so now. The Haydon News site now contains RealAudio recorded by local musicians

Dear Mitch,

You have probably forgotten about me, I had written you about finding my ancestors the Robsons. One of which was John William Robson of Haydon Bridge and his two daughters (whom never married) Meg and Edith. To make a long story short (ha which I've never been able to do) We are coming to England. We should be in Hexham June 16,17,18,19 and 20. . . . . .. I was hoping we could meet you and also the person that provided the pictures of "Bill" Robson and his daughters. I would like to see where they lived and where they're buried.

Is there more info. on them at the library or historical society? I have been writing [names removed Ed.] of Hexham and they have graciously offered to show us about. We hope to see you in a few months,

Pat and Walt Mielnicki

Ed’s note
Thank you for your note - I haven't forgotten you, indeed I still have your e-mails on file. I look forward to meeting you sometime in June - you will have to remind me closer to the time as I have a memory like a sieve at times.

Sadly my friend Bill Tait, who provided the photographs, died suddenly last autumn.

John William Robson is actually buried in the plot adjacent to my own grandfather although neither has a headstone above their grave, nor have the graves of his daughters Edith and Margaret.

I know the house the Robson’s lived in and have spoken with the present owner to see if they mind you nosing around the outside in June. Of course the dwelling is much changed since your relatives lived there as three of the cottages have since been turned into one residence.

Unfortunately I am not aware of any specific records relating to the family but if anything comes to hand I will let you know. In the meantime if anyone in the village knows more about this specific Robson family please contact me and I shall pass on the details to Pat and Walter.

All at Sea

23 February 1999
A letter from West Rattenraw

Dear Mitch

Your February 1999 editorial described the Parish Council meeting on 28 January and the response to your question about the new Community Centre. The account makes interesting reading but it is incomplete and therefore misleading. Those residents on whose behalf you asked the question may wish to be acquainted with the facts the editorial omitted.

The meeting began, as usual, with the Chairman asking for any member of the public present to raise issues with the Council. You remained silent. One and a half house later you “scribbled a note” and gave it to the councillor nearest to you. Shortly afterwards, at the end of business on the agenda, one councillor left. The member holding your note then re-opened proceedings, asking why there had been no public consultation on the design and location of the new Community Centre. Another councillor departed. After some discussion the Chairman gave a concise statement of the Parish Council’s position and the Community association’s responsibilities leaving no doubt as to where the complaint should have been addressed.

Your assertion that “the remaining members of the Parish Council weren’t able to offer a satisfactory response” is inaccurate. The criticism that “the silence has been deafening” would be more appropriately applied to the editor of the Haydon News than the Parish Council.

Yours sincerely

John Irving

Ed’s response – written on 25th February
John Irving regularly attends Parish Council meetings and usually he and I are the only two members of the public there – together with Courant and Haydon News reporters.

Taking his final paragraph first sentence – the Parish Council certainly did not in my view provide a ‘satisfactory response’ to the question raised ,which I remind him was:

“The Village Appraisal only spoke of refurbishing the Community Centre. When it was discovered that the place would need to be rebuilt why weren’t the views of the Parish as a whole sought concerning design and location.”

It was right and proper for this question to be addressed to the Parish Council as it was they who, in collaboration with the Community Association, applied to Tynedale District Council for planning permission to demolish and replace the existing Community Centre with a new building.
Turning now to the second sentence of his final paragraph

‘The criticism that “the silence has been deafening” would be more appropriately applied to the editor of the Haydon News than the Parish Council.’

My February article certainly DID NOT refer to the Parish Council when using the words that offend the writer. The Haydon News has been far from silent during the past year concerning other people’s views on the siting of the Community Centre. As a Haydon News reader and regular attendee at Parish Council meetings the writer is well aware that a question from the public gallery has in the past been construed by one or two Councillor’s as personal criticism.

On the 28th January I thought that the particular question should be raised during any discussion the Council had on the subject of the Community Centre. The note I handed the Councillor was not one and a half hours into the meeting but as I clearly recall, much earlier than that – in fact at about the time I thought they would be discussing the issue. In the event the Community Centre was not the subject of debate.

When they arrived at Any Other Business the question I had scribbled earlier was raised – my report in the February Haydon News accurately recorded events. Had the writer been more attentive he would have heard me say to the Chairman that I had not brought the matter up during the Public Participation as this was not a personal issue - I had been asked by others to ask the question. If you read the question you will see it was NOT answered. All I heard was ‘woolly’ response diverting the question to another source – who’s spokesperson had conveniently left the room a few minutes earlier. My February article concluded:

‘Sorry folks I did try my best to get you an answer but I’m not going to grab Marion and throw her to the floor in a half-Nelson screaming threateningly : “Damn you – speak woman speak!!” I save that sort of activity for the privacy of my own home – and anyway Bill was there.’

Perhaps the former sailor didn’t like me mentioning naval legend Nelson in the manner above! Talking of whom, I’m off to Gibraltar tomorrow – remember Trafalgar? When I disembark from the aircraft , suitably topped up with generous measures of Rum & Coke, courtesy of GIB Airways - will the welcoming cry from those ashore be:

“What will we do with the drunken editor ?”
“What will we do with the drunken editor ?”
“What will we do with the drunken editor ?”
“Earlye in the morning”

“Gag the Haydon News - Keel-haul the rascal”
“Gag the Haydon News - Keel-haul the rascal”
“Gag the Haydon News - Keel-haul the rascal”
“Earlye in the morning”

Mitch

8th February 1999
Dear Mr. Mitchell,

Thanks for this month's Haydon News, which was as ever an interesting and fun read. Unfortunately for you this may indeed be your problem. You've simply done too good a job. Quite an act to follow! So, with this in mind I wonder wether it would be a good idea to look for a small editorial team, rather than just one person, to take over from you. That way the task may seem less daunting. What do you think?

Also I read in this month's edition that there is a plan to put
another lamp on the old bridge. What a shame! Its the one place in the village where you can still get a half decent view of the stars. Its quite light enough there and another lamp would only blot out half the night sky.

And finally....... what about the bit of land behind the pavillion on the football field for a childrens' play area? Its already mostly fenced and grassed so the cost would be minimised. Alternatively, and an even cheaper option, would be to revamp the existing facilities with some new swings, a bigger slide {like the mega-slide at Allendale would be good} and a low fence round to keep the dogs out.

Yours,
Genevieve Stone

Ed’s note

Thanks for the compliment - Of course I agree with you on the need for an Editorial Team and would welcome support in that area - unfortunately volunteers are hard to come by - we need some younger people on the Friends Committee to act as reporters. As I have now established links with Wolf-Fm they can provide training for young reporters - indeed have a look at the link to Wolf-FM and you will see their write up on a group of musicians I took to Walker a couple of weeks ago - that's the sort of reporter I would like to pick up Haydon News stories.

Fortunately I live above the light pollution but understand the problem. It would be good if they could use mercury-vapour lamps instead of these horrible sodium ones that fill the sky with such an intense glow. I seem to remember that at one Parish Council meeting it was indicated that lighting of lamps on the old bridge would be by gas cylinders inserted into post) - that would help.

At the extraordinary meeting of the Parish Council last Thursday (4th February) they seemed to reverse their decision of the week before - it is not now their intention to have a Village Green on the riverside! Many people, including Councillors, think it a crazy idea to put a purpose built play area at the riverside but they do seem to be going ahead again with that approach. Many people will agree with your suggestions about the present children’s play area site and they have been voiced at meetings - for some reason they insist on proceeding along their present path. On a personal level I would prefer the riverside Village Green concept as I can visualise how nice the area could be if it were tidied up - similarly

I am personally horrified at the thought of youngsters being encouraged to go down to the riverside to play. Not only because of the obvious dangers of a fast flowing river but the moral danger small children could be in at this quiet spot. It is a sad reflection on our residents that they do not go to the Parish Council Meetings and voice their opinions - I get into enough bother already by being outspoken on other matters so I am reluctant to raise these issues at the meetings I go to observe.

Thanks for your interest in the Haydon News
Ed.

PS It only costs 10p a month to become a Friend of Haydon Bridge in either an active/inactive role - we need more supporters.

The above elicited this second letter from Genevieve

9th March 1999
Regarding young reporters have you tried the High School?
Unfortunately everyone I know is far too tied up with small children. However I am sure you could maybe find people prepared to write up specific things on a more adhoc basis from among the young ....or not so young!.....mothers. The other thing that crossed my mind was how about a column of parenting tips written say by our health visitor, whose name temporarily escapes me but who could be easily tracked down at the health centre. There are loads of children in the village, some very young mothers, and the health visitor will know the issues currently interesting to them. It also may get some of the younger people reading the paper and taking more of an interest.

Have done the deed and am now an official 'Friend'!

Yours,
Genevieve Stone.

p.s. I don't think people do 'volunteer' for these things but there are a few people maybe who might be interested in helping if approached direct. I wouldn't mind helping you find them but we'd need to work out how people could realistically help given the time constraints imposed by children etc..

Why don’t YOU do as our reader here did?
Join The Friends of Haydon Bridge

see application form elsewhere in this issue.

Hey Mitch

Kan ah ask? - Whey the bugger reets the Medical Miscellany for thee. Ah nearly allwis reed thi Dokters collum in the paypars an’ Marjorie Proops as weel wen she war alive. But aave ootlived hor and started on the Haydon News fer medikal assistance.

Hooever the collum last munth taalked aboot “prurient fermitation of the tabloid press” and boiled in thu bag morality and gimcrack opinions. Aah cud weel understand aboot Gimcrack - he is the Daily Mirra racin’ tipstor and aah sumtimes hev a wee flutta on the Gimcrack Stakes at York – but boiled in the bag prurient fermitation has ME beat. Dista think its the name of a horse? Aal keep a gud look oot furrit.

And aye the allsa mention Viagra – weel thi allsay need ti’ worry aboot that as weel. Wor Geordie hes just sent is a cuttin ootov a Yankee payper reportin a borgellry at the Viagra factory. The Pollis thowt it was just some bairns but was eventually traced ti sum hardened crinimals we wor fund waalkin aboot wi trailin legs – apparantly evorything had stiffend up!

Sykee Attrick

Newbruf

Index

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.

Charles Thomas, Chairman
The Friends of Haydon Bridge
South View
Heugh House Lane
Haydon Bridge
NE47 6ND

Index

Miscellaneous
“Out & About”

For the last two years on Tuesday afternoons a minibus has travelled up hill and down dale to attend the weekly Arts Group at Allendale Village Hall. This is specially for people who suffer ill health or have a disability which makes it difficult to go to evening activities. Some use wheelchairs and feel awkward attending classes or being people who are not aware of their special needs.

The Group which is organised by Tynedale Care Centre Charity has proved very popular as there is a varied programme of activities to suit different interests and abilities. Added to that there is the opportunity for making new friendships and having a chat over a cup of tea and home baked goodies!

As Allendale is bursting at the seams a new “Out & About” Group is to start on Monday afternoons after Easter (12th April) at Haydon Bridge Methodist Church Hall. Anyone interested in joining the group or in helping with the arts activities, the tea or in bringing people by car are invited to an OPEN DAY on Monday 22nd March between 4 p.m. Some of the art or craft tutors will have work on display and will be available to discuss what people would like to do. The Allendale members say “Please don’t be put off thinking that its not for you or that you don’t have any skills or can’t use a brush, mould clay or what have you. That’s what we all thought and every week we surprise ourselves!”

Please come to the Open Day and see what you think. If you need transport please contact Alistair on 608860 not later than Tuesday 16th March.

If any local artist, writer or musician would like to be involved on an occasional basis please contact Elizabeth on 602418. We may have need of people willing to teach computer skills and stick dressing!

“Out & About”
“GROUPS AND SPECIAL EVENTS”
Supporting people whose lives are restricted by disability or illness

I would like to thank everyone who came and supported us at the PRIZE BINGO at the Haydonian WMC on 13th February.
Special thanks to the following who donated prizes.

J&M Clarke, Thomas Stephenson, Langley Castle, Railway Hotel, Anchor Hotel,
Haydon Hotel, Haydonian Club, Members of H.B.C.C.

A total of £260 was raised

Many Thanks Barry Hope – Bingo Caller

The Haydon Bridge branch has been less active. Age is creeping up on some of us and others have left the area.

Even so, we still managed to raise £360 this past year.

But we do need new members who can spare just a few hours of their time, usually in the evening or weekends, once or twice a year.

Also, our magazine can be delivered within the village, 4 issues annually, for a subscription of £2.00 a year.

If anyone would like a copy, do ring me on 684335.

Hilary Rutherford
Appletreewick
Brigwood

A working group meet on the second Wednesday of each month to co-ordinate the raising of funds and make plans for Haydon Bridge’s Millennium celebrations, we are trying to hold at least one fund raising project each month.

January’s Quiz was a great success but February’s Memories Night failed as we had to cancel due to no tickets being bought, as supper was to have been included in ticket price we could not go ahead with it. A quiz about the village was prepared in preparation so we intend to sell these quiz sheets for £1 and award a prize for the winner. In the event of several correct entries a draw will take place for prizes.

March’s fund raising event will be a Beetle Drive on the 20th., it should be a fun family night – please try to come.

Future events are treasure hunts, dance, craft fare and we need prizes for raffles could anyone donate a prize or perhaps your group could sponsor one of our events. Has anyone plans to run their own fund raising effort ? We would love to hear from you.

REMEMBER
THE MORE WE RAISE THE BETTER THE VILLAGE CELEBRATION WILL BE.

We still have some numbers left in the bonus ball sweep £1 per week – £30 prize money each week for the holder of the bonus ball in Saturday’s lottery.

We also would like to produce a Doomsday Book of all houses in the village at the turn of the millennium and will be asking each household to fill in a questionairre; who lives there; ;are there any interesting facts relating to each property; have your family dwelt there for a long time; was anyone born there; has it got history.

We are still needing sewers for the village map.

IF YOU CAN HELP US IN ANY WAY COME TO OUR MEETINGS AT 7:30 P.M.
IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE

NEWS FLASH . Read all about it. . Read all about it

OYEZ . . . . . OYEZ . .. . . . . . . OYEZ

The last time a win was enjoyed by the Haydon Bridge Bowls Team was back in January 1998 at home against Allendale. Our ambition over the past year or so has been to be victorious before the Millennium. And no. . . it’s not April Fools day. YES, you’ve guessed it. Haydon Bridge have WON!

On a rather windy Pancake Tuesday, the bowls club took the trip to tiny Simonburn who had won at the Community Centre earlier in the season. Remarkably, the first six games were won by the visitors which included a 5–2 win for the A team, a 5-1 win for the B team, a 10-0 win for the C team and a 7-3 win for the D team. The unbeaten run wasn’t broken until the C team suffered an 8-2 reverse in their second game.

The A team won every game except their fourth, including a 7-1 win with their third. The B team ended the night undefeated with three wins and a draw, with the D team doing the same. Team C added a 11-0 victory to the Haydon Bridge tally and also won their final game.

In my four years or so of playing carpet bowls, this has got to be the best performance I have ever witnessed or took part in. Full credit should be go to every player for a magnificent performance which took the ‘Burn’ out of Simonburn.

The final score was:

SIMONBURN 39 - HAYDON BRIDGE 84

On the 5th of February, we played for the Kathleen Waite Singles Trophy which was surprisingly won by recent signing Jamie Eales, who played very well throughout the night. Runner-up was Edna Rumney, who won last year.

Once again, it’s time when I try to pick on all you readers to having a go at playing carpet bowls. It is 50p, and 25p for juniors. Just come along at 7:30pm, to the club nights mentioned below and have an enjoyable evening.

ALL AGES ARE WELCOME

Here are the teams which lined up for the Simonburn match.

FIXTURES FOR MARCH

Tuesday 2nd Club Night
Thursday 4th Slaggyford – Away
Tuesday 9th Club Night
Thursday 11th Allendale – Home
Tuesday 16th Bellingham – Home
Tuesday 23rd Throckley – Home
Thursday 30th Club Night

White Jack

Index

MEDICAL MISCELLANY

DUE TO AN ERROR FEBRUARY'S MEDICAL NEWS WAS USED AGAIN IN THE MARCH ISSUE

IT IS NOT REPEATED HERE

Index

Honeycrook
A short story by Alistair Burrowes

"Come on you pancake." Jody knelt by the stream stripping bark from a long thin branch, "If you don't get across now, we're going to leave you here.!"
"I can't Jody, it's too far." Barry tottered mid-stream on a large black rock.
"Well your half-way now, " said Jody standing up and slinging a piece of bark into the moving water, "so you might as well just jump."

Barry was eleven, younger than us three and always in last place, he gritted his teeth and prepared to launch himself the remaining four foot gap or so between his stepping stone and the safety of the soft bank side where we waited. With a great yell of encouragement from Jody, who was our leader, he jumped and missed the edge of the bank by a good twelve inches splashing us all in the process.

Barry stood with his arms out like a scarecrow with cold water galloping past just below his bare and trembling knees. "I knew I couldn't make it." He wailed, unsure of his next move.

"You'd better make it now though 'cos that water’s full of Piranha!" Davey said with some authority and the look on Barry's face changed from shivering defeat to ridged terror. "Let me out of here!" He yelped and scrambled out slipping and sliding and falling on the muddy bank. His cries of anguish out done by ours of mirth. Poor Barry, he never learned.

Jody took up the lead as usual, hacking the way through mature nettle plantations, rich and thick, high and poisonous. I followed swishing my stick at any he'd missed or taking the heads off others that caught my eye. Davey was behind me and I could hear him constantly encouraging Barry to "get a move on," or "hurry up." Even so, Barry never seemed to be quite able to catch up to us. Whenever he did it was because we waited, but he soon lagged behind again. I could hear him mumbling to himself as we marched on through uncharted woodland, but couldn't hear exactly what he was saying as Jody was issuing murderous curses at the falling nettles, and Davey was singing. I could only make out some of Barry's words, such as "hold-on a bit." or, "I wish I hadn't come with you now!"

The ground beneath us began to slope away and it became harder not to slip. At least the undergrowth was becoming more passable, I was grateful for that as I was tired of being stung. Davey came flying past me with a shout fit for the battle-front as he careered downwards then used a tree as a brake. Even Barry discovered the quick way down was just to sort of take-off. Like a squadron of WW II fighter planes, the four of us zoomed and yelled our way down that soily bank, every now and then using a tree to slow down an out of control pilot.
Reaching the bottom with our hands on our knees and panting, Jody declared that just over this next fence, then a small stream and we would be there.
"Oh no!" Said Barry, "Not another stream."

The fence even though it was barbed caused no problems to us. Barry, we helped over using linked hands as a step for him. We were though, back into more undergrowth, and what looked to be an ancient rubbish tip.
"Hey, look at these!" Called out Davey as he held up two old glass bottles. "There's hundreds of them." Jody wasn't too impressed. "You think the miners must have drunk a lot of pop?" asked Barry. He might have been right; there were bottles everywhere. I didn't know enough to be able to say if they had anything to do with the old miners or not, or the ruins we were heading towards, but images of old grey men in shirt sleeves and waistcoats, puffing away on clay pipes under large flat caps came to mind.
"I bet they’re beer bottles." Said Davey as he picked one up that was half filled with soil.

Our leader was crossing the second stream some distance ahead of us, he’d seen it all before. "Hey Barry, watch this." With a hair raising scream, Davey threw a bottle into the sky, then quickly and most masterfully followed it with a second causing the two to smash directly above himself, getting showered in glass much to Barry’s and my own amusement. With a whoop, I copied, although I managed to break both bottles without getting showered from above. I laughed out encouragement as Davey and Barry screamed and smashed, not noticing as Jody with glum expression walked back towards us.
"Hey you idiots. I said shush a minute - Listen!"

We froze as a last unbroken bottle bumped to earth. There in the foggy distance we could hear dogs howling and yelping.
Baying for the kill. "Jumpin’ Jehovah!" Said Davey. "What the heck’s that?"
Jody with his hand out flat towards us as a command for silence, listened intently. He was good.
"I don’t like this." Said Barry. The fun forgotten.
"Might be the hounds?" I said.
"What if they’re on the loose. What if they come here?"

Jody looked at us then dropped his hand. "I bet there’s some kennels somewhere up here and you idiots have spooked the dogs with all that noise."

The painful sound of those dogs was unnerving. I had visions of them coming tearing through the undergrowth at any moment, bounding over the fence as though it wasn’t there with their bloodied teeth and their blazing mad eyes.
"Doesn’t sound as if they’re getting any closer." Jody added. "Come on lets go."
We continued in relative silence over the next stream towards the ruins, apart from the distant sound of a hundred dogs baying for blood ringing in our ears. Interrupted only once by Barry seeking out confirmation from our leader that we were safe. To which he didn’t reply.

At last some hard ground came back towards us, and it was welcome. Much easier to walk on than the soft soily ground we’d been traipsing over. It was like an old road. Long ago fallen into decline, grass and gorse pushing up through its broken surface, mosses giving it an almost carpeted effect. Then there right in front of us was what we had walked here for. Jody beamed and threw his rucksack onto the moss covered ground then brushed some of the clinging weeds from the stone carved name plate.
"Honeycrook 1874" It read.
"Whoa!" Davey called out. "It’s ancient."
"Nearly a hundred years old." Nodded Barry.
"You sure it’s safe?" I asked. Jody pointed to the date on the stone again, "It’s been here since 1874, if it’s stood here that long why would it choose today to cave in?"

I could see his point I guess. Already he was pulling out a torch and our supply of chalk. Barry already with his head and shoulders into the entrance calling out hoping for a dull echo, which he didn’t get.

The arched stone entrance built into the bank side was like a miniature castle gateway, but was almost hidden away completely by the grasses and creepers.
"This mine," began Jody as he was testing the torch, which by the way looked big enough to direct a ship into harbour with on a stormy night, "was closed in 1893. Eighty-eight years ago. I’ll bet there’s been no one in here in all that time."
"At least living" Whispered Davey.

As usual Jody lead the way.
"What about poisonous gasses?" I asked still not convinced, as we stepped through the stone arch into a dripping darkness. Jody looked over his shoulder at me as Davey and Barry almost collided close behind.
"That’s just a tale to scare dumb kids away from places like this." He said, then turned forward again shinning a powerful white arc of light across a concave bricked ceiling. It seemed a bit late now to think of excuses not to go further now that we were here. Reluctantly I accepted our leaders words. I didn’t want to be the one to spoil the day. Jody handed Barry the chalk and told him to mark the walls at regular intervals.
"Just in case," he had said, "we should get lost."

Slowly onward as a small whispering crowd we stepped and stumbled over wet then dry rocks and rubble. Unaware of the incline until Davey slipped, sending a scattering of pebbles rattling away ahead of us, sounding like two dozen mice in pit boots. We noticed the arched roof was getting closer to our heads as we rounded a long sweeping curve. Leaving behind the receding arch of daylight which then quietly snuffed itself out.
I could feel Davey’s hot hands reaching out, searching the way, touching my back every now and then and his whispered words seeming close, yet bouncing off old walls and hissing at us making us laugh quietly and nervously at whatever it was he was saying.

Every now and then, under the guidance of our leader, Barry would chalk an arrow onto a suitable patch of wall. Even this he had managed to get wrong. Jody almost brought him to tears for chalking an X instead of an arrow.
"What happens if we get lost you pan-cake?" He’d said. "How do you know from an X which way we came?"
Again, I could see his point.

We passed quite a few entrances gouged out of the rock, but decided to keep on the main tunnel for as long as we could. This had forked a couple of times, so we’d always opted for the largest looking passage to follow, marking with an arrow accordingly. Of course.
"You think there’ll be any treasure down here?" Asked the small voice of Barry in the blackness.
"Who knows!" whispered Jody. Not entirely ruling out the possibility.

It didn’t look to me like there was to be anything down here but darkness and rubble. We’d seen the odd piece of twisted iron and some long forgotten wood posts, but never anything more interesting than that. Although earlier on we’d heard some strange frightened screeching, which we decided must have been bats, or some small animal we’d disturbed, apart from that, at least so far, it just looked like an old mine. Jody’s torch showed us that the tunnel was narrowing and lowering further.
"Watch your heads." He said, and we all stooped, still inching forwards following the ever decreasing circle of bright light.

To our right came another entrance, not unlike the one at the opening. Which we decided to take to see where it went, it ran about 25 yards then branched off in about another 12 different directions. It was hard to count them in the moving torch light.

"You make sure your marking these walls right." Jody said pointing the torch beam at Barry, who looked smaller than ever standing there in the sudden spotlight.
"I am Jody." He said, his tiny voice sounding strangely hollow in the tunnel.
"I hope so. We get lost down here now, and we might never get out."

I looked towards where I thought Davey was in the darkness, but couldn’t see him. Which was probably just as well because I imagined he was as unsure of all this now as I had been from the start.

"Come on," said Jody, whipping the light away from Barry, and taking in the dimensions of one of the arches running either side of us. "Lets try this one, and see what’s down here."
Through the small doorway, we lowered our heads, feeling just above us with our hands as Jody shone the torch around the cavern that had opened up before us. It wasn’t huge, but it was bigger than the tunnels we’d seen so far. I’d say it was about the size of a living room. Nothing special about it, only piles of rock, and shadows. There was another opening on the far wall, where a stack of wooden posts and planks were leaning close to by. The floor was littered with stones. It felt like being on a river bank at night, just before a thunder storm. I guess it must have been the quietness down here as well as the heat. Neither of which we’d planned for that had made it feel so Erie.

Then on the edge of the torch beam we saw the perfect white of what at first I thought was a clean branch, but it wasn't. As Jody shifted the beam more, slowly uncovering the bones of a foot, then a leg, two legs, up a bit to a rib cage, the arms connected but listless sprawled at the sides and a tilted scull on top, hollow eyes, hollow nose and mouth.

Jody high-lighted the frame work of pure white bones as it sat motionless against the wall, the torch beam steady. Then when Davey realised what it was I heard him yelp and try to run, although where to exactly in the darkness, I'm not sure. He scrambled on loose stones and rocks falling and skinning his knees, getting nowhere. Barry let out a scream, which I thought for a moment was going to bring the roof down, that must have been in the mind of Jody as he quickly threatened Barry with his very life if he didn’t quieten it down.

"Lets get out of here Jody."

I said and once more he swung the beam right at me, blinding me. I wondered if he had already known about this heap of bones, and had brought us here to see it for what ever reason. "Come on lets go!" I couldn’t see his face as he was hidden behind the strong beam, but I felt that he was smiling. I turned from the beam to see Davey rubbing his elbows, and Barry sobbing and sniffing.
For a few seconds as Jody shone the torch around the cavern, then at the three of us standing there with our black streaked faces, then back at the skeleton, I thought he was going to do something crazy. Perhaps run from us with the torch, or smash it deliberately on a rock. It wasn’t a good feeling. "Jody. Come on lets go. Lets get out of here."
"Your scared aren’t you." He said, I could hear the madness in his voice. "Yes, I’m scared. But not of you, or your damn skeleton."

There was a long pause where I began to feel around with my feet on the ground for a rock in case I needed a weapon. Then he started to laugh. "OK!" He laughed simply. "Lets go."

Thankfully, the route out of there seemed a lot quicker than the journey in. Possibly because we were so much keener to escape from there, possibly as keen to escape from being so reliant upon Jody as well. We wondered if he was crazy, or was he just out to scare or impress us. I do know that not long after this event he returned to the mine and removed the carved stone name plate for some reason. A trophy of some kind perhaps?

Even though we remained friends for a lot of years, until we eventually drifted apart and away from each other. We never discussed this incident. If word had found its way back to our parents of our adventure, there would have been all hell to pay. Some things are best forgotten. It was only recently when out on one of my walks with my own son, who is now the age that I was then, when we ventured onto this old mine site, and the memories came flooding back. I wasn't going to take him through that arched stone entrance, but I was going to show him where it had been, and to see if Jody had in fact taken the carved stone away as he said he had. But, I could not find the opening anywhere. The mossed over road was still there, unchanged in over 25 years, but the entrance was gone. I wondered if Jody had caved it in for some reason. I also wondered if that skeleton was still in there, and even if it wasn't, then exactly who it might have been.

THE END

CLERGY MESSAGE

WHO AND WHERE

Rev Vincent Ashwin, with St Cuthbert's C of E
The Vicarage, Station Yard 684.307

Rev David Perkins, with the Methodist congregation
39 Elvaston Road, Hexham 603.139

Father Leo Pyle, with St John's Catholic Church
St John's Presbytery, North Bank 684.265

Index

SORRY GARDENER HAS RETIRED

SORRY - NO POEM THIS MONTH