Haydon News

May 1999

email the editor

EDITORIAL

Sorry for the delay in getting this month’s Haydon News to you – at the Friends of Haydon Bridge Annual General Meeting, held in the Railway Hotel on Tuesday 4th May it was agreed that the issue would be delayed until after the Tynedale District Council Elections on 6th May.

At the Parish Council Meeting (22nd April) a local resident’s survey of the estate clearly showed that not one household of those surveyed agreed with a Parish Council proposal to place a children’s play area at the riverside picnic area. The main advocate of the riverside proposal blamed the Haydon News for distorted reporting, thereby influencing the residents views!

Since the meeting I have been approached by a number of people endorsing "the.stupidity of placing any sort of play area by the riverside.” Others have said “Absolutely crazy –our children will be at risk from any pervert or child molester driving through the village”

As editor of this news letter I will champion the cause of those against this daft proposal until such time as common sense prevails at the Parish Council table and all suggestions for a riverside play area, be it for visitors or residents, are abandoned. I fully support improvement of the riverside area to include improved landscaping and safety measures, car-parking facilities, remaking of road and general improvements to picnic area. To those who continue to use the worn out cliche of ‘distorted reporting’ in the Haydon News I ask – please give me just one example to illustrate your point and if you can’t just shut up.

Now that I have been elected as one of your two representatives on Tynedale District Council I must make it very clear that any private or confidential knowledge gained in that capacity will under NOT under any circumstances be used in the Haydon News.

As a Councillor the National code of Local Government has defined standards three of which state that:

• My over-riding duty as a Councillor is to the whole community
• I have a special duty to constituents, this includes those who did not vote for me.
• Whilst I may be strongly influenced by the views of others, it is my responsibility alone to decide on what view to take on any question.

I will do my very best to ensure that there is no conflict in my role as Haydon News editor and that of Councillor and I do hope that I can continue to produce the Haydon News in the style most of you like and have become accustomed to.

See you later ........ Mitch

Promptly at 9:00 p.m. the doors of the Church Hall in Haydon Bridge were closed by one of the Tynedale Council officials who had been in attendance since 8 a.m. At the Village Hall in Langley the same thing happened as the officials there also closed the Polling Station and shortly afterwards despatched the single sealed ballot box to Haydon Bridge.

By 9:15 p.m. The Church Hall had been transformed from a Polling Station into a Counting Station and those outside were invited to join the four officials inside to observe the count. Into the Hall trooped the three candidates Heather, Smith and Mitchell, accompanied by their partners, followed by Conservative Party Candidate Peter Heather’s parents and the Conservative Party Campaign Manager and his wife. A couple of minutes later the Langley ballot box arrived.

The first part of the count was a simple tally of the number of ballot papers returned this indicated that only 33.5% of the Haydon Ward had bothered to vote (the Langley vote had been 40.35%). The Haydon average was consistent with a very low national return – no doubt Haydon was also strongly affected by the fact that there was, surprisingly, no labour candidate standing.

The second part of the count sifted the papers into batches of 100 with a master record of numbers of votes to each candidate this excluded spoilt ballot papers but included postal ballot papers. The total number of valid nomination papers turned out to be 541. As each voter was allowed 2 votes this indicated that the maximum number of votes cast could be 1082.

At 10:30 pm the Deputy returning Officer declared the result :

MITCHELL Friend of Haydon Bridge 352 Elected

SMITH Conservative 329 Elected

HEATHER Conservative 135

Total Votes cast 816

The above figures show that 266 voters cast their votes in favour of one candiate only – observation of the count indicated a large number of Mitchell/Smith voters and fewer Mitchell/Heather votes. This same observation also revealed that whilst a majority of single votes went to Mitchell some single votes were also cast to Smith or Heather only.

Following the announcement the two contenders and their supporters repaired to two of the local hostelries to replenish. The Smith/Heather camp to The Railway Hotel and the Mitchell lot to The Haydon Hotel – it had been a long day.

As only 9 candidates put their names forward for election, to fill 11 posts, no ballot was necessary. Subject to these nine taking accepting the positions on or before the next scheduled meeting of the Parish Council on Thursday 27th May the new line-up will be.

D. Charlton
E. Charlton
V.A. Fletcher
+ E. Garrow
L.A. Gilhespy
+* S.B. Mitchell
+* M.R. Parkin
L.A. Philp
T. J. Stephenson

+ A member of the ‘Friends of Haydon Bridge’
* New members on the Parish Council

There are two vacancies, one of the first jobs of the new Parish Council will be to co-opt two additional members to fill these positions.

Mrs. Susan Batey continues in the position of Parish Clerk.

SBM

Index

PARISH COUNCIL PICKINGS

11 Councillors and 4 members of the public were present.

Public Participation
The findings of a door to door survey of Hordley Acres. Greenwich Gardens and Strother Close residents on the siting of a new play area were presented to the meeting. The survey indicated a large majority in favour of improvements to the present play area and no support for the proposed riverside development. After a lengthy discussion the members decided to go ahead with funding application for the riverside play area based on the findings of the Village Appraisal which had included the need for additional children’s play facilities. It was also noted that improvements to the present picnic site and general enhancement of the riverside were included in the funding application. The chair proposed that a plan of current proposals be published and that an article be sent for inclusion in the Haydon News to explain the council’s views and decision.

NORMAL BUSINESS
It was noted that the 30 m.p.h. signs had been placed further up the hill from Shaftoe school.

Mrs. Garrow reported on a meeting she had attended on the regional assembly.

Questions were raised on the funding from English Heritage for Haydon bridge. It was reported that Tynedale Council had made an application to English Heritage and that funding applied to environmental improvements in the conservation area of the village.

Concerns were expressed over the new railings on the bridge and the proposed barriers to replace the fencing at each end of the bridge. The Highways Agency are to be approached with regard to providing new environmentally sensitive barriers than those proposed.

Money for improvements to the Picnic Area coming from the Tynedale Community Chest.

No objections were raised concerning the planning application for a cellar and conversion of stables to a garage at Greenshaw House.

Haydon Bridge Parish Council will be consulted over the Hadrian’s Wall Management Strategy & Integrated Transport proposals.

High School – Sports College Status – see separate report.

Hadrian’s Wall footpath to be redirected away from farmyard at Sewing Shields.

Cllr M. Howard reported on application for funding the Riverside Project and noted that it would be about six months before the outcome would be known. Plan and costings of project to be displayed on Parish council notice board.

The surface dressing on the Old Bridge cannot take place at present but new lighting on the bridge, replacement of bollards at south end approach and new fencing at the north of the bridge would go ahead soon.

The Village Walk leaflets are to be distributed to B&B and other establishments in the village for visitors.

It was reported that further open-cast mining in the North Pennines area would not be granted permission.

Concern was expressed over the dumping of rubbish at the Langley/Hexham Road junction.

At the end of the meeting Mrs. Enid Garrow thanked M. Loyd, M. Howard, B. Howard and G. Jackson for their service to the Parish Council.

MRP

Next Parish Council Meeting – Thursday 27th May

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

The Editor of the Hexham Courant gave us all a shock showing the nude W.I. Calendar pictures – released that day ! They were not as bad as expected.!

We were told how she started 17 years ago as an apprentice and worked her way up to be Editor of Seven Oaks Chronicle – this town was a lot like Hexham, a lot of contributors, beautiful countryside, a moat, and problems with out of town shopping centres.

The Courant was founded 135 years ago by the Catherall family and taken over by Cumbria newspapers in 1977. Reporting is kept to a high standard because if anything goes wrong it’s the Editor’s responsibility and she would go to PRISON !

The rules and regulations are very complex and have to be adhered to.

Competition – ‘Old News Cuttings’
Won by E. BensonI. I. Waugh and A. Sparke

Raffle – won by I. Waugh, A. Turnbull and M. Lockhart

Members were reminded it’s the Annual Meeting on May 10th.

NEW MEMBERS WELCOME

B. Clarke

Index

LANGLEY WI

David Corcoran had members of Langley W.I. “spellbound” with his talk on psychotherapy and hypnotherapy at their April meeting.

He explained how our unconscious mind keeps us alive – for example in instructing us to breath the requisite number of times per minute. It can deal with literally thousands of instructions and actions whist our conscious awareness is much more limited and can only deal with a few at a time.

Difficulties arise when the barrier between conscious and unconscious thought is removed. And psychotherapy is required to deal with the ensuing problems.

The therapy culture is well developed in America where patients spend an average of 8 years in therapy – 3 times per week at 200$ per session! Judging by audience participation, where one brave member volunteered for a demonstration of ‘suggestability’ whilst another ’regressed’ to improve her memory.

This was a most enlightening and enjoyable talk.

Mary Nagel

Index

Letters to the Editor & Readers Viewpoints

A LETTER FROM TEMPLE HOUSES

April 26th

To The Editor of the Haydon Newsletter

With reference to your remarks in last month’s Haydon News concerning Temple Houses Lane. I would point out the question of Inspector J.B. Brown’s salary is not guess-work as you seem to believe, and it is of no interest to residents in Temple Houses how many qualifications he has.

I would like also to take this opportunity to mention that Temple Houses Lane has now been made up and an excellent job has been carried out, my thanks to all who contributed to the cost of the work.

During the making-up of the lane it was discovered that it consisted of two layers of cobble-stones, and as Temple Houses Lane is two hundred years old, I believe the bottom layer is actually the old road leading to the ford that existed in the past over the River Tyne to the railway track. At that time the River Tyne was a burn – I remember my mother telling me that miners used this ford to get to Settlingstones Mine.

The second layer of cobble-stones would be laid when Temple Houses was built two hundred years ago – There is another ford next to the Haydon Hotel and is gated off. We also have an old well in Temple Lane. The ancient cobbles now rest at the bottom of the lane.

Furthermore Temple Lane is not Pandon, an old map shows it on the football ground when tinkers gathered on it to sell there tin wares of pots and pans before enamel was introduced.

Mrs. D. Thompson

Ed's note

Thanks for the memories again Daisy. Now I know you don’t like it when I put Geordie in the newsletter but lots of people do – so sorry in advance if it irritates

WOR STAN REETS ABOOT PANDON AN AAL THAT

I think you will have the Editor’s mother turning in her grave up the North Bank as her youngest surviving son says:

“Ye knaa wot Daisy Bell Thompson aa’ just kannit dee nowt reet fer the folk doon Temple Hooses, or is it Pandon? One minit yeor all gannin on aboot bowlin greens an aal that so I dee me bit as editta and aal of a sudden the cooncillors and Teendale afficals at tha cawse of that problem suddinly change thor meends an say it kannit be dun beecos of aal the fluddin doon there. Well you knaa hinny all of us towld them that yors ago. An thors aalsa been aal that bother aboot five a side futbaal pitches and floodleets”

“Then some of ye wanted is ta get mesell involved in aal that fuss aboot the reet of way. Yis aal got good cuverage in this paper. And aa thowt yid aal bee bliddy happy, but naa – ya still harpin on aboot it as if ya ganna change any bodies mind aboot it noo – Nee way petal aad sooner teach a kipper how ti‘ swim! Then aa was telt that a well nown son of Temple Hoosis was ganna be appearin at thi Croon Cowts as a lorn’ed Barrista. Aa cuvvard that for yis aal and got mesell inta bother w’ya again. Sum uther peeple waalkin aroond the place wi faces like pans a’ chite whenever they saw is. Aam fed-up sd sa kannit dee reet fer deeing rang.”

“Noo aa allwis thowt yee lot doon thor was poor livvin as ya dee, in aal them little hooses, except for the posh hooses at the top which aave been tee mower than once. Noo ye canny lot since reedin hor letter aav changed me meend – Aa noo think yor aal rich bu**rs as yis hev spent aal that money on havin aal them awl cobbles howked out and the lane tarmacadamed, reel posh like. That musta cost yis aal a penny or two unlees yiv got a fairy godmuther te help yisall oot! Mind yee folks thor not aal rich as the new rode finishes afore the last hoos and wor lass aa was wunderin if the awners of that hoos pay tolls te drive ower the new rode ti get hyem of a neet? “

“Ye knaa wot aal yee folks – speshilly for them what lives in Alexandra Terrace, the two back lanes, Brigwood and aal them other clarty places? Noo Mitch is a Cooncillor aal dee me best te get him see if there really is a fairy godmuther in Tynedale or the Coonty that helps oot selected private hooshowlders wi money te have new roads built. Mind yee, from what aave hord yis’ll aal hev ta dig deep in yer oun pockets as weel.”

Sorry about the few spelling mistakes! Although it’s none of my business but why, I wonder, was the road not carried on to the lane end? Thought some readers might be interested in seeing my mother’s wedding certificate (Not Internet Edition) . You will note that Daisy was a witness at my mother’s wedding (Mrs. T was also a Thompson before she married)- I find it fascinating that here I am some 76 years later being rebuked by mother’s best friend of the 20’s. My mother was 364 days older than Daisy and whatever your views of the letter’s contents or even the writer, are don’t you think it wonderful that someone now in their 96th year can write such a cogent letter. Her handwriting is still firm and easily read – keep it up Daisy.

STAN

“If you had the choice of a new play area at the riverside or an extension to the existing Langley Gardens play area – which would you choose?”

The answers were:

HORDLEY ACRES
OCCUPANTS OF 11 0F THE 38 HOUSES WERE OUT.
27 HOUSES SAID “LANGLEY GARDENS”
0 HOUSES SAID “RIVERSIDE”

STROTHER CLOSE
OCCUPANTS OF 9 OF THE 50 HOUSES WERE OUT.
40 HOUSES SAID “LANGLEY GARDENS”
0 HOUSES SAID “RIVERSIDE”
1 HOUSE ABSTAINED

GREENWICH GARDENS
OCCUPANTS OF 8 OF THE 41 HOUSES WERE OUT.
32 HOUSES SAID “LANGLEY GARDENS”
O HOUSES SAID “RIVERBANK”
1 HOUSE SAID “NOT INTERESTED”

“Many people said they were horrified at the thought of having a riverside play area.”

CS

I would like to thank all those people who helped to make a success of my recent Book Launch. My thanks go to you, Mitch for such a positive review, and also to John Wardle who launched the book and Sylvia who chaired the event. Thanks too to Betty, Rene and Joyce for helping out and to everyone who has bought a book.

Whilst on the subject of the Honeycrook mines, you published in the March edition of Haydon News, the short story which won the Rainbow Writers Competition. The writer referred to the broken earthenware bottles which are found in the Honeycrook Burn at the mine site, which many local people know about.

Having paddled in the stream in my wellies, crawled under the culvert with a headtorch and seen all the broken remains, I attempted to find out about the origin of them. They are inscribed with the words "Apollinaris-Brunnen-M-W" and "Georg Kreuzberg, Ahrweiler, Rheinpreussen".

I asked my German friends about this and they found out, from a German magazine article dated 1908, that "The Apollinaris" is an alkaloid salty spring beside the river Ahr producing a refreshing drink. It was discovered in 1853, but in 1878, the sole distribution was transferred to the "Apollinaris Company Limited" in London with a branch in Remagen, Germany. They sold about 25 million bottles of the spring water. "Kreuzberg" is the name of the pottery, although it is not still in existence. A bottle expert who I contacted through the Internet thought that these bottles dated from the 1920's, although the Honeycrook mines closed in the 1890's.

I have, incidentally, spotted a complete bottle, being used as an ornament, on the north facing window of the bar at the Errington Arms at Stagshaw roundabout, but the landlord knows nothing about its origins.

So I wonder why the bottles are in the Honeycrook Burn, who put them there and what they were used for. Do any readers of the Haydon News or their friends have any ideas about them?

Sue Harley
Joicey's Shaft
Haydon Bridge
01434 688895
e-mail Harley.Science@btinternet.com

WORK IN PROGRESS

Dear Mitch,
On a recent visit to Haydon Bridge I directed my gaze, with my usual expectation of admiring approval, toward the old stained glass windows of the Methodist Church. However, I was disappointed to find the facade marred by what appeared to be shabby scaffolding and peeling paintwork.

On closer inspection it appeared that the scaffolding was holding up the roof. Surely this could not be by design? Did the church run out of funds to complete the renovation work in progress?

yours sincerely,
Andrew Dinn

Ed’s Note
Quite a few villagers have made the same observation. I have, in the past, suggested that the flaking ’scaffolding’ be enclosed with natural stone columns. It shouldn’t cost too much.

I was quite sure that the Methodist Church were aware of the problem but just in case they weren’t I mentioned it to one of them at the Coffee morning today (Thursday 29th April). When I came out I looked at the roof supports which look to be galvanised metal poles which have just been painted. I’m no expert on such matters but I don’t think you can just simply coat galvanised metal with paint or plastic and expect it to stay on..

The Church rebuilding wasn’t, the last time I heard, fully funded – you know who to contact to help pay off any outstanding costs. Perhaps they will consider stone columns – I think they would look lovely and save the cost of treating the existing poles.

Why don’t villagers use the drop-in tea/coffee shop – see ad on page 4? I use it regularly and find it a good place to have a natter – it’s inexpensive tea/coffee and biscuits cost 60p only.

Mitch

Village News and Events

I have agreed to collate and write newsworthy items concerning our village for the Hexham Courant.

We are looking for any item that you may feel will be of interest to villagers. Some items might include reports of meetings or events, giving the reason for the event, who ran it, lists of any prize winners, etc., and any future dates of interest.

We are also hoping to include any activities concerning individuals and groups which would be of general interest to the community and I would be grateful to be put in touch with anyone involved in such activity.

This may be an opportunity to shine a spotlight on a member of our community whom you feel deserves some recognition for a special achievement or service.

If you have any information of interest for the column, please either post to me at the above address, drop in personally or give me a ring. I shall be pleased to have a chat and can call if that is more convenient.

Your contribution would have to be with me by Sunday evening previous in any week for inclusion in next Friday's paper. Anything really urgent can be sent at anytime, so don't worry about deadlines in such circumstances.

I do hope that you will feel able to respond to this opportunity to promote your organisation's activities. We have many new families in our village whom I am sure would find reports both welcoming and informative; not to mention the publicity for your group in a newspaper read by so many local people.

Many thanks for your help.

Yours sincerely,

Joyce Sim

On behalf of the Langley Village Hall Management Committee and the fund raising sub-committee could you please pass on our thanks to The Friends of Haydon Bridge for Holding a Prize Bingo session at the end of March, in aid of Langley Village Hall Refurbishment Fund.

An amount in the region of £30,000 is needed to fully update the hall; grants are being applied for, but we need to raise at least £3,000 ourselves. This is no easy task for such a very small community, so your cheque for £125.00 was a wonderful contribution to our fund raising efforts and very much appreciated.

Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay in writing this letter of thanks to all concerned in organising a most enjoyable evening.

Yours sincerely
Kate Rutherford
Secretary,
Langley Village Hall Management Committee

Ed’s note
To date the Prize Bingo Night, which is held on the last Saturday of the month, has raised £2,150 for the various organisations in the Parish of Haydon. The May Bingo session will be held in the Community Centre at 7 p.m. – from June onwards the venue will be St. Cuthbert’s Church Hall.

Monika Strell, a Research Fellow at Aberdeen University, has been reading the Haydon News a lot lately and has concluded that Haydon Bridge should be one of only three communities in the U.K. to be the subject of a detailed rural community study she is involved in. Haydon Bridge was selected not only because of its location; size and infrastructure but also because Dr. Strell has learned a lot about us through the Internet edition of the Haydon News. She intends to make a preliminary visit sometime in June and all being well plans a two month stay here in October/November. A brief summary of the study project is shown below.

CHANGING WORK-FAMILY CONFIGURATIONS:
AN ETHNOGRAPHY OF THREE RURAL COMMUNITIES

Dr Natasha Mauthner, Senior Research Fellow, Arkleton Centre for Rural Development Research, University of Aberdeen.
Dr Lorna McKee, Director of Research, Department of Management, University of Aberdeen.
Dr Monika Strell, Research Fellow, Arkleton Centre for Rural Development Research, University of Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 / 274106. Fax: 01224 / 273902. E-mail: m.strell@abdn.ac.uk

The project, which runs from March 1999 to September 2000, is funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the UK's largest independent social research and development charity. The research addresses how rural families are grappling with the changing configurations of paid work and family life. It explores how rural families combine work and domestic responsibilities in the context of limited employment opportunities, poor childcare provision, transportation difficulties and the decline in traditional community and family support networks. The study is based within three contrasting rural communities, two in Scotland (North East and South West) and one in Northern England. The project aims to provide a holistic account of the range and variation of work-family arrangements both within and between differing rural communities; and to examine the impact of different policy contexts in rural Scotland and England.

Key questions addressed by the study include:
How do rural parents perceive and experience the ‘work-family’ challenge?
What factors constrain and facilitate their adoption of particular work-home strategies?
Are some rural families more resilient and better resourced (e.g. through kin support; friendships ties) than others?
Is ‘rural stress’ a hidden cost of managing the work-family balance in rural areas for some families?
What financial and non-financial resources are available to rural parents?
Do some aspects of rural life make paid employment an unattractive/untenable option for mothers?
How have changes in employment opportunities, prospects and aspirations affected the work-family balance?
What are the implications of women’s employment for community work, institutions and practices (e.g. parental involvement in play-groups, Brownies, schools and other voluntary activities)?
Are some communities better able to support families in their work-family choices?

Research Methods:
The researcher(s) will be based in each of the three communities for two months periods. All information gathered will be confidential and anonymous. The researcher(s) will take part in community life by attending local events, meetings and venues where parents are likely to congregate. Interviews will be carried out with community figures and local employers, who will have valuable local knowledge. In each community at least 10 rural households (with at least one child 12 years or under) will be invited to participate in the study. In-depth interviews will be conducted with parents either in home, work or community settings at their discretion. Parents will be asked about: work histories (paid and unpaid); work experiences and aspirations; meanings and values attributed to paid and unpaid work; experiences of combining work and family responsibilities in a rural context; decision-making processes about working arrangements; what it means to be a ‘rural family’; impact of paid work on family life and community participation; parental perceptions of how children influence, and are affected by, employment decisions; views on policies and services needed to facilitate the work-family balance in rural areas.

In partnership with private, public and voluntary agencies the project aims to formulate recommendations for policy and practice in the areas of rural development, rural labour markets, rural women and families, childcare strategies, transport systems, rural businesses, rural disadvantage and rural stress; and to incorporate parental, community and employer views in the policy process. Implications for rural England and rural Scotland will be drawn out. Public feedback meetings or workshops will be held in each of the three case study communities to discuss these policy and practice implications. A summary report will be made available to all participants. A range of policy and academic written outputs will be produced.

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

IN THE BEWICK VEIN

The Story of a
Northumberland Lead Mine

Susan Harley

A captivating account of the unique Haydon Bridge lead mines.
A simple introduction to lead mining.
Illustrated with colour maps, diagrams and photographs.

Price £4.95
(plus 85p UK postage and packing)
ISBN 0 9534512 0 8,
Paperback 70pp, 5 colour plates
Cheques payable to Sue Harley

Available from
Honeycrook Press
Joicey Shaft Cottage
Haydon Bridge,
Northumberland, NE47 6NF

Tel/Fax
01434 688895
e-mail:
Harley.Science@btinternet.com

FROM THE OLD RECORDS

I John Scott of the Market Place, Hexham, Minister of the Gospel do hereby certify that a certain dwelling house situated in the Chapelry of Hayden (sic) Bridge in the Parish of Warden and county of Northumberland now in the occupation of Thomas Pearson is intended forthwith to be used as a Place of Religious Worship by an Assembly or congregation of Protestants and 1 do hereby require you to register the same according to the Provisions of an Act passed in the fifty second year of the reign of his Majesty King George the Third intitled "an Act to repeal certain acts, and amend other Acts relating to Religious Worship and Assemblies, and persons teaching or preaching therein" Witness my hand this 20 Day of May One Thousand Eight Hundred & Fourteen

John Scott

Thomas Pearson was baptised on the 17th September 1775, the son of Thomas Pearson He married Mary Nixon at Haydon Bridge on the 14th July 1799 and was buried on the 1st June 1838. Thomas Pearson was a Cooper by trade.

-
William Veitch
Darwen
Lancs.

NB
the capitals etc in the certificate are as per the copy and not my typing errors.

In the season of 1899, Haydon Bridge competed in the West Tyne League to which they were one of the founder members of 1892, they finished 4th of 6 teams. For some reason though, and I wish I knew what, they failed to field a team for the next two years. Then in 1903 produced one that finished bottom of a West Tyne league of 10. Perhaps that's why the two seasons previous had gone unplayed!

Performances did improve though, as a few years later in the 1908-09 season, Haydon Bridge won the title. Although the table only consisted of 6 teams, it was still quite an achievement finishing top of the pack above 2nd placed
Prudhoe Woodbines.

A big hole was blasted through local football by WW1, consequently the years from 1914, to 1921 saw no competitive matches in the village take place.

Not long after the restart, Haydon Bridge came close to winning a second West Tyne Championship. In 1924-25 they slugged it out with a Prudhoe team again for top place, but it seems the Prudhoe West End outfit snatched it with their last game of the season.. The following year was a different story for our village team though, and they struggled along to end up second from bottom in a league of 10 teams. In 1926-27 Haydon Bridge ended up on the bottom.

That must have had quite an effect on the club, as the next 3 seasons they switched, and went to play in the Haltwhistle and District League. Sadly, their first season in that competition also saw them end in last place. Left behind by teams such as Midgeholm, Nenthead and Haltwhistle Scouts.

The next two seasons they managed second place behind Newbrough on each occasion, reversing that trend in 1930-31 to once more win a Championship.

Boosted by this achievement they stepped up into the Prudhoe League for the 31-32 season, in which they slumped again to being 15th of 16 teams. Although, they did win the Hexham Hospital Cup that season, so it wasn't so bad after all.
1932-33 Saw them again venture into the West Tyne league alongside teams such as Acomb, South Tyne Rangers, Warden and Langley, where they finished 6th of 11. 1935-36 saw Haydon Bridge play in their last league competition until after WW2 had ran its course they were 9th from 11 teams. 2 places above neighbours Langley.

The 1947-48 season, and Haydon Bridge returned to the footballing scene in the Ryton and West Tyne League finishing a very respectable 2nd behind Crookhill in a strong table of 12 teams.

Then in 1948-49, in the Hexham & District League for the first time, they finished 11th of 16 teams. The team scored an incredible 148 goals according to a Hexham paper of that time, which is over 4 goals a game, yet they conceded only 33. The teams above must have been good. Or poor. Depends which way you look at it I suppose.

In the 50s, the team was well supported, on several occasions playing in front of cup final crowds in excess of 1,000. And in the seasons of 51-52, 53-54, and 54-55, finishing Champions. The 54-55 campaign saw them win the table with a record 9 points ahead of the team in 2nd place. Which was equalled, by a later Haydon Bridge side, and an Alston team in the 1960s, but never beaten. The record stood until 3 points for a win was introduced in the 1987-88 season.

The 60s was a bit of a different tale though. 1961-62 saw them end up for only the second time in the clubs history in last place and getting almost the 1949 goals tally, only in reverse. They let in 137 and put in 54.

Haydon Bridge, lifted the championship in 1970-71, which was the final year of the old style Hexham & District League, it had 10 teams. 71-72 and the Hexham League had amalgamated with the North Tyne table, and remains in this format today. Haydon Bridge won that as well at the first attempt. They finished top of the 16 competing sides. They had to endure a play-off against a team from Newcastle before they could claim to be the champions once more, but they beat them 4-2 to take the new Hexham & North Tyne League trophy.

The 72-73 run in was close. Although they let it slip towards the end, and Corbridge won that league only 2 points above our village side. Haydon Bridge had a more than capable team in the 70s, but the championship eluded them, however an array of cups found their way into the trophy cabinets of the village, including a record run of 3 Clayton Cup Final wins in 73,74 and 75. It was almost 4, but once again it was Corbridge United that got in the way.

In the 1980s, the team were struggling. Finishing the season in 10th place of 11 teams in 84-85, then in 89-90 12th of 13, gaining 14 points, just above Haltwhistle Red Star who had no points at all. Then 10th of 11 teams again in 1990-91. Once more only under-performed by a poor Red Star side, but this time with 7 points.

Haydon Bridge lifted the Championship again in 1996-97, with 9 teams in the league. The year after that coming a close second to Alston with only 3 points in it at the end.

The current season sees the lads from the village sitting on top of the Hexham & North Tyne league once more, but they are being chased by a Haltwhistle team with games in hand. It would be quite an achievement if they could win the trophy once more. Especially as it now seems that the league is about to fold once and for all through lack of local teams taking part. If they do win, it would be only the 10th time in a 100 years our village team has managed it, also probably the last.

ALISTAIR BURROWES March 1999
NB 5th May
"Haydon Bridge recently dropped to second place in the Hexham & North Tyne League behind Haltwhistle."

The end of the season and a very eventful one to say the least, few matches have been won, but most have been close. The highlight of the season was certainly the 86–39 hammering of Simonburn.

Although the match results have not been too good, it has been a successful season. We have welcomed new members Jamie Eales, George Hutton and Philip Newton (Jnr.) into the club and all three have done very well.

Earlier in the season we invested in some new carpets and I am sure that the quality of bowls has improved. The singles yearly trophy was won by Jamie Eales showing how far he has come in such a short space of time. At the time of writing the doubles competition has not been played but could well have done by the time you read this. Well done to whoever has won! Jean Oliver, Michael Rumney, Edna Rumney and Gladys Henderson did remarkably well to get through to the last 16 out of 164 – well done to them. For the second year running Joseph Tulip came runner up in the Junior Singles at Ashington.
On Tuesday 20th April 1999 the Annual General Meeting of the club was held. The following were elected:

President: Rev. Vincent Ashwin
Chairman: Joseph Tulip
Secretary: Jean Oliver
Treasurer: Jean Oliver

Committee Members:
Michael Rumney Gladys Henderson;
Winnie Golightly Susan Taylor;
Edna Rumney; Joyce Tucker; Ike Tallantyre

As you know, the Community centre is soon to be rebuilt. The club is hopeful of finding somewhere to play. Hopefully a new venue, temporary it may be, will have a free winning formula in the rent price.

The last two matches of the season were against Lumbley and Newbrough, unfortunately the winning formula was wrapped up with the carpets!

WHITE JACK

Index

MEDICAL MISCELLANY

A SAWBONES WRITES -- MEN'S HEALTH, PART ONE

ITS A HARD LIFE
-being a man. Women reckon they have the rough end of the pineapple but they should try being a man for a few weeks and see how they like it!
1 have seen it asserted that 40% of men will not attend a surgery unless they are instructed to do so by their partner. For most conditions the outcome will be worse for men than for women. On average men attend a surgery half as often as women. Men live shorter lives too - 5 to 6 years shorter. Men are not, in general, very knowledgeable about their bodies and tend to show up when diseases are well advanced. Men are embarrassed to disclose symptoms, especially involving anything south of the belly button - women do not have any kind of monopoly on embarrassment.

There is some good news. Men's health is being given greater emphasis in all of the media and there are a number of magazines devoted to the topic. A patient very kindly donated a large pile of FHM's and other men's magazines (of the general interest type!) to the surgery the other day. Naturally, I was compelled to take them home to vet them before putting them in the waiting room! Oh dear - what a narrow and sheltered life I've led - 1 discovered some new words too. I am happy to report, however, that there was a considerable emphasis on health and the information was conveyed in a pleasing style.

LIFESTYLE ISSUES
Save for a few hardy souls, men are too inactive and become more so after leaving education. Even small increases of activity can help. Take the stairs instead of the lift, walk to the next bus stop before boarding your bus, take the dog for a walk rather than just a bowel movement, mow the lawn more often, walk the long way back from the pub, go and fetch the daily paper instead of having it delivered - you don't have to struggle into your sequinned leotard and wobble rhythmically in the company of others.

Men are less clued up about diet than women. Ditch the chips and fry-ups chaps! Fresh fruit and vegetables can make a big difference to well-being and don't cost a fortune. Helps avoid prostate cancer too! Don't have a video or football match and crisps have a video or football match and fruit.
250 men die every day from smoking related disease in the UK - that's the entire male practice population in less than a week. Simply stopping and putting up with effects is probably simplest and many people manage it that way but patches and gums may help some. Go on - give up - please.
27% of men will admit to drinking more that the recommended amount (28 units per week). On the other hand, teetotallers live shorter lives than moderate drinkers. A glass or two per day of red wine is widely believed to provide useful health benefits. Help is available if you think that your drinking is a problem.
Is your work harming your health? Are you exposed to chemicals, gases, noise or vibration etc. 2-8% of cancers are probably related to occupational exposure to chemicals.

SEX
Safe sex, whatever your orientation, continues to be absolutely crucial. ALWAYS use a condom, at least until a relationship is sufficiently well developed for you and your partner to have openly and fully discussed the issue and perhaps have attended an STD clinic together for mutual reassurance. The nearest clinics are at Newcastle General and Carlisle.
Sexually transmitted diseases are very common and you drop your guard at your peril and that of your partner(s). Make no assumptions - even the "nicest" people get STDs.
Problems with erections are common - its not just you! Not all men are "Ever Ready" in fact few are - if they're honest about it. Discussion and examination will often eliminate serious causes and allow reassurance.

MENTAL HEALTH
Smiling and exercise may alleviate stress by releasing endorphins, - the body's own opiates. Go on - give it a go - it doesn't hurt - honest.
Men don't do stress and mental health well. They are also more adept at suicide - the leading cause of death in young men in many areas of the UK. Quick fixes such as drugs and alcohol are no solution - in the long-term. It is estimated that 90% of male suicides had died whilst suffering from a treatable condition.

LIFE CHANGES
Advice on adolescent health matters is most frequently sought from Mothers (70%) - so Mothers please be ready to act on behalf of your sons by coming in and asking us the questions for them.
Ageing makes almost everyone uneasy at some time. Appearance, function and role are just as important for men as for women. Does the male menopause exist? Not as a direct equivalent of the female menopause but physical changes that are just as vexing do occur.
Prostates Eh? Who'd have one? Its not only women who have problems with continence and at least they have the bottle to ask for help. Problems can start in the late thirties and become universal in due course men don't have to have had a baby to suffer.

CORONARY HEART DISEASE
1 in 12 men die of this before they retire. Smoking, inactivity, obesity, raised blood pressure and family history are the main problems. Four of these you can
change!

SF

Index

CHURCH NEWSLETTER
An Independent Supplement to the Haydon News

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