Haydon News

June 99

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EDITORIAL

There’s a lot of ‘naughty’ going on in Heugh House Lane at the moment!
But what is happening up at the Showfield ? An editorial explanation

Sitting up here on Friday May 28th, I write this editorial for the June issue of the Haydon News watching the house martins busy building their nests of mud in the gable ends of most houses in the lane. Now there is plenty of building material for them to use as a couple of weeks ago I tipped a load of soil into a hole on the verge outside and the heavy overnight rain had made it quite a mire. For these sweet little birds no ringing up the local building supplies company and being told “We’ll deliver your sand and cement next Tuesday Sir”, they get to it straight away filling their craws with mud and fly the short distance up to my eaves. Gobbing the mixture onto the wall the birds swoop back down to the supply depot repeating the journey hundreds of times until their home is built.

At the moment I can see probably a dozen pairs sharing the resources, the birds have no need to fight as there is enough for everyone. Having said that I hear a noise – looking out I see that every so often a couple will do a bit of ‘you know what’ for a few seconds then get on with the business – oblivious of the fact that there are a number of feathered onlookers, and me watching. The house martins have had no sex education, training on building techniques or cooking - they have no idea what day of the week it is and as for navigating they can’t even read a compass. Religion! - Have you ever seen a house martin in church praying or up at St. John’s in the confession box? They are totally oblivious to the fact that there are such things as Building Regulations and Planning Rules – however somehow they manage to build a safe and secure nest which blends in nicely with the surrounds where they raise two broods before flying south in September and returning back here next May.

Meanwhile in the back garden Millie is yapping and probably irritating the pants off my next door neighbour – I can’t stop her. You see, underground just beyond my boundary fence a local rabbit has also been mating and is underground caring for her recently born young. Millie hasn’t read anything about rabbits but there she is digging a 10” wide tunnel through which she want to wriggle to kill the baby bunnies and eat them. Millie will never get through as I’ve placed a few concrete blocks under the surface blocking her way to the doe and her bairns – this frustrates that bitch of mine and has her howling in protest. I could stop her howling by gassing the little bunnies but being a softie I can’t do that. Meanwhile Millie will just have to lie outside guarding the side entrance to the burrow – waiting for the little ones to emerge when she will attack and destroy them.

The bitch will not know why she’s murdering these babies nor why the doe silently watches on helpless as her family is slowly despatched. As for the doe – well you know what rabbits are like – she’ll be off fornicating a few more times this season producing many more babies – hopefully far away from my boundary fence. Some of the bunnies will survive thus ensuring the continuity of their species.

The birds, rabbits and dog use their basic instincts to carry out the things necessary to survive and perpetuate – this set me thinking about our own basic instincts so stepping on to editor’s platform off we go folks on a Mitch Ramble.‘twas in December of 1994 that I invaded your homes with my first Haydon News article which highlighted the Tynedale Local Plan and the effect it would have on the village, mainly on the housing front. Some of us huffed and puffed and said what we didn’t want – one major item was that hardly anyone in the village saw the need for a housing development at the Showfield. One exception, who shall be nameless behaved in an Ostrich like fashion and buried their head well into the sand. Sensible people knew by instinct that the building of ’affordable’ homes in that area was not a good idea. I now have before me the Inspector’s Report issued by Tynedale District Council yesterday (27/5/99), of the Showfield development the Inspector says:

“A development of some 20 dwellings has recently been completed on the eastern part of this allocated site; the road layout allows for its continuation westwards to achieve the balance of 30 or so dwellings envisaged in the plan. However, this recent development is extremely prominent from the higher northern parts of Haydon Bridge, in part due to the incongruous facing materials; the additional allocated area would in my view be even more conspicuous on this sloping site, where development would be difficult to screen, despite the existing vegetation on the northern site boundary. It would relate very poorly to the built form of the settlement and would diminish the character of its rural surrounds. Moreover, there is no significant natural boundary between the allocated site and the unallocated land to the west; this could lead to further expansion westwards, in an increasingly prominent location.”

Later the Inspector adds:
“Additional traffic generated by this site would appear to be undesirable and would add to the problem of highway safety around Shaftoe School”

Taking into account that the landowner does not want to release any more land at present he concludes:
“When this factor is added to my strong reservations as to the acceptability of this site I can only conclude that this site should be deleted from Policy H4 as an allocation during the plan period.”

Raising my eyes a few degrees from watching the sexual and industrious activities of the house martins I look from John Martin’s birthplace eastwards to the Showfield and find it sad that such an apparent lack of foresight, and perhaps just a bit of stubbornness, has resulted in such a permanent blot on our landscape. Ironically one of those responsible is soon to be off to live in beautiful Cyprus – home of Aphrodite – the Greek Goddess of Love.

A hundred or so of you turned up at the Haydonian Working Men’s Club on Friday 21st May to celebrate Sylvia’s half century and where some of her ’friends’ presented her with an unusually splendid gift of an African Fertility Stick – I think they must have been to see ISA before hand otherwise how could they have predicted that this month’s editorial would cover ’naughty things’ ? Or could it be that I have been subconsciously indoctrinated and have actually been subliminally programmed to write in this way – who knows? Perhaps I should ask the guy next door!

The instructions for using the African Fertility Stick have been mislaid – they were probably in Swahili anyway and wouldn’t have been much use as we usually don’t speak that language here. Methinks that I’ll have to dig out my 1979 Ian Drury recording of “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick” rose to No. 1 (UK) that year - you remember how it goes?

Hit me with your Rhythm Stick
Hit me slowly
Hit me quick
It’s nice to be a lunatic
Two fat persons click click click
Hit me, Hit Me
HIT Meeeeeeeeeeee

Dancing around the living room, gramaphone turned up full blast as the vinyl spins at 33 r.p.m., yours truly spinning at some lesser rate with Fertility Stick in hand as Ian thumps it out at 120dbA. I get dizzy – must be those cabergoline tablets again. Ian helps me out by slowing down a bit with his classic poetic lyrics:

Noel Coward was a charmer
as a writer he was brahmer.
Julias Caeser Roman geezer
must have been a pencil squeezer.
Einstein can’t be witty-less
Frightened everybody

‘Billericay Dickie’ and his tale about his Cortina follow that before we hear about his bus driver dad in: ‘My Old Man’

Sorry about that digression folks – must of been the mention of Aphrodite that got me going – now where was I? Oh yes we were talking about the Inspector’s Report. It is now Saturday evening (29th May) and I’ve got an hour before the Bingo in the Community Centre, from June they’ll be held in the Church Hall on the last Saturday of the month.

The Inspector has ruled out the site West of Langley Gardens (Strawberry Field) for any more housing at the moment: The situation is a bit different across the road at the Innerhaugh site where 65 houses were planned and the Inspectors states: “the over-provision of dwellings in the Commuter Pressure Area generally and the lack of demand in Haydon Bridge leads me to the view that the size of this allocation is excessive, In my view, an allocation of some 35 dwellings would be sufficient for the latter part of the plan period, bearing in mind the other development opportunities in the settlement . . . .” He continues “ The balance of this site should be safeguarded for development beyond the Plan period. I support the inclusion of part of this site within Policy H4, sufficient for the development of around 35 dwellings. It is a matter for the Council to select an appropriate boundary.”

The Tynedale Local Plan covers the period up to the year 2006. It is recognised by both TDC and the Inspector that development of the 20 dwelling approved site at Tait’s Yard on Ratcliffe Road is unlikely to go ahead during the period. In summary the Inspectors 276 page report (Cost £25 from Tynedale District Council) recommends reduction in the provision of new dwellings from the 150 shown in the Plan to 86, he concludes:
“the resulting total of around 66 dwellings would still represent a dwelling increase of some 10% over the Plan period, an increase which would appear to be both achievable and which would help to sustain the settlement and its facilities in accordance with strategic policy. To this would be added a small number of windfalls, conversions and small sites which are likely to come forward in the remainder of the Plan period and which should add variety and flexibility to the settlement’s housing stock.”

See you later . . . . . . Mitch

Index

PARISH COUNCIL PICKINGS
Thursday 27th May 1999

8 Councillors initially present, Courant Reporter, Haydon News Reporter, County Councillor Purdue and 1 member of the public.

Apologies: Apology for absence was received from Cllr. Mitchell who was attending a Tynedale Council Meeting – he did however arrive for the latter part of the meeting.

Election of Chairperson: The first thing the new Parish Council had to do was elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. This was done by secret ballot and Cllr. Mrs. E. Garrow was elected to be Chairperson and Cllr. Mrs. L. Philp elected to be Vice–Chairperson. A declaration of acceptance was then signed by each Councillor present

Appointment of co-opted Members to Parish Council: The Parish Council were two members short of the eleven allowed. Mr. E. Faulks and Tynedale Councillor Mr. D. Smith were then proposed, seconded and voted onto the Council in their absence.

Public Participation: A member of the public gave an account of the planning application for a proposed bungalow at Moss House, Langley. A decision on the planning application to Tynedale District Council has been deferred until the June meeting of the Planning Committee. One of the views expressed by the Tynedale Planning officers was that Langley was not a village ! This seems to be a strange opinion as Langley had a village school and has a village hall; a chapel; a hotel and a public house. The Parish Council is to write to Tynedale Council expressing its views. [see also Tynedale Report – Ed.]

Matters Arising: ROADLINK say the bridge railings are necessary as the others were 25 years old. They have been replaced as part of a 15 year bridge rehabilitation plan. The Parish Council is not happy with the replacement barriers for the white fence at the east side of the bridge.Langley Gardens residents are not happy with the idea of extending the play area.

The safety railing has at long last been erected at the nursery and the 30 mph sign moved.

July 6th is to be the next Britain in Bloom visit.

Tynedale Report:

(a) Housing in Haydon Bridge – A recent report recommends no further increase in housing at the Showfield and that any planned development at the Innerhaugh site be restricted to 35 houses (was 65). The report recommends no development west of Langley Gardens (strawberry field) until a by-pass is built. [See pages 3 & 4]

(b) Planning Application 990151 (Moss House Bungalow - Langley) - At the Planning Meeting on Wednesday 25 May 1999 this was again discussed at length. The Planning Department recommending refusal on policy grounds of the County Structure Plan and Tynedale District Local Plan. The majority of members voted in favour of the Application being approved as 'low cost housing' with certain restrictive conditions. In accordance with the rules, a final decision has been deferred until the June Planning Meeting. It may also need to be referred to the Government Office for the N.East.

Highway Matters: In line with the Government’s new initiative the Haydon bridge By-pass is to be reviewed on the following issues:
* Environmental
* Road Safety
* Increased Port traffic
* General improvements to the A69 and the fact that we are the only village without a By-pass

* A big push is to be made by the Parish Council and the By-pass Committee, to the relevant departments. County Councillor Purdue will add his support
* The road surface from the Cemetery to Esp Hill junction is in a bad state of repair.

Lighting: Why are so many street lights on during the day? Apparently it is regarded as low priority to put right this problem.

A light is required on the corner between Shaftoe School and the Showfield

Correspondence: Dog owners are urged to use the bins provided on the riverside and are reminded that it is an offence to let your dog foul public areas.

The PC were provided with details of a study to be carried out in October/November by a research team from the Arkleton Centre for Rural Development Research at Aberdeen University.

What has happened to the Police Officer who was resident in the village?

Langley Village Hall refurbishment to commence in July.

Langley Gardens residents would like a phone box and letter box.

The picnic site area – funding is now available.

Cash is available for organisations in the South Tyne area – details in library.

Complaints have been made about the length of grass at the bottom of Whittis Hill. The Council is to look into who owns the land.

Village Projects: The old bridge renovations to be chased up.
* A competition is being held in the HB schools to design a logo for the Millennium mugs.

* The High School is to be asked to participate in painting a mural in the subway during their activities week.

AOB: Street music to be performed in HB on July 6th. The can and bottle bank in urgent need of emptying. PAT

The next Parish Council meeting will be held at 7:30 pm on Thursday June 24th in Langley Village Hall please feel free to come along
DESPITE RUMOURS YOU MAY HAVE HEARD TO THE CONTRARY – THE VILLAGE IS STILL THERE !!!!!!!!

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

At the time of going to press nothing had been recived from Haydon Bridge Women's Institute

Index

LANGLEY WI

Guests joined members of Langley W.I. In May for an entertaining evening with the speaker, Mr. J.P. Athey taking the audience back in time to the lawless and violent days of the Border Reivers.

For nearly three hundred years fierce battles continued between the English and the Scots, with each Nation determined to wear down the other. Border Reivers became a vital component of these battles, with their apparent willingness to murder remorselessly in order to protect their territory.

They lived by their own laws, adopting a lifestyle of thieving, plundering and retribution and it was only with the union of the crowns, that the slow pacification of the borders began.

Mr. Athey illustrated his talk by reading some of his poems – available in book form – and playing music he composed.

A truly virtuoso performance

Mary Nagel

Index

The Friends of Haydon Bridge are approaching a membership of 200 can you think of one reason you should not join?

Letters to the Editor & Readers Viewpoints

Do you understand humorous articles and jokes in the Haydon News when you read them?

The other day I was informed by the Chairman of the Friends of Haydon Bridge that he had received a letter from a reader, who shall remain unidentified but is known to me In essence the complaint was that in response to a READER’S LETTER in the May issue of the newsletter “Wor Stan” had used the phrase “like pans a’ chite” which the now former reader found ‘not acceptable when addressing a lady of 95 or anyone else whose manners are above gutter level‘. The tale of a man “. . . . piddling on his corflakes” was also not well received in his house. I think it may be better if I repeated the paragraph concerned together with the tale of a man piddling in his cornflakes then there can be no confusion as to what was written – can there?

The offending paragraph:
“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 as aah kannit dee reet fer deeing rang.”

It is rather ironic that one of the first calls received at High Brindles following the publication of May’s newsletter was from Mrs. Thompson asking the editor’s wife to thank him for the response to her letter – no complaints from that quarter! I think the complainant totally misses the point of the whole parody. ‘Wor Stan’ depicts a scruffy snotty nosed, motherless, poorly educated fictitious character brought up in Scotswood and whose late mother used to work on the Settlingstones washings – the person he is addressing worked alongside his mother. I would imagine that some choice phrases were used up there. In that context it is my view that the parody quite justifiably makes use of the phrase “wi faces like pans a’ chite whenever they saw is.” I understand that ‘Wor Stan’ did consider using the phrase “wi faces like farmer’s bums” but did not want to offend the local farmers – and anyhow ‘Wor Stan’ is no expert on farmer’s backsides.

Mitch is a near clone of ‘Wor Stan’ however he was fortunate in receiving a good education both scholastic and vocational; had a successful career in both the public and private sectors. He does not use bad language; non-smoking modest drinker; doesn’t lose his temper; sometimes controversial, tends not to trade insults. As Editor of a popular community newsletter he recognises that this editorial platform is a stage for the whole Community – sadly each month he will upset one group or another – the days of Utopia are far, far away. Moreover his editing style does not allow for ‘Mamby-Pamby’, them and us, cucumber sandwiches type of humour. At the Friends meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday 10th June in the Railway Hotel lounge the Committee will be asked for guidance on “permissible words and phrases” to be used in the Haydon News. Perhaps the complainant (or anyone else for that matter) may care to join this open meeting and bring their own list. The Editor offers a £5 prize to the reader who sends in the wittiest alternative phrase that could have been used in the parody:

“WI FACES LIKE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .WHENEVER THEY SAW IS”

The offending joke: A WEE BIT OF NAUGHTY HUMOUR

Thrifty Haydonian was told by the doctor that he had a high sugar content in his urine - so he started piddling on his corn-flakes each morning.

I find the joke harmless and just a wee bit amusing, I’m not offended and would certainly not give up reading the Haydon News if I were, particularly as this would demonstrate that I had no interest whatsoever in the village! – There is more to the newsletter than a few corny jokes which occasionally upset a few readers. If Wor Stan had written about the well known actress and other people who drink a small glass of their own urine each day would the phrase ‘manners above gutter level’ have been used ? That set me wondering. How on earth do these women manage to piddle into a glass and do they drink it warm or cool it in the fridge? The Friends are still looking for a new Editor – perhaps more so now !! Mitch

EDITORIAL POLICY OF THE HAYDON NEWS

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

Window Boxes and Hanging Displays

The Friends of Haydon Bridge will be judging displays in window boxes and hanging baskets
of village houses situated on the main streets of Haydon Bridge.

The ‘Friends’ would like to stress the judging is intended for houses without front gardens.

Prizes will be awarded to the three best displays

First Prize £20

Second Prize £15

Third Prize £10

Certificates of Merit will also be awarded

Formal entries are not required – but if you need
further information
please contact Pauline Tulip on 684 742

With the agreement of Tony Willis
28 Ratcliffe Road will not be considered for a prize

This a Group for anyone in the community who may have difficulty getting to an evening group or class for reasons of poor health or perhaps some disability. The Group is about getting out of the house and about learning new skills and enjoying being creative, but also it is about meeting up with people and having fun over tea and a piece of homemade cake.

A new Group started at the Methodist Church in Haydon Bridge on 12th April and has a good team of helpers and cakebakers. The people who have been coming on Monday afternoons have so far

• learnt the first steps in watercolour painting
• made a cheerful banner to celebrate summertime
• learnt how to paint on glass and had a fun time with John Kefler-Kerr the musician in residence who is working with various local group this summer

Projects for later include clay modelling, poetry reading and writing and the beginnings of film making. On 9th June there is Concert for all the Groups at the Torch Centre in Hexham and later in July we have a talk and slides showing wildlife at Lady Cross quarry.

New members would be very welcome with no commitment. Skills are not needed, age is no barrier and the pace is just what is right for each member. Tynedale Care Centre from Hexham who arrange the activities can also provide transport if required and do all the hard work towards getting funds to keep it going. However a minimum contribution of £1 is asked and we hope that village fundraisers may include our work among the good causes they support.

The group meets most Monday afternoons 2 - 4 p.m. starting 14th June 1999.

Details are available from Trevor North at the Methodist Church or by telephoning Alastair or Elizabeth on Hexham 608860.

Out & About
WORKING WITH PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES ARE RESTRICTED BY DISABILITY OR ILLNESS AND SUPPORTING THEIR FAMILIES

POEM

A TRUE STORY

Crossing one night, the old bridge after tea
Who on earth, in the distance, is that I can see?
He looks rather like Mr. Turnbull going to fish
With his deer stalker hat, and looking quite lish

Whoever it is, he’s coming my way
And I expect that we’ll meet down in the sub-way
Still wondering who the person could be
I descended the steps and thought – “Soon I will see”

We met in the subway – struggling through litter
Broken glass bottles – it made me feel bitter
I think that civilised people – so called
Could leave such a mess – I was really appalled

Just think of the children, should they happen to fall
On these glass fragments, left there by the wall
Or little dog’s pads being cut as they run
For them – poor things – it can’t be much fun

When my friend in the subway advanced through the mess
I knew who it was – I didn’t need guess
He was armed with a broom, a bucket and shovel
Determined to improve the look of the hovel

You may be wondering – who it could be
This man, by his action, that night after tea
Seemed to say to us all – “Let us each do our bit”
To keep Britain tidy – Lets make it a habit

This man, whose example I would like you to know
Is well known in the village – for his ‘get up and go’
So here’s to the Vicar who has shown us the way
To enjoy our village and improve the subway

So little empty bottles should be dropped into the bin
Not broken and dangerous – I think that is a sin
And paper bags and pop cans should also follow suit
So for the sake of us all in Haydon Bridge please do it

“Cleanliness to Godliness is next” – I’ve heard it said
In days gone by when I was young, but now I’m much afraid
Although we are so mechanised, and the Council wagons call
It seems a losing battle, so let us one and all
Get stuck into this cleaning job and proudly sing our song
Northumberland, Northumberland – the land where I belong

Haydon Bridge High School is a small rural comprehensive school in Northumberland. Our students come largely from a farming and selfemployed craftsman background, with a fairly large proportion on free school meals and/or living in council house accommodation.

The PE department has received national recognition as one of only 27, out of an eligible 33,000, to be awarded the prestigious Sportsmark Gold Award for Excellence in PE. Students from the school have gained international honours, indeed we have one of this years England Football U 15 goalkeepers, and we consistently enjoy success at County and Regional level. The school I st XV are County Rugby Champions even though we are the smallest rugby playing school in the County and were competing against independent schools.

However, to celebrate our success and the new Millennium we wish to embark on a Sports and Cultural Tour of Canada in July 2000. As well as participating in the Millennium Games in Toronto, we will. also extend the tour to play a number of fixtures in Montreal, Quebec and Ontario. So far 68 students, over 10% of the eligible student role have paid a deposit to go on the tour. This includes boys and girls of all age groups who will make up the teams to compete in Rugby, Football, Hockey and Netball.

Most of the students are studying GCSE or A Level PE and the chance to mix with students from other countries and gain first hand knowledge of other sporting systems will be invaluable to them. We will also be staying in University accommodation for part of the tour and be able to use associated facilities.

It is also our aim to see as much of the surrounding countryside as possible and to experience different cultures. We have planned excursions to Toronto City and Niagara, with additional optional trips to Canada's Wonderland, Metro Zoo, Olympic Stadium, Lachine Rapids and the St Lawrence Seaway.

However, the cost is around £900 per student. Our student's cannot afford this so we have set ourselves the target of raising £30,000, about half the total tour cost, to reduce the student contribution to around £450. We are holding a variety of functions including disco's, a fashion show, car boot sale, and other social entertainment evenings, but we need major sponsorship.

This is a chance of a lifetime for our students, many of whom have never been abroad before, certainly not to North America.

Clearly such a prestigious tour will attract a great deal of coverage within the local and regional press. We are also establishing links with sport specific magazines and educational publications to promote our tour, its contents and the schools achievements.

In addition to this publicity there are opportunities for exposure of company names on playing kits and training kit of all students and staff.

Finally in the build up to the tour we will be producing a tour brochure which will be circulated around our local area and to schools with which we have regular contact. Such a publication will include details of the tour as well as pen pictures of all participants, along with advertisements of contributing businesses.

We would like to hear from any company interested in being our title sponsor or in supporting our tour. I hope your company can sponsor us, as it is a worthy cause for deserving young people. Perhaps you would like to set us a challenge, maybe something which will also promote your company.

Derek Todhunter Head of PE
Haydon Bridge High School
Haydon Bridge
Hexham
Northumberland
NE47 6LR

Tel: (0044) 1434 684422
Fax: (0044) 1434 684226

Editor’s note: I am pleased to publicise Derek Todhunter’s note and do hope that a good response is received from any trust fund, grant organisation etc.who might be able to assist – publicity will be given is so desired by the donor.

If there are any former Haydon Bridge/West Tynedale residents living in the area of Canada the pupils will be visiting Mr. Todhunter will be pleased to hear from them – you can contact him direct on (44) 1434 688 824 or send an e-mail to: todhunter@haydonbridge.org

On Friday 16th July at the Methodist Church a Memorial of Thanksgiving will be held for my mother, Jeanne Norris, who lived for 35 years in Belmont Gardens, Haydon Bridge. From 1962 to 1979 she was the secretary at Shaftoe First School. She was an active member of The W.I. and a regular helper at the Over 60’s

In 1990 she moved to a retirement bungalow close to me near Bristol and made many friends amongst her neighbours. Latterly she became very frail and almost housebound and died after a fall in October last year.

I am sorry it has not been possible to arrange this service before but if you remember Jeanne and wish to join me for this service I should be very pleased.

Leigh Allen

You may know that for some years efforts have been made to find a site within Haydon Bridge on which an outdoor bowling green could be constructed. Initially a location adjacent to Temple Houses was identified but for various reasons this was not proceeded with.

In 1997 Haydon Bridge High School kindly offered a piece of land within the High School grounds. A subsequent feasibility study carried out by Tynedale Council established that the site was suitable for the construction of a four rink artificial bowling green, together with a pavilion/club house.

The proposed site lies to the north of the school car park and tennis courts. The Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher of Haydon Bridge High School have been fully involved in the arrangements to date.

The necessary area of land would be leased from Northumberland County Council on a long term basis and at a nominal rent. It will be necessary for an application for the capital cost to be made to the Sports Lottery, with matching funding obtained from other organisations and from local fund raising.

However, for any of this to happen and bearing in mind the large sums of money involved it is essential that the Outdoor Bowls Club are able to demonstrate the following:

• That the proposed facility will benefit the local community
• That the proposed bowling green is supported by the local community
• That sufficient persons will make use of the facility
• That both the Club and the facility has a sustainable future, both in its continued use and the administration of the Club.

With all this in mind we have asked all Parish groups and organisations and others, giving details of what is proposed and asking them if they supported the idea of a bowling green asking for a response by 15 June 1999.

We should mention at this point that there is much more to do in the way of the engineering involved, in drawing up arrangements for the running and future use of the facility. This is all going to take time, with no guarantee of success with obtaining the necessary funding. However we feel it is a facility which would enhance the village and the parish. If you, as an individual or family member, would care to answer the following questions it would help us in our deliberations.

As an individual do you consider that the proposed facility will benefit the Community ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Do you support the propose facility? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If the bowling green were built how many of your family would be likely to become members or play on the facility?

Become Members . . . . . . . . . . Play . . . . . . . . . . . .

Please return to Bill Howard at 10, Ratcliffe Road before 15th June

Thank You

Outdoor Bowls Club Committee
Chairman: J.D. Donaldson – Vice-Chairman: R. Lockhart
Secretary: W.S.R. Howard – Treasurer: S.B Mitchell

STORY

HAYDON BRIDGE TOWN HALL

Many middle aged and elderly Haydonians will know the history of the present Haydonian Working Men’s Club, younger folk and families that have arrived in the village in recent years may not – this is for you.

Edmund Charlton, an octogenarian was at one time the village butcher and now lives in retirement in Hexham with his wife Hilda (nee Holliday). The former butcher is currently actively helping with Haydon Bridge Project Archive 2000 and writes:

The Town Hall in Haydon Bridge was built by a relative of mine – Francis Charlton of Allendale who was a builder before he took up the running of the families Spittal farm in 1912. Apparently he was a builder of some repute having already constructed the Temperance Hall in Allendale before extending his activities into the Haydon Bridge district. I have it on good authority that he constructed some or maybe all of Belmont Gardens.

I shall be forever thankful to his two children Arthur Charlton of Allendale and Mrs. Winnie Brown of Hexham for their wonderful co-operation when I asked them for any documents regarding their dad’s building activities. Winnie, bless her soul, rummaged around in her attic and came across two of her father’s time books in which were meticulously recorded details of daily hours worked, weekly totals of wage rates and pay. In the first week of building only two men were employed:

Commencing June 29th 1908. Time for Town Hall Haydon Bridge
N. Dockerty who worked a total of 43½ hours @ 6½d per hour £1-3-6½
F. Thurby who worked a total of 36 hours @ 5½d per hour 16-6

These must have been a couple of labourers cleaning the site. The tradesmen of whom J. Brown was the foremost received 9d per hour. Having obtained this informtation together with the names of the workmen who built it posed the inevitable question “Who paid for it?” Was it paid for by public subscription, the local council, a public benefactor or some other leading light who kept pressing for a building capable of holding a substantial number of people?
I found part of the answer by searching the 1906 issues of the Hexham Courant (Kind permission of the owners). There had been a General Election in January of that year which had been won by W.B. Beaumont. No doubt the inclement winter weather had revealed the necessity for prospective MP’s to debate the pros and cons. The Hexham Courant Haydon Bridge Notes of February 3rd 1906 written by one Dilston Ratcliffe quotes:

“ The Election has emphasised once more the need there is in Haydon Bridge for a larger public hall than the Oddfellows Hall for such meetings as those held at such times and at other times as well. I hear there is some talk at present about having a Temperance Hall but whether it will ever amount to much more than mere talk is a moot question. If it should come to anything it would perhaps meet the case but if this should fall through it would be well if the question were taken up in some other quarter for it seems ridiculous that a village the size of ours should not have a decent hall in which to hold a public meeting.”

There may have been previous attempts to promote interest in the building of a suitable hall for the village but I think Mr. Dilston Ratcliffe should be highly commended for his perseverance as he again broaches the subject in his Haydon Bridge Notes of March 17th 1906. In these notes he informs us that the question of a Parish Hall has been brought up before the Parish Council to get them to put it on the Agenda for the Annual Parish Meeting – adding that if it was built under the Public Improvement Act there would be the likely-hood of it paying for itself. In these notes he quotes from a letter he has received from someone signing himself “Strike while the Irons hot” who suggests that if the Reading Room was remodelled with a nice big Hall on the ground floor, Reading Room and Billiard tables on the first floor with caretaker’s flat above that. The finance might be raised by issuing £1 shares to anyone who could afford to subscribe. Dilston Ratcliffe turned the idea down flat pointing out it was obvious the site was much too small - and anyway issuing shares turned the whole enterprise into a private company and this saw no favour with him.

The next information I could find was an account, taken from the Courant dated March 31 1906, of the Parish AGM held the previous Saturday (24th March).

After the AGM closed another meeting was convened to discuss the question of the proposed Village Hall. Space does not permit me to give you the full report here, suffice to say that it was a very lively meeting with the Temperance fraternity attempting to run things but being vigorously opposed by a Mr. T. Cowan who would have none of this. Other speakers mentioned were Mr. Hare, Mr. Brogden, Mr. Pringle, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Drydon and Mr. Rutherford. It appears to me that Mr. Morrison, Headmaster of the Shaftoe Trust School, summarised it all by saying That the Parish Council had the power to build the Hall under the Public Improvement Act but half the cost would have to be borne by Public Subscription. They could borrow money from and with the consent of the County Council as long as it was properly and wisely looked after.

A few more hours research is needed before I can reveal any more of how Haydon Bridge got its Town Hall. This will, of course, be published in the Haydon News

Edmund Charlton

A SAWBONES` WRITES

MEN'S HEALTH - PART TWO

CANCER

Lumps and swellings in the scrotum are common and should never be ignored whether they are painful or not. All men - from teenage years onwards - should examine their testicles every few weeks and if they find any lumps or tenderness they should attend the surgery IMMEDIATELY!

Not all lumps in the scrotum are cancer. Pain does not suggest the presence or absence of cancer. Cancer of the testicle is commonest in men ages 20-40 with a second peak at age 60. Testicles that have not descended into the scrotum are much more frequently affected and this is why it is imperative to deal with an undescended testicle in childhood.

Infections of the testicle or the epididymis (the tubes closest to the testicle) may well cause pain and swelling and can be quite difficult to treat. The infections are not always sexually transmitted.

A testicle can become twisted on the cord that attaches it to the rest of the body. This will cause intense and severe pain. It can occur in men of any age but is somewhat commoner in boys. IT IS A GENUINE EMERGENCY - as if the cord is not untwisted the testicle can become gangrenous and need to be removed. Classical surgical texts recount how a games master at Rugby school devised a method for dealing with the problem without surgery but 1 think this says more about the atmosphere prevailing in boy's public schools a century or more ago than anything else.

Varicose veins can occur around a testicle and create a soft bulky swelling in the scrotum. Hydroceles collections of fluid around the testicle - are common and should be properly investigated. Often they are a remnant of the tube through which the testicle descended into the scrotum. Hernias can often be large enough to extend into the scrotum and should be repaired to prevent discomfort and complications. Trusses are rarely advised these days except in the very debilitated elderly for whom operation represents a substantial risk.

Men often attend having found a lump in the skin of the scrotum. As with any hair bearing part of the body there is a tendency for sebaceous cysts to form as well as minor infections of the hair follicles to occur. These are easily dealt with.

Cancer of the prostate is common. The lifetime risk is 9.5%. Each year 11,000 men die of prostate cancer 2.9% of all male deaths. There does seem to be some tendency for the condition to run in families. Men complaining of prostate symptoms can expect to have a rectal examination - this may feel odd but ought not to hurt. We have a blood test to assist in the diagnosis of prostate cancer but it is not fully developed yet.

It is often said that women are at a disadvantage when it comes to early diagnosis of genital tract cancers because everything is hidden inside and inaccessible. In addition lay knowledge of anatomy and physiology is often quite patchy. Men are often equally or more squeamish about examination and some of our bits are also inaccessible - except for contortionists. Men's knowledge of their anatomy is often little more than skin deep despite the devotion of substantial segments of their adolescence to a close (even obsessional) study of the subject.

JEEPERS CREEPERS - WHERE'D YOU GET THOSE PEEPERS?
- and more to the point will you still have them on August 12th?

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SOLAR ECLIPSE ON AUGUST 11TH
NEVER, EVER LOOK AT THE SUN THROUGH ANY OPTICAL INSTRUMENT
(CAMERA, TELESCOPE, BINOCULARS, MAGNIFYING GLASS etc.)

It is a racing certainty that a number of people will be BLINDED PERMANENTLY on August 11th - will you be one of them? 1
Sunglasses, stained glass, photographic negatives and the like are not acceptable protection. Very high specification welding shields or goggles may help but make sure that they are CE marked.

The only really safe way to see the eclipse is indirectly by projecting an image of the sun on a plain surface - through a pinhole viewer for example. Almost certainly the event will be covered live on TV and on a number of web sites. It may be possible to modify domestic video cameras to allow observation of the eclipse on your own TV. In Northumberland the eclipse should be about 86% complete and so definitely worth observing - but safely please!

HATCHED, MATCHED AND DISPATCHED
The Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages is now operating an appointment only system. This will greatly improve the service to those requiring access.
Please phone on 01434 602355 or 602605.

CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS
A debate is taking place about the introduction of screening for infection with this organism. It is the most common sexually transmitted disease and is easily cured if detected but may have few symptoms. At present it is proposed that the following should be tested; those with symptoms of STD'S those attending STD clinics, women having terminations of pregnancy, all sexually active women under 25 years of age, sexually active women over 25 years of age with a recent change of partner or with more than two partners within the last year.

Steven Ford

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

10 PENCE ONLY ***** DO YOU ENJOY THE HAYDON NEWS ? ***** If so why not join the Friends of Haydon Bridge – the people who produce this newsletter? By supporting the Friends you are also helping them fund various activities in the Parish. In the past year they have: Funded and built the Raymond McVay Memorial Seat at the Spa Well; Funded the 1998 Window Boxes Competition; Christmas Lunch and party for over 60’s. Held monthly Bingo Sessions to help financially support: HB Over 60’s Club; HB Guides; HB Dancing Club; HB Indoor Bowls Club; HB Under 14’s Football Club; HB Parish Church; HB Rainbow Writers; Arthritis Research Council; Langley Village Hall; St. Cuthberts Mothers Union. The Friends would like you to consider joining as an inactive member by donating 10p a month or active, which means giving a commitment for occasional help in organising various functions. We have 39 active members (this includes 21 deliverers) and 149 inactive .