7 minute read
History on the hoof
FRIENDLY LOCAL COFFEE TRAILER IN THE HEART OF THE NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTRYSIDE
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FIND US AT RAILTONS AUCTIONEERS, 5 SOUTH ROAD, WOOLER, NE71 6SN 6
the Carnegie Trust’s Twin Towns Initiative to help communities learn from each other.
Glendale Walking for Health became involved, advising on ‘health and safety’ and testing the instructions for accuracy and clarity.
By the end of 2019, they were finally able to get down to producing the book. As well as two of the leaflet walks, another eight walks were planned, checked and tested during the pandemic, involving many volunteers. Patsy says, “They were tested so many times with so many people!”
The book’s design is particularly effective, with different colours for different types of information, interesting old and new photos and excellent instructions and maps. Sketchy maps are an unfortunate aspect of many walks books, giving you no help if you lose your way. Here, artist Sarah Farooqi’s maps for the first two walks are clear as well as beautiful and those for the other walks are in familiar, easyto-follow Ordnance Survey style.
“An enormous number of people have been involved in the project over the years,” says Pam, “but we would like to thank two in particular - Derek Fairnington for his hospitality and generous permission to use his old photographs and Jim Bird for his dedication and expertise in producing many new ones. “
Ten history walks in and around Wooler costs £10 and can be bought from Brands, the Cheviot Centre, or direct from GLHS by emailing Alan Sture at glhsoc@gmail.com
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Acclaimed summer concerts switch venue to Glendale
For two decades summer has meant one thing to concert-goers in the north – the Alwinton Summer Concerts. But like all other public events, lockdown closed them.
Now, with some easing of Covid restrictions the concerts are set to return – only not in Alwinton.
“Social distancing isn’t really possible in Alwinton church” explains the concerts’ Artistic Director John Casken. “St Mary’s church in Wooler is a much safer venue as it is bigger and can accommodate more people if we still have to socially distance the audience.”
John lives in Wooler and plays the organ for St. Mary’s Sunday services. In collaboration with the new Wooler Arts, he is bringing four exciting concerts to St Mary’s in August and September.
“There’s something for everyone in this programme” says John “and we can reach more people in St. Mary’s.”
Judy Kirby
John Casken is a composer in his element among the Northumbrian hills. The stormy skies, the all-embracing light, the landscape and the legends all feed his imagination.
John’s work is performed across the world in many venues and for choral and solo voice, orchestral and chamber musicians. Two operas have been performed internationally. Manchester University Chorus recently commissioned John to set to music part of English poet Kathleen Raine’s Northumbrian Sequence, which he has titled Light Into My Dark.
John has written about this work: “...the raging elements of the northern English landscape of Northumberland set the winter scene for this most vivid of poems. This is the place where I live in North Northumberland, and the moorland, bleak as it can be in winter, is something I know very well.
“My home is but a short distance from St. Cuthbert’s Way, an historic route taken by the saint as he made his way to what is now known as Holy Island...this whole area is spiritually rich in Early English Christianity and has played an important part in my own work.”
Alwinton Summer Concerts at St Mary’s
The Andy May Trio from Newcastle kicks off on August 14 with ‘folk and fiddles’ followed by violinists Bradley Creswick and Katerina Nazarova playing Telemann and Bartók. There will be a free folk music workshop at 2pm before the concert.
Harpist Louise Thomson will perform on 21st August.
On September 4 pianist Mishka Rushdie Momen includes a piece by John Casken in her programme.
The North East choir Voices of Hope will perform at 3pm on September 5.
Tickets cost £15 or £50 for all four concerts. Under 18s’ tickets are free.
To view the programme and to book tickets online go to www.alwintonconcerts.org
Meet Glendale’s new
Glendale has two new county councillors. We invited them to introduce themselves and answer a few questions.
Norham and Islandshires new county councillor is Colin Hardy, 70, a retired manager in the fuel industy. His hobbies are wildlife photography and football. He lives in Berwick.
Colin Hardy
Q: Will you hold surgeries?
I will hold regular surgeries, hopefully face to face in local villages - details and venues to be published in due course. I will be visible and approachable in the community.
Q: What should a councillor offer?
A listening ear. A voice and link between constituents and council departments to help resolve issues of concern, combined with support when required.
Q: Are you more concerned about
jobs or housing? They’re equally important. We need employment to help support our local economy, but we also need affordable and social housing to accommodate the growing needs of our communities.
Q: How would you solve the problem of poor public transport?
We’re investing more in public transport, re-opening railway lines and local stations. Improving rail connectivity by increasing rail services with more local trains. We need to invest more in rural bus services. We also need better connectivity to allow students access to higher education such as schools and colleeges. Colin’s contact details: colin.hardy@northumberland.gov.uk Mobile: 07890 046706 Home Phone: 01289 304242
Q: Do you have a view on second
homes? Two-edged sword. People want to live, holiday and retire here, bringing an increased demand for housing. In some locations house prices have increased beyond the affordability of local families. We need more social and affordable housineg.
Q: What’s NCC’s biggest problem?
Bringing enough investment into the county to support the needs of our communities. ‘Levelling up’ without spoilineg our unique county.
Q: What is the one major thing you’d
like to achieve in offce?: To represent the people; bring jobs and investment; improve our local schools, parks and leisure facilities; improve roads and pavements; help tackle climate change.
county councillors
Wooler’s new county councillor is Mark Mather, 36, a farmer at Haugh Head Farm, Wooler. He really enjoys farming and also volunteers as a community first responder with North East Ambulance Service responding to life threating calls.
Q: Will you hold surgeries?
I hope to hold suregeries in different locations around the ward but I also want people to feel they can contact me at any time. I want to work with all the parish councils as I have always thought they are the best link with the community. I want to support the PCs to ensure that not only do they get a timely response but also the reason of how NCC has come to that decision.
Q: What should a councillor offer?
I am concerned about all matters affectineg the Ward and want to ensure we have a strong voice down at county hall. But I seem to be findineg that the things people want to see most are investment in everyday services like roads and want to see that the council is proud of Northumberland.
Q: Do you have a view on second homes?
Second homes in the area can bring both a positive and a negative. What I do believe is that second homes should pay precept to local councils to allow them to invest in each individual parish as they also get the benefit of this fantastic place to live.
Q: What’s NCC’s biggest problem?
One big problem I can see the council having is to continue its infrastructure investment to cope with the ever increasing amount of tourism in the area. Tourism brings a fantastic opportunity to us all but we have to ensure we have the facilities ready for them.
Q: What is the one major thing you’d like to achieve in offce?
I want to reassure everyone that no matter who you are, your opinions are important and that any suggestions on how to improve the council will be taken seriously.
Mark Mather
Q: Are you more concerned about jobs or housing?
See answer above.
Q: How would you solve the problem of poor public transport?
Public transport will always be a problem in such a rural area. I want to work with local providers and users to see how we can invest in public transport more wisely in future.
Mark’s contact details:
mark.mather@northumberland.gov.uk
