A beastly bench for Ponteland play park

All creatures great and small can be spotted in a Ponteland park since the introduction of a specially designed bench.

The mini beasty bench has been installed in the new children's play park in Callerton Lane after funding of £800 was provided by Ponteland Extended Services.

The seat has immediately become the star attraction for families as it is covered with carvings of a spider, snail, earthworm, centipede, woodlouse, May fly and other creepy crawlies.

Tree carving specialist Peter Bowsher was commissioned to create the piece, making it out of a huge tree trunk using only a chainsaw.

Extended Services Co-ordinator Sarah Herbert said: "When the play park was completed there was not enough benches for people to sit on so we decided to commission this work from Peter Bowsher.

"We wanted a theme of mini beasts and from a felled tree trunk he has completed this beautiful bench.

"I took my five-year-old daughter to see it and there was a family there asking the children what the creatures were so it is educational as well as practical.

"The people who came to the installation were very impressed with it and it is quite a talking point."

The bench unveiling was attended by Ponteland Mayor Robin Ramsay and youngsters from the recently opened Children's Centre.

Margaret McCormick from Extended Services said: "My children would have loved this when they were young.

"It really adds to the excitement of coming to the park. Absolutely brilliant."
Source: Morpeth Herald

Promotion for Ponteland United FC Under 15's

The boys of Ponteland United FC Under 15's have this season achieved promotion to the first division of the NABC Football League, to take their place along side the 'elite' in North East Junior football such as Wallsend Boys Club and Cramlington Juniors etc.

The Ponteland boys have worked hard all season, playing some excellent football along the way and finishing with a season record of:
Played 18, won 15, drawn 1, lost 2, for 73, against 24, dif 49, points
46.

The boys play on the main pitch at Ponteland Leisure Centre and have turned their home ground into something of a fortress, losing only once there all season. All of the boys (and their parents) are looking
forward to playing in the top flight next season at the under 16 age group and are confident they can continue the success of the season just finished.

Photo Left to right the squad consists of: Daniel M'Pungu, Michael Bowers, Joe Appleton, Aaron Hadfield, Jack Bell, Jozsef Wallace, Colin Bell (coach), Danny Willis, Steven Hall, Lewis Hodgson, Josh Curry, Rob Robinson, Matty Rose and Jamie Dixon, (Lee Ryan).

Games and fun at school fair

THERE was plenty of fun in the sun at Darras Hall First School's Summer Fair on Saturday.

And for once the Head did not mind being bombarded with wet sponges in the 'stocks' during the afternoon of entertainment.

The annual event to raise funds for the school, organised by its PTA with support from staff, included a variety of games such as hoopla, coconut shies and a knockout football tournament.

Among the other activities were face-painting and pony rides and the day was also supported by Northumbria Police, which brought along police horses and a police car.

Darras Hall First School Headteacher Peter Tincombe said: "Everyone really enjoyed the event and there was a great turn-out not only from pupils, parents and staff, but also formers pupils and local residents.

"The glorious weather helped a lot and for the first time in five years my annual role of going in the stocks to be hit by sponges was the best job as I was the only one who was cool. We're still counting, but what we can say is that the fair will raise hundreds of pounds for the school."

Source: Morpeth Herald

Ponteland Middle School head girl flies the flag for Northumberland cooks

A talented teenager whose culinary skills have landed her a date with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver tested out her prize winning menu on schoolmates yesterday.

Ellen Forsyth, 13, is the 2010 North East Cooks Champion and will travel to London next month for the national finals of the competition in front of TV favourite Jamie.

Yesterday, fellow pupils at Ponteland Community Middle School in Northumberland were able to judge her cookery credentials for themselves when they sat down to enjoy her three-course creation for lunch, prepared by kitchen staff.

Head girl Ellen was one of four students from the school who entered the Cooks Challenge sponsored by Sainsbury's, the British Nutrition Foundation and the Design and Technology Association.

It is part of the Active Kids Get Cooking initiative, and the theme of this year's challenge was sustainability, with the emphasis on using local produce and reducing food air miles.

Ellen used leeks from her family's garden for her starter, leek and potato soup. This was followed by wholemeal savoury bread pudding, with mixed leaf and roast beetroot salad with apple balsamic dressing, followed by apple filo baskets and vanilla fudge ice cream.

She and her three fellow Year 8 students created their recipes using local produce, including bread from Davidson's bakery in Darras Hall, flour from Gilchester's organic farm in Hawkwell, carrots from the school garden and ice cream from Vallum Farm tea room at East Wallhouses on the Military Road in Northumberland. Ellen's menu was chosen as the best in the region and she will now travel to Sainsbury's headquarters on June 23 as one of the 12 United Kingdom finalists. She has already won a £100 prize for the school's food department. Jamie Oliver will sample all the winning entries and announce the three overall winners.

Yesterday, Ponteland Middle food and textiles teacher Charlotte Hancock, who will accompany Ellen to London, said: "The whole school is so proud of Ellen and her fabulous three-course meal will be available for everyone to enjoy.

"Our four students worked very hard to create healthy recipes and source local food."

Source: Journal Live

A CHARITABLE ANNIVERSARY

The Therapeutic Massage Clinic is celebrating 10 years of offering complementary therapies in the north east of England.  The clinic was set up in June 2000 by Helen Richardson after a career that included a stint at Ragdale Hall, as Spa Manager at Slaley Hall and Perfumery Manager in Surrey.  Helen has been a trainer in industry since 1997 and now also runs the Therapeutic Massage School offering training to therapists.

The clinic is now located in the prestigious Darras Hall Surgery in Ponteland.  Here Helen offers massage therapies for pain relief, injury and stress related conditions.  She has over 17 years experience and has worked in cancer care, with sufferers of arthritis, Parkinson's disease, depression, muscular pain and so much more.  Her clients have included St Oswald's Hospice, Sunderland College, The Sleep Inn and Gateshead Childminding Network.

The clinic began offering massage, aromatherapy and Indian Head Massage but constant training and study under the guidance of clients has led to the introduction of more therapies.  This includes Reflexology which Helen was initially very sceptical about, "I couldn't understand how Reflexology worked and although we still do not fully understand I see the benefits continually.  I am amazed at what I can pick up and the feedback I receive from clients to point them towards a healthier more balanced lifestyle".

Deep tissue massage is a very popular treatment and Helen feels "great results" can be achieved yet few therapists offer this.  However, Helen also comments that aromatherapy is ever popular as is the deeply relaxing Thermal Stone Massage.  The clinic also offers acupressure massage, Daoyin Tao and Hopi ear candling.

In the tradition of the therapeutic approach to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the clinic Helen is arranging to give back with a charity event for Macmillan Cancer Care.  On Tuesday 8^th June from 8am  - 11.30am there will be a coffee morning at the surgery to raise funds for the charity that does so much for those suffering from cancer and their families.  "Cancer is a major killer and at some point most of us are affected by it in one way or another and we need to help those who are affected until a cure can be found.  My own family and friends have relied on support from Macmillan at the worst time in their lives and I believe the help and advice they provide is essential.  This is why I have decided to support Macmillan on this occasion".

Please support the event when not only will refreshments be available for a donation but also taster treatments and advice on massage, nutrition, homeopathy and more.  There will also be a prize draw with prizes from many generous local businesses such as the Deli at Darras, HB Opticians and Behind the Scenes, plus of course the satisfaction of supporting a really worthwhile cause.

For more information please contact the Therapeutic Massage Clinic on 01661 871748 or go to www.therapeuticmassageclinic.co.uk.  Please try to support the event at Darras Hall Surgery, Broadway, Ponteland on Tuesday 8^th June from 8am.

Ponteland protection work cheaper than thought

SLOPE protection works in Ponteland will not cost as much as first thought.

The town council initially said that installing a retaining wall to address the slipping slope at Fox Covert Lane would require funding in the region of £150,000, with some of the money provided by a loan.

But Mayor Robin Ramsay revealed it has been able to get it done for just over £90,000, including contingencies.

"After looking at the figures it was clear that we can find the total costs for the retaining wall from the precept this year. This means we are not faced with loan interest repayments over 10 years," he added.

The works are set to start at the beginning of July and are expected to take about eight weeks to complete.

Source Morpeth Herald

Ponteland Mayor's return

ROBIN Ramsay was unanimously chosen by Ponteland Town Council to be Mayor for the year ahead.

This is the second year he has taken on the role after the authority decided to have a Mayoralty following the end of Castle Morpeth Council.

David Butler was once again elected Deputy Mayor for 2010/11.

The chairmen of the council's committees and working parties were appointed as follows: Planning Committee: David Butler; Highways Working Party: Robin Ramsay; Environment Working Party and Northumbria in Bloom Working Party: Joyce Butcher.
Source: Morpeth Herald

Lock it or lose it, drivers warned

PONTELAND motorists are being reminded to lock their cars and keep valuable items out of sight following a number of break-ins.

Thieves have targeted unlocked cars where sat navs and other equipment were left on show.

Between 10pm on Sunday and 8am on Monday, five cars parked in different areas of Ponteland were broken into.

Inspector Kevin Oates of the East Tynedale Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "These have been isolated, opportunist-style thefts where the thieves have been trying car doors and stolen from those they have found left unsecured.

"We always advise people against leaving valuables on show when they leave their vehicles. Thieves can quickly force their way into a car and simply grab anything small and portable. Motorists then have the problem of repairing the car, as well as replacing the items.

"If you park your car, either take your valuables with you or store them out of sight, preferably in the boot. If you have a sat nav system you also need to remove the windscreen sucker and wipe away any tell tale signs left behind.

"Make sure you lock your car, check it and double check it. An insecure car is like an invitation to an opportunist thief."

Source: Morpeth Herald

Ponteland pupils free their feet for school run

STUDENTS at Ponteland High School are taking part in a national scheme this week to put their best foot forward and reduce congestion.

The school is doing the Free Your Feet walking challenge during Walk to School Week, which runs until Friday, with the aim of encouraging teenagers to walk more on a daily basis.

The challenge, run by national charity Living Streets through their Step Up campaign and in partnership with Northumberland County Council, encourages students to record the amount of walking they do during the week to be in with a chance of winning an iPod Nano.

Fifty other schools across England will be taking part, but Ponteland High is the first in Northumberland to be involved.

Headteacher Stephen Prandle said: "We are very pleased to be part of this initiative which encourages students to think about both environmental and health issues.

"This project brings these important matters to the attention of our young people in a very practical manner."

While middle school pupils are already taking action to walk more, at high school age only 43 per cent take the trip to school on foot and journeys by car are increasing.

Finding out what is stopping students from walking more, and providing answers, is the key aim of Step Up.

Northumberland County Council School Travel Advisor Tracy Aitken said: "Walk to School Week is already a big event in our year and Free Your Feet is a fantastic new initiative which will enable us to engage with high schools and hopefully encourage more pupils to walk to school."

She added: "This has benefits for both the pupils and the school by increasing the amount of daily exercise taken and also by reducing the number of cars around the school, therefore improving congestion and safety."
A CAR boot table top sale will be held at Whalton First School this Saturday.

It has been organised by the school's PTA to raise money for new reading books.

The event runs from 10am to noon in the playground with space limited.

Source: Morpeth Herald

Care Village plans to expand

PROPOSALS have been put forward to improve facilities at a Ponteland care village for people with learning disabilities.

Self Unlimited has made a planning application for 54 residential homes and a new Down's Syndrome and dementia unit at its north east base in North Road.

With the adjacent Northumberland Police Headquarters in line for a refurbishment allowing part of its site to be available for housing, the charity was able to assess possible requirements for the future.

Regional Manager Polly Browning said: "We remain committed to making a real and lasting difference in the lives of the people we support, both now and in the future.

"Our charity has always welcomed the relationships that have been forged with our neighbours over the years."
It is our aim for this to continue and for a real, inclusive community to be established on site at North Road."

The dwellings, which would include ten designated for social housing, would not only provide new homes for local families, but also for some of the people it supports who may not wish to move away from the area.

The new purpose-built facility would provide care for the growing number of people with Down's Syndrome who are diagnosed with dementia.

Self Unlimited is the operating name of CARE (Cottage and Rural Enterprises), which was established in 1966 to provide services for adults with learning disabilities to enable them to live as fulfilled and independent a life as possible.

Source: Morpeth Herald

Sun Shines on the Ponteland Parade

Ponteland was on the march yesterday as the community gathered for the annual Civic Service.

St Mary’s Church was packed as more than 200 invited guests joined the service led by The Reverend Peter Barham, Vicar of Ponteland, supported by all the local clergy.

They included politicians, local businesspeople, church leaders and representatives of a wide range of parish organisations, including charities and clubs.

Morpeth Pipe Band led the parade to the church and back to the Memorial Hall, where afternoon tea was served after the service. The players were joined by the Air Training Corps, Boys’ Brigade, Girls’ Brigade and county and town councillors.

Ponteland Civic Service was launched last year to carry on a long-standing Castle Morpeth tradition following the demise of the Borough Council, which previously ran a borough-wide civic service.

Town Mayor Robin Ramsay said: “The fantastic turnout yesterday – double last year’s – suggests this event is now firmly planted in the village’s annual calendar as a new tradition.

“The Civic Service is one of a number of community events I want to develop as part of the Town Council’s vision of giving residents a real sense of pride in Ponteland.

“It was really pleasing to see so many people, young and old, turn out on such a lovely afternoon and I’d like to thank everyone involved in organising and taking part in such a successful event.”a

Community Engagement Day Ponteland

Event Date: 13 May 2010
Mobile Police Station, The Broadway, Ponteland.

The Mobile Police Station will be visiting The Broadway, Ponteland on Thursday 13th, May, 2010 between 1 pm and 2.30 pm.

This will give residents a chance to meet the Neighbourhood Policing Team and receive crime prevention advice.

Source: Northumbria Police