Ponteland bike theft

Police are appealing for information after the theft of a bike in Ponteland.
Between 7.30pm on Friday October 8 and 9.30am on Saturday October 9, thieves stole a Kona mountain bike from outside a house in Thornhill Road.
The red and black Kona Dirt Jump mountain bike is worth around £400.
Anyone with any information into the theft is asked to contact police on 03456 043 043 ext 69191 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Source: Northumbria Police

Mobile mast fears at school site allayed

A BID to give increased protection to a Northumberland school and nearby homes which were threatened with a controversial mobile phone mast has been given top-level approval.

Anger erupted last year over two separate attempts by telecommunications giant O² to erect a phone mast on The Broadway in Darras Hall, Ponteland.

The company eventually agreed not to go ahead after hundreds of placard-carrying locals staged a silent protest outside Darras Hall First School.

Subsequently 1,800 residents signed a petition calling on Northumberland County Council to take action to make it more difficult for phone companies to put up a mast in the neighbourhood.

Earlier this year councillors agreed to use special planning powers to seek a direction under Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning Act in a bid to give added protection to The Broadway.

Now the order has been confirmed after no objections were raised by the Secretary of State, O², or any other interested parties.

It removes permitted development rights for telecommunications equipment in the area, and gives it increased protection against phone mast development. It means companies such as O² would need to secure full planning approval from the council to put up a mast.

The saga began last year when a county council mistake resulted in O² getting planning permission by default for a 12.5 metre-high mast outside 450-pupil Darras Hall School.
An alternative site further along Broadway was then refused planning permission, leaving the company free to put the mast next to the school.
However, O² agreed to seek a less sensitive site in the wake of the massive public demonstration held in February.

The Article 4 direction was sought to restrict permitted development rights, and address local fears that another telecoms firm could return to the school site and implement the outstanding planning consent.

Yesterday Richard Dodd, who represents Ponteland North on the county council, said seeking the order had been the only option to protect the school site and The Broadway from telecoms development.
He said: "It is all quiet on the western front as far as O² are concerned, but we also have to worry about who or what comes next. Darras Hall School and The Broadway is a sensitive area and the order is a tool which gives us more control over what happens there."
Planning rules say an Article 4 direction can be made where there is a "real and specific threat to the locality in which the development is to take place". There needs to be a compelling case to justify such a move.

Source: Journal Live

Ponteland teenager's artwork to raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust

A YOUNG cancer sufferer from Northumberland has become a true star of the art world.
Along with others from the region, Charliie Lee, 16, of Ponteland, created a colourful pair of stars which wouldn't be out of place in a top gallery – and that's exactly where they are destined to go, thanks to a unique charity project.
The North East teenagers teamed up with two artists – Jasper Joffe and James Jessop – on the Art Stars project, a creative way to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) which has helped them through their battles with cancer.
And now the stellar structures will go on display at a high-profile London exhibition, before going under the hammer at an auction set in motion by fashion guru Ralph Lauren with all money being ploughed back into the TCT.

The team of eight youngsters included Hanna Schweppe, 16, of High Heaton and Rebecca Connolly, 17, of Consett, County Durham.

Source: Journal Live

Alastair makes a splash for cancer charity

A PONTELAND swimmer did not let an event cancellation stop him from making a splash for a cancer charity.

Alastair Ruffman was looking forward to taking part in the Great North Swim at Lake Windermere in Cumbria for the third year in a row until it was called off because of blue green algae in the lake.

But he and friend Martin Price from Dalton secured entry to another one mile open water swim – the British Gas Great Salford Swim – a few weeks later.

And last Thursday he was part of a team of 20 that did the Ponteland Butterfly Charity Relay, which involved the swimmers doing as many lengths of the Ponteland Leisure Centre pool as they could in one hour with the butterfly stroke.

“The butterfly event was specifically in support of a fellow swimmer who has raised money for the Teenage Cancer Trust since the loss of her teenage son,” said Mr Ruffman. “We all felt it towards the end of the hour, but everyone kept going very well and we were delighted with our total of 485. I was also decided to help raise money for the charity by doing the open water swim.

“It was a shock when I heard the event was cancelled, but thankfully there was the swim in Manchester later in the month to do instead.”

The 48-year-old finished the Great Salford Swim in 124th place overall in a time of 26 minutes 51 seconds – he was 11th best male in the 44 to 49 age group.

This was 30 seconds faster than his previous best time at Lake Windermere.

“The result shows I’m improving with age,” he said.

“I do swim as often as I can and taking part in water polo sessions at the City of Newcastle pool helps my fitness.

“My first open water swim was a shock to the system but the water in Salford wasn’t as cold as I thought it would be. I enjoyed the swim and I’m definitely up for doing it again next year.”

To support Mr Ruffman’s fundraising efforts, visit www.justgiving.com/alastair-ruffman

Source: Morpeth Herald

Darras Hall affected by property price plunge

THE impact of the economic downturn on North East property prices is revealed today, with homes in some of the regions most desirable postcodes plunging by up to 45%, while those elsewhere have held their value.

An investigation by The Journal has revealed how some householders have been forced to reduce their asking prices to more realistic levels.
One of the most affected areas identified by estate agents is the exclusive Darras Hall estate in Ponteland, Northumberland, where many have seen hundreds of thousands of pounds taken off the value they put on their homes.

The problems in Darras Hall are being partly blamed on the fact fewer Premier League footballers and other high earners are buying houses there.

In contrast, other parts of the region including Jesmond, parts of Durham City, and more rural areas such as the Tyne Valley, and Sedgefield, in County Durham, have managed to retain higher values.

Experts say the pattern of property prices has followed the money. As higher-earning entrepreneurs and manufacturers have been forced to rein in their spending, many have looked to downsize, making more executive homes available to the market, and decreasing their value.

Letting agents say more top-flight footballers, from both Sunderland and Newcastle United, are also choosing to rent instead of buy as they see their time in the region as more transient.

Longer established desirable neighbourhoods, such as Gosforth in Newcastle, have been insulated from a price slump by demand from top earners in the public sector.
Experts believe this is in part driven by medical professionals, who choose to live closer to the hospitals where they work.
Planning restrictions in rural areas have also meant supply for aspirational properties in the countryside has been starved, helping to preserve values in areas such as Corbridge and Hexham.
According to last weeks Nationwide house price index, the average house in the North East fell in value by 1.2% in the last quarter, but is still worth 1% more than a year ago.
However, such figures disguise huge differences within the region with some neighbourhoods suffering big losses.

For example, so far this year Darras Halls Runnymede Road has realised an average sale price of s500,000 less than in 2004, dropping from s1.2m to s700,000, according to the property website nethouseprices.com.
But Gosforths Graham Park Road last year recorded an average sale price of s1m, compared with s700,000, in 2005, an increase of s300,000. Last night, property bosses reassured buyers and sellers alike that the North East property market remains healthy, although they warned that the days of super-inflated prices in the region are at an end.
Duncan Young, managing director of estate agent Sanderson Young, which has a 70% share of the market for selling homes over s1m, said: Demand for homes in Darras Hall accelerated very quickly from the 1990s into the 2000s, as footballers and sportsmen started moving into the area.

It is still a wonderful neighbourhood and the demand is still there, but prices have fluctuated more. In Northumberland, agents say there has been a drop-off in the number of buyers looking at s1m-plus homes, while the very top end of the market has remained insulated.
Experts say this reflects the large cash wealth of investors looking to buy estates with multiple homes and land.

Partner at Strutt and Parker, in Northumberland, Simon Beeby, said: There has possibly been a drop-off in the number of people willing to spend over s1m, which would also come down to high-earners seeing their income affected by the economic conditions.
I think the reason you see such fluctuations in Darras Hall is because there is such a large concentration of expensive homes in one place, it becomes the microcosm of the bigger picture.
Neil Foster, managing director of Foster Maddison, said: It is important to remember average house prices can be affected by relatively few sales and, in my opinion, the market has remained more or less level over the last year.
Developers can increase the supply of new properties, but there are limited numbers of period and rural homes, due to planning limitations.
Valuers say Durham City has also performed well, with strong transport links making it an accessible option.

Source: Journal Live

The Ridley has a new lease of Life!

Located in the grounds of Ponteland Community School ‘The Ridley’ is an Out of School Club for 8-13yr olds in the area. Recently transferred to Trinity Youth Associations Youth service new staff and fresh ideas are changing the centre for the better!  Team Leader Val McDonnell and Deputy Jemma Taylor have seized the challenge of resurrecting the somewhat tired service for a more age appropriate approach and are keen to see the club expand to fulfil Young People’s and parents expectations and ideas.

Open for breakfast and after school clubs as well as during the holidays young people aged 8-13 have somewhere to go where they can be part of some great activities and parents have somewhere they can trust their children are in safe hands. Experienced and creative staff are able to offer a range of activities and the recent installation of the IT suite and homework area has been a great addition to the building. As a project under change funding is being sought to help revitalise the appearance of the building and includes projects such as repainting the outside of the building and installing a learning kitchen. If anyone can help with these projects at all then please do contact the team leader to discuss it.

You can contact Val McDonnell at the Ridley direct on 07973263876 or Trinity Youth Association Head office on 01670 531843 and speak to Ruth Potts, Head of Youth Services.  

For other information on more services that Trinity Youth Association offers or career opportunities please visit our website www.trinityyouth.org.uk

MEMORIAL HALL - END OF AN ERA!

Lawrence and June Tallen have retired as Caretakers of the Memorial Hall after 27 years service.

Regular user groups of the Hall, as well as some individuals, contributed to a leaving present of over £1,000. They were represented when Eric Marshall, Chairman of the Memorial Hall Committee, handed over a cheque for £800. In addition a more tangible present, in the form of a Garden Shed, has been delivered and paid for from the contributions.

Unfortunately Lawrence was confined to his bed but June accepted the gift on behalf of them both. 

The new incumbents, Ron and Kathleen Whittington, are now well and truly installed.

Community flood defence work nears completion

WORK is almost complete on a series of flood defence measures to give communities greater protection.
The Environment Agency has been working to restore the flood bank along the River Pont at Eland Lane since the floods of 2008.
This week work has started on the last section of the embankment, which has been eroded by walkers or moved naturally and has dropped by as much as 300mm.
The final section is expected to take two weeks to complete and will cost £10,000.
Once the banks have been repaired they will protect residents from a flood that has a two percent chance of happening in any year. A gate will be installed to prevent access to the flood bank, which is built on private land.
Further downstream, the agency has been re-building a flood defence wall and raising the lower sections at a cost of £5,000.
Project Manager Simon Eadington said: “Once this next part of the work is completed the risk of flooding in the town will be greatly reduced and hopefully ease residents’ concerns.
“Over the coming months we will continue to carry out our routine maintenance on the watercourse to make sure the river flows as well as possible.
“This is likely to include some tree maintenance where we will remove lower branches to reduce the risk of blockages.
“We’ll carry out the work each year so the channel is as clear as possible.”
Source: Morpeth Herald - Full Story

SQUIRREL POX VIRUS IN DARRAS HALL

A dead red squirrel has been found with suspected
Squirrel Pox Virus

Squirrel Pox Virus is carried by grey squirrels but causes them no harm. However, it is ALWAYS fatal in red squirrels, causing a terrible death. First symptoms include lethargy and poor coordination, with swelling and lesions soon developing around the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, paws and genitals. The virus weakens and physically impairs the squirrel making it difficult to feed and vulnerable to predators. The lesions and open sores cause secondary infections. Death occurs within 2 weeks.

PLEASE REPORT ANY SUSPECTED POORLY RED SQUIRRELS TO US IMMEDIATELY

PLEASE ALSO REPORT GREY SQUIRRELS

AS SOON AS YOU SEE THEM

www.pontelandredsquirrels.co.uk

Keith snaps up top photography award

A PONTELAND photographer's sporting shots have seen him receive a prestigious distinction award from a national organisation.

Keith Robertson, who has been taking pictures for the Morpeth Herald and Northumberland Gazette for the last 24 years, now has the Associateship of the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) in Applied Visual Journalism.

The 15 photographs submitted to the judging panel covered a wide range of sports and met the high standard required – with all five of the judges approving them.

Mr Robertson, who can now use ARPS after his name, also had to include a statement of intent and his said that the photos represented the concentration, intensity and aggression of sport.

"I'm delighted to receive this accolade and it's a great achievement because they are looking for a high standard of technical skill," he said.

"It took quite a bit of time to get everything ready, as each photograph needs to be perfectly presented on a board and they had to be sent off in a special case, but it was definitely worth it.

"I have to thank the Morpeth and Ponteland sports clubs as they have given me a lot more access than other photographers get because of the relationships I've built up with them over the years, as well as the Herald and Gazette for giving me the opportunity to take pictures for them."

The Associateship is the middle of the three distinctions photographers can get from the RPS.

The 66-year-old Darras Hall resident achieved the first level Licentiateship 15 years ago and he said he may try to get the highest distinction, the Fellowship, in future years.

Mr Robertson is President of the Hexham and District Photographic Society and a photographic judge appointed by the Northern Counties Photographic Society.

His wife, Olive, is also a keen photographer and she successfully achieved her Licentiateship last year.

Source: Morpeth herald

ROTARY "FOCUS ON THE CROCUS"

Pupils in the Gardening Club at Ponteland County First School planting 250 purple crocus bulbs with Master-in-Charge Philip Vincent.  Also pictured are Raymond Tipping, President of Ponteland Rotary Club and Bob Crosby, Senior Vice-President. This is part of a nationwide Rotary Project to publicise steps being taken to eradicate Polio in the Third World. There are five and a half million purple crocus bulbs being planted nationwide during October with a headline publicity event in Trafalgar Square. This should produce a show of purple throughout the UK in February 2011 when Rotary's 'Thanks for Life' Campaign will reach its peak. The 'Ruby Giant' crocus represents the coloured dye dabbed on children's little finger to indicate they have been immunised against Polio.

Some 4000 bulbs will be planted by Rotary in Ponteland at schools, in Ponteland Park and on Rotary Way.

Policing Surgery Ponteland

East Tynedale Local Policing Team would like to invite you to a Neighbourhood Policing Surgery to be held in Ponteland.
These sessions give members of the public a chance to meet their local Community Support Officer and to discuss any community concerns they may have.
The next local drop in session will be held at Ponteland Library, Thornhill Road, Ponteland, NE20 9PZ. on Saturday October 9th, from 11 am - 12 pm.