Holiday Pharmacy Openings

THE following list details pharmacy opening times over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Boots UK, 7 The Broadway, Darras Hall, Ponteland: Christmas Eve, 8am to 1pm, 2.30pm to 4pm; Christmas Day, closed; Boxing Day, closed; Tuesday, December 27, 10am to 3pm; New Year's Eve, 8am to 1pm, 2.30pm to 4pm; New Year's Day, closed; Monday, January 2, closed.

Parklands Chemist, 14 Merton Way, Ponteland: Christmas Eve, 9am to 3pm; Christmas Day, closed; Boxing Day, closed; Tuesday, December 27, closed; New Year's Eve, 9am to 3pm; New Year's Day, closed; Monday, January 2, closed.

Taylor's Pharmacy, Brewery Lane, 25 Main Street, Ponteland: Christmas Eve, 8.30am to 12.30pm; Christmas Day, closed; Boxing Day, closed; Tuesday, December 27, closed; New Year's Eve, 8.30am to 12.30pm; New Year's Day, closed; Monday, January 2, closed.

Boots UK, 41 Bridge Street, Morpeth: Christmas Eve, 9am to 2pm, 3pm to 5.30pm; Christmas Day, closed; Boxing Day, 10am to 4pm; Tuesday, December 27, 10am to 4pm; New Year's Eve, 9am to 2pm, 3pm to 5.30pm; New Year's Day, closed; Monday, January 2, 10am to 4pm.

l Boots Pharmacy, 18a Manchester Street, Morpeth: Christmas Eve, 9am to noon; Christmas Day, closed; Boxing Day, closed; Tuesday, December 27, closed; New Year's Eve, 9am to noon; New Year's Day, closed; Monday, January 2, closed.

l Boots Pharmacy, 3 Market Place, Morpeth: Christmas Eve, 8.45am to 5pm; Christmas Day, closed; Boxing Day, closed; Tuesday, December 27, closed; New Year's Eve, 8.45am to 5pm; New Year's Day, closed; Monday, January 2, closed.

Source: Morpeth Herald

Alnwick Garden Challenges Ponteland High School Students

A group of post-16 students from Ponteland High School have been demonstrating their skills as sales people this term.

The students have taken part in an enterprising challenge organised by the Alnwick Garden and the Duchess of Northumberland. The students [Charlie Potter, Priya Chowdhry, Charles Westbury, Sabah Din, Andrew Hayes and Andy Tang] had to work to demonstrate their sales skills by selling some of Alnwick Gardens' more eccentric stock from their gift shop warehouse, from novelty duck- shaped watering cans to hedgehog shoe cleaners.

The teacher running the challenge at Ponteland High School, Mr Mark Tippins, said:  "The challenge is not as easy as it sounds. The students were given some really challenging products to sell and a relatively short time to do it in. This activity challenged the students to really think about what they were doing, plan and strategise their sales and aimed to test their skills. At the presentation event at the Alnwick Gardens on 8 December, they had to present their sales records to the judges and other schools. They did the school and themselves proud." 

In all, the students made £545, with stock left over at the end of the challenge. The students involved said: "We really enjoyed the challenge. We didn't win the competition but we learned a lot about ourselves and our skills".  The money was raised using local contacts, taking part in school Christmas Fairs, selling at parents evenings and even approaching local businesses to see if they could get their stock on the shelves.

Katie Scott from Northumberland County Council, one of the organisers at Alnwick Garden said: "The event is meant to challenge students. They had to organise their time, work well as a team and be confident in their sales pitch to succeed. It really was an exercise in enterprising education."

Competitions and events like this happen quite often at Ponteland High School, but this one definitely challenged the students and their perceptions of sales and the business world as a whole and the school looks forward to working with the Alnwick Gardens and other partners on future events.

If you have ideas for enterprising challenges for students in schools, or would like to be involved with future projects, you can get in touch with Mr Tippins at Ponteland High School.

Town Revamp Scheme is 'too Slow'

ANOTHER call has been made for Ponteland's £20million regeneration scheme to be progressed without further delay.

Ponteland Community Partnership (PCP) has written to Northumberland County Council to express its concerns about the hold-up in the project.

The organisation became involved in the process in 2007 after a previous regeneration masterplan by Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners was opposed by a large majority of residents.

It produced a design brief which, after public consultation in August 2007, received community approval the following February.

Two schemes working to the document were presented in February 2009 and, after its proposal was the most popular among local residents, investment property firm MKP Ponteland became the county council's preferred developer.

The first project meeting, at which representatives of the community group and Ponteland Town Council were present, took place in September of that year.

But the process has stalled and in the letter to the unitary authority's leader Jeff Reid, PCP Chairman Brian Prickett asks him to say why it has taken so long.

He says: "Over two years have passed (since the first project meeting) and we are still waiting to see any significant progress.

"There have been changes in personnel at NCC and many unanswered questions.

"The 12-month exclusivity agreement with the preferred developer has overrun by some nine months and the development agreement has yet to be agreed and approved by the NCC Executive.

"Apparently, there are many details to be settled about how a new library and One Stop Shop facility could be incorporated in the proposed community hub in the new development."

The town council is the other organisation to write to the county council about the situation in recent weeks.

The final chance for the Executive to make a decision before the end of the year is its meeting on December 19.

Source: Morpeth Herald

DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport Officially Opens

DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport today held its official grand opening ceremony with the Rt Hon. David Miliband MP in attendance, along with prominent business leaders from across the region. This tenth DoubleTree by Hilton UK location at the North East's largest airport, providing luxurious accommodations and outstanding meeting and event facilities, complements the airport's continued growth strategy which includes a terminal expansion and a focus on attracting the business community to the region with its connectivity and world class facilities.

Dave Laws, chief executive of Newcastle International, said: "As the first internationally branded hotel at the airport, the DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport is very much a sign of confidence in both the North East and in the airport. This iconic building is a gateway to our region delivering access to a global business network."

"The airport currently employs approximately 3,000 people from across the North East. With 4.5 million people expected to travel through Newcastle International in 2012, we see further potential for increased visitor numbers in 2013 which will bring economic benefit, investment and employment to the region."

David Miliband MP said: "The continued expansion of Newcastle Airport is great news not just for Newcastle but for our whole region. The North East has a lot to offer, whether it be our first class dedicated workforce, those coming to the region for weekend breaks or holidays or for those who choose one of the regions Universities to study at. The expansion programme at the airport will allow more people to come in and out of the region more quickly and efficiently, and to have a good quality hotel on site will add to the airports commitment of providing an excellent customer service".

The DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport is operated by Cairn Hotel Group under a franchise license agreement with a subsidiary of Hilton Worldwide. The Cairn Hotel Group, one of the leading private hotel owners in the UK, has invested over £30m in the hotel. It boasts 179 rooms, more than 2,200 square feet of flexible meeting space and conference facilities, a restaurant and bar, and is located less than a minute's walk from the airport's terminal.

Aran Handa, director of Cairn Hotel Group, said: "As a family business based in Newcastle, we were delighted to take over this very well-located hotel development and make the DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport a reality to welcome the world's travellers to the North East. More than 125 new jobs opportunities have been created across every department of the hotel – from senior management to entry-level roles that have the potential to lead to outstanding long-term careers in hospitality. Our team is excited to open this hotel under the DoubleTree by Hilton brand as part of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of hotels, and we look forward to greeting guests as well as local residents to our outstanding hotel and conference venue."

DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport guests will benefit from the characteristic qualities found at more than 270 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels and resorts in 22 countries around the world, including the warm welcome of the brand's legendary chocolate chip cookie presented to every guest upon check-in; an array of upscale amenities and guest services; the rewards of the Hilton HHonors guest loyalty programme; and a unique and caring team member commitment to the local community.

Gary Steffen, vice president – global brand performance, DoubleTree by Hilton, said: "DoubleTree by Hilton is delighted to continue expansion of our UK and European presence into the North East of England by introducing another outstanding hotel with the DoubleTree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport. The opening of our tenth location in the UK and the 25th hotel in Europe since 2008 is an extraordinary milestone. We hope that business- and leisure-oriented guests alike will enjoy our rewarding level of service, style and hospitality here in Newcastle with easy access to the North East's business and tourism interests from this great gateway location."

Customers wishing to stay at the Doubletree by Hilton Newcastle International Airport can book on the website: www.newcastleinternationalairport.doubletreebyhilton.com, or by calling the hotel direct on 01661 824266.

MP's concern at greenbelt housing plan

PONTELAND'S MP has raised concerns about housing plans on greenbelt land.

Land on the western edge of Newcastle's urban area etween the A69 and A696 at Callerton Park has been identified by its city council as a Strategic Growth Area for up to 6,500 new homes.

This forms part of a One Core Strategy long-term programme for house building in the Newcastle and Gateshead areas.

But Guy Opperman, MP for Hexham, has urged the authority to have a re-think and withdraw the Callerton Park proposals as they would significantly reduce the gap of green land between Newcastle and Ponteland.

"I think we can all agree that over the coming years Ponteland and Darras Hall will expand – after all it's a fantastic place to live," he said.

"But this development must be led by our local community, ideally through the town council, and done sensitively to local residents.

"What Newcastle needs, like many areas, is affordable sustainable development. You only have to drive towards the city centre to see a huge number of brownfield sites which could be developed and areas where regeneration has stalled for too long or even stopped.

"What no one needs is the council and big developers looking to make a quick buck off the back of a cash crop housing estate in the greenbelt."

He is urging Ponteland residents to have their say on the plans, which are currently out for consultation via the Newcastle City Council website. The deadline to make comments is January 4.

Source: Morpeth Herald

Major Funding Boost to Protect Native Species

ALMOST a quarter of a million pounds in funding has been given to promote red squirrel protection across the North East.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded a grant of £247,700 to Northumberland Wildlife Trust to support the four-year Red Squirrels Northern England project.

The money will be used to bring urban and rural Northumberland communities together to protect the red squirrel and find out more about the species.

There will be guided walks and talks, local schools will be able to go on field trips to learn how to record red squirrel activity and volunteers will be trained in order to 'adopt a woodland', where they will be responsible for regular squirrel monitoring.

The wildlife trust will work with partners Natural England, the Red Squirrel Survival Trust and Forestry Commission to deliver the programme, and 25 'focus communities' will also be involved.

Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund North East Ivor Crowther said: "We have some wonderful native wildlife in the North East and collectively we have a responsibility to ensure its survival.

"This project will give people of all ages the opportunity to learn more about the famous red squirrel and help monitor and record squirrel activity and the role it plays in the North East's ecosystem.

"The Heritage Lottery Fund is proud to be a part of this project that will inspire and empower local people to help safeguard this important species for future generations."

Many of the remaining 15,000 red squirrels in mainland England live in the North East, but they face threats from grey squirrels due to resource competition and disease.

The overall conservation project aims to ensure red squirrels maintain, and where possible increase, their geographical range through grey squirrel control, and to obtain detailed scientific evidence tracking red squirrel populations.

However, no part of the lottery grant will be used for grey squirrel control.

Project Manager Nick Mason said: "We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund can help us develop new grassroots red squirrel conservation activity in Northumberland.

"Effective local red squirrel groups, like Ponteland Red Squirrels, make a huge conservation contribution and this project will encourage new groups to form and existing groups to grow."

Ponteland Red Squirrel Group Secretary Sally Hardy said: "This exciting funding will help local groups grow their skills and capacity, while allowing us to offer assistance to new communities interested in conserving red squirrels.

"The Northumberland groups can't wait to get started."

Source: Morpeth Herald

Council Gets Set for the Winter

PONTELAND Town Council has improved its snow and ice clearing equipment in case the bad winter weather returns to the area.

The authority agreed to spend up to £1,800 on a wheel-driven rock salt spreader and a wider snow plough to fit on the front of a machine to help its workers clear footpaths.

Mayor Peter Cowey said: “In case we have another winter full of snow, I would like us to be as well prepared as possible.

“Getting these items will enable our workers to do their job better and faster than in previous years.”

Councillors also approved a recommendation to buy another 10 tonnes of rock salt for £1,400 as there is enough room for it in the storage facility the authority is using.

Town Council Clerk Kath Mavin said: “If you want to have the extra salt, it will be better to get it now rather than when the snow comes because you can’t get it then.

“The salt will be stored in bags so if we have a mild winter, it can be used next year.”

Coun Richard Hutchinson added: “I hope that once again the council will encourage residents, who are able, to do some clearing work outside their home themselves and in their street if their neighbours need help.”

Source: Morpeth Herald

Towns fall silent to honour the fallen

MORPETH and Ponteland will fall silent to honour the fallen at Remembrance events.

A two-minute silence will be held in Morpeth Market Place at 11am tomorrow to pay tribute to members of the Armed Forces who have given their lives in service to their country.

Before then, the buglers and standard bearers will take position, there will be addresses by Rev Tony Curtis and Mayor Phil Taylor and the Last Post will be sounded.

There will also be an Armistice Day ceremony at County Hall, Loansdean, at the same time.

War veterans and representatives of the RAF, Royal British Legion and Royal Regiment of Fusiliers as well as Northumberland County Council will join together for the service, which will include the laying of poppies at the war memorial.

Anyone wishing to attend the ceremony is asked to assemble at the memorial near the entrance to County Hall at 10.40am.

Those who would like to lay a wreath should arrive at reception by 10.30am for a short briefing.

On Sunday, a parade will set off from Morpeth Town Hall at 10.35am to the Cenotaph via Bridge Street, Castle Square and Castle Bank.

It will be led by Morpeth Pipe Band, which will play a traditional air at the service, and others who will be marching include councillors, Freemen of Morpeth, Honorary Aldermen, the Royal British Legion, veterans and representatives of the Armed Forces and emergency services.

The service will include a prayer by the Rector of Morpeth, Rev Robert McLean, the exhortation, the placing of wreaths and the singing of the national anthem, led by King Edward VI School student Rebecca Megwa.

On arrival back at the Town Hall, the parade will march past and commanders will call 'eyes left' for the Mayor to take the salute.

In Ponteland, the Act of Remembrance will be held outside the Memorial Hall, from 10.55am. A parade, marshalled by the Officer Commanding 733 Squadron Air Training Corps, will travel to the building from the Leisure Centre at 10.45am.

Representatives of the Ponteland Clergy will take the service. At 11am a two minutes' silence will be observed at the War Memorial, after which wreaths will be laid.

Source: Morpeth Herald

FATHER VINCENT MELIA

FATHER VINCENT MELIA

Ponteland parish has lost a wonderful priest and a lovely friend with the death last week of Father Vincent Melia.  Aged 81 years he was looked after latterly by the Little Sisters of the Poor, also known as St Joseph’s,  at their home on Westmoreland Road in Newcastle.  His brother Michael is presently a resident with them.

Father Melia came to St Matthew’s  Roman Catholic Church in Ponteland in 1976 after the death of Father Leo Doyle and he was able to use money left by Father Doyle to extend the church to its present size.   He was in charge of the parish but was never parochial and he was a motivated to pursue ecumenical projects cooperating with the other churches in Ponteland, St Mary’s, the Methodists and the United Reform Church.  The churches combined for some events at Christian festivals such as Christmas carol services and the Raising of the Cross at Easter, and in village events such as the Party in the Park.  People of all kinds, old and young, rich and poor, Catholic, Protestant or of no faith, counted for Father Melia and he was generous both with his time and his hospitality.  He was friends with everyone.

Born in 1930 in Gateshead, Father Melia and his older brother Michael both eventually attended the Roman Catholic Ushaw College in Durham to train for the ministry.  Ordained in 1956 Father Melia had a number of postings south of the river Tyne before he came to Ponteland.  He was very well known and was a familiar figure on his scooter as he travelled to all parts of the parish and into Newcastle.   He helped people in the West End of Newcastle, often taking furniture or unwanted domestic machines for refugees or to those in hard times.   Once, when he was doing a good deed in Benwell, his scooter was nicked and stripped of its parts and he was unable to get about so easily.  However, a local business man heard of his plight and donated a spanking new Suzuki for the peripatetic priest to allow him to answer his calls and see his parishioners and friends.

Vincent Melia had a fine musical talent and a tenor voice, great assets for a priest leading his congregation.   He also played the guitar and encouraged the choir at St Matthew’s which is still going well.  He looked after the children’s needs with annual trips to Sunderland for ice skating and to the Panto at Christmas, and the pensioners had a luncheon club and an annual outing.

A number of trips were made to Lourdes with his parishioners and he made a once in a lifetime trip to India with a small group from his congregation, some of Indian origin.  This was a gift to him from a grateful church who donated the necessary funds.

Father Melia was presented in 2007 with an engraved bowl by the then parish chairman, Frank Harrington, to mark thirty years of distinguished service to people of all faiths in Ponteland.  Asked if he was considering retiring he said, ‘I could retire but where would I go?  I love the people here.  They are my friends.’   In fact the Bishop had proposed to move him on but this was fiercely resisted by his flock and he was able to stay in Ponteland.  Father Melia enjoyed his visits to the Club, or CIU, on Merton Way and enjoyed a pint and a chat with the regulars.  After Father Melia’s funeral on Monday last everyone, and there was a big crowd, was invited to the Club for refreshments.  He planned this party before his death and made the necessary arrangements.   We shall all miss him.  He is irreplaceable.

The priest who has been taking the services recently is Father Seamus O’Kane who is based at St Mark’s in Westerhope and he will now be in charge of Ponteland as well.

Study pays off for advice volunteers

TWO women are providing a helping hand to residents in the former Castle Morpeth area after eight months of devoted study.

Liz Bratton and Julie Barham began their journey to become Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) advisers in January.

And after getting the qualifications they needed, the dedicated volunteers are now on-hand to offer free and independent advice at the Morpeth-based DAWN CAB.

Throughout their training they studied a variety of modules to ensure they are able to provide well-informed advice on a number of matters, ranging from housing, debt and benefits to employment, relationships and consumer issues.

Mrs Barham, who lives in Ponteland, decided to become a volunteer adviser after moving to Northumberland with her husband Peter.

The 49-year-old said: "The support which we received during our training was marvellous. The training is quite intense, but the whole Morpeth team was behind us and were so encouraging.

"I'm really looking forward to meeting people and being able to help and support them as they work through their issues.

"As our children have left home now I was looking for a new challenge and what could be more interesting and rewarding than becoming a Citizens Advice volunteer."

Mrs Bratton, 62, of Wingates, contacted Citizens Advice to offer her help after seeing the effects of the recession on the region.

She said: "After retiring I had more time and wanted to do something constructive with my days.

"After looking into volunteering with Citizens Advice I decided get involved and I definitely haven't looked back. It's so satisfying to know we're helping to make a difference."

Chief Executive of DAWN Advice Liz Chadwick said advisers need to be able to quickly identify appropriate solutions for their clients while also being capable of recognising any secondary issues that may also be causing them problems.

"Julie and Liz have worked extremely hard and have proved exactly how dedicated they are by completing their training in just eight months," she added.

"We are absolutely thrilled to have them on board and to welcome them to our team of advisers.

"We are always on the lookout for volunteers and would love to hear from anybody else who thinks they could help."

For more information about volunteering telephone 01670 785500.

Source: Morpeth Herald

BALMAN GALLERY. CORBRIDGE, WINTER SHOW, 11TH NOVEMBER 2100 TO 31ST JANUARY 2012

Exhibition runs from 11^th November 2011 to January 31^st 2012. For immediate release.

Winter Exhibition: Mark Demsteader, Kazuhito Takadoi and Jenny Holm Feature at Balman Gallery

Balman Gallery’s winter show features a rich and varied collection of drawings and paintings by Mark Demsteader, Kazuhito Takadoi and Jenny Holm. The exhibition runs from 11^th November 2011 to 31^st January 2012. 

Mark Demsteader, a leading British figurative painter, achieved acclaim this year for his 34 portrayals of ‘Harry Potter’ actress and Burberry fashion muse Emma Watson (on her 21^st birthday). Newcastle-based Jenny Holm is known for her magical, mythical subject matter, whilst Kazuhito Takadoi’s work contrasts with both, created from natural materials and focusing on shadows, seasonal changes, decay and rebirth.

Mark Demsteader was born in 1963 in Manchester and still lives there. Growing up in Manchester’s meat market, absorbing details of bone and line, nurtured his awareness of human form. He studied for a foundation degree, but is largely self taught, having spent years studying the human figure at life drawing classes. He took up a postgraduate position at the Slade School of Art in London. Mark conveys his models’ grace via pastel lines, applied in clean strokes, enriched by collage and skilful tonal variation. Having been widely and favourably reviewed, his career is now spreading into Japan. Mark has won several awards, including the Lyceum Prize and the Sidney Andrews Scholarship.

Kazuhito Takadoi studied at Hokkaido Agricultural and Horticultural School in Japan before moving to the UK to study at the Royal Horticultural Society at Wisley. This was followed in 1997 with a training programme at Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania, USA. In 1999, Kazuhito returned to the United Kingdom and spent a year working in a large private garden in Surrey. From there, he went on to study at Leeds Metropolitan University, graduating in 2003 with a BA Hons in Art and Garden Design. Kazuhito’s elegant mixed media art is created from natural materials. He interprets his subjects, such as ‘Milky Way’, ‘Rain Drop’ and ‘Creation’ in a pure, distinctive style, using a calm palette. This internationally renowned artist has exhibited in the V and A Museum, the National Vlecht Museum, Holland and Sofa, Chicago, USA.

Finally, Jenny Holm is based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Having studied Graphic Design at the University of Northumbria and completed postgraduate studies in Art and Design at Leeds, Jenny lived in the South of France, where the landscapes and quality of light had a lasting effect on her painting. Jenny’s work inhabits magical worlds of fairytale and myth, rich in atmosphere and dark undercurrents. Human and animal figures are distinctively drawn and compelling. There is a menacing subtext to these outwardly charming images, recalling the wolfish ‘Red Riding Hood’, rather than sweet ‘Cinderella’. The narrative content of the stories within the paintings is intriguingly suggested, inviting individual response. Jenny’s work is held in collections in Canada, Denmark, France and the UK.

Preview weekend, with complimentary wine, Friday 11^th November, 10-8, Saturday 12^th, 10-5 and Sunday 13^th 12-4. Normal opening hours: 10-5, Mon-Sat.

Quotes

Mark Demsteader: ‘My figurative work is about movement, dynamism and expression’.

Kazuhito Takadoi: ‘I like the colours in Nature. I marvel at the constant changes throughout the year. I am fascinated by shadows, from the deepest black in midsummer to pale silver grey in the weak winter sun. I take joy in slow decay, when everything eventually returns to the earth, only to be re-born.’

Jenny Holm: ‘I am interested in exploring the nature of relationships between people and between people and animals, and how this affects the way they perceive their place in the world’.

Ends

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Contact Andy Balman, Director, Balman Gallery, Town Hall Buildings, Princes Street, Corbridge, Northumberland NE45 5AD; tel. 01434 634629; email info@balmangallery.com; Margaret Burt, marketing@balmangallery.com; website www.balmangallery.com. Free admission.