Schools help village get back to nature at new wildlife reserve

Daniel Hadfield , Mrs Emma Wilson ,Grace Lambert , Olivia Marrion
Kyle Roberts and Joe Burrel

A NEW nature reserve has been opened in Ponteland after the stunning transformation of a pond.

Students and staff from Ponteland High and Middle Schools took action to clean up the neglected site, which was full of rubbish, in 2009 and after an exciting discovery other organisations came on board.

The reserve was unveiled yesterday at a public opening ceremony and it is hoped that even more wildlife will regularly visit the pond and surrounding woodland, which are within the grounds shared by the two schools.

The area was being misused by small groups of youths engaged in anti-social behaviour, such as vandalism and littering, so it was given extra attention by police and community wardens.

Once these problems had been substantially reduced, students, school staff and Chairman of Governors Mike Brown joined forces to tidy up the area, prune trees and clear the pond.

Pupil Hannah Patterson spotted a number of tiny amphibians in the pond's murky waters and Northumberland Wildlife Trust Officer Steve Lowe confirmed they were great crested newts — a protected species whose numbers are dwindling nationally due to the loss of their wetland habitat.

A project to create a nature reserve was then formed.

Outside funding and partner organisations were secured by Ponteland High's Business Manager Gordon Baldwin and Ponteland West county councillor Veronica Jones.

Additional support for the scheme came from Northumberland County Council's Local Multi-Agency Problem Solving group, as well as other schools and community agencies.

A focus group was set up and organised actions such as fencing, footpaths and habitat management. Litter sweeps were also conducted by the Community Payback Team from Northumberland Probation Service.

EcoNorth, the ecological consultancy for Northumberland Wildlife Trust, recently installed an interpretation board, nest boxes and a pond-dipping platform for use by students.

Ponteland High School Headteacher Stephen Prandle said: "This project is a prime example of the excellent results that can be achieved when students take the initiative and collaborate closely with agencies and the wider community.

"Everyone involved deserves the highest praise for their initiative and hard work."

The pond and woodland are a magnet for several breeds of birds, insects, and other amphibians such as frogs.

The project was named runner-up in this year's county council-backed Love Northumberland awards.

Part of the prize that the schools received were 50 broad-leaved woodland trees, which will be planted in January.

There are also plans to install some countryside seats to benefit the local community.

Source: Morpeth Herald

Pupils get on their marks for charity

STAFF and students at a Ponteland school put on their running shoes at the weekend to help a range of charities.

More than 20 boys and girls from Richard Coates Middle School took part in the Junior Great North Run on Saturday in aid of St Oswald's Hospice.

They are hoping to raise around £700 and beat the total amount they collected after last year's event.

Three members of staff were truly exhausted by their efforts, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience of their maiden attempts at the Great North Run on Sunday.

One of the trio was running for St Oswald's and the others were raising money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Source: Morpeth Herald

Kids get to wear beer goggles

PROGRESS is being made to reinvigorate a youth service's activities in Ponteland.

Sessions for 13 to 19-year-olds were held during the summer holidays to help raise awareness of what is on offer in their area.

The Northumberland Youth Service West team, which was set up in April following a restructuring process, has also been engaging with youngsters on the streets.

Ashley Brown, Senior Youth Worker for the West Area, said at a meeting of Ponteland Town Council: "We have been working to get the service in Ponteland back on track after things slipped a little last year.

"This includes re-establishing our relationships with young people and that's why I made sure activities were available throughout the six weeks holidays. We are also working more closely with Ponteland High School.

"We are trying to give them as many opportunities as possible to play football and other games and we have recently started a cookery group.

"Detached work on the streets is taking place on Friday evenings and some Wednesdays. If the weather isn't good we do have access to a room at Merton Hall."

He added that one of the educational sessions which took place over the summer raised awareness of alcohol issues. It included giving the young people special 'beer goggles' equipment to put on to show them the effects of being drunk.

Source: Morpeth Herald

Shy singers find their rock voice

SHY singers can find their voice as a new Rock Choir term begins in Ponteland.
The national scheme, which features in ITV1's series The Choir That Rocks, offers pop, gospel and Motown singing to all ages.
It is particularly popular with adults and no auditions are required, nor is the ability to read music. No one ever has to sing on their own.
Fun rehearsals lead to performances at various community and national events and members will learn arrangements of songs from artists such as Amy Winehouse, Abba, Queen, Phil Collins and Take That.
Caroline Redman Lusher, who founded the scheme in Surrey, said: "I wanted to introduce a new type of glamorous singing to communities that allowed anyone and everyone to come together and enjoy pop songs in a non-threatening environment.
"Contemporary music can make such an impact on all of us and even though listening to these songs can uplift us, singing them is even better."
Rock Choir rehearsals began in Ponteland this week. Anyone wishing to try a free taster session should visit www.rockchoir.com or call 01252 714276 to book a place.
Source: Morpeth Herald

Village rises to the challenge

Maria Shuttleworth with her winning chrysanthamums. Photograph Keith Robertson

RESIDENTS rose to the challenge and produced some fantastic entries for this year's Ponteland Parish Flower Show.

About 300 people came along to Ponteland Memorial Hall on Saturday to see the items – which included flowers, vegetables, handicrafts, fruit and photographs.

The children's section was well supported and the display of entries of a flower decoration in an egg cup for the under nines was extremely colourful, making it a difficult one to judge.

The display by the Ponteland Floral Art Club and the Callerton Garden and Flower Club illustrating film titles was extremely imaginative and it showed the high standard of local talent.

After the prizes were handed out, there was an auction of produce and flowers to help pay for the show and start the fund-raising for next year's event.

Show Chairman Syd Cowan said: "The day went very well and we were very pleased to see some new exhibitors, which seems to happen every year. The overall quality was once again excellent and this year the entrants had to cope with the challenge of summer weather in April and autumn weather in July and August.

"I would like to thank the judges, stewards, voluntary show committee and Memorial Hall caretaker for their contributions to making this event a success.

"We were also thrilled that the Mayor and Mayoress of Ponteland attended the show and helped with the presentation of trophies."

Earlier this year, the show committee made a donation of £500 to the Memorial Hall after holding a Chinese banquet.

RESULTS

Trophy and award winners – Ponteland Parish Council Challenge Salver for best pot plant: Basil Scott; Northumberland Fuchsia Society Trophy for best fuchsia: Ken Pleasants; Bobby Thompson Memorial Trophy for best hybrid tea roses: Mike Sadler; Alan Cowell Award for best hanging basket: Syd Cowan; Bob Woolley Award for best dahlias: Cranston Cuthbert; Ponteland Parish Council Challenge Rose Bowl for best cut flowers: Margaret Cowan; Bobby Thompson Memorial Trophy for best heather exhibit: Dorothy Warner; Bill Crow Memorial Quaich for most points in heather classes: Warners; Ponteland Parish Council Challenge Trophy for best exhibit in vegetables: Bob Butcher; Rotary Club of Ponteland Children's Trophy for best handwriting: Ashvee Shah; Ponteland Town Council Trophy for best Ponteland poem: Ellie Afflick-Ward; Ponteland Ladies' Circle Challenge Award for best exhibit in children's classes: Jessica Easton; Mary Anderson Shield for most points in children's classes: Kristin Morgan; Stanley C. Dytham Cookery Perpetual Challenge Trophy for most points in cookery classes: Irene Halliday; Margaret Dodsworth Championship Trophies (senior and junior) for best apple pies: Jean Sadler (senior) and William Pilsbury (junior); Thornhill Women's Institute Trophy for best exhibit in handicrafts: Jack Hetherington; Women's Institute Challenge Salver for most points in handicrafts: Maria Shuttleworth; Barbara White Memorial Trophy for best exhibit in art: Christine Forster; T. Geoffrey Willey Photographic Cup for best exhibit in photography: Mike Sadler.

Flower classes – Pot plant (flowering): 1 Basil Scott, 2 C&D Butler, 3 Marion Prince; Pot plant (foliage): 1 Irene Bruce, 2 C&D Butler; One fuchsia: 1 Ken Pleasants, 2 and 3 Irene Bruce; One coleus: 1 and 2 Maria Shuttleworth; One cactus or succulent plant: 1 and 2 John Angel; One vase of mixed flowers: 1 Margaret Cowan, 2 David Goodchild, 3 Marion Prince; Three chrysanthemum blooms: 1, 2 and 3 Maria Shuttleworth; Three hybrid tea roses: 1, 2 and 3 Mike Sadler; One hybrid tea rose: 1 Mike Sadler, 2 Margaret Cowan, 3 Freda Hetherington; One stem floribunda rose: 1 Freda Hetherington; Hanging basket: 1 Syd Cowan, 2 Basil Scott, 3 Marion Prince; One gladiolus spike: 1 John Turner, 2 and 3 Mrs Porter; Three spikes of gladioli: 1 Marion Prince, 2 Syd Cowan, 3 Maria Shuttleworth; Three cactus dahlias (small): 1 and 2 Cranston Cuthbert, 3 David Goodchild; Three cactus dahlias (medium): 1 Maria Shuttleworth; Three decorative dahlias (min or small): 1 and 2 Cranston Cuthbert, 3 David Goodchild; Three decorative dahlias (medium): 1 and 2 Audrey Christie; One vase of seven dahlias: 1 Cranston Cuthbert, 2 Maria Shuttleworth, 3 Audrey Christie; One vase of mixed sweet peas: 1 and 2 Maria Shuttleworth, 3 Mike Sadler; One vase of five pinks: 1 Marion Prince; Four pansies: 1 Mike Sadler, 2 and 3 Syd Cowan; One saintpaulia: 1 Lucinda Porter; One Lady's spray: 1 Margaret Cowan, 2 Cranston Cuthbert, 3 Irene Straughan; One Gentleman's buttonhole: 1 Margaret Cowan, 2 and 3 Irene Straughan; Heathers (single, white): 1 John Turner, 2 Dorothy Wild, 3 D&G Warner; Heathers (single, coloured): 1 John Turner, 2 D&G Warner, 3 Dorothy Wild; Heathers (double, white): 1 R Nichols; Heathers (double, coloured): 1 and 2 D&G Warner, 3 R Nichols; Basket of heathers: 1 D Warner, 2 John Turner; Buttonhole made from heathers: 1 and 2 Dorothy Wild.

Vegetable classes – Three beetroot: 1 and 2 J Hinchley, 3 Bob Butcher; One cabbage: 1 and 2 Bob Butcher, 3 C&D Butler; Two carrots (long): 1 and 2 Bob Butcher, 3 David Goodchild; Two carrots (stump or intermediate): 1 and 2 Bob Butcher, 3 David Goodchild; One cauliflower: 1 and 2 Bob Butcher; One cucumber (greenhouse, long): 1 C&D Butler, 2 Penny Hewitt; One lettuce: 1 John Hinchley, 2 Penny Hewitt, 3 Basil Scott; Two leeks (blanch): 1 and 2 Tony Murphy, 3 Basil Scott; Two leeks (not blanch): 1 Tony Murphy; One marrow (quality): 1 Kathleen Farquhar, 2 and 3 C&D Butler; One marrow (heaviest): 1, 2 and 3 J Hinchley; Two parsnips: 1 and 2 Bob Butcher; Three onions from seed: 1 Bob Butcher, 2 David Goodchild, 3 Bob Butcher; Three onions from sets: 1 Basil Scott, 2 and 3 Bob Butcher; Four onions weighing less than two pounds: 1, 2 and 3 Bob Butcher; Six shallots: 1, 2 and 3 Bob Butcher; Two courgettes: 1, 2 and 3 Sandy Christie; Five tomatoes: 1 and 2 Irene Bruce, 3 Mrs Porter; Nine cherry tomatoes: 1 Marion Prince, 2 and 3 Penny Hewitt; Six pods of peas: 1 and 2 Penny Hewitt; Six pods of runner beans: 1 Sandy Christie, 2 and 3 David Goodchild; Six pods of French beans: 1 and 2 Syd Cowan, 3 C&D Butler; Six pods of any other beans: 1, 2 and 3 Bob Butcher; Four potatoes (white): 1, 2 and 3 Bob Butcher; Four potatoes (coloured): 1, 2 and 3 Bob Butcher; Collection of potatoes: 1 Bob Butcher; Two globe turnips: 1 Sandy Christie; Four capsicums: 1 Marion Prince, 2 David Goodchild; Any other vegetables: 1 and 2 Syd Cowan, 3 Marion Prince; Vegetable collection (one each of three kinds): 1 and 2 Bob Butcher, 3 Tony Murphy; Basket of plenty: 1 David Goodchild, 2 and 3 Bob Butcher.

Fruit classes – Apples (culinary): 1 Kathleen Farquhar, 2 Irene Straughan, 3 David Goodchild; Apples (dessert): 1 L Carter, 2 S Easton, 3 Grange Lea care home; Plums: 1 Audrey Christie, 2 C&D Butler, 3 L Carter; Any other fruit: 1 Audrey Christie, 2 Mike Sadler, 3 Irene Straughan; Grapes: 1 and 2 Christine Liddell, 3 Syd Cowan.

Children's classes – Flower decoration in egg cup: 1 Alice Cowell, 2 Ellie Ridout, 3 Amelia Riley; Christmas tree bauble: 1 Molly Knowles, 2 Sophie Nesbitt, 3 Francesca Turnbull; Miniature garden: 1 Georgia Morrow, 2 Emma Renton, 3 Sophia Riley; An insect: 1 Isabella Hull, 2 Molly Storer, 3 Amy Sparshott; Textured picture: 1 Francesca Turnbull, 2 Sophia Riley, 3 Eve Ward; Handwriting (under seven years): 1 Ashvee Shah, 2 Sophie Johnson, 3 Gabriella Turnbull; Handwriting (seven to nine years): 1 Sophie Nesbitt, 2 Emma Fatkin, 3 Molly Knowles; A poem for Ponteland: 1 Ellie Afflick-Ward, 2 Katie Winters, 3 Sarah Smith; A decorated gift bag: 1 Kristin Morgan, 2 Anna Harris, 3 Alex Eden; FIMO or clay model: 1 Kristin Morgan, 2 Megan Winter, 3 Sophie Drew; Mr and Mrs Potato Head: 1 Katie Winters, 2 Alex Eden, 3 Katherine Wilkes; Three pieces of traybake: 1 Anna Harris, 2 Katie Winters, 3 Evie Austin; Apple pie: 1 William Pilsbury, 2 Amelia McKenna, 3 Kristin Morgan.

Cookery classes – One jar of marmalade: 1 Mary Guy, 2 Penny Hewitt, 3 Syd Cowan; One jar of fruit jelly: 1 Penny Hewitt, 2 and 3 Jack White; One jar of jam: 1 and 2 Penny Hewitt, 3 Syd Cowan; One jar of lemon curd: 1 Penny Hewitt, 2 V Hinchley; One jar of chutney: 1 Syd Cowan, 2 Tony Murphy, 3 Jack White; Apple pie: 1 and 2 Jean Sadler, 3 Irene Halliday; Four jam tarts: 1 Penny Hewitt, 2 Irene Halliday; Sultana cake: 1 Ann Reid, 2 Irene Halliday, 3 Penny Hewitt; Sandwich cake: 1 and 2 Irene Bruce, 3 Penny Hewitt; Four cupcakes: 1, 2 and 3 Irene Halliday; Bread loaf: 1 Irene Halliday; Lemon meringue pie: 1 Irene Bruce, 2 Tony Price; Four ginger snaps/biscuits: 1, 2 and 3 Jean Sadler; Four cheese scones: 1 Irene Halliday, 2 Grange Lea care home, 3 Irene Bruce; Four pieces of traybake: 1 Ann Reid, 2 Grange Lea care home, 3 Joyce Rawlings.

Handicraft classes – Hand-made toy: 1 Maria Shuttleworth, 2 Lucinda Porter, 3 Mary Guy; Item of beadwork: 1 and 2 Penny Morris; Hand-knitted article: 1, 2 and 3 Irene Bruce; Any other craft: 1 Maria Shuttleworth, 2 Marina Catchpole, 3 Maria Shuttleworth; Any other craft in wood: 1 Jack Hetherington; Embroidered article: 1 and 2 Maria Shuttleworth, 3 Betty Ladkin; Cross-stitch: 1 Wendy Trevitt; Quilted item: 1 Wendy Trevitt, 2 and 3 Maria Shuttleworth; Oil painting: 1 George Ridley, 2 Cranston Cuthbert; Water colour: 1 and 2 Christine Forster, 3 Jack Hetherington; Line drawing: 1 Jack Hetherington; Acrylic painting: 1 Mike Brown.

Wines – White wine: 1 and 2 Syd Cowan, 3 Christine Forster; Red wine: 1, 2 and 3 Syd Cowan.

Photography classes – Natural history: 1 Mike Sadler, 2 Annabel Andrews, 3 Mike Sadler; Family holidays: 1 Mike Sadler, 2 Kristin Morgan; Hobby: 1 Mike Sadler; Water: 1 Mike Sadler, 2 Don Foster, 3 Mike Sadler; Animal photo: 1 Jonathan Kellagher, 2 Mike Sadler, 3 Kristin Morgan; Children's snapshot (under nine years): 1 Rebecca Grezo, 2 Georgia Morrow, 3 Chloe Petts; Children's snapshot (nine to 14 years): 1 Harvey Robertson, 2 Evie Austin, 3 Kristin Morgan.

Source: Morpeth Herald

Alnwick Garden helps Ponteland man celebrate 100th birthday

A PROUD centenarian enjoyed a belated 100th birthday celebration yesterday – with a kiss from a Duchess during a special visit to one of his favourite haunts.

Former professional photographer Geoff Willey reached the milestone last month, but got a second bite of the cherry yesterday courtesy of the Duchess of Northumberland and staff at her Alnwick Garden tourist attraction.

The widower travelled from his home in Ponteland to have a cup of tea and a lengthy chat with the Duchess in the garden's Tree House restaurant, and was presented with a special 100th birthday cake made by catering staff.

He showed her a large collection of photographs which he has taken during numerous trips to the garden before it officially opened to visitors.

Mr Willey became so fascinated by the development of the attraction that he joined its Friends group and was a member for seven years.

His trips to Alnwick ended when he had to give up driving, but when staff heard he had planned another visit for his 100th birthday they decided to make a special occasion of it and organised yesterday's celebration. 

Mr Willey, who was driven to Alnwick by his friends and neighbours, Neil and Mary Mackley, was greeted by liaison director Ian August who filled him in on developments at the garden since his last visit two years ago.

He was then joined by the Duchess who chatted with him for 30 minutes over tea and birthday cake, browsing through his collection of photos and looking at a book which Mr Willey wrote about his life as a photographer when he was 98.

The Duchess finished the get together with a kiss for her guest, who she described as a "loyal supporter" of the garden, and said she hoped he would return every year on his birthday.

She said: "Mr Willey is a fascinating character who is so switched on and has amazing memories of his life as a photographer. He has an incredible collection of photographs of the garden from day one. He is an absolute inspiration to all of us hoping to also live to 100. He can remember everything and has a razor-sharp mind."

Mr Willey, whose wife Daphne died in the 1970s, originally comes from Scarborough but his work as a photographer brought him to Newcastle University in the 1960s. He later bought a house in Ponteland where he has lived ever since.

Yesterday he said: "It has been absolutely wonderful to come here and meet the Duchess today. I am so emotional that I have just bubbled over a few times.

"I first got interested in the Alnwick Garden when I was visiting the town and, as a typical photographer and nosey parker, noticed all this work going on behind fences.

"After that I got more involved and started coming over from Ponteland regularly to take photographs for my own records. Eventually I became a member of the Friends of the Garden."

Source: Journal Live

Ponteland Rugby Windfall

PONTELAND Rugby Club will be able to improve its facilities after receiving a major funding boost.

It has been given a £50,000 grant from Sport England's Protecting Playing Fields Olympic legacy fund.

This will improve its drainage and enable the club to turn an adjoining playing field into new training facilities.

Director of Rugby John Chappell said: "We have three senior teams and more than 300 boys and girls in the junior and youth sections.

"This puts enormous pressure on our training and playing areas – often resulting in lost training sessions and matches when the weather is bad.

"This money, along with financial support from some local councillors, will allow us to train and play more often.

"We will also be able to expand the girls' section and strengthen our links with the local schools by providing coaching sessions on site."

Under the scheme, all of the playing fields supported by the fund will be protected from developers for at least 25 years.

It is part of the Places People Play programme, which aims to bring the inspiration of a home Olympic and Paralympic Games into communities all over the country.

Sport England's Chairman, Richard Lewis, said: "These investments will transform the local pitches where many young people have their first experience of sport."

Source: Morpeth Herald

New seats to be installed

NEW public seats will be installed in a Ponteland shopping area.

Members of Ponteland Town Council agreed that a wooden bench seat in Broadway, Darras Hall, needed to be replaced as it is in poor condition.

The clerk submitted various options for consideration and after a vote, it was decided to purchase two steel seats which will be fixed back-to-back.

Coun Joyce Butcher said: "The bench seat is falling apart and it looks out of place with the rest of Broadway, so these new seats will give that particular area an uplift."

Source: Morpeth Herald

Continental Market in Ponteland

Delicious foods and crafts from around Europe will be on offer at a continental market being held in Ponteland later this month.

Traders will be setting up their stalls in Merton Way shopping precinct on 13, 14 and 15 September.

The products normally traded include French breads and patisserie, Italian coffees and cakes, Dutch pancakes, Spanish paella, German confectionary, Portugese cheeses, hams and pastries and Greek dried fruit and nuts.

Typical dried goods and crafts available could include jewellery from France, Holland and the Baltic countries, French soaps, handbags and fragrances, Danish pictures and Finnish craft ware and jumpers.

Northumberland County Council, through its Markets Strategy, encourages street markets which contribute an affordable and healthy alternative to main stream shopping options. It also acknowledges the contribution that all markets, including those managed by independent operators, make to the local economy.

Ponteland also has a regular Friday market in Merton Way shopping precinct. This market is run in partnership with Ponteland Town Council, market traders and local businesses.
Source: Northumberland County Council