Town guide to coping with the worst of winter

PONTELAND residents are being urged to think of their community during extreme winter weather.

Following major snow and ice in the area during parts of November and December, which caused chaos on the roads and made footpaths treacherous, Ponteland Town Council has produced a guide suggesting measures to take when these conditions next return.

Coun Peter Cowey drew up the document and said although it is Northumberland County Council's responsibility to clear roads and some footpaths, it does not have the time nor the resources to treat and clear all minor and estate roads as well as cul-de-sacs.

"We, the people of Ponteland, must think of things that we can do to help ourselves," he added.

"The present attitude of some that it is someone else's problem is really not the solution.

"A phrase comes to mind, originally from JFK, that with a small change may be appropriate for us in Ponteland at this time – 'think not what NCC can do for Ponteland but what we can do ourselves for Ponteland'."

The measures include the following:

1) Be prepared – have a proper snow shovel.

2) Have some rock salt as a stand-by so that you are able to distribute a little around your own paths and drives.

3) If at all possible, keep your car on your own drive or in a garage if you have one. This will help any snowploughs or gritters that may appear and certainly help any traffic that needs to pass.

4) If possible, try to clear your own path and the path that is outside your house. Pedestrians would find it a lot easier and thus keep off the roads. On estate roads and cul-de-sacs, avoid shovelling snow and ice into piles that block roadways or pavements — this is thoughtless and potentially dangerous.

5) On some roads can a section be cleared of snow/slush in parts? Perhaps a series of strips cleared across the road will help traffic get some traction.

6) If you have a neighbour who is not able to carry out any clearing of snow/ice, can you help them? Do they need a path to a waste bin or a repeat prescription or groceries? Can they be contacted in any way to ensure that they are ok? A simple telephone call may do.

The full guide is available at www.pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk on the 'Help & Advice' section.

Anyone with further suggestions that could be useful can contact the town council on 01661 825092 or e-mail enquiries@pontelandtowncouncil.co.uk

Source: Morpeth Herald

In the market for change

THE good times are back at Ponteland Market — and it will soon take place every week to meet soaring demand.

Six months ago, the market was facing an uncertain future, with the number of stalls dropping at one point as low as three.

The sorry situation called for drastic action and Markets Officer Keith Gray, who took over responsibility for the event, did not shy away.

The farmers' market was dropped in favour of a retail market, the day of the monthly event was changed from a Saturday to a Friday and it was moved from Ponteland Memorial Hall to the Merton Way shopping precinct.

Trade quickly began to pick up and now the market regularly boasts 16 stalls, with customers returning in their droves to take advantage of its offers.

In fact, the response has been so positive that from the end of March, the market will be held weekly.

Mr Gray said: "It is going absolutely brilliantly.

"Obviously through November and December it was terrible because of the weather, but it was the same everywhere, and having said that, the market has picked up.

"There are now 16 stalls compared with July when there were only three, and from March 25 it will be on every week because the traders and the public have asked for it. We are reacting to customer demand and trader demand. It is a big success story."

Most of the resident businesses in Merton Way are delighted with the increased footfall the market has brought and one has even started acting as an informal information point for customers.

"I do think moving the market's location has helped because it is now where people will use it," said Mr Gray.

"There has been a fair bit of feedback from businesses in Merton Way and one of the cafes down there is acting like a central point for it, with people phoning up to ask when the market is on. Of course, that won't need to happen from March 25 because it will be on every Friday.

"Changing the day has been highly successful because Friday is the busiest day for shopping.

"It suits the public because they do their local shopping on a Friday and then go somewhere else and do other things on a Saturday."

The market is run by Northumberland County Council. Stalls include plants, clothes, cards, pies, cakes, jewellery, scarves, chocolate and meat. There is also a pet stall and wood carvings.

The next market will be held tomorrow, followed by markets on February 25 and March 25 before the move to a weekly event.

For more information, or to apply for a stall, contact Mr Gray on 01434 652419.

Source: Morpeth Herald

Council plans to forge closer links

MOVES are underway by Ponteland Town Council to forge closer ties with an important community hub.

A proposed joint trust involving the authority and the Memorial Hall off Darras Road would help secure the building's future.

It could also allow the council to move its base back to the centre of Ponteland as having offices are part of the discussions (it is currently located in the Meadowfield Industrial Estate).

Ponteland Mayor Robin Ramsay said legal advice has been taken and further meetings will be held with the hall committee on the issue.

"The thinking behind forming a trust is to put the Memorial Hall on a more sustainable footing," he added.

"The income it receives just about keeps it going, although we do subsidise it each year, but looking to the longer term there are much needed improvements to be carried out and a new central heating system is required.

"This is at an early stage, but if it goes ahead we would look to provide funding through a long term loan, so the burden on the precept would be small.

"It's a valued community building used by a range of local groups and we want it to continue this role for generations to come.

"At the moment we are a little out on a limb by being in Meadowfield, but it's hard to get office space in the centre of Ponteland.

"Having offices in the Memorial Hall would solve that problem and we would be next to our main asset – Ponteland Park."

Source Morpeth Herald

FORMER SPITFIRE PILOT and PRISONER OF WAR DIES

FLIGHT LIEUTENANT TOM HUGHES, resident of Ponteland  for many years died suddenly on 31^st December 2010

Tom Hughes was a 19 year old when he volunteered for the RAFVR in 1940 and won his wings the next year.  He was initially disappointed to be sent to the Central Flying School in Wiltshire to instruct new pilots but many of his fellow officers lost their lives in missions at this time.  He went to North Berwick to train on night fighters, the Blenheims and Beaufighters but his ambition was to fly Spitfires.  This was soon realised after further training at Grangemouth and Biggin Hill.

Tom was part of the vast assembly of air power built up in North Africa and Malta in 1943 to cover the invasion of Sicily.  After the German retreat from Sicily Tom was testing a captured German Messerschmidt when the plane crashed into a vineyard but fortunately he had baled out.  Surviving a crash by using his parachute made him eligible for membership of the unique Caterpillar Club, whose members were awarded a tiny gold caterpillar by the owners of the American firm who made the parachutes, IRVIN.

As the Allies pushed into Italy Tom was No 2 in the 43 Squadron, commanded by a Polish pilot, and he was flying very long hours.  On 18 December 1943, he was on a mission around the fiercely contested Monte Cassino when his Spitfire took a hit from the German anti-aircraft batteries.  The next thing he knew he was in a Field Hospital with a German padre saying prayers over him.  At least they had saved his life!  Tom suffered severe injuries with badly burned lower limbs and a cracked head.  He was eventually moved to a prison hospital in Stuttgart where he spent over a year before a prisoner exchange brought him back home.  He was highly amused to find that he was swopped for 3 Germans.

After the war Tom went up to Cambridge to read Mechanical Sciences and at the same time he was chief instructor to the undergraduates in the gliding school.  These three years helped both his recovery from wartime trauma and to readapt to civilian life.  In 1947 Tom met Joan when his sister invited some girl friends for the weekend.  Ever the beau, he hired a plane for the afternoon and took the girls flying.  They were terrified and thrilled!  He said that Joan 'passed muster' and last June Tom and Joan celebrated their diamond wedding.  Tom worked for a number of major companies before coming north in 1968 to work for Ronson.  He died aged 89 years on the last day of 2010.

Tom was a most hospitable gentleman and a great raconteur.  Loved by all who knew him he will be greatly missed.  He is survived by Joan, his widow, who was awarded the MBE in 1983 for her work as county organiser of the WRVS and she is a former Captain of Ponteland Ladies golf club. 

Captions:

Tom at the Ponteland Memorial 2008

Tom as a young officer in the RAF.


By Muriel Sobo

Ponteland Rotary Club Christmas Events

The Toy Collection again produced an excellent return of good quality toys that were distributed to Ponteland Primary Care Centre, St Cuthbert's Care, Barnardo's, National Chidren's Homes, Children North East and others to benefit over 2300 children in the area.

In spite of the very inclement weather the Annual Carol Concert proved very successful, as a result presentations were made to Children North East £300 and to Bedlington Salvation Army £250.

The collection for Save the Children Fund raised a very satisfactory £1247 (the best to date) again in difficult weather conditions. The Club would like to thank all those who gave generously and also to thank Waitrose and Dobbies who gave permission for collections to be made on their premises.

The Rotary Club would like to thank all who supported the Club's fund-raising efforts throughout the past year.

NEW YEAR'S DAY WHEELBARROW RACE IN PONTELAND

There they go again!  Alan Redman and Andrew Pybus won the wheelbarrow race, starting from the Blackbird Inn, for the fifth year running.  Where is the competition?  There were only 5 wheelbarrows racing this year and there was no snow to put off possible entrants.   Last year there was six inches of snow overnight which made for a tricky race.  And to emphasise the superiority of the winners' families their sons, Oscar Redman, 14, and Dan Pybus, 13, won the Junior race.

The Lord of Ponteland for the day, Philip Jackson, who looks superb in the role, clanged his bell at noon to start the gruelling race and about ten minutes later the winners were coming down Thornhill Road at speed to be greeted by the biggest crowd for years.  Lots of news and greetings were exchanged as everyone seemed glad of an excuse to come out and mingle and cheer on the competitors.

The Blackbird Inn hired some Scottish drummers and a piper to amuse the crowd who could also refresh themselves with mulled wine and a variety of food.  The Ponteland 41 Club and the Rugby club who organised the event raised £440 for charity.
By Muriel Sobo

NEWS RELEASE FROM HELEN MCARDLE CARE: NEW HOME CARE SERVICE TO LAUNCH IN PONTELAND

As life expectancy continues to rise, many of us will begin to need assistance in our everyday lives to help us maintain our independence. Helen McArdle Care, a North East based care company, has recently developed a bespoke service in home care, to provide older adults with a range of services that are tailored to meet all of their needs.

The new service, At Home with... Helen McArdle Care, differs from other home care providers in the region, in that Helen McArdle Care can utilise the experience of their Home Support Team and the resources of their 12 care homes to ensure that clients can rely on them for everything, from personal care, to DIY, to short breaks. Thus giving clients the peace of mind that At Home can always help with life’s challenges and their families and friends can relax in the knowledge that their loved ones will always have somewhere to turn.

Clients can select from a menu of services to include:

- Personal care

- Hair and Beauty

- Shopping

- Laundry

- Your Chef at Home

- DIY / Decoration

- Gardening

- Companionship for outings

- Day care and short breaks

The list doesn’t end there, At Home are keen for their clients and prospective clients to suggest any services that they feel will benefit them.

Mark McArdle, Managing Director of At Home, said: “If we don’t currently offer a service you need, we will do everything we can to provide it. The aim at Helen McArdle Care has always been to provide choice for our service users and now that we operate in day care and home care, as well as residential care, we are well prepared to deal with any eventuality based on your lifestyle choices.”

At Home with... Helen McArdle Care will launch all of its full menu services in Ponteland this month. For more information about At Home or for a consultation please call 0191 461 8861 or visit www.athomewithhelenmcardlecare.co.uk