Where Does Your Meat Come From?

The shocking revelations of the past weeks about horsemeat in food and the difficulty of finding the country of source for some supermarket meats has resulted in local butchers and farm shops seeing a rise in the number of customers.  There is only one butcher left in Ponteland and Alan Newton on Merton Way says all his meat his 100% British and it comes from an abattoir in Yorkshire.  His sausages are all made from pork on the premises by William who says he has worked there for 41 years! 

Use our local traders or lose them!  Your patronage is valued.

Ponteland Wake up Call

Ponteland this is your ‘Wake Up Call’

Hands off our Greenbelt !!!!!!

Now the gloves are off and the consultation process begins. Northumberland County Council have notified residents of the outline planning application  13/00132/OUTES click here

The appropriate advertisement has been put in place  locally and a public notice in the newspaper for the development of 280 houses at Birney Hill Farm.

You need to ACT NOW, don’t wait, or leave it to others. HAVE YOUR SAY

Watch out for our information pack which is being delivered as you read this, over the next couple of days.

There is a quick objection letter and plenty of information for those who wish to personalise their replies. Download extra copies for everyone in the household, that includes children of any age. 

Use the envelope which has been provided, pre labelled, either post or we have two addresses: 93 Cheviot View and 17 Darras Road that will accept your envelope and will deliver them, by the deadline to County Hall, Morpeth.

Don’t think this proposed development is NOT going to affect you, it won’t matter where you live in Ponteland, it will have an adverse impact on your day to day life. If it is concreted over, that is it-it’s gone forever! and don’t think it stops there the door will be wide open for other speculative developers to follow

Take Note this is an Outline Application for 280 houses on the Birney Hill identified site the layout was an example of where the houses “could be built”

The Community needs to come together and respond before it is too late

Deadline 11^th March

Ponteland Greenbelt Group

‘Fantastic’ Students are Rewarded for their Dedication

Ponteland High School students Jonathan Lakey and Bryony Clear Hill
win a national award for their academic success.

TWO Ponteland High School students have been recognised for their achievements and dedication both in and out of school.

Jonathan Lakey and Bryony Clear Hill received runner-up prizes in the inaugural Lord Glenamara Memorial Awards. The ceremony took place at Imperial College, London and the accolades were presented by the Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove.

Bryony is studying maths, biology and geography at A-Level, having gained A grades at AS-Level in all three subjects. She recently received an offer from Oxford University to read geography.

The 18-year-old is planning a gap year to work as an English teacher for the Project Trust in the Dominican Republic, which will build on expertise gained during four weeks volunteering at an orphanage in Jodhpur, India, last year.

She also travelled around Rajasthan seeing first hand the positive impact of education. Most of the funding for her past and future trip has come through her part-time work as a waitress.

The Year 13 student regularly helps younger pupils in lessons and in her role as school Vice President (community) she organises the prefect system and speaks at different events.

In addition, she plays the cello and performs locally and abroad as part of a folk orchestra.

“Neither of us were expecting to get an award so it came as quite a shock,” she said.

“It was great to meet Mr Gove and some former Secretaries of State for Education at the ceremony, particularly Shirley Williams as I had a decent conversation with her.

“When I was in India, a girl from Canada and I volunteered at an orphanage which looked after disabled children and we did lots of activities with them.

“One of the main things that stuck in my mind was a five-year-old blind boy, who was the size of a typical two-year-old in the UK.

“It was an amazing experience and when we gave the children some toys that the orphanage would not be able to afford, it was fantastic to see how much of a difference it made to them.

“I’m very much looking forward to my gap year when I can help to make a difference in people’s lives again. The project supports local residents and Haitian refugees.”

Fellow Year 13 student Jonathan gained A grades at AS-Level in maths, chemistry and physics and he continues to study these at A-Level, along with further maths. He hopes to go on to university to read engineering.

At school, he has supported and encouraged younger students in the STEM club as they designed and built model rollercoasters and robots.

The 17-year-old is a member of the Scouts and has taken part in the Tall Ships race from Norway to Hartlepool and was on the Explorer Belt expedition in the Crimea region of the Ukraine last summer.

He is currently working towards his gold Duke of Edinburgh award, having gained bronze and silver, and plays the trumpet in the county band.

“It was a nice surprise to do so well in these awards,” he said. “The school gives us a lot of opportunities to get involved in extra-curricular activities and without them I wouldn’t have been nominated for the awards.

“Scouting has been and continues to be a huge influence in my life and it has given me many useful experiences. The Crimea expedition was difficult at times, but I really enjoyed it and it was great to immerse myself in a different culture.”

Both Jonathan and Bryony were among the Ponteland High School team which participated in the national session of last year’s European Youth Parliament debating competition after winning the regional heat.

Headteacher Kieran McGrane said: “It is always nice when fantastic students receive awards and Bryony and Jonathan both deserve this recognition.

“They are both excellent role models and outstanding examples of how young people can have a positive impact on their local communities and beyond.”

The awards were set up in memory of Lord Glenamara, who was a headteacher in Blyth before becoming an MP and he later served as Education Secretary under Harold Wilson.

At the time of his death in May 2012, the 99-year-old was the longest serving member of the House of Lords.

Source: Morpeth Herald

Pont Charity Group

Three Ponteland men have set-up a small charity, not in opposition to the established fund-raisers, but specifically to support in a small way The Poor, and The Afflicted. Their mode of operation will be to hold a concert and raffle twice per year, the proceeds going to selected charities. Whilst preference will be given to local charities, the Trustees will also consider deserving causes from a wider field, and other methods.

Their Programme for 2013 will be a Male Quartet – “Just4Men” – Leader & MC – David Conway and a Soprano – Marjorie Archer on TUESDAY 4^th.June, in support of the Great North Air Ambulance, and the well-known Grainger Singers, originally Opera Singers but now with a varied repertoire under their Conductor Michael Scott, on SATURDAY 26^th. October, in support of Children N.E. Both concerts will be held in Ponteland Memorial Hall.

The Promoters, as signatories of the Constitution on 16^th. January, assume the positions of Trustees:-  Andy Anderson, Chair; Bruce Grant, Secretary; Jim Robertson, Treasurer.

They have a representative group, including two authors, a total of sixteen Members.

As a small charity they are not required to register with the Charity Commission, but do use their Guidelines and Small Constitution. They will apply for Tax and Recognition purposes to HMRC. They are certain to do a worthwhile and fulfilling task, quite apart from the enjoyment and relaxation they will provide for their audiences. Depending on availability of the Artistes, the concerts have fallen on a Tuesday and a Saturday, respectively. You are encouraged to mark the dates in your diary now.

Ex-Cherry Trees on Thornhill Road

Last week, ending 8 February, two flowering cherry trees were felled on Thornhill Road, just beside the Blackbird car park.

These photos show how much colour and lift they added in the past to the street scene.

They were felled by Northumberland County Council without any consultation involving Ponteland.

The Senior Planning Officer, Mrs Kate Blyth, said ‘We do not consult members of the public for these applications’.  Nor it seems any other body either.  They were in the Ponteland Conservation Area.

She went on to say, ‘The trees were assessed (by whom?) prior to any work being undertaken and were not found to be worthy of further protection’.  So that’s it!  The axe man cometh!  Beware!

What about replacements Mrs Blyth?

Supplied via email

DEBATE OVER FUTURE OF GREEN BELT EXPOSES DEEP DIVISIONS

THINK of Tynedale and you think of the countryside, wildlife and tranquility.

Some, however, fear the area’s unique character could be placed under threat as more and more developers eye up its green belt land for housing.

In Hexham, residents face potential development at Shaws Farm, off West Road, while residents of the tiny hamlet of New Ridley have petitioned against a 22-home scheme.

Ponteland, meanwhile, looks set to bear the brunt of the recent upsurge in interest, with proposals coming forward for 280 homes at Birney Hill and a further 500 at Clickemin Farm, either side of the A695.

Residents, though, have proved they’re no pushover, organising everything from protests to an eye-catching signpost campaign to signal their opposition.

“Ponteland is a unique settlement – it’s neither a village nor a town – and the surrounding green belt has been a designated area for over 30 years,” said Alma Dunigan, chairman of the recently-established Ponteland Green Belt Group.

“If it’s concreted over, that is it – it’s gone forever.

“Developers choose green belt land as their favoured option due to the low costs in preparation, the weaknesses in the planning policies of Northumberland County and the radical change to national planning policy.

“We must not lose sight of why developers are interested in building hundreds of houses here and now: for profit.”

The developers, however, tell a different story, most pointing to an apparent housing shortfall in Northumberland, particularly for first-time buyers.

The county is expected to make provision for 18,000 to 19,000 new homes by 2030, 7,000 of which are to be built in the south-west.

Lugano Group, which hopes to build at Birney Hill, Ponteland, has also pointed out that green belt is not a permanent feature, but can be amended if there is a need to do so.

The company says this has already happened on several occasions in Ponteland, between 1981 and 2003, when Fairney Edge, Eland Haugh and Medburn were all removed from the designation.

“The same issues apply today,” a spokesman said.

“Lugano has undertaken several years of research, working with professional organisations and Northumberland County Council.

“The evidence from this detailed work concludes that there are no other credible alternatives but to release green belt for development.”

The company, in fact, goes as far as to say the potential benefits of the Birney Hill scheme “by far outweigh green concerns”.

“Apart from the fact that few other opportunities exist to provide housing for our children and grandchildren, Birney Hill would create 900 job opportunities over the next five to ten years and bring a superbly-designed ‘green’ housing scheme to the area,” the spokesman said.

“A new community trust will have access to circa £9m to work with the local community to deliver numerous immeasurable benefits.

“It will lead the way in the UK for cost-saving, energy-efficient housing set in a beautiful, biodiverse landscape.

“The development would create new wildlife corridors as habitats for protected species and protect key views and landscapes, as well as enhancing landscape quality.”

The Banks Group takes a similar view of its development; having examined all options available, it has chosen the most appropriate location and is taking a “benefits-driven approach” to its Clickemin scheme.

Environment and community director Mark Dowdall said: “As a North-East-based, family-owned business, we fully understand the character of the area and appreciate the matters that need to be addressed as part of our Ponteland proposals, but we also firmly believe that everyone has a right to the opportunity to live in the place that they wish to be and that our plans would provide just such an opportunity in this sought-after area.”

Although the green belt may have hit the local headlines in recent months more than ever before, the concept itself dates back to the 1940s, when it was introduced to control urban sprawl.

Essentially, the designation refers to a ring of countryside where urbanisation will be resisted for the foreseeable future, maintaining an area where agriculture, forestry and outdoor leisure are prioritised.

According to a Government planning policy guidance note, there should be a general presumption against building there unless in exceptional circumstances where the benefits of green belt development outweigh the harm.

The National Planning Policy Framework would seem to reinforce this protection, making further references to using previously-developed land effectively and ensuring large-scale developments take the character of the area into account.

However, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, among others, fears the Government has sent mixed signals.

The document, it argues, also contains several pro-development polices, making reference to the “significant weight” to be placed on economic growth, to which planning controls such as green belt are an impediment.

Councils are likewise coming under pressure from government planning inspectors because of housing land targets, the CPRE believes.

In Northumberland, the situation gets even trickier.

In 2009, when six district councils were merged into a unitary authority, they brought separate planning policies with them – in Hexham’s case, Tynedale Council’s, while Castle Morpeth Borough Council’s still applies to Ponteland.

Many, therefore, believe developers are now exploiting a window of opportunity as Northumberland County Council sets about formulating its overarching core strategy, setting out the vision for the county over the next 15 years.

As the second round of consultation on the proposals begins, Hexham MP Guy Opperman is calling for swift action when it comes to cementing green belt policy.

Whatever happens, however, the council has offered assurances it is listening.

A spokesman said: “There could be circumstances where, if needs could not be met over the plan period without incursions into the green belt, there may be a case for looking at boundary alterations.

“However, this could only be done in exceptional circumstances and would need to be strongly justified in terms of the land supply elsewhere.

“As with other proposals, the council will take people’s views into account.

“We will listen to suggestions made, whether these be to keep the green belt the same or alter its boundaries.”

Any changes, the spokesman added, would need to be approved by the Government.

Source: Hexham Courant

BILL & GLADYS BOONE

CONGRATULATIONS! 

Bill & Gladys celebrated 70 years of marriage on Boxing Day. That is a platinum anniversary and a rare event. In January 2013 they both reached 96 years of age and a surprise party to celebrate both their platinum anniversary and their birthdays was laid on by some of their many friends at the Ponteland Golf Club where they have both been members for years. Gladys is a former President of the ladies section. Although no longer playing golf they are still active in the local Rotary Club and Inner Wheel. 

Bill & Gladys came northto Ponteland from London in 1967 with Bill’s job which was to oversee the publicity for the merger of the Reyrolle and Parsons engineering firms. They have never wanted to move back south. Together they have enjoyed a very active life, not only playing several sports but walking and hill climbing, with memories of trips overseas to Nepal, Peru and Africa to name only a few of their destinations. Of course the Lake District was also a favourite. 

They have a daughter in Oxford and a son in Vancouver as well as five grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and only wish that they were a little nearer!

Ponteland in the Twentieth Century

Ponteland was a small typical Northumbrian village before the First World War. There were farms and farmers,blacksmiths, carriers, saddlers and other trades associated with the rural economy. Livestock of every kind abounded andtwo coaching inns were in their last days. The population lived where they worked. The turnpike road to Scotland was hard-surfaced and motor cars appeared. The city of Newcastle, only 8 miles away, was an industrial hub where the workers lived in rows of terraced houses and coal-based industries produced constant smoke and dirt. The Northern Allotment Society was founded to give people the chance to buy plots of land out of town and grow vegetables and flowers for the markets. It was a novel idea to own land and to grow crops on it and the man who made it work was Joseph Wakinshaw. A number of small schemes met with success and when two farms came up for auction in 1907, the Darras Hall Farm and the Little Callerton with Callerton Moor, a total of over a 1000 acres, there was enough support for the NAS to buy both lots for short of £60 000. Careful planning went into the infrastructure of the Darras Hall Estate and the Trust Deed laid down standards still maintained today. The Estate boundaries are fixed and houses have a minimum plot size. Many market gardens flourished and houses were built, very few at first. A railway came and went and it was only after the Second World War that new housing eventually took off and by the end of the century some houses were being demolished to make way for modern buildings and mansions. One of the first houses built still has a stable, but in a dilapidated condition! 

Some ribbon development, of the kind now frowned on, occurred along the North Road, the West Road and Cheviot View on the Newcastle Road, mainly between the wars. Social housing, originally called council housing, was built in the 1950s in fields behind the Blackbird.The Ladywell estate at the west end of the village was built in the early 1960s. Small infill estates have been built since 1980. The Eland Haugh estate behind the golf club was built on the flood plain. Would permission be granted today? Fairney Edge extended Mayfair Gardens up to the burn of that name, and most recently the old mart field became The Lairage. The next big project will be housing on the police HQ site out at Smallburn. The original buildings were erected in 1903 as Cottage Homes for workhouse children from Newcastle, when they closed, it was used as a teacher training college before finally ending up with the police. So, lots of varied housing in Ponteland. We have a population of over 11 000. But, and this is a big one, there has been norecent significant expansion of our village facilities. We can’t call ourselves a town in the way that both Morpeth and Hexham are towns. We have the population but not the infrastructure, the facilities or even the parking spaces.When there are proposals for hundreds, or thousands, more housesthese all become critical concerns for the present residents. Planners give permissions for care homes and restaurants in the centre and stick the medical block at the far end of the industrial estate! 

Ponteland is unique settlement, neither village nor town, and there is no comparable place anywhere in the country! It is an aspirational, desirable place to live and most residents work in Newcastle, easily reached with good transport links. And greedy developers would love a slice of it. But without the Green Belt it could end up as just another outer suburb of Newcastle and the residents choose to live in Ponteland and Darras Hall because of its village feel and the accessibility of the surrounding countryside.

We don’t want any development in the Green Belt!
It has been in place for nearly 60 years and it is even more important today.

Source: Ponteland Green Belt Web Site