Alderman Frank Harrington

Nine Aldermen were recently created by Castle Morpeth to honour their long service to the Borough. Frank has had twenty two years of distinguished service including a year as Mayor and has given freely of his time and talents for the benefit of the community. A well-deserved honour!

Last Mayor of Castle Morpeth

When Castle Morpeth Borough Council ceased to exist on 31 March Irene Brumwell hung up her robes and hat for the last time and looked back on her year as Mayor which was packed with interest and activity.

Irene, originally from Bradford, has lived in Ponteland for more than forty years. When asked about the highlights of her year she said that meeting Prince Charles and Camilla, when they made an unscheduled visit to see the flood damage at Morpeth, was special. ‘They were so interested and warm ‘. In Ponteland she has special memories of visits to the Grange Lea care home and her welcome there, the applause for her personally when she stepped out of the Mayor’s car at the Methodist church and her enjoyment when she opened the Party in the Park among so many friends. She also visited the further reaches of the Borough to share the experience of people working for their communities with proud youngsters in marching bands or sampling a variety of sports. Irene says she loved seeing the young ones and sharing their joy and pride.

Another of her delights was showing people around the Mayor’s parlour in Morpeth Town Hall which was recently refurbished. It is full of historical paintings and artefacts, some of which go back to the thirteenth century. Another role, which was more daunting, was chairing the full meeting of the Council. Now she will have more time for her five grandchildren and Ralph, her very supportive husband, and perhaps knock the garden into order.

Top photograph: Irene Brumwell, Mayor of Castle Morpeth Borough Council. Below: Lucky Spot at Belsay Castle.

Castle Morpeth BC funded the return of Stella McCartney’s Lucky Spot, the fantastic crystal horse she designed specially for the great hall of Belsay Castle and there was a low key event with English Heritage to celebrate the installation. Irene was there to welcome everyone. Open from Easter.

By Muriel Sobo

Is this the Region’s Top Locale?

WITH is tranquil countryside and friendly towns, Northumberland has always been a popular place to live. And now one rural North East beauty spot has been named as offering the best quality of life in the whole of Northern England.

The borough of Castle Morpeth – which boasts the picturesque communities of Morpeth, Ponteland, Stannington and Hepscott – came 29th in a national poll. People in the area enjoy significantly high levels of employment, health and a low crime rate, while children in the region snap-up some of the best GCSE results in the country.

The beaches around Northumberland’s stunning coastline have also been praised as among the most beautiful in the British Isles.
But, interestingly in a region famed for it’s heritage, the only other North Eastern region to feature on the list is Tynedale, which came 45th in the table, compiled by Halifax.
Paul Johnston, director of customer services at Castle Morpeth Borough council, said the accolade is a tribute to the people of the area, but he said they’re also very aware of the quality of life they enjoy.

“It’s always fantastic to get this kind of accolade, but is it a surprise? I don’t think it’s a surprise,” he said.

“If you were an outsider looking in, you would think whatever it is they’ve got going on there you would want to bottle it up and take it away.

“We’ve got massive attractions like Druridge Bay and the countryside right on our doorsteps, and we regard these highly.

“We’re flattered to be named above other parts of the region but we’re not really concerned about comparing ourselves, we just want to do the best with what we have here.”

However, Coun Harold Forster, leader of Tynedale Council, expressed surprise that Morpeth was flying the flag for the entire region.
He said: “I am surprised there are not more places in the North East being recognised in the report, as it's the vibrant variety of town, county, coast and river, that make North East England a truly great place to live, work, visit and do business.”
In Castle Morpeth, 73.9% of 16-year-olds achieved five or more GCSEs last year, the second highest figure in the poll.

The area also boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the country, with Castle Morpeth Borough Council posting a 17% drop over the last three years.
For overall quality of life, the borough was closely followed by Cheshire, which was 34th, and Hambleton, North Yorkshire, which was 35th. People living in Mid Suffolk have the best quality of life in rural Britain, according to the research. But people can expect to pay a premium to live in the majority of the top rural areas in the country, with homeowners paying an average of £50,692 or 25% more to live in the top areas. At the bottom of the table is Monmouthshire, in Wales, with lower levels of sunshine, income and increased traffic problems.

Source JournalLive

Castle Morpeth Council gets glowing report in final audit

Castle Morpeth Council is bowing out amid glowing praise from town hall watchdogs for making major improvements in its performance.
The independent Audit Commission says the Northumberland rural council has gone from being officially rated as weak in 2003/4 to becoming a good authority with an ambitious programme of further improvement.
In addition, the council responded very well when its capacity and capability were severely tested by September's severe flooding, says the Commission.
In its two final audit reports before the council disappears under local government reorganisation in April, the Commission praises the strides it has made in political, community and managerial leadership since 2005.
It says the arrangements ensure that all councillors from all parties work effectively together to plan and deliver improvements for the borough.
The final inspection letter says: "It is difficult to overstate the complete transformation this has brought about, and the focus it has brought to the improvement agenda."
The Commission says the higher external profile of the council is leading to increased inward investment in Castle Morpeth.

Source: JournalLive