Squash in at Dobbies

A PONTELAND garden centre branch is looking for green-fingered children to grow giant pumpkins at interactive workshops.

The free Little Seedlings Club sessions at Dobbies Garden World on Sunday will also teach participants fun facts about growing pumpkins and other members of the squash family, as well as how scarecrows protect fields.

The Dobbies Pumpkin Patch competition will be launched on the same day, where youngsters will sow their own pumpkin seed and bring back what they have grown in October.

Centre Manager Grahame Darling said: "We are dedicated to inspiring young minds in our local community to grow their own fruit and vegetables at home. The Pumpkin Patch competition is a great opportunity for the Little Seedlings Club to care for and nurture a seed from sowing to harvesting. I look forward to seeing the results in October."

Club members learn about plants, wildlife and the environment in a fun and educational way. It is open to children aged four to ten years.

The workshops on Sunday will be held at 10.30am, 11.30am and 12.30pm. For more information, or to book a place, contact Dobbies on 01661 820202

Source: Morpeth Herald

Weatherman brings sunshine for Ponteland music

HUNDREDS of Ponteland families enjoyed a sunny evening of entertainment as a new community event was finally able to take place.

After a total washout forced the cancellation of last year's inaugural Music in the Park, Look North weatherman Paul Mooney brought the sunshine as he compered on Saturday night.

An estimated 300 people came along to watch performances by singer Sonia Michelle, the Dunston Silver Band and Ponteland's Community Band and Community Choir at the event organised by the Town Council.

Ponteland Mayor Robin Ramsay said: "It was a lovely evening and we were delighted to see so many people of all ages enjoying a fantastic community event.

"I'd like to thank Paul Mooney and all our performers for providing superb entertainment."

Music in the Park is one of a number of new community events launched as part of Ponteland Town Council's vision of giving residents a real sense of pride in where they live.

Source: Morpeth Herald

Egg-laying hens on sale at Dobbies

Families with a taste for the 'good life' can now combine fruit and veg growing with producing their own eggs by visiting two garden centres in the North East.
Dobbies centres in Ponteland and Birtley have started selling egg-laying hens after a trial in six of its stores.

Hens are now on sale at 15 of Dobbies' 25 stores, after 1,000 were sold during the trial, allowing people to create the ultimate green supply chain of fresh eggs straight from garden to breakfast table.
Chicken coops have also entered Dobbies' top 20 best selling lines.
The company has also reported a 27% increase in May in sales of grow your own fruit and vegetables, which it claims is further evidence that a major trend towards self-sufficiency looks set to stay.
Source: Journal Live

Lock it or lose it, drivers warned

PONTELAND motorists are being reminded to lock their cars and keep valuable items out of sight following a number of break-ins.

Thieves have targeted unlocked cars where sat navs and other equipment were left on show.

Between 10pm on Sunday and 8am on Monday, five cars parked in different areas of Ponteland were broken into.

Inspector Kevin Oates of the East Tynedale Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "These have been isolated, opportunist-style thefts where the thieves have been trying car doors and stolen from those they have found left unsecured.

"We always advise people against leaving valuables on show when they leave their vehicles. Thieves can quickly force their way into a car and simply grab anything small and portable. Motorists then have the problem of repairing the car, as well as replacing the items.

"If you park your car, either take your valuables with you or store them out of sight, preferably in the boot. If you have a sat nav system you also need to remove the windscreen sucker and wipe away any tell tale signs left behind.

"Make sure you lock your car, check it and double check it. An insecure car is like an invitation to an opportunist thief."

Source: Morpeth Herald

Burns celebrated at Ponteland

THE birthday of famous Scottish poet Robbie Burns will be celebrated at a Ponteland garden centre this weekend.

Dobbies Garden World hold the event annually, but it is more significant than ever on Sunday as 2009 marks 250 years since his birth.
The haggis will be piped into the restaurant at 11.30am. It will be 'addressed' by a local Scotsman, dressed in traditional attire, before cutting it open, followed by the traditional singing of Auld Lang Syne – a format which has not changed since the poet's death in 1796.
The Elaine Milbourne Theatre dance school will also be in-store to demonstrate highland dancing and afternoon entertainment includes poetry recitals and a fun quiz all about Burns.

Dobbies Garden World is at Street House Farm, Ponteland.
Source: Morpeth Herald

Dobbies Support Local Charity

Dobbies Garden World at Ponteland raised money for the Mathew Thoppil Trust, set up by a grieving family when the young, popular GP died suddenly at the age of 31. His parents live on Darras Hall and have put great effort, along with family members and friends, into organising events and publicising the trust. A pre-Christmas charity evening at Dobbies raised £1638.74. The money will be used to fund research into fit youngsters with undiagnosed heart disease and CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young. The picture shows Graham Darling, manager at Dobbies handing the cheque to Mathew’s father, Dr Philip Mathew, together with Trust members, Kath McMenamin, Dr Liza Antony, Sally & Richard Flynn and Liz Hayes.
Dr Philip Mathew and a number of friends and family recently undertook a month’s tour in India, travelling from Kerala in the south to near the border with Pakistan. Their main interest as Trust members was an Ashram in Kerala which Philip’s late father had set up. This small community has an orphanage for boys, a school, a hospital and a church. There is a room there dedicated to Mathew’s memory and Father Melia was able to conduct the first mass, a very special moment. The Trust is looking at opportunities to give help to such enterprises.
On Saturday 31 March in St Matthew’s Church Hall there will be an Indian Evening in aid of Trust Funds. The cost is £5, which includes a fish and chip supper, but the activities will have an Indian theme. The two brothers who are both Fathers will be hosting the event. Walk on the Melia brothers!
By Muriel Sobo