Lovely Ladies - Fabulous Food in Ponteland

Twice a year the ladies of our four churches get together and plan a marvellous cold lunch in the URC church and feed about 100 people.  At a cost of only £7 a two course meal of cold meats and salad followed by a stunning selection of sweets is provided to raise funds for the Bible Society.

This money helps towards the translation and distribution, throughout the world, of the Bible.  There is plenty of chat and banter but the ladies deserve our praise for such a feast for the eyes.

This picture only shows half of them but it looks like mouth-watering food.

Great Show of Faith for Easter Event

PONTELAND residents braved the cold weather to attend the Raising of the Cross ceremony. The traditional Easter event, which takes place each year on Good Friday at Coates Green, is organised by the area’s four churches.

Representatives came together following their own services. Ministers taking part were Rev Joan Ross, representing Ponteland United Reformed Church, Rev Peter Barham and Rev Christine Brown, from St Mary’s Church, and Father Seamus O’Kane, of St Matthew’s RC Church.

The St Mary’s Church Choir led the singing of a few hymns.

Rev Barham said: “More than 200 people turned out for the event despite the very cold conditions and we’re grateful to them all.

“There’s something good about standing in the middle of Ponteland, while life goes on around you, to remember why we celebrate Easter.”
Source: Morpeth Herald

Ponteland Churches Easter Services 2012

Procession to start Holy Week

At St Mary’s we start at 10am on Palm Sunday April 1 with a procession from Richard Coates School with Jazz the donkey. 

We will walk up Thornhill Road to church, remembering Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem at the start of Holy Week. During the week there is a service every evening at 7pm - Compline is the late night service of the monasteries - half an hour of peace and quiet. 

On Maundy Thursday we remember the Last Supper, and on Good Friday the Cross will be raised on the Green. Easter Sunday is a day of celebration, and the main service in St Mary’s is at 10am. St Mary’s Organ is now fresh, clean and wholesome.

Lightbown the organ builder has removed all 700 pipes and cleaned away 40 years of dirt. Then they managed to put all the pipes back in the right place! 

On Sunday April 29 at 6.30pm we will celebrate with a short Songs of Praise, some music by the choir, and several pieces played by Shaun Turnbull (our organist) which will, no doubt, show how good the organ is now sounding. All are invited to this very special celebration - and a huge ‘thanks’ to everyone who helped pay for the work.

By The Reverend Peter Barham, Vicar of Ponteland

United Reformed Church, Broadway

Wednesday 4 April Passover Service 7.00 pm

Good Friday 6 April   10.00 am

Easter Sunday 8 April 10.00 am

St Mary the Virgin, Ponteland

Palm Sunday 1 April Holy Communion 8.00 am

Procession starts at Richard Coates School 10.00 am  

and proceeds down Thornhill Road to Church

(if you cannot walk come to Church at 10.00 am)

Mon 2-Sat 7 April Compline and Address 7.00 pm

Compline is the late night service of the monasteries, half an hour of peace and quiet

Maundy Thursday 5 April Choral Communion  7.00 pm then a Vigil until Compline 9.00 pm

Good Friday 6 April Morning Service 10.30 am

Penguins Children’s club meet 11.30 am-12.30 pm

Afternoon Vigil  1.30-3.00 pm

Easter Sunday 8 April Holy Communion  8.00 am

Festal Communion 10.00 am

Evening Service  6.30 pm

Holy Saviour, Milbourne

Palm Sunday 1 April Holy Communion 11.15 am

Easter Sunday 8 April Holy Communion 11.15 am

Methodist Church, Milbourne

Palm Sunday 1 April  6.30 pm

Good Friday 6 April 7.00 pm

Easter Day 8 April  6.30 pm 

Methodist Church, Ponteland

Palm Sunday 1 April Palm Cross Sharing  10.00 am                  

Churches Together Service     6.30 pm

Monday 2 April Holy Week Reflection  7.30 pm

Maundy Thursday Upper Room Communion  7.30 pm

Good Friday 6 April Morning Service 10.00 am

Circuit Choir sings ‘Crucifixion’ at Westerhope 6.00 pm

Easter Sunday 8 April 

Sunrise Service at Bolam Lake  6.00 am then breakfast at Church      

Holy Communion 10.00 am

Evening Worship 6.30 pm

St Matthew’s R.C. Ponteland

Holy Thursday 5 April Mass 8.00 pm

Good Friday 6 April Passion 4.30 pm

Holy Saturday 7 April Easter Vigil 6.00 pm

Easter Sunday 8 April Mass 10.30 am

RAISING OF THE CROSS - GOOD FRIDAY - 11.15 a.m. VILLAGE GREEN PONTELAND 

Refreshments in the Methodist Hall after the service

Women's World Day of Prayer

Women's World Day of Prayer

LET JUSTICE PREVAIL - PREPARED BY THE CHRISTIAN WOMEN OF MALAYSIA

Our annual local service, to be held at 2.15pm on Friday 2^nd March - and followed by refreshments, is at the United Reform Church, Darras Hall. Our speaker is Mrs. Andrea Mayland.

Malaysia is a land of diverse faiths, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam - the official religion, and Christianity - which centres in Sabah and Sarawak. The Portuguese brought Christianity there in the 16^th Century. Local churches include Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians and several others. They work ecumenically, interacting between church and state. The Women’s Work Committee, linked to this, organised this year's service.   Malaysian Christian Association for Relief, and non-profit making, provides social concern for the poor, and those in need, including prisoners, drug addicts and HIV and AIDS patients.

Women have made important social and economic contributions to their country, and are achieving a higher level of education. However, women of all races and classes face discrimination and violence. Only 40% of working age women have jobs. Their participation in decision- making roles is low. Boys are valued more highly than girls in their society.

In Sarawak, which became independent 45 years ago, their role and status has undergone great changes. Many now have access to education.  It is hoped that this will a starting point to further the status and involvement of women nationally.

Malaysia’s multi- ethnicity has given it a rich heritage, but has also led to many problems and challenges.   Justice for all is the hope and prayer of the people.

LET JUSTICE PREVAIL.    WHY NOT COME AND JOIN US? 

FATHER VINCENT MELIA

FATHER VINCENT MELIA

Ponteland parish has lost a wonderful priest and a lovely friend with the death last week of Father Vincent Melia.  Aged 81 years he was looked after latterly by the Little Sisters of the Poor, also known as St Joseph’s,  at their home on Westmoreland Road in Newcastle.  His brother Michael is presently a resident with them.

Father Melia came to St Matthew’s  Roman Catholic Church in Ponteland in 1976 after the death of Father Leo Doyle and he was able to use money left by Father Doyle to extend the church to its present size.   He was in charge of the parish but was never parochial and he was a motivated to pursue ecumenical projects cooperating with the other churches in Ponteland, St Mary’s, the Methodists and the United Reform Church.  The churches combined for some events at Christian festivals such as Christmas carol services and the Raising of the Cross at Easter, and in village events such as the Party in the Park.  People of all kinds, old and young, rich and poor, Catholic, Protestant or of no faith, counted for Father Melia and he was generous both with his time and his hospitality.  He was friends with everyone.

Born in 1930 in Gateshead, Father Melia and his older brother Michael both eventually attended the Roman Catholic Ushaw College in Durham to train for the ministry.  Ordained in 1956 Father Melia had a number of postings south of the river Tyne before he came to Ponteland.  He was very well known and was a familiar figure on his scooter as he travelled to all parts of the parish and into Newcastle.   He helped people in the West End of Newcastle, often taking furniture or unwanted domestic machines for refugees or to those in hard times.   Once, when he was doing a good deed in Benwell, his scooter was nicked and stripped of its parts and he was unable to get about so easily.  However, a local business man heard of his plight and donated a spanking new Suzuki for the peripatetic priest to allow him to answer his calls and see his parishioners and friends.

Vincent Melia had a fine musical talent and a tenor voice, great assets for a priest leading his congregation.   He also played the guitar and encouraged the choir at St Matthew’s which is still going well.  He looked after the children’s needs with annual trips to Sunderland for ice skating and to the Panto at Christmas, and the pensioners had a luncheon club and an annual outing.

A number of trips were made to Lourdes with his parishioners and he made a once in a lifetime trip to India with a small group from his congregation, some of Indian origin.  This was a gift to him from a grateful church who donated the necessary funds.

Father Melia was presented in 2007 with an engraved bowl by the then parish chairman, Frank Harrington, to mark thirty years of distinguished service to people of all faiths in Ponteland.  Asked if he was considering retiring he said, ‘I could retire but where would I go?  I love the people here.  They are my friends.’   In fact the Bishop had proposed to move him on but this was fiercely resisted by his flock and he was able to stay in Ponteland.  Father Melia enjoyed his visits to the Club, or CIU, on Merton Way and enjoyed a pint and a chat with the regulars.  After Father Melia’s funeral on Monday last everyone, and there was a big crowd, was invited to the Club for refreshments.  He planned this party before his death and made the necessary arrangements.   We shall all miss him.  He is irreplaceable.

The priest who has been taking the services recently is Father Seamus O’Kane who is based at St Mark’s in Westerhope and he will now be in charge of Ponteland as well.

GOOD FRIDAY IN PONTELAND

The Raising of the Cross

The Christians of Ponteland united on the Village Green in front of St Mary's Church to remember the Crucifixon of Christ.  Members of the four Ponteland churches joined in the singing of two hymns, There was a Green Hill Faraway and When I survey the Wondrous Cross.  Revd Ian Suttie read the account of the events on the first Good Friday and Revd Peter Bareham addressed the crowd, reminding them that the just as we were in the midst of people going about their business and pleasure so it had been when Christ was nailed to the cross.  The good weather encouraged worshippers to linger and chat before they moved on to enjoy the remainder of the holiday.

Criminals hit churches

POLICE are appealing for information after two churches in Ponteland were targeted by criminals.

At around 3pm on Monday two youths were disturbed in the office area of the Methodist Church hall in Bell Villas. They fled the scene empty handed.

Between 12.30pm and 8pm on the same day, vandals damaged the external door to St Matthew's RC Church in West Road. They did not get inside the church, but caused damage to the door frame.

East Tynedale Neighbourhood Inspector Kevin Oates said: "Although nothing was taken in both these incidents the fact that someone is targeting churches is quite a despicable act.

"Nothing valuable is left in churches overnight and we are continuing to work closely with the churches locally and are stepping up patrols and crime prevention to ensure that we catch who is responsible."

Any witnesses or anyone with information into the incidents is asked to contact police on 03456 043043, ext 69191, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Source: Morpeth Herald 

PoWs, tennis and plants - a century of celebration

DARRAS Hall has a range of facilities — from a church and school to a shopping centre and sports clubs — but did you know that it housed Prisoners of War in the Second World War?

And part of the area is protected because of its scientific significance.

In-depth details about its history and development can be found at the United Reformed Church in Broadway at the moment as an exhibition to celebrate its centenary is being held by the Ponteland Local History Society.

Although an auction was held for the Darras Hall Farm and Little Callerton with Callerton Moor Farm plots in 1907, they were bought by the Northern Allotment Society (NAS), and it was 1910 when people bid for the 185 lots available for housing.

And Tuesday was the 100th annual meeting of the Darras Hall Estates Committee.

Ponteland Local History Society Chairman John Turner said: "As the NAS had developed other places such as Westerhope they knew what they were doing and this is shown by the fact that the trust deed drawn up when the estate began is still in effect today, despite being challenged from time to time.

"It has had some interesting developments since then so hopefully we will get a good number of Darras Hall and Ponteland residents coming along to the exhibition and finding out a few things they didn't know beforehand."

Among its earliest major buildings was the Memorial Hall in 1922. This was preceded by the war memorial obelisk in 1920 and followed by facilities for bowling and tennis on its grounds in 1924, which led to the formation of the Ponteland Lawn Tennis and Bowling Clubs.

This fulfilled the requirement in the trust deed for a hall and the Darras Road location was chosen so it could also cover Ponteland village.

"It is a fantastic testament to the people running the Memorial Hall over the years that it's still going strong today and is used by a range of community groups," said Mr Turner.

A less successful development was the rail link to Ponteland, which included a Darras Hall station that opened in 1913.

A combination of the First World War and an economic depression slowed down building work and passenger services stopped in 1929.

The prisoner of war facility, known as Camp 69, was built in 1942 on land between Middle Drive, Western Way and The Rise (it is now a housing area called Parklands).

Many of the Italians and Germans worked on nearby farms and two of them, Adolf Gloth and Alfred Hansch, visited them and where the camp once stood in the last decade.

After the war, it was used to house displaced people from central and eastern Europe and some of them stayed in England. Then it was used as a civil defence training area before being demolished and cleared in 1961.

Mr Turner said: "A lot of people don't know that there was a PoW camp in Darras Hall and it comes as quite a surprise when they learn of it.

"The impact of the area and the kindness of its people despite the war situation is shown by some of the prisoners returning here and meeting up with familiar faces."

The 1960s and 1970s saw a big boom in housing developments, with the Broadway shopping centre and an infant and junior school also being built.

The change to a three-tier education system meant they became two first schools, which amalgamated into Darras Hall First School in the mid-1980s.

There was demand for housing smaller than what is specified in the trust deed and the trustees agreed for the building of flats at Darras Mews as well as a housing estate now called Old Station Court.

But many applications for new homes, alterations and additions were rejected first time around by the Estate Committee as it was keen to ensure they were in keeping with the local area.

Some lots were set aside for recreation to stop housing being built on them, but there was talk of Lot 195, the Recreation Ground, being sold for it until a survey produced an interesting result.

"It was discovered that the land contained a number of plant species that are rare in Northumberland so it was classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1984," said Mr Turner.

The exhibition, which contains written information, photographs, documents, maps and newspaper articles, is set-up in the church's new meeting place.

For more information about opening times, telephone 01661 824530.

Source: Morpeth Herald

Church Opens The Doors To It's New Community Hall

A Ponteland church hopes more residents will get to know thy neighbour when its new meeting place opens. Over the past six years, fundraising efforts, grants and donations have raised about £168,000 to enable the Ponteland United Reformed Church (URC) in Broadway, Darras Hall, to make changes to the building.
 

The existing hall has been refurbished, the vestibule has been opened up and now the main part of the project — an extension from the vestibule to create a dedicated community meeting place, costing about £113,000 — is almost complete. This will build on the extra services and activities it has done for many years such as a daily pre-school nursery, lunches for the elderly and concerts, as well as the popular coffee lounge, set up a few years ago to run for four sessions a week.

Chairman of the project team Colin Scott said: "Darras Hall is seen as a place where people live and go elsewhere to do things, rather than a community, so we felt it was important to do something to bring residents together.

"When we opened the coffee lounge, we had a good number of young mothers and elderly people coming along and others who were walking past the church popped in to have a look, and this meant people who didn't know each other before were able to chat.

"We have done this at a steady pace, but we are delighted that the meeting place is almost ready and we are grateful to everyone who has donated, including the main URC, church members and individuals across the North East."

He added: "As regarding the future, we expect that the facilities available will encourage more members of our community to bond together through activities — both secular and spiritual."

The meeting place will be open between 9am and 5pm, from Monday to Friday. It will provide a range of refreshments and people will be welcome to take part in activities planned for the coming months, such as craft and film groups.

A £250 grant from Ponteland Town Council will help to equip the space with a coffee machine and comfortable furniture.

An opening ceremony will take place at the church on Saturday, November 7, from 11am.

Source: Morpeth Herald

Raising of the Cross in Ponteland, Good Friday

The traditional Good Friday service started by
raising the cross on Coates Green

The choir assisted the singing of familiar hymns.

There was a very good turnout of worshippers from all
Christain denominations in Ponteland.

The service was led by Ian Suttie, Tim Ferguson, Peter Barham,
Dave York, Father Melia and Christine Brown.

Pictures by Muriel Sobo