Village rises to the challenge

Maria Shuttleworth with her winning chrysanthamums. Photograph Keith Robertson

RESIDENTS rose to the challenge and produced some fantastic entries for this year's Ponteland Parish Flower Show.

About 300 people came along to Ponteland Memorial Hall on Saturday to see the items – which included flowers, vegetables, handicrafts, fruit and photographs.

The children's section was well supported and the display of entries of a flower decoration in an egg cup for the under nines was extremely colourful, making it a difficult one to judge.

The display by the Ponteland Floral Art Club and the Callerton Garden and Flower Club illustrating film titles was extremely imaginative and it showed the high standard of local talent.

After the prizes were handed out, there was an auction of produce and flowers to help pay for the show and start the fund-raising for next year's event.

Show Chairman Syd Cowan said: "The day went very well and we were very pleased to see some new exhibitors, which seems to happen every year. The overall quality was once again excellent and this year the entrants had to cope with the challenge of summer weather in April and autumn weather in July and August.

"I would like to thank the judges, stewards, voluntary show committee and Memorial Hall caretaker for their contributions to making this event a success.

"We were also thrilled that the Mayor and Mayoress of Ponteland attended the show and helped with the presentation of trophies."

Earlier this year, the show committee made a donation of £500 to the Memorial Hall after holding a Chinese banquet.

RESULTS

Trophy and award winners – Ponteland Parish Council Challenge Salver for best pot plant: Basil Scott; Northumberland Fuchsia Society Trophy for best fuchsia: Ken Pleasants; Bobby Thompson Memorial Trophy for best hybrid tea roses: Mike Sadler; Alan Cowell Award for best hanging basket: Syd Cowan; Bob Woolley Award for best dahlias: Cranston Cuthbert; Ponteland Parish Council Challenge Rose Bowl for best cut flowers: Margaret Cowan; Bobby Thompson Memorial Trophy for best heather exhibit: Dorothy Warner; Bill Crow Memorial Quaich for most points in heather classes: Warners; Ponteland Parish Council Challenge Trophy for best exhibit in vegetables: Bob Butcher; Rotary Club of Ponteland Children's Trophy for best handwriting: Ashvee Shah; Ponteland Town Council Trophy for best Ponteland poem: Ellie Afflick-Ward; Ponteland Ladies' Circle Challenge Award for best exhibit in children's classes: Jessica Easton; Mary Anderson Shield for most points in children's classes: Kristin Morgan; Stanley C. Dytham Cookery Perpetual Challenge Trophy for most points in cookery classes: Irene Halliday; Margaret Dodsworth Championship Trophies (senior and junior) for best apple pies: Jean Sadler (senior) and William Pilsbury (junior); Thornhill Women's Institute Trophy for best exhibit in handicrafts: Jack Hetherington; Women's Institute Challenge Salver for most points in handicrafts: Maria Shuttleworth; Barbara White Memorial Trophy for best exhibit in art: Christine Forster; T. Geoffrey Willey Photographic Cup for best exhibit in photography: Mike Sadler.

Flower classes – Pot plant (flowering): 1 Basil Scott, 2 C&D Butler, 3 Marion Prince; Pot plant (foliage): 1 Irene Bruce, 2 C&D Butler; One fuchsia: 1 Ken Pleasants, 2 and 3 Irene Bruce; One coleus: 1 and 2 Maria Shuttleworth; One cactus or succulent plant: 1 and 2 John Angel; One vase of mixed flowers: 1 Margaret Cowan, 2 David Goodchild, 3 Marion Prince; Three chrysanthemum blooms: 1, 2 and 3 Maria Shuttleworth; Three hybrid tea roses: 1, 2 and 3 Mike Sadler; One hybrid tea rose: 1 Mike Sadler, 2 Margaret Cowan, 3 Freda Hetherington; One stem floribunda rose: 1 Freda Hetherington; Hanging basket: 1 Syd Cowan, 2 Basil Scott, 3 Marion Prince; One gladiolus spike: 1 John Turner, 2 and 3 Mrs Porter; Three spikes of gladioli: 1 Marion Prince, 2 Syd Cowan, 3 Maria Shuttleworth; Three cactus dahlias (small): 1 and 2 Cranston Cuthbert, 3 David Goodchild; Three cactus dahlias (medium): 1 Maria Shuttleworth; Three decorative dahlias (min or small): 1 and 2 Cranston Cuthbert, 3 David Goodchild; Three decorative dahlias (medium): 1 and 2 Audrey Christie; One vase of seven dahlias: 1 Cranston Cuthbert, 2 Maria Shuttleworth, 3 Audrey Christie; One vase of mixed sweet peas: 1 and 2 Maria Shuttleworth, 3 Mike Sadler; One vase of five pinks: 1 Marion Prince; Four pansies: 1 Mike Sadler, 2 and 3 Syd Cowan; One saintpaulia: 1 Lucinda Porter; One Lady's spray: 1 Margaret Cowan, 2 Cranston Cuthbert, 3 Irene Straughan; One Gentleman's buttonhole: 1 Margaret Cowan, 2 and 3 Irene Straughan; Heathers (single, white): 1 John Turner, 2 Dorothy Wild, 3 D&G Warner; Heathers (single, coloured): 1 John Turner, 2 D&G Warner, 3 Dorothy Wild; Heathers (double, white): 1 R Nichols; Heathers (double, coloured): 1 and 2 D&G Warner, 3 R Nichols; Basket of heathers: 1 D Warner, 2 John Turner; Buttonhole made from heathers: 1 and 2 Dorothy Wild.

Vegetable classes – Three beetroot: 1 and 2 J Hinchley, 3 Bob Butcher; One cabbage: 1 and 2 Bob Butcher, 3 C&D Butler; Two carrots (long): 1 and 2 Bob Butcher, 3 David Goodchild; Two carrots (stump or intermediate): 1 and 2 Bob Butcher, 3 David Goodchild; One cauliflower: 1 and 2 Bob Butcher; One cucumber (greenhouse, long): 1 C&D Butler, 2 Penny Hewitt; One lettuce: 1 John Hinchley, 2 Penny Hewitt, 3 Basil Scott; Two leeks (blanch): 1 and 2 Tony Murphy, 3 Basil Scott; Two leeks (not blanch): 1 Tony Murphy; One marrow (quality): 1 Kathleen Farquhar, 2 and 3 C&D Butler; One marrow (heaviest): 1, 2 and 3 J Hinchley; Two parsnips: 1 and 2 Bob Butcher; Three onions from seed: 1 Bob Butcher, 2 David Goodchild, 3 Bob Butcher; Three onions from sets: 1 Basil Scott, 2 and 3 Bob Butcher; Four onions weighing less than two pounds: 1, 2 and 3 Bob Butcher; Six shallots: 1, 2 and 3 Bob Butcher; Two courgettes: 1, 2 and 3 Sandy Christie; Five tomatoes: 1 and 2 Irene Bruce, 3 Mrs Porter; Nine cherry tomatoes: 1 Marion Prince, 2 and 3 Penny Hewitt; Six pods of peas: 1 and 2 Penny Hewitt; Six pods of runner beans: 1 Sandy Christie, 2 and 3 David Goodchild; Six pods of French beans: 1 and 2 Syd Cowan, 3 C&D Butler; Six pods of any other beans: 1, 2 and 3 Bob Butcher; Four potatoes (white): 1, 2 and 3 Bob Butcher; Four potatoes (coloured): 1, 2 and 3 Bob Butcher; Collection of potatoes: 1 Bob Butcher; Two globe turnips: 1 Sandy Christie; Four capsicums: 1 Marion Prince, 2 David Goodchild; Any other vegetables: 1 and 2 Syd Cowan, 3 Marion Prince; Vegetable collection (one each of three kinds): 1 and 2 Bob Butcher, 3 Tony Murphy; Basket of plenty: 1 David Goodchild, 2 and 3 Bob Butcher.

Fruit classes – Apples (culinary): 1 Kathleen Farquhar, 2 Irene Straughan, 3 David Goodchild; Apples (dessert): 1 L Carter, 2 S Easton, 3 Grange Lea care home; Plums: 1 Audrey Christie, 2 C&D Butler, 3 L Carter; Any other fruit: 1 Audrey Christie, 2 Mike Sadler, 3 Irene Straughan; Grapes: 1 and 2 Christine Liddell, 3 Syd Cowan.

Children's classes – Flower decoration in egg cup: 1 Alice Cowell, 2 Ellie Ridout, 3 Amelia Riley; Christmas tree bauble: 1 Molly Knowles, 2 Sophie Nesbitt, 3 Francesca Turnbull; Miniature garden: 1 Georgia Morrow, 2 Emma Renton, 3 Sophia Riley; An insect: 1 Isabella Hull, 2 Molly Storer, 3 Amy Sparshott; Textured picture: 1 Francesca Turnbull, 2 Sophia Riley, 3 Eve Ward; Handwriting (under seven years): 1 Ashvee Shah, 2 Sophie Johnson, 3 Gabriella Turnbull; Handwriting (seven to nine years): 1 Sophie Nesbitt, 2 Emma Fatkin, 3 Molly Knowles; A poem for Ponteland: 1 Ellie Afflick-Ward, 2 Katie Winters, 3 Sarah Smith; A decorated gift bag: 1 Kristin Morgan, 2 Anna Harris, 3 Alex Eden; FIMO or clay model: 1 Kristin Morgan, 2 Megan Winter, 3 Sophie Drew; Mr and Mrs Potato Head: 1 Katie Winters, 2 Alex Eden, 3 Katherine Wilkes; Three pieces of traybake: 1 Anna Harris, 2 Katie Winters, 3 Evie Austin; Apple pie: 1 William Pilsbury, 2 Amelia McKenna, 3 Kristin Morgan.

Cookery classes – One jar of marmalade: 1 Mary Guy, 2 Penny Hewitt, 3 Syd Cowan; One jar of fruit jelly: 1 Penny Hewitt, 2 and 3 Jack White; One jar of jam: 1 and 2 Penny Hewitt, 3 Syd Cowan; One jar of lemon curd: 1 Penny Hewitt, 2 V Hinchley; One jar of chutney: 1 Syd Cowan, 2 Tony Murphy, 3 Jack White; Apple pie: 1 and 2 Jean Sadler, 3 Irene Halliday; Four jam tarts: 1 Penny Hewitt, 2 Irene Halliday; Sultana cake: 1 Ann Reid, 2 Irene Halliday, 3 Penny Hewitt; Sandwich cake: 1 and 2 Irene Bruce, 3 Penny Hewitt; Four cupcakes: 1, 2 and 3 Irene Halliday; Bread loaf: 1 Irene Halliday; Lemon meringue pie: 1 Irene Bruce, 2 Tony Price; Four ginger snaps/biscuits: 1, 2 and 3 Jean Sadler; Four cheese scones: 1 Irene Halliday, 2 Grange Lea care home, 3 Irene Bruce; Four pieces of traybake: 1 Ann Reid, 2 Grange Lea care home, 3 Joyce Rawlings.

Handicraft classes – Hand-made toy: 1 Maria Shuttleworth, 2 Lucinda Porter, 3 Mary Guy; Item of beadwork: 1 and 2 Penny Morris; Hand-knitted article: 1, 2 and 3 Irene Bruce; Any other craft: 1 Maria Shuttleworth, 2 Marina Catchpole, 3 Maria Shuttleworth; Any other craft in wood: 1 Jack Hetherington; Embroidered article: 1 and 2 Maria Shuttleworth, 3 Betty Ladkin; Cross-stitch: 1 Wendy Trevitt; Quilted item: 1 Wendy Trevitt, 2 and 3 Maria Shuttleworth; Oil painting: 1 George Ridley, 2 Cranston Cuthbert; Water colour: 1 and 2 Christine Forster, 3 Jack Hetherington; Line drawing: 1 Jack Hetherington; Acrylic painting: 1 Mike Brown.

Wines – White wine: 1 and 2 Syd Cowan, 3 Christine Forster; Red wine: 1, 2 and 3 Syd Cowan.

Photography classes – Natural history: 1 Mike Sadler, 2 Annabel Andrews, 3 Mike Sadler; Family holidays: 1 Mike Sadler, 2 Kristin Morgan; Hobby: 1 Mike Sadler; Water: 1 Mike Sadler, 2 Don Foster, 3 Mike Sadler; Animal photo: 1 Jonathan Kellagher, 2 Mike Sadler, 3 Kristin Morgan; Children's snapshot (under nine years): 1 Rebecca Grezo, 2 Georgia Morrow, 3 Chloe Petts; Children's snapshot (nine to 14 years): 1 Harvey Robertson, 2 Evie Austin, 3 Kristin Morgan.

Source: Morpeth Herald

Ponteland Parish Flower Show Results

HORTICULTURAL
Flowers. Geranium or pelargonium: 1, Pat Turner; 2, Joan Harrison. Pot plant, flowering: 1 & 2, D. & C. Butler; 3, Marion Prince. Pot plant, foliage: 1, Mary Mackley; 2, David Goodchild. Fuchsia: 1 & 3, J.B. Scott; 2, Daisy Haggerty. Coleus: 1 & 3, Maria Shuttleworth; 2, Marion Prince. Cactus and succulent plant: 1, John Angel; 2, Gillian Melton; 3, David Goodchild. Mixed flowers: 1, David Goodchild; 2, Pat Turner; 3, Marion Prince. Annuals: 1 & 2, Alice Walker; 3, Marion Prince. Chrysanthemum blooms: 1, 2 & 3, Maria Shuttleworth. Spray chrysanthemum: 1, Ian Walker. Hybrid tea roses: 1 & 2, Mike Sadler. Hybrid tea rose: 1, Mike Sadler; 2, John Hetherington. Floribunda rose: 1, Audrey Christie. Hanging basket: 1, J.B. Scott; 2 & 3, Marion Prince. Gladiolus spike: 1, Marion Prince; 2, John Turner. Spikes of gladioli: 1, John Turner. Asters: 1, Marion Prince; 2, Kathleen Farquhar. Pompom dahlias: 1 & 2, Cranston Cuthbert; 3, Maria Shuttleworth. Cactus dahlias, small: 1 & 2, Maria Shuttleworth. Cactus dahlias, medium: 1, D.M. Goodchild; 2, Maria Shuttleworth. Decorative dahlias, miniature or small: 1, 2 & 3, Cranston Cuthbert. Decorative dahlias, medium: 1 & 3, Maria Shuttleworth; 2, D. & C. Butler. Pansies: 1, 2 & 3, Syd Cowan. Saintpaulia: 1, Lucinda Porter. Lady's spray: 1 & 2, Irene Straughan; 3, Margaret Cowan. Gentleman's buttonhole: 1 & 2, Carol Butcher; 3, Irene Straughan. Heathers, single, white: 1, R. Nichols; 2, G. & D. Warner. Heathers, single, coloured: 1, Hugh Chambers; 2 & 3, R. Nichols. Heathers, double, white: 1, G. & D. Warner; 2, Hugh Chambers. Heathers, double, coloured: 1, R. Nichols; 2, Hugh Chambers; 3, G. & D. Warner. Basket of heathers: 1, G. & D. Warner; 2, Pat Turner. Buttonhole made from heathers: 1 & 2, Dorothy Wild.

Vegetables. Three beetroot: 1, Sandy Christie; 2 & 3, Bob Butcher. Cabbage: 1, D. & C. Butler; 2 & 3, Bob Butcher. Two long carrots: 1, Sandy Christie. Two stump or intermediate carrots: 1,2 & 3, Bob Butcher. Cauliflower: 1, Bob Butcher. A greenhouse cucumber: 1, John Hinchley; 2, D. & C. Butler; 3, D. & M. Goodchild. Lettuce: 1, Syd Cowan; 2, Penny Hewitt; 3, J. B. Scott. Two leeks: 1, J. B. Scott. Quality marrow: 1, Kathleen Farquhar; 2, Brian Oliver; 3, Hugh Chambers. Heaviest marrow: 1 & 2, John Hinchley; 3, Sandy Christie. Two parsnips: 1 & 2, Bob Butcher. Three onions from seed: 1, 2 & 3, Bob Butcher. Three onions from sets: 1 & 2, Bob Butcher; 3, D. & C. Butler. Four onions under two pounds: 1,2 & 3, Bob Butcher. Six shallots: 1, Syd Cowan; 2 & 3, Bob Butcher. Two courgettes: 1, Penny Hewitt; 2, Hugh Chambers; 3, D. & M. Goodchild. Five tomatoes: 1, Geoff Creighton; 2, J. B. Scott; 3, Syd Cowan. Truss of tomatoes: 1, D. & M. Goodchild; 2, D. & M. Goodchild; 3, Marion Prince. Nine cherry tomatoes: 1, Syd Cowan; 2, Marion Prince; 3, Gillian Noble. Pods of peas: 1, Alma Prickett; 2, Irene Straughan. Runner beans: 1, Bob Butcher; 2, Sandy Christie; 3, Hugh Chambers. French beans: 1, Penny Hewitt; 2, Sandy Christie; 3, Alma Prickett. Any other beans: 1 & 2, Bob Butcher. Potatoes, white: 1 & 3, Penny Hewitt; 2, Bob Butcher. Potatoes, coloured: 1, 2 & 3, Bob Butcher. Collection of potatoes: 1, Bob Butcher. Globe turnips: 1, Sandy Christie. Capsicums: 1, Marion Prince; 2, Penny Hewitt; 3, David Morris. Any other vegetables: 1, Syd Cowan; 2, David Morris; 3, J.B. Scott. Collection of vegetables: 1 & 2, Bob Butcher. Basket of plenty: 1, Gillian Melton; 2 & 3, Bob Butcher. Ugliest vegetable: 1 & 2, Bob Butcher; 3, Sandy Christie.
Fruit.  Apples, culinary: 1 & 3, Kathleen Farquhar; 2, Alma Prickett. Apples, dessert: 1, Lena Carter; 2 & 3, Janet McCann; 3, Jack Archer. Plums: 1, Monica Reid; 2 & 3, Sandy Christie. Any other fruit: 1, Sandy Christie, 2, Jack Archer; 3, Trish Smith.
SPECIAL AWARDS. Ponteland Parish Council Challenge Salver for best pot plant, Maria Shuttleworth. Ponteland Parish Council Challenge Rosebowl for best cut flowers, D. & M. Goodchild. Ponteland Parish Challenge Trophy for best vegetable exhibit, Bob Butcher. Bill Crow Memorial Craich for most points in heather classes, R. Nichols and G. Warne. Northumberland Fuchsia Society Trophy for best fuchsia, J.B. Scott. Bobby Thompson Memorial Trophy for best hybrid tea roses, Mick Sadler. Alan Cowell Award for best hanging basket, J.B. Scott. Bob Woolley Award for best spray chrysanthemums, Marion Prince. Bobby Thomson Memorial Trophy for best heather exhibit, G. and D. Warner. Adam Wilkinson Trophy for best exhibit in peas and beans, Penny Hewitt. White Challenge Trophy for best vegetable collection, Bob Butcher. Stan Dytham Memorial Trophy for most points in vegetable classes, Bob Butcher.
INDUSTRIAL
Cookery. Marmalade: 1, Syd Cowan; 2, Penny Hewitt; 3, Mr Doughty. Fruit jelly: 1 & 2, Jack White; 3, Marjory Dodd. Jam: 1, Doreen Christer; 2, Alan Barron; 3, Syd Cowan. Lemon curd: 1, Penny Hewitt; 2, Irene Halliday; 3, Joan Harrison. Chutney: 1 & 2, Penny Hewitt; 3, Alma Prickett. Apple pie: 1, Jean Salder, 2, Marjory Dodd; 3, Irene Halliday. Sultana cake: 1, Ann Reid; 2, Sheila Campbell; 3, Doreen Christer. Sandwich cake: 1, Isabel Dingwall; 2, P. Mcdonald; 3, Marjory Dodd. Pasty: 1, Irene Halliday; 2, Penny Hewitt. Bread loaf: 1, Irene Halliday; 2, Bill Morrison; 3, Noreen Green. Lemon meringue pie: 1, Isabel Dingwall; 2, Penny Hewitt; 3, Tony Prince. Ginger snaps/biscuits: 1, Penny Hewitt; 2, Sheila Campbell; 3, Irene Halliday. Cheese scones: 1, Irene Halliday; 2, Karen Green; 3, D. & C. Butler. Traybake: 1 & 2, Irene Halliday; 3, Ann Reid.
Handicraft. Handmade toy: 1, 2 & 3, Grangelea. Beadwork: 1 & 2, Penny Morris. Handknitted article: 1, Maria Shuttleworth; 2, Betty Chapman; 3, Sheila Campbell. Any other craft: 1, Maria Shuttleworth; 2, Grangelea; 3, Alma Prickett. Any craft in wood: 1, Jack Hetherington. Embroidered article: 1, Christine Hudson; 2, Maria Shuttleworth; 3, Grangelea. Cross-stitch: 1, Mary Mackley. Quilted item: 1, 2 & 3, Maria Shuttleworth. Oil painting: 1 & 3, Christine Greenwell; 2, Hugh Chambers. Watercolour: 1, Geoff Creighton; 2 & 3, Christine Forster. Line drawing: 1, Barbara Jobling; 2, Jack Hetherington. Acrylic painting: 1, Julie Siddal. Pastel: 1, Daisy Hagerty. Mixed-media exhibit: 1, John Gill.
Wines White wine: 1, 2 & 3, Syd Cowan. Red wine: 1, Syd Cowan; 2, Christine Forster; 3, Mr Doughty.
Photography Natural history: 1 & 2, Mike Sadler; 3, Annabel Andrews. Family holidays: 1 & 2, Mike Sadler; 3, Rachel Morgan. Ponteland village life: 1, Margaret Richardson; 2 & 3, Margaret Cowan. Four of a kind: 1 & 2, Mike Sadler; 3, Katherine Elliott Smith. Animal photograph: 1 & 2, Mike Sadler; 3, Alma Prickett. Children's snapshot, under nine years: 1 & 2, Daniel Buffham. Children's snapshot, nine-14 years: 1, Kristin Morgan; 2, Katherine Elliott Smith; 3, Hannah Buffham.
SPECIAL AWARDS. Margaret Dodsworth Championship Trophies for the best senior apple pie, Jean Sadler. Thornhill Women's Institute Trophy for best exhibit in handicrafts, Penny Morris. Women's Institute Challenge Salver for most points in handicrafts, M. Shuttleworth. T. Geoffrey Willey Photographic Cup for best photographic exhibit, Mike Sadler. Stanley C. Dytham Perpetual Challenge Trophy for most points in cookery classes, Penny Hewitt. Barbara White Memorial Trophy for best art exhibit, G. Creighton.
CHILDREN'S CLASSES
Woven bookmark: 1, Amelia Walker; 2, Arya Shah; 3, Francesca Turnbull. Miniature garden: 1, Sophie Drew; 2, Sarah Smith; 3, Jenny Cragg. Dinner on a plate: 1, Megan Winters; 2, Jenny Cragg; 3, Francesca Turnbull. Stained glass window: 1, Francesca Turnbull; 2, Molly Storer; 3, Molly Knowles. Handwriting, under seven years: 1, Hannah Eggleston; 2, Lauren Mandle; 3, Isa Bella Hull. Handwriting, seven-nine years: 1, Arya Shah; 2, Ellie Afflick-Ward; 3, Hannah Hinsche. Flag of Ponteland: 1, Kristin Morgan; 2, Kate Carmichael; 3, Hannah Buffham. Christmas door wreath: 1, Zoe Ling. Crown: 1, Kate Carmichael; 2, Natalie Rudd; 3, Hannah Buffham. Mr and Mrs Potato Head: 1, Alexandra Elliott-Smith; 2, Imogen Riley. Chocolate cake: 1, Kate Carmichael; 2, Imogen Riley; 3, Emily Morris. Apple pie: 1, Georgia Morrow; 2, Natalie Rudd; 3, Kristin Morgan.
SPECIAL AWARDS. Ponteland Town Council Trophy for best Ponteland flag, Kristin Morgan. Rotary Club of Ponteland Children's Trophy for best handwriting, Arya Shah. Ponteland Ladies' Circle Challenge Award for best exhibit in children's classes, Kristin Morgan. Mary Anderson Shield for most points in children's section, Kate Carmichael.

Source: Hexham Courant

Prizes For Young and Old at Village Show

Ella Pears, aged 92 and a life-time resident of Ponteland Parish,won First Prize for her Decoupage picture of a village scene from times past. This is very detailed and intricate work requiring steady hands and Ella is an expert. She says she is looking forward to the classes starting again in October.

Zoe Ling
Town Council Trophy for best Exhibit
of a Ponteland Landmark

Francesca Turnbull
Rotary Club Trophy for Best
Handwriting

Daniel Buffham
Ladies Circle Award for Best Exhibit in
the Childrens’ Classes

William Pilsbury
The Margaret Dodsworth Trophy
for the best Junior Apple Pie

By Muriel Sobo

Community Loses One of its Biggest Contributors

A PONTELAND man who played an active part in many of the village's clubs and events died peacefully in hospital on July 22 aged 78.

Dick Dodsworth was born in Yorkshire in 1930 and moved North with his father when he got a job working for Donald Ireland at his nursery in Edgehill, Darras Hall.
After completing National Service he worked for the Blood Transfusion Service in Newcastle, where he met his wife, Margaret, and they went on to live in Gosforth.

With his brother-in-law, Mr Dodsworth set up a greengrocer business and eventually they ran a number of shops in Newcastle.

It was in the late 1950s that Derrick, known as Dick, and Margaret began to take part in social activities in Ponteland, and this prompted their move to a house in North Road, Ponteland, in 1964.

He joined the Rotary Club and the Golf Club and became President and Captain respectively, while he was also for some time on the management committee and a Trustee for the Ponteland Memorial Hall.

In 1977 the couple started holding Domino Drives to help raise funds for charity, and they were popular, often involving up to 200 people.

A year later Mr Dodsworth was among the group who re-established the Ponteland Flower Show, still held annually in September, and he helped to initiate the Memorial Hall Leek Club.

Not content with organising, he often carried off prizes with his gladioli and other blooms, leeks and onions.

Mr Dodsworth was involved in other activities, including the annual Christmas Arts Ball at the Ponteland Memorial Hall, and his efforts were recognised by Ponteland Parish Council in 2002 when he was awarded an inscribed crystal trophy in recognition of his service to the community.

Castle Morpeth Borough Council also recognised his input and presented him with a Meritorious Service Certificate.

He could be seen regularly in Ponteland Park walking his golden retriever, Squire.
Mr Dodsworth's wife died in 1997.

His cremation took place yesterday (29th July 2009) at the West Road Crematorium, followed by a Service of Thanksgiving in St Mary's Church, Ponteland.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Marie Curie Hospice, Marie Curie Drive, NE4 6SS.

Source: Morpeth Herald

Ponteland Flower Show Cantonese Evening

Cantonese Evening to be held at the New Rendezvous Restuarant, Broadway, Darras Hall, Monday, 2nd March, 2009, 7.00pm for 7.30pm
Tickets £17.00 each
Please email Ponteland Online Admin for ticket availability

Fine Weather Brings Out Show Supporters

Ponteland Village Show put on a fine display of gardening produce, mouth-watering cookery and beautiful creative work and more than 300 villagers came to the Memorial Hall to check it out. The warm sunny September day encouraged viewers but the seasons this year did not help the growers. A long cold spring, the hottest July on record and a wet August were detrimental to the flower growers and there were reduced displays of dahlias, chrysanths and gladioli. Irene Halliday encouraged the Brownies and Rainbows to put on a splendid display of work in the children's classes. The Guides did a superb job of pouring teas for thirsty folk and selling their delicious home cooking. Syd Cowan, the show chairman was very pleased with the support from the public and said there were only 2 classes out of 125 which had no entries. The committee are thanked again for their hard work on staging another successful show. What will they do next year for the 30th Village Show ?
By Muriel Sobo