Olivia Dixon Teenstar 2014

Olivia Dixon aged 14 years from ponteland has made the regional finals of teenstar 2014 this is the singing competition that Luke friends won last year . The regional finals will be held at the Tyne theatre in newcastle on the 22nd march

Ponteland based charity nominated for Lloyds Community Fund 2013 award

Local charity helping sight impaired children shortlisted for £3,000 community award

Useful Vision needs public vote in the Lloyds Bank Community Fund

Useful Vision, based at Prestwick Park in Ponteland has been organising activities and days out for the families of blind and vision impaired children in the region since 2006.  The aim is to give the families the chance to take part in a range of activities and family fun days. The children grow in confidence, make new friends and are given the opportunity to try a host of activities their sighted peers take for granted.

Rebecca Wilson, Trustee Director said “We are delighted to be nominated for this award. We fundraise so we are able to offer all of our activities free to vision impaired children and their families. We can organise anything from kayaking to cookery classes and we welcome vision impaired children whatever their level of ability. This award would enable us to run so many more activities and engage with a lot more families.”

The Lloyds Bank Community Fund is helping local good causes across England and Wales to have a positive impact at the hearts of their communities by giving grants to over 1,300 local causes in villages, towns and cities across England and Wales. There are four local good causes in each community and each will receive an award. Two local good causes from each community will receive £3,000 each, with the other two receiving awards of £300 each.

You can find out more about the Community Fund and Useful Vision and cast your vote by visiting Lloyds Bank Community Fund website at www.lloydsbank.com/communityfund.  You can text a vote. Voters need to text VOTE LDSC to 61119 to vote for Useful Vision.

Community Fund 2013 voting is open until 1 November

ELEVEN YEAR OLD SWEEPS TO VICTORY AT PONTELAND

Eleven year old Owen Thomas turned a few heads with an incredible 48 points as he carried off the prize as overall winner at the Ponteland Golf Club’s annual junior golf competition this week.

With his handicap now down to 21 after his recent win, he is a regular player during the summer months at Ponteland where he has been a member since 2010.

Sponsored for the fifth year running by the Newcastle office of Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), a national commercial property consultancy, the competition had a strong turn out with 45 entries. Players had to be under 21 years of age to take part and this year, nine of the entrants were girls.

Darron Barker, head of office at LSH’s Grey Street office, awarded the prizes, congratulating everyone who took part.  He said:

“My two sons have both come through Ponteland Juniors and it gives me great pleasure to be able to put something back into junior golf today, thanks to the generosity of Lambert Smith Hampton. 

“Playing golf is a great training ground for life – not just the camaraderie and the competition - but it is a way of meeting new people and when your swing is not so good, it teaches you to deal with life’s disappointments too.

“It is the fifth year we have sponsored this competition and I am delighted to see such a great turn out, including nine girls, which is a record.”

Ponteland Golf Club’s Greg Waugh, regular organiser of the competition was delighted with the standard of play and the enthusiasm shown by the entrants.  He said:  “The good summer weather has undoubtedly been a big factor, but this year there have been around 20 or more young people playing on the course each day, which is great for the game and for the future of the club.”

Other winners were Michael James from Ramside Hall who was runner up with 47 points and Marcus Grove from Tynemouth who won ‘best visitor’ category with 39 points. Best player for the 0-12 handicap was Andy White from Roxburgh with 39 points and in the 13-30 handicap category, Ali Dodds from Ponteland won with 40 points.  Best girl was Katie Thirwell, also from Ponteland, with 34 points.

Caption:  (L to R) Simon McStravick, Ponteland Golf Club Junior Liaison Officer,
Ian Latimer, Captain of Ponteland Golf Club, Robbie Robertson, Owen Thomas,
Michael James and Darron BarkerIan Latimer, Captain of Ponteland Golf Club, Robbie Robertson, Owen Thomas,Michael James and Darron Barker

PONTELAND OFFICE SITE REDEVELOPMENT

Press release

4^th September 2013

An open evening is to be staged for people to see new plans for the redevelopment of Galliford Try’s former North East offices in Ponteland.

The proposals, to create 18 apartments on the site off the A696 West Road, will be on display in the Ponteland Memorial Hall between 5pm and 7pm next Wednesday (11^th September).  Company representatives will also be there to answer questions.

Feedback from the meeting will be used to inform the finalisation of a planning application which is expected to be lodged with Northumberland County Council in the next few weeks.

The changed plans come after a series of meetings with planning officials and consideration of local views about the initial proposal to develop seven luxury homes on the Mill House site.

If approved, Linden Homes - Galliford Try’s Housebuilding division - could begin work early next year.

www.lindenhomes.co.uk

Leonard Cheshire Disability - Bradbury Court

Leonard Cheshire Disability has been a part of the Ponteland Community for many years, although many people may be unaware of Bradbury Court on Thornhill Road.

Bradbury Court is a Supported Living Unit for 9 People with varying disabilities.

Leonard Cheshire the Man was the most decorated pilot in World War II and took part in the Dam Busters Raid; started the charity in 1948, predating the founding of the National Health Service.

Despite Bradbury Court being opened since 10th October 1995, very few people in the area are aware of our existence.

To help remedy that situation, we are holding a Cheese & Wine Evening on Wednesday July 3rd 2013 at Ponteland High School.

The evening is being hosted by Ponteland High School and Waitrose, Ponteland.

On the night, entertainment is being provided by the Ponteland High School Jazz Band.

Tickets are on sale via Michael Metcalf Leonard Cheshire Disability & Carol Wilson at

Ponteland High School and priced at only £8.00

An electronic copy of the Flyer is attached.

For any further information, contact Michael Metcalf - Volunteer Coordinator

07831 585 803

Best wishes,

Michael Metcalf

Michael Metcalf - 07831 585 803

Volunteer Co-ordinator, Northumbria Supported Living

Leonard Cheshire Disability

Telephone: 01661 867610

E-mail: michael.metcalf@lcdisability.org

New Ponteland Dementia Café opens in July 2013

Following the positive response to a Hexham social and support group for people with dementia and their family members, and in response to local people’s needs, Alzheimer’s Society’s Tynedale branch is setting up a new group in Ponteland’s Merton Hall.

The group will be known as ‘D.Caff’   and will be a café-style session, meeting the third Wednesday of the month, starting Wednesday 17^th July (1:30-3:00). People who have dementia (or are concerned about their memory) and their family and friends will be welcomed at the get-togethers.

Dementia Support Worker, Trudi Jackson, and her 4 volunteers Judi, Nicky, Jose and Trish are very much looking forward to welcoming new members. Each month they plan to offer a range of activities such as table top games, team activities, speakers, entertainment and, of course, time to chat and relax over a cuppa. For those who would like additional support or information about living with dementia, Trudi will be happy to help within the group or will arrange a one to one meeting outside the group, if preferred. A peer support group for carers of people with dementia meets in Hexham each month and if there proves to be a demand, then a similar group will be established in Ponteland too.

The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Cafés value reducing taboos around dementia through discussing and understanding the condition and offering information in a non-clinical environment. Also of great importance to living well with dementia is having a network of support which the café can offer through regular contact with those in a similar situation – people affected by dementia are informed and do not feel alone. Trudi and her volunteers whole-heartedly endorse these aims.

The cafes are all on Wednesdays at 1:30-3:00pm on the following dates:

17 July, 21 August, 18 September, 16 October, 20 November and 18  December 2013

in Merton Hall, Merton Way, Ponteland, NE20 9PX

For more information about the group or about living with dementia, please contact

Trudi Jackson, Alzheimer’s Society, Hexham Community Centre, Gilesgate, Hexham, NE46 3NP

Tel. 01434 607 318

trudi.jackson@alzheimers.org.uk

Hundreds have fun in the sun

FAMILIES took advantage of the glorious sunshine to enjoy the entertainment and activities on offer at this year’s Ponteland Party in the Park.

On the main stage there was music from Ponteland Community Band, The Rambling Group and Darras Hall First School Choir and a group from the Jill Errington School of Dance and Drama did a showcase on the nearby grass area.

There were also performances from local U3A Recorders and Ukelele Band in the tea tent. Among the other attractions were a Punch and Judy show, bouncy castle, football games, fire engine and a range of stalls.

The Friends of Ponteland Park had a display at the flower meadow and expert Guy Tansley brought along some bugs for people to look at or touch if they wished.

Sunday’s event was organised by Ponteland United Reformed Church, St Matthew’s Church, Ponteland Methodist Church and St Mary’s Church.

Andy Anderson, who is part of the organising committee, said there was a record turnout this year.

“We were delighted with the fantastic weather and both the tea tent and barbecue sold out, while there was a good 20 to 30-minute queue for an ice cream during parts of the afternoon,” he added.

“The stalls were kept busy and both Guy Tansley and Punch and Judy man Tony James were very popular with those who attended.

“We’re grateful to our main sponsor, Newcastle International Airport, Ponteland Town Council for allowing us to use the park for the party and the other organisations and individuals who help to make this event possible each year.”

Source: Morpeth Herald

Flight of the Red Kite Photographic Exhibition

St. Mary's Church Ponteland

14th - 22nd May

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.

Do You Recognise This View?

Yes, it is Cheviot View, the gates of The Lodge on the left place it, but it is the two school boys on bikes, the lack of traffic and the abundance of trees that are all very different from today.

This picture was probably taken in the 1950s.  In 1955 the road was widened, Clickem-in bridge was widened and two brick cottages, opposite Clickem-in farmhouse, were demolished to facilitate all this.  Clickem-in farmhouse and the farm cottages are marked on plans from the beginning of the 1800s, and may go back further.  There was also a milestone from the Turnpike days at the bridge indicating that this was 7 miles from Newcastle.  

Now, the question.  Does anyone have photographs or memories of this part of the road, from the Dobbies roundabout to Bell Villas, before 1955 when it was widened?  Please contact Muriel on 01661 871969.

Last month I found a formal picture of the Castle Ward Rural District Council,mounted and everyone named, just before it was consigned to history in 1973.  From the Charity shop in Merton Way!!

Comments on proposals for land at Birney Hill Farm

Press Release

07 March 2013	For immediate release

Comments on proposals for land at Birney Hill Farm

Northumberland County Council’s development management team will be accepting all responses that it has received to the proposals for development on land at Birney Hill Farm near Ponteland – but will not be sending individual acknowledgements. Due to the large numbers of letters that have been received, the council isn’t able to send out individual replies but has confirmed that all points being raised in the correspondence will be taken into account when appraising the proposals. The application by Lugano Developments Ltd is for outline planning permission for the demolition of some existing buildings and the construction of up to 280 dwellings.  It also includes proposals for business space (up to 650 square metres of B1 floorspace), shops and restaurants (no greater than 250 square metres (gross) of A1/A3 retail floorspace) and community facilities (up to 500 square metres D1 floorspace).  A community farm and associated buildings, landscaping, open space, access and associated engineering works are also included in the plans. Details of the application can be viewed on the council’s website at www.northumberland.gov.uk/planning , where you should enter the reference number 13/00132/OUTES in the planning application search.

CARING COUPLE RUN FOR RESCUED ANIMALS

THE North East veterinary star of CBBC's Dick 'N' Dom Go Wild and Junior Vets series is preparing to pound the streets of Edinburgh in May, taking part in the annual half-marathon in a bid to raise money for local animal rescue charities.  

Ponteland-based vet Jason Atherton, a director of Westway Veterinary Group, has starred in the last two series alongside the popular TV presenters, as they challenge young volunteers to help fix wounded and poorly pets.

Jason is running the marathon with his wife Jill, who owns mobile vet service Vet2Home. This will be their fifth Edinburgh marathon and the pair aims to beat last year's fundraising total of £2,000.

Accompanied by some of their five dogs, the couple, who also have five children, clock up around 60 training miles a week. As seasoned marathon, half-marathon and fun runners, the pair have raised thousands of pounds for animal rescues over the last few years.   

Jason said: "This will be our fifth Edinburgh run and we are aiming to split the sponsorship money and help as many small charities as possible this year.

"When you work with animals some of them really tug at your heart-strings, particularly the ones in need of a new home, which is what prompted us to pull on our trainers again. 

 "Sadly, the North East has a big problem with stray and unwanted animals and the smaller charities, which are all run by volunteers, do a brilliant job. They are really dependent on donations and fund-raising activities so we are hoping the kind-hearted people of the North East will step up and help us raise as much money as possible.

"Everyone is feeling the pinch a bit this year but we have already had children donating their pocket money and clients pledging their sponsorship at our surgeries.  We are grateful for every penny, and it will all go towards helping abandoned and injured animals."

The charities that will benefit this year are Greyhound Rescue North East, Adopt a Dog North East, Brysons Animal Refuge, The People's Animal Rescue and Rehoming Team (PARRT) Farplace Animal Rescue, North East Springer Spaniel Rescue and the Westways Stray Fund.

Donations can be made in person or over the phone at any of the ten Westway surgeries across the North East.

Via Email.

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