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

Clowning for CLIC Sargent-The Sandow Clowns All Laughter Show

Clowning for CLIC Sargent

The Sandow Clowns All Laughter Show will occur on Friday, July 26, 2013 at 2:00pm to 3:20pm

Description: Special holiday treat! Clowning for CLIC Sargent -The Sandow Clowns All laughter Show. The best value clean slapstick comedy on stage for all the family. Hilarious comic sketches, juggling, balancing, stiltwalking, comedy musical car and lots of prizes! All Profits Covenant to CLIC Sargent national registered charity 1107328. Over £24,000 donated on our tours. Check out our Childrens Choices Facebook page! Show starts at 2pm, tickets on the door from 30 minutes prior.

All tickets £3.50 adults and children three years and over, free for two years and under.


Location: Ponteland Memorial Hall
Darras Road
Ponteland, NE20 9NX
07969933236 
More Info: childrenschoices.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

WOOLSINGTON DAD GOES AN EXTRA 1000 MILES FOR CHARITY

WOOLSINGTON dad of two, Martin Cowell is set to complete a challenge of a lifetime to mark his 40^th birthday by cycling unsupported from John O'Groats to Land’s End in aid of the North East Children’s Charity Heel & Toe.

Starting on Friday June 28 2013, Martin aims to complete his gruelling journey in just eight days, finishing in time to celebrate his 40^th birthday.

Martin, who works for his family-run business Cowell’s Garden Centre, aims to raise £5,000 by completing the End 2 End cycle challenge for the Heel & Toe Children’s Charity.

The Durham-based organisation provides free conductive education to children suffering from Cerebral Palsy and other physical disabilities, and is a cause close to Martin’s heart after seeing how his daughter Macey, 10, has benefitted from its work.

Martin said: “As a family we have witnessed first-hand the fantastic work that Heel & Toe do to support children throughout the region. I wanted to do something really special to mark my 40^th birthday and I couldn’t think of a better way to give back to the organisation which has made such a difference to my daughter’s life. 

“I know this isn’t going to be easy - to start at one end of the UK and get to the other end in only eight days is quite a challenge, especially when most riders take around 14 days and that’s with support.  But I’m confident I’ll succeed and I’ll just have to keep reminding myself why I’m doing it – Heel & Toe is a truly marvellous charity.

“I am grateful for any donations, however big or small, and would like to thank everyone who has donated so far, particularly the Strawberry Foundation based at The Strawberry Pub, Newcastle which has kindly contributed £500.”

By visiting Heel & Toe’s weekly group sessions Macey’s confidence has grown dramatically as she has receives support with everyday practical skills which has helped to improve her interaction with others, coordination and balance. 

Martin, who also has an eight-year-old son Finley, began his training in November 2012 and has currently cycled 3 back-to-back 120 miles in final preparation for his challenge. He has set up a blog to log all of his training efforts which will be used throughout the eight day ride to track his progress.

To support Martin’s End 2 End cycle challenge in aid of Heel & Toe Children’s Charity, donations should be registered via his Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/GeordieJogle or TEXT - DAFT50 £5 to 70070.

To follow Martin as he completes his training and during his challenge, visit his blog http://geordiejogle.blogspot.co.uk/p/blog-page_21.html

FAMILY FIRM CLIMBS TO NEW HEIGHTS

NORTHUMBERLAND family business Gustharts has invested in a brand new 3500 sq ft flagship showroom, which will also offer an additional 3000 sq ft of storage space, on Blagdon Estate to handle the growing demand for its garden power tools and range of equipment for professional users. 

Established in 1985, Gustharts sells equipment to gardeners as well as those working in the woodland, landscape and arborist (tree surgeon) trades. A major Dealer in the STIHL and VIKING product ranges, Gustharts sells everything from chainsaws to hedge-trimmers, multi-tools and lawn mowers to protective clothing.

2012 was the best year to date for the family firm run by Rob Gusthart and his brother-in-law Michael and nephew Phillip Mitchell. The company grew turnover by 15 percent to bypass the £1m mark in the last 12 months, and despite the poor UK weather, April 2013 was their best ever month in the history of the business.

In 2001 they introduced climbing kit for arborists when one customer asked for a single harness and now Gustharts is the biggest specialist tree-climbing equipment supplier in the North, also supplying many colleges across the UK.  Their specialist tree-climbing equipment also gets sent to EEC countries, with some internet sales travelling as far as New Zealand and Australia.

A need for more space for storage and good quality display space for demonstrations led Gustharts to double its space at Blagdon Estate with a brand new showroom and workshop built by the estate owner, Lord Ridley, with Gustharts subsequently investing £120,000 in a state-of-the-art shop fit and green IT equipment.

The new showroom is located adjacent to Gustharts’ former site on Blagdon Estate, but the new enhanced two-storey 6500 sq ft layout has almost doubled their space.

Rob Gusthart said: “Now we have the bigger showroom customer equipment demos are much easier and people are browsing or just popping in to look round, as opposed to before in our smaller workshop when we didn't have much passing trade.

“We have even got a 20 foot tree in the centre of the showroom to try out harnesses and in the summer we’re hoping to take customers outside onto the Blagdon Estate to test equipment too.”

The investment in green IT facilities was handled by EastQuayIT who installed a special ‘veryPC’ server that is designed to consume less power and a number of ‘veryPCs’ at the new premises. Built using a unique chassis which comprises 100 percent aluminum sourced from renewable and geothermal resources, the PCs are engineered for Low Power Consumption with Eco Power Management and consume around 80 percent less power than a typical PC. 

Ian Fraser, director at EastQuayIT, added: “EastQuayIT is happy to be working with Gustharts and to be helping the family firm further develop its green credentials following its recent move, by reducing power consumption and incorporating recyclable equipment into its IT infrastructure.”

The company was established on 4^th November 1985 as Gustharts Chainsaw Centre and coincidentally moved into its brand new showroom on the same day (4^th November) last year. Marking the official opening recently was Lord Ridley and managing director of STIHL GB, Robin Lennie.

Gustharts is one of the first STIHL Dealerships in Britain to benefit from both its smart showroom fit-out and a bespoke workshop facility, making it a flagship Dealer for the German firm. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, STIHL GB’s Robin Lennie paid tribute to the Gustharts family business which has been a STIHL Dealer for more than 27 years: “Gustharts has long been a top quality STIHL Dealer. They are a pleasure to work with and give excellent customer service, reliable technical support as well as sound advice to their customers. On behalf of all at STIHL, I congratulate them on this new flagship premises, which clearly reflects their quality and scale. We wish them all the very best for long-term and continuing success.” 

Gustharts took on its first employee 15 years ago, and now has nine staff which it hopes to grow considerably in the next few years.

For further information on Gustharts visit www.gustharts.com.

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